Bethesda gives gamers double dip of fun with Dishonored, Doom 3: BFG Edition

Bethesda has become an industry darling and fan favourite in recent years, thanks in large part to its open world role-playing games, such as Fallout 3 and the Oblivion and Skyrim Elder Scrolls titles.

And gamers can enjoy a double-dip of Bethesda fun at the moment, as the publisher has released a pair of titles: Dishonored and Doom 3: BFG Edition.

Dishonored is a fantastic steampunk romp through a dystopian world in which you play as Corvo, a former bodyguard of the Empress of Dunwall. You stand falsely accused of her murder and the kidnapping of her sole daughter and the legitimate heir to the throne.

On the eve before your date with the state executioner, you are given means to escape prison and meet up with a group of loyalists. These men and women, a diverse group that includes former military and political heavyweights and a somewhat demented scientist, offer you a chance to restore your name by turning assassin. You are tasked with eliminating military and political targets in an effort to find the young heir to the throne.

The streets of Dunwall are filled with death. A plague spread by rats is killing the citizens and the military has instituted martial law. Under these grim circumstances, you must find a way to sneak into heavily guarded areas, deal with a ruthless street gang and dispatch the traitors who were responsible for the assassination of the Empress.

The story is first rate, with twists and turns worthy of a novel treatment. And thankfully the action matches it. At first glance, Dishonored looked to be an Assassin’s Creed clone. But it’s more than that. There’s a supernatural element at play, as well as a type of internal scoring system that judges you based on how little or how much blood and chaos you create. The story and its epilogue change to reflect your actions and overall approach, giving gamers a reason to dive back into this engaging world.

Doom 3: BFG Edition (which stands for Big – shut your mouth – Gun) is a retooled, overhauled version of its predecessor, timed to coincide with the 20^th anniversary of the release of the original Doom on PC. It also contains the first and second Doom games.

Id, the creators of Doom, have upgraded the visuals for Doom 3, tweaked some of the controls to make them more console friendly and added in a ‘lost mission’ that adds eight new single-player levels to the overall experience, giving franchise fans a reason to dive into an eight-year-old title.

Is it a wise investment? Well, the gameplay is largely unchanged. While the visuals are indeed enhanced, the game’s overall creepiness factor, a combination of lighting and chilling sound design, remains the same. Shooters have changed dramatically since Doom 3 launched in 2004. And there’s none of those major advancements on display here. So, the teenaged Call of Duty, Battleground and Halo fans may find the survival horror hook an interesting concept for a while, but there’s little reason to keep them engaged beyond the campaign’s final curtain.

That’s a missed opportunity to build on the brand and position it to compete in the shooter genre going forward.

The score: Dishonored earns 4 stars, Doom 3: BFG Edition gets 3.

Both titles are rated M.

Halo 4 plays it safe, but still innovates with story, weapons

The Master Chief not only lives, but lays to rest any doubts about his future in Halo 4, which released this week exclusively on Xbox 360.

But is the iconic character thriving in the latest first-person shooter extravaganza? Well, to a degree … which will ensure gamers keep a close eye on the franchise as Halo’s story continues through another two future installments.

Some background: This is the first original Halo game developed by 343 Industries – Microsoft’s in-house studio. It’s their second game (they oversaw the updating of last year’s Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary edition, which was a glorified polishing job), but the first time they’ve taken over the storytelling and overall production of the franchise made famous by Bungie. And in that regard, it’s clear that 343, knowing so many critics’ eyes were upon them, didn’t stray far from what made Halo such a successful entertainment tentpole.

The Master Chief takes over the starring role once again (it’s surprising to say he hasn’t been the hero of a Halo release since Halo 3 came out in late 2007). When last we left him, the green-armoured marine with the gold face shield was drifting through space with his computer AI gal pal Cortana. Thanks to his efforts, humanity had defeated the alien Covenant forces and the parasitic Flood. But humanity thought it had lost its last super soldier.

Fast forward four years and Cortana has put the chief into hibernation. She awakens him when a new threat appears ... the Covenant and a new enemy, the Forerunners – an ancient, technologically advanced race long thought dead.

It’s up to the Master Chief to discover what the Covenant wants with the Forerunners and to deal with this new race.

Halo 4 is the first of a planned trilogy of games (Halos 5 and 6 are rumoured to be destined for the next Xbox console). And for true die-hard Halo geeks, if you want to know more about the Forerunners, be sure to read Greg Bear’s two Forerunner novels, which lay out the history of the race (with a third novel still to come).

Regardless, Halo 4 does tell a rich story in between the action sequences gamers have come to expect in this universe. The campaign’s story does a decent job of informing you about the basics of the Forerunners and their ancient battle against the Flood.

As for the campaign, 343 has clearly played it safe. The game doesn’t deviate far from what Halo fans are used to. The game has pick-up-and-play familiarity to it, although the visuals are stunning, the environments vast, colourful and engaging. And the Forerunner weapons and tech are a nice addition to the Halo arsenal of guns and grenades, many of which will prove popular in the multiplayer environment.

Multiplayer features the standard modes, all of which are delivered in crisp detail, sure to please legions of fans. The addition of a co-op and solo special ops section that allows you to further the story and build experience for your personal Spartan warrior is a nice bonus, although it’s clearly following in the footsteps of the Call of Duty games in this regard.

Overall, there’s nothing overly surprising about Halo 4. But there’s nothing overly disappointing either. 343 Industries has proven itself capable of delivering an original Halo game. Now, can they up their game with Halo 5? That’s the next big question for Microsoft’s premier franchise.

The score: 4 stars.

Rated M.

Assassin's Creed, Lego Lord of the Rings highlight Sony's holiday preview show

Well, Jedi Aragorn is finally settled into his new digs in The Hammer, better known as Hamilton, Ontario, and the hut is coming along slowly but surely.

Working for a new newspaper company has meant some major changes and the past 8 weeks have been, well, bat-shit crazy.

That said, I’m back and expect to see gaming features, reviews and opinions, as well as some DVD work when I can since most of the companies have axed me until I get a more ‘impressive’ gig (meaning a newspaper column again … heathens don’t understand the importance of an audience and a multi-media guy like me, with the podcast, website, etc. … but that’s another bitch for another day). So, I’m looking forward to getting back into writing and sharing some looks at some cool games out there or ones that are forthcoming.

I just got back from the Palais Royale in Toronto, where Sony held its annual holiday preview show. And while there were some impressive fall and spring titles available for hands-on demos, there were four that really caught my eye and I thought I’d share.

Ol’ Jedi Aragorn took the hood down off his robe long enough to have a great chat with Jeyson Acevedo, the public relations manager for Ubisoft Montreal, about the studio’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed III game, which is slated for an Oct. 30 release on Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Ubisoft Montreal has been a pioneer in the Canadian gaming development scene and one of its brightest stars over the years, launching such major franchises as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six and Splinter Cell, as well as Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia and Far Cry.

And with more than 2,000 employees, the studio doesn’t look to be slowing down despite the financial instability that has shaken the global economy the past few years. The company recently launched a studio in Toronto, which is now handling the Splinter Cell franchise.

“The more creative minds we can get to the studio, the better the quality games we’ll be able to (deliver),” Acevedo said. “The studio is celebrating its 15^th anniversary. Looking back at all the franchises that have come out of Montreal, it’s quite an accomplishment and we’re looking forward to 15 more.

Asked what people can expect from AC3, Acevedo said the key word is novelty. That’s in large part due to a new graphics engine called Anvil Next, which makes its debut in AC3. That system will play a key role in the large-scale naval battles that unfold on the open sea, as well as the detailed landscapes and buildings that fans have come to expect since the franchise first bowed on the PS3 and 360 in 2007.

“We have set it during the American Revolution,” Acevedo said. “Our main character is an assassin named Connor. He’s a new protagonist in the Assassin’s Creed universe. He’s part-British and part-Native American.

“He’s battling for his people, obviously, but he’s also fighting Templars, who can either be a Red Coat, a Blue Coat or a Native American.  It’s a very polarizing story and very interesting, as well.

“We have a brand new battle system for hand-to-hand combat. He has tomahawks and a bow and arrow for hunting.”

Desmond Miles, the ‘present day’ character whose DNA holds the history of the assassins that preceded him and is the entry into the different eras the franchise explores, also returns.

But most of the game centres on playing during the revolution and like the other AC titles, there are some familiar names that come to the fore.

“We’re introducing new historical figures, like George Washington … major players in the American Revolution,” Acevedo said, without divulging just how these NPCs will play into the story, except to say that it’s “historically accurate.”

The game will also feature multiplayer modes, an economic system similar to that in Assassin’s Creed 2, as well as the aforementioned naval battles, which were on display during a hands-on demo at the Sony holiday preview bash.

The sequence sees you playing on a British warship trying to catch American ships and blast them out of the water. You can also get close enough to attempt to board them.

“The American Revolution was also fought on the sea, as well, so there’s another side of the American Revolution that you’re off to play,” he said.

Overall, Acevedo said the game is a “humongous project – the biggest Ubisoft Montreal has ever produced and one of the biggest ever done at Ubisoft itself.”

“It’s an open world, so you have main missions, but also lots of side missions,” he said. “It’s a hefty single-player campaign. We’re talking a minimum of 40 to 50 hours. Our testers have also been going in to see how far they can go into the game without even finishing it. It’s a massive game, that’s what gamers are looking for and that’s what the team has been striving for for the past two and a half years.”

As with the previous AC games, which have walked a pretty fine line in terms of potentially alienating certain ethnic and religious groups – remember that there was a screen that appeared during the first AC title that proclaimed the game, which featured battles among Christians, Muslims and Jews in and around the Holy Land, had been crafted by people of all faiths.

And goodness knows American politics, especially with the rise of the Tea Party and people who want the United States to more reflect the policies enshrined in the Declaration of Independence that arose out of the revolution could certainly be divisive if not handled with a deft touch.

Of course, working in a market such as Montreal, Quebec, where the two solitudes of anglos and francophones find a peaceful way to co-exist, certainly helps the developers and writers understand the importance of cultural sensitivity.

“We’ve always worked close to historical fact and bring in historians and consultants. In the case of Assassin’s Creed III, we have historians and Native American consultants, as well. Everything that has been created in the game is real. It happened. One of the reasons the Assassin’s Creed franchise has been such as success is because we are an authentic experience.

“There are always touchy subjects … but as long as we work with consultants and get their facts, both positive and negative, and portray them in the games, gamers appreciate that.”

He added that the historical elements attract some non-traditional gamers because the titles can be educational.

“It’s about showing the facts,” Acevedo said. “It’s easier to incorporate a fictional story around historical fact.

“But, you know, haters gonna hate, but we’re looking forward and always want to be as real and accurate as we can.”

As for AC3, it’s nearly ready for retail shipment.

“The game went gold two weeks ago, so it’s into mass production and we’re looking forward to putting it in people’s hands on Oct. 30.”

And there are many gamers, this Jedi included, who can’t wait to get his hands on the full version after the smooth-playing demo on display today.

The were three other titles that caught my eye, the first of which was Warner Bros. Interactive’s Lego Lord of the Rings game, which featured a hands-on demo of the battle at Helm’s Deep, featured in the second Peter Jackson film, The Two Towers.

What’s cool about this game, besides the epic battles and the enormous scale is that it features the actual dialogue spoken by the cinematic actors. So expect to hear Viggo Mortensen delivering Aragorn’s lines, as well as Sir Ian MacKellan shouting “You shall not pass” to the flaming Balrog.

This being a Lego game, though, the sense of humour that has defined the franchises previous titles – including jaunts into the world of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter – is also present. After Gandalf yells at the Balrog, the fiery beast belches in his face, causing the wizard to take a flustered step back.

The game is slated to ship on all platforms and consoles later this month.

God of War: Ascension was also on display and it looked buttery smooth. The gameplay looks fantastic and includes a new twist in which protagonist Kratos can stop, rewind and fast-forward time, so that he can rebuild items destroyed in battle.

There are still many quick-time events in major battles, but the game plays faster and smoother and looks more gorgeous than any of the previous GoW games. This one is a Sony exclusive for the PS3.

And finally, for younger fans, watch for a Sony exclusive called Wonderbook: Book of Spells, from a London-based studio. The game uses the Eye camera peripheral, as well as the Move wand motion controller.

You sit in front of the camera with the Playbook open before you on the floor. The camera will show you on your TV, but rather than a flat piece of tech lying before you, on the screen you will see a living book come to life.

This particular game focuses on the world of Harry Potter. You will learn and practise casting spells and then after you’ve mastered the basics of each lesson, you will find yourself sent into a story-based scenario in which you call upon your spells to defeat dark wizards and such.

And when you defeat these scenarios, you’ll be treated to poems penned by Potter author J.K. Rowling.

The beauty is that the controller transforms into a wand on the screen, which is sure to please young Potter fans.

According to Sony Computer Entertainment America rep David Alonzo, the Playbook will also feature in future releases. He said there’s a project in development with the BBC tied to its Walking with Dinosaurs franchise that will allow people to raise baby dinosaurs from eggs and interact with them.

Sounds cool.

And with that, Jedi Aragorn must head back to the hut to get some work done. I hope you enjoyed this look at a couple titles coming soon for consoles and handhelds.

Game of Thrones story draws you into video game

One of the perils of working in journalism is the hours. Specifically the fact I work nights. This means, I rarely watch TV.

So, when I hear about a great TV series, I often wait to buy it on DVD. And if it’s a series with a lot of hype, I’ll often wait until there’s at least two full seasons on DVD before I dive into it.

Such is the case with Game of Thrones. I own the first season on DVD, but have yet to watch it. Waiting until Season 2 is available later this year.

So, when Atlus fired me up a copy of the Game of Thrones video game to review, I was a little concerned. I don’t want the series ruined for me. Thankfully, the game, which is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, tells its own unique story in George R. R. Martin’s universe.

The game was written in conjunction with the popular fantasy scribe. You play as two former soldiers from a rebellion who must unite to face a threat to the Seven Kingdoms.

The story apparently parallels the first season of the show, so while it tells a unique tale, you do interact with characters from Game of Thrones, namely Cersei Lannister, Qhorin Halfhand, Jeor Mormont, Varys and Chataya.

I can’t attest to whether those interactions are true to the show’s characters. But I can say that the journey you embark on in the game is the real highlight. The story is completely engrossing and you are tasked with making moral choices that shape your own character’s journey.

I love story-driven games, so the fact the plot of this game, advanced by character-driven cutscenes, gives you a meaty treat to gnaw on for hours, I enjoyed my virtual trip into the Song of Ice and Fire universe, as Martin’s creation is known.

Unfortunately, the actual combat and some of the NPC (non-player character) interactions are actually a little weak, especially when compared to other games in this genre, such as Elder Scrolls’ Oblivion and Skyrim franchises.

Despite the weak combat and the repetitive NPC dialogue, the story is so engrossing, the world so fully fleshed out and the cutscenes so captivating that most gamers will stick with this tale.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5. Rated M.

N n n

Here’s a quick look at another title currently available:

* Zumba Fitness Rush (Xbox 360; Majesco): Use your Kinect to turn this title into your own personal trainer. There are 42 routines, including 10 specifically for the Kinect. The music is pumping, you can play with a friend in a two-player mode, track calories burned and even create your own workouts.

As far as weight-loss games go, this one is a solid, lively entry.

Rating: 3.5 stars. Rated E-10+

* Country Dance All-Stars (Xbox 360; GameMill Entertainment): Not a big fan of loud, adrenaline-pumping, bass-thumping dance music? Well, here’s a chance for country music fans to kick up their heels and dance to more than 30 hit songs, whether you play alone or with a friend. The game supports Kinect. As for the music, you’ll find cuts by the likes of Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Johnny Cash, Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and more.

Rating 3 stars. Rated E-10+

Future Soldier rises above average squad-based shooter

In the world of military fiction, you’d be hard-pressed to come up with a bigger name than Tom Clancy.

He’s the big literary dog. And Ubisoft has tried hard for more than a decade to try to use Clancy’s name to impact video gamers.

The results have been largely successful, thanks to the Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon franchises (let’s not talk about HAWX or EndWar). Splinter Cell earned its blockbuster cred, but Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon have failed to carve out a sales crater the way Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare and Black Ops series have. Battlefield 3 has also arguably made a bigger splash in the past year, elevating that franchise above the Clancy-named efforts.

And to be honest, multiplayer is why those other games have staying power. While I’m not a big fan of multiplayer, there’s no denying that today’s youth love going online to battle and trash talk one another for hours on end using the same maps and make-your-own-entertainment approach.

Given that, how does the latest Clancy-inspired title, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3; Ubisoft), stack up? Time will tell, but in my books it’s right there with the big boys in terms of campaign gameplay and even this crusty old-school gamer found the multiplayer to be worth more than a passing glance.

Story-wise, Future Soldier is set in the ‘near future’ and terrorists still have a hate-on for America. A plot to unleash nukes sends a group of four Ghosts on a series of 14 missions to take out high-value, high-risk targets around the globe.

I know, the usual plot of a terrorist group trying to nuke the Yanks. Yawn. But that’s just the excuse to strap on some killer tech and guns and head into some truly intense campaign missions. With more than 50 weapons that you can strip down and customize, optical camo suits that let you blend seamlessly into the environment (think Metal Gear Solid meets Predator), drones galore and squad-based tactics that include sniping groups of enemies en masse after setting targets for your AI-controlled teammates … well, it’s pretty awesome third-person shooter action.

The various campaign missions require you to use a variety of tactical approaches in order to succeed. There are times where stealth is the best option and others where running-and-gunning rules the day. You can try to mix these approaches up and there are some trial-and-error moments as you make your way through the game. But overall, the gameplay and mission setups do a good job of hinting at the best way to approach the various scenarios.

I really enjoyed the responsive squad-based combat. When you have AI-controlled soldiers who respond intelligently and logically, it’s a real plus. You feel like the developer actually has your back and that’s a good feeling.

While the plot is clichéd and the scenarios are pretty cookie-cutter, the ability to attack the enemy using cool tech and different strategies elevates Future Soldier above the average squad-based shooter.

As for the multiplayer, what attracted me was that the gameplay focuses largely on a squad-based concept. Rather than a team of lone wolves just seeking to amass as many kills as possible in the hopes of winning achievements or trophies, Future Soldier wants gamers to truly gain an insight into what it means to be part of a team. And while the skill level and approaches of your teammates goes a long way to determining how much you’ll enjoy the various modes (there are 10 maps and four different game types in the initial release, with DLC coming this summer), Future Soldier had me sticking around a lot longer than I usually do.

Overall, Future Soldier won’t redefine military squad-based shooters, but it sure makes for an entertaining romp.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Rated M.

* Coming soon in future columns, watch for reviews of Game of Thrones, Dragon’s Dogma, Dirt Showdown and more.

Prototype 2 unleashes Heller on Earth

Two of the main criticisms many so-called hardcore gamers have about the industry they love are a lack of creativity and the fact game developers now serve a master called corporate shareholders.

Truth is, they’re right. Seems like every developer cannibalizes whatever mechanic or look any best-selling game capitalizes on. A look at this week’s E3 trailers reveals as much (More on that in another blog/column).

And gaming is big business now. Like Hollywood, expect dumb sequels based solely on separating you from your money by capitalizing on your love and faith of a particular character or franchise.

In some ways, it shows how mainstream gaming has become. And there’s also a dark side to success, friends.

So, what to do? Lament? Turn off your consoles in protest? Hold your nose and game on?

That’s up to you.

As with movies, I look for the good parts where I can, support the independent visionaries where possible and keep an ear out for gems worth mining for. And hopefully that’s where I can be of some service occasionally.

This week, my main review is a game that symbolizes the good and bad of corporate influence on a title: Prototype 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3; Activision).

You play as Sgt. James Heller, an African-American soldier hell-bent on revenge due to the death of his family in a monster-infested New York City. He believes the hero of the first game, Alex Mercer, killed his family and Heller will do anything to kill Mercer within the quarantined borders of the Big Apple.

The two face off shortly after the game starts and while I won’t spoil the storyline, which is what is the real reason to keep plowing through the extremely repetitive gameplay, Heller is transformed by Mercer into another Prototype and told to go find out the truth about what really happened to his family – and New York.

Heller is an angry man and he will stop at nothing. When he talks to himself, the game writers offer some funny looks into the man’s character. And as he becomes more knowledgeable and powerful, by killing mutant creatures while hunting down key soldiers, scientists and political masters who are responsible for unleashing this nightmare on New York, Heller’s rage knows no bounds.

And that’s the main draw of this sequel. Heller’s powers, from shape shifting to giant bladed hands to wicked tendrils that can grab multiple targets and vehicles and smash them together in a type of black hole attack, are, as the box advertises, god-like. From soaring like a bird to running like Flash to smashing like Hulk, Heller is destruction incarnate.

While that can be entertaining, it also can get tired. The hunting and infiltration missions do add some fun to the mix, but ultimately become repetitive. It’s not often that I say a story-driven game goes on too long, because goodness knows in this multiplayer-mad, lack-of-story generation most titles toss plot aside like a used tissue, but Prototype 2 overstays its welcome. The story is interesting, but it drags out too long, an excuse for Heller to continue to power up his mutations. There needed to be more varied types of missions.

Prototype 2 looks amazing and has plenty of sizzle, which pleases the corporate side, I’m sure. But the art suffered in service to that. The game feels too mainstream, lacking inspiration to delve into different mission types.

There’s no doubt you’ll have fun tearing people, mutants and vehicles apart as Heller. But expect some tedium to set in as Prototype 2 becomes a game that’s fun to revisit in short stints rather than to consume for hours at a time.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5. Rated M.

***

Here’s a quick look at another title currently available:

*Street Fighter X Tekken (360, PS3; Capcom): The stars of these two popular martial arts franchises do battle in a two-on-two tag team-based approach, so 1-4 players offline or 2-8 online can whoop each other’s butts over and over. You can play using Street Fighter’s six-button layout or Tekken’s four. If you’re a fan, enjoy. Newcomers, it’s definitely worth a look if you’re interested in buddy bashing gameplay.

Rating 3 stars. Rated T.

*Coming soon in future columns, watch for reviews of Game of Thrones, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Dragon’s Dogma and more.

MLB 12 The Show a virtual grand slam

Being a Canadian, I know that I’m supposed to have hockey in my veins. It’s April. The NHL playoffs are going to full-tilt.

And I couldn’t care less.

Whether my work as a sports writer or three years of coaching hockey recently have just pushed me over the hockey edge, I’m truly hockey-ed out. My sports focus is on baseball and football these days, specifically the Toronto Blue Jays and Buffalo Bills.

And right now, I’m in full-on Jays mode.

Thankfully, as a gamer I can get a virtual fix courtesy of Sony’s ever-improving MLB franchise. This year, MLB 12 The Show (PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita) has somehow managed to once again top itself to stand firmly atop the virtual baseball mountain.

Let’s start with what The Show added to the mix a few years back: The Road to the Show mode. This time around, you can start at AA and play actual baseball, working your way up to the majors by playing well in any situation, rather than having to complete little in-game tasks that could take away from the flow of an actual game. For instance, as a pitcher you would often be tasked with striking out the side in order to score points. With a man on, it made no baseball sense to go for the strike out when a double play ground ball was what you needed. Yet you would be punished for doing that. Not now. And the mode is so much more true to life for it.

The season and franchise modes remain outstanding, thanks to amazing graphics and a revamped broadcast style presentation that makes use of multiple camera angles to try to give you the feel of taking in a real TV event. The broadcast play-by-play remains one of the weaker elements, but the game is so damn good that you can easily tune out the announcers and just enjoy the action and visuals.

Controls have been augmented, with more Move support added. I’m not a huge fan of this thing. If I wanted to burn my arm out, I’d reach for a Wii Remote. But if you want the gimmick of trying to swing or pitch like a virtual big leaguer, this game will give you a chance.

A new Diamond Dynasty mode that lets you build a franchise from the ground up with real and created players, having them for set amounts of games and short seasons is promising, although I didn’t spend much time with it. I’m more into The Show and the franchise modes.

Overall, MLB 12 The Show is a beauty, from top to bottom. It is truly one of the best sports games ever released and other developers would be well-served by taking note of Sony’s attention to detail.

You can also save a game to Sony’s Cloud system and continue playing on either the Vita or PS3, so you don’t have to play separate seasons anymore if you own both systems. Love this.

The score: 5 stars out of 5. Rated E.

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Here’s a quick look at some other sports titles currently available:

* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (Xbox 360, PS3; Electronic Arts): This year, it all comes down to two things: The good aspects of the new swing mechanics … and the bad aspects of it. How well you adapt to the more realistic swing mechanics will determine whether you enjoy this or not. It’s not easy, but once you get the hang of it, you are definitely more involved in the game. Shots feel a little less random. Not crazy about paying for all the extra courses, but that’s life in a DLC world. Avoid the Kinect function. Pretty weak The score: 3 ½ stars. Rated E.

* Grand Slam Tennis 2 (360, PS3; EA): A decent game for fans who want to learn how to play the virtual sport. Too simple for the hardcore, who are still best served by the TopSpin franchise. It’s solid, but unspectacular. The score: 3 stars. Rated E.

* SSX (360, PS3; EA): Realism in sports games usually isn’t a bad thing, but this snowboarding series is hampered by a distinct lack of fun and silliness. SSX used to be about insane tricks and cool moves. That’s been toned way down in favour of more realism and the game suffers greatly. The score: 2 stars. Rated E.

Mass Effect 3 one of top trilogies ever made

Hello faithful readers. I've had about a five-month hiatus from writing in the paper (although my work appeared online and on my blog) due to some personal issues.

But things are coming back on track and so I'm back to offer my insights and opinions on video games on a weekly basis.

There were several big issues during the past couple of months in the industry, including backlash attacks at gaming giants Electronic Arts and Activision. But the one issue that particularly drew my ire was the fan attacks on Canadian developers BioWare Ltd., over Mass Effect 3.

Many 'fans' took issue with the game's ending, specifically the fact it basically broke down into three general endings, with a couple subsets within those. Fans felt cheated because they said the choices they had made throughout the three entries - decisions totaling about 1,000 options that were supposed to have ramifications as to how the game played out - were essentially tossed out the airlock. But in Mass Effect 3 space, you could definitely hear the disaffected and the forum trolls screaming bloody murder.

Personally, I think it’s a crock.

As a story teller, you have to have the game’s hero, Cmdr. Shepard wind up in one place. So, this idea that there could be dozens of endings is a joke. And the choices people made were not meaningless. They affected how you experienced the game and how you got Shepard to his ultimate finish. Go on YouTube and search through the different Mass Effect 3 videos and you’ll just how varied the story can be depending on the choices you made.

But the end is the end. That’s where the writers determined Shepard’s journey would ultimately come full circle and culminates in what I personally thought was one of the best, most rewarding, truly emotional and fantastic video game trilogies in the history of gaming. Period.

To their personal credit, the good doctors, Ray Mazuka and Greg Zeschuk, the heads of BioWare, have promised to revamp the ending of the game via a downloadable piece of content in the near future. I think the guys caved - in a way - to pressure when they didn’t need to. I know they care deeply about their fans, but I think a special group like BioWare that is dedicated to story-driven gaming, could have made a statement here about standing strong by their editorial and creative decision because the three endings were effective and emotional.

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Here’s a quick look at a couple games out now:

* Syndicate (360, PS3; Electronic Arts): A strong, interesting sci-fi shooter with a story that could have been fleshed out better. In a dystopian future, big business can sell you a lifestyle if you agreed to have a chip installed in you that can, in essence, control aspects of your behaviour. You play as a syndicate enforcer, an Agent, who discovers there may be corruption in this seemingly perfect world. The game has excellent shooter mechanics and looks great, but is hampered by some glitches that take you out of the gameplay at points. With more polish and a little deeper story, this could have been really special. Instead, it’s just a heck of a shooter. 3 ½ stars out of 5. Rated M.

*Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3; Sega): OK, Japanese gangsters tackle a zombie infestation. Greatest game ever, right? Well, not quite. Enjoyable in sections and spurts, the lack of polish and the somewhat absurd storytelling detract from the experience. 2 ½ stars. Rated M

* NeverDead (360, PS3; Konami): A mix of hacking and shooting, akin to Too Human and Devil May Cry, this often times silly action title focuses on an immortal who can’t die, who is tasked with killing a bunch of demons. Ya, you can’t die. You’re immortal. So you can get stopped and have to reassemble yourself and then tackle sections again, so don’t sweat trying to stay safe or play strategically. Like this game, there’s really no point. 2 stars. Rated M.

Coming up: A look at the new PlayStation Vita and several sports titles, including MLB 12 The Show and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13.

A dozen ways to beat the post-Christmas gaming drought

Well, time to shake off the gaming dust and get back at it after a short break from my weekly console gaming column. 

This is, as gaming fans well understand, the worst time of the year as far as a new release drought. That's because of the deluge of titles released in the three months before Christmas. (And for those of you who don't have a PC strong enough to run Star Wars: The Old Republic.)

But rather than lament the lack of fresh gaming meat, why not take a breath, sit back and delve a little deeper into some of the great 2011 titles that maybe you didn't spend enough time with because of the Christmas rush. You know, savour these virtual meals a little more.

With that in mind, here are my picks for a dozen ways to beat the post-Christmas blues:

12. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (360, PS3; Namco Bandai Games): When it comes to aerial combat, there is no better console franchise, in my opinion, than the Ace Combat franchise. And Assault Horizon will blow you away with an awesome lineup of fighter jets and military attack helicopters that let you take to the skies and live out your Top Gun fantasies in stunning HD. Throw in a solid story, which is a little less cheesy than some of the previous Japan-centric anime-inspired plots that featured mind-numbing dialogue, and you've got a great reason to turn and burn. Features a solo campaign, as well as online co-op for 2-3 players and online multiplayer battles with up to 16 people. Rated T.

11. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (360, PS3; Eidos and Square Enix): I am a huge fan of single-player, story-driven games and one of the best of the past year was this highly anticipated entry in the Deus Ex franchise. You play as Adam Jensen, a man who augments his body with cybernetics in order to help him unravel a conspiracy that threatens humanity itself. Featuring open-ended gameplay in which your decisions actually do matter and help the story evolve, you will be challenged to figure out the best way to attack the various problems and enemies you'll come across. A great mix of role-playing and action that packs a real story-driven punch. Rated M.

10. Lord of the Rings: War in the North (360, PS3; Warner Bros. Games): As you can tell from my blogger alias, I'm a big LOTR fan and so it shouldn't really be a surprise that this game cracks this list. War in the North is an action role-playing game in which you play as one of three characters ... a ranger, an elf or a dwarf. The game unfolds at the same time as the epic events of the LOTR story, so you are tasked with helping to create a diversion in the North country that will help divert Sauron's attention, as well as defeating another threat to Middle-earth - the evil Agandaur. The combat isn't the strongest element of the game, but I absolutely loved the storyline, the fact you get to visit key locations and meet LOTR characters, as well as build your chosen fighter via a branching skill tree. And the story is the real reason to delve into the title and get lost in a gaming expansion of J.R.R. Tolkien's world. You can play solo or co-op, either online or off. Rated M. 

9. Gears of War 3 (360; Microsoft): The epic conclusion to Marcus Fenix's saga, this third Gears game delivers a good storyline, strong gameplay mechanics and memorable characters who have carved out a niche in gaming history with their chainsaw bayonettes. There's a great solo campaign here, which is longer than the other two, as well as strong co-op gameplay both online and off. And when you're done playing the story, you can dive into the multiplayer modes, including 10-player battles and five-player co-op. The Horde and Beast modes give you some great options when it comes to burning away the hours in this unique world. Rated M.

8. Saints Row: The Third (360, PS3; THQ): The story is ridiculous, let's get that out of the way off the top. The Third Street Saints have dominated Stillwater and for years, becoming part of the mainstream culture. Now, a group called the Syndicate is challenging them and demanding they bow down, so to speak. The Saints decide to take the battle to the Syndicate, invading the city of Steelport, determined to topple this Vegas-esque burgh. The true genius of this game is its over-the-top action, which can be played either solo or in an online co-op mode. The goal is to take over the sex, drug and gun rackets and the emphasis is on crazy weapons, costumes and antics. It's a circus freakshow, but it's also a lot of fun. Rated M.

7. Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection (360, PS3; Konami): The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection bundles together three MGS titles - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Besides upgrading them with high-def graphics, this set also offers Xbox users their first chance to tackle the adventures of Snake. Of course, the original PlayStation game and MGS4 are still out of reach to Xbox users, but this is a good way for those gamers to finally experience this iconic franchise. The storylines are the coolest things about these three games, as the actual gameplay mechanics are frustrating when you compare them to current day action shooters. But it's still well worth the effort.

6. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (360, PS3; Activision): This classic title rocked the Nintendo 64 back in the day and it got a Wii update, but now 360 and PS3 gamers get a chance to drive one of the best 007 games ever made. The update features Daniel Craig's likeness replacing Pierce Brosnan, as well as high-def graphics and an upgraded set of gameplay and story mechanics. The result is one of the most addictive and entertaining James Bond games ever. You can play up to four players offline, or go online and take part in 16-person multiplayer battles. Overall, this one is a no-brainer if you love a good shooter or are a fan of James Bond. It's well worth diving into an update of a classic title. Rated T.

5. Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary (360; Microsoft): Sensing a trend? Like Hollywood, the gaming industry is maturing enough that we're starting to see developers revisit old titles and try to put a new spin on them, much the same way studios do with film franchises. I think that part of the reason for this game's release, besides the obvious economic and anniversary reasons, is to show gamers that 343 Industries can do Halo the way Bungie did. Now, that may not be true since this game is essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the original. It's just been given a high-def makeover and updated skins. The story and the action is still classic tried-and-true Bungie. But with 343 Industries taking control of the franchise as Halo 4 starts to appear on the horizon, I don't think it was a bad idea for the studio to get something out there in the Halo universe with its name on it, even if it is to allay even slightly any trepidation franchise fans might have about a post-Bungie experience. No matter, this game still holds up remarkably well 10 years after its release and there is no doubt that the new Firefight mission, an enhanced story, offline and online co-op and 16-person multiplayer battles will keep Halo fans quite entertained in the months to come. Rated M.

4. Battlefield 3 (360, PS3; Electronic Arts): Bringing Battlefield into the modern era showcases the amazing talents who work at DICE and this title builds on the success of the franchise and shines brightly, both in terms of its single player and multiplayer experiences. The single-player story, which puts you in the boots of a U.S. Marine tasked with stopping a terrorist, is spellbinding. Some of the missions had me gripping the controller so tightly that my fingers ached ... and that's a good thing because that means the game is incredibly engaging. And while long-time readers know I'm not a big multiplayer fan, this game certainly provides those who love the experience with great options and top-notch thrills and challenges that will keep them busy for weeks and months on end. The 24-multiplayer battles are epic. I only wish there had been offline and online co-op options as that would have added to the epic mix already assembled. Rated M.

3. Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3; Warner Bros. Games): The first Batman game rocked. This one is downright awesome. Rocksteady studio has crafted one of the truly great superhero games of all time on any console or gaming device. Arkham City is a walled-off area of Gotham City, in which the criminals and the insane masterminds of the comic world run riot. Batman does battle with all comers, using a combination of stealth and speed and brains to outwit and overcome all of the assembled baddies. Throw in the ability to play as the super sexy Catwoman, as well as the iconic collection of villains, like Joker, Harley Quinn, The Riddler and more, and you've got a dark world with a compelling story that offers a true must-play experience. Rated T.

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3; Activision): With its awesome mix of single-player, story-driven gameplay, offline co-op, four-player offline battles, as well as 18-person multiplayer mayhem, there's not much more I can say about one of the greatest action shooters ever made. It shines in all departments and I really enjoyed the co-op special ops missions, with the much tougher (and obviously frustrating) survival mode which can be brutally unforgiving. That said, that's what war is all about. Overall, MW3 rocks, giving you a good single-player experience. And the multiplayer modes remain as addictive as ever for fans who are into that kind of thing. For me, I still enjoy diving back into the story and reliving some of the intense action sequences that this is the hallmark of this series. Rated M.

1.  The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3; Bethesda): Let's be honest, if you're going to invest hundreds of hours into a game, story and experience are keys and this role-playing game delivers on both fronts. Skyrim adds another great chapter to The Elder Scrolls franchise and builds nicely off of the Oblivion experience. You dive into a post-Oblivion world, where dragons now roam the skies and you must find your place among them since you the Dragonborn, a prophesized hero whose decisions help determine the type of world you'll help forge. The character choices are impressive and the game simply hums along. What I particularly enjoy are the greater options and the increased number of vocal performances you'll find in Skyrim. Oblivion was an amazing game, but hearing the same people over and over got tiresome after the first 60 hours or so. Now, you'll find a larger array of characters with a larger cast bringing them to life, which helps to create a bigger, more immersive experience in what is truly an amazing world to explore. And when you're done one game, you can create an entirely new character with different skill sets and venture forth to play the game in an entirely different way, making different story choices and experiencing Skyrim in a new way. You could literally spend most of 2012 chewing your way through this game over and over and experiencing it from different perspectives until the virtual dragons come home to roost. It's a beauty. Rated M.

Wayne Chamberlain is an editor at The Sudbury Star, who has covered the gaming industry and reviewed games since 2003. You can follow him on Twitter.com @ChamberlainW or @JediAragorn. Join his blog at jediaragorn.blogspot.com.