Fight NIght Champion

Developed by EA Canada (3/1)
Multiplatform

EA Sports boxing franchise has once again changed their name and while it's not as significant a jump from Knockout Kings to Fight Night, it is now treading some new water.  For starters, Champion is the first major sports title to be given a Mature rating (major as in simulation unlike NFL Blitz) and it definitely shows the difference.  Also, the controls have been streamlined making it much more simpler to throw punches out and string combos together.  Is the changes justified or should should this retooling have been hung up like EA's NBA Elite franchise?

The controls are much more simpler this year and the developers even mapped punches to the face buttons again.  While this is great for newcomers and fans of button mashers, most will elect to use the right stick.  However, veterans of Fight Night may initially be turned off due to what some have deemed "over-simplication" due to the fact that most strikes are flicks instead of quarter-circles or 3/4 circles now.  While it took me a few fights to get used to, I quickly learned the new system and saw how much easier it was to cue up combos.  Also, blocking is now done automatically without the need to aim it using the right stick.  This may seem like unnecessary but since players don't have to hold down block and aim the right stick, this leaves the stick open for striking out of blocks.  By allowing this change, it ensures quicker striking and smarter boxing (in my opinion.)  While technically similar, EA changed enough to cause veterans to be turned off, but I commend EA for making these changes.  I do have some issues with combos being thrown due to some oversensitive controls, but overall it didn't really ruin my experience with the game.

Along with a change in control is the more mature feel of the title.  Immediately once you've booted up the disc you're thrown into a bare knuckle brawl in a ring located at a penitentiary.  This new story is called "Champion Mode" and stars fictional Middleweight Prospect Andre Bishop.  The story follows his fall from grace and the dirty corrupt business between boxing promotors.  The dialogue is much more adult then one would initially expect from a sports title but overall fit the story and was enjoyable.  While the story itself was pretty cliche, I enjoyed it and liked the way EA Canada handled certain story elements.  Whether fighting through a broken hand, engaging in a bare-knuckle brawl, or being wary of a left hook, EA incorporated them well into the story and it switched things up from the typical tournament fare of past Fight Nights.  I must admit though that some of these challenges were downright ridiculous with one fight in particular practically having me run for half the fight!  Overall, it was enjoyable and I look forward to improvements in future installments.

Aside from the main story, the in-ring action definitely wears it's Mature rating on it's sleeve.  The real-time damage caused by the fighters may not be apparent initially but once you see the blood gushing and the realistic bruising you'll quickly agree that the Mature rating was warranted.  Often times I was impressed at certain angles I was able to score the knockdowns with that I told my girlfriend to look and she immediately thought it looked too gross and realistic.  You'd think that after three installments, the super slow-mo KOs would lose their touch, but I still enjoy watching the fighters hit the canvas after a perfectly timed uppercut.  I have to admit that I wasn't in love with FNR4 but have grown to really enjoy FNC. 

Pathetic

Controls may be too simple for veterans of FNR4
Isaac Frost is RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP
Some story mode fights aren't fun at all
Combos sometimes thrown unintentionally due to sensitive controls
Locked promotional fighters? (Classic Foreman)

Very Nice!

Champion Mode is a lot of fun
Control changes are warranted and intuitive
Damage is painfully realistic
Fighter movement is much less robotic then FNR4
Controls are incredibly responsive
Bare-Knuckle Brawls were incredibly satisfying

FINAL GRADE: B

Champion Mode was enjoyable and the action seemed more quicker and fluid.  The controls took some getting used to but definitely add to the experience.  EA took a risk earning a Mature rating but it definitely paid off.  If you loved Round 3 but hated Round 4 (which was pretty good) Champion may rekindle your love for boxing games.

Dead Space 2 Severed (DLC)

$7 for PSN or 560 pts for Xbox Live

I really enjoyed Dead Space 2 and once the first piece of downloadable content was announced, I couldn't wait for it's release.  However, this new content starred Gabe Weller from the Wii's Dead Space Extraction.  Regardless, I was eager for another reason to play Dead Space 2 so I quickly downloaded Severed.  I was pretty underwhelmed, to say the least.

For the $7 you're paying, you're given two completely new chapters starring a protagonist (most don't really know) on a mission to save his wife.  This rescue mission takes place apparently moments after Isaac Clarke's romp on the Sprawl.  While I enjoyed seeing the place after the carnage Clarke had to endure, It almost seemed more of a rehash of Dead Space 2 with very little added.  I am glad that the developers brought back the very creepy Twitchers from Dead Space 1, but overall the experience felt like more of the same which is sad because in the short amount of time spent with Gabe, I did find myself interested in his story.  Clocking in at a little over an hour (I took about 75 minutes on Zealot difficulty) though doesn't really seem to be giving buyers much for their buck.  If you love Dead Space (especially it's story) then I'd recommend checking it out.  For casual fans however, it's definitely passable.

FINAL GRADE: C-

Bulletstorm

Developed by People Can Fly & Epic Games (2/22)
Multiplatform

I'm sure by now most of you have seen or heard of Bulletstorm and if not, you probably know it as that game that makes fun of other shooters.  Epic actually released a free game spoof titled Duty Calls: The Calm Before the Storm.  Aside from the clever marketing campaign, Bulletstorm also got some free publicity by the Media targeting it as "too violent a title marketed towards our youth."  I'm sure many have completely glanced over this game deeming it too immature, but should you really pass this title by?

Bulletstorm is from the studio that brought you Gears of War and for fans of that franchise, it definitely shows.  Your hero Grayson Hunt is a loudmouth drunk who leads a former Black Ops squad on a mission for revenge.  You and your men were being used as mercenaries killing innocents under the lies of General Sarrano and now Hunt is seeking atonement.  The story is typical but the dialogue is oddly decent.  Penned by one of the writers for Marvels Punisher, we're treated to some of the most colorful language I've seen in a video game.  Sometimes the cursing is overly excessive but overall it's not too grating.  Don't have high expectations for the story though because it's really just a reason to kill enemies in the most brutal fashion you possibly can.

Early in the game you're given a device which is essentially a energized lasso.  Using the energy leash, you can grab enemies out of the air, snatch up explosives, or use it to clear a path for your group.  Hunt can pull enemies into an electrical field followed by wrapping another in an explosive and kicking him into a group before his untimely demise.  These are what the game calls Skillshots and players are awarded with more points to be used for upgrades for every skillshot they achieve.  Before I continue though lets get one thing straight: If you play Bulletstorm like typical shooters then you are completely missing the point.  Is it possible to go through the entire game using the original assault rifle and leash?  I don't doubt it at all but given the creativity of some of these guns along with their respective skillshots, you'd be doing yourself a great disservice to attempt such a boring feat. 

Aside from the various weapons you wield, you're given control of different turrets (one of which you control from a helicopter in what is one of my favorite scenes) and also given the reigns of a remote control *SPOILER REMOVED*.  While these are nice distractions, after awhile I grew tired of the braindead enemies.  The AI either directly runs at you or randomly fires near cover, but doesn't exhibit much logic.  Throw in the fact that there's only a handful of enemies and things sometimes get tedious.  I found myself eventually just kicking enemies into the environment instead of attempting various skillshots due to the fact that I've either gotten most of them, or that some of these are downright ridiculous (have a cannonball travel 100 meters without bouncing and killing an enemy).  Overall though I'd say the single-player is an enjoyable experience while it lasts.  Unfortunately, there isn't a proper co-op campaign and instead gamers are given a horde mode similar to GoW.  This isn't to say that it's not worth your $60, just to be wary of what you're purchasing.

Pathetic

AI leaves much to be desired
Not too much in the way of replay value
Lacks a true co-op campaign
Language may be a turnoff
Plot is forgetful
Partners are just plain bad

Very Nice!

Energy Leash feels fresh
Skillshots are clever and fun
Some really epic boss fights
The Sniper! (see Singularity)
Using the Environment to take out enemies

FINAL GRADE: B

While the story was enjoyable, I really didn't have the immediate desire to go through the campaign again.  The weapons are a lot of fun and the game has a lot of memorable moments.  The game is a nice change from the typical shooters that Epic is trying to spoof.  Revolutionary though?  Not really.