Resident Evil 4 (Wii, PS3)

Resident Evil 4 -  copyright: Capcom Co., Ltd.

There are few titles in the game industry that may be called "revolutionaries." These games influenced the history of the gaming industry through new game mechanics, great stories, beautiful graphics, or quality soundtrack and are public and critically acclaimed.

Among the lists and ranks available in many websites and magazines, a title that always stands among those which have revolutionized the game industry is the sixth installment in the Resident Evil franchise: Resident Evil 4, a game that revolutionized the third-person shooter genre. Released exclusively for GameCube in 2005, its success was such that Capcom game received ports for PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC and Wii.

Wii version box cover

The game story is focused in Leon S. Kennedy, an American government agent responsible for investigating the kidnapping of Ashley, the USA president daughter, in a remote region of Europe. However, the kidnapping is only part of the Los Illuminados plan, a mysterious and powerful cult that plans to dominate the world through the use of Las Plagas. This parasite organism is capable of producing zombies (called Ganados) and monsters with great agility and intelligence, raising the bar of Resident Evil franchise difficulty.

Aim fast and do not waste ammunition: the enemies may come from everywhere

More than a great shooting game, Resident Evil 4 presents a dark atmosphere, worthy of the best horror games. Combine this fact with sneaky enemies and scary scenarios full of traps and surprises, and you'll have a game full of adrenaline and challenges. Although the "horror" element is actually reduced when compared to the franchise's more classic titles (an often complaint of ardent fans), the title still offers several scary moments and big surprises to the player. Therefore, you must to pay attention to any noise or shout of the enemies (like the famous quote "Un forastero!").

All the boss fights are really challenging

Leon has (the traditional) medicinal herbs to recover energy, and can fight with weapons like shotguns, pistols, sniper rifles, grenades and even rocket launchers. The use of weapons through the third-person perspective (which even redefined the genre in the gaming industry by its fluidity and immersiveness, influencing many new titles), alongside the inability to shoot and run at the same time increased the thrilling during enemies attacks, who suffer damage according to the body part that received the blows. Hence, it is necessary to use the ammunition with caution, because there are parts of the game where it is scarce and must be saved (mainly for the boss fights). Other options include shooting explosive barrels, using knife attacks or the combos that Leon can perform on enemies unbalanced by other attacks.

Remember to keep space for both guns and ammunitions in your inventory (PS3 version)

Along with Leon's game mechanics, most of the game also involves control of Ashley, who (avoiding any major spoiler) is found throughout the game, and joins the adventure of escaping from the Los Illuminados. Other important characters include: Osmund Saddler, the leader of the evil cult; Ada Wong, a mysterious spy who has been involved with Leon in past installments; and Albert Wesker, considered the greatest villain of the saga. The two latter characters can be selected in The Mercenaries mode, which consists of an endless combat against hordes of zombies in order to achieve the highest score. This mode was released along with the main campaign in the last released versions of Resident Evil 4, which included other extras like the mode Separated Ways, an exclusive campaign of Ada Wong that presents a side story to Leon campaign.

From the left to the right: Leon, Ashley and Ada surrounded by Ganados

The game scenarios include abandoned villages, oil refineries, caves, sewers and churches. All of them are beautifully designed and depicted. In fact, this is a constant factor in the game: all Resident Evil 4 elements are nicely refined and work together perfectly, offering a unique experience. The game mechanics are fun and competent; the visual styles and effects are gorgeous; the soundtrack and the voice work are great; the plot is well written and developed; the battles, both against endless hordes of zombies or mutant monsters, are thrilling and challenging in the right measure. It is really an almost perfect game (except, perhaps, when you need to rescue an Ashley who seems to have a lower level of artificial intelligence than the zombies).

Always keep an eye on Ashley, or she will get in trouble

Although some say that this title started the “downfall” of the franchise, focusing only on the action and shooting genres rather than the "horror" factor, it is undeniable that Resident Evil 4 redefined many standards in the gaming industry. There are many qualities that make this title a constant presence in the lists of the best games. More than a revolutionary shooter, the game features a breathtaking plot, excellent gameplay and several hours of fun. A game that you must have in your library, regardless if you have a Microsoft, Nintendo or Sony console (or PC).

I could not end this review without highlighting Leon "awesomeness" (from PC)

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - copyright: Nintendo.

Any entertainment media has its eternal classics. Masterpieces that are reference in their area, becoming obligatory for anyone interested in that media. If you are a movie maniac, you probably watched and are a fan of Marty and Doc Brown. If you are addicted for series, you certainly were amazed by Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. If you are a bit (or a lot) otaku, you most likely is a follower of the Yorozuya.

And, at last but not at least, if you a hardcore gamer, you surely played and loved one of the best games of all time: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Originally a Nintendo 64 exclusive, launched in 1998, nowadays you can find it via Virtual Console or in a renewed Nintendo 3DS version.

The cartridge box of Ocarina of Time

Ocarina of Time is present in all the lists and ranks of the best games. The reason of being absolutely popular and critical acclaimed is a perfect amalgam of elements: fascinating story, great graphics, solid gameplay, and amazing sound. It’s possible to see that (almost) every detail of this Zelda were carefully refined, creating a very credible in-game atmosphere. And if we consider when the game was launched, it is easier to recognize why this Zelda title is so famous and prized.

The Kokiri Village is where the adventure begins

The story is very interesting and has some great twists, worthy of a book series or even a movie. It starts with Navi, the fairy, awakening a child called Link in the Kokiri Forest. The boy and the fairy travels through the kingdom Hyrule, collecting Spiritual Stones in order to help Princess Zelda. She wants to stop Ganondorf, the king of the Gerudo, who aims to acquire a holy relic called Triforce.

Link meets Ganondorf, the game final boss

There is a key moment in the story, when Link is able to get the legendary Master Sword. Doing it, the hero travels seven years to the future. Although everything looks familiar in some way, almost everything has become different or destroyed, thanks to Ganondorf acts during the seven years. Link, now the Hero of Time, must defeat the villain, traveling to different locations between the eras and helping the sacred sages, in order to save the world.

Link removing the Master Sword from the pedestal in the Temple of Time

Obviously, there are many things that happen during the story. Link meets many different people, such as the Gorons and the Zoras, and also amazing locations, such as the Desert of Colossus and the Death Mountain. Besides the main plot, there are plenty side missions, which allow you to find and collect things like a stone-speaking mask, ice arrows, Gold Skultulas (one hundred of them), and time travels songs.

Epona is your faithful companion in the journey (her side-quest is virtually obligatory)

Ah, the songs. Ocarina of Time is also composed of amazing songs and melodies. Using an ocarina, a peculiar type of flute, Link (and the player) can perform many different songs in the game. They are not only great to listen, but also keys to solve puzzles and discover secrets. Besides that, the game has just a few dubbed words (unfortunately, Navi has one of them), however the dungeons songs and the sound effects are enough to make every moment epic.

Adult Link learning a new song (from a man that learned it from Young Link)

The graphics may be a little “rough” nowadays, but even now they are convincing. Most textures are very realistic, with different great environments areas, from deserts and icebergs, to castles and meadows. The characters are lovely, both friends and foes. The gameplay is very solid, with many moves (as backflips and rolls), weapons (as a boomerang and a hammer), and items (as masks and bugs) available to the player. As I said before, everything is well connected, with almost perfect balance between every part of the game system.

There are a lot of items to collect (including a blue chicken Cojiro...)

In my opinion, Ocarina of Time has no real cons. There are only a few minor problems, almost insignificant compared to the game greatness. Such as: your fairy Navi can be annoying sometimes, interrupting your exploration; there are some parts of the game that you may find yourself lost, mostly between dungeons; some tasks and dungeons are really challenging, requiring high precision and smartness, as the (in)famous Water Temple (I used a piece of paper in order to write the map details, and don’t get lost in this dungeon).

And besides the Water Temple itself, there is Dark Link. Probably the most difficult combat of the game

However, in order to complete the title, you will have to face these difficulties. After playing many times, I can say that the best advice to beat them, and the game itself, is composed of three simple actions: talk to everybody, explore everywhere, and think about everything. You must talk to all the NPC’s to receive tips and hints, obligatory to complete the game missions. You also must explore all the locations, in order to find secrets and many necessary items to advance the story.

The Ocarina of Time, a mystical instrument that helps you to progress in the game (and lends it its title)

Finally, you must think about everything inside Ocarina of Time. Understand its mechanics is essential to progress through the game. For example, if you find a spider web blocking a door, and you cannot cut it, just think for a moment: what can I do to remove it? If you look around, there is a lit torch. Maybe you can use something to bring the flames to the web, and then burn it. This example is a simple one, but it illustrates how the game works. You must always think about what you need to do, and which options you have to use.

From the left to the right: a Deku Scrub, the King of Gorons Darunia, a Zora, and the Kokiri Saria

The best part of Ocarina of Time, for me, is its greatness. Huge dungeons, lots of NPC’s to interact, many secrets hidden in the entire game map… everything in this title is great, both in quantity and, mostly, in quality. As you adventure in the lands of Hyrule, you have the feeling of “how many more things I still have to discover?” And it is not because you are bored with it, but because you do not want this great story to end soon.

The game has a great map, with many amazing places to visit

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. A title that defined many standards in the game industry, as the targeting system for 3D games and the great side-quests, which are not only funny, but also, provide some useful stuff for the game. While you play the game, you find yourself immerse in the culture of Hyrule and its entire people. This title is an eternal classic, and will always remain as one of the best games of all.

Mad World (Wii)

Mad World: is trademark of SEGA Corporation. Developed by PlatinumGames Inc. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. 

The Nintendo Wii is known as a family video-game, with a lot of titles able to deliver fun to all the ages. This may be true, but these “Everyone” rated games are not the only options in the console. If you want to play some “adult” games, you may find good options as well (just if you have the proper age to play them, of course).

One of the best choices on Nintendo Wii is the game called “Mad World”. In the first moment, the title itself may not show the game proposal. But actually, the name is appropriate for its story. According to the game producer Atsushi Inaba, Mad World “takes places in a dystopian future”. There, a show called Death Watch puts people to fight to the death, looking for survival and a great money prize.

Mad World (only for Wii and for ages 17 and up)

This “entertainment” organizes the fighters in a rank, where only the best wins. The protagonist, Jack Cayman, is a new show participant. His main weapon is a retractable chainsaw (yes, a chainsaw), used to shred (literally) his opponents. However, don’t think that this is an easy task. Mad World is very difficult, leading you to “game over” many times during the campaign.

"Oops, I accidentally ripped your heart out (literally speaking)" 

During the game, we understand why it’s really a “Mad World”. All the fights are a blood rain, with the most dangerous and violent weapons available, creating the most crazy combos possible. If you think that Jack’s chainsaw attacks are a brutal way to die, you better think again. The other fighters not only have crazier weapons, but also mystical powers, mutant abilities, and deadly technologies. Jack also may get different types of weapons to fight his opponents.

There are many different weapons to survive in Mad World

The game structure is simple: you need to defeat all the ordinary thugs in each level, and survive all the traps in the way. In the end, you will fight the level boss, in order to achieve a better rank place. And keep your own life, of course. A classical and fantastic “beat-'em-up” game, brilliantly created by PlatinumGames as a Nintendo Wii exclusive. Unfortunately, the game campaign is short, and there are only a few options besides playing it again in the hard mode (that is actually much more difficult, a really bloody challenge).

Mad World has some interesting characters, as the Black Baron (left) and Mathilda

As expected, Mad World makes good use of Nintendo Wii unique gameplay. The Wii Remote and Nunchuk allow you to create many combinations, resulting in amazing moves and brutal kills. Almost every part of the scenario and its objects may be used to hit your opponents, resulting in crazy (and lucrative) combos.

Use the Wii controllers to make great (and bloody) combos

The game has a great art style, where the cartoon-like graphics are completely black-and-white, with the exception of the characters red blood (and other few things). The cartoon art is well suited for the title proposal, where brutal kill turns to a fresh experience every time. Torn your opponents legs, arms and necks apart is actually funny, and (for me) never gets disgusting or repetitive.

The art style is wonderful

One of the best parts of the game is the so called “Bloodbath Challenge”. As you can presume, this time-limited mini-games, played through the campaign, have some specific violent challenge to be done, in order to get some nice rewards. For example, you need to throw thugs to a big dartboard, or fight in front of a giant jumbo jet turbine, where the suction may turn you (or your foes) into "ground beef".

"Relax, I am a doctor..."

Some may say that Mad World is only a game with a lot of violence, and nothing else. Actually, the game is full of great contents, as also a lot of violence. However, it’s a funny violence, used to deliver nice moments and a competent combat style. Join this “bloody” mechanic with an amusing gameplay, only possible with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk movement sensors, good sound effects, and a nice soundtrack, and you have one of the funniest “violent games” of its generation.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass: copyrighted property of Nintendo

There are game franchises acclaimed by most of the gamers around the world. During all their existence, they are able to deliver great gaming experiences, regardless the video-game model.

And the game type doesn’t matter, because the best ones are defined by a key word: design. These games have a special care on the design of important characteristics for it, as graphics, sounds, gameplay, and story, among others. Thus, the best franchises delight us making everything in the game amazing, even if it’s small details. If it’s important in the game, a carefully design is dedicated to it.

Everybody have a favorite game franchise. Many are not loved by all the gamers, but some of them are respected by the major part of the public. Probably, one of the most important is the epic The Legend of Zelda. Along the years, the Nintendo Company was capable to create fantastic Zelda games for different platforms.

Among the many different titles, I will write about one of my favorite ones, where the design is present, mostly, in the gameplay and the story. The game is The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

Link's debut in the Nintendo DS

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was the first franchise game to be produced to the Nintendo DS console. Aiming to use the video-game specifications, the title used a very unusual gameplay: all the actions must use the DS touch-screen, with no need for the D-Pad or the others physicals buttons. As the Zelda games are (normally) based on exploration, puzzles and strategy fights, the touch control could be a major difficult for the players.

I was skeptical in the beginning, and the first playing minutes were, indeed, somewhat confusing. However, as you play the game, and interact with the touch controller, you discover that the Stylus isn’t that bad for a Zelda game. Moreover, Phantom Hourglass was thought for this gameplay, making every action being funny inside the game.

The story follows after the Wind Waker (GC) game, as tells what happened to Link (or “insert your name here”) and Tetra/Zelda after that. The world map is a great ocean chart, where, with the help of a customizable ship, you navigate in many different islands to collect sacred items.

Navigate with the S.S. Linebeck

Link has the help of Linebeck, the captain of the ship, and Ciela, a smart and helpful (and not annoying) fairy. Along the story, new characters and challenges are discovered, creating a very interesting game world. There are many side-quests, increasing the game time (and fun). As usual, Link may use different weapons, as a bow and bombs. The touch-screen control turns every item in the inventory very funny to be used.

Many things to discover and upgrade

Another important part of the game is the maps of the scenarios. The upper screen shows the map, and the lower the game itself. You can change the screens positions to write notes, as door positions or puzzles tips. This “note to remember later” may look boring in the beginning, but after you get used to it, turns to a very useful resource, allowing you to organize your steps and register important information.

The island map shows Link's current postion

Probably the only problem of the game is the difficulty level. There are fill moments where you face great difficulties, requiring high fighting or puzzle-solving abilities. Obviously, this game has a large age public, and hardcore challenges wouldn’t be indicated. In order to compensate this fact, the game offers many side-quests, and even time trials challenges.

For me, it one of the best qualities of the game, but for others it was one of the worst. The touch gameplay, for those who hate alternatives control styles, may prove to be very challenging. As everything needs a “scratch”, a “tap”, or a “sketch” with the stylus, it’s important to have imagination when drawing and a good whist. If you accept the idea, you will have a lot of fun playing Zelda in a new form (if not, well… I’m sorry for you).

Although not being famous as some other franchise brothers, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is able to deliver the best of the series: a very interesting story, a solid gameplay, a lot of exploration, puzzles and fights. And everything was created with a great design, as expected from the Nintendo world’s best seller (along with Pokémon and Mario, of course…).

WarioWare: Touched! (DS)

WarioWare: Touched!: copyright Nintendo

Always looking for new ways for game industry, Nintendo games are references in two key aspects: innovation and fun. Among the many games that fit these two features, “WarioWare: Touched!” stands out for being one of the best games that use the features of the Nintendo DS.

WarioWare Touched! Game Box

Family Tradition

Despite not having a lot of famous games such as Mario, Zelda and Pokemon, for example, the WarioWare family has become tradition on Nintendo consoles. And all the games share the same concept: they are full of mini fun and innovative micro games, which use the maximum power of the systems for which they are released.

The series began with WarioWare, Inc .: Mega Microgame$!, released for the Game Boy Advance late in 2003. But the newest member of the family game is Game & Wario, released for the Wii U in 2013. Both games have the well-known unusual gameplay, challenging the player in each mini game.

WarioWare: Touched!, released in 2005, masterfully takes the Nintendo DS through funny mini games that make use of the touch screen and the microphone.

A great game made of small games

The purpose of the game, as said before, is to offer a large range of mini and micro games, which have easy gameplay and simple goals. But those who think this game is just a bunch of small games. Everything is perfectly embedded with the quality that only Nintendo knows how to offer.

The mini games are categorized according to their operation. Each category corresponds to a character in the WarioWare series, which has a story between the mini games. At the end, all stories converge towards one end. Nothing too elaborated, but it's cool to see how they fit into the same way.

Let's dance everybody

The game consists of 14 categories and 7 "mixes" of the other categories. And you don’t need to worry thinking about how you will be able to learn all this game styles. WarioWare: Touched! always offers short tutorials for you to adapt to different modes of play. There are 180 different games, and each new game released can be revisited when you want, adding an extra-large life to the game, as its “story mode” can be completed in about 6 hours.

The categories that have a mix of different styles of play are the most difficult, because you never know if you'll have to draw, blow or scratch. The sequences change every time, avoiding you to get used to the correct movements.

The category 9-Volt & 18 Volt is remarkable, because all the mini games are based on old Nintendo games, like Super Mario Bros., Metroid, Duck Hunt and Game & Watch. For me they are the best mini games (although it may be because all the Classic Big N games are present).

Have you seen this scene before?

Enjoy your time

Most of the mini games consist of challenges that must be completed within a certain time. But the most addictive ones are the little games with score, which lead you to play without stopping, aiming to break your own records (or your friend’s records). Do you have any application or Android game that is simple, fun and addictive, which challenges you to increasingly want to break the record, like Doodle Jump or Flappy Bird? After WarioWare: Touched!, you will find them all expendable, and will want to carry the DS everywhere.

As you play the mini games, you release the so-called "toys". They are (again) small games with simple play, but addictive. They do not have proper challenges, but are just as fun as the other mini games, allowing matches with "unlimited" time.

In my opinion, the best of them is the "Play by Ear", which lets you use the microphone of the Nintendo DS to play a funny harmonica. Another very interesting mini game is the "Ping Pong", which as the name says, is a ping pong game for two players on the same device!

In fact, I think the only negative point of this game is the lack of a multiplayer to have fun with friends. The way is to divide the game with your friends (or not, if you are like Wario), and challenge them to see who can have the best records.

A classic for the Nintendo DS

If you have the Nintendo DS and does not have the WarioWare: Touched !, run behind this game that worth’s every penny. If you have the Nintendo DS and already have the game, congratulations on your choice.

Wario also appreciates your choice...

Now if you don’t have the game or even a DS, and want to try it, visit the link below:

http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/wariowaretouched/enGB/touchingisgood.html

Made by Nintendo Europe at the release, this site offers some mini games for you to try on your computer, besides a lot of stuff on the WarioWare series. It is worthwhile to understand the mechanics, and enjoy a little more of the characters of the craziest "franchise" Nintendo.