It’s been an epic list of very impressive titles but we’ve finally made it to the No. 1 spot. This game beat every one else to the punch as the most enjoyable, the most content-rich and one of the most visually stunning games of 2012. The game I’m talking about is none other than Borderlands 2.
Fun is simply not a word we use to describe games anymore. If you look at how people discuss games you’ll see people pointing to graphics, narrative, story, controls and while all these things do need to culminate to form a game, if I were to tell you that a title is simply a whole load of fun, it would be hard not give it a go and find out if you agree with me or not.
Building upon the fantastic predecessor, Borderlands 2 continues on as an action first-person shooter role-play game (breathes in). Crossing genres was always part of Borderland’s appeal, especially when it’s done this well. Players travel in groups looking for loot and taking down groups of enemies while constantly leveling up, upgrading weapons, unlocking new skills and progressing as a unit.
Borderlands 2 is obviously at its best when played with human companions. Getting a group together and exploring Pandora leads to an extraordinary amount of content to cover. Pandora has now been expanded and is full of side quests, treasures, secrets as well as the campaign story. When games expand so significantly there’s always the danger of the title losing life and character. This couldn’t be any further from the truth here in Borderlands 2 as Pandora bustles with life like never before. In fact some of the most enjoyable and humorous moments of Borderlands 2 comes in the form of amazing AI characters you meet along the way.
There’s always been something especially rewarding about collecting and upgrading. That constant click and reward psychology behind leveling up makes it very difficult to put down the controller and stop playing Borderlands 2. With an almost unlimited amount of weapons just begging to be found across the very different classes available, you’ll be spending a whole load of time trying to find the very best gear to make sure you’re the baddest Vault Hunter this side of Pandora.
Borderlands 2 is easily the most rewarding video game experience of 2012. Very few games will have you so invested in not just the game, but the friends you are playing with. Borderlands 2 demands your attention and you will be organizing times when all of your buddies can get online at once so you can continue on with your quest on Pandora. Borderlands 2 brings together hilarious narrative, well-structured and finely paced gameplay all onto a world full of life and character. This is the game to play this holiday period and it is the game of 2012, why? On top of the aforementioned, it’s just so much fun.
“Rockstar seamlessly intertwine a breathtaking story with gruesome combat to set the scene for Max Payne to tell the next terrifying chapter of his life.”
It’s almost impossible to give the Max Payne all the credit and praise that the series deserves. To put it simply, if it wasn’t for the original Max Payne games, modern third-person shooters perhaps wouldn’t be how we know them today, that’s how influential this franchise has been on the video game industry. Now Rockstar have taken up the job of bringing the third installment of the series to the masses and what a fantastic job they have done. Max Payne 3 is a shining exemplar of fantastic gameplay, brilliantly story-telling and intricate pacing. This isn’t the Max Payne you remember, our protagonist is older, wiser and a lot angrier, making this a bloodthirsty adventure you won’t soon forget.
Max Payne 3 sees our hero leave New York to flee from his demons and take on a security job in Sao Paulo. The millionaire family and their lifestyle certainly don’t mix with Max, but any opportunity to drink is taken with open arms from the man yet to kick his drinking and pill habits. Max Payne 3 is more than just a third-person shooter; it’s a tale that delves deep into the psyche of Max with James McCaffrey reprising his role perfectly. Max narrates the story from his twisted and introverted perspective, making for an engaging and amusing plot line as you watch things go from bad to worse. While Max is engaging with you the storyline is told in beautifully designed cut scenes that pay homage to the traditional way Max Payne’s story was told. Clever use of blurring and varied colours makes the screen distorted and this intertwines cleverly with Max’s drug and alcohol habits, giving these moments in the game a little more depth.
It’s absolutely apparent that Rockstar are masters of story telling and their skills are showcased exquisitely here. This revenge story dwells much deeper than simply hunt and kill. Max Payne and all the characters around him show certain levels of depth that you’d expect from a Rockstar venture and it’s clear for all to see how the Max Payne story has evolved way beyond its original roots.
When you’re done absorbing Max’s story and the beautiful world he finds himself in, you will eventually be forced to draw your weapon and protect those who fund Max’s intoxicating habits. Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter that doesn’t stray far from the original formula allowing you to run and gun using the series’ trademark bullet time mechanic. This time round however, enemies are a lot more dangerous and Max is certainly more fragile; as a result a cover mechanic has been implemented to allow Max time to plan his assault. The bullet time mechanic also offers you extra time to carefully place your bullets for that deadly and satisfying kill. Max Payne 3 is all about the gruesome kills and the slow motion bullet camera that occurs when you kill the last enemy in any location. The last bullet is followed and you can continue pumping lead into the poor soul who dared to take you on – messy stuff.
Max Payne 3 is by no means an easy game and as a result you have the option of not only changing the difficulty settings but also aiming options. Gamers looking for the most challenge should use free aim where all the work has to be done by you. Those wanting a little bit of help can opt for soft lock, which sticks the reticle to enemies who are in your sights. Novices can use the game’s handy hard lock system that automatically targets the nearest enemy. Playing using the former two ensures you have a challenging and engaging time with Max Payne as tough and intelligent AI ensure you don’t get through unscathed, but clever use of cover and bullet time will leave you the eventual victor of every conflict.
Once you’ve become accustomed to Max Payne 3’s gameplay mechanics, you’re surely going to want some bigger weapons to play around with. There’s a whole arsenal to choose from and Max has the ability to dual-wield smaller weapons for maximum damage. Launching yourself through the air in bullet time and spraying double Uzi’s has never felt so awesome and there are plenty of opportunities to really make the most out of the action here. There are event golden gun variants of each gun in the game, with 3 pieces of each weapon scattered in secret locations across each level. When you find all 3 pieces you get the golden gun version of that particular weapon next time you pick it up with extra bonus abilities.
The campaign sets these incredible set piece battles so well and pacing is impressive throughout. From dramatic moments like shooting rockets out of the sky in bullet time to the slow paced walks through the slums of Brazil, the campaign takes you on a rollercoaster ride full of fantastic highs and dramatic lows that are sure to cater to fans of story-driven games.
When you’re done with the campaign then perhaps you might be intrigued enough to try the multiplayer. Standard game modes are present with a variety of load outs available to unlock. The perk system known as bursts also help make the action more intense by providing players with a whole variety of abilities like increased damage, bullet time-like abilities, powerful weapons and health boosts. Of particular interest are the two game modes Gang Wars and Payne Killer. The former is a five-round objective game with each round spawning a new objective. The latter has you trying to kill whoever is Max Payne or Passos and then trying to stay that character for as long as possible. The multiplayer isn’t extraordinary, but it’s certainly fun and the tight mechanics Rockstar have created here ensures you’ll have a fun time online.
Altogether then Max Payne 3 is a wonderful package that shines with the expertise you’d expect from Rockstar. A fantastic campaign with one of the best protagonists is intertwined with excellent gameplay and supplemented with a very engaging online multiplayer. I feel that it’s almost impossible for Rockstar to make a bad game and as usual, it’s an absolute must have for everyone.
9.0 | Gameplay |
Excellent gameplay that oozes with style and brutality makes this one of the best third-person shooters on the market. Max Payne’s fantastic bullet time mechanic keeps the action fierce and bloody and the camera slow down implemented for every last kill just never gets old.
10 | Presentation |
An incredible story is told through the eyes of Max Payne, a well thought out and interesting protagonist. Fantastic script writing and dialogue make sure you’re invested in all the characters and everything Max has to say. His pessimistic view of the world and the rich is intriguing and the battle with his inner demons makes for a thoroughly entertaining and dramatic tale. Max Payne is without a doubt one of the most interesting heroes in modern gaming.
8.5 | Replay Value |
You have the options of playing through the campaign again on harder difficulty settings or opting for leaderboard runs in arcade mode. Finding all the hidden clues and golden gun parts is a blast and the online offering is definitely worth checking out. There’s a lot to do throughout this challenging campaign and I’m sure you’ll want to do it more than once. Even if you don’t, the variety of content to unlock in multiplayer could have you hooked on gang wars for a lot longer than you initially expected.
9.0 | Final Thoughts |
It’s obvious that Rockstar are iconic video game developers as each project they take on comes out with a golden lining. The Max Payne series has a serious following so bringing out the third and appeasing all the fans and newcomers alike would not be an easy task. As per usual Rockstar made it look so easy as Max Payne 3 delivers a breathtaking campaign alongside excellent and technically sound gameplay mechanics. There’s something hear for fans of story, narrative and gameplay alike and together these features combine to create one of the best games we shall see in 2012.
We’ve made it to final 3 but what games have come this far?
The third best game of 2012 goes to the Wii U exclusive Zombi U. Initially receiving poor domestic reviews this survival-horror game exploded onto the continental scene with massive scores from credited European journalists – and so the infection began.
I purchased a Wii U on launch, the Zombi U limited edition pack to be precise and have not looked back since (expect looking over my shoulder for any zombies while I rummage through my backpack.) In all seriousness, Zombi U is a fantastic step forward for gaming while simultaneously paying tribute to the classic survival-horror franchise that has seemed destined to die this generation.
Zombi U plays a lot like a mix between Condemned: Criminal Origins and Left 4 Dead. Set in the heart of London (which is an absolute treat for us UK gamers), you are expected to survive the apocalypse and find safety throughout London’s infected streets, sewers and buildings. Players carry a rucksack with their inventory items including weapons, supplies and tools – all of which play an important role in survival. The problem is that you feel very vulnerable in this game, with one bite being enough to kill you.
Fortunately every time you die you respawn as another survivor with the immediate mission of going to find your previous rucksack with all your goodies. Of course getting there without any of your supplies is scary and often dangerous, once again invoking those traditional survival horror roots we all love and fear.
Zombi U does a wonderful job giving players enough freedom to explore London while at the same time keeping them on track using an anonymous character known as the Prepper to point you in the right direction. With the constant threat of zombies lurking around every corner, this is a tense and dramatic affair, something that no game has offered effectively this year.
Let’s not forget also that this is a Wii U exclusive and that beautiful Wii U GamePad is used in an engaging and interesting manner. Players bring up their inventory screen on the pad, as well as their map and motion detector. Scoped weapons use the bottom screen to help players zoom in for that clean head shot while a scanning system is also available allowing players to explore their surroundings and flag points of interest. The constant need to simultaneously pay attention to both screens makes Zombi U a nerve-racking affair as you simply don’t know when a zombie will pop out and attack.
Zombi U is the perfect adult-orientated Wii U exclusive title that every single Wii U owner must purchase and every single fan of survival horror must experience. This nostalgic trip intertwined with modern gaming elements combines to make another golden title from Ubisoft and deservedly sits as number 3 on my list of 2012’s best games.
Many have argued that this year has been very weak for the gaming industry but I believe that considering we’re so close to a new generation of gaming, it’s an absolute testament that developers are still producing games of such a high standard for current generation machines.
Following Journey, number 4 is another downloadable title, The Walking Dead: Video Game. This point-and-click adventure deserves a mass amount of praise for the astonishing content it has provided for such a low price and the incredibly high quality delivery through the classic point-and-click medium.
The Walking Dead is a set of downloadable titles and soon to be available on compilation disc spread across 5 episodes. Set during the same chronological period as the zombie apocalypse in the comics, this story centers around Lee Everett as he tries to survive the apocalypse and help those he encounters throughout his journey. Fans of the TV show and comics alike will absolutely adore this wonderful take on the series, with some characters overlapping in-game and some environments reminiscent of past scenarios.
You will begin noticing a theme in the games I have chosen – The Walking Dead once again just like Journey, emphasizes story and character development over gameplay. Players will naturally find themselves bonding with groups of survivors and characters they meet and then in the most unfair of circumstances Telltale Games puts players in heart-breaking scenarios where they are forced to make deep and meaningful decisions that play upon their emotions. This type of gameplay makes for a refreshing change to mindless shooting and killing and as a result, deeply invests you as a gamer.
The Walking Dead uses your decisions and changes the gaming experience based upon how you play out the story. This leaves plenty of gameplay interpretation and replay value for those of you wanting to find out what various different ways the game can pan out.
Harsh emotional tone with brilliant narrative and dialogue makes The Walking Dead: Video Game one of the most unique and mesmerizing games of 2012. Very few games can compare and it’s wonderful to see point-and-click making a come back. I keep emphasizing that we are constantly being bombarded by generic video game titles that are mind numbing at best so when a game of this kind of quality and diversity comes around, it’s difficult not to pay attention and see what the fuss is all about. The Walking Dead is a brilliant game and deserves the number 4 spot on my list.
This year has seen some very impressive technical achievements flourish in the video game industry, but the next 5 games in our top 5 GOTY 2012 List shone above the rest and are each in their own way, innovators moving this mode of entertainment to new heights previously unexplored in gaming.
The PlayStation Network exclusive Journey starts our top 5 countdown, providing a unique, emotional and thought provoking experience unlike any other this year. Journey tells the silent tale of a mysterious traveler as they try and reach a beautiful mountaintop in the distance. Providing little in terms of gameplay or story, Journey was intended by the developers Thatgamecompany to “evoke in the player a sense of smallness and wonder, and to forge an emotional connection between them and the anonymous players they meet along the way.”
Those of you who have not played Journey may be asking, “Yes yes, that’s all very well but, what kind of game is it?” and truth be told, there’s no simple answer. If you broke it down Journey is a puzzle exploration game but it’s impossible not to experience the deeper levels of this mesmerizing title as you meet other players along your journey and explore some of the most beautiful environments the industry has ever seen.
Coupled with stunning visuals Journey’s story is told through the medium of music. A beautiful ballad follows your character as you move deeper and deeper into the heart of the desert while communication between yourself and players is limited to serene singing. Somehow without any form of direct communication, players establish partnerships and help each other complete objectives without once ever doing anymore than whistling a tune or performing a jig – a truly magical feeling that you must experience.
Some have complained that Journey has a severe lack of gameplay and should be defined as an artistic venture as opposed to a video game. While this is a fairly reasonable comment to make for those expecting more interaction, it would also be fair to retort by stating that Thatgamecompany never intended to create that type of game and what they were trying to achieve had to be performed through this artistic medium. Whatever side of the fence you choose to sit on, it’s absolutely undeniable that Journey is visually stunning, blissful on the ears and a joy to experience. This is unlike anything you’ve played this year and as a result, thoroughly deserves praise as one of 2012’s absolute finest title.
We’ve almost reached the half-way mark in this year’s list of the very best games, but what title narrowly missed the top 5? The critically acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy concluded in March and certainly provided plenty of action and at times, discontent amongst fans.
Whatever you thought about Mass Effect 3, it was undeniably one of the best role-play games of not only this year, but of this generation of gaming. Critics showered Bioware’s futuristic adventure stating that it possessed one of the most impressive stories in the history of the medium and coupled with extensive gameplay and customization features; it was truly a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately Mass Effect 3 lacked accessibility and failed to stand up as its own game. Indeed players were expected to at minimum have played Mass Effect 2 and this was further pushed as an incentive by allowing players to download and incorporate their save from the previous game to Mass Effect 3. For fans of the series this was an absolute delight, all the moral decisions that they made from the previous games were re-created in Mass Effect 3, making the world believable and visibly changing place completely dictated by your actions. Those who wanted to give Mass Effect 3 a go and didn’t fancy spending around 100 hours catching up with the previous games were left confused by Mass Effect’s complicated world, story and ideals while at the same time having little emotional investment in the main character because at this point, he / she was nothing more than a blank canvas.
Normally you would assume that a game ending in the number 3 would be tailored for fans of the series and the aforementioned were truly treated to a spectacle. With the galaxy on the verge of war, it was up to Shepherd to establish effective military strength (EMS) by completing missions and allying with other races and planets to fend off the Reapers. The story was emotional, dramatic and full of interesting twists, of which you have control over.
Then comes Mass Effect’s fantastic gameplay mechanics, which emphasized third-person shooting and cover based shooting for modernized gaming. Despite leaning towards a conventional style of play, the different classes, weapon customization and power-ups gave players the opportunity to create a varied and unique character and partnering them with a group of engaging and powerful comrades. There weren’t as many allies in the third instalment as the others, but this was designed to further your emotional connection with the group, creating once again, some very difficult decisions throughout your time with Mass Effect 3.
I personally don’t see how the third instalment in the Mass Effect series could have simultaneously appeased it’s fan base and became an entry-level title, so for me, this wasn’t a justified criticism. People who bought Mass Effect 3 knew exactly what they were getting themselves into, a completely engrossing world full of life and character. It’s the series’ remarkable progression from an average role-play game, to a great role-play game and now a pinnacle benchmark for the genre that is so incredibly impressive. Mass Effect 3 was a technical masterpiece and it’s games like these that the video game industry should be known for.
Welcome back to our countdown of 2012’s finest video games! Number 7 was developed by arguably the most successful and popular developer of 2012, Ubisoft. Whatever they seem to release turns out to be absolute gold, it’s truly impressive. The same wonderful praise applies to Far Cry 3, which is an immersive, twisted and dark first-person shooter that takes you places you would never want to go.
Far Cry 3 tells a very mature and gruesome story about a group of friends who accidentally find themselves on a pirate infested island when sky diving on holiday. A fun trip quickly goes sour and it’s your role to rescue your friends and eliminate those who have harmed the ones you care for. But how does a normal person who’s never been involved in any type of dangerous situation suddenly go about murdering a group of pirates and more importantly, how does one drive himself to do something so inconceivable to his fellow man?
What is so brilliant and simultaneously twisted about Far Cry 3’s story is the emphasis on the protagonist’s transformation from a regular guy to a killer. Real concentration is placed upon his emotional stability and it’s clear as you progress through Far Cry 3, Jason goes from a boy scared of survival, to a man who will do anything to complete his goal. When we debate about whether children can play games that are rated higher than their age, this is a prime example of a title that requires emotional maturity to be able to step into the shoes of a regular man and go through a transformation that feels, scarily believable.
Of course this terrifying story is intertwined in very special and enthralling gameplay. It takes a lot for a shooter to stand out in a modern market flooded with shooting games, but Far Cry 3 delivers a stunning environment that really helps expand your gaming experience. Ubisoft created an open world for players to explore and exploit when taking down forts of enemies. You have the option of deciding how you want to plan your movements and attacks, giving this shooter a real sand box feel. A host of cleverly devised role-play elements like experience points, skill trees and a crafting system make Jason’s physical progression as well as his emotional progression, apparent.
Ultimately Far Cry 3 stands out because of a terrific combination of story telling, gameplay and progression. It’s a higher-level first person shooter, one that provides more than simple run and gun gameplay. As a result it’s difficult not to be invested in Jason’s plight to save his friends, kill his enemies and get off that wretched island. Far Cry 3 is a wonderful game and rightfully deserves its number 7 spot on our list.
We hope you all have an abominably festive CeXmas full of good cheer & beer.
Cannot thank you enough for such an awesome year for CeX opening in Australia!
If Santa stuffs up this Xmas, remember you can trade in your unwanted
presents for cash or exchange for what you really want at CeX straight away!
Some of our Australian stores are open Dec 26th & New Years Day too (with slightly sore heads) but still ready to CeX it up!
Check out the list for your local stores opening hours:
Bankstown 22nd Dec 9am-5pm, 23rd Dec 9am-5pm, 24th Dec 8am-6pm, 25th Dec Closed 26th Dec Closed 27th Dec 9am-9pm 28th Dec 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5pm 30th Dec10am-4pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan 10am-4pm
Belconnen 22nd Dec 9am-7pm 23rd Dec 9am-6pm 24th Dec 8am-5.30pm 25th Closed 26th Dec 8am-7pm 27th Dec 9am-5.30pm 28th Dec 9am-9pm 29th Dec 9am-5pm 30th Dec 10am-4pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan Closed
Hornsby 24th Dec 8am-5.30pm 25th closed 26th closed 27th Dec 9am-9pm 28th Dec 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5.30pm 30th Dec 10am-5pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan closed Miranda 22nd Dec 8am-6pm 23rd Dec 9am-6pm 24th Dec 8am-5.30pm 25th Dec Closed 26th Dec Closed 27th Dec 9am-9pm 28th Dec 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5.30pm 30th Dec 10am-5pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan Closed
Mt Druitt 22nd Dec 8am-6pm 23rd Dec 9am-6pm 24th Dec 8am-5.30pm 25th Dec Closed 26th DecClosed 27th Dec9am-9pm 28th Dec9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5.30pm 30th Dec
10am-5pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st JanClosed
Nepean 22ndDec 9am-6pm 23rd Dec 9am-6pm 24th Dec 9am-6pm 25th Dec Closed 26th Dec Closed 27th Dec 9am-9pm 28th Dec 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5pm 30th Dec 10am-4pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan10am-4pm
Rouse Hill 22ndDec 8am-6pm 23rd Dec 9am-6pm 24th Dec 9am-5.30pm, 25th Closed 26th Closed 27th 9am-9pm 28th 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5.30pm 30th Dec 10am-5pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st JanuaryClosed
Parramatta 22ndDec 8-6pm 23rd Dec 9-6 24th Dec 9-5.30 25th Dec Closed 26th Dec Closed 27th Dec 9-9 28th Dec 9-5.30 29th Dec 9-5.30 30th Dec10-5 31 Dec 9-5.30 1st January Closed
Tuggeranong 22nd Dec 9am-9pm 23rd Dec9am-9pm 24th Dec 9am-5.30pm 25thDecClosed 26thDec 10am-4pm 27thDec 9am-5.30pm 28thDec 9am-9pm 29th Dec9am-5pm 30thDec 10am-4pm 31stDec 9am-5.30pm 1st January 10am-4pm Warrawong 24th Dec 8am-5.30pm 25th Dec closed 26th Dec closed 27th Dec 9am-9pm 28th Dec 9am-5.30pm 29th Dec 9am-5.30pm 30th Dec 10am-4pm 31st Dec 9am-5.30pm 1st Jan closed
It seems like only yesterday that CeX was a Central London geek secret just off Tottenham Court Road with a passion for gadgets and games. We've always striven to combine a better way to shop and the fastest, friendliest and fairest way to find a new home for your old stuff while giving you the most cash or CeX exchange credit in return. That was just over 20 years ago, but time flies when you're having fun.
Today we are over the moon to share the great news that CeX has truly grown right around the Globe. Yes, We've opened CeX in Australia! That takes CeX to Country number 6, Continent number 4 and well over 200 stores Worldwide. We are getting bigger, but our ethos is the same and we're proud to be different.
23rd December: ANOTHER double whammy! We're now up to store 11 in 9 weeks. STRUTH.
CeX is now open in Westfield Warrawong - Cnr King & Cowper Sts, Warrawong NSW 2502 and Westfield Hornsby - 236 Pacific Highway, Hornsby NSW 2077.
Seasons Greetings and the utmost thanks to everyone who has made this happen. Getting all teary eye'd over here!
20th December: Double whammy. We've opened TWO new stores in Australia today. Come find us at the following locations:
Tuggeranong Hyperdome, Cnr Anketell and Reed Sts, Tuggeranong ACT 2900 and also in Westfield Belconnen, Benjamin Way, Belconnen ACT 2617.
CeX Australia reporting for duty.
14 December: Lucky no. 7!Come say G'day and see the goodies we have to buy, sell & exchange in store at: Centro Nepean - Shop 31, Centro Nepean, 122 Station Street, Penrith NSW 2750. Pics to come!
6 December: Pow! CeX opens store number 6 in Australia! Come find us at Westfield Mt. Druitt - Shop 224, Westfield Mt Druitt, Cnr Carlisle Ave & Luxford Rd, Mt Druitt NSW 2770. Stay tuned CeX fans!
30 November: And then there were five! Today we welcome our newest CeX store baby to the world. Come give us a "G'day!"at Westfield Miranda - Shop 1077, Westfield Miranda, 600 The Kingsway, Miranda NSW 2228
22 November: Another result, CeX has opened store number four in Australia at Centro Bankstown. Find your new CeX Shop at ML300, Centro Bankstown, 1 North Terrace, Bankstown NSW 2200
16 November: Bonza news, we've has just opened the door of your third CeX Shop down under in Westfield Parramatta, Shop 2137, 159-175 Church St, Parramatta NSW.
11 November: The second CeX in Australia is now open in Blacktown. Find us at 1030, Westpoint Shopping Centre, 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown, NSW.
Proud CeX slaves that helped build CeX Blacktown.
The first CeX in Australia opened in Rouse Hill. Discover CeX at 57 Commercial Rd, Rouse Hill NSW. There are many more to come, stay tuned for more updates.
Part of the gorgeous global team that made CeX Australia happen:)
Number 8 on CeX's Game Of The Year 2012 is actually a title from a video game developer that I don’t, like … gasp! That’s right I said it, I don’t like Bethesda, I don’t like Elder Scrolls and I certainly did not like Skyrim! This made me the perfect candidate to play Dishonored because I didn’t have rose-tinted ‘I love Skyrim’ goggles on during my play-through.
Surprisingly however, Dishonored was a magnificent title that took just about everything I didn’t like about Bethesda’s pervious outings, removed them and added just about everything I love about role-play games and as a result, comes in hot at number 8!
So what made Dishonored so special? You could point to the absolutely stunning visual concept intertwining Victorian England with an industrial Steampunk style. Or perhaps the incredible voice acting and narrative that filled out this intriguing tale? It could also have been the entertaining and diverse combat system, or the multiple ways to tackle the game forcing different endings. Finally, it could just have been the plain and simple fact that Dishonored is a brand new IP and during a year full of games ending in the numbers 2 and 3, it’s always a breath of fresh air to see something new emerge in the video game industry.
Out of the aforementioned it was perhaps most surprising to see how developed Dishonored’s combat mechanics were, especially considering games like Skyrim had absolutely none whatsoever (I’m just gonna keep mashing right trigger in front of this fire-breathing DRAGON and when my health gets low I’ll pause MID-COMBAT and drink a potion, cool. Takes notes from Demon’s and Dark Souls Bethesda please). The entire of Dishonored could be played with a Metal Gear-esque non-lethal approach, knocking out enemies and opting for one of the more rewarding endings available. Or there was of course the brutal variant, but whichever you choose the supplementing supernatural powers are what really stood out in Dishonored.
Resembling Bioshock’s plasmids, you had the ability to summon swarms of rats, use the elements or even perform bodily possession to force guards into battle with one-another. There were so many awesome ways to mix and match how you wanted to progress through Dishonored and this gave Bethesda’s title a significant amount of replay value, which was needed considering it was quite small in comparison to other offerings like Elder Scrolls. But this wasn’t a bad thing at all; in fact slimming down the game makes for a much better and more concentrated experience.
Dishonored was simply a great example of what happens when all the core elements of a video game align successfully. Even if one piece of the puzzle is wrong it can potentially ruin the whole experience but Dishonored provided excellent gameplay intertwined in a thoroughly enjoyable and diverse world. Congratulations Bethesda, this time you get a massive thumbs up from me.
Hello and welcome back to CeX’s countdown towards the best game of 2012!
With Resident Evil 6 opening our list the standards are already pretty high. In at number 9 to pip Capcom’s action horror adventure is the ever-popular Agent 47 in Hitman: Absolution.
Absolution is literally one of the last high profile titles to have been released in 2012 and what a monster of a game it turned out to be. Packing an impressive storyline, narrative and gameplay mechanics, this welcome divergence from the generic first-person shooter made gamers leap for joy as they were forced to strategize every move, learn their environments and come up with a variety of unique and sometimes horrific ways to assassinate their targets.
The truly impressive thing about Hitman: Absolution was how the developers IO Interactive really stayed true to the original Hitman formula, just adding enough new content and additional gameplay elements to modernize what was already a really impressive set of foundations for a video game. The introduction of Instinct Mode gave Agent 47 heightened senses to learn about his surroundings, while Point Shooting gave our assassin precise accuracy should the need arise for open conflict. IO Interactive also made sure Agent 47 interacted with the environments much more naturally, now being able to use cover and weave his way around surroundings.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Hitman: Absolution was the awesome Contracts mode. This allowed players to participate in custom missions created by other gamers. Players focused on achieving the fastest times and the highest scores just like in the campaign, but these user-created scenarios were a whole load of fun to participate in and create too.
It was also nice to see a development company not shy away from a steep difficulty curve. On the easier settings Hitman: Absolution was fairly simple, guards had poor reaction times and there were way less of them. Ramp the difficulty level up however and you’re in for a serious battle. Hitman: Absolution was no walk over in the slightest when it came to its hardest difficulty settings and this had the potential to test even the most hardcore of gamers.
Hitman: Absolution was the perfect sequel to Hitman: Blood Money and it provided the perfect balance between familiar and new content for fans of the series and newcomers looking to dip their toe in for the first time. Hitman: Absolution was an experience unlike any other this year, providing challenging, interesting and thought-provoking gameplay that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who calls themselves a gamer. Well done IO Interactive, you’ve placed number 9 in our list of the best games of 2012!
We hope you all have an abominably festive CeXmas full of good cheer & beer.
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Spread across the next 10 days I will be revealing what I consider to be some of 2012’s finest, culminating in my Game of the Year 2012. Let us know on here, Facebook or twitter what YOU think!
In at number 10 I have chosen Resident Evil 6, a title that received very mixed reviews globally. I personally felt that the negative reception was totally unjust and obviously some reviewers just woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.
Resident Evil 6 evolved Capcom’s iconic series further down the line of Action Adventure Horror – which seemed to be most people’s biggest problem. Once you make your peace with the fact Resident Evil 6 is not a Survival Horror title, you find an action-packed adventure spread across 4 fantastic campaigns.
Resident Evil 6 refined the gameplay formula too, making this a much more fast-paced shooter, with plenty of run-and-gun moments and larger than life set-piece battles. Each campaign provided a strong sense of varied gameplay and it was clear that there was no weak link between them.
Saying all of this, I have to acknowledge that Resident Evil 6 did have some consistency and pacing issues. It wasn’t the most balanced game with ammo constantly being on the low side, enemies proving to be very cheap on harder difficulty levels and some disconnection between certain areas of the game. This perhaps can be blamed on the large development team behind the title but it’s no real excuse, especially considering how important the story is to Resident Evil 6.
Nevertheless, the offline split-screen cooperative mode as well as online functionality allowed gamers to experience this thrilling ride with a buddy, or go through it solo with an AI partner. If that’s not enough the infamous Mercenaries mode made a triumphant return as you attempted to climb up the leaderboard and achieve ultimate Resident Evil greatness.
While having some issues Resident Evil 6 still stood out as one of 2012’s finest, leaving me with a satisfying grin on my face after every single campaign. With plenty of replay value alongside the relatively large initial story, this is an absolute must have for action adventure and horror hybrid lovers. Zombies may be on the down but Leon and Chris’s battle against Umbrella is really just beginning.
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Recreating the magic of playing with a brand new type of game is probably one of the hardest things for a video game developer to do. In Nintendo’s case it is an even more daunting task trying to give gamers the same amazing experience we had on the NES and SNES consoles. New Super Mario Bros. U continues Mario’s modern adventure but this time in HD on a brand new console. This instalment re-ignites some of the passion that was so clearly felt in Mario’s older titles and as a result shows off enough impressive technical development to make this a memorable Mario titles and one of his better outings in recent memory.
New Super Mario Bros. U while not wholly changing the formula; moves in a direction ever so clearly inspired by Mario’s history. The first change comes in the form of making the over-world just that, a world. No longer does this feel as linear and simple as simply picking a stage, rather players can now traverse the over-world and explore its vast set of goodies and mysteries. This clearly brings the series back to Super Mario World roots, which is a more than welcome addition to Mario’s modern formula.
Of course the majority of your time spent with New Super Mario Bros. U will be platforming across a variety of brightly coloured and cleverly designed levels. Similar to Super Mario 3D Land the beginning of New Super Mario Bros. U is relatively simple in nature and offers little in real challenge. However, once the game begins introducing new enemies, areas, power-ups and secrets is when you really feel Bros. U’s modern charm intertwining with an glorious classic formula. You’ll be sprinting through levels like a pro in no time, while trying to find all the Star Coins scattered through the game, which is another challenge altogether.
Speaking of challenge, New Super Mario Bros. U new Challenge Mode puts a nifty flip on the Mario formula by offering a staggeringly fun and frustrating game modes that see players attempt to traverse entire levels while being bombarded by enemies, projectiles and a variety of obstacles. Challenge mode includes Time Attack, Coin Collection and a host of other game type offerings that potentially can change the way you view your Mario experience. This battle to survive is engaging and will give even the most hardcore Mario players a run for their money.
If you’re looking for a more social experience than New Super Mario Bros. U brings back the chaotic and occasionally frustrating multiplayer element found in previous New Super Mario Bros. titles. You can once again play with up to 4 players using Wiimotes while a 5th player can use the GamePad to act as either an ally or mischievous menace by adding blocks into the level that either help or hinder the team. Despite the limitations of having so many players on the screen simultaneously and the frantic gameplay as a result, there is something charming and enjoyable playing New Super Mario Bros. U with your friends and the GamePad adds a hilarious addition to the multiplayer present. There’s also Coin Battle mode that allows a group of players to compete to see who can collect the most coins on a level, if you fancy a little bit more competition in your multiplayer offering.
From a technical perspective New Super Mario Bros. U is a double-edged sword. In terms of technical presentation the game is almost flawless, as are all of Mario’s titles. Levels are expertly crafted, puzzles are challenging and the whole package is fun in its most natural form. Unfortunately from a graphical and audio perspective, things are certainly lacking. Let’s remind ourselves that this is Nintendo’s brand new HD console and Bros. U is the launching Mario game with the machine. I was expecting dazzling visuals, vibrant colours that exploded off the screen and a memorable soundtrack to boot. If we compare the artistic brilliance of Rayman: Origins and the up-and-coming Rayman: Legends, of which we have seen a demo ergo can compare visuals, Bros. U is quite disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, New Super Mario Bros. U is a pretty game but it’s not visually stunning, something that quite frankly I was expecting. The same applies to the audio where New Super Mario Bros. U doesn’t step out of the box, merely rehashes a relatively safe audio-experience.
Despite these issues New Super Mario Bros. U is certainly a step in the right direction for both Nintendo and the WiiU. While not necessarily innovating the GamePad’s capabilities here, there’s definitely scope to use the Pad in interesting and innovative ways in platforming titles and I have a very strong feeling that Rayman: Legends will be exactly that, a better and more fruitful offering to the WiiU. Regardless, New Super Mario Bros. U is another wonderful addition to a franchise that was beginning to frustrate gamers but the WiiU version resolves specific issues and enhances the gameplay to offer an engaging and wholeheartedly enjoyable adventure for Nintendo WiiU owners.
8.0 | Gameplay |
Well-crafted, imaginative and challenging level design makes this instalment of New Super Mario Bros. layered for players of every skill level. Story mode has lots of hidden goodies and Star Coins open new levels and sections to expand this adventure. Challenge mode also helps to give players a new Mario experience, one that is really difficult yet rewarding at the same time. There’s plenty to do and lots of fun to be had with New Super Mario Bros. U.
7.0 | Presentation |
New Super Mario Bros. U is pretty, colourful and full of life but on a brand-new console it’s fair to expect more. The WiiU is a powerful machine and New Super Mario Bros. U could have had the potential to completely explode off the screen. Instead it’s just ‘good’, which unfortunately is not good enough when games such as Rayman: Legends are setting such high artistic standards both visually and in the audio department.
9.0 | Replay Value |
This is where New Super Mario Bros. U truly shines. There’s so much to do and even more to unlock, collect and complete in this title. While the Challenge mode offers a hefty helping of extra content, the story itself is bubbling to the brim with content begging to be found and completed. I wish you luck collecting all the Star Coins because you’ll need it.
8.0 | Final Thoughts |
New Super Mario Bros. U is a good sequel to the Wii predecessor, but it doesn’t feel exceptional enough to be a wonderful launch title. If we look back to previous console launches there have been iconic games that have defined the launch window. Fortunately for Nintendo ZombiU has that covered but it’s very strange that a Nintendo-specific IP isn’t what’s taking all the headlines. New Super Mario Bros. U is a step in the right direction for Nintendo and Mario and a stellar addition to the WiiU’s launch gallery.
CeX recommends similar games: New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Rayman: Origins, Sonic: Colors
“Agent 47 once again emerges from the shadows to provide more than a blunt murdering frenzy – rather this cleverly crafted adventure will have you thinking out loud and constantly on the edge of your seat as you plan even the most subtle of steps as you move closer to your target.”
With a cult-like following the Hitman series has been patiently biding its time for Absolution, the next instalment in Agent 47’s adventure. What a time to come out as well amidst what can only be described as wave after wave of generic first-person shooter content with no real imagination of personality to speak of. Absolution is all about personality as this stealth ‘em up forces you to bide your time, learn from your mistakes and choose your path to your target. With a wide variety of content to try and plenty more to uncover, Hitman: Absolution will have you immersed in a dark and ominous experience that is every bit as brutal as Blood Money before it.
What becomes immediately apparent is Absolution is a rare breed of game that I class with such titles as Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. While not the same genre, like these titles Absolution forces players into a gameplay style of experimentation. There is no clear path or way to tackle each of the missions set before you, nor is there a ‘right’ way to eliminate a target. In fact as you make certain decisions and progress through levels you will uncover possible variants that could have helped or changed your initial plan – these constant discoveries make Absolution’s world feel real and life-like, something that many games fail to replicate properly.
Absolution sees Agent 47 framed after killing the former boss of The Agency – the hunt for our protagonist leads to dramatic events throughout a well-paced and driven campaign across a variety of absolutely stunning and well thought out environments. Absolution is so impressive right the way through from story, narrative, visuals and especially sound. The world surrounding you is buzzing with life and wholly believable – with this being especially apparent as Agent 47 blends into crowds of civilians and gets lost in their daily lives.
Absolution introduces a whole new host of features that make Agent 47’s move-set more deadly and fluid to perform. Those of you who played Blood Money will be familiar with the core concept of Absolution’s gameplay, but will be very pleased with the alterations and additions present. Not only is the world around you more believable, but so is how Agent 47 interacts with it. Moving through groups of people, scampering across balconies and engaging enemies has all been smoothed over for a more practical approach. Agent 47 now has a host of close-quarter as well combat skills that can be used to quietly dispatch foes be it with lethal or non-lethal force.
Absolution also introduces a modern cover system that gives you a much better chance of fending away attackers should things not go as planned. However, this cover mechanic is best used when intertwined with your stealth skills – moving silently and efficiently from cover-to-cover, dispatching foes quickly when required and moving on gracefully. Agent 47 feels fluid not only when interacting with humans, but the surroundings as well and this plays a big part in drawing you into this believable world.
Of course there will be times when you will simply have to pull out some firearms and do lethal damage. A new addition in this department called Point Shooting (similar to Mark & Execute in Splinter Cell: Conviction) that allows players to target a group of enemies in slow motion and dispatch them ruthlessly. This mechanic is a fail-safe to get out of trouble but takes away from the Hitman experience and as a result, will be nothing more than a last resort measure for fans looking to play this efficiently. Try and avoid getting yourself in a position where Point Shooting is your only option out.
Hitman continues to take modern elements from other games and implementing them cleverly into its dynamics with Instinct Mode. Those of you who played the Batman Arkham games and used Detective Mode will understand exactly what this is, a heightened sense and understanding of your surroundings. Instinct Mode allows Agent 47 to see subtle things including nearby patrols, movements and objects of potential interest. Once again a game that really attempts to engulf you with realism loses something when Instinct Mode is activated, but on harder difficulty settings omit the ability and players can use it as they see fit depending on how they want their experience to unfold.
Speaking of difficulty, Hitman offers five different options for you to choose from, each carrying its own distinctive weight. The easy game modes are an absolute breeze and should really be avoided while the hardest option is brutal. Sitting in the middle or opting for one higher is perhaps the best possible first play through of Absolution, giving you a tough and consequentially rewarding experience through this game.
If you’re looking for an extra bang for your buck then Absolution does provide some content besides the campaign mode. Contracts mode allows you to create scenarios in the game’s levels and challenge your friends to see if they can find and eliminate the target. Likewise you can participate in these custom missions should you find yourself a little bored with the main story. However, with the fantastic implementation of leaderboards and a score system for campaign mode, it’s absolutely clear that Absolution is predominately campaign focused and rightly so because there’s plenty of content there to keep you entertained for a while to come.
From a technical perspective Absolution impresses on multiple levels. The audio creates and engulfs you into a powerful atmosphere that Hitman games are known for while the dark and gritty visuals go side-by-side with the horrendous characters you meet throughout your journey. Not everything is brilliant though, with some inconsistencies popping up along the way. For example Absolution’s disguise system, while great in theory, can play out awkwardly sometimes and fails to recognize logic. What I mean by this is if Agent 47 disguises himself as 1 of a group of 4 or 5 workers, it makes sense that another member of that team will spot that you’re not one of them. It’s illogical however that a random police officer would be able to spot that you in particular are not a member of a precinct made up of hundreds of cops. This is a frustrating element to Absolution and at times makes you think a little bit more logic could have been implemented in the game design. The same goes with simply obscuring your face with your hand, if someone did that in front of you in real life you’d be suspicious immediately. Nevertheless, for the most part Hitman: Absolution is a well-crafted game that impresses both in presentation and gameplay.
Ultimately it’s difficult to fault a game that so clearly aspires to be out of the modern-day loop. In a month clearly leaning towards Call of Duty: Black Ops II, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a game provide something so different to the current trend. Hitman: Absolution is a fantastic instalment in what has become a truly iconic franchise in the video game industry. Those of you looking for a challenging, menacing and thrilling adventure game need not look any further than this.
9.0 | Gameplay | Hitman: Absolution provides a unique gaming experience that is moulded along while you play. Your decisions on how to approach your target can directly effect how you play each and every mission, making it an exciting and intense affair. All gameplay mechanics have been tweaked and smoothed over to provide for the most part, a more streamlined Hitman experience. Unfortunately, not all elements, the disguise system in particular, work that well. It’s also a shame to see some elements have been added like the Point Shooting and Instinct Mode that actually take away from the experience if used excessively.
8.5 | Presentation | Hitman: Absolution is a beautiful looking game from start to finish. You are engulfed in a dark, ominous and thoroughly gritty world that’s inhabited with folks that mimic this danger. The audio and narration intertwine beautifully with an already beautiful visual display making this a fantastic show for the senses.
8.5 | Replay Value | Each level rewards you with a completion score that all of your friends and indeed the world can see. As a result you’ll be dying to get the best possible score and beat all your opposition. If the campaign becomes a bit dry then Contracts is the perfect solution, offering you the opportunity to customize hits across the games’ maps and watch as your friends attempt to take down your set up. There’s plenty to do here and lots of fun to be had.
8.5 | Final Thoughts | Hitman: Absolution is another successful instalment in the Hitman series. It provides everything one could hope for in terms of gameplay, presentation and atmosphere. There’s lots to do and a whole load of ways to do it. Get ready for a challenging and thought provoking experience that breaks the mould and is welcomed back with open arms into the gaming industry.
CeX recommends similar games: Hitman: Blood Money & Manhunt 2
Can you believe it’s been nearly 6 years since the release of the Nintendo Wii? Since December 2006 we have seen the iconic gaming company re-invent how video games can be viewed and played. With motion sensing and 3D all elements expertly intertwined into gaming by Nintendo, what more could they possibly offer? The answer is Wii U. Whilst this new console doesn’t pack powerful processing punch one might expect from the ‘next generation’ of gaming, it does once again, provide a unique gaming experience. Is this new way of playing in the form of the intriguing Wii U GamePad enough to once again change how we perceive games? Read on to find out!
The Wii U console provides a gaming experience that finally compares with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which is a good and bad thing. It’s good because now cross-platform games like Batman: Arkham City, Assassin’s Creed III and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 will all make their way to Nintendo’s new hardware. The bad news is unfortunately due to a new form of development and certain limitations; these games still play better on Sony and Microsoft’s consoles. The bad news doesn’t stop there – if Nintendo’s next generation machine just peaks over their rivals’ current generation devices, imagine the comparison when the PlayStation 4 and Xbox ‘Next / 720’ surface, they’ll simply blow the Wii U out of the water in terms of pure hardware power.
Fortunately for Nintendo however, they have never been in the business of building powerhouse machines. Rather it is the unique experience of the Wii U GamePad and Nintendo exclusive titles that bring gamers to Nintendo’s consoles.
The GamePad offers some exciting ways to experience games, but these don’t come without a price. It feels nice on the touch, is light and despite some critics labeling it as ‘cheap’, I think it’s a sturdy device that warrants praise. A 6”2 inch screen joins the Pad making this large tablet / controller hybrid a force to be reckoned with. The GamePad provides you with the opportunity to play full console games on the small screen if your big screen needs to be used for something else – an excellent way to continue gaming even if the scenario doesn’t call for it. The GamePad’s wireless connectivity stretches to approximately 10 – 15 meters, so you can even go to another room and play with the GamePad if required. On top of this awesome functionality, a gyroscope, camera, touch-screen capabilities and a microphone gives the GamePad Nintendo DS like presence with all the gaming possibilities you’d expect from a Nintendo console.
Unfortunately these nifty ways to play games are currently still being phased in, with only a handful of launch titles using the GamePad in ways that one would describe as unique rather than gimmicky. This is perhaps due to developers’ limited time with the device and can be overlooked for now. With reviews coming soon that detail these mechanics two quick examples would be ZombiU using the GamePad brilliantly while games like New Super Mario Bros. U will allow you to play the full game on both TV and GamePad screens. It’s also worth noting that the GamePad streams data from the Wii U, so there’s no using this device without the console. The battery is also something of a worry – with the GamePad not able to charge from the console itself, one requires a 2.5-hour charge from a dock using a separate outlet for roughly 3.5 – 4 hours of usage. This is by no means terrible considering what the GamePad has to perform, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on the battery life because once it goes you won’t have a spare Pad lying around while the other reloads.
The Wii U console itself, resembling it’s older brother in looks, certainly has a lot more to offer underneath the exterior. For the tech junkies out there, the Wii U is packing an IBM Power multi-core processor, an AMD Radeon HD GPU with 8GB or 32GB or storage, which can be expanded by using SD cards of external hard drives. This isn’t what Nintendo are trying to impress you with however, the new interface and attention to media tools makes the Wii U a rival to Sony and Microsoft’s multimedia consoles.
The Wii U’s interface resembles that of the Wii, with channels available to view either on your TV or GamePad. The brilliant new addition of Miiverse however, is what makes the WiiU stand out. Miiverse is your central hub for all of the Wii U’s new features. Here you will find that each game has its own page similar to that of a Facebook page, where players all over the world can get together and talk about that game. Players can write comments, hints, tips or just general chit-chat about the games they are currently playing. This mechanic can be filtered to show just what your friends are saying, or you can go by region or get everyone in on the act. Speaking of friends, Friend’s Codes are no more! The Wii U allows you to have up to 100 friends via a friend request system and it’s honestly about time. The Wii U also has a Wii mode that essentially turns your machine into a Wii, allowing you to play all your back catalogue titles.
Aesthetically these menus are a joy to look at and go through, unfortunately however the Wii U suffers from pretty horrible loading times. Accessing the Wii U menu without any exaggeration takes roughly 20 seconds and this happens each and every time the system loads. Loading issues plague the machine all over and it’s in these moments you feel how slow the machine really is. Issues persist to the Wii U’s online functionality that while in principle looks great, still suffers from frustrating navigation issues, especially in the eShop. Bizarrely Friend Requests don’t actually pop up, there’s no dedicated voice-chat in place and there’s no headset jack on the pro-controller – all of which beg the question “how are core gamers going to play their core online games?”
Ultimately there are niggling issues that the Wii U will have to overcome but that’s exactly what they are niggles. The only key issue here is the hardware’s power. The Wii U will 100% struggle against next year’s inevitable competition. If power isn’t what sells a game console for you, then it’s absolutely worth taking an interest in the Wii U because let’s be honest, it’s Nintendo’s magical games that make or break their machines, not the console itself. If Nintendo release a wonderful Zelda, Mario Kart, Super Mario and perhaps something like a new IP or a re-imagining of a current one (Free-Roaming Pokemon Adventure anyone?!) then the Wii U will succeed. Unfortunately this time round inevitable third-party support is absolutely required on top of Nintendo’s magic. If we’ve learned anything from gaming history is that consoles have a habit of dying out if the third party support isn’t there. Will developers take a liking to the Wii U? Only time will tell. Like a young child teething, the Wii U will have plenty of time to mature but needs both parents, Nintendo and the third-party developer to hold its hand while it learns to stand tall.
8.0 | The Hardware |
The Wii U as a console is certainly a step in the right direction from Nintendo. It’s clear that the core gamer is once again important and this can be seen with the cross-platform titles coming to Nintendo’s powered up Wii. The GamePad is absolutely the highlight here and despite some battery issues, is a fantastic device that has the potential to offer gaming experiences unlike no other. There are clear deficiencies however, with long loading times and an upcoming disadvantage to what will undoubtedly be a very strong pair of consoles from Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo will have to rely on their unique way of gaming and exclusive Nintendo titles to win this battle.
7.0 | The Software |
The Wii U provides some pretty menus and finally revamps their online infrastructure for the better. On release unfortunately, it’s not good enough. Loading issues, convoluted problems across the entire system and an immediate update that’s required before you can play a single game really leaves little room for praise when you pull it out of the box. Once it’s up and running and in full flow however, the system grows on you and the updates will eventually streamline this experience.
8.0 | The Games |
The launch line up isn’t fantastic but does have some big titles available. ZombiU in particular is the most impressive of the bunch. Providing an old school survival horror feel and truly using the GamePad in unique and interesting ways, this is the one you must grab on launch day. On top of that NintendoLand is a lot of fun, New Super Mario Bros. U while not unique, is vibrant and entertaining and the cross-platform titles like Ninja Gaiden and Batman: Arkham City show off that the Wii U is here to do battle.
7.5 | The Verdict |
Just like with any launch, there are expected issues. That being said, apart from the required update, the console is for the most part, very impressive. It’s a lot of fun to get your hands on the GamePad and providing developers take a liking to Nintendo’s new device, we could see some very interesting and fun games on this console. A few teething issues are apparent, but nothing that’s broken or unfixable via updates. The Wii U should definitely be on your radar this Christmas period.
