Review: Twisted Metal

Twisted Metal is back! Originally announced during Sony’s E3 2010 press conference, the revival of the classic car combat franchise has made some smart changes while also playing it relatively safe. The game has a ton going for it, and although it will be interesting to see if the sales numbers show an interest in the resurgence of this genre, I won’t be surprised if this is also the last Twisted Metal we see for a while (if ever). Give my review a read and let me know what you think!

Please leave any and all comments for this review on Snackbar Games, not this blog post. Thanks!

New Game+: The revival of a video game franchise

This month’s New Game+ is all about video game franchise revivals. Inspired by the release of the new Twisted Metal, I discuss the purposes of reviving a franchise and the disconnect between fans and publishers regarding some more controversial revivals over the past couple of years. Is there a point to it at all? Will those franchises find new life in a different generation? Let me know your thoughts!

Please leave any and all comments for this feature on Snackbar Games, not this blog post. Thanks!

The Significance Project – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Practically coming out of nowhere and surprising just about everyone, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is still considered one of the best PlayStation 3 exclusives around. There’s a very good reason for this: it’s an excellent action/adventure game that has some rough moments but manages to overcome them thanks to excellent characters and some truly remarkable set piece sequences. To put this on a list of games that hold some significance for me is a pretty easy decision.

The Significance Project – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Welcome to the very first entry in the Significance Project, a new series which tasks me with writing about games that have some sort of significance in my “gaming life” as it were. The significance could be for one reason or several. Want more info? Check out my introduction post.

This one should be relatively simple. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, released during one of the best (and worst) years in Ubisoft’s history, is a landmark title for the franchise. It did well enough to warrant two unnecessarily dark, dumbed down sequels, a surprisingly decent film tie-in, and another game that tried too hard to bring the Sands of Time series back to its roots while missing everything else. It completely revitalized the Prince of Persia name for a new generation. While I do have fond memories of the very first Prince of Persia, this might be my favorite.