Pads & Panels

Title: Darwinia+

Platform: XBLA

ESRB Rating: E

Publisher: Introversion Software

Developer: Introversion Software

Rating:

Review by: Chris Park

From the very start, the first thing that sticks out in Darwinia+ is the 1980s computer graphics look. The player attempts to save the Internet’s Darwinian population from a computer virus that is killing off the inhabitants. The real-time strategy gameplay is blended with frenetic combat and collecting to save the universe inside the Internet. While it may look simplistic, Darwinia+ requires thinking ahead, and looking through the entire level before starting will only benefit players later on. Containing both Darwinia and Multiwinia, Darwinia+ was an overlooked RTS game when it originally released half a decade ago, but comes alive on Xbox Live Arcade. Darwinia+ will interest RTS fans more than casual gamers. (more…)

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Title: Brütal Legend

Platform: PS3 (Also on 360)

ESRB Rating: M

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Double Fine

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

If games creator Tim Schafer and his crew know how to do one thing exceptionally well, it is create fantastic worlds populated with engaging characters and awesome stories that show us the best (and funniest) games are often made by its truest fans. With Brütal Legend, the gang at Double Fine teams with musician and film star Jack Black for a follow up to 2005’s critically acclaimed Psychonauts. And while the title suffers from its controls and gameplay being a tad unpolished, gamers and heavy metal fans will find themselves too wrapped up in the world to care. (more…)

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Title: Raven Squad

Platform: 360 (Also on PC)

ESRB Rating: T

Publisher: Evolved Games

Developer: Atomic Motion

Rating:

Review by: John Gustafson

For every great game there is an equally poor one. It is called natural order, or the great balancing act. Whichever attribute one applies to the nature of the gaming scene, Raven Squad sits at the very bottom of the heap, promising to make every game that came before and after look that much better. Thank Raven Squad for being as bad as “playable” can be and Pads & Panels for playing it so the reader does not have to. (more…)

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Title: Command and Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition

Platform: PS3

ESRB Rating: T

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Los Angeles

Rating:

Review by: John Gustafson

Red Alert 3 makes definite strides in refining and improving the RTS experience in the Command and Conquer series but also makes damaging design choices specific to consoles that hamper the overall enjoyment.

Longtime fans will love the campy story with accompanying live action videos featuring respected actors and personalities. Like any good B-movie, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and makes a point to hammer that fact home to the player. The best examples for newcomers are the wacky units available to different factions like grizzly bears and Asian schoolgirl killers. (more…)

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Mezmer Games this week announced a new release date for the briefly delayed Stalin vs Martians. The game will be available through GamersGate, Steam, Direct2Drive and Impulse, according to the release.

The title is said to be an arcade-RTS in which gamers take control of the Soviet Union’s Red Army to battle an alien invasion in 1942. For those who haven’t seen it already, watching the trailer below is highly recommended. (more…)

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Title: Halo Wars

Platform: 360

ESRB Rating: T

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Ensemble Studios

Rating:

Review by: John Gustafson

With the release of Halo Wars, Ensemble Studios have accomplished a feat for consoles that was previously thought unattainable – creating a real-time strategy game that plays and functions well sans mouse and keyboard, all while benefiting from the Halo universe setting. (more…)

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