Showing posts with label ps3 game spot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ps3 game spot. Show all posts

PS3 Komodo Bluetooth Wireless Headset

PS3 Komodo Bluetooth Wireless Headset
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $22.99
Sale Price: $20.33
Today's Bonus: 12% Off
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I was hesitant to purchase the PS3 Komodo headset since I didn't see any reviews for it at all. I went to several sites only to discover no reviews. I really needed a PS3 headset but had insufficient funds to purchase the official PS3 headset retail price is $50. I was looking for something less than $20 but with decent quality. I found the PS3 Komodo headset for $12.80 sold by G-Dreamer and highly recommend purchasing from G-Dreamer.

I got PS3 Komodo headset for $12.80 plus standard 3-5 day shipping. I got it fast and in mint condition. I like the design but the gloss makes it look like a toy in my eyes. It's certainly no toy as I charged it for one hour to test the sound quality and left quite impressed. It sync with the PS3 immediately and sound is crystal clear with no crackling noise. For less than $20 with decent sound quality, you can't go wrong.

In conclusion, the PS3 Komodo headset is affordable, features crystal clear sound, soft to the ear and comfortable. I tested my PS3 Komodo headset using Uncharted 2: Among Thieves -Game of The Year editiononline multi-player mode. My friends heard me crystal clear and was even surprised by the sound quality considering I payed less than $20 for it. I highly recommend the PS3 Komodo headset to anyone new to bluetooth and/or anyone looking to save money. Order it from G-Dreamer since he offers the lowest price and is a fast shipper. I am more than satisfied with this product and some of the profit goes to the Kids in Need foundation they provide FREE school supplies to children in need.

*******************UPDATE**********************

After almost a year of owning this headset, I must give you my updated review on how it holds up to the test of time. This is a really uncomfortable headset and it will keep disconnected itself when you think it's turned on. It hangs from the ear instead of firmly being placed on the ear and it's just not a good headset. Still works but it fails at what it's suppose to do in the first place. If you must buy this headset then expect your money to be wasted considering it's not durable and even though it's not broken, it sure as hell might as well be. Save your money and get the Turtle Beach PX21 headset for universal gaming. Now that is definitely a true gaming headset. This headset right here is a toy and nothing else. Have fun!

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I bought this headset because I simply refused to pay 50 bucks for the official one. It seems to work just fine, it's a little quiet in your ear and a little uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Overall however, the price was right, people can hear me and it's nice to have playing friends online.

PSMake sure you charge it fully before you use it and make sure it's not charging when you try to connect it to the PS3. For whatever reason, when charging it's off and can't be found by the PS3

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I bought a 2 pack of this headset one for me and one for my brother to use on the PS3 for DC Universe Online. Set up is simple. It connected right to the ps3 and worked pretty well for me out of the box. My brother on the other hand took about a week of playing with it to get it to work in game. I shared with him my little ritual for connecting the mic and now it seems to work fine.

DO ALL THIS BEFORE YOU LOAD YOUR GAME!

1st have the Mic completely charged (it will have a blue light on it when plugged up and fully charged)

2nd Turn on the mic

3rd Go to Accessory settings Manage bluetooth device and look to see if your headset have a blue dot beside it (if not turn off the mic and reconnect it)

4th Go to audio settings and blow into the mic and check and see that it is working

5th now load your game

6th Check for any in game settings that you need to turn on for your mic to work. (look for to see if the game is set to push to talk etc...)

I gave this 4 stars because all on all after i got it to work consistently the sound quality is good and the price is excellent. The biggest draw back is that the battery life seems low to me about 3 4 hours on a good night. This is however the 1st bluetooth mic iv had so i cannot say if this is normal or low.

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I'm usually not the type to give a negative review but I must say everyone would be better off to shell out the extra money and buy the PS3 model headset. I bought two of these one for my friend and one for me so that we could play black ops and talk to each other. Both of us noticed the headset shutting off every 5 minutes or so and the sound quality is less than desirable. Long story short if you are a serious gamer there are many other better options out there.

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My ps3 wont read this kind of bluetooth device.I don't know if it is my ps3 or the komodo Bluetooth.Either way I wasted my money. I would not recommend this product. By the way I never have had a problem with my ps3.

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Mainichi Communications Tencho no Igo for PS3

Mainichi Communications Tencho no Igo for PS3
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
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Mainichi Communications Tencho no Igo for PS3 is awesome! It only has 5 trophies to achieve by defeating level 3, 2, 1 kyu and beating the full game. If you go through story mode you'll get all the trophies. The game's hard but it's the best Go game I ever played.

The game has a story-mode, not actually a story-mode because there is no story (but lets call it that anyway). The game let you play as an insei. The weakest the AI is 10 kyu. You start at 10 kyu and play your way through a dan player. If you're a 10 kyu you have to fight against another 10 kyu and win 3-times then fight against an AI opponent in the final round. If you win the final round you get to move on to 9 kyu and face new opponents, if you lose, you have to start over until you win 4 times in a role. Each character you play will give you handicap but the final round you fight without handicap. Once you win you go to the next stage and fight new characters and repeat the same process. Sometimes you may get to a higher level, say 5 kyu, and fight against the same anime character you fought when you were at 10 kyu, this gives the illusion that the AI character also gets stronger and is catching up to you. When you get to dan level you'll see professional characters dress up in suits and old man that look like characters from Hikaru-no-go.

This game also has Go problems to solve and Joseki to practice and downloadable content that can only be bought through a Japanese account. The option in the game are all in Japanese but easy to understand, Here it is in order-

1 Load game

2 Save game

3 Load a game and review a load game or play freely, (choose a level AI or board size or 1 or 2 players.)

4 Play story mode 1you can skip to the final stagedan level but it best to start at the beginning(Play this mode and get 1 to 4 trophy)

5 Play story mode 2the same but you don't see pictures of the character you play (Play this mode to get the last trophy)

6 Go problems

7 Go problems

8 Go problems

9 Go problems

10Play free style (you make and edit your own game. You can switch to play only black stones or white. You can place your stone down and change the color at any time without a redo.)

11 load game (Don't understand why there is 2...yet)

12 Game Option (allows you to turn music or talking off and other stuff, that I do not mess with.)

That's your game option. The game is all in Japanese and if you can't read Japanese you can listen, you can tell if you won by what it (she) says, if you speak Japanese, that is. The game talks every time you place a stone, this is what it says-

When it first starts you'll hear a female voice sayOnegaishimasu

When you place a black stone down she'll sayKuro san no sanmeans black on 3-3 line

Shiro juusan no nanawhite on 13-9 line but you have to know your numbers in Japanese to understand that. It's best just to understand Shiro-white and kuro-black, because at the end she'll call out the stone that lost.

Shiro (WHITE) Kuro (BLACK) no (something something) marimashita (White or black resigm or lost) It's hard to understand her sometimes but the color she says are clearly pronounce. If you can't understand, just look at the chart after the game. It has a cycle and if that cycle is filled white it means you lost if its transparent means you won, if it has a kanji character means you pass that level.

The game is awesome and I play it nonstop. It can be difficult to understand at first but you get used to it. I still don't know what most option do but I don't mess with`em so if anyone decide on getting it don't hesitate. Only con I have is that there is no online-mode where you can play against other people but the AI keeps you well satisfy, it's a wonderful game. If you're going to get it,seriously, the best place to buy this game is from Samurai Japan. You be surprise of their service,it's the best place to buy imported games online,period! You can thank me later. Gombatte Kudasai

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NBA '09 The Inside

NBA '09 The Inside - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $5.99
Today's Bonus: 90% Off
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Let me start off by saying that I have not encountered a single glitch, zero, zilch. (Of course, after I print this, it will probably glitch out on me.) That being said, this game is a great basketball game. The first thing you have to take into account is the fact that it isn't a deep sim. If you want that, you probably would be better off buying 2k9. The gameplay leans more towards arcade style without it being over the top. There is a deep progression system which gives the game a RPG type element. The addition of the downloaded game of the week system adds new content to the game every week during the season which is nice. There is a lot to do in this game from the Inside story system, to the Franchise mode, to quick play and online. Each area of the game gives you rewards for accomplishing tasks. Also, it includes trophies so you can brag to your friends on how much of a baller you are. Try this game, you may like it.

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I bought this game because it is one of the few 1080p games. The graphics in the title screens are great but the game play is no better than a 720p game. otherwise the play is fun and realitively easy. I wish there were a few more secret things in the game but it is ok to waste some time with.

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You cant just listen to the reviews, this game to me is the best, and im not even choosing it just to say, I HAVE ALL THREE NBA GAMES, and this one is definitley amazing, the only prob with the game is that you are to acuurate, on a online game i shot 96 points with kobe, fun for me, not other dude though. Definitley a fun game and graphics are very good, and i love the replay system!!!

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I was very skeptical at first. All the professional reviews were raving 2k9 and dissing this one. Found it on black Friday deal for single digit prices. Iam very happy that I bought this one. Technically this is the best looking basket ball game out there. Graphics looks stellar. It may not have all the nuances of 2K series.. who cares. Unless you are fanatic it wont matter. The game plays silky smooth every thing works as expected. If you take time and setup your defense it is easy to play. Seriously give it a try if you see it on sale. There is a high chance you will like it.

I like the story mode in the game. You start from the streets and grow up to pro. It is better than madden be a pro mode. There is a good story that makes you to finish the single player campaign. If you want to show case the power of your PS3 pick this one... you friends will be awe struck when they see this one in action.

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case was broke, game was not, but the game wasnt what i thought , better off as a rental game than a great game like nba live

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eForCity High Speed HDMI Cable +USB Dual Charger

eForCity High Speed HDMI Cable +USB Dual Charger Compatible with SONY PS3 Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $5.94
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Worked great for the shortest time. One of the two charger station stopped working after about a couple weeks. Not confident i'd order a replacement one.

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Resistance 3

Resistance 3 - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $10.48
Today's Bonus: 83% Off
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I am not one for horror movies, scary movies, FPS shooters that feature zombies in game after game (I'm looking at you Call of Duty) or that sort of thing, so after I got my PS3 I never found myself that compelled to pick up either Resistance FoM or Resistance 2. However, reading the previews and watching the trailers for Resistance 3, I found myself very much interested. Having played a great amount of Resistance 3 single and multiplayer I can report that I am very glad I picked this one up.

Graphics

This game is not as beautiful or graphically amazing as Killzone 3. However it does look quite good. The textures, the lighting especially make this game look incredible. From an artistic standpoint, this game looks just simply incredible. The guns look detailed, the textures are deep, the character models are quite good but the environments are what will capture your attention the most.

Presentation:

Because the environments are so beautiful and captivating, the game does a phenomenal job putting you into a role as one of the last survivors on earth. You can really buy into the idea that you're at the end of a war that has gone terrible. The music, the graphics, the sound effects all effectively present what happens.

Gameplay:

Most notable about this game is that it gives a shout-out to older FPS games by allowing you to hold more than 2 weapons, in fact you can hold as many as you like on your weapon wheel. You also must gather health packs to revive. It reminds me of the first FPS I played which was Star Wars: Dark Forces. This is a good thing. I hate having to drop weapons on the ground to pick up a new one, the simple weapon wheel system (like Assassins Creed) works well. It is a pleasure to switch weapons to make the tactics you need available to get the upper hand. A shotgun is an excellent weapon when you're being surrounded by zombie alien hordes, but a sniper rifle is most effective at distance. The bulls-eye allows you to hone in on enemies even when they're moving and you're firing elsewhere, which is helpful for grasshopper aliens. The augment (shooting through walls) gun is effective particularly to find out where enemies are hiding.

Sound:

The music and sound effects are sensational and help add to the atmosphere and feeling of the entire game. The music is well composed and sometimes the silence is more dramatic and intense than the music itself.

Multiplayer:

The multiplayer is quite buggy particularly here within the first week, but considering the beta and two giant updates to R3, I wonder why it is so full of errors. Much like any other modern FPS, multiplayer supports a leveling up system as well as a class system. As you level up you may create your own class and you can choose your own combination of guns, power-ups, grenades and so forth. Any upgrades your purchase for one class is available to all other classes (unlike KZ3) which is good. Besides the glitches in multiplayer, the game feels a little off balanced because certain players with upgraded guns & power-ups particularly in combination really over-run other players at lower levels. However, I find this to be a similar problem to various FPS multiplayer leveling up systems. It simply takes so long to accumulate the points to purchase new abilities, guns, powers, and so forth.

Overall, this FPS is a phenomenal addition to your PS3 game collection especially if you enjoy First Person Shooters. The single player is dark, gritty and creepy and the multiplayer despite its flaws is a fun sensational experience.

UPDATE:

The more hours I put into the campaign and multiplayer the more I have come to appreciate the art design of the game. While perhaps R3 doesn't do anything that other FPS haven't done before, it does them well, it does them with a great post-apocalyptic style and great level design. One complaint I have is that there are a few levels where the game encourages you to be stealthy, but the game doesn't always give you the tools to do so. It does a good job trying to creep you out with aliens in abandoned-post alien-end of the world as we know it places all across America. Its' story is grim and though you don't know the main characters you care about what happens to them.

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Im really glad I picked this up! Im a huge fan of alternate history, so the Resistance series is one that always tickled my fancy.

There have been a lot of changes art style wise when it comes to Resistance but I think theyve finally hit the nail on the head with R3. Very Grapes of Wrath with a Science Fiction flare. I love it and would be glad if this art style remained for any other upcoming games in the series!

The game overall was amazing but THE GUNS. So satisfying and fun to use! You'll want to go back and play the game again JUST to lay into some Chimera with your trusty Bullseye in hand. Not only that but its a great feeling to have the weapon wheel back and better than ever! Having your entire selection with you at all times. Swapping weapons during the numerous combat situations constantly being thrown your way.

Its not a perfect game though. Some of the character models for prominent characters you'll get up close and personal with aren't the best. This along with the in-game cut-scene lip-syncing can be pretty bad at times which took me out of the experience to make me cringe slightly. And I really wish the ending had a little something more to it. Its a fine ending but would have liked something of an ending monologue to really drive it home in my opinion.

These small annoyances, however, were completely forgotten in a matter of seconds as I was thrown right back into that great gameplay.

I would go on but I wont because Im going back to play it on superhuman difficulty

Amazing game, 9/10 for me!

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With the 3rd installment of Resistance we are introduced to a new protagonist, Joseph Capelli. With the ending to Resistance 2 showing that the war has only just begun, does Resistance 3 have the muscle to make it a notable title? In short, Yes!!

GAMEPLAY

This is where Resistance has always shined, and the 3rd installment does not disappoint. There were plenty of tweaks done to the game design that I feel improves the game over the previous title (Resistance 2). Returning is the weapon wheel as well as my personal favorite, health packs! That's right, no more regenerating health (except if you enable it via cheats). This gives Resistance 3 a bit of an old school feel to it that I enjoyed. Resistance 3 will take you through the campaign at a steady pace, throwing you against a variety of Chimera, including some pretty awesome boss encounters. There is plenty of action to go around with some encounters giving you a sense of being overwhelmed. On easier difficulties this isn't to bad, but I could easily see harder difficulties making spots like these put up a big fight; a big plus for those who enjoy some challenge.

Weapons have also undergone some improvements, having an upgrade system built into them. More you use a weapon, the better you become with it essentially. With each tier upgrade the weapon becomes vastly more effective and by the time you are making that final push to the end, these upgrades will come in handy. Controls feel very responsive and weapons feel like the pack a good punch. Overall Resistance 3 feels like a hybrid of Resistance 1 and 2. What didn't work in either game has been removed, or polished up to fit beautifully into Resistance 3. It makes for some seriously enjoyable gameplay.

** I Do not have MOVE so I was unable to test the MOVE features **

GRAPHICS

When it comes to graphics, Resistance 3 felt a little lacking; especially when compared to other PS3 exclusives. I wouldn't call the graphics "dated", in fact they are pretty good, but there are areas where you can tell some more polishing might of been necessary. Facial animations seem a bit rigid at times, and the environments themselves feel lacking for some reason. I think this had a lot to do with the art style and color pallet the game chose in various areas. Some come across very bland and dry, while others can feel very vibrant and crisp. Overall, graphics is not the strong point of Resistance 3, but still does more than enough to give some visual appeal.

** Due to lack of a 3D TV I was unable to test how good the 3D is for this game **

SOUND/STORY

When it comes to audio I was very impressed. Voice acting was above average, and sound effects were top notch. Weapons sounded great, explosions.. chimera.. it all sounds really good, and helps to immerse you into the gameplay. Story wise I'd say it was okay. Unlike Resistance 1 and 2, where there were some shocking twists and turns of events, Resistance 3 doesn't have that shock factor this time around (in my opinion). Still the game has a solid enough storyline that will keep you very interested as you follow Joseph Capelli 4 years after the events of Resistance 2.

REPLAY/LENGTH

The campaign for Resistance 3 runs around 6-9 hours depending on skill and difficulty. I went through the game in about 7 hours, but I also was playing on Easy. The campaign length feels appropriate plus there are plenty of reasons to revisit the SP campaign. Unlockable cheats can make the game easier/harder depending on which cheats you activate; and there is online/split-screen Co-Op campaign. Adding to the replay value of the game is the MP element, which sadly is scaled down compared to Resistance 2. Despite scaled down map size, the MP element is still fun, although fairly standard to what is out there today. You gain experience and level up the more you play. Gain perks and upgrades which you use to better your play. It feels generic but it can be a lot of fun! Overall there is plenty of replay value here from Co-Op to cheats to Multi-player .

OVERALL 90% (9.0 ... A-)

Overall Resistance 3 is a quality title. It brings the entire package to create an enjoyable title, while satisfying the Resistance fans. The game mechanics feel well polished and focused, as if the developer took the time to note what players liked and didn't like. Some areas of the game took a hit; mainly that the graphics aren't top notch, and the MP is clearly scaled back compared to Resistance 2.

If I were to rate Resistance 2 vs Resistance 3, I would say Resistance 3 is the superior title despite the MP scale back. In fact, Resistance 3 is my favorite of the 3 games to date (with Resistance 2 being my least favorite actually). Resistance 3 is a solid game all around in the end. It is worth the price of admission for Resistance fans and console shooter fans alike, and will keep you entertained for quite some time.

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Well, here we are, almost half a decade has passed since Fall of Man came out as the PS3's killer app, and now Insomniac has released Resistance 3, their final game in the series. They've made a lot of changes to the third installment over its predecessors, refining and changing until this final product came to be. I'll be honest, when it comes to shooters, I've always considered the Resistance games to be 2nd-tier. That isn't to say I think the first two titles are bad or "meh," I found them both to be pretty fun shooters (Fall of Man especially because of co-op campaign, R2 was alright but not as good as the first). Still, I've always preferred Halo as a sci fi shooter, or the PS3's other flagship franchises such as Uncharted and Killzone. Well, I can honestly say that with R3, we have a game that finally delivers on the promise of the series. This review will mainly be about the campaign, as that is pretty much all I play games for.

The Resistance series has always had the potential to be spectacular with regards to story. The premise of the series is awesome, mixing a 1950's alternate history setting with War of the Worlds. However, the first two games felt more like militaristic popcorn sci-fi action thrillers, with only minimal exposition and character development to excuse all the action, rather than poignant tales about mankind's indomitable spirit despite staring down the barrel of impending extinction by a vast, advanced alien enemy. This game feels like the latter. Finally, we see just how bleak of a situation mankind is in, with only 10% of Earth's population not killed by or converted into Chimera. We play as Joseph Capelli four years after R2, who has been dishonorably discharged and settled down with a family. Dr. Malikov shows up and asks for Joseph's help to go on a 1000+ mile trip to New York with an ambiguous promise that what awaits there will give humanity a fighting chance to survive. Joseph reluctantly agrees, but mainly for the sake of his beloved wife and son.

In my humble opinion, this is the best storytelling of the entire Resistance series, hands down. Joseph is a great lead character, the kind you sympathize with and root for. For the most part, all character development is very well done, the characters are by and large likable and relatable, and the Chimera are extremely disturbing and fascinating (Even after three games, we still know nothing about the Chimera or understand them, which helps make them so creepy). This is a much more intimate story than what Resistance has ever delivered, and it is all the better for it. It's also a lot more cinematic. That doesn't mean it isn't exciting or that epic set pieces have been left out. There may not be anything to the level of the Leviathan of R2 (which is a disappointment, but makes sense given the tone of the story), but seeing the massive Goliath return, or a stampede of feral widowmakers (think massive leapers) comes pretty close.

The art and sound design cannot go unmentioned either. The graphics definitely aren't on a level of Uncharted or Killzone technically, but they're good enough to deliver on the art design's promise. That's a very good thing. A besieged 1950's rural america REALLY looks good here. Vistas, environments, character models, weapon models, they all add to the experience quite well. The sound design is equally compelling, as the soundtrack is pretty good, and the sound effects are exceptional. You'll never mistake a Chimeran dropship for anything else, and the guttural roar of the various Chimeran types is very well done. It's all very iconic. Everything in the visual and audio department *really* immerses you into the bleak War of the Worlds worse case scenario, and that is high praise indeed. The cinematics, while looking really good, do have some issues such as weird lip syncing issues that can distract.

Honestly, the gameplay is where the series has always shined, and it shines very brightly here. R3 almost feels like a hybrid (no pun intended) of the first two games. You have many gameplay mechanics from Fall of Man returning here, such as health packs and the weapon's wheel, but you also have the tighter, refined controls from R2 making a return as well. It's a perfect mix of both R1 and R2 that Insomniac has been tinkering with for multiple installments, and finally R3 gets it right. The weapons are as imaginative and satisfying as they ever were, AND there's an awesome new mechanic here that borrows heavily from Insomniac's other flagship franchise, Ratchet & Clank. You see, the more you use a weapon, the more experience it accumulates, and eventually you'll be able to unlock three upgrades to the weapons. A shotgun leveled up once makes it able to light enemies on fire by chance, and a final upgrade makes its secondary fire launch a massive grenade that can light a massive radius on fire. The weapons also undergo aesthetic changes as well with each level. This simple leveling system was incredibly awesome, and really added to the game's value to me. It forced you to use all the weapons in the addicting quest to upgrade them all. Very nice. The AI was also greatly improved over the first two games. Different Chimera types have their own unique strategies, and each feel pretty formidable. I wouldn't say the AI is any better than other FPS franchises though, but still decent.

There is no 8-player co-op mode like in R2, which is a huge bummer, but I have to give thanks for the fact that you can play the campaign with a co-op buddy again. This feature is what made Fall of Man so fun to me in the first place, and it was a major disappointment that its sequel did away with it. It was great playing this with my brother-in-law. We actually played it all in one sitting, which took about 7 hours, a disappointingly paltry campaign lenth. It may not be as inexcusably short as the Call of Duty series, sure, but it's also not as long as I'd prefer from a FPS (I prefer at least 8 or 9 hours and hope for 10+). With such a fun campaign, the shortness is disappointing. At least those few hours are packed with variety and excitement...

Multiplayer: Insomniac did away with the massive multiplayer matches of R2 and honestly, I think it suffers for it. It's not that 16-player matches are bad, but the big player pools of R2 really made that game's multiplayer component unique and frenzied compared to other franchises like Halo or Killzone. Now, it just seems like all the rest in terms of gameplay dynamics. As I said earlier, I don't care too much for multiplayer to make this that big of a problem, but it is worth mentioning. Maps are designed well and the gameplay is great though, so if you're a multiplayer sort of gamer, Resistance probably will please you more than it will disappoint.

I've always loved the idea behind the Resistance series. I've always wanted to consider it a top-tier series, but for various reasons, I could never bring myself to do it. Resistance 3 is the game that has fully won me over with only little reservations. I had a blast playing this game, getting lost in its atmosphere, story, and action. It has its problems, sure, but overall my experience with Resistance 3 was a good one, and one I would recommend to others with only the slightest hesitation or apprehension. I can't say that about the first two games, where I always felt the need to explain qualifiers for. This is a great game. Buy it, go on a wild, compelling journey, and be the resistance.

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A Single Player Campaign Review using Dualshock 3. Does Not Cover Move Controls or Multiplayer.

Although borrowing elements from both its predecessors, the machinations of Resistance 3 storm through the failings of former titles. It is not an understatement to say that from the ashes of Resistance 2, this 3rd installment rises like a phoenix. Resistance 3 not only succeeds in recreating the mythos of an apocalyptic alien-infested 1950s America, but in crafting the most enjoyable FPS campaign experience I have had to date.

I own an extensive collection of shooters for the PS3 (Call of Duty entries, Call of Juarez, Battlefield 1 & 2, Bioshock 1 & 2, Singularity, Killzone 2 & 3, Crysis 2, Orange Box, FEAR 1 & 2, Resistance 1 & 2) and the Resistance series has always felt like it came up a little short. Resistance 1 had an interesting premise and a neat selection of weaponry, but the characters and storyline felt dry and gameplay was very by-the-numbers. Resistance 2 integrated boss fights, but removed the weapon wheel while adding the overused regenerating health feature. Levels for Resistance 2 became more constricted, and several enemy choices were poorly designed (i.e. swarm, invisible chimera). Every sequence or boss was foreshadowed by weapon placement, and was neither difficult nor exciting. Insomniac decided to take an extra year in development to integrate feedback from the community, and it was a WISE decision. Resistance 3 was not a game I had planned on purchasing, but is now my favorite FPS of all time.

From Resistance 1: ARSENAL, HEALTH BAR

Resistance 3 features a clock like weapon wheel wherein each number possesses a masterfully crafted weapon (12 total). All of the older weapons have been retuned or redesigned and new favorites like the Atomizer, Cryogun or Mutator offer an astounding diversity of gameplay options. Sound effects for old favorites like the Marksman are PHENOMENAL and visceral. Secondary fire modes feature extremely useful abilities (i.e. Atomizer's black hole grenades) and all guns are leveled up as they are used to acquire more enticing attributes. Shotguns gain incendiary fire and Bullseye bullets shatter on impact. The best part about the arsenal in Resistance 3 is that all upgrades apply to NORMAL fire. You do not have to find different ammo types, or select between modes. Your arsenal only gets more efficient and deadly as you progress.

Ammo is relatively plentiful, and I often found myself smiling while deciding which weapon I wanted to use at any given moment. Enemies also feature new weaknesses to exploit with accurate shots. Shooting a hybrid in the cooling tank will cause it to short circuit and explode. Blasting limbs can also dismember non-boss chimera. Coupled with unprecedented level design, the finely tuned elaborate weaponry of Resistance 3 keeps every shootout fresh and riveting. This is the FIRST FPS I have played where I hold every single weapon in the same high regard. Even the Bullseye (which I loathed in 1 & 2) is now an absolute riot to use.

The non-regenerating health bar makes its return to great effect in Resistance 3. Shootouts become more intense as you scramble across the field or dash into a shed to find a health booster. Insomniac has found a way to delicately balance your life bar, the amount of health pickups dropped or scattered, and the number or difficulty of enemies. MAN is it refreshing! The sound effects are spot-on and even the color spectrum makes things easily visible during chaotic firefights.

From Resistance 2: LOCATION DIVERSITY, BOSS FIGHTS

Resistance 3 takes place in America once again. The difference is that every location is unique and multilayered featuring incredible backgrounds and open battlefields. One level pays homage to Chronicles of Riddick (the pit below the prison), but accentuates the atmosphere while maximizing the ability to utilize environment to your advantage. Battling a gorilla-like Brawler in a ghost town as winds bend trees backwards and debris swirls around your head captivated me like no game since Killzone 2. From stampeding Widowmakers on a train to foggy mountainous sniper missions, Resistance 3 portrays America on a whole new level than Resistance 2. The story moves between a multitude of different states, but each features its own agenda, history and design. NOTHING is cookie cutter in this game.

Boss fights are equally impressive, as are the moments leading up to them. Resistance 3 doesn't simply throw a boss out into the mix. Rather, it features elaborately crafted moments that lead up to them. Even old enemies like the Widowmakers have been redesigned for epic firefights. These prodigious behemoths now feature target zones, and feel more like Dead Space than anything found in most FPS games. Does a shootout with a tunneling monstrosity named Satan on a runaway mine cart sound EPIC? Well, I assure you...it is nothing short of breathtaking.

New to Resistance: LEVEL DESIGN, SET-PIECE SEQUENCES, STORY

Resistance 3 radiates entropic atmosphere. Music, color-palettes, enemy design, setting and lighting constantly fire on all cylinders. Beyond every claustrophobic tunnel lies a vast network of areas to traverse. Choice on the battlefield was clearly a major conscious decision by developers. Snipe from a window, zip-line to a Steelhead and trample him with a shotgun, jump beyond a pile of rubble and deploy an auger shield as you take out a troop of hybrids. From high to low, East to West Resistance 3's levels give you the tools to unleash vengeance from every weapon you own. More shockingly is that I NEVER ran into one of those invisible walls so prominent in other games. Each and every level was crafted with the same amount of energy and thought. This is only complemented further by the OUTSTANDING sense of pace within the storyline and gameplay.

Joseph Capelli is a much stronger character than Nathan Hale. He wears the desperation of humanity's bleak existence and the pride of a rebel's defiance through his visage and voice. He fights for a stronger cause than Nathan (the survival of his family), against more overwhelming odds, in more desolate times. The story does a fantastic job of providing continuity between different states by using CGI sequences. Each level carries directly into a CGI movie that returns you to the environment exactly where it leaves off. I was very impressed with how well the development team was able to lead the player from PA coal mines to a level 1 prison to the icy tundras of former NY. High-intensity shootouts are juxtaposed with slower moments of exploration dripping with ambiance. A slow boat ride through a flooded city is erupted by the bird-like screams of a long-legs Chimera. A reprieve at an underground rebel shelter ushers heightened levels of relief after a chaotic chase amongst a crumbling city to secure an explosive battery.

Enemies are unique and representative of their environment, actors are well voiced, and sound effects are impeccable. FINALLY we have a sound mixer who can mix everything to appropriate volumes at default levels. I had no issues hearing music, voices, enemy death-growls or weapon effects layered one upon the other. Enemies are divided into 3 main categories: Regular Chimera, Feral Chimera, and Marauder-like Humans. Journal entries provide insight into each main category of enemies, as well as behavioral differences and weaknesses of the individual enemy types contained therein. A handful of survivor audio logs (similar to Bioshock or Singularity) lie scattered about various levels, and notes provide detailed schematics of weapons as well as explanations of primary and secondary fire. Diary entries are on-par with the illustrations of Uncharted 2. Each and every one is beautifully penned with layers of hand-scribed notes! I was extremely impressed with the fact that everything in this game can be read. Chalk writing, spray paint, handwritten letters everything looks natural and can be read without accessing the overlaying text font.

I must disclose that not EVERYHING is perfect in Resistance 3. NPC human models have an odd glow to them, and do not look cutting edge. Other graphical oddities (non-background) such as the cross-eyed dog in the first base also present themselves from time to time. The graphics and animations for any humans actually look a LOT like Singularity rather than AAA titles like Killzone 3. Animations can be stiff (especially ladder climbing), and faces have a glossed texture. It feels slightly jarring at times considering enemies and backgrounds often look stunning. In fact, the only time I was ever disappointed with the scenery and enemy placement was during the final level. Resistance 3 pays homage to both Resistance 1 and 2 by returning to a futuristic setting within a Chimeran base. Although it works within the context of the narrative, I was really hoping the last level would exhibit the pinnacle of American architecture in decay. With so many imaginative set-piece sequences throughout the 10 hour journey, I also lusted for one last epic showdown against a unique Chimeran Hellhound. The finale does break up the action well, but feels slightly diminished compared to earlier events.

I also ran into a few odd glitches during the game. I once "fell" (clipped) into the roof of a decrepit house while being chased by grims, but the "attic" was clearly not part of the playing field. I eventually jumped and ran against the far corner of the building until I popped back on top of the roof. Another time I lifted a wooden beam so that a NPC could proceed through a cave. My character went through, but the NPC was running against a rock. Re-lifting the beam and trying to push him away from the rock would not trigger him to pass through the area. I eventually just let an enemy kill me and had him follow more closely. Fortunately check points are very plentiful here.

Despite those few slight grievances, Resistance 3 is absolutely AMAZING to play. The Arsenal is Fantastic, the Levels are Expansive and Varied, the Enemies are Intelligent and Aggressive, and the Narrative is Unpredicatable. Resistance 3 is a tightly woven mix of atmosphere, gameplay and story and IT IS SPECTACULAR! (9.2/10)

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Playstation 3 Port HDMI System Selector

Playstation 3 Port HDMI System Selector
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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I was looking for an HDMI switch after I bought a PS3 and had 3 HDMI components and only two ports on my TV. I'm glad I bought this. It works as advertised, but the real bonus is that it comes with a remote for controlling the PS3 when watching Blu-Ray movies. (I was able to program my universal remote and ditch the bundled MadCatz remote.) This little HDMI port has solved ALL my audio video concerns.

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At first I was not sure if I wanted to spend so much for just an accessory but now I'm actually happy I did. You do not loose picture or sound quality while using this like some other splitters. It does exactly as stated on the box. The fact that it has a remote made things much easier to switch between the two. It fits perfectly flush with the ps3 and you really wouldn't know it's not part of the unit.

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It is an excellent solution to share a TV HDMI input. HDMI and optical interfaces works great. Also you can control your PS3 blue ray functions with the remote control included or with your universal infrared.

The only additional recommendation is to look Fry's price because it is amazing cheaper.

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Simply put... this product is good for looks... when added to the PS3 combined with the glow stand with the blue led lights... it looks like this huge bulky futuristic machine, which is kinda cool actually, looks fab in the dark. The Cooling fans are ok, no notable difference, they're really quiet though, u'll need a "Clark Kent Super Hearing Ability" to actually hear those fans. The key feature here are the hdmi / digital audio inputs. You can hook up almost anything that supports hdmi, I've got my PS3 hooked to my new Panasonic Viera 42" Plasma (best one out there so far) the combination could'nt get any better. I would'nt ask you NOT to buy this product though, Like I said, It goes well with the PS3, its got an independent power supply, really depends on what you require more though, good looks or the hdmi connections?!?!? I must say, It is really good for the extra hdmi connections, much better than buying those seperate connectors which usually cost more! Whatever you choose this product for, looks or the hdmi connections, you're not in for a disappointment!!!

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This was exactly what I was looking for when I bought it for just under 30. I did however return mine the very next day. I was looking for some air movement as well as an hdmi switch. I'm not sure if my unit was defective or not but it moved very little air if any at all. This didn't surprise me after I realized the two fans are running off of just 9 volts. The other thing was that the fans would not shut off unless I unplugged the unit. I thought if the unit was turned off or if the ps3 shutdown the fans would follow suit but mine would not and I don't feel like going in my cabinet and shutting it down manually each time. I gave this 2 stars because I never did test the hdmi switch and I figure I'll give it the benefit of the doubt that it works.

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PLAYSTATION 3 Mortal Kombat Kitana Classic Costume & Fatality DLC Card

PLAYSTATION 3 Mortal Kombat Kitana Classic Costume & Fatality DLC Card
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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This was a preorder exclusive from Toys R Us. The price is right at under $15. Game retails at $59.99 USD, andpurchasing this bonus at less than a third of retail is worth purchasing if you missed it as a pack in. This skin and others will become available at a later time as DLC. I recommend buying this at under $15 it is worth it for the MK fan. Mortal Kombat

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PS3 Double Turbo Cooling Fan

PS3 Double Turbo Cooling Fan
Customer Ratings: 2.5 stars
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If you look at the picture you would realize that it is for the earlier made ps3's. I have the original 60gb ps3 and this fan works great!!!! It's quiet and keeps my machine going. The only downside to the fan is the bright LED light. For all customers looking to cool the older systems this is the one for you. Plus it's cheap. For those who said it was bad please pay close attention to what you are buying before putting it down. The slim ps3's are twice as hard to find fans for. They do sell them you just have to pay attention.

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I bought it for a PS3 400gb and it don't fit in any part of my PS3.

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There is no fan on the market for PS3 slim models (newest version).

So do not buy this for your Playstation 3 SLIM. I have looked all over the web for any hint of a fan for the slim and have not found one yet. The PS3 slim is running hot after just 10 minutes on. The only reason I even worry about it overheating, is because of the XBOX 360 has overheated on me and the processor failed. So I have had an after market cooling fan attached to it. I hope they make one for the PS3 slim and I also hope that it does not burn up after the limited warranty. Don't buy this fan for PS3 SLIM....

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Assassin's Creed III Encyclopedia Edition

Assassin's Creed III Encyclopedia Edition - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $94.18
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I have been a fan of Assassin's Creed for a long time and this iteration does not disappoint. The graphic novel is amazing quality and quite a joy to read. The Encyclopedia itself is well worth the extra price for this package as a fan new or old. It covers places, characters and organizations from the whole Assassin's creed setting. I would recommend this edition to anyone who is a fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise.

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I come at this from the perspective of a pretty big fan of the AC series. Following the buildup and hype surrounding the development of AC3, I was excited and preordered at the first opportunity. The encyclopedia is just what I was expecting. Lengthy, well made and full of the interesting fluff that makes the AC universe fun. The graphic novel was good as well. I'm glad I got this over the limited edition trinkets. Onto the game, the review of which I posted also on the AC3 product page:

Having recently completed the single player story, I came away with a definite sense of disappointment, for a number of reasons that I shall attempt to outline.

First though, credit to the developers for creating another living, breathing world this time revolutionary America. One of the great joys of the AC series is being able to lose yourself in another place and time, and both Boston and New York give you the sense of watching the US develop. I particularly liked the addition of seasons and dynamic weather, which both add to the sense of immersion. The addition of the homestead and homestead missions were also a nice touch. The voice acting is movie quality. The soundtrack is good, though I wish there was more music playing throughout the game. The naval battles are more arcade-y than simulation but still good fun and a highlight of the game. I reserve judgement on the story as I imagine it works for some people and not others.

To my areas of disappointment:

Connor Ultimately I have to say I was not a big fan of Connor. Throughout the series the fictional characters have been pretty relatable and sympathetic figures, who capture the imagination of the player. Even with his reasons, I found Connor to be dry and pretty unlikeable. Plowing through his enemies with little humor and rarely more than a sour expression, I got the sense more than anything that I was playing as an 18th century version of the T-1000 from Terminator 2. Perhaps this was intended as one of Connor's flaws, but I think in the end when you can't get behind the character you're playing it's hard to really buy into the story, whatever it is. Frankly, I preferred Haytham.

Combat Less of an issue for newcomers to the series, as a veteran however I found the new control scheme and combat system took quite some time to get used to. There was a certain amount of muscle memory from previous games that I needed to unlearn, particularly related to free running and targeting (or not) enemies in combat. Also I found the switch away from the quasi-hit point/health potion system to be an overall negative. I liked improving armor and monitoring its state of repair. I also don't really like the trend of the series towards making the assassins unstoppable juggernauts. With competent use of the almighty Counter button, it's really pretty difficult to die in combat, and you can easily plow through a dozen or more enemies on a killing streak. Conditions rarely, if ever, call for anything more than your pistol and your preferred melee weapon. Calling in brotherhood assassins is also fairly unnecessary. You could easily get through the entire game (and I did) without using any of the special functions that become available to you by recruiting assassins.

Frontier Perhaps this was just me, but for at least half the game I had a total misconception of the Frontier. At first I thought it was simply relatively small, finite areas surrounding the Homestead, Boston and New York. Instead I now believe it is supposed to be representative of the entire northeastern US with no interruptions. If that is so, I have a hard time reconciling the scale that is supposed to represent and Connor's ability to move through it.

Economy In what seems to be a tradition with Assassins Creed games, there always seems to be one element that seems utterly tacked on and clumsy. In AC3 the honor goes to the economy and the entire crafting mechanic. It's like Ubisoft assigned it to their interns and didn't take another look at it until it was time to compile it into the game. The system is not even internally consistent, as for example there is a different sequence of button presses required to set up land convoys as compared to naval convoys. The whole thing is clunky, unintuitive and really has no bearing on the game proper. I imagine most people skip it after figuring out bear skins are plenty lucrative. I also much preferred the specialized shops of AC2 to the general store approach of AC3.

Bugs With an open-world game of this size I think the presence of some bugs is to be expected and is generally forgivable. Strangely though, most of the glitches I encountered were during scripted events and missions areas that really should have been scrutinized in testing and ironed out. On at least two occasions during major assassination events I encountered critical bugs that required restarting from the last checkpoint. That really ruins the sense of flow and left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't get to playing until after the first major patch either.

Miscellaneous By the nature of the setting a nascent set of colonies with really only a few decades of development there are none of the kind of architectural masterpieces present in renaissance Italy. Other than the opening sequence there really aren't a whole lot of "oh, wow" moments as far as that goes. Perhaps relatedly there also aren't many climbing puzzles, which I found I missed. The notoriety system is not better, and throughout the cities you may find yourself unwittingly setting off alarms without any advance warning. I also would have appreciated something that made the optional objectives a bit easier to pick up on. Often they flash in the corner of the screen in the middle of a chase or a fight and before you know it you've failed them.

In the end this is definitely a game worth playing, and overall it's fun. It's far from perfect however and does not rank as highly as some of the previous AC games. With the success of the series, here's hoping there's some better efforts in the future.

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its slightly different from the ubisoft workshop edition since it doesn't have the artworks cards that are in the envelope which was bummer cause they are both the same price and i didnt know about the ubiworkshop site,so if u want it i suggest u get the workshop edition from there instead of the encyclopedia edition from here plus there u get the stuff in a box i got this with other items and amazon just placed the stuff (encyclopedia/comic/game) in the box not wrapped not anything so it wasn't a gd thing from amazon :/,but the encyclopedia has amazing details and is really worth it and ofcourse it will never hurt to know about other assassins through an amazing high detailed comic

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I bought this for my husband and he LOVES the hardcover encyclopedia that comes with the game. It gives a great overview of everything and anything Assassin's Creed. The graphic novel that comes with the game is also a fun read!

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this is one of the most exciting, adicting and extraordinary educational game ever made. Totally recomended. The encyclopedia is a beautifull book, very complete and a formidable adds-on.

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Soldier Of Fortune Payback

Soldier Of Fortune Payback - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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This game is sorta a ripoff of Duke nukem if you could say that, boss fights, easy enemies to kill. the graphics are pretty nice, the guns are customizable with scopes and grenade launchers. Its fun but the end is not rewarding like mass effect 3.

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Wireless Microphone - Playstation/Playstation 2/Playstation 3

Wireless Microphone - Playstation/Playstation 2/Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 2.5 stars
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I didn't know which mic to get my choices were this wireless mic or the Logitech wireless mic which is the same brand as the original mic for rock band.The difference in the 2 are the icon mic is only $40,rechargeable Lithium battery,seems to be durable...The Logiteh wireless mic is $80,takes 2 AA batteries,looks like a real mic...don't know durability as I have not used one yet.well I chose the icon wireless mic cause $40 was more my price range i like rechargeable battery,sounds just like the original rock band mic,and is durable...

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I ordered this microphone and it arrived today. I let it charge for a while and then tried using it on my PS3 with Rock Band 2. The voice is COMPLETELY DISTORTED, tinny and utterly useless. This was a complete waste of my money and I will be looking to return this as soon as possible for a refund.

How can a product be advertised for use with the PS3 and work so horribly?

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My microphone work properly only when I use the cable that comes along with it. Totally waste of money. The battery doesnt last....

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Lollipop Chainsaw (Japanese/English)

Lollipop Chainsaw
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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Really fun game!Killing zombies,sexy character,lots of unlockable stuff,and also cameo costume from some anime/movies.Another masterpiece from Suda Goichi (Suda51) ,dont miss it!!

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HIDEit 3SS Mount - PS3 Wall Mount for PS3 Superslim

HIDEit 3SS Mount - PS3 Wall Mount for PS3 Superslim
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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It's on my wall and I havent had a problem with it. Its just that the wires stick out alot. I wish there was something that would help me hide the wires.

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I wouldn't consider it exactly for HIDING the PS3, but more for securing the PS3 to a piece of furniture/wall with hardware like screws to secure down. Attention! Make sure you get the right model of this mount because the Sony PS3 came in slightly different shapes and markets.

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The only thing i do not like about this is that the ps3 can slip out of the mount but other wise it looks awesome on the wall

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El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $49.99
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The basic storyline for El Shaddai is you play as Enoch, a priest sent by heaven to seek out seven fallen angels who have abandoned God and fled to Earth to capture them before God floods the Earth. The story can be very confusing throughout the game and I wasn't sure what was going on for a lot of the game but it's the music and the visuals that make this game shine.

El Shaddai is visually stunning and different than any other game I have played before which caught my attention. Each level's design changes drastically and never left me bored with what I had to look at. The music is very good as well.

Combat is hack and slash in the same vein as God of War, Dante's Inferno, and Devil May Cry but more simple. You start the game off barehanded and gradually get three different weapons to steal from enemies. Attacking is about as simple as it comes since you just have one button to press and then can do two different moves with each weapons which just involve a press of two buttons. To become effective at combat you have to time your button presses and make sure you are using the correct weapon since each weapon has a weakness to a different one. You can of course go through the entire game and try sticking to your favorite but combat will take longer that way.

Overall I would say the game was worth the purchase and would recommend it to people who are interested in something different to play. The visuals and music are both stunning, game play is fun and can be challenging as well but if you are looking for an amazing story than this might not be your first choice since it can be confusing.

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This game is inspired by the Biblical character Enoch, and in the game he is sent to Earth to bring back the souls of 7 fallen angels to remove their influence so that there is not another great flood. Despite its inspiration, the game merely uses the Bible (and other ancient religious texts) as source material for the fictional (and often psychedelic) world; it's definitely not preachy, and some very religious/conservative folk may even find some of the references/jokes/suggestions offensive. (Lucifel talks on a cell phone to God, jokes about being mistaken for God, etc.)

On the surface, El Shaddai is an action/platform game offering a mix of 3D combat (i.e. God of War, Soul Reaver, etc.) with 2D platform elements (Mega Man, Super Mario Bros, etc.) and offering a variance of art styles between each stage. Controls are simple: there's jump, attack, block, and "purify," the latter of which will be detailed later. (The controls are also programmable, which is really a feature all games should have.) Gameplay in the 3D world largely consists of traversing (mostly) linear areas (there are a few branching paths, and some side/hidden areas), and being locked into combat arenas where the player will have to defeat a variety of enemies before continuing to the obligatory boss. (There is also another style of gameplay featured in one level, but I won't spoil the surprise.) Be prepared for a few instances where gameplay is minimized for cinematic effect or for transition between areas, as seen in games like the Metal Gear Solid series. (Slow walking areas, etc.)

Combat is based off a concept which is popular amongst many Japanese games: Roshambo, or Rock, Paper, Scissors. There are three weapon types, and each weapon is respectively weak to one and strong against another. Wielding a different weapon not only changes your attack patterns and available combos, but it also changes the way in which your character traverses the world; the "heavy" weapon makes the wielder run slower, yet offers mobile defense; the "light" weapon causes the wielder to be more quick, and also offers additional, expanded movement options, etc. However (unlike God of War) the player does not select weapons on-the-fly from their inventory; weapons are only available directly from enemies, where the player has to steal them during key moments of weakness. These weapons become corrupted after a period of use, thus reducing their efficacy in battle; to combat this, Enoch is able to "purify" his weapons, but it takes time, and leaves the character vulnerable to attack for a moment. The other solution to weapon corruption is stealing another weapon, which results in automatic weapon purification and immunity from attack.

Despite the simple controls, combat can become highly tactical, especially on difficulty levels "Normal" and above; "Easy" lends itself to wanton, mindless, button-mashing throughout the entirety of the game. The game leaves attack combinations to be discovered by the player, and there are quite a few to be had just by varying the rhythm of button-pressing. Nearly every enemy has (with the exception of a few incidental, unarmed foes like Sprites) a weakness according to the Roshambo-style rules, yet that becomes less obvious when presented with enemies (such as bosses) which are not specifically wielding one of the three weapons.

One of the highlights of this game is that each area has its own art style; level and character art may appear as a surreal watercolor painting in one level, cell-shaded 3D (i.e. Katamari Damacy) in another level, and realistic-looking, futuristic cityscapes in another. The music varies quite a bit, too, as skirmishes are sometimes punctuated with the token intense (orchestral) video game music, while other encounters may feature a jazzier soundtrack; some areas have ambient music, while one area in particular has African choral music. Every new section in El Shaddai is a new visual and aural experience. Truly, this game is almost worth the (now very low) price just to see the variance of artistic style between levels. I was especially impressed by seeing the outside of the tower for the first time; it was in such stark contrast to anything I had seen before in the game, and the neon fireworks in the background with the African chorus singing below the Tron-like walkways really let me know that I should leave my expectations behind.

Unfortunately, the visual style of the game -coupled with the inability of the player to control the camera -can result in pitfalls during the 3D platforming sequences; sometimes it's a little hard to tell where a platform is, and whether or not Enoch is positioned correctly to land upon it. Not being able to control the camera at all makes this a deadly combination, as it would have been nice to be able to make fine adjustments with the right analog stick. In fact, El Shaddai makes absolutely no use of the right analog stick; if there is one thing game designers working in this genre should take away from a fixed-perspective action game (like God of War), it is the ability to use the right analog stick for evasion. Fortunately, pitfalls are of little consequence in this game, as the player usually starts off pretty close to where they fell, with no discernable penalty unless the falls become numerous.

El Shaddai is pretty light on penalty overall, actually; death in combat does not result in an immediate "Game Over," as Enoch can be revived with button-mashing during a limited period after death. This button mashing becomes progressively more demanding with each additional area death, until it eventually seems impossible to mash the buttons fast enough before having to reload. (For me that threshold was around the 6th revival.) Even so, the game auto-saves frequently, so most deaths are just not that debilitating. Even items collected before death are retained, making haphazard, suicide-style play a viable strategy to obtain some of these collectibles.

Collectibles are hidden well throughout the game, and if anything the automatic camera and sometimes painterly art-style make finding some of these items (and areas) a real challenge; branching paths are not always obvious, and sometimes the camera does not refocus on the new path until the player is practically on top of it. Only truly adventurous and imaginative players will find all the collectibles on their first play-through.

There is plenty of re-play value beyond the initial 10-15 hour story as well; a certain group of collectibles unlock a superior suit of armor for Enoch, and just beating the game for the first time unlocks new options and armor sets as well. The higher difficulty levels definitely demand mastery of the combat controls, as making it through those elevated difficulty levels without mastering blocking and counter-attacking is futile. I would have preferred that all difficulty levels be available at the start of the game, but the highest two are only unlocked after beating the game on "Easy" or "Normal" difficulty.

Overall I enjoyed El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron as a unique action game; the combat controls were simple to learn (yet difficult to master), game-play was generally tight and responsive, some battles were genuinely challenging, and the audio/visual aspect of the game is positively unforgettable. To all those people who thought this was going to be a $15 downloadable title: now is your chance, and it's totally worth the price right now. If you enjoy action games like this and are willing to put your expectations aside: there is no reason not to enjoy this game, and I know that some of it left an indelible impression on me. It's certainly not perfect, and some of it is quirky, but it's still a very memorable and enjoyable game.

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I was hyped when I saw the initial trailer for this game and was blown away by the crisp looking frame rate, art style and music. I'm a fan of games like okami, odinsphere and others that have their own unique flair and dare to stand out from the crowd with something new. El Shaddai, while beautiful, failed horribly to deliver on every other aspect. The story is there but not as fleshed out as it should have been and is non-sensical at times. Gameplay consists of one attack button, one jump button and block. At first I thought there were two jump/block buttons but they both essentially do the same thing with the one exception of the jump+guard/jump+attack button presses which still do little to add to the shallow and repetitive combat.

If you hated running through a corridor in Final fantasy 13 repeatedly and killing a small variation of enemies then you will HATE this game. I pushed myself onward until I beat the game telling myself maybe it will be different but it doesnt get any better. Each level consists of running through a linear pathway whether its 2D or 3D... killing enemies in an enclosed area...rinse/repeat until you encounter boss.

The music was my other gripe. I loved the music i saw in the trailer which is a single track on the game and then the rest seems pretty much like forgettable elevator music. I will say I've been spoiled by games like demon's souls that have musical scores that are equally as characteristic and layered as the game is... El Shadai's is ...just bland most the time.

I would like to end with the fact that this is just my opinion, some people I have seen on various message boards thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn't.

My advice to anyone even considering plunking down 60$ of their hard earned cash on this short and half baked game would be to download the demo first from PSN, Rent it or wait until the price drops.

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This game is surprisingly good. I didn't like the demo but after several price drops and an amazon gift card I took the chance and picked it up. I'm glad I did. This is a fantastic overall experience. The visual design is gorgeous. The sound is pleasing, the story is enjoyable and the gameplay is fun. Overall I really liked this game and it will forever have a place on my shelf as one of the most unique games ever made.

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I haven't finished the game yet, which is good, I like good 60 hours game play, unlike some other games.

Pros:

1. Awesome graphic, feels like watching a movie and not really playing a game.

2. Many gameplay style from traditional hashing and slicing to Little Big Planet-like jumping and maze running to motorcycle racing game. It is like many games in one package.

3. I love the combo moves. It may take a little bit to master it, but it won't take long

4. Very nice background music.

Cons:

1. Poor English dub. Apparantly, not much attention has been paid to dubbing the game, as it is literal translation from Japanese to English and ignoring actual timing of the animation, so you will see the character moving his mouth but no words coming out.

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