Altaïr

Deep in a coma, Desmond “awakens” to find himself trapped inside a hidden section of the Animus. Within this “black room,” Desmond quickly discovers that his only chance to escape rests in reconstructing a series of memory fragments that link him to the past actions of both Altaïr, and Ezio.

The “black room,” a digital island within the Animus, serves as a hub world which allows the player to jump in and out of Ezio’s memories, as well as discover more about Desmond’s past through unlockable memories. These memories, presented in a first person perspective, tell the tale of Desmond’s life, and the events leading up to the beginning of the first Assassin’s Creed game.

Ezio using the hookblade

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations mostly takes place within the memories of Ezio, focusing around his quest to open Altaïr’s hidden library using keys located in the city of Constantinople. These memories are interlaced with key moments from Altaïr’s life, which depict events after Assassin’s Creed, ultimately revealing Altaïr’s fate.

While improvements and changes have been made to the series with each new title, the gameplay of Revelations will be instantly familiar to fans of the series. Assassinate targets, build up a new brotherhood of assassins, and reclaim & rebuild the city of Constantinople; all while working your way through the various carefully crafted missions/memories that represent the single player campaign.

New to this instalment are a host of new weapons and abilities for Ezio, including a variety of bombs that can be crafted, and a hookblade which allows Ezio to travel across zipwires, and assists in climbing the various structure within Constantinople. Another new addition is a tower defence style mini game, that is brought into play when one of your assassin hideouts is under attack. In this mode, Ezio stands on a rooftop overlooking the main avenue of attack. From here, units and orders can be issued in an attempt to push back to enemy forces and secure the area. Success or failure rests squarely on choosing the right units for the right job, and in sufficient numbers.

Ezio at Masyaf

Returning once again is the intense, and highly addictive multiplayer mode that was introduced with Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. Placing you in the shoes of Templar agent, it’s a cat and mouse game where everyone is both the hunter and the prey, and you’re never sure of where the next threat will present itself. Thankfully death is only virtual, but only those with quick thinking and an ability to blend in with their environment will survive and thrive.

Zipwire assassination

Improving on the tried and tested formula from previous instalments, it’s hard to find faults with Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. The only criticism I can level at the title is that there is simply so much to do, that I often felt that I was neglecting the campaign story in favour of tackling the abundance of secondary (optional) objectives. However, even that statement is a true indicator to the appeal of Revelations; I didn’t want to rush through, I didn’t want my experience to end. Sadly, as Ezio’s final AC chapter concludes, I can only wonder how Ubisoft will top their latest creation.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is by far the best game of the franchise to date, offering something for everyone with its layers upon layers of gameplay. With both a solid single player and multiplayer experience, this is one title that deserves to be in your collection.

8.5/10

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Leonard

After a brief introduction, WKC2 places you back into the shoes of Leonard and his friends at the beginning of a new chapter in their journey. Keeping potential spoilers to a minimum, the story is a fairly simple affair. A seemingly simple quest gradually unfolds into something much bigger than Leonard or his friends could have ever predicted, with the Kingdom of Balandor’s fate once again resting in their hands.

The inclusion of White Knight Chronicles on the disk allows you to start the adventure from the very beginning (for those who may have missed it), and the ability to import save states from the previous instalment also allows you to continue with a character set-up that you are familiar with. While not mandatory, those two options help ease players into the rather large shoes they’ll have to fill for WKC2.

Leonard vs Goliath?

Those who choose to start White Knight Chronicles 2 with a brand new character however, will literally be thrown into the deep end. While creating a custom character for the game is relatively simple, the freshly generated level 30+ team that you are presented with require huge amounts of customisation. With little in the way to guide you as you purchase new abilities from an exceptionally large list, it’s more than enough to make even the most hardened RPG fan flee in fear.

If you’re not a fan of JRPGs, White Knight Chronicles 2 will definitely not sway you into the fold. Its predictable story, flat unemotional characters, voice acting that’s on par with Hydrophobia, and extremely high difficulty curve are sure to drive you away. It’s safe to say that this game is not for the faint of heart, and it will test the patience of even the most seasoned of gamers.

On the shoulders of giants

Combat is one of White Knight Chronicles 2′s truly interesting concepts, both its saving grace and biggest downfall. Taking the form of semi-real time combat, the player is given the ability to switch between each party character at any point, move them freely around the map and choose their method of attack. While AI takes over move selection for those you choose not to control, the over complicated targeting system, countless menus, and erratic camera controls are cumbersome at best. This can often lead to distraction, confusion, and ultimately death. With nothing in the way of a tutorial, the player is dropped into combat within the first two minutes of gameplay, while knowing absolutely nothing about controls, or how to perform the most basic of attacks.

It’s a harsh wake up call for those who are unprepared.

Desert combat

However it’s the summons that help WKC2 stand its ground with similar games from the genre. The team initially have access to only a single Incorruptus, Wisel the White Knight, which Leonard can transform into in times of great need (or every 5 minutes in my case). Given the size of some of the enemies that are present in WKC2, these battle behemoths can turn the tide of an encounter when utilised at the right time.

By far, most of the 50+ hours of gameplay required to see White Knight Chronicles 2 to completion will be spent in combat. At times it can be a hard and almost unforgiving grind, as you travel from point to point.

Essentially two games for the price of one, and strictly for extremely hardcore JRPG fan, White Knight Chronicles 2 has plenty to offer. A fantastic soundtrack, epic boss battles, extremely challenging gameplay, and more character customisation options than you can throw an entire forest at; those who put in the effort are sure to find it all worthwhile despite the many shortcomings.

5/10

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Albion

Our “story begins again” on a typical day in the castle. With your character’s father dead and buried, the rule of Albion has fallen to your older brother Logan. Under his reign Albion has grown into its industrial age, though through heavy taxation and rigid exploitation policies the people of Albion have begun to reject their new king.

During an uprising, which ultimately fails, events quickly unfold that force Fable 3′s hero to take up the quest to remove Logan from the throne. It’s during this journey across Albion, that the player must recruit various factions to their cause, by aiding them with their problems, and gaining their trust.

Logan

In true RPG fashion, Fable 3′s story is presented over a series of quests, with a huge helping of optional side quests thrown in for good measure. Experience gained during the course of these quests takes the form of guild seals, which in turn can be used to unlock new abilities to enhance your character.

Streamlined significantly in comparison to the previous titles in the series, Fable 3 offers an experience that is accessible to new and old gamers alike. This allows the player to concentrate on the carefully crafted story from the moment they hit the start button, rather than struggling to learn complex combinations of controls.

It’s this story that is Fable 3′s greatest strength, with decisions and promises made along the way ultimately coming back to haunt you as you continue to rise to power. The end result is a series of increasingly tougher moral choices, that constantly present a conflict between keeping your word and the long term needs of Albion itself.

Hollow Men

With a stellar voice cast, huge graphical improvements, and minor tweaks over the control scheme, you think you’d be safe in assuming that Fable 3 would be at the top of the “must buy” list of every RPG fan out there. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong.

While great effort has been made to present an epic story, Fable 3 is a game that ceases to be engaging once the primary quest line has been completed. With missions lifted directly from the first Fable game, and relationship quests that are repetitive to say the least, it feels very much like an RPG-lite.

The Hero

While the simplification of the interface should be commended (gone are the endless lists, and menus), it’s the over simplification of Fable 3′s remaining elements that will drive away the fans of the genre that are expecting something deeper rather than lightweight.

Despite its shortcomings, Fable 3 is a thoroughly engrossing tale while it lasts.  I really do hope that Lionhead are working hard on a series of DLC packs that are truly engaging, challenging, and as inspired as Fable 3′s primary story arc; as I’d love to see what happens next in Albion.

Overall, the brief glimpse of Fable 3′s potential that I’ve been given, has left me craving for more.

7.5/10

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Captain Smiley & Star

Our tale begins shortly before the cancellation of The Adventures of Captain Smiley, with a mixture of views from the real world and the comic book universe that Smiley inhabits. Aided by Star, his not-so-faithful sidekick/chest emblem, Captain Smiley attempts to foil a bank robbery. His lacklustre performance during his “opening issue” results in the comic’s termination, effectively ending Smiley’s career before it’s even begun.

Taking pity on Captain Smiley’s situation, Twisted Pixel strike up a deal with the fallen hero and develop a way for him to travel between various comic book series’. Using this comic jumping technology, Captain Smiley can help various heroes from other titles, while trying to boost his image and regain his fans; with the ultimate end goal being a return to his own rebooted comic book title.

Nanoc The Obliviator

Presented over eleven missions, Comic Jumper’s story unfolds via four distinct comic book worlds. While these missions must be completed in order, the player is free to revisit them at any time. Money earned undertaking these missions can be used to purchase upgrades for Captain Smiley, as well as unlock a vast array of bonus content.

Comic Jumper’s gameplay differs from what you’d expect, switching on-the-fly between side scrolling beat-em-up, platformer, and a full on 2D/3D “bullet hell” shooter. It’s a little jarring at first, and something you don’t really expect, but for some strange reason it works perfectly. However, the constant switching of game styles can initially lead to a lot of in-game deaths. Thankfully unlimited lives fend off the frustration, while your brain adjusts and adapts to the fast & frantic gameplay that will test the mettle of even the most hardcore gamer.

The Improbable Paper Pals

It’s clear from the moment you boot up Comic Jumper, that a lot of blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into creating it. Surpassing the lovely visuals of their previous title, ‘Splosion Man, Twisted Pixel have once again given the player a universe that they’ll love to explore.

However it’s Comic Jumper’s twisted sense of humour that will draw you in the most. While many comic book scenarios parody various classic movies and the comic styles they’re based on, it has some of the most hilarious lines of dialogue ever to be heard in a game. Whether it’s Paper Lad’s awkward questions, Star’s infatuation with villain Brad, or just the general banter between the characters, you’re guaranteed to have a wicked grin on your face while playing.

Cutie Cutie Kid Cupids

In a similar fashion, the musical score is also injected with humour. While some of it can be heard outside of missions, you’ll be sure to find yourself wishing the frantic action would stop, just so you can take a break and listen.

Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley is a highly enjoyable, and deeply engaging, XBLA title from start to finish. With over 250 unlockable extras, including gamerpics, a premium theme, and levels for ‘Splosion Man, Comic Jumper will keep you coming back for more. It’s plain to see that Twisted Pixel’s sights are firmly set high, as they have once again delivered a title that oozes quality, while setting the bar higher for every XBLA game that follows.

9/10

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Kate wades through the rising water

Set in the year 2051, Hydrophobia takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where rising sea levels have decimated the human population, resulting in worldwide famine and poverty. However on the Queen of the World, a city sized luxury ship, the wealthy have managed to escape this world, while promising to use science and technology to change things for the better. It is on this ship that our story begins to unfold, as a political resistance group known as the Malthusians forcefully board and capture the Queen of the World.

Trapped below deck during the initial onslaught, it’s up to Kate, aided by her boss Scoot, to try to thwart the Malthusians’ plans while getting herself to safety. This is no easy task however, as the Queen of the World is slowly taking on water, which only serves to complicate matters immensely.

Kate searches burning debris

Kate’s third person adventure borrows elements from a number of different titles, platform and swimming from the likes of Tomb Raider, a cover and combat system straight from Gears of War, and a back story that is accessible through various discoverable documents in a similar fashion to the Metroid Prime series.

Coupled with a constantly changing environment that Kate can use to her advantage during combat and puzzle solving sections, Hydrophobia’s potential is clear from the outset.

However, this is where things start going drastically wrong for Hydrophobia. While all these elements sound great on paper, they’re buried in what can only be described as a highly linear and uninspiring experience.

A view of the Queen of the World

With muddy visuals that are firmly stuck in the previous generation, and a frame rate that moves up and down like waves on the ocean, Hydrophobia constantly pulls you out of what should be an immersive experience. While the dreadful voice acting serves to shatter the illusion further, its disjointed (and somewhat lacking) story fails to engage the player fully, to provide any true motivation for their actions, or to connect them to the character that they’re portraying.

Furthermore, the jittery controls constantly lead to frustration when they refuse to do what they player expects, often resulting in accidental death and a trip back to the last checkpoint. With trips back and forth through the same few corridors, it quickly becomes a chore to push forward to the next section of clumsily executed scenarios.

Kate takes aim

Puzzle solving and environmental combat are easily Hydrophobia’s greatest strengths, showing a potential (much more enjoyable) direction the game could have taken. Puzzles require the use of Kate’s Mavi, a device that effectively scans the environment and accesses a number of key pieces of machinery (cameras, terminals, etc).

While using the Mavi, the camera switches to a first-person view, with Kate looking through the Mavi’s main panel as she makes her way through the tightly packed corridors of the Queen of the World. It’s during this scanning mode that hidden messages and encryption keys can be found, which provide further backstory and exploration respectively.

Malthusians

The second function the Mavi provides, is to hack terminals that Kate has been locked out of thanks to the Malthusian attack. Hacks consist of using the analogue sticks on the controller to match a frequency wave presented on screen, by manipulating a similar wave on the Mavi unit.

While the combat may be lacklustre, it still manages to show off the true potential of the environmental physics involved in Hydrophobia. Whether you’re shooting out bulkheads, glass doors, exposed electrical cables, gas pipes or barrels, each element brings its own characteristics into the mix.

Kate Wilson

Water can be used to sweep enemies off their feet, while electrical cables can be shot so that the live wire lands in the water to finish them off. Barrels and gas pipes can be used to take out a number of enemies at once. Chaining these effects together can be devastating to the enemy forces.

It’s disappointing to say that Hydrophobia feels unfinished. However it’s a feeling that is amplified when the plot finally kicks into action during the last fifteen minutes of gameplay, before suddenly ending.

Kate under enemy fire

With such a high level of interest generated from their initial screenshots (included in this review) and videos, Dark Energy Digital showed what could have potentially been a sure fire hit. Sadly, it seems that “development hell” has really taken its toll on Hydrophobia. The end product feels like little more than a glorified tech demo, and while the tech may work, it lacks the spit and polish found in many other games in Hydrophobia’s current XBLA price bracket.

I can only hope that if Dark Energy Digital decides to continue the Hydrophobia experience (via DLC or a fully fleshed out sequel), that they step up their efforts and take on board the numerous criticisms that I (and many others) have levelled against it.

4/10

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Noble Team investigates an abandoned outpost

As newly recruited Noble 6 your days starts out like any other, as you and your team are dispatched to investigate a disturbance and the loss of contact at an outpost. However, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and soon events quickly spiral out of control as Noble Team discovers enemy forces firmly entrenched on Reach.

When Reach falls, and fall it will, there will be nothing left to stand between [the Covenant] and Earth.

- Halo: Reach – “A Spartan Will Rise” Trailer

Ambush!

Fighting a losing battle against an enemy that has appeared out of nowhere, it’s up to Noble Team to face overwhelming odds and try to turn the tide in their favour. Thankfully you’re not alone in this task, with UNSC forces backing you up every step of the way.

Presented over 9 campaign missions, Bungie’s “swan song” to Halo has little that can be faulted. Reach looks amazing, pushing the 360 closer to its limits than any other Halo game to date. In a similar fashion, sound production also ranks higher than previous titles with full orchestral music pieces fighting for your attention along with explosions, gunfire, and various alarm klaxons.

Civilian vehicle

A number of things are new to this title, from weapons to vehicle types. Chief among these new additions are the armour abilities. Four of these abilities (Jetpack, armour lock, stealth camouflage, & sprint) were unlocked in the recent beta event. However, a few more abilities are yours to discover during the campaign missions.

Covenant

These abilities can be swapped like weapons at key points in the campaign, While forcing you to change tactics, abilities can either help or hinder your progress depending on your decision. They’re an excellent addition to the Halo universe, adding some much needed speed and variety that was previously missing.

Further changes include the ability to customise your player character, with various accessories that can be unlocked in Reach’s armoury. Purely cosmetic, these customisations not only affect multiplayer modes, but are also carried over to Reach’s single player campaign. “Your” Spartan will be with you throughout your Halo: Reach experience, even in the various cutscenes.

Covenant dropship

My only faults with Halo: Reach are with the almost slow nature of its story, and the serious sense of deja vu that I got from playing the earlier missions. There are also a few instances of crippling slow down, which I can only hope will be addressed in future patches.

While the story is well written, and (in most places) well executed; it’s a bit of a slow burner. It’s not until the final few missions that Halo: Reach really starts to come into its own, and everything falls into place. It was at this point that I found myself firmly on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and hoping that the experience would never end.

Noble Team races into action

One for the hardcore fans, Halo: Reach proves itself a worthy conclusion to Bungie’s involvement in the series. Providing both a solid single player and multiplayer experience, it will no doubt top Major Nelson’s LIVE charts for years to come.

8/10

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Safe Haven

However things take an unexpected turn for the worst, which leads to Alan waking up in the middle of nowhere with a week missing from his memory, after hearing his wife scream in terror. It’s up to Alan to discover the fate of his wife, as well as figure out what happened during the week that he can’t remember.

During his travels, Alan Wake is set upon by a number of humanoid creatures known as The Taken. Fuelled by darkness, Alan quickly finds that light is the ultimate weapon in defeating these new found enemies, as he attempts to unravel the mystery of Bright Falls.

Moonlight

While darkness is essentially your best friend in games like Splinter Cell: Conviction, the exact opposite is true in Alan Wake. When flash light batteries are running low, you’ll find your heart pounding as you search for a light source to keep you safe.

I wish I could tell you more without spoiling things, sadly I can’t. The story is by far the greatest part of Alan Wake, it’s instantly gripping and filled with constant plot twists that will keep you guessing the truth right up until the end credits.

Presented in 6 “episodes” which get progressively longer, and taking inspiration from the likes of Vanilla Sky, the BtVS episode Normal Again, and pretty much every Stephen King novel; Alan Wake will have you constantly questioning if events are real, or merely a figment of Alan’s imagination.

Flare gun

Alan Wake’s controls are simple enough to learn, leaving you free to explore the engrossing game world, dodge attacks, and defend yourself with relative ease. This is all important, because when you’re surrounded by enemies you’ll be able to quickly dispatch them, without fighting the controller.

Sound design shines in this game, whether it’s the general ambience of the forest at night, the radio talk shows, or even Alan’s narration; it all fits perfectly in place, and serves to make you feel truly alone.

There are very few negative aspects to Alan Wake, as the story, the sound design, graphics, gameplay and even the voice acting are at such a high calibre. However it only serves to make you want more. Sadly due to the linear nature of the game, once the main story has been completed, there is very little to draw you back to the game (collectables aside).

Fighting with light (and a revolver)

It’s such a pity, as I can see this game being traded in by many gamers, long before any DLC actually surfaces. While some has already been confirmed (the limited edition DLC goes live in July), I can only hope that there is more in the works. I want more episodes, more Alan Wake, and more of that expertly crafted psychological gameplay; even if it focuses on minor characters from Bright Falls. PLEASE!

Alan Wake is an excellent example of a story driven game, and a refreshing change of pace in today’s market. Gritty and engaging, it’s clear that Remedy have really done their homework, and have once again presented a character whose world you’ll love to explore.

8.5/10

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Splinter Cell: Conviction

It doesn’t take long for events to spiral out of control, forcing Sam to revisit old friends and contacts in his pursuit of the truth. Sticking to the shadows to avoid detection, and beating information out of his enemies, Sam Fisher’s personal quest for vengeance will instantly grip new and old Splinter Cell fans alike.

Having undergone a serious revamp, Splinter Cell: Conviction includes many changes to the core gameplay, which have helped improve the overall pace of the game. These changes include the removal of the game ending detection rules. Rather than ending a particular level upon detection, Sam is free to seek cover until the coast is clear. This also allows the player to use the distraction to their advantage, and set traps, or completely bypass enemy forces while their attention is focused elsewhere. Other improvements include the ability to quickly mark and execute a number of enemies at once, which can only be obtained after a successful hand-to-hand enemy take down.

Co-op

Basic gameplay remains the same in Splinter Cell: Conviction, stick to the shadows and eliminate enemies at just the right time. However, the introduction of Assassin’s Creed style free running, allows for a much more natural move set. If you’re expecting a tried and true Splinter Cell experience, think again. While SCC is very much a Splinter Cell game, its gameplay, writing, and pace have all been raised to bring about a newer, much more up-to-date instalment in the franchise.

While it may have been stuck in development hell for some time, all the improvements have really paid off. The overall experience is one of pure bliss (if your idea of bliss is clearing rooms of enemies in one fluid motion), and the attention to detail in the level design is second to none.

As perfect as SCC is, it’s not without its faults. Guards only seem to have a few sentences that constantly repeat (this is much more evident in the Deniable Ops mode), the single player campaign is tragically short, and even on Realistic difficulty Splinter Cell: Conviction is still far too easy.

Take down

And yet, I’m still constantly drawn back to the game. This is partly due to the additional online and offline modes. First of these is a standalone co-op campaign, placing you and a friend in the roles of Archer and Kestrel, agents for Third Echelon and its Russian counterpart. It offers all of the game mechanics from the single player campaign, though the big difference (obviously) is that you get to experience it with a friend.

Second are the various Deniable Ops modes, Hunter, Infiltration (unlockable using in-game Uplay points), and Last Stand. All can be played alone or with a co-op partner, and place you against opposing AI forces. Hunter and Infiltration require you to take down enemies undetected, while Last Stand pits you against waves of AI as you defend an EMP generator. Maps in these modes are lifted straight from the co-op campaign; and in the case of the first two modes, constantly expand as you clear the required number of AI.

Interrogation

To say that Splinter Cell: Conviction is impressive, even despite its short comings, is an understatement. With a serious amount of content that will last long after you’ve completed the main campaign, and the promise of further maps/modes/weapons/armour in planned DLC packs, Splinter Cell: Conviction is one title that will continue to pull you back for more.

9/10

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Lips: I Love The 80s

It was a time of crazy hair, and really strange fashion blunders (which mostly involved neon colours and leg warmers), however most people who lived through the 80s remember its music fondly. With groups like The Communards, Culture Club, Human League, and The Police constantly rocking the charts, the 80s left its distinct mark on music history.

Lips: I Love The 80s attempts to recreate that classic era in your living room, with a string of titles that span the decade. Presented with their original music videos, you and up to 3 other friends can sing through the likes of Tainted Love and The Power of Love.

The Pretenders - Don’t Get Me Wrong

With a simple and stylish interface, songs from Lips: I Love The 80s can easily be selected for a single play-through, or added to a playlist for an extended vocal session. Content isn’t restricted to the 40 included songs, as all Lips DLC will work perfectly with the latest instalment. The added ability to play tracks stored on your mp3 player or HDD, means that you can also sing along to the music in your own personal collection. However this mode, obviously, lacks the on-screen lyrics and videos that make the official tracks stand out.

Each track features sets of pitch waves, each of which must be hit in order to score points and build up your Star Stream (similar to GH’s star power meter), which can be unleashed for a huge score bonus. In addition, during quieter moments, you’ll be able to perform percussion “noise makers” as well as various timed gestures. These also add to your Star Stream, and the rewards are great if you successfully perform all of the events in the song.

Toni Basil - Mickey

I was petrified when I first picked up the wireless microphone, worried that being absolutely tone deaf would hamper progress within the game. However, Lips: I Love The 80s didn’t seem to mind (my neighbours did though), and I was even rewarded for holding the correct pitch and rhythm through a number of songs (which probably means it’s broken).

I found that singing to the on-screen lyrics, and performing the timed noise makers was almost second nature. However with the gestures, I discovered that they were sometimes hit and miss; especially frustrating when trying for that all important “perfect” performance.

The Pretenders - Don’t Get Me Wrong

While I can’t promise that it will help you shine in your X Factor audition, Lips: I Love The 80s will draw in those who are put off by peripheral driven games, and provide your party with an entertaining digital experience. With the promise of further 80s themed track packs, I can only see the 80s coming back into fashion again.

If you’re looking for an interesting experience that is truly accessible to people of all ages, you can’t go wrong with Lips: I Love The 80s. Now excuse me while I grab my body warmer, and jump into my DeLorean; I have a date with a girl called Jennifer.

8/10

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Joanna Dark

I missed the Perfect Dark boat back in 2000, and it’s something I kicked myself over until I finally got my hands on Perfect Dark Zero for the Xbox 360. Sadly, that experience (as Twitter followers already know) was more than enough to put me off the franchise. So it was with more than a little reluctance that I downloaded the full version recently, when it was released on to the XBL Marketplace.

I’ll say it once, and once only, I’m really glad I did!

Set in the year 2023, Perfect Dark places the player in the shoes of Joanna Dark, a young secret agent working for the Carrington Institute. Originally tasked with the rescue of an important intelligence asset, Joanna’s mission quickly escalates as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Cassandra

With a variety of missions within the single player campaign, Perfect Dark will see you deploying stealth tactics at one moment, and running in with all guns blazing the next, as you tackle a number of creatively thought out objectives.

However, if you’re expecting to breeze through each level, forget it; Perfect Dark comes loaded with an old school difficulty level that will see you tearing your hair out. Most of the things that you have probably come to take for granted over the past few years are missing. Health doesn’t recharge if you duck and run for cover, and with a complete lack of health kits each hit you take counts. There is no map, nor a magic guiding line to help you find each objective, you’re on your own kids.

Daniel Carrington

While most people will be put off by this, I found it strangely refreshing. It’s something that pushed me to perfect everything, as I memorised level layouts and enemy placements. That’s not without its downside though, as some levels involved dying numerous times as I attempted to discover every nook and cranny.

As a HD remake of an old classic, Perfect Dark features fully updated visuals while still maintaining everything from the original N64 version. It’s an impressive port, and successfully takes it’s place amongst my favourite remake titles currently on the Xbox Live Arcade (which are Rez HD, Prince of Persia: Classic, and The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition).

Split Screen Action

The control system has been reworked to incorporate the 360′s controller, instantly making it familiar (and easy to control) for any FPS fan; however I found that the pinpoint aiming system seemed far too sensitive. Reworking the controller’s sensitivity didn’t seem to fix this problem, as I found that even the lowest setting was still far too sensitive. For the most part this isn’t an issue (you can avoid looking down the sights of your gun), however when attempting to get a head shot through a sniper rifle, it does become frustrating.

In closing, Perfect Dark for XBLA is a faithful recreation of a classic title. The reworked graphics help bring it up to date, and its old school gameplay should provide more than a challenge for newcomers and die hard fans alike. If, like me, you missed out on the original, don’t hesitate; buy Perfect Dark today!

8/10

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