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The following articles were authored by jmercer

Review: Split/Second (PS3, XB360)

By Jon Mercer on June 9, 2010

The Charge:

When speed is not enough.

Opening Statement:

For racing game fans, getting a digital fix comes in three flavours. Hardcore simulation; along the lines of Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport , Arcade racers such as Burnout; with faster paces and much looser physics, and Kart racers; which deal out Mascot characters, and crazy course layouts. While at heart Split/Second, the newest racer from Black Rock Studios; the developers of last year’s phenomenal Pure, is very much of the arcade variety, it possesses qualities which blur the lines that separate it from the other two.

Continue reading Review: Split/Second (PS3, XB360)

This entry is filed under PC, PS3, Reviews, Xbox 360 and tagged Arcade Racer, Black Rock Studios, Explosions, Michael Bay, Reviews, Split/Second. | 1 Comment

Geeks REJOICE! – Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 announced!

By Jon Mercer on April 20, 2010

Continue reading Geeks REJOICE! – Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 announced!

This entry is filed under News and tagged Capcom, Fighting Games, Marvel, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, street fighter.

Review: Cave Story (WiiWare)

By Jon Mercer on April 15, 2010

The Charge:

Wake up in a dark cave with no memory and just a gun. Take control and learn a world power, stop a delusional villain!

Opening Statement:

Playing Cave Story (Dōkutsu Monogatari for you hopeless purists out there) on the Wii will most likely conjure up strong feelings of nostalgia within gamers who were around in the 8-bit era. It’s like discovering a great NES title for the first time, or stumbling across a slice of fried gold long since missed. The only difference being that Cave Story is no retro throwback title, it’s not a series relaunch, or a cheap cash-in on the success of Mega Man 9 or Dark Void Zero. Cave Story, if you must know, was doing the old school thing before old school was even in vogue. This game is a labour of love, crafted by a single gamer back in 2004. It enjoyed cult success as a freeware PC title, but does that mean it’s not worth forking over 12 bucks to play it as an actual console title? That’s a question for Will Smith.

Continue reading Review: Cave Story (WiiWare)

This entry is filed under Reviews, Wii and tagged Cave Story, Dōkutsu Monogatari, old-school games, Reviews, WiiWare.

Review: Mega Man 10 (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare)

By Jon Mercer on March 10, 2010

MM10-01

The Charge:

Dual FX Engines!! Parallel Hyperbit Interface!!

Opening Statement:

My lifelong affair with Capcom’s stalwart ‘Mega Man’ franchise is by no means a well kept secret. I’d go as far as to say it occupies the throne that is my favourite gaming franchise. Since the heady times of its heyday, there have been close to 120 titles released that bear the ‘Mega Man’ moniker, more than both the Street Fighter and Resident Evil franchises combined; and during my career in gaming, I’ve owned close to 40 of them personally. That can mean only one thing, I’m totally the perfect candidate to review “Mega Man 10”, Capcom’s latest return to the series that built the foundations of their house.

The Charge:

Dual FX Engines!! Parallel Hyperbit Interface!!

Opening Statement:

My lifelong affair with Capcom’s stalwart Mega Man franchise is by no means a well kept secret. I’d go as far as to say it occupies the throne that is my favourite gaming franchise. Since the heady times of its heyday, there have been close to 120 titles released that bear the Mega Man moniker, more than both the Street Fighter and Resident Evil franchises combined; and during my career in gaming, I’ve owned close to 40 of them personally. That can mean only one thing, I’m totally the perfect candidate to review Mega Man 10, Capcom’s latest return to the series that built the foundations of their house.

Continue reading Review: Mega Man 10 (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare)

This entry is filed under PS3, Reviews, Wii, Xbox 360 and tagged Mega Man 10, psn, WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade. | 2 Comments

Review: Tatsunoku vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii)

By Jon Mercer on February 6, 2010

tvc02

The Charge:
The Versus series returns in an all-new brawl!

Opening Statement:
Never let it be said that gaming dreams don’t come true. Despite riding high on a wave of pure hype, I would have never guessed that Tatsunoku vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, the legendary developer’s return to their arcade smash-hit Versus franchise would ever see the light of day on western shores. Continue reading Review: Tatsunoku vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii)

This entry is filed under Reviews, Wii and tagged Anime, Capcom, fighting, Tatsunoku, vs.

Review: Darksiders (PS3/XBOX360)

By Jon Mercer on January 23, 2010

darksiders02

The Charge:

The Horseman Cometh.

Opening Statement:
At the risk of sounding terribly cliché, I’ve been patiently awaiting Darksiders since it was announced to little fanfare and the earliest concept art found its way onto my internets. That patience vanished into the ether once it was announced that major video game publisher THQ had picked up Darksiders, and pumped enough cash into wee little developer Vigil Games to allow them to expand beyond a four man operation into a full fledged development team. Whenever the topic came op on Pixel Verdict asking us what new franchises or games am was I most looking forward to in 2010, my answer was always the same; Darksiders. It’s been a long few years, and I’ve converted a small cadre of gamers along the way from indifferent onlookers, to genuine followers of its development. Now finally, the wait is over, and Darksiders has ridden onto the battlefield. Is this a well deserved victory for the dreamers at Vigil Games? Or is this an apocalypse for gamers that has long been foretold?

Continue reading Review: Darksiders (PS3/XBOX360)

This entry is filed under PS3, Reviews, Xbox 360 and tagged Apocalypse, Awesomesauce, Darksiders, Four Horsemen, Reviews, Vigil Games.

Best Games of the Year 2009: Jon’s List

By Jon Mercer on December 29, 2009

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Whew! This year was a close one. With a wedding so pay for this coming March, and full year’s worth of can’t miss games released over the course of 2009, I didn’t think I was going to make it out alive (or at the very least, out of shark-tank debt). I’m in agreement with Steve that trying to pick just five out of the squall of sterling digital offerings we’ve had this past year is a cruel endeavour. After spending much of the holidays in tears, trying to trim the fat from my list, I think I’ve finally tapered it down to an unfortunately circumscribe five (plus two honourable mentions). So before we ring out the Aughties, or Zeroes, or whatever you hipsters are calling the soon to be decade past, I’d like to regale the gamers among you with my personal favourite games of 2009. And no…Prototype is not on the list.

Continue reading Best Games of the Year 2009: Jon’s List

This entry is filed under Features and tagged Batman Arkham Asylum, best of 2009, Brutal Legend, infamous, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, street fighter IV.

Review: Bayonetta (PS3) – Import

By Jon Mercer on December 10, 2009

Bayonetta07

Note: The following review is based on an imported copy of the Japanese release. Bayonetta is scheduled for release in North America on January 5th, 2010.

Opening Statement:
I’ll admit, for the last year or so, I haven’t been the most eager to play Sega’s upcoming Bayonetta, a prophesized action epic from Platinum Games (the crazed geniuses behind last year’s Mad World for the Wii) and director Hideki Kamiya (the future legend behind Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, Viewtiful Joe and Okami; pay your respects at the altar). As I just typed the evidence of its pedigree, I realize that my bull headed and blind prejudice has denied me any sense of excitement for what has turned out to be a concentrated burst of gaming dynamite. With Bayonetta, Kamiya and Platinum Games have served up a witch’s brew of devilish fun. Continue reading Review: Bayonetta (PS3) – Import

This entry is filed under PS3, Reviews, Xbox 360 and tagged Awesomesauce, Bayonetta, Bustin' a cap, Platinum Games, Reviews. | 4 Comments

« Newer Entries

Older Entries »

Review: Split/Second (PS3, XB360)

Geeks REJOICE! – Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 announced!

Review: Cave Story (WiiWare)

Review: Mega Man 10 (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare)

Review: Tatsunoku vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii)

Review: Darksiders (PS3/XBOX360)

Best Games of the Year 2009: Jon’s List

Review: Bayonetta (PS3) – Import

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