The last few months has seen the kick start to the end of year games fest that always seem to occure at this latter part of the year, just in time for the looming festive period. After some time catching up with these new releases we are back with a newMonster Month. This is where a handful of Console Monster staff report on we have been playing over the past month/s, as well as an insight in the games we are looking forward to playing in the coming month/s. Enjoy!
Dave(Wriggy)
October was a month full of great new releases as Christmas quickly approaches.
I have been playing a lot of FIFA 12 as I attempt to improve my virtual pro, while also playing against human players both locally and online. While many people complained about the game’s new defence system, I’ve found it a very welcome addition and it makes the title that little more challenging.
Kinect has seen a lot of playtime this month with Dance Central, Kinect Adventures and Just Dance 3 all entering the disc tray. While I am enjoying the casual titles, I would like to see some hardcore games for Kinect. Unfortunately, they seem a long way off.
Finally, I’ve downloaded Burnout Crash and Crimson Alliance from the Xbox Live Arcade. Burnout Crash is exactly what I expected and is brilliant fun. It’s a shame the same can’t be said for Crimson Alliance, which I reviewed for the site, however, “despite its repetitiveness and generic story, the game is great fun, especially in multiplayer.”
Throughout the past month I have been picking my way through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Saints Row: The Third, Assassins Creed: Revelations, Need for Speed: The Run and Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7. This end of the year is certainly going to be an expensive one!
Lee(MattyTRADEMARK)
The pre-crimbo rush has begun, in fine style I must add with the release ofFIFA 2012,Madden 2012,Driver: San Fransiscoand not forgetting Marcus and co. in their latest adventure,Gears of War 3.
The amount of customisation in sports games has truly come to light this year with myFIFA 12Virtual Pro looking more and more like me every year and he’s almost as good as me too (ok so I’m getting a little ahead of myself). InMaddenthe same is said as my Superstar takes the NFL by the rough of it’s neck, throws it to the ground and laughs hysterically.
Gears of War 3is of course a blood fuelled torrent of perfection. The executions are just as, if not more gruesome than ever and the all new Beast mode is… well…. a Beast for lack of a better word.
This past month my 360 has had some Epic titles going through it’s disc tray, with the likes of Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3 and Hitman 6 still to come. I can tell you now this year’s going to be a skint Christmas!
Tim(Syio)
Let’s see here…120 hours on Skyrim…Yep, addicted! That’s where most of my time has gone this month and I’m still not even done with the main story! If you haven’t played Skyrim yet (shame on you!) then I highly suggest it is you like a deep, lore-filled game with a good combat system and plenty of quests to keep you busy for hours and hours. There are a few glitches at the moment but all in all it’s a fantastic game and one that will keep you busy over the Christmas period.
Aside from spending most of my time battling dragons, I’ve been playing a few games for review this month such as Disney Universe, which is a great little game for both adults and children. It’s very similar to the LEGO games but just not as many collectables, so if you like those game this will be right up your street. Dead Island finally got it’s patch which allowed me to hit level fifty and the new DLC is entertaining but a little short lived. I just like killing zombies so any excuse to go back to it for a while was welcomed!
The only other games I’ve dabbled in are Sonic Generations which is easily the best Sonic game is quite some time and also half way through Modern Warfare 3. (Yes, I will complete it soon! – Blame Skyrim!) I managed to get a few deals on games such as Alice: Madness Returns, Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Red Faction Armageddon and Child of Eden which will keep me very busy over the Christmas period. I think it’s safe to say I’m sorted with games for the time being!
Justin(LazHimself)
As a kid, the past months have brought the rude awakening that school was back and summer was officially over. But since school is no longer a threat to my fun, these last few months have meant new games.
Of course one the big titles released recently has been Gear of War 3. Being a fan since day one, I was excited to say the least. While the storyline still falls short, the gameplay and online has never been better. With the addition of dedicated servers, something needed since the original Gears of War, the online is now officially an even playing field.
In September the first Kinect game I ever pre-ordered was released, The Gunstringer. Not being too impressed with what the Kinect has offered in the past, playing the demo changed it all. Turning out to be the best game I’ve played on Kinect, The Gunstringer not only makes good use of the technology, but unlike a lot of Kinect titles, it actually works. If more titles were as unique and polished as The Gunstringer, I could see the Kinect being something to take seriously.
September also brought the HD remake of one of my favorite games of all time, Resident Evil 4. While the game itself is still amazing and has aged well, Capcom seemed to have missed the whole “HD” thing. Looking just upscaled and lacking updated textures, the game looks very good, but is more of a lazy port than a remake. But for a fan of Resident Evil such as myself, the game is great regardless.
Over the next month I am looking forward to finishing up Rage, Arkham City, Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, and the console version of Crysis, to name a few.
Marty (MartyPG13)
September was a little bit of a dry month overall, in fact the last couple of months have been similar. Most of my time has been spent playing Disgaea 4, the tactical RPG from Nippon Ichi. I’ve been a fan of this series since the first game released on PS2 many years ago – the trouble is the title really hasn’t progressed massively in all this time. It’s been refined but it largely remains the same – not that this is a particularly bad thing. The first game was a masterpiece and it’s been very difficult for Nippon Ichi to improve on that initial formula. Even so, I still highly recommend checking the new one out.
October’s gaming has seen a catch-up on some older titles while trying to find petrol time with Forza 4. After the initial big blast on the game I’m still logging in at around the twenty hour mark, and already we’re seeing the first car pack DLC. It does look like there’s a fierce push on extra content this time around, and I’m not sure I’m that keen.
I finally managed to finish the story of L.A. Noire; I hadn’t actually realised I was so close to the end, taking thirty mins of my time to see the end game credits. It was a game of mixed emotions; I really enjoyed the atmosphere, but the main narrative felt a bit disjointed and the interrogations never really gelled for me. Bit of a pity the studio collapsed, as tweaked, that could be a GotY contender.
Last on my list was a return to Cyrodiil with Oblivion. Elder Scrolls 4 is looking old five years on, but it’s still a stunning game, so it’s easy to see how my game saves reached a hundred hours. I doubt I’ll return to Oblivion again, but it’s enough to psych myself up for what will certainly GotY contender, Skyrim.
Reece (Wo33eR)
I like to think of September as the start of gaming season, where publishers begin to cram as many games as possible into the fourth quarter. Kicking off the month with style I worked my way through the fantastic Deus Ex: Human Revolution a game which somehow, as if by magic, manages to exceed the expectations set by its predecessor. Shortly after Deus Ex was put to rest Gears of War 3 arrives, consuming an entire day of my life in a 4 player LAN, easily earning its title as the most explosive Gears of War to date. Crunching Gears of War 3 was the only option available as Resistance 3 is up next, a series which I never quite got along with. Somehow all past issues are forgiven as Resistance 3 steps up its game considerably and delivers a single player experience that I’d say rivals that of Gears.
In between the gaps the minor amount of downtime saw me working through the never ending backlog, finishing off Fallout New Vegas (extremely hard final boss), Ballad of Gay Tony (GTA how it’s meant to be), Kane & Lynch 2 (horrible, horrible game) and the frustratingly lovable Mega Man 1, 2 and 3.
When being forever alone grows tiresome I’ve found just enough time to socialise as a PC gamer, jumping online for a few games of Starcraft 2 and, sorry console gamers, Battlefield 3. Having played Battlefield on all platforms, there is no doubt at all that it should only be experienced there.
Anthony (MantUK)
The last few months have been taken up with the only game you need – Battlefield 3. The game is everything I was expecting and more. Having played both single player campaigns of Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3, I probably had more enjoyment in MW3, with all of its over the top scenarios. The way I compare them both is if were films – Battlefield would be a Ridley Scott, where as MW3 would be a Michael Bay film.
When it comes down to the multiplayer my feet are firmly tied into Battlefield’s boots. I’m currently at Rank 21 and enjoying every minute of it. I’ve been mostly focusing on ranking up the Assault class, reviving teammates and supporting the team, as most people should do in the game.
Not many other games have had a look in really. With the holiday season just around the corner I hope to use that time to pick up some must play titles that I’ve not had the chance to pick up and play, including Batman Arkham City, Saints Row 3, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Revelations just to name a few.
Right, now where was I? Ah yes, Battlefield…see you around!
That is all until next month. Why not let us know what have YOU been playing this past month, leave us your gaming antics in the comments below! Until next month, happy gaming to all our fellow Monsters!
