2011/11/8: Xbox 360: Dead Rising 2, Shadows of the Damned, Splatterhouse

[VideoGameCritic]

I wanted to get these reviews out by Halloween, but oh well.  Better late than never.  Comments are encouraged.

[Viper821]

Only played Dead Rising 2 but let me just say "you're welcome!"

Seriously though glad to see you and I see the same ridiculous, almost fatal flaws in this game. Professional reviewers seem to think this is the best thing since sliced bread and never mention the primitive save system and ridiculous 'realistic' schedule. I never understood why you were so hard on the original Dead Rising until I played #2 for myself. What wasted potential!

Minor correction: the medicine is called Zombrex

[JustLikeHeaven1]

Excellent well written reviews Critic.  I've played both Splatterhouse and Dead Rising 2 and I think your assessments are 100% accurate.  It's a shame to hear that Shadows of the Damned doesn't fare much better.  I'll probably pick that one up on clearance a few months from now.

Is it me or does it seem like game designers have forgotten what fun is?  Plodding stories, nonsensical design choices, and gameplay that often feels more like a chore than anything that resembles excitement or fun.

Another thing that pisses me off is that it is impossible to get into a game quickly anymore.  95% of games today take at least 30-60 minutes before the game is even borderline exciting.  I remember playing Dead Rising 2 and all I wanted to do was mindlessly hack/slash.bash some zombies and it was literally 25-35 of BORING story before I killed something that wasn't a poorly veiled in-game tutorial.  C'mon man!

Honestly, I almost hate starting to play a new game these days.  I know I'm going to have to play for an hour before anything good happens.  Usually that's all the time I have available to even play!  So just when it gets good I have to stop playing.  

I hate to say it, but this might be least favorite generation of gaming.  

[Ozzybear1]

great reviews, but here's where difference of opinions come in lol. I thought dead rising 2 was horrible, and splatterhouse one of the better and fun hack n slash games put out. im not putting down anyone else's opinion on anything in anyway at all, we all have our likes and dislikes, but just wanted to throw my two cents in lol, Ozzy.

[snakeboy1]

Can we finally just put these Halloween themed games behind us and get to all the Thanksgiving related ones?...Oh, what's that? There is none? Carry on then.

[JWK1]

Great reviews as usual, VGC.  I've only really spent a little bit of time with Splatterhouse (I don't own a copy of it), but I agree with a D/D- grade.  It's not the poor action or even violence that offends me.  I play plenty of violent third person games, but it's so grotesque that it's pretty tough to swallow.  I do, however, want the game simply for the 3 unlockables, especially the arcade original.  A whole lot had to be changed for the TG-16 port, so I'm excited to have the first game the way it was meant to be played.  Plus white masks are cooler than purple ones-- I shouldn't even have to say that.  For those interested in the game, it recently got yet another price drop.  $20 brand new.  It's a lot for a severely flawed action game, but not that much for 3 incredible 2D action games.  The really steep price is the act of unlocking them.

[Michael D]

[QUOTE=Viper82]Only played Dead Rising 2 but let me just say "you're welcome!"

Seriously though glad to see you and I see the same ridiculous, almost fatal flaws in this game. Professional reviewers seem to think this is the best thing since sliced bread and never mention the primitive save system and ridiculous 'realistic' schedule. I never understood why you were so hard on the original Dead Rising until I played #2 for myself. What wasted potential!

Minor correction: the medicine is called Zombrex

[/QUOTE]

Actually, he was initially very forgiving of Dead Rising 1, giving it a B-, but then he downgraded it C- and apparently, downgraded it again to D+ in the wake of the sequel.  I'm glad he finally gets how overrated that game really is and how it totally got a pass because people liked that it had zombies in it (in fact, I remember someone defended this game by saying that any issues it had was justified by the presence of zombies, which really depressed me, because I could tell he was serious).

[QF]

I agree with the score of Shadows but not the annoying points. The sniper levels drag on too long and the side scrolling shoot em up level tend to be overused. I really liked the light/darkness aspect of the game.

[Oltobaz1]

I agree with Ozzybear, I found Splatterhouse terrific!
I got it new a few months back, 15€, a real bargain...
I guess it's one of these games you either love or hate,
and I thought I'd mention there's no tutorial, or lenghty
cinematic, you get into business right away... Loadings
were aggravating, though. Great reviews!

[Adamant1]

[QUOTE=JWK] A whole lot had to be changed for the TG-16 port, so I'm excited to have the first game the way it was meant to be played.  Plus white masks are cooler than purple ones-- I shouldn't even have to say that.[/QUOTE]

Note that this wasn't a change for the port, though, but for the port's American localization.

Can't really blame them too much, though, they were just trying to guard themselves against any potential lawsuits due to Rick's similarity to Jason.