Summon Night: Swordcraft Story (GBA)

Reviewed by Kit

I've decided to start posting the reviews on Sunday. That way I have the weekend to play the game if things get hectic at school. Today's game is one of the most recent releases for the GBA. It's almost a surprise that Nintendo hasn't discontinued that system yet. Anyway, today's game is a quaint little RPG about a child trying to be like their dad.

Story: At the beginning of the game you decide whether to play a boy or a girl. From there you wake up to learn that you are entering a competition to discover who will become the fourth swordcraft, a prestigious position that has been open since your father died three years ago. Apparently the people who are in charge have decided to choose the next swordcraft from children, so the next swordcraft will have a long life. The tournament consists of elimenation rounds with the competition; however, between rounds you are often sent into the seemingly endless tower to do various quests. The bulk of the game takes place in the tower, where you will get materials to make weapons as well as levels to become stronger. The story is not all that deep, but it's cute. 3/5

Audio: The music is somewhat repetitive, but it has a very cheerful sound to it. IT suits the mood, but isn't anything catchy. 3/5

Graphics: The graphics are about the standard for the GBA. Nothing outstanding. Everything is bright and continues with the cheerful atmosphere of the game. Important characters have face portraits that give some more detail. 3/5

Gameplay: There are two important aspects to the game, fighting and weapon crafting. Battles take place on a real time side scrolling window. You can equip up to three weapons, which you can switch through, and an accessory for the battles. Also early in the game you will get a guardian monster that will help you and cast spells for you. The guardian beast can cast spells a certain number of times before it needs to rest as well as a limited number of times a battle. There are five types of weapons you can craft. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. You gave materials from the labyrinth and weapon designs from you boss to make the weapons. Each weapon has a durability, and if you battle past its limit it will break. The durabalilty is restored after each battle. 3/5

Replay: There's no real reason to replay besides trying as a different sex, getting a different guardian monster, or hoping to see different cutscenes (after each match of the tournament you can view a cutscene with another character). 2/5

Overall: Overall the game is a cute average RPG. If you like battling and creating weapons you might enjoy it. It might be mediocre, but it can be entertaining and worth the effort. 3/5

Big Brain Academy (DS)

Reviewed by Kit

Another delayed review, but Yuuki and I just got back from the beach Friday, so we needed some time to play the game. Today's choice is Big Brain Academy, a game designed to make you use more of your brain power. Does it work? Let's find out.

Story: There's a little creature that tells you that this game increases brain weight, but really, no story. And none needed. 1/5

Audio: There is some background music that suits the mood, but nothing spectacular. One of the tests has sound effects, they're cute, but nothing great. 3/5

Graphics: Again, the graphics aren't that great, but you don't really need them to be. Everything has a hand-drawn cute look to it. 3/5

Gameplay: This game depends on use of the stylus, so get used to holding it. There are three modes in the game: practice, test, and versus. Obviously the versus requires you to to have someone to play against. Practice mode allows you to test yourself using any of the 15 different possible aspects of the test section. You can earn medals by performing well in any given section, plus you can choose from three difficulties. In the test section you have to do five tests, each can pull from one of three types of puzzles in that section. The five areas that will be tested are: memorize, analyze, compute, think, and identify. You are given 60 seconds to answer as many of the problems as you can. They get harder the more you solve them. Once you have done all five sections, the little character will weigh your brain based on how you performed. He will then give you a grade. As you play more and practice more, you grade will improve. There is nothing so enjoyable as getting a better grade. Gameplay is simple and effective. 5/5

Replay: You will want to play the game many times, if only to improve your own grade. It will eventually get repetitive, but it's definitely fun for a while. 4/5

Overall: It's a great game that's simple and fun. It's not exciting, but then again, that's not it's goal. It wants you to use your brain, and you do. Good for passing the time. 4/5

Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (PS2)

Yuuki here this is a bit of a late post due to the fact that I have had a bit of an internet crisis. No problem though I have returned to make my review of SFAA which is a uselessly long name.

Gameplay: This basically just a collection of all the other SFAs and the new little Gem Fighter. This is the only thing I really feel needs attention. The rest are just old games so you know about them. Gem Fighter is a cute chibi (kid mode) looking game. It has a bunch of random characters from other Capcom games. The cute little game involves gathering gems and beating them out of your opponent to use specials and murder them. 3/5

Story: Hurray SFA it really doesn't have a story...no seriously there really is no story if there was it was so useless I missed it. Gem Fighter also has no story but it makes up for that by being cute and random. 1/5

Audio: Well they seem to have added some new music but this isn't anything special. There's really nothing you can say. It's just another case of people stacking a bunch of old games onto a disk. 2/5

Graphics: This is like the audio all they really did was brush up the graphics so you can actually tell whose who. Gem fighter is technically another rehash but I don't think it ever even came over. Though it too is nothing special. 2/6

Replay: This is the games saving point. Thankfully for all the games being crammed into one it does provde a good amount of playtime and much more if you have a couple friends to play with. You can take time going through all your favorite SFAs with your favorite characters. 3/5

Overall: Ok this is just a marketing scam "let's jam a bunch of games on one disk and see how it sells" that angers me. Luckily the game is good for stress relief. It's only real purpose is playing with friends and reliving the old arcade days and killing stress. That's it nothing else is really all that appealing. 2/5

Ultimate Board Game Collection (PS2, PSP)

Reviewed by Kit

So I said in a now deleted post no update this week, but here we go anyway. A day delayed, but no harm done. Today's subject is another game collection for the PS2 and PSP. This time a collection of very classic board games. Without further ado, the review.

Story: No story, just old games. 1/5

Audio: The game has music in the background, but it's not terribly appealing. In fact, it's rather obnoxious if you actually take time to listen to it. 1/5

Graphics: Nothing special about the graphics. The backgrounds are decorated, but really, besides look at the boards you won't notice them. Everything is clean, but not impressive. 2/5

Gameplay:

You have an option of about 20 games including, but not limited to: checkers, chess, dice, naval battle, and mah jong. Controls are simple. Basically use X to select something. Most games have the option to play against the computer or other players. By doing certain accomplishments you can unlock trophies. There is some tedius load times whenever you go between the main menu and the games. 3/5

Replay: There's no great reason to replay besides wanting to beat your friends in different games. 2/5

Overall: If you really want to play these games, I say go out and buy the tangible games. While it might be convenient to have all the games in one place, but I'd always pick a board and people over a DVD and computers. So, buy it if you must, but I'd recommend you spend time with the family instead. 2/5