62 - Pokemon Rumble Blast

Genre: Beat 'em up
Rating: E10+
Developer: Ambrella
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: 2011

Pokemon Rumble Blast is the first Pokemon game on Nintendo's latest handheld. Nintendo could have waited for the next big iteration but instead they decided to go with something different. From what I've seen on game blogs, most people seem not to appreciate this game at all. It's too bad really since it's actually pretty fun.

The game plays out a lot like Gauntlet. You control one (or a team of 3) Pokemon and battle through "dungeons". It's all from a top down perspective and fighting is not complex at all. In fact, the game is really simple because there's not more to the fighting. You can use different skills and all but aside from speed of attack and range they never really change much.

There isn't all that much to the game, honestly. You battle, battle, battle, and battle some more. However, what reviewers are not seeming to mention is how addictive it is. Even though nothing really exciting or cool was going on I continually find myself returning to the game for short bursts throughout the day. I think that is the game's strength and it's a great one. Handheld games aren't necessarily meant to be long, intensive things but nice breaks from work or school. This is Pokemon Rumble Blast's strong point.

It's also a really long game. Some of the Pokemon spin-off titles (Pokemon Channel comes to mind) are super brief experiences. I've put in about 12 hours with this one so far and I'm only about halfway through. For a handheld game to offer so much playtime makes it worth the price tag right there. Not to mention that, from what I've heard, it even has a high degree of replayability due to new things opening up after beating it.

I like it. This isn't a game for everyone and especially not people tangled up in the "hardcore gamer" world. If you just want something fun and mindless though when you're on the go then give it a look.

PS: EVERY Pokemon is in this game! That's 600+, in case you haven't been keeping count over the years.

Would I play again?: Yes!

20 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

Genre: Beat 'em up
Rating: T
Developer: Eurocom Ent.
Publisher: VU Games
Platform: PS2 (Also: GC, Xbox)
Release date: 2003

In regards to the show this is based off of, I had high hopes. It's a fabulous show and not a bad movie either... but I should have known better. As soon as the first level starts you're thrown right into a battle against vampire thugs. There's absolutely no introduction or initial words that tell you what is going on. You're just there, with a guy in your face ready to pound you down.

However, there was something much more of an issue going on. See, the PS3 I've been using to play these games is in between the PS3s with the emotion engine and the PS3 consoles with no PS2 support whatsoever. Mine uses software emulation to play the games and every once in a while there are some glitchy troubles with specific games. This game was probably the worst I've seen yet with the emulation.

The screen was blinking rapidly in 75% of the level - however outside of those parts it was a solid and fine screen. In both areas however parts of the character bodies would disappear. Sometimes the models would disappear completely and I'd be left with the sounds of punching and shadows on the ground to judge where I and my enemies were. All this with the screen flipping out and I don't feel a bit ashamed to say I died in the first room of the first level.

Looking the compatibility up on the PS3 site I was able to determine it wasn't my game's fault (that and by looking at the disc). Aside from all that trouble though, it didn't appear to be any special kind of game.

Would I play again? Maybe (on the PS2).