This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
As I ripped my CD collection onto my new laptop, five years after its release, I looked at my “Endangered Species” album and immediately had to have another listen. At this point in time, Flaw is a relatively aged ‘modern’ rock band and can easily be considered nu-metal. I hope that doesn’t dissuade you. For those that don’t know, Flaw broke up shortly after this album. Reunions, more break-ups and band drama have ensued. This album however is still just as good as the day it was released. If you’re expecting anything like the first album then you will probably be disappointed. Despite this, Endangered Species in my opinion is a solid album. I remember it was the single “Recognize” (great song) that first got me hooked on the band. Chris Volz’s voice was simply haunting and memorable. After listening to the album several times through, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed almost every song. My favorite changed with every listen. Sometimes it was the fast paced title track. Sometimes it was the sad “Not Enough” Other times it was the epic “Decide”. I was simply shocked at the gem I had discovered. The band never really became popular when they were around. In my opinion, people missed out. If you’re reading this you’re either a fan of the band or hunting for obscure and forgotten music. If you’ve never heard it, give the album a listen and it will grow on you.
Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War. The Limited Edition includes a collectible steel book DVD case, "Beneath the Surface: An Inside Look at Gears of War 2," a 48-page hardbound book, a bonus DVD including exclusive making-of-the-game video footage, an exclusive gold-plated Lancer Assault Rifle available during online play.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Yeah, Gears of War 2 is a fun game, but it has it short comings too. The two things that bothered me the most were movement and difficulty. Every once in a while, the movement will act screwy and get you killed. It can cause you to pop up when you don't want to or take cover on the wrong piece of terrain. Overall this problem is more annoying than anything else. The problem that really ticked me off was the inconsistent difficulty. When I first started I played through on the 2nd hardest setting (the hardest one available). For the most part, the game was a breeze. Despite being insanely easy, there were some parts that seemed impossible to get through and definitely didn’t fit in. After beating the game (most disappointing game boss ever), I decided to play through again on the newly unlocked hardest setting. The game went from being supper easy to supper hard. I'm all for a challenge (in fact that’s when I really enjoyed this game) but for a lot of gamers, the steep learning curve might be a bit much. The game can be played solo but you need a buddy for the game to truly shine. Without doing co-op the game jus isn’t as good, despite decent AI. Despite these flaws, the game is solid. The graphics are way above average and the music isn't bad either. The story is so-so, but starts out with an epic feel. I haven't really tried multiplayer that much but playing horde is a lot of fun, especially with some friends. Overall, Gears of War 2 is a game that should be played and easily has a spot in any gamer’s collection. Give it a try.
What's great about it: Great graphics, lots of fun with a buddy
What's not so great: Buggy movement, inconsistant difficulty
Learn more about Fallout 3. (Flash demo) SynopsisIn the 200 years since the global atomic war of 2077, the surviving residents of the Capital Wasteland (formerly known as Washington, D.C.) have holed up in Vault 101, enjoying a life free from the dangers beyond. In the Vault, you are protected from the Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers and Super Mutants that prowl the Capital Wasteland. But now your father has defied the Overseer and left the Vault for reasons you don't know. You must find him and discover the truth before it is too late.Fallout 3 immerses you in an environment where the great monuments of the United States lie in ruin and danger lurks around every corner. Super-deluxe HD graphics render the Wasteland in eye-popping detail, from the danger-filled offices and Metro tunnels of D.C. to the rotten flesh of a mutant's face. Choose from dozens of unique skills and perks to customize your character. Experience the post-apocalyptic world from either a 1st-person or 3rd-person perspective with the touch of a button. Inflict death and destruction through the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, which allows you to pause time in combat, aim for specific body parts on your target and queue up attacks. In Fallout 3, you make the decisions that define you and that change the world.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
It’s not perfect by any means, but Fallout 3 is easily one of the best games I have played this year. As you may have noticed, many people on here have compared Fallout to Oblivion. Some of these comparisons have valid points but it is unfair to judge a game just because it is similar to others. Games speak for themselves, regardless of what they are based on. One of the best features of Fallout is the sheer scale of the game. Right off the bat, you are immersed into a huge realm to explore and grow in. From the storyline and side quests, to questions of morality and character development, you have the choice to go where you want and do what you want. Simply put, the interaction level is this game is incredibly deep. This aspect of the game also provides an almost unparalleled level of replay potential. Another great feature of Fallout is the theme. As I play, I am constantly reminded of old sci-fi movies from the 60’s. There are also numerous “Easter Eggs” hidden throughout the game that reference things outside the game. Bethesda (the game developer) even put their office building among the ruins in the wasteland. You’ll just have to find the others for yourself. As for the style of game play, Fallout 3 is not a pure first person shooter. At the same time, Fallout 3 isn’t a pure RPG either. It is more of a merger of the two, combining elements of both. I personally find the resulting product to be excellent. From my experience, most of the complaints about the game play itself are coming from players that have no patience. Even if you are sneaking, the speed at which you are moving is important to you being detected. You have to move slowly to get that optimal sneak attack; so no…the enemy does not always no where you are. The VATS system is one of the best fighting systems I’ve used in a game. The system is simply a lot of fun and very easy to use. VATS is a targeting system that lets you use action points to target specific body parts. This lets to cripple an enemy’s leg and slow them down, reduce their accuracy, or even destroy the weapon they are using. Besides being a great system, VATS also is very reminiscent of the original Fallout games which makes it even better. Overall, Fallout 3 is a great game. If you take your time with it, you can put countless hours into a character yet still be excited to start a completely new one. Hands down, this is one of the best single-player games in my collection. Highly recommended.
What's great about it: Great theme, customization, depth, size, and replay value
What's not so great: Minor glitches with the graphics
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Black Stone Cherry has impressed me again. The boys from Kentucky bring it all. The southern bluesy influence stands out even more on this album, so if you are into southern rock with powerful vocals, this is a great choice for you. Some standout songs include the hard rocking “Blind Man” and “The Bitter End”. Then there are some great emotional ballads like “Things My Father Said” and “Peace is Free”. One of the surprising finds on here is “Sunrise.” The band really shows some variety on this one. The style of this album is very comparable to the first, but I would say there are some minor improvements. As with the first album, Chris Robertson can really belt out those lyrics. His voice is strong and easily fits the band’s style. The CD has an overall more unified and mellow (in a good way) feel to it, but the band still shows that it can be pull off some heavy sounding songs. Even if you are new to the band, it’s an album that’s very easy to listen to all the way through. Simply put, if you liked the first album, you should be a fan of this one as well. There really aren't any extras to speak of and the cover art isn’t that special, but really who cares about that. The music itself is the important part. BSC has something for almost all fans of rock. It’s just a matter of finding the song you like. Just test out a few of the previews. You just might be pleasantly surprised
What's great about it: Great southern influenced rock
Learn more about Turning Point: Fall of Liberty. (Flash demo) SynopsisImagine the horrifying consequences if the Third Reich had won World War II. America would be under Nazi control, and the freedoms and joys we take for granted would now be gone. This terrible scenario is the premise of Turning Point: Fall of Liberty, a thrilling first-person shooter loaded with intensity. With the Nazis taking over such cities as New York and Washington DC, only a homegrown insurgency can overthrow the Nazis. Will you join the resistance?Fall of Liberty thrusts you into an action-driven storyline where you must make a difference as an American hero. Authentic wartime combat with a fresh perspective makes the war personal and relevant. You'll have to use guerrilla tactics to outflank superior enemy forces and take advantage of a unique grappling system that features environmental kills, quick kills and human shields. Online gameplay includes Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch modes with options to play as either Americans or Germans.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This has to be hands down the most disappointing game I’ve purchased this year. I actually got the game shortly after its release and unfortunately I had not yet seen a review.
The premise of this game is solid. Alternate WWII games just have an allure to them. However, the execution of this game is downright pathetic, starting with the story. You are a construction worker in New York who through the course of 3 missions (that’s right…3) you save the United States… ***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER*** …then you die. Come one. The developers realized it was such a bad game, they killed off the main character so there is no chance of a sequel. Now for the game play. The controls of Turning Point are comparable to most WWII shooters, but the feel is a little sluggish. The graphics are nothing special either. There are some cool weapons but they are always where you need them and the game is so short, you only use some of the cooler ones once. All in all, there is literally no replay value. Save your money and rent it. I promise you that it can be beaten in one afternoon…probably multiple times.
Learn more about Rock Band 2. (Flash demo) SynopsisYou rocketed to stardom with Rock Band, bringing your incredible passion to some of rock's most enduring songs. You've become a quadruple threat — a true master of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. You're equally adept at jamming in a band composed of your closest friends or rocking out solo style. You've conquered the challenges posed by legendary rock hits and embarked on a phenomenal world tour with your bandmates. Now it's time to take the next step in your dizzying ascent to fame. But what could possibly pose a challenge to a star of your caliber?Put your hands in the air for Rock Band 2, the incredible sequel to the game that put the dream of rock stardom within your grasp. Packed with even more music, a more expansive World Tour mode and much more, Rock Band 2 delivers a thrilling musical experience that will make you reluctant to ever leave the stage. Rock out to more than 100 on-disc and downloadable tracks based on master recordings from artists such as System of a Down, Foo Fighters, The Who and Elvis Costello. Savor a truly global rock experience as you take your band's tour online and compete against bands half a world away in Battle of the Bands mode. Live out your fantasies and get swept away by the cultural phenomenon that brings out the rock star inside of everyone.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Let’s not fool anyone here. Rock Band 2 is essentially the same thing as the original Rock Band. Yet there are some wonderful improvements to the game. In single player, the campaign is different. The normal Guitar Hero format for unlocking songs is not longer in effect. Now, single player is like the band tour mode in the original (Note: I haven’t explored all the game play options so I might be wrong there). This can be a lot of fun but you will find yourself playing the same songs over and over and over. The Live game play is vastly improved. Being able to recruit random players online and the ability to join another band through Live is a great addition. You will probably be mismatched but oh well. The repetitive play can be fixed but it will cost you. Song can be downloaded and the cost will vary. I’d recommend avoiding single songs and focus on song packs or albums. Rock Band 2 also has the ability to play all the songs from the first Rock Band, but it will cost you 400 X-Box Live points and some hard drive space. If you’ve followed the Rock Band / Guitar Hero series, you will undoubtedly see numerous repeat songs. Despite that, there is still a lot to choose from. As the difficulty increases the variety of music available decreases. You are left with nothing but metal. Rock Band 2 also seems to be easier than the first. I’ve been playing the guitar part on expert. I feel like I’m about half-way through with the single player tour, and I have gold-starred more songs than not. As previously mentioned, I haven’t played it extensively so I’m hoping to come across some harder songs. From viewing some online play, the drums also seem to be easier, which is good considering their high difficulty in the original. The graphics are nothing special and the customization is about the same as the first. Anyway, I feel I’ve ranted enough. Solid game considering it’s more of the same.
What's great about it: Same gameplay, Potential for a vast number of songs, Still a great party game
What's not so great: Same gamepaly, Repetitive, Easy, Cost of more songs