*Game of the Month*

[Angela]

As deemed worthy by Game Informer magazine!

10/2009

Uncharted: Among Thieves
available on Playstation 3

Treasure Hunter Nathan Drake is back in another daring adventure in a quest to recover Marco Polo's lost ships. The game opens with our hero bloodied, broken, and bruised, and allows the player to see Drake as he was not portrayed in the original, vulnerable. Terrific voice acting bring an amazing emotional depth and story to the game, and the new loss of any load screens gives the adventure a seamless, cinematic feel. The action has been improved with a smoother targeting feel, guns that actually kick, and more intelligent AI's that don't leave your enemies squatting like sitting ducks. The scenery is flawless with gorgeous detail in regards to the wind, light, and shading that gives life to even the farthest reaches of the map that most players probably won't even venture to. With action sequences ranging from running along collapsing bridges, racing atop a moving train, and weaving through a combat zone while trying to avoid tank fire, this game continuously keeps the player on the edge of their seat to wonder what's going to be thrown at them next.

Total scores by staff:
10 (by Andrew)
10 (second opinion by Matt)
replay value: High

referenced November 2009 issue of Game Informer pg 103

[Angela]

05/2009
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
available on PS3/XBox360/PC

A collection which offers two fully featured games including a revamped version of Escape from Butcher Bay and Assault on Dark Athena as well as an outstanding Pitch Black multiplayer mode in which up to 5 players pursue Riddick in total darkness with only their flashlights to guide them. The Riddick player can see in the dark and kills up close with his Ulaks. Both games never have you doing the same thing for long and the player is kept entertained with climbing up tower walls without being caught by searchlights, fighting the toughest guy on the ship in hand to hand combat, going outside for a spacewalk, or beating another prisoner senseless for a simple pack of smokes. There's plenty of sneaking around, as well as tensely designed boss battles, and a wide array of weapons varieties to give the game a fast and steady pace.

Escape from from Butcher Bay may be skipped if a previous player wishes to move directly to playing Dark Athena

Total Scores by staff:
9.5 (Bryan)
9.25 (second opinion by Reiner)
Replay value: moderately high

refrenced May 2009 issue of Game Informer Magazine pg. 78

[Angela]

06/2009

Infamous
available on Playstation 3

Infamous puts the player in control of the destiny of a newly developed super hero, Cole McGrath. The wonderful catch that makes the game so outstanding is that Cole can either be a super power for good, or a super power for evil. He has enough electricity flowing through his veins to power a city, but the evolution of his powers is contingent upon the decisions made throughout the game. If he is good of heart, his lightening bolts restore his health, but if he's evil, than he can create electrical explosions that will harm not only enemies but civilians as well. In short, evil brings power and destruction, while good brings protection and precision. These choices come at prompted moments in the game, and while some are gravely pivotal, some seem rather trivial. Overall, the game will empower you with the ability to rule over the masses and finally see what happens when inheriting superpowers doesn't coincide with an unavoidable conscience and nobility. You'll finally have the freedom to be as bad as you wanna be.

Total scores by staff:
9 (by Reiner)
8.5 (second opinion by Joe)
replay value: High

referenced June 2009 issue of Game Informer pg 86