Welcome to Tai's Reviews. This is where, myself, Hiesatai, will review numerous things that catch my eye. Reader requests are welcome.
For my first installment, I'll be talking about several games I've been toying around with. First on my list is a highly anticipated title, Marvel vs Capcom 3.
MVC3 is a fighting game that pits Marvel heroes and villains against characters from the Capcom universe of games. Each player picks a roster of three characters and then does battle, switching characters out, using the backup characters as support, and even executing a powerful combo move with all three.
First on my list is the game's roster. Most of your favorites from the Marvel universe are there, with such staples as Spiderman, Wolverine, Magneto, Deadpool, and The Hulk. Characters from the Capcom side include Ryu and Chun-Li from Street Fighter, Chris and Wesker from Resident Evil, and even Amaterasu from the widely acclaimed Okami.
While the roster is extensive, there are a couple of choices I'm skeptical about, such as the addition of She-Hulk. We already have regular Hulk, do we need She-Hulk? Or what about Tron, from the Mega-Man series? Admittedly, they gave us Zero, from the same series, but Tron is such a minor character that I didn't even know she existed until this game.
Roster obscurities aside, the game looks amazing. Entirely cel-shaded, wonderfully done(check out the intro movie to the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esqFz-GEAjw&feature=related). The effects are all well done, and go well with the game's tone and setting.
As far as gameplay is concerned, the game plays well for new players and veterans alike. The simple mode of play allows you to execute your character combos with the push of a button, while the normal mode requires an input. This provides a sense of balance between fresh and seasoned players.
Overall, this game is easily worth the money, especially if you're like me and have spent many a sleepless night wondering who would win in a fight between Iron Man and Viewtiful Joe.
Tai's Rating: A
Now onto the PC platform, with a new MMO called Rift. Rift has been criticized as being just another WoW clone, but I will tell you, Rift made me cancel my WoW subscription. It took everything I loved about WoW, and replaced the crap I didn't enjoy.
The class system in Rift is intersting. You choose your character's origin at creation, from Warrior, Cleric, Rogue, and Mage. At first level, you choose a soul. That soul is your primary soul, and can be chosen from such things as Paladin or Reaver as a warrior, Bard or Marksman as a rogue, Warden or Druid as a cleric, and Elementalist or Dominator as a mage. Each base class has 8 souls to choose from
During the starting quests, you will gain access to two tertiary souls. These souls may be exchanged at any time for any two other souls available to your class, once you do the quest to earn them later. Each soul has its soul tree, which you spend points into as you level. Each tree has its branches, which may be new abilities or enhancements to abilities you already have. Each tree also has its root abilities, that as you spend points on branches, every so often a new root ability will unlock for that soul. There are literally thousands upon thousands of combinations to choose from.
What's interesting about Rift though is that every so often, on the world map, a "rift" will open. Monsters will pour from the rifts until it is closed, which takes a noted effort from nearby players. the more you participate in sealing a rift, the better reward you get. If too many rifts go unclosed, an invasion starts, causing elite enemies to wander around the world.
Tai's Rating: B+
Finally, the game that has been taking up all of my time lately, and for the past 14 months, League of Legends. League is a match based, free to play, online game. You choose from a roster of 70+ champions, and do battle against another team of champions. Champions have 3 basic abilities, an ultimate ability, and an innate ability.
The 3 basic abilities have 5 ranks that you level up as the champion progresses in the match, from level 1-18. Increasing the rank of an ability can increase it's damage, duration, mana cost, or reduce its cooldown. The ultimate ability only has 3 ranks which are unlocked at levels 6, 11, and 16. Innate abilities are passive on the champion, and, in certain cases, will level with the champion. For example, one champion, Tristana, gains attack range as she levels up.
There are currently 2 maps available for play; Summoner's Rift and the Twisted Treeline. The Rift is a 5v5 map, while Treeline is 3v3. Each map has the same objective: destroy the opposing team's Nexus. Now, you can't just waltz up and attack it; there are lanes you need to push. On Rift, there are three lanes, each with three turrets and an inhibitor that need to be destroyed. The nexus itself is invulnerable until the two turrets guarding it are destroyed. Every so often, a wave of AI controlled minions will spawn and walk down the lanes, attacking any enemy unit it encounters.
Champions are many and varied. If you enjoy tanks, they've got tanks. If you enjoy magic DPS, magic burst, physical DPS, support, or even hybrid champions, League has the champion for you. There is a bit of a catch, however: each week, ten champions are free to play. That means that regardless of your situation, you can play those ten champions. you can also unlock champions permanently by paying in one of two currencies: Riot Points, or Influence Points. Influence points are gained as you play, and the longer a game lasts, the more you get. Riot Points are bought with real money, and are in fact Riot Games, the company that makes the game, primary source of income. So if you want to support Riot, buying Riot Points is a good way.
Champions that you have unlocked can have skins purchased for them. Skins are only available with Riot Points. Some of the older skins are not worth it, as they are generally re-colors of the classic, skin, but many of the newer ones have added graphical effect to that champion's abilities. Riot occasionally releases limited availability skins for special events, like the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, Christmas, and even Chinese New Year. If you have cash burning a hole, I would definitely recommend some of these skins to you.
Overall, League of Legends is a beautiful, competitive, and addicting free game. Check it out at: http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4b6f3a915c499
Tai's Rating: A
This concludes the first installment of Tai's Reviews. If there's something you want reviewed, let me know in the comment section.
