Ratchet and Clank (PS3 Trilogy)

     Have you played the PS3 Ratchet and Clank games? Known as the future trilogy, these games not only continue the story of the characters, but continues the life of the series from the PS2 days to the newer PS3 system.

     This newer trilogy of Ratchet and Clank games once again follow Ratchet and Clank through three adventures, but these three stories are more intertwined and character-driven than the previous games. This offers a much more engaging and deep story. (Although I have to say the originals possess a certain charm that can never be recaptured.)

     Along with an improved story, the gameplay is also much smoother and tight, allowing quicker and more fluid combat an platforming. The graphics are also heavily upgraded, and the voice acting is superb. Overall, these games are technically better than the older games, and live up to the fun that the series has established, but just falls short on recapturing that original charm.

DBZ: Budokai 3

     Have you played Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3? Out of dozens of videogames based on the globally popular series, this is easily one of the best Dragon Ball Z games of all time, if not THE best. In this game, you fight with a huge roster of characters from the series in a classic, 2-D style.
   

Belongs to Dimps, Atari, Akira Toriyama

     Reminiscent of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, this game takes the action to another level with the explosive action of DBZ taking front stage. Although it is a DBZ game, it is still one of the most well rounded, technically sound fighting games out there. Whether its shooting a signature Kamehameha blast or delivering a flurry of punches at a blinding speed, this game is a blast. This is a game veryone, DBZ fan or not, should play.

Devil May Cry

     Have you played Devil May Cry? Released on the Playstation 2, players take control of Dante, a smooth talking, confident demonslayer that happens to be immortal due to his half devil half angel blood. This game actually originated as the fourth installment to the resident evil series. However, it eventually got way off track from the slow-paced horror gameplay of the series and became a high octane constant slicing and dicing of demons.

Belongs to Capcom

     Speaking of action, this game defines hack n' slash. You fight your way through a mysterious castle haunted by deadly marionettes, left to take them out with your blade or to blast them to smithereens with your dual pistols. he castle is also home to a giant fire-breathing spider, a dark spirited knight, and an all powerful demon who holds a grudge against Dante's father. If you like God of War or Bayonetta or anything like that, definitely give this game a try. The original three games are also available remastered on PS3 and 360.

Alpha Protocol

Have you played Alpha Protocol?

Espionage.

Thrilling hand-to-hand combat.

Strategic, stealthy gunplay. Or boisterous, in-your-face gunplay.

Suave, cool conversations with other spies or mercenaries. Or renegade dialogue that shows others who is in charge.

Exotic locations.

A tense, twisting storyline impacted bu the decisions you make and the words you choose to say.

Belongs to Sega, Obsidian

     In Alpha Protocol, you assume the role of Michael Thornton, a recruit into a secret agency that gets into an adventure filled with global terrorism, underhanded tactics, betrayal, and saving the world. While there is a core story, Alpha Protocol provides one of the best, most immersive choice-based stories I have ever played. Nearly everything you say or do impacts the story, how other characters act and think of you, and even what missions you may partake in. Personally, five playthroughs of this game have netted five unique experiences with new encounters and conversations every time.

     This game is not perfect, as it was met with mixed reviews back at its 2010 release. There are problems, including its average graphics and its skill based, RPG-style gun mechanics. Throughout the game, you gain experience points and can use those to improve Michael's skills as a spy. Some of those skills include the use of guns, and if you are not leveld up in certain guns, they can be a hassle to use. However, that doesn't prove to be such a big problem as you will most likely focus on the one or two types of guns you find you preer the most, and it is easy to spend your points on just those guns.
   
     Issues aside, the fantastic parts of Alpha Protocol, including the choices, the interesting plot lines , and the available customization far outweighs the negatives. It is very easy for me to urge you to go out and play this game, as it is easily one of my all time favorites. Go play it!

Jak and Daxter

     Have you played Jak and Daxter? Starting with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, the series continued on with Jak II and Jak 3, each game taking the gameplay up another level. This culminated into a perfect trilogy of games. The first entry, the Precursor Legacy, established the series as a 3-D platformer where the player took control of Jak and ran, jumped, and punched your way through a journey to find a cure for his friend Daxter, who had been transformed into a weasel-otter fusion known as an ottsel. Along the way, a sinister plot to awaken ancient Precursor technology and take over the world is discovered.

     After foiling that evil plan, Jak and Daxter are thrown into a dystopian future in Jak II and join an underground resistance to restore the rightful heir to the throne into power. Along with a much darker, more mature story, the second game in the series adds multiple new game features. The game takes place in the open and fully accessible Haven City. Also new is the way you travel across the city. In addition to walking around like in the first game, new hover vehicles are available to pilot around the city. These additions pale in comparison to the innovations in the combat. In the original, you could punch or spin kick. Jak II added four unique guns and a transformation into the powerhouse "Dark Jak".

Jak and Daxter Collection
Belongs to Sony, Naughty Dog

     Following the trend of improving a perfect game already, Jak 3 came along and took the formula of Jak II to the next level. Aside from Haven City, Jak 3 also allowed access to another city, Spargus, where you could get around on horse-sized lizards known as Leapers, and the Wasteland, a vast desert crossable by the new cars put into the game. These cars come with extra speed, and guns. The four guns from the second game all make a return, but also gain two new variations of each one, raising the total to twelve. This final entry also added a new "Light Jak" form, to complement "Dark Jak". While "Dark Jak" grants powers of destruction and power, "Light Jak" offers flight, healing, and a time-freezing ability.

     These are some of my favorite games of all time. I even set it as the background of my game review blog. I can not recommend them enough. Do yourself a favor, stop reading this, and go play these games. You can find them on Playstation 2 and HD versions on Playsation 3.

Resident Evil 4

     Have you played Resident Evil 4? The fourth entry into this classic survival-horror series is a masterpiece. Coming out back in 2004, originally for the Nintendo Gamecube, Resident Evil 4 took fans by storm.
   
     Switching from the original fixed-camera style where players saw themselves from different angles in each room, this one opted for a behind-the-shoulder view that followed the player. This innovation led to a faster-paced, more action oriented play style that definitely delivered a much more thrilling game.
   
     Another improvement over the originals is the storytelling. Guided through the narrative with cutscenes that deliver the story with much improved voice acting, Resident Evil 4 serves up a much more detailed and cohesive story than its predecessors. 

Source: Bryan Grabauskas

     

     Despite leaving the previous games behind in pacing and storytelling, Resident Evil 4 still instills horror in the player, whether that be the violent villagers screaming death threats at you in Spanish or the very creepy Regenerators struggling to breathe as they slowly approach you, unimpeded by the hailstorm of bullets you attempt to stop them with. Coupling the old-school horror and suspense with modern action and surprisingly good graphics and sound design that still stand up today.

     Resident Evil 4 provides players with some of the best the Resident Evil series has ever offered. In fact, if you haven't already, I strongly recommend you pick up this game. It was ported to PS2, Wii, and PC and has been rereleased in HD on PS3, PS4, X-Box 360, and X-Box One. So what are you waiting for? Go get it!