House of The Dead: Overkill (Review)

House of The Dead: Overkill (Review)

Rated “M” For “Mature”

Guns + Mutants + (Blood x Violence x Strong Language)= House of The Dead: Overkill

You can already see why it has a Mature rating.

=====Story=====

If you’re familiar with the House of The Dead series, this is the prequel to them all. If you need to have a deep story…you’re not going to get one. Crazed man has crazy idea and it creates crazy chaos. Crazy chaos breeds menacing mutants. Menacing mutants munch mammal mandibles and meaty muscles. It’s as deep a story as a horror movie can be (Grindhouse inspired). Agent G and Issac Washington are “blessed” with the task of taking care of the mutants and putting a stop to the mutant uprising.

=====Gameplay=====

Overkill is like its predecessors and is a traditional arcade rail shooter. The Wii has proven a few times that it easily compliments these types of games and Overkill does not disappoint. Take your guns, point it at the thing that’s trying to kill you, pull/push the trigger a bunch of times, and have fun. Out of bullets? Shake your gun to reload and get back in there. You found grenades or you want to switch guns? That’s what the buttons on the nunchuk are for. It would take a lot to mess up with such a simple formula of gameplay and thankfully Overkill did not tamper with it.

=====Difficulty=====

Waves and waves of mutants come after you. They’re everywhere you go and everywhere you were. If you aren’t seasoned to pulling the trigger a lot, that could be your main concern of difficulty. However, if you are wanting more, beat the game once to unlock Director’s Cut and travel to a few different paths in the levels of the games that will no doubt contain more mutants. The graphics may add to the difficulty a bit since some of the environments are too dark to see what there is to shoot. And there are always large bosses to tackle at the end of each level and those may serve as a tough task to endure.

=====Content=====

Ah…the reason for the M rating, the content. Where to start, where to start? Well, there is A LOT of blood. The use of guns is a violent act. Mutants attempting to harm innocent civilians isn’t all that PG. The story is off the track at times in the matters of killing, humans in situations against their will, mutations, sexual under and overtones…and…the overusage of the F-Word. Sure, Agent G and Washington use almost all explicit words there are to be said, but the F-Word sure gets used as much as you use bullets.

=====Final Thoughts=====

House of The Dead: Overkill delivers well as an arcade rail shooter. It brings a great mode of gameplay that was very popular in the almost non-existent arcades. It’s simple for anyone to pick up and play and it has a good amount of replay value. Unlocking of new guns, Director’s Cut, dual-wield mode, and item collection add on a few more hours of play. Mini-games can be played with 4-players, but are too simple to remember and do not vary in how they present themselves. The mini-games, the sometimes dark backgrounds, and the few frame glitches make up the majority of Overkill’s flaws, but that’s not so much of a big thing. The main game is what you are here for and that is well worth the cost of a few blood stains. It’s mindless fun and can easily be one of those games you pull out every now and then to entertain yourself and a few friends with for a good time.

Rated 4 out of 5

Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (SGCG4AP): Episode 5 8-Bit Is Enough

Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People (SBCG4AP): Episode 5 8-Bit Is Enough (Nintendo WiiWare)

Rated E10+

The final installment in the game for attractive people, Strong Bad stars in 8-Bit Is Enough. Is it really enough or is it more than enough…and can you get enough?

=====Story=====

Last time on SBCG4AP, Strong Bad had perfectly ticked everyone off and it seemed like a good time to have to jump. Too bad it was not as Strong Bad crashes into his almost always broken Trogdor arcade machine leaving the gloved one unconscious on the floor. A clever ruse to get everyone to leave…yeah. This comes with no consequence as the attractive smash into the machine brings the arcade to life as half arcade, half Trogdor.

What does Trogdor do? BURNINATE! You must move your attractive self around and make sure the machine of burninating does not continue to terrorize. It may not take much to do so, but that will not be the end of it as Strong Bad unknowingly (yet sexily) restores the Trogdor machine improperly. This series of events merges the world of Strong with the world of Videlectrix video games with the true Trogdor in the middle of all burninating chaos.

=====Gameplay=====

5 installments of being attractive.

5 installments of pointing and clicking attractively.

=====Difficulty=====

Trogdor fairs as a difficult opponent. He/It may not be as attractive as the anti-protagonist, but muscles and V scales are intimidating. Not only that, but with the worlds merged, Strong Bad must think a little more inside of a videogame box in order to manipulate and gain party members to strengthen some 8-bit muscles. Endless quests and attaining of items will definitely help in your inevitable battle with Trogdor.

Is it easy to pull off? Yes and no. Yeah…you read right.

=====Content=====

In the previous review, Episode 4 was “the ultimate in fan service.” If that is to remain true, then Episode 5 is the Even More Ultimate In Fan Service. Not only can you watch Trogdor burninate peasants, you will also come to meet and aid or mess with other popular Homestar Runner characters and the SBCG4AP series. The Cheat, Homestar, Limozeen, The Alge Bros., Snake Boxer, merges of popular characters and Videlectrix games, and the ever anime-y Stinkoman. They are all here and they all play their part in the final bang of the attractive game series.

=====Final Thoughts=====

The fan service is the biggest positive for Episode 5, but that’s not to say that Episode 5 is the best. While not as linear as Episode 4, it is pretty simple to figure out what to do next with the cliché videogame hints that characters tell you. Not only that, but a few staples of the entire series are gone this time around. No true exploration for the Black Tarantula Metal Detector other than what is story driven. No more Teen Girl Squad.

While it’s not that much missing, it is a nice mash up of mixing the different Videlectrix games and characters with the familiar world of Strong Bad and cast. Jumping into different game genres and going through them in classic 8-bit ways with some next gen twists. And expect a lot of old school videogame references and a ton of fun poking to videogames of old and new.

And like with the previous installments, this burninating adventure can be completed in a couple hours. And also like the previous installments, the content is what will keep you wired in and complete the final episode in Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People.

Rated 3 out of 5

Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (SGCG4AP): Episode 4 Dangeresque 3 The Criminal Projective

Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People (SBCG4AP): Episode 4 Dangeresque 3 (Nintendo WiiWare)

E10+ For Everyone 10 and Older

SGCG4AP Episode 1
SGCG4AP Episode 2
SGCG4AP Episode 3

The final installment to the greatest movie series you never saw is finally here. “Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective” is now available for the attractive people.

=====Story=====

If you are not familiar with the Dangeresque series, that’s fine. It took 4 years for the finale of the trilogy to come out and you don’t need to know too much of the origins. Strong Bad, your strong and bad pro-antagonist, has completed Dangeresque 3 and you get a front row seat to watch it.

Not only do you get to watch the premiere, you get to create the movie itself by taking control of Dangeresque (Strong Bad) and helping him through his most dangerous of dangerous adventures to happen in 3 movies.

Renaldo (Coach Z) is about to retire, but not before having one more case to solve along with Dangeresque. Cutesy Buttons (Marzipan) has a problem for you to solve and it leads to more danger than anyone thought they would get into…maybe too much danger for Dangeresque, Renaldo, and Dangersque Too?? (Homestar Runner).

=====Gameplay=====

Dangeresque 3 is not like any other Atrractive Game/Movie you had ever played/seen before. You must be as suave and underhanded as the star of the movie in order to solve the most important case there can ever be because it’s the end of a trilogy and it can’t be disappointing.

It’s very difficult to be a great corrupt detective and you can’t just simply point and click your way through cases. Dangeresque does things a little differently as only he can. If you spot an object you want to examine or see a suspicious person, you must DANGEROUSLY point and DANGEROUSLY click on it/them to check it or interrogate them. You must take and present evidence and shake down the civilians to get the information you need in order to save the day.

=====Difficulty=====

Being Dangeresque is never an easy job. Cases are never as simple as they should be. Once you solve one part of the mystery, you realize it’s part of a bigger plot and things unfold in a not-so-friendly manner. Characters act very shady and you may not know who is really on your side.

With many characters come many places to travel, many places. You’ll be traveling from familiar (yet renamed) territories as well as more well known areas of the globe such as Ireland and Japan. Dangeresque will definitely collect frequent miles for flying.

While the movie plot line is linear, it may take a while to understand what’s going on with the many places and people to see. Will Dangeresque be able to save the day in one of his most difficult adventures to date? Even with your trusty nunchuk gun, will Dangeresque survive?

=====Content=====

This is the ultimate in fan service for Strong Bad/Dangeresque followers. For those that have been waiting forever to see this movie, they will not be disappointed as 100% of sexiness has been put into production. Everything you though will happen and everything you did not think will also happen within the world of Dangeresque.

=====Final Thoughts=====

Dangeresque 3 is very fulfilling. The movie is what you would expect from the mind of Strong Bad. The script is as well written as only Strong Bad can make it. It even comes complete with plot twists and character development. The characters being in different characters for the camera is very nicely done with great performances from each cast member. Even the clever touches of wind blowing into the boom mic, the camera shaking, the cheesy backdrops, and bad production just add to the uniqueness of the film showing that anyone with a camera can make, what possibly could be, the best action flick ever. Even the "extended play" that is given to you at the end of every SBCG4AP episode is fun as it plays out as extras you would find on standard DVDs and Rays of Blu.

It’s the blockbuster of all your summers combined and the feel good holiday movie that will keep you feeling good forever. Strong Bad fans will rejoice to finally see the last movie they ever need to see.

Rated 4 out of 5

Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (SBCG4AP): Episode 3 Baddest of The Bands (Review)

Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People (SBCG4AP): Episode 3 Baddest of The Bands (Nintendo WiiWare)

Rated “E10+”

SBCG4AP Episode 1 Homestar Ruiner

SBCG4AP Episode 2 Strongbadia The Free

For all the attractive people of the world, Episode 3 of Strong Bad’s episodic adventures is out for you to play. This time you get to rock out in Baddest of The Bands. Alriiiiight!!!!!

=====Story=====

The Fun Machine breaks down while attempting to play the awesome Limozeen game. Not cool at all. How else can you have fun if you’re glorious 8-bit game system is out of action?

Bubs is willing to help, but it comes at a price of a sack of cash. Thankfully Bubs offers a way for you to collect some of that cash by suggesting getting bands together for a Battle of The Bands. It’s obviously the best idea to earn wallet fatteners. As everything in the world of Strong, it won’t be easy, but it will definitely be funny. And don’t think it stops after you get bands together. There’s going to be more work for Strong Bad to get that sack of cash to fix the Fun Machine.

=====Gameplay=====

Point.

Click.

Repeat.

=====Difficulty=====

Once you have mastered the 3-step program of gameplay, it’s time to stage dive into the game. Had you also played the past 2 episodes, then this should not be that tough. You’ll know to check everything more than once, try everything more than once, and do everything wrong just to hear the wit of characters.

Even if you don’t have previous experience with Strong Bad (that excludes any sexy ladies), this episode is not the most difficult of the bunch. While a few of the puzzles may take time to solve correctly, it always comes down to trial and error and how you can overcome your own stupidity.

=====Content=====

The whole cast is here (probably against Strong Bad’s wishes). They’re all important and they all offer laughs from beginning to the parts after beginning. Strong Bad being himself and acting “nice” will supply the laughs as you work your way from forming bands and ruining them. You also get to meet the fabled Limozeen.

=====Final Thoughts=====

Like the other episodes, it does help to be a fan. They’re not long adventures, but it will keep you happy for a couple hours. It isn’t the as difficult as either of the last 2 episodes (especially if you have played them), but if you’ve been playing the games, you know that the content is what will keep you coming back for the next episode. This game does offer one thing that the others did not, great music…and meeting Limozeen…and a microphone in your inventory…and Coach Z toilet paper…okay. There is more here than in the other games that helps separate it from the rest with these fist fulls of charms.

If there was a doubt about how much Strong Bad can rock, this installment will definitely have you wondering even more. But without a doubt, you will rock. Alriiiiight!!!!!

Rated 3 out of 5