All the Games in the Back, Speak Up! We Cannot Hear You.

The year has come and gone and a new one begins. There have been a lot of great games that have come out last year. From what has been said in the reports, Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold over $1 Billion in copies worldwide. I wish I could get a little bit of that pie. But that isn't the only great game out there. Many of them that were really fun to play and had great ratings but just didn't sell a lot of copies. This blog is to all the awesome games released in 2010 but didn't quite make it in sales.

All the games I am talking about in this blog have sold less than a million copies worldwide and got at least an average rating of 7 out of 10. That is still passing in my book and that is good enough for me to play and it should be enough for you all too.

SplatterHouse(Released Nov. 23rd) Number of copies sold: 53,191(Xbox 360) and 34,942(PS3).
Plot: In this game, you are playing as Rick Taylor. Rick and his sexy girlfriend, Jennifer, are college students majoring in parapsychology. Parapsychology is the study where they investigate the existence and causes and conditions of psychic abilities, near-death experiences, out-of-the-body experiences, crisis apparitions, retro-cognitions, reincarnation memories, regression memories, prophecy, astrology, ghosts and life after death by trying to use the scientific method it claims (Wow, really?). The two decide to stop by the West Mansion to visit the former home of the parapsychologist Dr. West, who had mysteriously disappeared years before. Unfortunately for them, the mansion is nicknamed "Splatterhouse," as nobody who has entered has ever escaped and lived to tell the tale. Upon arriving to the mansion, a sudden storm hits, and they're forced to take shelter in the house. As soon as they do, it goes dark, there's a sudden flash of lightning, and something kidnaps Jennifer and knocks out and nearly kills Rick. In his final moments, he regains consciousness and hears a voice coming from an ancient mask known as the "Terror Mask." The masks tells him that he can help him save Jennifer but he needs to put him on before he dies. Rick does so and has the mask becomes attached to his face and transforms him into a huge steroid-looking creature. The mask tells Rick that it will not let go of him until Jennifer is safe in his hands.

Review: This game is awesome. The way it ended definitely set it up for another one. This is not a game for children and is great if you are just out looking for an awesome button mashing game. The game play does go from a 3D to side-scrolling from time-to-time but it doesn't really affect the game play at all. The finishing moves you can do on these creatures are fun and just gory. I loved it. The more you kill, the more "Blood" you collect which you use to gain skills. SplatterHouse has some replay value in the fact that you get a choice of a second mask when you beat the game. Also when you beat the game, you unlock the original 3 Splatterhouse games, which are harder than this one I think. This game is either an own, if not a definite rental.

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Vanquish (Released Oct. 19th)
Number of Copies sold: 206,311(PS3) and 154,268(Xbox360).
Plot: Vanquish is set sometime in the near future. Russia and the United States are fighting to control the world’s fast-depleting energy resources and the US has constructed a space station in order to harness energy from the sun. Russian forces captured the space station and diverts the solar energy harvested into a blast wave that destroys San Francisco, aiming to force the US into an unconditional surrender. In response to this, the US sends its armed forces with the mission to recapture the space station before the Russians destroys their next target, New York.

Review: Breath taking graphics with a new style of game play that any shooter can enjoy. The game is pretty short but is enjoyable enough to where you want to keep playing it over and over again. If you like this kind of game, this would be great to own. If not, it would be a good rental.

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Singularity (Released June 29th)
Number of Copies Sold: 158,386(Xbox360) and 141,363(PS3).
Plot: Singularity takes place on an island known as Katorga-12, where Russian experiments involving Element 99 took place during the height of the Cold War. In 1955, a catastrophe involving experiments attempting to form a "Singularity" occurred on the island, causing the island's very existence to be covered up by the Russian government. In 2010, a sudden electromagnetic surge from Katorga-12 damages an American spy satellite. A military reconnaissance team is sent to investigate the uninhabited island, but a second surge causes their helicopter to crash. You play as Captain Nathaniel Renko, a member of the reconnaissance team. He enters the abandoned scientific complex on the island, where he phases between 1955 and 2010. Your main weapon is a Time Manipulation Device that allows you to manipulate objects or kill your enemies.

Review: The plot is amazing but the game play isn't the greatest though. Noting fancy I mean. This is game that would be great to play if you want to play something with a good story line. The game play is compared to the same style like Dark Sector, if you have ever played it.

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Sniper: Ghost Warrior (Released June 29th)
Number of Copies Sold: 546,398(Xbox360)
Plot: You play as Marine sniper Sgt. Tyler Wells, you have been sent on a covert mission deep into the nation of Isla Truenots to aid the rebellion. Outfitted in a ghillie suit that renders you virtually invisible in the dense foliage, you must stalk an enermy whose knowledge of the terrain is superior to yours. This game delivers an extended stealth game play experience that challenges players with a variety of strategic and tactical choices that affect how they approach their objectives and eliminate their targets. It switches from Stealthy Sniper mode to Assault Rifle Gun Ho mode from mission to mission.

Review: Sniper: Ghost Warrior is the most realistic sniper game that is out, right down to managing your breathing for increased accuracy of sniper shots. The ballistic system that accounts for bullet trajectory, including bullet drop and environmental effects such as wind, fog & rain is amazing. When you are able to pull off the perfect headshot, you get to watch your bullet strike the enemy with pin-point accuracy in Bullet Cam mode. This game requires stealth and patience. There is a multi-player mode which adds to its replay value. You will put in a good number of hours in the campaign and will have fun blending in with your surroundings. This is a game you should own. Once you rent it and play it, you will want it.

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Nier (Released April 27th)
Copies Sold: 350,173(PS3) and 179,669(Xbox360).
Plot: The game is set in a crumbling world plagued by disease and dark, unrecognizable creatures. Players assume the role of the unyielding protagonist, Nier, resolute in his quest to discover a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the Black Scrawl virus. With powerful allies and a mysterious book, Nier encounters things that will confound even the mightiest of warriors. Nier blends both innovative and traditional RPG gameplay mechanics with an intense, bloody combat system to create an action-packed single-player experience where players explore and discover a future lost to a shadowy past. Armed with a powerful set of magical abilities as well as mighty swords and armor, players will do battle alongside a set of formidable allies against waves of dark enemies and giant bosses to discover the truth about the disease, his daughter ... and himself.

Review: This is like the modern day Drakengard without the dragon. If you are looking for a good button mashing game with meaning behind it, this is one of them.

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Goldeneye 007(Released Nov. 2nd)
Copies Sold: 885,519(Wii) and 25,058(DS)
Plot: GoldenEye 007 allows players to channel Daniel Craig's lethal and gritty James Bond in an innovative, modern take on the legendary Bond adventure, GoldenEye. Blending fast-paced first-person shooter (FPS) action with covert gameplay, GoldenEye 007 epitomizes the modern thinking man's shooter by offering varied ways to complete each mission and destructible environments. GoldenEye 007 also redefines the multiplayer experience on Wii with split-screen action featuring classic Bond characters and special game modes, as well as online play for up eight friends.

Review: This game is awesome. Just like the good ol' days with the Nintendo 64 version, this new Goldeneye game will rekindle that classic vibe we all loved and still love today. The multiplayer is awesome but I don't recommend that any new commer to the game goes straight to playing the multiplayer, these people that I have played with, seem to play the game as if they have never stopped playing the 64 version. You get to play as Oddjob and throw his hat instead of a grenade. Awesome. The thing I really didn't like about the game is in order to melee, you have to hold the Z button and press B. I didn't like having to hold a button down and try to figure out the melee when you are in the middle of a fight with over a dozen villains. All-in-all, it is a great game and sticks to the Goldeneye classics.

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Metroid: Other M (Released Aug. 31st)
Copies Sold: 742,083(Wii)
Plot: Metroid: Other M is a collaboration that blends action-packed production of the world-renowned Team Ninja development team with the game design talents of the creators of the original Metroid. Metroid: Other M is a dramatic new direction for a legendary franchise and a bold new blend between cinematics, storytelling and the best in interactive entertainment. Metroid: Other M takes the best elements of 1st-person and 3rd-person gaming to create a seamless blend between gameplay, story-telling and dynamic cinematography, that feels like a movie the player can control.Players hold the Wii Remote controller sideways while navigating and battling in 3rd-person. However, at any moment, players can switch immediately to Wii Remote pointer controls to examine and explore the environments in 1st-person perspective.

Review: Metroid: Other M was an awesome game to play. You will be going back and forth between levels but no worries, there will be plenty of creatures to fight. It was really cool how you can switch from 1st to 3rd person viewing but it was a pain because you might miss out on a lot of stuff if you don't view the area in first person. There are places that you will not see unless in first person view. This game was a lot of fun to play but once you beat it, there really wasn't much left to do. It is something that any Metroid fan must play but I would prefer to rent it. It will take you a good 8 to 9 hours to beat but you will love every minute of it.

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NBA Jam(Oct. 5th)
Copies Sold: 211,731(Wii) 103,369(Xbox 360) and 64,301(PS3)
Plot: Well, Hmmm.... There really is not plot here except EA has brought back to life the greatest NBA game ever. Reviving the same announcer from the original SNES version and his great sayings like, "BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA" and "HE'S ON FIRE." Classic. Lets go straight to the review shall we?

Review: Welcome. Long time no chat. This game is just like the SNES version to where you can have Big Head Mode and having you player get the ball on fire. Oh man, I love this game and it is the only Basketball game I ever play. NBA Jam is a definite own, in my books. BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA. Oh man... Classic. Get a copy and play with your friends. Relive those awesome memories you had back in the day.

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Transformers: War for Cybertron(Released June 22nd)
Copies Sold: 423,583(Xbox 360) and 319,938(PS3)
Plot: Transformers: War for Cybertron will challenges players to become the ultimate weapon. This is final, epic war will determine the survival of their entire race. Armed with a diverse arsenal of lethal, high-tech weaponry and the ability to instantly convert from robot to vehicle at any time, players will engage in heart-pounding battles on land and in the air in this gripping, 3rd person action shooter set in the Transformers' war-ravaged homeland. Complete with several multiplayer modes, Transformers: War for Cybertron allows gamers to play through story missions with their friends in drop in/drop out online co-op, and also create their own Transformers character for competitive head-to-head multiplayer modes, choosing among four distinct character classes, personalizing its look and selecting from a huge variety of weapons, skills and abilities.

Review: This game was a lot of fun to play. It was awesome in switching from robot to vehicle. Me, being a Transformers fan, I got to sing out the theme song to the cartoon show every time I transformed. The gameplay was pretty good and a bit challenging from at times. I did like the feature with the co-op, how you could come and go as you wished. It was great how you can play with friends but then have to leave and not worry about abandoning them. The graphics were awesome and so was the gameplay. If you like Transformers, this is the game to own.

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Blur(Released May 25th)
Copies Sold: 357,186(Xbox 360) and 331,408(PS3)
Plot: There is no plot to this game except some sweet racing. Continue to Review.

Review: This is the adult version of Mario Kart. I am not saying anything bad about the Kart, I love it. This game has the feel of the Kart but with sweet rides and awesome environment. The power-ups in the game allow you to gain an advantage over your rivals while tradein some paint during the race. Trying and making your friends crash is always a fun thing to do. This game is a definite own.

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Resonance of Fate(Released March 16th)
Copies Sold: 501,902(PS3) and 234,115(Xbox 360)
Plot: Civilization on earth has long been forgotten with the previously lush world now a burned out remnant of its former self. Originally built as an experimental life support system, Basel is now the only place on Earth where mankind can sustain their lives. Your characters(Vasheron, Zephyr and Leanne) must seek out and complete quests for their clients leading them on a journey that will reveal the truth of Basel.

Review/Trailer:
Ok. This guy says it a lot better than I could write it. Also it saves me A LOT of typing. I am not going to lie to you. I haven't played this game before but I really want to now after watching this.


Castlevania: Lords of Shadow(Released Oct. 5th)
Copies Sold: 423,865(PS3) and 302,791(Xbox 360)
Plot: It is the end of days and ungodly powers isolate the Earth. The worlds' alliance with the heavens has been threatened by a dark and malevolent force – the mysterious Lords of Shadow. Across this shattered land, the souls of the dead wander unable to find peace, whilst creatures of evil wreak chaos and death upon the living. Gabriel Belmont is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny – and hopefully salvation for the world. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow casts the player as the mysterious Gabriel. At its heart it is a vast third-person-viewed adventure, but combat and puzzle solving also play a major part in the main quest, while dark artifacts can be used to enhance Gabriel's powers.

Review:
This game was beautiful. That is it. The graphics were amazing and so was the gameplay. The thing that I really loved about it was all the nice moves you could perform with your character. The creatures were great to fight and challenging at times. I am not sure if it has been updated lately but when I played it, there were some glitches to the game. Maybe they fixed it. All in all this game was a lot of fun to play. If you love Castlevania, buy it. If not, definitely rent it and play it.

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Well. I am done. This was a very long blog to write and my Xbox is calling me. I hear you... Well, until next time. This is J.P. and that is the latest news on the game cord.