In Retrospect. . .

So, I’ve reviewed a few games for this site – Mass Effect 2, Modern Warfare 2, Read Dead Redemption, Metro 2033 and Pokémon: Soul Silver. I stated my opinions on those games, but some time has passed since they were released. Some downloadable content released, and some opinions changed. Now, due to technical issues, I cannot state my opinion on Metro 2033, as my disc has become corrupted. Keep in mind however, I still feel it is a fun horror game, and my original review holds true, though I cannot speak for the new ‘Ranger’ DLC.

Mass Effect 2:

This is still an impressive game in its cinematic qualities. I’ve come to learn that two members of the now defunct STEAM Machinima group ‘Lit Fuse Films’ worked on the use of the in-games models. It shows. Mass Effect 2 is in fact still fun, as I recently completed a play through for this exact article, carrying a save from the first part of the series. Recently, BioWare has announced that the story will soon be turned in to a feature film, and that the Sony Playstaion 3 will be getting a port of Mass Effect 2 . . . with no word on ME1.

DLC: Most of the DLC for Mass Effect is some new gear, like, helmets or armor permutations, along with some weapon packs. There is, however, a few packs worth looking at. For free, is ‘Zaeed, the Prince of Revenge’. Zaeed is a Day One DLC character to be added to Shepards crew. His loyalty mission is intense, though nothing all that new, but in the end yields a flamethrower and, depending on if you’re not a particularly paragon person, or a great motivator, you’ll have a loyal Merc following you to hell and back.

‘Kasumi’s Stolen Memory’, is a pay to play DLC pack that includes some fun action, gives you a pretty decent SMG, and features a new character; the titular Kasumi Goto. She’s a self described kleptomaniac with a thing for ramen, who has had her lover’s memories stolen in the form of a Neural Implant. Shepard dons some new threads and hob nobs it up to get into the holding pen, and win over Kasumi. The DLC is fun and Kasumi can be a useful character (I personally use her on Ilium during the Assassin’s recruitment mission).

‘Fire-Walker’ a free DLC, five or so missions featuring the new ‘Hammerhead’, the spiritual successor to the ‘Mako’ tank from Mass Effect one. The missions are easy and don’t really yield much, but seem like a very good attempt at a more action oriented moment than previous levels, and bigger environments, as seen in . . .

‘Project: Overlord’, a meaty story line that revolves around some Cerberus experimentations with Geth technology. There’s some puzzle solving, some running and gunning, and even some fun between missions in the ‘Hammerhead’, not unlike the Mako segments in the first game (except the Hammerhead doesn’t suck). The pack is fun–as-hell, and shows a level of commitment not entirely seen with the other DLC’s. There’s some hiccups and areas that are unfinished that can be glitched into, or simply fallen through with the Hammerhead, but the DLC pack is worth the price, and makes for an interesting look into how things may go from now on.

Coming Soon:

BioWare has announced a new DLC coming soon revolving around ME1 protagonist, Liara T’Soni. The protagonist and his party will be battling the mysterious ‘Shadow Broker’, who was mentioned in ME1, a villain in the ‘Redemption’ comic series, and now? The head between your crosshairs. No word yet on whether this will add Liara to your party, or a launch date, or a price.

BioWare also states that soon, we will be getting DLC connecting ME2 to ME3. While not exactly specific on this, they’ve mentioned choices from the first and second games will continue to carry over, and will be important.

• Cerberus Network DLC: Free with new copies of ME2 – 1600 MS Points
• Normandy Crash Site: Free, requires Cerberus Network
• Zaeed – Prince of Revenge: Free, requires Cerberus Network
• Cerberus Weapons and Armor Pack: Free, requires Cerberus Network
• Arc Projector: Free, requires Cerberus Network
• Firewalker Pack: Free, requires Cerberus Network
• Alternate Appearance Pack (Clothing for Archangel, the Assassin, and Subject Zero): 160 MS points
• Kasumi –Stolen Memory: 560 MS Points
• Equalizer Pack (Weapons and Armor Parts): 160 MS Points
• Overlord: 560 Ms Points
• Aegis Pack: 160 MS Points
• Firepower Pack: 160 Points
• Lair of the Shadow Broker: No price or launch date announced.

Red Dead Redemption:

I still enjoy this game and often go into it just to screw around, espically with cheat codes. Red Dead, fun as it is, and as alluring as the multiplayer is, lacks more replay value than I thought. Rockstar has a promised a steady stream of DLC for the multiplayer, but, so far nothing much has entirely seduced me as John Marstons story. The co-op mission pack, however, is free and is entirely worth every second. It’s a good time with friends.

I never enjoyed the ‘griefing’ in Red Dead. It’s too common place, and more so than back when I roamed Liberty City. It sucks. Recently a new packcame out giving players the option to play some new gang wars and a new throwing weapon, and some new character skins, but I’ve yet to obtain it, as it is not a priority to me.

Red Dead Redemption is good, and I’ll enjoy its story always, and roaming with friends, or by myself causing havoc is always great, but it’s loosing allure to me. Maybe I’m asking too much, but I’ve never enjoyed most multiplayer heavy games.

• Outlaws to the End Co-op Pack: Free
• Legends and Killers Pack: 800 MS points, or $9.99 on PSN Network.

Pokémon Soul Silver:

I really don’t have much to say outside of my previous review. It’s a Pokémon game, which is masterful in its time killing casualness. I’ll always break it out on a car trip.

Metro 2033:

I have not been able to play Metro, due to my disc having issues; however, there is a DLC pack out adding two new weapons, and two new difficulties for Free on STEAM and 240 MS Points.

Modern Warfare 2:

I stated it bluntly enough in my review that it’s a good game, but not without its fair amount of shortcomings. The thing is, I refuse to download its map packs (Somewhat out of protest, but mostly because there’s better deals) and I am finished with the Call of Duty series after Activision lopped off the head of Infinity Ward. Something that no other Call of Duty game will ever have like Modern Warfare, and its sequel, is the heart and spirit of Infinity Ward. I understand how idiotic that statement is, but I simply feel that this game is a very valid swan song, even with its faults, and I do enjoy playing it on Xbox LIVE (With friends).

Frankly, I recommend everything as I did before, though, I still believe Modern Warfare 2 to be a lackluster experience past the initial high, as does the repetition with Red Dead Redemption once the main story has been concluded. Pokémon will always be repetitive as well, but it’s a fun repetition I grew up with. Metro, from the last I was able to experience an entire play through, is still delicious, but not an entirely new genre setter – but still damn fun.