Lok-Regar!

"Lok'tar friend! What is it you wish?" - Thrall




The Run Down:
With more than 11.5 monthly subscribers, World of Warcraft is currently the world's largest MMORPG in those terms, and holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG. Developed by Blizzard, World of Warcraft is the fourth released game set in the fantasy warcraft universe. World of Warcraft was estimated to hold 62% of the Multi-Mass Online Role Paying Game market on April 2, 2008.

Just like other MMORPGS, you control a character avatar within the game in third person view, exploring the landscape, fighting various monsters, completing quests, and interacting with NPCs or other players. The unique aspect of this game that sets its self different from other MMORPGS is the war between the Alliance and Horde. This ties towards the original storyline towards the ongoing war between the union of races. Alliance, composed of Humans, Dwarf, Gnomes, and Night Elves. The Horde is composed of Orcs, Trolls, Taurens and The Forsaken (Undead). Two new races were introduced in the second expansion, The Burning Crusade. Draenais had joined the Alliance and Blood Elves had joined the Horde. As with other MMORPGS, the player is required to pay for a subscription, either by buying game cards for a pre-slected amount of playing time, or by using a credit or debit card to pay on a regular basis.

Wrath of Lich King is based on the battle that takes place in Northrend, in battle with Arthas and his undead army. It the third expansion of World of Warcraft, introducing new aspects to the game. The new level cap is 80 and players are can explore the land of Northrend of Azeroth, to combat against Arthas's minions. Along with the introduction of Northrend, a new "hero" class is also introduced to players. Players with a level 55 or higher character in server is allowed to make a Death Knight hero class which is introduced as a unique Warrior mixxed with Paladin type of class. Multiple new PvP zones such as Wintergraps, where players must either defend the Vault of Archavon, or capture it. Along with new PvP zones, new raid instances and group instances were introduced, being more difficult than the previous expansion, Burning Crusade.

The Review:

I've never been into the Warcraft series until the release of World of Warcraft. Since its release, I've been intrigued with the storyline, and absorbed in the gameplay. World of Warcraft is the most popular MMORPG to date and it very much lives up to its hype. Starting new, the player must create a character between either the Horde faction or Alliance. From then, the player will level his character up to level 80. At level 80 is where the fun begins. At this point, you are able to do "end game instances with your guild. This is called raids. From raids, you defeat multiple enemies and bosses which have the opportunity to drop high-rate items that will make your character stronger. Although this game can seem unending, the very purpose of this game is to create a fantasy for your character to be "the best" amongst other players.


The Raters:
Mark Galura:
It's fun.

10/10

Raph Sanchez:
World of Warcraft is a very addicting game. The reason for this is because you want to play it and be better at it with your character. It gives a fun atmosphere to players who are into the whole fantasy world scene.

9/10

Justin Tan:
World of Warcraft is the very reason why I'm into gaming, and also the very reason why I'm behind. The best part of this game is that I get to play with my friends.

9/10

The Rant:
My issue with this game is also the same issue that parents has over kids who play too much. It's too addicting! Players will definitely become absorbed into the game as they continue their fantasy world play. And the worst part is that players have control over their limits but choose to go against their limits. The good thing about Blizzard is that it introduced a parental control like function where they can set a time limit when the player has to finish. The other issue I have with this game is that it becomes very repetative and meaningless. Once you become level 80 and have good gear, what else is there to do? Make another character? Too time consuming for my part... And for what reason?

The Recap:
Overall, World of Warcraft lives up to its very name being the best MMORPG game to this day. Being a former player myself, I've witnessed the addicting gameplay of this game. For people who are willing to introduce themself to this game, I warn them to limit themself with it. For players already playing the game, Lok'tar!

Classic Tribute: Super Mario World

"It's-a-me! Mario!" - Mario



The Run Down:
Super Mario is a highly popular acclaimed video game series made by Nintendo. Mario has been featured as Nintendo's mascot countless times due to his well known popularity. Gameplay in the series often centers around jumping and defeating enemies. The games usually feature simple plots; the most common theme is that of Bowser, the main antagonist, kidnapping Princess Peach, whom Mario saves.

Super Mario World has gone on to become a tremendous critical and commercial success, becoming the best seller for the platform, with 20 million copies sold worldwide. Like in previous games, the story involves Mario on a quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser, encountering multiple enemies and bosses known as Koopalings. Mario goes on from level to level as he reaches closer towards Bowser's castle. Along the way, Mario must reach the level's castle and defeat its boss. There is a 2-player system where each player takes turns upon losing a life with either Mario or Luigi. Super Mario World introduces a dinosaur companion that Mario can ride on. The Yoshi appear in four different colours (green, yellow, red, and blue), each with unique abilitiy. A Star Road and Special Zone is also introduced where there are secret exits in some levels to one of the five portales to Star Road, an otherwise secret realm.

The Review:

Super Mario World has been a treamendous success and a personal favourite of my own. The reason for this is because I practically grew up on this game. Mario's face has become so familiar to me that even my parents know who he is. I favour Super Mario World over the other franchise games because it presents a familiar stomp on your enemies, 2D graphics. But the unique aspect I like most about this is the different stages that offer difficult challengs. I also like the different kinds of Yoshi as it was a unique aspect of the whole series.


The Raters:
Mark Galura:
It's fun.

8/10

Raph Sanchez:
Super Mario World was a classic. I really liked the game. Its new release for the Gameboy Advance has been a "handful" of fun.

9/10

Justin Tan:
The Mario series is really popular in the whole gaming scene. It's not really my type of game but Super Mario World is pretty fun.

7.5/10

The Rant:
My only rant about this game is the fact that my brothers always hogged the Super Nintendo system which never gave me the chance to play a lot when I was a kid. Other than that, there wasn't really anything wrong about this game.

The Recap:
Being released on one of the early systems, Super Nintendo, Super Mario World has been a fan favourite and a huge success. Its simple gameplay with difficult stages defines the very simplicity, yet fun meaning of Super Nintendo. A lot of snes games were simple and easy and provided some entertainment but nothing topped Super Mario World. This game will always be a personal favourite in the whole Mario series.

Hadouken!

"Tell you what. After I've crushed my enemies, we'll see about you getting published. That should cheer you up, hmm?"- M. Bison, 1994 Street Fighter the movie



The Run Down:
After 10 years since the first Street Fighter, Street Fighter IV was released in North America in February 17, 2009. Upon its release, it has been of huge success, selling 86, 000 copies on its first day within Japan. There has been a total of 2.5 million copies sold worldwide.

Developed by Capcom, The Street Fighter franchise has known to be of huge success since Street Fighter II. Street Fighter has been the face of fighting style games and is widely popular within arcade systems. Multiple spin-offs have been made based on Street Fighter such as Marvel VS Capcom. Street Fighter IV presents a familiar feel with new 3D models and backgrounds. The unique aspect introduced in this game is the Ultra Combo. In addition to the familiar Super Combo, the Ultra Combo gauge (known as the revenge gauge) builds up based on how many times the player has been hit. Upon reaching the full gauge, the player is able to unleashe a cinematic combo composed of multiple hits. The characters include the same cast as Street Fighter II with four new characters. Akuma from Super Street Fighter II Turbo also appears as a hidden playable character, as well as a secret opponent, for a total 17 playable characters. Additionally, the game includes two CPU-only characters: Seth as the game's standard final boss, and Gouken as a secret opponent, which makes for a total of 19 characters. Also, players are now able to choose from English or Japanese audio voices! Also introduced is the online gameplay where you're able to play against other people, even your friends, online!


The Review:
Ahh Street Fighter. Memories, memories. I've been a huge Street Fighter fan since Street Fighter II on the Super Nintendo System. Having the same characters brought to this game brings back memories. Street Fighter IV has always been the most favoued fighting style game, next to Tekken. The greatest part about this game is the online play. You get polish your skills and face others who has great skill in the game. Most of all, its fun pounding your friend's character!

The Raters:
Mark Galura:
Add my XBL tag: Mark Galura

10/10

Raph Sanchez:
Street Fighter IV is definitely a game you should get if you're into fighting style games. If not, then it's still a game you should get.

9/10

Justin Tan:
There's not a day where I don't play.

10/10

Jan

This game does not live up to it's hype. The gameplay is fine but not stellar.

10/10


The Rant:
My only rant about this game is the last boss. He's so damn cheap! Oh and also the lack of other modes. You can only play single, versus, trials and online.

The Recap:
The Street Fighter franchise has been of huge success for Capcom and Street Fighter IV shows exactly why. With its new 3D models and familiarity, I can only look forward on Street Fighter V. Until then, HADOUKEN!