Reviews Archives - GamersHeroes Short and accurate game guides designed to save you time and effort. Honest Game Reviews, Breaking News, & More Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:12:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://www.gamersheroes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-Gamers-Heroes-Site-Icon-32x32.jpg Reviews Archives - GamersHeroes 32 32 Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Headset Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/beyerdynamic-mmx-300-headset-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/beyerdynamic-mmx-300-headset-review/#respond Mon, 19 Mar 2018 23:12:36 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=68086 The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 is a high quality gaming headset with a hefty price tag. Is the price worth the quality, or are you better off searching for a cheaper alternative? Check out our review and find out.

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The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 is a high quality gaming headset with a hefty price tag. Is the price worth the quality, or are you better off searching for a cheaper alternative? Check out our review and find out.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Headset Review

It is worth noting that the MMX 300 is not a USB headset. It comes with two different cords, both of which can be attached the headset. The first cord can plug into any PC, phone headphone port, or even the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller. The second cord might not be as useful to some people, as it comes with a much thicker jack that would be used on an amp, musical keyboard, or audio interface. You can buy a converter to turn that into a smaller jack, but it doesn’t come with one.

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The sound quality from the headset is fantastic. The headset arrived right around the time I was playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance, so I decided to try that out first. I plugged it into my controller, and it automatically set up and was working instantly. Once I put the headset on my first thought was “there are birds in the background.” On top of that, the rain sounded like it was all around me and I could hear the townsfolk walking around me in various directions. The positional audio for this headset is on point.

You may think it primarily works for single-player games, but what about multiplayer games? That positional audio I was talking about is a huge benefit to any competitive game. Fortnite is the current hotness, but I still mainly play PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. When you hear a gunshot zoom by you, almost instantly you have a general idea of where it came from. By the second shot, you know where they are. My favorite experience with these so far was when a team of two was camping above me, and I had no idea. Someone up there took a single step, and I heard the footstep above me. That’s all it took for me to know where they were hiding and for me to get a grenade up there for a double kill.

The other game I’ve been spending a bunch of time on is Warhammer: Vermintide 2, which is a co-op game with hordes of enemies consistently rushing the player. Being able to hear the footsteps or grunts of the enemies behind you is key to surviving the higher difficulties in that game and the MMX 300 works like a charm. There are a couple of particular enemies in the game that spawn in and make a sound to indicate you are being watched. When this happens, the sound surrounds you from all angles, increasing the immersion dramatically. On top of that, it helps you pinpoint where the enemy is lurking, so you can take them out.

Gamers are spending more and more time with headsets on their heads, so comfort is a priority for these things. I’d guess on busy days I’d spend 8-10 hours on the headset for work and play combined. The headset never got uncomfortable or hurt my ears. I wearglasses, so sometimes headsets start to pinch my ears after awhile. Sometimes you can look at a headset and just know it is cheaply made, but that is not the case with the MMX. It is high quality and feels very durable. The ear muffs cover your entire ear; well my whole ear, but I’m a big guy a 6’2. With that, this headset cancels out the outside world. As long as your fire alarm doesn’t go off, you should be fine.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Headset Review

So we know it works great for games but what about music? Bass? Check and then some. High-quality sound? Check. Able to pick up each instrument individually? Check and check. I was using some Sennheiser’s prior to this headset for music, but have since switched over. The bass power is substantial, but not overwhelming, which is a good thing in my opinion. The blast of a grenade or a red zone in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds already blows my ears off, so I do not need the added threat of bass ripping my eardrums to shreds.

Generally, with a headset, something has to suffer. The thing that usually suffers is the microphone. While it does not offer a studio level mic, it isn’t going to sound like fire crackers are going off when you speak either. You will come through clear and loud enough that people can hear you. There is a problem on the console with the headset and microphone though. When you plug it into the controller, you only get sound to your earmuffs, but the microphone does not work. On the second cord with the larger jack, you have a cord for the microphone, but not on the smaller jack side. You can’t plug in the large jack cord into your controllers, so it does hurt the headset for console players.

Some may find an issue with the cord length. The cord with the small jack is, well, small. My PC is about two feet from where I sit, and it is stretched to the limit when I use it there. The other major issue for people is the price. This is not a cheap headset, but the quality is entirely there.

The MMX 300 is a bit on the high-end price wise, but for what you get, it is well worth it.

This review was done based on review unit sent by Beyerdynamic.

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Sennheiser PC 373D Gaming Headset Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/sennheiser-pc-373d-gaming-headset-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/sennheiser-pc-373d-gaming-headset-review/#respond Mon, 24 Apr 2017 19:20:26 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=57781 Gaming headsets are a dime a dozen these days, with everyone trying to make some money off them. Does the Sennheiser PC 373D gaming headset do enough to set itself apart from the competition, or should you look elsewhere? Check out review and find out what we think of the headset.

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Gaming headsets are a dime a dozen these days, with everyone trying to make some money off them. Does the Sennheiser PC 373D gaming headset do enough to set itself apart from the competition, or should you look elsewhere? Check out review and find out what we think of the headset.

Sennheiser PC 373d Gaming Headset Review

I’ll just say that, for the record, I don’t have much experience with surround sound headsets. That being said, the Sennheiser PC 373d Gaming Headset has Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound build into it. When I got it, I was a little worried it would be too complicated to set up, but it wasn’t. You just have to plug it in, download the software, and you are good to go. The headset has a switch that turns the surround sound on and off and without the program, in case the surround sound doesn’t work. The program has four different options for sound: Game, eSport, Music, and Off. Game is obviously for when you are gaming, Music is for when you are listening to music, eSport which I wasn’t really sure about, and Off is just basic settings. It also has noise reduction settings and sidetone options.

As for the headset itself, it is made of heavy-duty flexible plastic. The headphones have padding on them to make them more comfortable, as does the top. You can pull the earphones down a enough to find a good spot for your head. I had a couple of eight hour gaming sessions with it on, and it didn’t get uncomfortable. As for the mic, the quality is pretty good. Everyone could understand me fine and it didn’t pick up my breathing or the birds outside. Only downside is there is no mute button on the headset itself, but that is only a minor complaint. There is, however, a volume knob on the headset so you can turn the sound up and down right from there.

This might be a common thing for a surround sound headset, but the way they do voice communication is smart. You have the option for surround sound, but you also have the option for sound coming through the earphones. This means when playing a game, you can hear the game with the surround sound on and hear your friends over voice normally. You can listen to them in surround sound if you want, but I didn’t really like that. The sound quality of the headset itself was great. Being as I mainly gamed with it, that is what we will mostly cover.

Sennheiser-PC-373D Review 2

I will first say that in any competitive shooter, this will give you an edge. I recently started playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and the difference between my normal headset and this one was night and day. I could normally hear footsteps okay, or not at all during the rain, but with these I could hear footsteps much more clearly. Not only could I hear them well, but I could also tell which direction they were coming from. This is massively helpful when trying to call out which direction the enemies are for your team. Doors opening, footsteps, and even gunshots come through much more clearly on the surround sound headset. I also played Hollow Knight, The Final Station, and Darkest Dungeon with them. It didn’t give me a massive edge, as these were single player games, but they still sounded great.

Another option you will likely use in the program is Music. This headset does two things well: it helps you hear each instrument clearer (assuming you are interested in that type of thing), and it makes you feel like the sound is coming at you from different angles. While I was playing single player games, it helped with my immersion into the game’s music. While I was just listening to some music on Spotify, I was able to pick up instruments I hadn’t noticed before. Music is what you make of it, but they made a big difference to me. I will say the bass was a bit lackluster when I did a test, but that isn’t something I care much about.

To my surprise the headset did work on my PlayStation 4, but the surround sound did not. You can use it to communicate and hear voice chat if you really wanted to, but there are much cheaper options out there for that. That’s where the big rub comes in. These are currently priced at $209.99 on Amazon. I can honestly say that if you are a competitive gamer who wants to keep the edge, these are probably for you. If you are just a casual gamer or don’t play many multiplayer games, the price may be a bit to steep.

A review unit of the Sennheiser PC 373D Gaming Headset was sent to us from the company.

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Ittle Dew 2 Review – Indie Adventure At Its Finest https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/ittle-dew-2-review-indie-adventure-finest/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/ittle-dew-2-review-indie-adventure-finest/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2016 05:59:31 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=52907 Ittle Dew 2 feels like a focused and expert approach to making a Zelda game.

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Ludosity and Nicalis’ Ittle Dew 2 is an admirable effort to make the next Zelda – no small feat. Although it may not completely fill those shoes, it more than scratches that adventure-based itch.

The original Ittle Dew holds a special place in my family’s heart. Not only did my love of Nintendo’s Zelda series draw me to the title, my grandmother also enjoyed it. Needless to say, Ittle Dew 2 had big shoes to fill.

Ittle Dew 2 starts where its predecessor ends, with the hero Ittle and her fox floating on a raft. Wasting no time, they crash into an island and set off on their adventure. The scope of the game is on point – rather than spending hours on tutorials and exposition, this title immediately sends you on your way to adventure. Subtle hints and a map with a marker lead you to where you need to go, but the world is completely open to explore. Armed with a stick, a buddy fox, and a map, it is up to the player to find where to go next. Ittle Dew 2’s creativity shines here with its first dungeon being a literal “pillow” fort. Though this may imply that this area is soft and easy, this dungeon doesn’t disappoint, and eases the player in with simple puzzles.

Ittle Dew 2 Review - Indie Adventure At Its Finest

After a couple of dungeons, I did a little sidetracking and found a puzzle maze. Another aspect where Ittle Dew 2 excels is in its optional puzzles and dungeons. Hidden caves literally cover the map, each filled with secret items and life containers in the form of crayons. Each pack of crayons adds a quarter of health, increasing your total stamina. Items are also available that increase the damage output of your weapons.

Although my playthrough of Ittle Dew 2 lasted around eight hours, I felt like I just scratched the surface. Even after writing this review, there were still secrets that needed to be uncovered. Hidden maps and secret caves offered upgrades to different items not necessarily required to complete the game.

Tools in Ittle’s arsenal also tap into this title’s creative spirit. A sword extender chain (which extends into a larger sword), an ice block creator, a push rod that moves objects (and dishes out damage), and a stick of dynamite are just a few that stand out. What set these items apart was that they could be used together to solve puzzles, something I felt that was very gratifying.

While exploring, I found my way to the entrance of a dungeon not marked on my map. The traditional “fire” dungeon is even noted by your fox as a token fire dungeon in this type of game. This dungeon was a noticeable (but welcome) spike in difficulty. Here I found my first enemy that wasn’t outright killable, as well as obstacles that required more than simple strategic movement. In Ittle Dew 2, the controls almost directly resemble the top-down Zelda games, albeit with a new roll ability. The roll is essential in making it past spikes and enemy attacks, and becomes a critical part of the game.

Ittle Dew 2 Review - Indie Adventure At Its Finest

Since the world is open for Ittle to explore, the player is made aware early on that all dungeons can be completed with just the items you enter with. Put simply, if you can enter it, you can beat it. While this helps replayability tremendously, my initial playthrough was met with a good amount of difficulty in the later stages of the game. Whether I was underpowered or not is unknown to me, as I did not complete every side dungeon and don’t know if armor or potions are available.

Shortcuts are available in dungeons but certain items (obtained by completing dungeons out of order) are required to utilize these shortcuts. I’m impressed at the level of polish that went into the playability and puzzles in this game, as both the puzzles and the items have an incredible amount of depth.

My complaints for Ittle Dew 2 are few: a few dungeon bosses are reused (albeit with different weapons), and late game balancing seemed rough. I can’t verify that a playthrough would be easier for anyone else, but the difficulty spike is unreal in the final dungeon. Nowhere within the game did I find the ability to replenish health via a potion, nor armor that allowed me to take less damage. Certain enemies within this dungeon were so hard that difficult that it almost felt like luck was needed to beat them.

Ittle Dew 2 Review - Indie Adventure At Its Finest

Ittle Dew 2 feels like a focused and expert approach to making a Zelda game. What Ludosity was able to accomplish here felt like the developers had a level of understanding of the gameplay on par or even better than some of Nintendo’s offerings. Fluid gameplay, challenging dungeon crawling, incredible replayability, and satisfying progression make the experience a very satisfying one. Fans of the genre – and even my grandmother – would get a kick out of Ittle and her adventures.

Ittle Dew 2 – Indie Adventure At Its Finest – Gif Dump

This review of Ittle Dew 2 was done on the PlayStation 4 version of the game. A digital code was provided.

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Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/hatsune-miku-project-diva-x-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/hatsune-miku-project-diva-x-review/#respond Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:20:17 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=50647 Grab your leeks and get ready to sing - Hatsune Miku is back. Hot on the heels of Project DIVA F and F 2nd, SEGA's Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X brings another dose of its trademark hardcore rhythm-based gameplay to the masses. Does Miku still have the magic touch, or is this one title that is a little off-key?

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Grab your leeks and get ready to sing – Hatsune Miku is back. Hot on the heels of Project DIVA F and F 2nd, SEGA’s Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X brings another dose of its signature hardcore rhythm-based gameplay to the masses. Does Miku still have the magic touch, or is this title a little off-key?

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X Review

The gameplay in Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is something that anybody can get behind. It may seem simple at first – press the corresponding buttons as they appear on the screen, and try not to mess up. However, things can get downright challenging with the inclusion of Technical Zones (which require you to clear a succession of notes), Rush Notes (which require a good deal of button mashing), and Chance Time events (which net prizes upon successful completion). Those playing on Easy or Normal will only have to deal with an average of two different button types per song, but the Hard and Extreme modes are downright relentless in the amount of button prompts it throws at you. Much like conquering a challenging boss in Dark Souls, completing one of these difficult songs is worthy of the highest accolades.

Tying everything together in Project DIVA X is its story mode, a first for the series. Your mission is to fill up a number of Cloud Prisms, each with its own unique style. How do you do that? Through the power song and dance, of course! Dubbed “Classic,” “Cool,” “Cute,” “Elegant,” and “Quirky,” each of these five Clouds has a different musical style it. Those visiting the “Cool” Cloud will be dancing to rock-based songs, while denizens of the “Quirky” Cloud will be moving along to Super Sentai jams. It adds a good amount of variety to the game’s 30+ track list, and will keep you humming and tapping until the very end.

Project DIVA X - Gamers Heroes
Project DIVA X – Gamers Heroes

However, this game has some serious legs. Successfully completing Chance Time events nets you a “Module,” which gives Miku and co. a new costume to dance around in. These Modules also net you a perk, and quite possibly the chance to net yourself more Voltage to recharge the Cloud Prisms. Herein lies the fun – there are more than 300 Modules to collect, with some being “rare” modules that come out once in a blue moon. Those looking to flesh out their wardrobe will no doubt enjoy min/maxing Miku’s outfits and accessories to get the best Modules and to come out on top.

There is also the chance to spend some time off the stage with Miku and her friends, giving them gifts and building their friendship meter (which helps you during songs). This mode is a bit more spartan compared to F and F 2nd, but it is a welcome addition nonetheless.

Fans of catchy music, arcade-based rhythm gameplay, or even good games should give Project DIVA X a go. This is one of those titles that will stick with you, in more ways than one. After all, how can you resist the siren call of a VOCALOID?

This review of Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X was done on the PlayStation TV. A digital code was provided by the publisher.

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Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/valkyria-chronicles-remastered-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/valkyria-chronicles-remastered-review/#respond Thu, 19 May 2016 00:44:03 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=49250 Valkyria Chronicles was first released on PlayStation 3 in 2008 and then Steam in 2014. Now in 2016 Sega is bring the Tactical Shooter to the PlayStation 4. Is the war worth fighting again? Or should we give peace a chance? Check out this review to help you make your choice!

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Valkyria Chronicles was first released on PlayStation 3 in 2008 and then Steam in 2014. Now, in 2016, Sega is bring the tactical shooter to the PlayStation 4. Is the war worth fighting again? Or should we give peace a chance? Check out this review to help you make your choice!

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Review

Valkyria Chronicles takes place in fictional Europe during a time of war and turmoil. The Imperial Alliance is facing off with the Atlantic Federation for control of continent. Both of these factions are run by a resource known as Ragnite, a rare resource used to power almost everything. Enter Welkin Gunther and the country of Gallia, a neutral country with large amounts of Ragnite beneath it. Gunther returns home after attending university to check on his sister and friends in his home town. It doesn’t take long for him to be thrown into the fight as the Empire almost immediately attacks his town while he is back home. Welkin is the son of a late great general of the Gallia Army and has inherited his tank. Using his tank, new friends and some quick thinking, he drives the Imperial forces back out of his home town. Winning the battle is only a minor inconvenience to the Imperials and Welkin leaves to the capital to join the fight to defend Gallia.

This is where the game really starts to take off. You get to form an army based on five different unit types. These are Scouts, Shocktroppers, Lancers, Engineers and Snipers. Each unit has its place on the battlefield and bringing one of to many types could result in defeat. Lancers are great for facing tanks but a Shocktrooper can run right into his face and melt him down. A Sniper can take most units down in a shot with a head shot but if any unit catches them they will die. Unit placement, selection and equipment are all important factors to consider when starting a battle. Of course, fighting isn’t the only thing you will be doing with your units, upgrades and equipment will also have to be managed.

During your stay at base you can use experience you earn in battle to level up your soldiers. This isn’t done in a traditional way of X unit gets X kills and levels up. Instead you level up an entire unit together, for instance if you level snipers every sniper you have will level up as well. This is super useful for when you lose a unit and have to replace them. You will also have to choose who gets what upgrades as far as weapons and armor goes. Every unit has different weapons and a couple have different armor, upgrading the right units will play another important role in victory. You also have to remember that Gunther’s Tank needs to be upgraded as well. This will take resources from your soldiers on the ground but if Gunther dies, it’s game over. You can play skirmishes and extra levels to help you earn more EXP and cash for upgrades.

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered Review

As far as actual combat goes, it is kind of turn based. You start a map with X amount of units you can place and you choose who to bring, minus Gunther who will always be in the battle. After you place your men you will then start the battle. Units can only move as far as their action bar will allow them too, go to far and you might be stranded. You can move units multiple times but their max movement range is reduced each time. Most of the time you will be running your unit to cover or to an angle they can flank an enemy. After you place your unit you can attack and end your turn. After you end your turn the enemy will get their turn. This is when things can get hectic. You might think a unit is safe until the AI decides to throw three units at a single unit and blows their cover. Pushing too far or too fast WILL cost you soldiers in this, don’t forget that.

As far as graphics are concerned the game aged very well. It isn’t necessarily cel shading but instead referred to as a watercolor painting in motion. It runs smooth on the PlayStation 4 with no noticeable frame drops or stuttering. Some of the lines can be a little cheesy (“VEG-TA-BLES”), but it’s never so distracting that you it takes focus away from what’s going on. You will grow attached to the characters in the game and losing one will hurt, war is hell after all.

Fans of the game should certainly go back to it if they haven’t picked it up off of Steam yet and anyone on the fence should give it a go if they like tactical shooters with small RPG elements.

This review of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered was done on the PlayStation 4. A code was provided by the publisher.

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D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/d4-dark-dreams-dont-die-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/d4-dark-dreams-dont-die-review/#respond Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:25:42 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=43007 Hidetaka "SWERY" Suehiro, hot on the heels of the off-kilter horror game Deadly Premonition, is back once again with his murder mystery title D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die for the PC. Should you dive into this episodic epic, or is this one investigation not worth pursuing?

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Hidetaka “SWERY” Suehiro, hot on the heels of the off-kilter horror game Deadly Premonition, is back once again with his murder mystery title D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die for the PC. Should you dive into this episodic epic, or is this one investigation not worth pursuing?

D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die Review

There are some games out there that pander to a specific audience, not taking many creative liberties in order to please the general audience.

D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die isn’t one of those games.

One just need look at the plot synopsis to see that something is off. Private investigator David Young is on the hunt for his wife Peggy Young’s murderer, and will stop at nothing to find the killer known only as D. Sounds normal, right? However, he must do this by grabbing mementos and “diving” into the past, reliving moments in different locales and scenarios. Keeping company with a girl that thinks she’s a cat and a police officer that can down five hotdogs at a time, Mr. Young pushes and profiles slow-talking surgeons, avant-garde fashion models, and schizophrenic women on his search for the truth. It sometimes feels like it’s weird for the sake of being weird, but it is a breath of fresh air that is quirky as it is original.

D4’s originality also extends to its unique control scheme. Originally designed around the Xbox One’s motion-driven Kinect, gameplay is controlled by guiding Mr. Young around with motion cues delivered via a mouse or a controller. Rather than actively moving around with an analog stick, movements are done with a cursor on the screen and clicking at certain areas, a la a real-time strategy game. This setup would be absolutely horrendous in an action-heavy game, but it fits its setting quite well. Aside from needless complex and repetitive moments like opening doors or flipping pages, the control scheme is sound.

D4 Review - Gamers Heroes
D4 Review – Gamers Heroes

That’s not to say that D4 is devoid of action. Mr. Young faces some intense moments during his investigation, requiring him to use his quick wits and his fists to conquer the situation. These sequences are done via quick-time event prompts, ranging from moving a specific direction to mashing a button. Game overs are possible in D4, but the penalty is minimal. Though quick-time events are much maligned in the industry, the way they are framed in D4 are done tastefully, and allow the player to do something that would normally be impossible to do in-game.

When this action slows down, D4 adopts a lot of the traits found in episodic games like TellTale’s The Walking Dead and Square-Enix’s Life is Strange. Mr. Young must interact with the environment, finding key pieces of evidence and talking with the right people about the right things. Dialog options are available, but everybody will arrive at the same destination. There are also sidequests available, ones that require players to find the capital of Brazil and wear a hip piece of clothing. While all of these things are unique and welcome, they chomp away at a stamina meter that must be refilled every couple of minutes. It’s a real hassle to spend a few extra minutes finding some food to refuel — it just feels unnecessary.

D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die will likely be the most unique title you’ll play this year. Playing on the serialized format of episodic games, it weaves a tale that hits all the right notes while still being its own unique beast. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, you most certainly have found it.

This review of D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die was done on the PC. The game was purchased digitally from Steam.

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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/dead-alive-5-last-round-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/dead-alive-5-last-round-review/#respond Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:42:41 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=41886 Hot on the heels of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate comes Dead or Alive 5: Last Round, an updated version of Tecmo Koei's chop-socky fighter. Is this upgrade worth throwing down for, or is this a bunch of fanservice fluff?

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Hot on the heels of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate comes Dead or Alive 5: Last Round, an updated version of Tecmo Koei’s chop-socky fighter. Is this upgrade worth throwing down for, or is this a bunch of fanservice fluff?

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round Review

New to the Dead or Alive universe, but love a good fighter? Dead or Alive 5: Last Round will come as second nature after a few rounds. Much like Namco’s Tekken series, fights in Dead or Alive rely on combo-heavy inputs and the juggling of characters in the air. Danger zones add a dose of, well, danger to the proceedings, and forces players to consider their placement far more than your typical fighter. It’s patented “Triangle System” also helps it stand out, placing a rock-paper-scissors-like game with counters, throws and holds. Everything moves extremely fast, and rounds are oftentimes over in less than a minute. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it’s fun.

But is it balanced? Not necessarily. There are some characters in Dead or Alive 5: Last Round that have a distinct advantage. Newcomer Raidou can easily stun any character with a few hits, while the cameo characters from Virtua Fighter come with a far more complex command system. There are a lot of mid-tier characters, but do not expect a fair fight overall.

So what’s new in Dead or Alive 5: Last Round? At first glance, not much. Menus are unchanged from Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, the Story Mode is the same, and even the characters movelists are virtually the same. A few new fighters make their appearance, including the drunken master/capoeira/Honoka-fu schoolgirl Honoka and the aforementioned Raidou. A few new stages make the rounds as well, each with lots of life, character, and outrageous circumstances. There are also some new costumes for both the dudes and the ladies, in case you ever wanted to throw down in a Santa outfits or some bits of string.

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round Review - Gamers Heroes
Dead or Alive 5 Last Round Review – Gamers Heroes

The online mode of Dead or Alive 5: Last Round did receive a new mode in the form of the Prize Fighter system. In it, players are awarded points after securing five or more wins. They then have to hold on to their title as long as they can, increasing their rank along the way. It’s a novel feature, one that is welcome in the online modes. However, something like Street Fighter IV’s Elite system would really go a long way.

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is not a bad game — just the opposite. The cast and crew of Gamers Heroes has spent countless hours throwing down with the cast and crew of DoA. However, there is not enough here to justify upgrading so fast after Ultimate. If this is your first foray into Dead or Alive 5, this is the one to get. However, those who already fought their way to the top might want to hold off until the inevitable revision.

This review of Dead or Alive 5: Last Round was done on the PlayStation 3. A review code was provided by the publisher.

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Life is Strange Episode 1 Review – Not Worth Living https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/life-strange-episode-1-review-not-worth-living/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/life-strange-episode-1-review-not-worth-living/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:51:52 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=41516 DONTNOD and Square-Enix had great plans to revolutionize the medium with Life is Strange, an episodic coming-of-age tale with a supernatural twist. Unfortunately, the game is an embarrassment to both storytelling in games and video games as a whole.

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Those that claim video games are a masterful medium for storytelling are often proven wrong by titles brandishing chainsaw guns and scantily-clad little girls. DONTNOD and Square-Enix had great plans to revolutionize the medium with Life is Strange, an episodic coming-of-age tale with a supernatural twist. Unfortunately, the game is an embarrassment to both storytelling in games and video games as a whole.

Life is Strange: Episode 1 Review

An embarrassment? Surely Life is Strange cannot be that bad, can it? Unfortunately, this most certainly is the case here.

For a game that lives and dies by its story, the one found in Life is Strange is a cliche-ridden, angsty mess. Players take the role of Max Caulfield, a teenage girl hoping to make her mark in the world of photography at the prestigious Blackwell Academy (which looks strangely like a high school, lockers and all). Of course, her life is rife with such struggles as homework, bitchy students, and homesickness. This normally would not be a problem — shows like Freaks and Geeks have handled similar storytelling elements quite well, but each and every character is one-dimensional, each meeting a different stereotype. You’ve got the punk youth who hides her feelings with hair dye and pot, the preppy student who doesn’t take any guff, and even the security guard who takes his job way too seriously.

This is made infinitely worse with the dialog these characters are given. Lingo is out of place and somewhat broken, as if an out-of-touch designer took to 9Gag and Tumblr to see what those kids are saying these days. The moment you hear the wallflower Max say “are you cereal” or “kek” is the moment you know something’s off. Life is Strange tries to hide this by name dropping cult movies and photographers, but simply mentioning Akira or Cannibal Holocaust out of context does not make for strong writing.

But surely the script of Life is Strange stands out, right? Wrong again. The plot of Life is Strange revolves around a random happenstance with our main character (not heroine) Max. After taking a shot of a blue butterfly in the women’s bathroom, she found that she could rewind time on a whim. Some might use this power to make a difference (just look at Edge of Tomorrow or Groundhog Day), but not Max. She uses her powers to get screwdrivers off the top of washing machines and master pop quiz questions. Though this is the first episode, the butterfly effect concept is completely and utterly squandered. Rather, the two hour plot revolves around Max grabbing a flash drive from her dorm, meeting up with an old friend, and taking a leisurely walk.

Life is Strange Review - Gamers Heroes
Life is Strange Review – Gamers Heroes

However, Life is Strange is still a video game at its core. There is little to no gameplay here to speak of however. Trailers and preview text proudly proclaims that Life is Strange allows you to create your own story and change the way the story goes. Despite this, there is a serious amount of handholding to be seen. Not only does Max’s inner monologue tell you everything you need to do, the camera will also conveniently zoom in on major set pieces. Failing that, large blocks of text fill the screen to make sure you won’t miss the next set piece.

Dialog choices aren’t much better. Life is Strange often gives players two choices, both of which do the same thing. The game almost always forces players to rewind back to the beginning of any conversation, just to find a magical “third” option has finally appeared. It’s forced, and makes it feel like you’re being pandered to.

Life is Strange is full of so much squandered potential. What could have been a great coming-of-age tale is hindered by bad writing, characters, set pieces, and gameplay. Those willing to give it a shot are better off playing better-executed cinematic titles like The Walking Dead or Heavy Rain.

This review of Life is Strange: Episode 1 was done on Steam. The game was purchased digitally.

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Super Galaxy Squadron Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/super-galaxy-squadron-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/super-galaxy-squadron-review/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:57:34 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=41421 The de-facto shooting genre, the shoot-em-up, is one practically begging for more gamers to undergo its waves of enemies and bullets. Psyche Studios and New Blood Interactive are filling that void with Super Galaxy Squadron, a "shmup" modeled after the games of old. The question is, should you take to its skies?

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Like to shoot stuff? Of course you do!

However, the de-facto shooting genre, the shoot-em-up, is one practically begging for more gamers to undergo its waves of enemies and bullets. Psyche Studios and New Blood Interactive are filling that void with Super Galaxy Squadron, a “shmup” modeled after the games of old. The question is, should you take to its skies?

Super Galaxy Squadron Review

Like the shoot-em-ups from days of old, Super Galaxy Squadron wears its inspiration on its sleeve. With roots tracing back to to classic shooters like Raiden and Aero Fighters, right down to its myriad power-ups and screen-covering bosses. Those familiar with these types of shoot-em-ups know what to do. Simply choose your ship, lay your trigger finger on the fire button, and shoot for survival amidst its kill-or-be-killed world. It’s gaming boiled down to its purest elements, one anybody can understand but few can master.

However, there are also a number of little wrinkles here and there that add to the proceedings. Super Galaxy Squadron takes things in a slightly different direction by making the gameplay far more defensive-based than offensive. Narrowly dodging bullets restores health, offering a solid risk-reward system. However, this does come as a stark contrast to its offense-happy combo multiplier system. Oftentimes it feels like one needs to choose between a healthy ship and a high score, which is made even worse when the screen is covered in bullets and enemies. The game doesn’t always play fair in this regard, but when it works, it works.

Super Galaxy Squadron - Gamers Heroes
Super Galaxy Squadron – Gamers Heroes

The whole shebang won’t take more than an hour or two for seasoned vets to blow through, but the draw of a higher score and a spot on the leaderboards is a definite draw. Its hardcore mode gives some added challenge to the proceedings, as its randomly generated Endless Mode. All of these things are welcome additions, but the inclusion of a co-op mode and an alternative 9:16 viewing mode would be the perfect touches to its frantic proceedings.

Those looking for an homage to the arcade vertical shoot-em-ups of the 80s and 90s will find a lot to like in Super Galaxy Squadron. It might not reach the lofty heights of its inspiration, but it is still a solid title for those looking to flex their itchy trigger fingers.

[signoff predefined=”Review” icon=”star-full”]This review of Super Galaxy Squadron was done on Steam. A review code was provided by the publisher.[/signoff]

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Resident Evil HD Review https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/resident-evil-hd-review/ https://www.gamersheroes.com/honest-game-reviews/resident-evil-hd-review/#respond Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:47:07 +0000 https://www.gamersheroes.com/?p=41371 The shambling undead are back once again in Resident Evil HD, a re-release of the survival horror game that redefined survival horror. With promises of HD graphics, improved controls, and other tweaks, should you pack your bags for yet another visit to the Spencer Mansion?

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The shambling undead are back once again in Resident Evil HD, a re-release of the survival horror game that redefined survival horror. With promises of HD graphics, improved controls, and other tweaks, should you pack your bags for yet another visit to the Spencer Mansion?

Resident Evil HD Review

Those who have yet to experience Resident Evil’s distinct brand of survival horror are in for a surprise with Resident Evil HD. Unlike the titles of today (or even later Resident Evil titles), proceedings in this game are far less forgiving. Corridors are narrow (but not linear), ammo and saves are limited, and death guarantees you a one-way trip back to the title screen. This is a game that requires careful planning and patience. Some may balk at its lack of handholding, and would write off its strict rules as cheap or outdated. However, those willing to really sink the time into it will realize that these features actually add to the game, emphasizing the “survival” part of survival horror.

That’s not to say that Resident Evil HD is absolutely impossible — far from it. Rather, the game is far more puzzle heavy, one that requires you to become familiar with your environment. Items are plentiful, but knowing what goes where is half the fun. The open nature of the game’s Spencer Mansion requires players to become best friends with the title’s map function (which is why it is mapped to its very own button). Some of the clues and items can be overly cryptic to first-time players, but there is nothing too taxing about the puzzles in play.

Resident Evil HD isn’t just about navigating through a maze of locked doors and inventory screens. Rather, the game prides itself on its action as well. Combat comes off less as a shoot-em-up spectacular than a means of survival, but fending your way through the undead can be quite a thrill. Fighting for your life against a speedy Crimson Head or a larger-than-life tarantula with a shotgun adds some much-needed action to the proceedings.

Resident Evil HD - Gamers Heroes
Resident Evil HD – Gamers Heroes

But lets say you knew all of that from playing the previous Resident Evil releases. What does Resident Evil HD bring to the table? Other than the touched up graphics (with widescreens support), the biggest change comes in the form of its alternate control scheme. The sluggish, tank-like controls that defined the series can be replaced with a free-roaming style that allows faster movement with the flick of the analog stick. While this certainly makes movement less of a chore, the fixed camera angles make it hard to move from place to place with ease. In a sense, it almost seems game-breaking. Other touches include the ability to play as a modern version of the titular characters, leaderboards, and more. These aren’t revolutionary features by any stretch of the imagination, but they are still welcome nonetheless.

Resident Evil HD is a remake done right. Rather than bend over backwards to please a new generation of gamers, it proudly sticks by its roots and is better because of it. Those looking to try something “new” should look to the past with this spot-on remaster.

This review of Resident Evil HD was done on the PlayStation 3 version of the game. The game was purchased digitally from the PlayStation Store.

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