Happy Wars (XBLA): "Chaotic Warfare With A Comical Twist"

There is no doubt these days that war is truly one of the hottest, and most debated topics around. Often times you'll see news of the war in the middle east, and find that things in life are not always as pleasant as they seem. Even the video game industry seems to take their own stance on the subject of war with military based shooters that are all the craze these days. These more serious peeks into what is happening in the world can become somewhat disheartening at times if we dwell on it too long. Even so I'm glad to see that some game producers, and developers such as Toylogic are bringing us a lighter side of the topic of warfare.

In their latest free to play game, "Happy Wars" we find that war games do not always have to be the overly violent display that most of us have come to call normal. With a whimsical cast of customizable light, and dark armies this simplistic tower defense title comes to life with all the charm of a children's fairytale. Keeping true to the theme of war though, Toylogic pokes hints at the serious topic of warfare that is imbeded within the game. As such they bring to our attention the troubling nature that plagues all of mankind. Maybe one day we as humans will see our mistakes, and end our quarrels in a civilized manner. Until that time though when have fun games like this one to keep us entertained, and make the horrific reality that is war seem like it's only a bad dream.

Worms Revolution (XBLA): "Wacky Worm Hijinks Displayed in Brilliant 2.5D!!!"

Your favorite bunch of segmented cephalopods return in all their humorous glory as a fellow British nature enthusiast guides them to their ultimate doom, or perhaps their glorious destiny. Equipped with a wide array  of one liners, and wacky weaponry these creepy crawlies and their negative narrator are prepared for a battle of the fittest. There is no doubt there will be plenty of cartoon-like casualties as the worms blast, beat, and dragon ball their way to victory. This time around the usual crew of worms are joined by some new teammates further swaying the possible outcome of the fray at hand. Through hard training, and mayhem induced puzzle solving the new recruits will be able to dish out proper demise, or at least die trying.

Double Dragon Neon (XBLA): "The 80's Reborn"

The 80's were a magical time in history when the entertainment industry was at it's best, and most original. There were all sorts of awesome movies being released, the music was arguably the coolest, and video games were truly awe-inspiring. I grew up in the 80's myself, and was able to partake of the greatness that it had offered. Those who were as lucky as me will often tell you that they miss such days, because everything seemed so much simpler. As a gamer I spent most of my spare time in the 80's playing on my family's NES with my brothers. We played what seemed like hundreds of games, and never grew tired of doing so. We would revisit some games on a constant basis while certain others we would just conquer, and move on. One game we often revisited was "Double Dragon". I remember getting in fights with my brothers over the game, but looking back we did have our fun moments as well. It's memories like these that I cherish so dearly. Being able to do a review on the latest installment of the 'Double Dragon' series gave me a trip of nostalgia that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Dogfight 1942 (XBLA): "WWII Aerial Combat With A Somewhat Realistic Design"

I have played only a handful of war based aerial combat titles in my time as a gamer, and as such doing this review was in many ways a first for me. As a gamer, and person in general my knowledge of the wars is honestly limited. Being able to play a game such as "Dogfight 1942" sort of allowed me to broaden my horizons in that area though. The realistic nature of the character interactions along with the well played historical battles shed some light on the subject for me.With their latest creation City Interactive has delivered a gaming experience that is both interesting, and somewhat engaging. While I cannot confirm it, I believe that they actually went out of their way to recreate significant details with their campaign reenactments. Some of it I'm sure is probably more on the side of fiction, but at least the game is based on real events though.

Mark of the Ninja (XBLA): "A Hands-On Ninja Experience"

Ninjas are one of the most revered of all assassins. Hollywood, toy makers, and even game designers have all delved into the mystical world of the ninja. Over the years I myself have enjoyed such entertainment fantasies, and even once pretended as a child that I was a ninja. When it comes to the world of gaming Ninjitsu is just as fantastical as the delusions of grandeur that a child such as myself has entertained. I've seen a wide array of game titles in my time that encompass the many aspects of the ninja genre. During the NES days I spent long hours trying my best to master all of the "Ninja Gaiden" games. As I grew up I spent even more time, and money on game releases that also surrounded the mythology including RPGs, and fighting games. As gaming has evolved so has the portrayal of these historic figures. It seems that even passing time cannot dull the god-like mystique that these shadowy death dealers have become so famous for.

Kung Fu Strike: The Warrior's Rise (XBLA)

When I first watched the preview trailer to Kung Fu Strike: The Warrior's Rise months ago I couldn't really make heads, or tails of it. To me it looked like a an old school 3D brawler with slightly dated graphics. Regardless of my obvious biased opinions of the game I went forth with my request, and 7Sixty accepted it. I'm definitely grateful that they gave me the opportunity to review their game. As a reviewer there's nothing more exciting than venturing into uncharted territory such as a pre-release game offers. After getting the game, and doing as much of the playthrough as I could I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wanted so much to like the game, but there were some issues that aggravated me to no end. As a result this review will likely reflect some of that frustration, but in a calm manner. Before I get into those details though, please allow me to tell you more about this game.

DUST: An Elysian Tail (XBLA): "A Visually Stunning Masterpiece!!!"

Last year during my rise to reviewer fame I found a youtube video featuring a future XBLA game release that attracted my undivided attention. This game of course was none other than Humble Hearts (The Developer) debut title "DUST: An Elysian Tail". I put in my request for the game immediately after watching the teaser trailer. I knew this game was going to be something special, and I could not wait to get it even if I had to pay for it out of my own pocket. Thankfully the developer spared me the expense, and kept true to their word giving me early access to this totally amazing fantasy rpg/platformer. Today I bring to you my review of this breathtaking masterpiece that could very well be the best "Summer of Arcade" title this year!

HYBRID (XBLA): "A 3rd Person Hybrid Shooter"

If a developer were to apply similar gameplay concepts as those from games like "Killzone", and "Gears of War" they'd most definitely wind up with a game like "HYBRID". Staying true to it's title, "HYBRID" seems to borrow a little something from such games as the before mentioned titles. In that sense it's a lot like a hybrid itself. This 3rd person tactical shooter revolves around the scenario of an intergalactic fight for resources that includes an invading alien (Variant) army, and the humans (Paladins) who were thrust into a fight for survival as a result of the invasion. Alongside this reminiscent "War of the Worlds" plot is a unique online 3rd person multiplayer that combines cover-to-cover combat, and territorial domination strategies.

Pinball Arcade (XBLA): "Update"

Well it seems that the developers over at 'Farsight Studios' may have actually been listening to reviewers such as myself. This morning during my routine browsing of the Xbox Marketplace I found a fairly significant update for the "Pinball Arcade" game. This update was 88+ MB in size, and included fixes for the game's visuals, and other things that plagued the quality of the game. After downloading the update I set out to see just how much had changed since the last time I played the game.

Dungeon Fighter LIVE: Fall of Hendon Myre (XBLA)

When I hear the word NEXON I immediately think of mmorpgs. Not only do mmorpg based games pop into mind, but images of anime style characters and fantasy realms also come to thought. In all honesty I've never really followed PC games such as the Dungeon Fighter series too closely, but as an artist and anime fanatic I couldn't help but notice the ads that were placed on the gaming sites I frequent. I've always secretly longed to have a decent gaming PC so I could enjoy such games as the ones NEXON has produced. Even though my desire to game on a PC remains I'm truly glad that NEXON decided to bring one of their free-to-play rpgs to the Xbox 360 console. It allowed me, along with many other non-PC gamers to enjoy the delightful gameplay that the developer has been producing for years.

Zuma's Revenge (XBLA): "Amphibious Retribution PopCap Style"

When it comes down to delivering quality, and family friendly arcade style games no one quite does it like PopCap Games. Over the years I have spent countless hours with my parents, and siblings playing PopCap titles on the family PC. We have enjoyed a variety of different titles from the PopCap universe including games from the Bejeweled series, Plants vs Zombies, the Bookworm series, and even the Zuma series. My family will no doubt continue this trend as more games are released. In retrospect PopCap games have been a huge part of my gaming history. They are one of the few types of games that I will actually play on the PC, and are about the only types of games that my basic computer can handle. With that being said I'm definitely glad that the developer/s of these titles have brought them to gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360. While they were great on the PC, they are many times better on the Xbox 360.

Frogger Hyper Arcade Edition (XBLA): "Konami Revitalizes A Classic & Does It Right!"

If you're an oldschool gamer like myself then you've most likely spent at least some of your time playing the classic Frogger game. The first time I actually played Frogger was on one of those ancient PCs that are now as obsolete as obsolete can get. I recall playing Frogger at a school my Mother was teaching at during my childhood days. It was one of those fond gaming memories I'll likely never forget. I think that encounter with Frogger was actually the first time I had ever gamed on a computer, and is part of the reason I got interested in computers in the first place.

Anyways in a haphazard sort of way my point is that some games, regardless of their retro beginnings still have a flicker of life left in them. This is definitely the case with Konami's re-imagining of the classic Frogger game. They have once again breathed life into this almost forgotten classic. Not only did Konami revive Frogger, but they also did it the right way. Aside from the classic Frogger goodness that most of us know you'll find some additions to the game that make it many times better than it was to begin with.

Spelunky (XBLA): "Spelunky Goodness With a Next-Gen Presentation""

First, and foremost I would like to thank Derek Yu for the code. ("Thank you so much!") He endured my persistent hounding, which I now feel very sorry for. He seems to be a very nice guy, and was unfortunately put into a situation where fake reviewers were spamming him with code requests. Thankfully though he saw through my simple minded request, and gave me the opportunity to review his deeply impressive game. This game of course is none other than 'Spelunky'. Many reviewers have sought it as well as many gaming fans. I'm definitely grateful to have the chance to feature my review of this game on "OtakuDante's Gaming Inferno". Without further adieu though I present to you my review of 'Spelunky'!!!

The Walking Dead Ep.2: "Starving For Help"

Once again TellTale Games has delivered a horror masterpiece that pushes the boundaries on moral content, and decisions. Lee the hero of the first encounter returns with his handful of acquaintances along with Clementine, a girl who he has sworn to protect. The game itself literally picks up where you left off with the choices you made concerning the various characters still very much intact. Whomever you hurt emotionally, or even whoever you chose to save during certain circumstances will maintain the same feelings that they had since your last encounter. As the title suggests food has become scarce, and the stability of the group of survivors has been put to the test as a result. Trust is truly tested in this horrific tale that will no doubt have the player on the edge of their seats from beginning until the end. You'll find that Lee has to not only deal with new people that come into the picture this time around, but that he also has to try to keep the peace among his comrades. It's a difficult task that will have Lee (The Player) second guessing their decisions on a regular basis.

Jeremy McGrath's Offroad (XBLA)

I'm going to be honest with you guys. I had initially intended to skip this game, because of a youtube video I watched. I usually do not watch any videos, or read any reviews before taking on a game. It's a big no-no for reviewers to do so especially if they wish to begin the review of a game with an unbiased opinion. Fortunately I was still able to maintain a proper perspective of the game regardless of the circumstances. What I found as I did my playthrough of 2XL Game's (the developer) racing title was an extremely fun game that excelled in ways I did not think were possible. This goes to show that you should not judge a game solely based on how it looks in videos, or even on what you hear from others.

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 (XBLA)

In my earlier days as a video game journalist for this blog I was able to secure, and post a review of 'MTG: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012". Through my knowledge of the game I was ultimately able to convince the PR of 'Wizards of the Coast' to allow me to review their game. It was a huge step for me to take at the time, and one I definitely enjoyed venturing into. I've been a fan of the MTG card game for a long time, so being able to post a hands-on review of the Xbox 360 version was sort of a dream job for me. When news of the latest edition of the Planeswalkers game was announced I was seriously psyched! I had to try my best to get the game for review so I could see for myself the changes that had been made, and the new additions that were talked about. I also wanted to share what I found with you guys, and gals. Through some persistence, and determination I was able to score a review code close to the release date of the game. If it weren't for my contact I wouldn't be able to do this review, so my thanks goes out to 'Whitney S.'. Thank you for not getting annoyed by my persistent begging, and for getting me the code. I hope you like the following review.

Pinball FX2 (XBLA): "MARVEL PINBALL: The Avengers Chronicles"

Out of all the available XBLA titles I'd have to say 'Pinball FX2' is my absolute favorite. I have spent numerous hours trying to best my friends top scores, and have even entered several of 'Zen Studios' tournaments in the process. Pinball FX2 is the kind of arcade game that never gets old, and is always fun to play. It is a game that I highly recommend every Xbox 360 owner buy. You will definitely not regret it. You'll find that each, and every table/set that has been released has been of top quality. While some tables are better than others none of them are horrible. This is also true for the latest set of 'MARVEL PINBALL' tables ("The Avengers Chronicles").

As a reviewer I have been very fortunate to gain the support of the developer of Pinball FX2. To be able to review each and every table set that has been released has been one of the best highlights of my job. With that being said I would like to take a moment to thank Mel Kirk for his support. "Thanks Mel!". Getting back on track ... This latest set of tables features various tales from the 'Avengers' universe, and also includes new table designs and innovations that have never been seen in an arcade style pinball game. Out of all the 'MARVEL PINBALL' sets I think Zen Studios has outdone themselves this time around with "The Avengers Chronicles' pinball set. Each table in the set is not only unique, but is extremely well made. I found that I absolutely loved three out of the four available tables, and that the fourth one wasn't that bad. Without further adieu though allow me to share with you what 'MARVEL PINBALL: The Avengers Chronicles' is all about.

Bang Bang Racing (XBLA): "A Flashy Arcade Racing Game"

There are only a handful of XBLA game developers out there that really grab, and hold my attention with what they release. Digital Reality just so happens to be one of those said developers. While I've actually only played, and reviewed two of there titles (Skydrift & Sine Mora) those two games were so impressive that I ended up recommending them to my readers. When I caught word of "Bang Bang Racing", their latest XBLA title I hoped that the trend of excellence would continue. What I ended up finding was a flashy arcade racer that didn't play as well as I'd hoped. There were some elements that just didn't seem to work in the game's favor, and as a result kept me from enjoying the game to it's fullest. As I give the details of the game in my review I will try my best to explain what I mean, so sit back, relax, and prepare for the truth as told by yours truly ...

SEGA Vintage Collection: Monster World (XBLA): "A Retro Platforming Series That Withstood The Tests Of Time!"

Once again I find myself diving head first into a collection of retro game titles that were produced by the gaming giant, Sega. Growing up in the 80's, and 90's I did hear of the "Monster World" games, and I distinctly recall seeing an image from "Monster World IV" on one of my GameFan magazine covers. Yes I did buy those gaming magazines. I just couldn't help myself. It gave me a window into the gaming universe allowing me to see such games as "Monster World IV" even though I knew I'd likely never play them in my lifetime. The awesome thing is I finally did get my chance to play "Monster World IV" along with two of the earlier titles in the series. I count myself lucky that the Sega PR was willing to give me the opportunity to review their game. As a reviewer I do get some enjoyment out of my job, but ultimately my main goal is to inform my readers about the games I play. I like sharing my hands-on knowledge as well as giving my honest opinion on whether, or not  a game is worth spending your hard earned money on. You can't be too careful these days with games being released half-arsed.

SEGA Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co. (XBLA): "A Trip Down Memory Lane"

If you grew up in the 80's, or 90's it's likely that you have enjoyed some of the classic video games that are now classified as "Retro". These pixelated titles sparked an entertainment industry that has grown beyond anyone's wildest dreams. The innovations in game design seem to be forever changing, and evolving on a constant basis. While there will always be a demand for newer video game titles there will also be a demand for the classic titles as well. As gamers of the 80's/90's most of us like to revisit the classic game titles that got us interested in the entertainment genre in the first place. I definitely have a special place in my heart for the classic games that I played as a child. Being able to afford, and experience all that the wonderful world of gaming had to offer has shaped me into the video game enthusiast, and video game player I am today. Without babbling on to much further It's pretty much a fact that there were certain game companies that dominated this era of gaming. Among those classic, and still functioning companies was SEGA. Sega released several different consoles throughout the years including the 'Sega Genesis', and 'Sega Master System'. It was inevitable that they would eventually go back to their roots after producing games, and consoles for as long as they have. This is definitely good news for gamers like me who enjoy taking a trip of nostalgia back to the days when we were young.