HearthStone Review

Hearthstone Review

      Kid Safe: Very High (8.5 / 10)    Game Quality: Very High (8.5 / 10)

Genre: Strategy Card Game

-          This title focuses on a play style similar to things like Magic the Gathering or the original Pokémon Card game. Players will collect a number of different cards, each with specific abilities and strengths, and then use this deck to defeat their opponents. A variety of things come into play including luck of the draw, but a large deal of winning has to do with how a player strategically picks and utilizes their cards against their opponent.

Internet Requirements: Very High

-          Being a PC Title linked to developer Blizzard's Battle.net, players are required to stay connected to the internet at all times. Whether they are playing alone or against other players, an internet connection is required at all times.

Story Summary:

-          Hearthstone presents an entertaining issue from a story summary. Being a card game, you are not presented with a "story" per say. However, players are able to purchase and play in scenarios (the currently released one being called Naxxramas) which has a progression of enemies and creatures you to get through until you beat the boss. Theoretically, the game is set inside the World of Warcraft video game where the beloved heroes of THAT title are playing against each other with trading cards.

 

Kid Safe: Very High (8.5 / 10)

-          Foul Language: None

o   From what we have seen, Hearthstone does not contain any amount of Foul Language. Silly accents a plenty...but no foul language.

o   Special Note: While playing online, players have a chat option available to them. Use discretion while letting your player online as they are able to send and receive foul language via the chat function.

-          Violence and Gore: Low

o   Being a card game, you can naturally presume that Hearthstone has a limited amount of violence and gore. Regarding violence, players will be able to use certain attacks and abilities against each other. Things like arrows, vials of acid, magic spells, fireballs, etc. can be seen flying from one side of the board to the other. Players might then have a small splash of animated blood which emanates from the picture of their character, although no real physical damage or injuries are shown. Additionally, players will have access to "weapon" cards which look just as such: weapons. These cards will represent bow and arrows, daggers, axes, and more and are used to "attack" their opponent. Finally, most particularly in the new Naxxramas content, players will be able to see a number of undead monster cards which represent zombies and monsters. While not particularly grotesque, they are by definition walking corpses.

-          Sexually-Related Content: Very Low

o   Hearthstone, being a card game does not contain any notable amount of sexually related content. However, we do feel it noteworthy to mention that there are several female characters who are dressed in slightly revealing or scantily clad attire. While no nudity is present, a fair amount of cleavage may be.

-          Use of Drugs and Alcohol: None

o   To the best of the reviewer's knowledge, the game does not contain any amount of drug or alcohol usage.

o   Please note, with the constant addition of new content and cards, there is a possibility that cards referencing these items (most likely alcohol in the form of rum, whiskey, ale, etc.) may come into play, however at this time we did not find anything.

             

Game Quality:  Very High (8.5 / 10)

-          Graphics / Visuals: High

o   The Graphics and Visuals in Hearthstone do the game justice. You might imagine that there would be very little to do graphically for a card game, however you'd be surprised. While they don't go for photorealism, the comic-book style artwork is fantastic. Every card is unique in its design and appearance. Each card interacts with the board and the players differently. The different graphics for attacks like fireballs whizzing at players, cards exploding, ice spraying across the board, and more all make the game feel alive and interesting when in actuality, they're just cards.

o   On top of this, the player will get to experience a whole slew of different boards to fight on. This may not sound very interesting, however it adds just that much more fun and depth to the gameplay. The boards all represent different special locations from the World of Warcraft video game and can be fully interacted with. I think my favorite board to play on has a large catapult resting in the bottom right half of the screen that can actually be loaded with rocks, fired off, and reloaded. It's small details like these that keep the visuals interesting.

-          Audio: High

o   Again, Audio is another one that you might not think overly important or interesting for a card-game, but Hearthstone did it well. Utilizing a very simple soundtrack of gentle instrumental music to fill in the gaps, Hearthstone instead focuses its efforts towards sound effects and voice acting. Every hero that players utilize has a unique feel and sound to them. They all have different sayings that add personality without ever giving them live expressions or movements. Everything about the character that you would need to know comes through just through the way they speak to their opponent. Even better, a lot of the back and forth between the virtual card players can prove hilarious. I think one of my favorite lines from the Naxxramas line was with the mage versus the boss.

§  "You asked for it!" - Mage

§  "I most certainly did NOT!  You barged into MY floating necropolis!"

o   Aside from the voice acting, the sound effects added to the cards allow for an extra "oomph" to the gameplay. What fun is it to just "throw a fireball" if it just clicks off someone's defense points? Much better when that roaring ball of flame flashes over with a satisfying BOOM! when it hits. Overall, they did a great job in an area that could have been easily brushed over.

-          Gameplay / Playability: High

o   The question of Gameplay and Playability was a hard one for me to figure out. The reason for this is because the Game MIGHT not be for everyone. I'll explain. Being such a well made card game, it's definitely fun to play around with, but at the end of the day, it's still a card game. The attraction that draws many people to it is the idea of perfecting one's cards and strategies to such a finite point that you will always win against your opponents. This will only happen if you have the determination to play nearly endless games against other players. You will be rewarded by going up in ranking against other players as well as earning additional gold and cards, but at the end of the day; you're just playing the same decks over and over with the goal of being the best. For those that enjoy trying for perfection, fantastic...for those looking for more of a story arc... well.

o   On the flipside, and what made me decide to rate it higher, was because Blizzard HAS done something about this problem. With the introduction of the Naxxramas gameplay that I've mentioned before, Blizzard attempted to add more of a single story line that players can play through. While you might often still have to go back and tweak your cards and your strategies a few times to get through the storyline, it's at least something more to follow than simply trying to be the best of the other players.

o   Finally, playability. Have you ever heard of the phrase "Easy to learn but hard to master?" That sums up Hearthstone perfectly. They walk you through a nice, smooth tutorial at the beginning of the game, introducing every concept of play from timing to cards, to how to play them, what they do, etc. On top of that, once you are done with the tutorial, there are endless practice rounds that you can play to get a better mastery of certain heroes and their cards and even unlock new cards. However, once you start playing ranked games against other players is where it truly becomes difficult. Absolute blast of a game, but expect to put in a lot of time if you want to be great at it.

   

-          Dollar-Value: Very High

o   Overall, at least for the time being, I have to say that Hearthstone has a very high dollar value. To start off: it's free! Now, now, you might be saying to yourself, that doesn't mean anything...I heard there are in-game purchases. Well, you'd be right. Much like some other free games these days, Hearthstone allows you to purchase things in game. However, you don't have to do so in order to enjoy the game. Players will unlock gold as they play which can be used to unlock special gameplay modes called Arena fights, unlock more cards, and even gain access to the Naxxramas content without ever spending a penny. A little money out of your pocket might make things easier, but it's never required.

 

Recommendations

•  Hearthstone is truly a fantastic card-game adventure. If you are looking to explore the world it came from, I would check out World of Warcraft. It's another PC game and you can actually access it and play it for free up til level 20 through the same system you can play Hearthstone (Battle.net). If you are looking for more card-game fun, I would check out Magic The Gathering. There are actual trading card versions of this available, but I caution you that it can get very expensive VERY fast. If you're interested, check out the digital version of the game through Xbox, PC, or even your Android phone.

Check Out Hearthstone for Yourself by Clicking Here

Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings

Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Review

Kid Safe: Very Low (1.0 / 10)                           Game Quality: High (8.5 / 10)

Genre: Action/Adventure Role-Playing Game

-          As an Action/Adventure title, players will adventure and fight their way through the world while also finding alternate means of completing their tasks including battles, negotiation, and puzzle solving. Likewise, as a role-playing game, players will are able to create and developer their own unique character based on the decisions they make.

Internet Requirements: Low

-          Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings features a low amount of internet requirements and can generally be enjoyed without any connection to the internet. The only reason someone might want or need to use the internet is to acquire "downloadable content" in order to add extra gameplay hours to this title.

Story Summary: In Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, you take control of Geralt of Rivia, a professional

monster hunter in a fantasy world of kings, swords, and creatures, who has been framed for the murder of the king was once sworn to protect. Seeking to redeem his name and catch the killer responsible, you follow Geralt as he adventures through treacherous land and meet humans, elves, dwarves, and the hordes of vicious creatures which seek to make you their late-night snack. Will you be able to survive your hunt, find the killer, and bring justice to your the fallen throne?

Kid Safe: Very Low (1.0 / 10)

-          Foul Language: Very High - Not Recommended for Children

o   Witcher 2 features a very high amount of foul language in the form of the following words: "s*it", "a*s", "a*se", "f*ck", "b*tch", "c*nt", "p*ss", "b*stard", and "w*ore". These words very common throughout both cutscenes and gameplay from just about every character in the game; being heard regularly throughout dialogue amongst characters. This language is used in a variety of fashions and will be heard without any extensive provocation such as extreme anger or frustration.

-          Violence and Gore: Very High - Not Recommended for Children

o   Witcher 2 features a very high amount of both violence and gore. To start off, as an action/adventure, Witcher's gameplay focuses primarily on the usage of a variety of weaponry and magic to combat and most often kill your opponent. Players will be armed with a number of different weapons including, but not limited to, daggers, swords, hammers, maces, clubs, rakes, animal traps, and more. Players will also use magical spells that are designed to stun enemies or set them on fire. Players will fight a variety of enemies that include human and humanoid creatures like elves and dwarves as well as a wide variety of monstrous creatures.

o   When fighting enemies, it is the player's goal to deplete their enemy's health. Most often this results in the death of the player's opponent, although several exceptions exist in which the enemy will admit defeat. Players will swing with their weapons or cast their spells, most often resulting in yells of pain, jerks of anguish, and sprays of red to signify blood. When killed, enemies will often drop without real resistance. Players are also able to chop off enemy's limbs, however this does not create any excess blood or gore...they simply fall off.

o   Players will also be able to engage in one on one fist fights in certain sections which are significantly more brutal than the regular sword fighting. Players must used timed button presses to determine whether they do or do not hit their opponent. The camera angle is directly over the shoulder and tends to be a great deal more shaky, making hits feel a great deal more solid when the screen rocks from a solid punch. Likewise, whereas sword fights will denote hacking and slashing without real damage short of the red spray, fist fights will portray punches all across the body as well as hair pulling, kicking, throws, stomping, and a variety of other melee combat in an in-your-face style.

o   Aside from fights, a number of cutscenes will also feature moments of extreme violence and occasional gore. Several examples include: when the King is slain, he is grabbed from behind by another individual and has his throat slashed while his daughter is watching; while arguing with a marshal on the gallows, the lawman kills two criminals by kicking open their gallow-doors and letting them fall on their nooses, slowly hanging them to death (the corpses remain hanging from their nooses for a while). On top of this, while exploring dungeons and ravaged streets, you will often find bloodied and mangled bodies from individuals that lost their lives.

             

-          Sexually-Related Content: Very High - Not Recommended for Children

o   Witcher 2 features a very high amount of sexually-related content. This content takes place in sexually-related reference, full nudity, and depictions of sexual acts. There are several scenes throughout the game in which several women are depicted either topless or fully nude; some with and some without pubic hair for censoring purposes. One of these scenes in particular is literally at the very beginning of the game.

o   On top of this, Witcher 2 allows players to not only visit brothels throughout the various towns and cities that Geralt will visit, but also engage in sexual acts with the prostitutes that frequent them. Players will witness scenes of suggestive grinding, touching, and moaning as well as a variety of fully nude sexual depictions that include young women riding Geralt, being taken from behind, and more.

-          Use of Drugs and Alcohol: Moderate

o   Witcher 2 features a moderate amount of drug or alcohol usage; the majority of which tends to be depiction of alcoholic consumption. Players will often frequent bars, taverns, and inns which feature individuals in various states of drinking alcohol or with reference to individuals being intoxicated. On top of this, there are scenes depicting the usage of possible illicit drugs including one that features a cocaine-like substance being prepared and snorted by an individual.

             

Game Quality: High (8.5 / 10)

-          Graphics / Visuals: High

o   Witcher 2 features a definitively high level of graphics and visuals. Some of the games major strengths include the fascinating design of a large number of different monsters and creatures as well as excellent level and environment design; on the contrary, the game suffers from the occasional glitch as well as poor facial expressions. Starting off, you can tell the moment that you get into this title that the team put an INCREDIBLE amount of time into designing and realizing the entire world in Witcher. Not only will players be able to explore a number of different towns and cities, each with their own unique feel, look, and dozens of different homes and businesses to explore, but the details put into the buildings and environments alike is breathtaking.

o   Even more of a treat then exploring the world is fighting the enemies. Each different creature that you run into has been fully conceptualized and brought to fruition with flesh and bone (so long as they actually have flesh or bone). Every monster, whether dragon or sewer monster, is a treat to run into. You never know what you'll run into next and, while I don't want to spoil it too much, don't think you know everything; the team has developed a number of new, interesting, and nasty beasties that Geralt will have to fight for the chance to clear his name.

o   However, world and creatures aside, Witcher 2 suffers from two major problems. The first is the occasional graphical glitch. A number of these graphical problems include "holes" which characters get stuck on; one example being where, while fighting on a set of stairs, Geralt walked up and then suddenly "sunk" up to his knees in the stone stairwell, leaving him unable to escape. Aside from that, the facial expressions in the game need some work. While the team put an EXCELLENT amount of work into the monsters that Geralt faces, the same can't be said about the human-factor of the game. Many characters suffer from unbelievably stiff facial-expressions that make them look and act more like robots making a vague attempt at expression.

   

-          Audio: High

o   Witcher 2 features a high level of audio and musical quality. Some of the game's strongest features lie in its musical score and ambient sound effects while its weakest link lies in poor voice acting. So, starting with the good, Witcher 2 features one of the finest musical soundtracks that we've run into in a good while. The game features an impressive orchestral score for just about everything you can imagine from action to stealth to a simple neutral traveling tone. Yet, with each one, the music is grand in its delivery, lifting your spirits and always making the player want to push just that much harder. Each piece is also matched to the fantasy-feel of the game and tends to be very heavy in horn and string pieces.

o   On the contrary, the voice acting is a bit of a haphazard mess. While not all of the voice acting is a problem, in fact the game features the talents of both Damian O'Hare and Doug Cockle, it still needs work. Many of the unimportant and "off-characters" tend to have exceptionally poor voice work, sounding like someone is simply reading off their lines from a piece of a paper rather than attempting to portray any form of emotion or make their performance believable in any fashion. Likewise, these same characters tend to run into the problem being heard over and over as many "off-characters" repeat and reuse the same couple of lines amongst dozens of different people. While it's not debilitating to the gameplay, it is a mildly annoying distraction that tends to take away from the game's enjoyment.

-          Gameplay / Playability: High

o   Witcher 2 features a relatively high level of gameplay and playability; this is due to a very high level of gameplay but a moderate amount of playability. Starting off as always with playability, Witcher 2 has a couple of problems. While I have been unable to play the first Witcher title to confirm this belief, it would seem that the game relies heavily on the idea that players may have already experienced the first title. With the exception of battle and a few minor concepts or gameplay features, the game tends to expect you to either know how to control and navigate the game or look up how to do so. On top of this problem, the game itself tends to be a bit complicated when it comes to using all of Geralt's different skills and abilities and requires a good deal of explanation and maybe even a little studying to fully grasp how to play this game.

o   Now, while actually getting into the gameplay can be a bit of a rough start, once you do: the game is a blast. Witcher 2 features absolutely exceptional gameplay that seamlessly blends back and forth dialogue with sword fighting, magic usage, a wide variety of context-specific gameplay like using a ballista or attempting to calm a prisoner, as well as a huge number of mini-games that are used both to progress the story as well as provide player's the opportunity to relax from their adventures and win a little in-game money while they're at it. The game also focuses very heavily on player choice and, as the story progresses, allows players to make decisions throughout gameplay that will affect them both immediately as well as later down the road. A perfect example of this includes when I saved a group of people that were being rounded up to be killed by some corrupt soldiers early in the game. While I could have watched them die or even encouraged their genocide, I fought to defend the families who were set to burn. What resulted was a seamless recognition by several people down the road that remember me for my deeds and some who even rewarded me for going out of my way to help their friends and families. The entire game is like this and allows you to really make the gameplay experience unique to you.

          

-          Dollar-Value: Very High

o   Overall, Witcher 2 has a very high dollar-value. So long as you can get around and are ok with the exceptionally high amount of adult-rated content, this game will keep you going for a very long time. With already having over 20+ hours of gameplay and more to come with downloadable content in the future, Witcher 2 will most definitely stretch your gaming dollar. Not to mention the excellent visuals, heart catching music, and well-rounded and enticing gameplay options; Witcher 2 is an excellent choice for mature audiences looking to enjoy a fascinating story and the gameplay to back it up.

Recommendations

-          While not too many games will back up the clean, well-rounded gameplay that Witcher 2 has to offer, there are a couple we would recommend. First, if you are looking for a less adult-rated title, we would recommend Arcana Gothic 4. However, if you are ok with mature-rated content, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Sacred 2, and Dragon Age 2 would all be excellent choices.

Shift 2: Unleashed

Shift 2: Unleashed Review

Kid Safe: Very High                     Game Quality: Moderate

Genre: Racing Simulator

-          This game is characterized by the focus on racecar driving. Players will pilot a wide variety of different cars of all makes and models with a heavy focus on beating other vehicles in closed-track races. Street racing is not endorsed.

Internet Requirements: Moderate

-          Shift 2: Unleashed features a moderate amount of internet requirements in the form of online multiplayer. Players are able to engage in online races against other players using a variety of different vehicles. These races will actually build to the experience points and money available to the player in the Single Player Story Mode. It also features "Autolog" which allows players to share and compare their ranks in certain races.

Story Summary: In Shift 2: Unleashed, you take the role of an unnamed driver who is looking to make

his/her name in the world of professional racing. From there, you compete in a variety of different races on tracks and circuits from around the world in your attempt to become a world famous racecar driver. You will progressively unlock and be able to purchase a wide number of vehicles and tune them to your exact specifications to make your dreams possible.

Kid Safe: Very High

-          Foul Language: None

o   To the best of the reviewer's knowledge, Shift 2: Unleashed does not contain any amount of foul language.

-          Violence and Gore: Low

o   Shift 2: Unleashed features a low amount of violence and no amount of gore. As this is a racecar title, players are able to use their cars as a weapon against other drivers to impede or disable them. Players are able to slam their car into others in order to damage or destroy their opponents, although they are discouraged from doing so.

             

-          Sexually-Related Content: Very Low

o   Shift 2: Unleashed features a low amount of sexually-related content in the form of suggestive nudity. A number of women in the "pit crew" for your vehicle tend to wear low-cut tops that reveal a modest amount of cleavage.

-          Use of Drugs and Alcohol: None

o   To the best of the reviewer's knowledge, Shift 2: Unleashed does not contain any amount of drug or alcohol usage.

             

Game Quality: Moderate

-          Graphics / Visuals: Very High

o   Shift 2: Unleashed features a very high amount of graphical and visual quality, particular in concerns of the vehicles your pilot and the options available while you are driving. So, given that last part probably sounds a bit confusing, allow me to explain. Shift 2 has put a phenomenal amount of effort into the viewpoints available while driving. Players are able to race with a "top-down view", i.e. looking down at the car on the track, a "hood view", i.e. looking at the road and everything in front of the car as though a camera were mounted on the hood of the vehicle, and a "cockpit view", i.e. simulating exactly what it would be like to be a driver in the cockpit of one of these racecars.

o   The cockpit view is the newest and most refined visual design and deserves certain mention due to the intense amount of work that was put into it. The visuals act as though a camera is literally strapped to the helmet of one of the drivers. A driver's head will bounce around lightly, be shaken violently in the instance of a crash, and even look over at passing drivers or up at the rear-view mirror to keep track of other drivers.

o   Aside from the cockpit view, an amazing amount of work was put into the vehicle details. Every vehicle of every dealership from Ford to BMW are recaptured in excellent detail, and Shift 2 wants to let you know it. You are able to literally go into "picture mode" that will allow you to zoom in, out, and all around to take digital photos of your favorite vehicles. Likewise, while I don't recommend doing it in the midst of a heavy race, players are able to admire their vehicle from quite literally every angle while they are racing about the track.

   

-          Audio: Moderate

o   Shift 2 really has a moderate amount of audio quality that is mixed between generally boring, repetitive sounds to awesome, exhilarating music. So, starting off with the good, Shift 2 has an absolutely incredible soundtrack. Ranging from a huge variety of artists with a primarily rock and roll edge, every song gets you pumped up and ready to take the next victory in your hands. Each one is there for you and really builds up your excitement for the next track you have to conquer, the next opponent you need to pass.

o   And that is where the problem lies. Given the fact that this is a racing game and there isn't a lot to build tension or emotion short of the music, there should be a lot MORE music in the game. Instead, players are only rewarded with the game's excellent soundtrack for a short time after they beat a race. However, while players are actually racing, the only thing that they have to listen to is the endless drone of engines, the occasional metal on metal bash of a severe car crash, and the uncommon chirps of information from your friend trying to help you into the industry. From there, there really isn't much. It's just dead sound with the hum of an engine.

-          Gameplay / Playability: Moderate

o   Shift 2's gameplay and playability is, to be frank, a real mixed bag. I wasn't quite sure how to rate this one. On the one side, the gameplay, for those that really know vehicles and racecars, is exceptional; probably some of the best that I have ever seen in a racing game. On the other side, the gameplay is just so in depth and so heavily detailed that your average user will not fully grasp or be able to enjoy.

o   So, to really explain what we mean by this, Shift 2: Unleashed covers just about everything I could think of when it comes to racecar driving. Players are, obviously, able to select and purchase their vehicle from any number of different makes and models. From there, they are able to upgrade and tune EVERYTHING on their vehicle, whether it be to get a newer and faster engine, maybe upgrade the rods and pistons in their block, tune the brake system, or even dictate just how much weight and air pressure is being set to each tire. Did any of that sound confusing to you? That's my point. This title is ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT for anyone who actually knows vehicles, covering just about every point they could ever want. Yet, for that exact point, your average player, esp. a younger gamer, will have absolutely no idea how to handle or build their vehicle.

o   To the game's credit, it does include recommendations on how to handle certain situations, provide you a recommended "track" (dictated by colored arrows) to follow while racing, and explanations on what each tune or upgrade will do to your vehicle, but it just isn't enough. A lot of my time was dedicated to pure trial, error, and consulting a Nascar-employed friend of mine. From there, it was just slowly trying to understand the game mechanics and praying that I didn't need to upgrade or tune anything on my car in order to get ahead.

          

-          Dollar-Value: Moderate

o   Overall, much like the gameplay and playability, Shift 2's dollar-value is just a mixed bag. If you are big into the racecar scene and really like racing vehicles, this game is worth absolutely every penny. You will get a huge amount of very sharp and detailed gameplay, hours upon hours and game time, and a wide variety of both vehicles and upgrades to explore. Yet, on the flip side, if you don't know a great deal about racecars or vehicles, you will probably find yourself left in the dust with nothing but ongoing frustration as you try and figure out how to make your car do what you want it to do. So, in short, if you like cars, definitely buy it! Likewise, if you don't know alot about cars, it's probably best to wait til this one has come down a bit more in price.

Recommendations

-          As Shift 2 has a high amount of Kid Friendly-ness, we do not need to recommend any games due to mature content. However, if you are looking for other racing simulators, we recommend just about any of the Need for Speed series, the Forza Motorsports series, or the Gran Turismo series. Note: Forza is exclusive to Xbox360, Gran Turismo is exclusive to the PlayStation 3.