DadWithAPen.com (aka TheHungryHungryWriter): Glenn's Year End Video Game Review

I haven't really done a Video Game review in quite a long time. Since maybe April or May of this year I reviewed a baseball game and some others here and there. Here's a full blown review as I sit in bed watching Toy Story 2.

Star Wars Battlefront (XBox)
My Rating: 10/10

So what do you do on vacation when you’re sick? You watch movies and play video games ALL DAY LONG with your son. Bella has like three doll houses and a tricycle to keep her occupied which gives Jake and I some uninterrupted gaming during the day. And from Saturday thru Thursday what did we play? Star Wars Battlefront. It’s fairly a new game for us. We bought it a few weeks ago but didn’t get much time in on it. I don’t know why. He was more into some other games. But once both of us started playing we were hooked. Seriously hooked. And we ended up completing the game as we improvised our way from planet to planet. Finally I got serious one afternoon while he was taking a nap and got through single play all the way through. It was pretty easy. But easy didn’t mean fun. It was hella fun! It has to be ranked as one of my favorite video games I’ve ever played.

We were getting a little tired of the same old thing. In one week’s time Jake and I pretty much completed the game and most of everything it has to offer. There wasn’t much of a challenge anymore. So I decided to splurge and buy some new games on Friday…

Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball MAX'd
My rating: 9/10 (XBox)

This game should have strong appeal for Paintballers. For players who haven’t actually played the game with real Paint Markers and paint, they might get confused by all the equipment, game play and action. Especially if they are used to first person shooters.

Jake and I have been hooked. We got it on Friday and spent the afternoon playing pro teams and shooting cool markers. When I get a chance to play alone, I play in “Career Mode” and play tournaments all across the world and build up my gear bag with better markers, barrels, gloves and other equipment. It’s fast paced – a game can literally last 10 seconds – and it’s pretty accurate as far as real on the field play and video game play is concerned. I’m totally hooked on this game!

Unfortunately the graphics are mediocre and the trigger on the controller isn’t like the real thing, but you get what you get. And its pretty awesome.

I didn’t think Jake would be able to play as it is a little confusing. But he’s been wanting to play real paintball but has to wait like 10 years and he’s just as hooked at this game as I am. It didn’t take him long to figure out how to hide, snap shoot, nail the opponent and capture the flag! He even shoots as fast or even faster as his old man! A chip off the old block!

Star Wars: Battlefront II (XBox)
My Rating: 8/10

Another game we bought on Friday was Star Wars: Battlefront II. I can’t give this a fair review since I haven’t spent much time on it yet. It does seem a little bit more scenario oriented as its predecessor but the graphics are awesome and the controls are easy to use. It might be a harder game to play for Jake even after he’s mastered Star Wars: Battlefront. This one just might be a little bit too hard. But he surprises me so we’ll see.

One feature he loves is you can actually play a Jedi with a lightsaber. Its not as awesome as you might thing. Its just one of the Jedi running around wielding a lightsaber and destroying things. Personally, I like sharp shooting or blasting things with a sniper rifle or cannon.

Lego Star Wars (GBA)
My Rating: 9/10

Okay, I splurged on video game purchases on Friday. I bought three. I would have bought more. I would have. But I didn’t.

Again, I can’t give this a fair review since I haven’t spent much time on it yet. And probably won’t. Jake got a Game Boy Advance (GBA) from his grandmother (Donna’s mom) and got a mediocre driving game with it (Crazy Taxi). Graphics are bad and game play is below average. So I decided to get him another game. I let him pick and he picked this.

I played a few minutes and immediately was turned on by the graphics! I never liked hand held games due to poor graphics and eye strain, but this one made me want to get a PSP. The advance on these game models is unbelievable. I just might want a PSP for my birthday in fact. Anyway, this game looks and feels pretty close to the XBox version (which Jake loves) and is something that will keep his attention in the car on those days when he has nothing better to do.

One thing good about buying at Electronics Boutique is that you can buy pre-played or used games. And with your membership card you get additional savings. Unfortunately the Greg Hastings Paintball game was new so they didn’t have a used one. But the other two we got a pretty decent price.

My video game want list is here! Not that I’m a huge gamer, but these are what I’d like to play.