Pads & Panels

Title: Doom II

Platform: XBLA

ESRB: M

Publisher: Bethesda

Developer: Id Software/Nerve Software

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

If Wolfenstein 3D was the granddaddy of the FPS genre, then Doom and Doom II were the cool uncles. The first Doom took the PC gaming world by storm back in 1993 when it first released, and ‘94’s sequel improved on the successful formula. Now, finally available on Xbox Live Arcade, Doom II is back with even more features than ever. The game was ported over with nary a hitch, but as an added bonus, this version of Doom II has a new chapter, “No Rest for the Living.” With great level design and intense amounts of challenge, this 9-level set stands on its own in the spirit of the original classic. In addition to that is multiplayer, which also features four-way split-screen local and online co-op, as well as the original deathmatch games. With the irreverent humor of every other episode, this is definitely one to pick up for Doom fans, except, of course, for those keyboard-only Doomguys out there. (more…)

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Chris Park spent an entire week running around Los Angeles to cover the Electronic Entertainment Expo. One of his stops was Nexon America’s booth to check out the publisher’s latest free-to-play games, including an in-depth look at the upcoming Vindictus. Park reports… (more…)

Title: Rocket Knight

Platform: XBLA (PSN, PC)

ESRB: E10+

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Climax Studios

Rating:

Review by: Kevin Haverty

Rocket Knight Adventures and Sparkster for the Sega Genesis often get overlooked, so it was a pleasant surprise that Konami dusted the IP off for a new game. In Rocket Knight, the Sparkster dons the armor again to stop the invading wolf army. Rocket Knight might look like a typical 2.5D platformer, but its vibrant style and jetpack-based play mechanics set it apart. And a few side-scrolling shooting stages are thrown in to cut monotony. But the game is criminally short. It can easily be finished in an hour and a half. Rocket Knight has some replayability, though, as gamers can try to reach the top of the leaderboard for each stage. (more…)

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Chris Park spent an entire week running around Los Angeles to cover the Electronic Entertainment Expo. One of his stops was Sega’s booth to check out the company’s latest games, including a whole lot of Sonic. Park reports… (more…)

Title: BioShock EVE Hypo Syringe

Company: NECA, ThinkGeek

MSRP: $15.99

Review by: Kevin Haverty

NECA continues to create detailed replicas and finally allows gamers to get their hands on EVE Hypo Syringes outside of a visit to Rapture. In BioShock, the EVE Hypo Syringe allows the player to shoot up glowing blue EVE that powers the plasmid abilities. The replica syringe is about a foot long, and a button on top activates a led light to give it a blue glow.

NECA nailed the art deco/steam punk style of the syringe. The artwork is complete with scratches and tarnishing as if it was picked up off the floor of Point Prometheus. It makes a great gift for fans of BioShock. Sorry diabetics and heroin addicts, but the needle is solid plastic, so it won’t be able to replace a real syringe.

For more info, www.thinkgeek.com

Pads & Panels received the product courtesy of ThinkGeek for review purposes.

Title: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Platform: 360 (PS3, PC)

ESRB: T

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft

Rating:

Review By: Eric Stuckart

After what was considered by popular opinion to be a misstep in the series’ canon, the Prince of Persia series has been brought back to its platforming roots. That can be taken with a grain of salt, for by going back to its roots the series is also going back to the insanely unforgiving traits of past games. (more…)

Title: The Great Anti-War Cartoons

Publisher: Fantagraphics Books

Writer: Craig Yoe

Various Artists

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

For such an ugly subject, war certainly has its fair share of artwork. From the small political comic to expansive works such as Picasso’s Guernica, war commentary in the art medium has come in all shapes, sizes and forms. Although Craig Yoe’s Great Anti-War Cartoons focuses exclusively on the political cartoon medium, there’s more than enough material, from a plethora of countries and political views. And these artists all share one idea in common – war is a horrible atrocity. It’s interesting to see some of the works here and learn their origins, because some of these artists actually risked their lives to speak their minds. In an insightful introduction by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, he sums up the book the best: “Let’s use these cartoons as a reminder of the horrors war brings, so that we won’t fall into the temptation of war again.” (more…)

Title: The Sixth Gun Issue #1

Publisher: Oni Press

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Artist: Brian Hurtt

Review by: Bill Jones

Upon first hearing the idea for The Sixth Gun at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, I just had to ask its creative team of Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt one question…

“So, it’s kind of like Lord of the Rings then, but with an all-powerful gun instead of one ring to rule them all?”

They couldn’t deny the comparison, but said once people read through the first issue, they would understand that it’s also something entirely different. The Sixth Gun’s description does sound a hell of a lot like an Old Western version of Lord of the Rings, though. The idea is that there was once a series of revolvers created with magical powers. One of those guns, the sixth to be exact, was more powerful than the rest. Now, that gun has resurfaced, and all of the evil forces of the world are uniting in an attempt to acquire it for their devious ends. And the gun itself holds some power over those who wield it. (more…)

Title: Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition

Platform: XBLA

ESRB: T

Developer: ACE Team

Publisher: Atlus

Rating:

Review by: Dan Braun

For lack of a better description, this bizarre first-person fighter is like playing a Salvador Dali painting, if it were written and directed by David Lynch. Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition is one of the most unique and creepily beautiful games available, and it is absolutely worth trying, despite some rather awful flaws. (more…)

Title: X-Men [TV Series] Volume 5

Format: DVD

Producer: Marvel Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Review by: Thomas Braaksma

There was a simpler time when children’s television screens weren’t a barrage of Hannah Montana, Zac and Cody and numerous other Disney abominations. The simpler times held greats like Batman: The Animated Series, Beast Wars: Transformers and even Power Rangers. Among these, standing tall was a cartoon of one of the greatest superhero teams ever created, the X-Men. Marvel has been releasing this stupendous animated series over five volumes, either as a marketing ploy to make more money, or just a way to spread the 76 episodes out for easier purchase…most likely marketing. (more…)