Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Windows

3D Puzzle, Platforming

1999.10.31

Just as every Tomb Raider sequel does, TR4 takes a few good steps forward then promptly undoes itself with a handful of questionable things. Compared to the previous TR games, 4 is generally vague and meandering, its puzzles tend to feel non-sensical and lead to many frustrated moments of exhausting all possibilities until something works. Making progress in TR4 is a chore, attempting to make sense of the many sprawling stages wears me down quickly, and the near-total lack of variety leaves me feeling fondly of TR3's schizophrenic design. Hold off playing this one until you've finished the first three.

Pictured: Tedium.

Just ahead is another hole you'll be falling in.

You'll still get lost on a train, as ridiculous as that sounds.

Darkstone

Darkstone

Sony Playstation

Action RPG

2001.01.28

While fun and entertaining in its own right, Darkstone is a cumbersome game in a genre where there's a far better choices to opt for. The gameplay apes Diablo to the fullest, and the story is highly generic. Despite no serious flaws in its controls or UI, one constant irritation in Darkstone is the tendency to get snagged in doorways and corners. Outside this isn't an issue, but in the narrow corridors of the game's levels it's a common problem. Darkstone as a whole is unwieldy in all its PC mimicry, however it's comfortably playable. Try it if you're bored.

NBA Hangtime

NBA Hangtime

 Sega Genesis

2D Arcade sports

1996

NBA Hangtime is nothing more than NBA Jam with a character editor to play with, yet it's so much fun I prefer it over any version of Jam. Hangtime improves on Jam with a light touch of RPG elements, where winning games earns stat points to spend towards improving your custom character, ultimately turning your character into an unstoppable nightmare by the end of the season. All the famous flair of NBA Jam is present, flaming basketballs and impossible slam dunks included. Hangtime is likely the ultimate pick-up-and-play basketball game out there, and I definitely recommend it.

P.O.W.: Prisoners of War

  
 P.O.W.: Prisoners of War
NES

2D Beat 'Em Up

1988.09.xx

A clunky arcade port, POW is actually a lot of fun once you get used to the sluggishness. This is a typical 80s brawler, there isn't much difficulty, and what little there is stems from not knowing what's ahead. Once you get familiar with the levels, POW's difficulty becomes non-existent. The sound is adequate for a mid-life NES game, and the music, while mediocre is catchy and likable. POW plays better with the NES Advantage, otherwise the controller REALLY digs into the hands. This game is worth a try, it's not an excellent NES game, but it's fun.

Raiden III

Raiden III

Sony Playstation 2

2D Vertical Shoot 'em Up

2007.04.17

Although not a perfect arcade port, this is an excellent way to enjoy this great shump. Raiden III is a classically-styled arcade shump that recaptures the glory days of the arcades, prettied up with contemporary graphics. By default this is a challenging game, although the difficulty level can be adjusted anywhere from push-over, to ruthless murder. The score trial mode is extremely helpful, where individual stages can be chosen to practice, once you've cleared the stage in-game. Weapon types are varied and often contexual, adding a strategic element. Raiden III is a simple shump, and an enjoyable one at that.

Fighters Megamix

Fighters Megamix

Sega Saturn

3D Fighting

1996.12.21

The definitive 3D fighting game for the Saturn, Fighters Megamix is an addictive mashup of Virtual Fighter and Fighting Vipers, akin to SNK's King of Fighters series. Megamix is one of the most entertaining fighters ever, where juggling opponents, bouncing them off walls and smashing them on a flight across the stage is always satisfying. There's tons of unlockable characters, although it takes little effort to obtain them. The most interesting unlockable is to fight as the car from Daytona USA. Tons of fun and quite addictive, Fighters Megamix is a game that should be in every Saturn fan's collection.