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October 12, 2009: wallet threat level rock n' roll red
Brutal Legend is a dire threat to your wallet this week that merits its own color code. Rock n' roll red is a notch above regular red. It's like a wallet threat level turned up to 11. Check this space tomorrow for a review of Double Fine's deliriously imaginative, unforgettable odyssey.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a good, but not great game; consider it a wallet threat yellow. Another possible wallet threat is Machinarium (pictured, because you've already seen a million screenshots of Brutal Legend and Uncharted 2). You can go here for a demo of this $7 downloadable puzzle game about that adorable robot in the lower right corner.
This week's unknown threats include Way of the Samurai 3, the sequel to the widely misunderstood games that might be best described as SimYojimbo (if you don't get that, this probably isn't the game for you); the highly anticipated indie Wii platformer A Boy and His Blob; the videogame tie-in for Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are movie, which starts this Friday; and the less timely videogame tie-in for J-horror classic Ju-On: The Grudge, helpfully subtitled "The Haunted House Simulator" for people who wouldn't know a Ju-on from a Ringu.
By Scott Lewis at 8:38 AM ON 10/12/09
"Way of the Samurai 3, the sequel to the widely misunderstood games that might be best described as SimYojimbo"
By Richard J at 8:38 AM ON 10/12/09
> for people who wouldn't know a Ju-on from a Ringu.
Simple, the first played guitar, the second was on drums.
By Scott Lewis at 8:39 AM ON 10/12/09
"Way of the Samurai 3, the sequel to the widely misunderstood games that might be best described as SimYojimbo"
I didn't know a game like that existed!
By Mercanis at 9:53 AM ON 10/12/09
Richard J said:
"> for people who wouldn't know a Ju-on from a Ringu.
Simple, the first played guitar, the second was on drums."
Thank you, sir. You have made my Monday morning an order of magnitude better.
By Mihos at 10:06 AM ON 10/12/09
I disagree... Uncharted 2 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Brutal Legend
By ScoutAbout at 10:13 AM ON 10/12/09
Uncharted 2 is a "good" but not "great game. Are you on crack?!?!
By KeysE2S at 11:07 AM ON 10/12/09
" for people who wouldn't know a Ju-on from a Ringu.
Simple, the first played guitar, the second was on drums."
Except for "Dear Prudence", "Back in the USSR", and "The Balad of John and Yoko". Pu-ol played drums on those.
By luke at 11:38 AM ON 10/12/09
Way to sap all my enthusiasm for Uncharted 2, Tom. The first one is so good! What the hell happened to the sequel?
By BDGE at 12:06 PM ON 10/12/09
Wow, given your enthusiasm over Uncharted 1, I was expecting nothing but glowing praise for the sequel that everyone else with early access seems to call a major improvement. Very curious to see where Naughty Dog slipped in your eyes.
By AngryJonny at 2:55 PM ON 10/12/09
Uncharted 2 has a 97 on Metacritic. Sounds like a whole lotta people think it's better than just good.
By Tom Chick at 4:51 PM ON 10/12/09
Okay, that Ju-On/Ringu stuff was brilliant. You guys are aces!
As for Uncharted 2, yes, it's getting great reviews. Fortunately, there are differences of opinions about things like videogames, movies, and books. Some of us have to have the wrong opinions to keep the world interesting!
By Clayton at 5:25 PM ON 10/12/09
I come to this site to hear your opinion Tom, so I hope we'll be hearing more than just "Good but not great", I'm far from one to think you're somehow "bias" against the PS3, but I would like to know exactly what it is about the game that makes you an outlier among game reviewers.
By Ginger Yellow at 5:48 PM ON 10/12/09
"I'm far from one to think you're somehow "bias" against the PS3, but I would like to know exactly what it is about the game that makes you an outlier among game reviewers."
Dude, this is Tom Chick you're talking about. Being an outlier is what he does. And we love him for it.
By malkav11 at 7:45 PM ON 10/12/09
After being largely underwhelmed by the first Uncharted, I suspect I'm likely to be in Tom's camp on the sequel, but we'll see. (I didn't -dislike- it, it just focused on its least successful element - i.e., the combat.)
By obonicus at 8:37 PM ON 10/12/09
Well, maybe we'll see the post that finally dethrones that Killzone one. I'll be there to mention Far Cry 2. And probably NFS Shift.
By Lizard Dude at 10:54 PM ON 10/12/09
The interesting looking PSP game Half-Minute Hero comes out this week too. You should probably check it out, Tom, because one of the modes is a 30-second RTS!
By Chris at 9:56 AM ON 10/13/09
If you liked the first Uncharted, you'll love the second one. If you didn't like the first one, you'll probably not like the second one. Personally, I loved the first one, and based on the beta, know I will love the second one even more. Game of the year, IMO. I'm also picking up Brutal Legend, based on it's originality, humor and wonderful mood.
Chris:
If you liked the first Uncharted, you'll love the second one. If you didn't like the first one, you'll probably no...More »