Patrick Connors @Trevelyan

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Xbox)

In the mood for a good old fashoned brawl? Look no further.

The Good
The graphics- Smooth, pretty and curvy.. Uhm.. Did I say pretty? The action- Non stop action, this game has. you'll have fun watching this game as much as you will playing it. Buffy's hard-hitting combo's (which require actual thought to execute, a trend which is thankfully catching on) will launch vampires and the like across the screen in style. Even when she's losing the same way in a fist-fight, you might admire the spiraling body effect from a hard-hitting roundhouse kick. You have to finish off every enemy in a unique fashon (usually stakes or the like), and the enemy has to finish YOU off in a similar fashon when your life bar is empty. This adds a lot of depth and suprise in a heated battle. I also enjoyed the plot, having never personally watched the T.V. show.

The Bad
First and formost: Buffy needs a shut-up-option. Seriously, A repetetive, annoying and usually unfunny comment is blurted out of her every 20 SECONDS! I found myself pausing and unpausing the game to blank her out half of the time. Annoying gameplay: Cheap deaths, cliche' game elements, bothersome 'puzzles' and everything else that seems manditory in a game like this are all here in full strut. Expect EXTREME frustration. Oh and by the way, why can't Buffy swim?!

The Bottom Line
Skilled players, enjoy an action packed title (as a rental, of course!) for a weekend of love-and-hate gameplay. (Why can't Buffy swim?! Tell me!) My personal review: 8 out of 10

By Patrick Connors on February 4, 2003

Battletoads (NES)

The hardest game of all time?

The Good
This game had fantastic graphical effects for it's time. The first boss was memorable with its suprising appearance. The 'Toads have super punches and kicks that are humorous and satisfying to watch. All of the levels are completley varied from one another, a feat nearly unmatched to this day.

The Bad
Holy crap is this game hard! I dare anyone to defeat this monster of a game without a sweat. This isn't normally a bad point, but this game is extreme in it's relentless nature. Trial and error are your 2 new friends here.

The Bottom Line
A fine title. I reccommend it to anyone looking for a challenge.

By Patrick Connors on January 29, 2003

Xenophobe (NES)

A poor attempt at every level

The Good
Not a whole lot. This game features a 2-player split screen, which allows you to pair up with a friend and get bored together.

The Bad
The graphics, sound effects, and gameplay are sub-par with any game at that time. The game dosen't end; you just keep going until you get tired of blowing up the same aliens.

The Bottom Line
Terrible. Add this to the pile of really bad, purposeless NES games out there. Review: 7 (out of a scale of 1 to 176) Serious Review: 3 out of 10

By Patrick Connors on January 29, 2003