Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City has officially made itself one of the worst Resident Evil titles I have come to play in a long time. Strong words for a title that deserves much more from a franchise that has set itself on the basis of atmospheric horror and mayhem. Terrible gameplay mechanics, a spotty online matchmaking system, and even a badly designed campaign storyline hardly add to the lack of things this title has to offer. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City could have had an element of shock and twist if done right, instead everything about this just gives a bad name to zombies worldwide.

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Commander Shepard slowly walks away from the spaceport window in glory, called to the battlefield once more to finally end the Reaper threat and take back earth. BioWare’s Mass Effect 3 seemingly is introduced as the finale and the grand exit of Commander Shepard in the planned and conclusive Mass Effect trilogy, but nothing is preventing this series from saga potential in the future. An entire new weapon arsenal, an innovative new inventory system, and not to mention deeper pre-save variables in the RPG action narrative and adaptation to play styles has made Mass Effect 3 a game that far exceeds the reach of previous title of the series in some ways. In other ways, however, Mass Effect 3 keeps to a formula which is too similar in terms of combat and the in-between of the game’s narrative which is lackluster. While multiplayer is lacking to respects of originality in cooperative mode rewards and transitory elements, Mass Effect 3 includes multiplayer for the first time which is more than welcome even if relatively mediocre. Mass Effect 3 has encapsulated somewhat of a vision that takes the core elements of the original Mass Effect and infuses it with newer graphics and improved gameplay for a relatively decent Mass Effect experience but certainly not the one most people have been looking to for heavy improvements for a final title let alone a dialogue journey.

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Final Fantasy XIII-2 is all about the search for Lightning in a journey through the vortex and magic of time and the consequences of fate. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is definitely one engaging RPG, but just comes off a little short in terms of its display of pure RPG elements that really elevate the gameplay to a whole other level. Decent action, and a lengthy and impressive storyline with more relaxed gameplay elements are incredibly effective, but something still seems missing in the long run with a heavily popular and anticipated title that could have been so much more.

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As many have you e-mailed and noticed, we are in the process of part of our server migration onto a larger network that is dedicated for our large readership. We felt this was not necessary at first, but are currently in way of doing this after noticing server hangs during a lot of you checking back for new latest game reviews.

When we return, no ETA at the moment, expect the Final Fantasy XIII Part II review. As for other reviews – we will not be covering The Darkness II despite previous coverage. The same can be said of Twisted Metal. We just do not have time for some titles, which is unfortunate but necessary.

Star Wars: The Old Republic heralds the collective embrace of the mythical and metaphysical binding known as The Force to a reality of the galaxy which took 7 production years in the making. This binding element introduced in George Lucas’ acclaimed Star Wars franchise relives with Star Wars: The Old Republic in the hearts and decades of devoted fans that have waited in patience for a Star Wars Massively multiplayer online game that holds true to the genre in terms of tradition meets reinvention. While Star Wars: Galaxies aimed to do some of this, it largely missed out in terms of its difficulty, uneven balance of character development, and lastly a lack of true community features. All the hard efforts by developer BioWare, makers of the Knights Of The Old Republic and Mass Effect franchises, has determinately been envisaged in Star Wars: The Old Republic through a level which is redefining and a prescience of elements that utilize classical Massively multiplayer online (MMO) game genre staples and combines it with storyline that is similar to Star Wars: The Knights Of The Old Republic in its excellence of style, attention to unique elemental and metaphysical surroundings, and an environment that is designed as beautifully as it is filled with people of different cultures in the Galactic Arms and the fight between the Light and Dark.

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Not only did we recently just receive Star Wars: The Old Republic in our offices (barring our beta coverage which was not sufficient enough for a title of this magnitude), but we have some more reviews for everyone in the way of SW: TOR (continual coverage when we receive our memberships), and also the Hauppauge HD PVR (we already recommend everyone get this for their HD filming needs or Justin TV streaming needs from FME 3.0).

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Sony has not only become one of the biggest names in film entertainment, but also one of the biggest publishers in the current industry for entertainment in the evolving interactive video game medium. As of 2010, Sony set out on a mission along with many other like-minded companies such as Samsung, LG, Panasonic, etc to provide mainstream consumers with what we term as the “3D-Craze” in stereoscopic display blooms. WhatIfGaming  has been devoted to all thing 3D and unlike most other entertainment publications has been covering 3D for more than 10 years since 2000 from conventions to 3D technology industry events (3DFF, etc). This means those 1950s DVDs with the 3D glasses. Naturally, when Sony released this product November 10, 2011, it was essential to cover this highly enticing 3D TV set for any consumers for Christmas season and holidays, especially given what Sony claims to offer. We have conducted the most rigorous tests anyone can on this $499 MSRP 24” Sony PlayStation 3D TV bundle using our 2 sets in-office for reasons of control, quality, and multisampling. While the Sony PlayStation 3D TV is enticing for consumers who cannot necessarily pay more for a higher quality entry 3D-TV set, it comes with some noticeable problems in the testing rounds which should serve consumers to think three times before purchase. Colors are not saturated accurately, the reflective glare of the LCD coating is an abysmal problem, and the very notion that the 3D is even being utilized for all purposes is generally missing despite the “FULL-HD” moniker. Sony has made a 3D TV that is decent for a 24” TV set if it were priced at $199-299, but something which does not feel like it is even worth half of what more superior entry-sized 3D TVs offer at $499.

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WhatIfGaming Game Of The Year 2011 Awards

The highway of our heart never ceases to the speed limit. Constantly becoming variable throughout the year, the speed of the thrills in newer titles and greater sequels have kept us seeing the wonders of a road that seems to be endless. Once again the highway creates memories which leaves us alone at the passenger seat of life looking out at the night sky of remembrance. Some of us have conquered the hype of ordinary titles, the injustices of mediocre talent, and those games which have shown a devotion to game design which is more about marketing than true gameplay throughout the year. Alas in the confines of these terrible titles, there are those which reaffirm the very nature of recognition and praise, those which dare immensely and conquer the year with their prowess.

It is with pleasure that we provide the millions of anticipated readers what they have been waiting for since the dawn of 2011: the video game industry’s most exceptional and gratified WhatIfGaming 2011 Game Of The Year Awards ceremony, presenting its official Game Of The Year awards before anyone else with a collective decision from industry experts and WhatIfGaming editors worldwide through its defined rigorous selection process which focuses on industry and developer recognition. The moment you all have been waiting for is finally here. Similar to the previous years, WhatIfGaming is first to give out Game of the Year Awards this year. See the Worst Game Of The Year and laugh at its shortcoming or weep for it, ponder about the cohesiveness of Best Script, or play through a title again to experience Best Voice Acting gone unnoticed by some.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Years to our beloved millions of WhatIfGaming readers! See you all in 2012.

The sound of guns and the call of your fellow soldiers perturb the air as the quick jolts of bullets whiz by in the air pockets away from audible sense. These are the sounds of Activision and Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and it is a title of realistic skirmish proposition. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 utilizes the same extensive and genius formula that made Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare an incredible success while taking the core foundational changes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops to reinvigorate life into a newer and greater title. Singleplayer campaign mode is extensively chaotic with large and daunting set pieces, multiplayer is the best it has ever possibly been with just the right fast-paced amount of new additions along with Call of Duty: Elite services, and the dauntlessness with which Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 lives up to its name by keeping integrity with all of the prior titles shines through like a beacon of design achievement.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is unequivocally not just a title which lives up to its expectations, but a title that is the best first-person shooter for every hardcore and casual player. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sees no shortage of shooter action and entrusts gamers with an august sense of thrill and graceful combat.

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Assassin’s Creed: Revelations reveals everything in a storyline epic title of the year that took more than five years to complete. Ubisoft Montreal has kept the same action as its incredible predecessor from Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, the title which focused on the next adventure of Master Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Multiplayer action is still fast paced while a bit more refined, and the singleplayer campaign mode is just as adventurous and bloody. Regardless of these aspects, single-player mode does suffer from a few inherent flaws but manages to make a title that is quite possibly one of the best Assassin’s Creed titles to date. Altair Ibn-La’Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze show the world that being an assassin is just the beginning in what becomes a title all about revealing everything in the secrets of the Assassin order.

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