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Review Round-Up: Skyrim, Modern Warfare 3, Zelda, More
We've officially reached the peak of the crazy 2011 video game holiday season, with the biggest week of the year for both releases and reviews. There was a lot to read, and it's likely you missed some of it, so here's a round-up of all of the new reviews that Game Informer put up this week.
Enjoy these excerpts and click through to read the full review.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, PC) - "When it comes down to it, Modern Warfare 3 meets expectations. The core elements of multiplayer and the campaign remain fundamentally unchanged, but the game serves as a great example of how many subtle tweaks can add up to an improved overall product. Even with the recent turmoil at Infinity Ward, the remnants of that team (in conjunction with Sledgehammer) have put together a worthy sequel to one of the most successful franchises of all time." -Dan Ryckert
Cave Story 3D (3DS) - " If you have already spent time with Quote traipsing about the caves, you may find yourself unimpressed. If you’re not familiar with his journey, though, and feel like you’re neglecting your 3DS, I recommend this version." -Kyle Hilliard
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3, PC) - " This is one of those games that I go into with a clear idea of what I want to accomplish, but somehow along the way find myself on the other side of the continent with eight hours of gameplay under my belt and no checkmarks next to my planned tasks. Skyrim ruled my life for two straight weeks, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a fixture in my gaming rotation for the remainder of the year. It's one of the biggest, most content rich games I've had the pleasure of playing." -Andrew Reiner
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii) - "Any minor issues I had with Skyward Sword pale in comparison to the game’s massive and undeniable achievements. It releases almost exactly five years after the launch of the Wii. Nintendo took a long time, but the publisher has finally proven that it’s possible to build a great, hardcore-friendly gaming experience around motion controls – something that’s fun and challenging without feeling frustrating or silly. That fact alone makes Skyward Sword a title that every gamer should experience." -Phil Kollar
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (360, PS3) - "The Metal Gear franchise has a long history and many exceptional moments. While this collection doesn’t give you the complete picture, it highlights many of the reasons this series has such a devoted following. The fight against The Boss, Colonel Campbell going nuts, the haunting tune as Chrysalis flies by – these are the kind of memorable events that define Metal Gear, and they are just as awesome as you remember." -Joe Juba
Otomedius Excellent (360) - "I am struggling to find anything redeeming about this game.... The pause menu reads, 'Return Game,' as opposed to 'Return to Game,' which is fitting considering that’s exactly what I wanted to do with Otomedius Excellent." -Kyle Hilliard
Rayman Origins (360, PS3, Wii) - "If you only know about Rayman from his affiliation with the now-ubiquitous Rabbids, that probably wasn’t the best introduction. Rayman Origins is the proper way to catch up with the character, who finally has a game that puts him squarely in the majors." -Jeff Cork
Saints Row: The Third (360, PS3, PC) - "It’s also good to see Volition continue to make the series less buggy with each installment. Occasional glitches will rear their head as you cruise around the new city, but they’re rarely more than cosmetic. Taking over Steelport as the 3rd Street Saints feels like a more focused effort than its predecessors’ campaigns, and it’ll keep you laughing throughout." -Dan Ryckert
Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) - "Super Mario 3D Land isn’t perfect, but the few complaints I have (like the lack of variety in boss fights and some re-hashed levels) can’t bring down this entertaining mix of nostalgia and innovation. It lives up to the level of quality set by previous entries and is easily the best reason to own a 3DS." -Bryan Vore
Sword of the Stars II: Lords of Winter (PC) - " I love the ideas at play here, but the horrific implementation adds complexity and obfuscation with little commensurate gain in strategic depth. I hope Kerberos’ constant patching (the week-plus since launch has already seen several updates) will eventually turn this into the game it could be. Right now, it’s a mess that everyone should avoid." -Adam Biessener
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