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Hits:	669
Online Status:	OFFLINE
Member Since:	10 months ago
Last Online:	27 days ago
Last Updated:	5 months ago
Connections:	1
Forum Ranking:	Fresh Boarder
Total Posts:	5
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Contact Info

First Name:	Eric
Last Name:	Layman

Extra Info

Web site:	www.paraloop.com
Location:	Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation:	Senior Editor
Interests:	bipedal robots, androgynous flying purple jesters, shooting self in head to summon friendly demons, zombie eradication, etc
City:	Louisville
State:	Kentucky

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Last 10 Forum Posts

Date	Subject	Category	Hits
07/02/2008 12:58:06	Re:It's not dead...	Sony PlayStation 2	834
07/02/2008 12:56:41	Re:Chrono Trigger Revived for Nintendo DS (!!)	Nintendo DS	661
06/26/2008 22:00:17	Re:best.news.evar	Nintendo Wii	954
06/26/2008 20:45:34	Re:MGS 4 -- My lord	Sony PlayStation 3	1883
06/26/2008 20:23:29	Re:MGS 4 -- My lord	Sony PlayStation 3	1883

My Reviews

41 results - showing 1 - 10

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Persona 4

PS2

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Think of Persona 4 as a streamlined, alternate universe version of Persona 3. It shares enough mechanics for casual idiots to lament its alleged lack of innovation, but it contains a narrative so unique and characters so fully realized that it instantly renderd those complaints as meaningless. For a genre many have abandoned on a system most have already left behind, Persona 4 may unfortunately be the most overlooked game this holiday season. It's quite a shame, because it stands on the same pantheon as some of the best titles ever released on Playstation 2.

Let me put it this way; I have Fable II, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, Fallout 3, Gears of War 2, and Yakuza 2 sitting here, all still in their shrink wrap. I can't see myself cracking open any member of that crowd before the new year. Persona 4 is an ace.

Videogames

Gameplay	The Social Link system is so undeniably appealing you'll wonder why no one else has ripped it off yet. Demon/persona fusion is as intricate as ever, and the battle system has been refined to its absolute peak. Still, the constant grinding isn't for everyone and newcomers may get frustrated with Persona's untraditional approach.
Presentation	Top notch voice acting, inspired art direction, brilliant music, a gripping narrative, and memorable characters, all with an unapologetically Japanese flavor? Yes, please.
Value	It's quite easy to dump 90 hours your first time through. Then there's the traditional MegaTen goodies waiting for you in NewGame+.
Fun Factor	The previous entry excluded, you will not find a game like this anywhere else. Ignore the pretense and bloat that comes with the yet-to-be-realized potential of current gen JRPG's and embrace a title more worthy of your attention.

Overall rating:		9.6
Gameplay:		9.0
Presentation:		10.0
Value :		10.0
Fun Factor:		9.0
Tilt:		10.0

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December 03, 2008

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Last updated: December 04, 2008

King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga

PSP

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Such a careless attention to detail makes the PSP version feel rushed out the door. Why make a compilation of some of the most respected 2D's of all time if you're not going to forge a coherent versus mode? Still, there is plenty of content to keep you busy for a while, or maybe practice moves on the go so you can be ready for real matches back home.

Videogames

Gameplay	Classic 2D fighter action; challenging, fun, easy to get into but extremely hard to master. This collection features the first five in this classic, long running series. Multiplayer is an unfortunate disappointment
Presentation	Nothing fancy, just plenty of nice retro sights and sounds.
Value	Still a good bang for your buck, but it's twice as much as the console version.
Fun Factor	Something was lost in translation on the way to the PSP. These are great games, but this is not the preferred way to experience them.

Overall rating:		6.6
Gameplay:		6.0
Presentation:		7.0
Value :		7.0
Fun Factor:		6.0
Tilt:		7.0

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November 17, 2008

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars

DVDs

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I walked out of previous Star Wars movies with my friends and always found myself engaged in a three hour discussion of what went wrong. To the film's credit, the only thing we discussed after this film's end was whether or not Hutt's can reproduce asexually. While I can't vouch for the rest of the theater, the lack of any discernable reaction amongst the crowd, good or bad, leads me to conclude they echoed our apathy. Clone Wars is a harmless attempt at extending the series legacy, it belongs on TV and does well to set the upcoming series into motion. Unlike the prequels, the film firmly establishes its identity right from the get go; Clone Wars is aimed at younger viewers who don't have any reason to complain about its derivative plots, failed attempts at greatness, or other shortcomings. There's enough recycled mythos to satisfy diehard fans, but it's a kid's movie through and through. They're the ones whom are supposed to enjoy it - not you.

Movies

The Film/Show	Filler and Rehash, but still entertaining.
Presentation	Nothing to write home about, but it's sufficient.
Extra Features	A midly amusing commentary track, nothing else.

Overall rating:		4.5
The Film/Show:		5.0
Presentation:		5.0
Extra Features:		3.0
Tilt:		5.0

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November 11, 2008

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Transsiberian

DVDs

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Despite the questionable motives of it's characters and the left-field conclusion, I found Transsiberian to be entertaining throughout. It's a homage to films past, with red herrings to lead you astray and seemingly inconsequential details returning to keep you focused. Check it out if you're at all interested in thriller/suspense films, just don't expect much in the way of extra content.

Movies

The Film/Show	A little shallow in the sense making department, but gripping throughout.
Presentation	Solid, does a nice job of not washing out the characters amidst the onslaught of snow.
Extra Features	What extra features?

Overall rating:		5.5
The Film/Show:		8.0
Presentation:		6.0
Extra Features:		1.0
Tilt:		7.0

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November 04, 2008

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Midnight Club: LA Remix

PSP

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Perhaps the best compliment I can pay LA Remix is that it thoroughly appears that the development team's heart went into making this game. Ports are often void of personality and, frankly, feel as if the publisher doesn't understand what sort of budget is required to properly translate the experience. LA Remix, on the other hand, does indeed feel like someone actually tried to make a first class game. Whether or not that translates into fun for you is debatable, but any fan of racing genre should pick it up immediately, and anyone who can appreciate a quality title on PSP (of which there are almost none this holiday season) would do well to give LA Remix a shot.

Videogames

Gameplay	Very polished and plentiful arcade style racing. Repetitive, but such is the nature of the beast.
Presentation	Gorgeous looking game with an admirable frame rate.
Value	A lot to do and collect across two cities.
Fun Factor	The sense of speed is dazzling and the game is competent on all ends. The fun might fade faster than usual, but the initial ride is a blast.

Overall rating:		8.0
Gameplay:		8.0
Presentation:		8.0
Value :		8.0
Fun Factor:		8.0
Tilt:		8.0

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November 02, 2008

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Last updated: November 02, 2008

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

360

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Allusions to Burnout Paradise are inevitable, and, while they share some open world elements, Midnight Club opts for different approach. A focus on style, personality, and spontaneity takes precedent over crashing, takedowns, stunts, and memorization. General feelings of repetition and the exceedingly tough difficulty may turn off those not terribly in love with the racing genre, but everyone else should at least give the new Midnight Club a shot. It's extremely fast, always gorgeous, and a highly in line with the series roots.

Videogames

Gameplay	As easily loved as it is hated, but its finesse and polish can't be argued.
Presentation	Best yet rendition of Los Angeles, a competent soundtrack, and top of the line visuals.
Value	No real reason to go back once you're finished, but the career mode will take a while and there are always the online options.
Fun Factor	It takes a certain type of dedication to appreciate what some might an exercise in patience, but Midnight Club is still entirely playable from beginning to end.

Overall rating:		8.0
Gameplay:		8.0
Presentation:		9.0
Value :		7.0
Fun Factor:		8.0
Tilt:		8.0

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October 31, 2008

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LittleBigPlanet

PS3

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

For those who can appreciate where games have been and want a glimpse of the future, you'd be hard pressed to do any better than LittleBigPlanet. In a way it feels the years we’ve all invested in gaming have finally paid off with a unique appreciation for this wildly ambitious title. Creating a level can be a long, laborious path, but yields an incredible sense of satisfaction upon completion. You can one look at some of the user created levels and, finally, be conscious of the time and effort that went into constructing it, and then appreciate it as a piece of interactive entertainment. I can't think of any other game that's chosen to explore interactivity through that particular paradigm. LittleBigPlanet, unlike any other piece of current generation software, will change the way you play games. Don't even worry about telling your friends, just let them play it.

Videogames

Gameplay	Outstanding mechanics, one of the best physics engines I've ever seen, splendid cooperative play, and true "next gen" levels of interactivity.
Presentation	Nothing looks like this, nothing sounds like this, and nothing plays like this on such massive and inviting scale.
Value	Limited only by your imagination. As long as the community is thriving, LittleBigPlanet (or its successors) should be churning out four star levels for years to come.
Fun Factor	LittleBigPlanet is the realized potential of current generation software; it's not the revision of an existing formula or gimmicky motion controls, it's an evolution of interaction and a new perspective on integration. The actual game is worth the price of admission, but the creation/sharing concept is true next level material. The tools are nearly perfect, the tutorials are beyond sufficient, and the design...well, that's entirely up to you.

Overall rating:		10.0
Gameplay:		10.0
Presentation:		10.0
Value :		10.0
Fun Factor:		10.0
Tilt:		10.0

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October 28, 2008

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Buzz! Master Quiz

PSP

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Buzz on PSP is like ordering your favorite pizza and finding out they mistakenly laced it with anchovies. Is it still edible? Sure, you might like it, but wouldn't you rather have what you're used to? I can certainly see scenarios (car pools or hotel rooms) where passing around a PSP or hosting a game might be contextually appropriate, but a portable offering of a party game is hardly necessary otherwise. I really think some effort was put into this version of Buzz, but it's just not fit for portable gaming. Trivia aficionados may get a kick out of the single player, and it’s fun before the questions start repeating, but Buzz is still best accessed through your television.

Overall rating:		6.8
Gameplay:		7.0
Presentation:		7.0
Value :		8.0
Fun Factor:		6.0
Tilt:		6.0

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October 04, 2008

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Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone

PSP

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Despite a few nagging flaws, fans of tactics/strategy RPGs should buy Yggdra Union without question. It’s undeniably fun in its attempt to blend two seemingly divergent genres, and brings a substantial amount of originality to boot. Like last year’s Jeanne d'Arc, it succeeded in maintaining my interest in a genre that's usually next to last on my fun list. Whether or not it can attract, and most importantly, retain, newcomers is anyone's guess, but the drought of upcoming PSP software and inviting tutorial system certainly doesn't hurt its chances.

Videogames

Gameplay	A fantastic spin on a genre fairly resistant to change. There are a couple bumps in the road, but not enough to sabotage the trip.
Presentation	Stylish visuals and sufficient audio. Yggdra Union doesn't push the PSP, but it's adequate enough.
Value	Nine Chapters with over fifty battles. Multiple endings might increase the chance of another playthrough, but you can easily sink 40 hours on your first run.
Fun Factor	Yggdra Union should succeed at pleasing its intended audience, and should do well to entice newcomers, assuming the uneven portions and high learning curve are not high enough obstacles.
Tilt	I wanted the game to have an overall score around 8.5, thus I had to mess with this category to work that out.

Overall rating:		8.6
Gameplay:		9.0
Presentation:		8.0
Value :		8.0
Fun Factor:		8.0
Tilt:		10.0

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September 09, 2008

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Last updated: September 09, 2008

Warhawk: Operation Fallen Star

PS3

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Who thought we'd all still be playing Warhawk a year later? I'm amazed by Incognito's (or what remains of Incognito's) continued support of their studio's swan song. Operation Fallen Star further refines the gameplay and solidifies Warhawk’s' position as the go-to arcade action game for PSN. Jetpacks feel like a natural extension of Warhawk's style, and were exactly what the game needed to adrenalize the hardcore community and welcome back anyone who may have left the game behind. Time will tell if this adds up to another long term affair, but I haven't had this much fun with the game since the first week I played it. The Resistance, Killzone, and Socom sequels will surely eat away at Warhawk's audience, and this may be the last expansion pack, but Fallen Star may help carve Warhawk's niche well into 2009.

NOTE - While I filled in the numerical values for score categories, I didn't feel as if an expansion pack should be rated using the same criteria as our standard game reviews. Unfortunately I'm bound to the existing template, so the existing score values were inserted to reflect only the final score I thought this expansion pack deserved, a 9.0. I don't think numbers are always an accurate reflection of the review text anyway, but I thought I'd add a disclaimer for those who may be confused by difference from our usual rating.