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The first game is Drakengard 2 by Square Enix. When I looked at the back of the cover, I saw some really amazing graphic (on par with Final Fantasy X, if not better) and since I am really big fan of the stories that Square Enix manages to create, I immediately bought it.
Earlier today, I took the game out for a test spin, and while the graphic in the intro was one of the best I've ever seen, the story (or lack thereof) made me go "wtf?".
It switched from scenes to scenes quicker than the Duracell Bunny on speed. Not that that was a big problem, really, as that happens a lot in Square Enix' games. But when you combine that with speech and text that doesn't seem to belong anywhere (and especially not with in connection to the shown scene), it makes me wonder what is going on, and where I fit into the story.
Anyways, the game is an action game, where you play an 18 year old boy named Nowe. Since birth he has been raised by a Blue Dragon, named Legna, and now that he is an adult, he has decided to join a gathering of knights called The Knights of the Seal. They are the protectors and guardians of a seal that has bound a mighty Red Dragon, that will destroy the world if it's set free.
You've just joined the brotherhood, and the game starts off by pitting you against an entire squad of senior knights, in a annual dual.
I won't go into further details of the story, but apart from the intro there is a really good story in the game, and one that it is definately worth buying the game for. Drakengard 2 also successfully combine standard swordswinging mayhem with aerial dragon warfare, and lets you use different characters later in the game.
The only negative points to the game is the confusing intro (I don't even think it would make sense if you had completed the prequel game first, most likely not), repetitive slashing (press the Square button repeatedly, and more often than not, you'll crush anything in your path), and a very unfitting voice-over. For some reason all the characters in the game speak with a stuck up British Harvard accent, that somehow is not quite fitting for warriors and the like. Priests? Fine. Headmasters? Of course. Kings? Alright with me. Lowlife scum? No. No. No.
All in all, I would recommend this game to fans of the action genre. Sure the gameplay can get a bit repetitive, but the story and colourful graphic far outweights that. And although the voice acting could have been better, it is by no means bad. If I were to rate the game, I'd give it a perfect 4.
The other game was Maximo vs Army of Zin by Capcom. I bought this game simply because I needed 2 games to get the deal, and I really wanted Drakengard 2. It looked somewhat good, but I didn't really have any high expectations.
Boy, was I surprised! Maximo is a 3D platformer that is created for kids. As such it has cartoony graphic and somewhat easy monsters and levels. But once you start to really take a closer look, it is amazing the level of details in the game! First of, the graphic is mindblowing. Cartoony, yes, but every face, tree, bush, and enemy has a plethora of details.
And let's not forget the equimpent in the game! Everything you have on you, from underwear to keys are all masterfully crafted on the main hero. Yes, you can see his underwear in this game, but it is done with humor. You have different levels of armor (4 levels being the highest), and if you drop all the way down to the last level, you will be fighting in your underwear alone.
The story in the game is quite simple, but doesn't really require anything more elaborate. You play Maximo - a king without a country - looking for your lost love, Sophia. In the first game, you struck a deal with the Grim Reaper (Grim, amongst friends), when you saved his domain. Grim will not let you die, as long as you can pay his price. A very interesting take on a continue credit system, that works really well.
One day while camping in the forest, Maximo is interupted by a screaming woman who is being chased by a mechanical monster. Grim kills the monster, and discovers that it was fueled by a trapped human soul. Burning up with rage, Grim wants you to find out who has dared do such a thing with the souls of the dead. And thus the game begins.
The game is split into sections, and you basically walk a path from A to B, killing monsters in your path, but there is much more to the game. There are a number of secret areas in each section, lots of hidden treasures and plenty of innocents to save. Each person you save will help you in one way or another, and it is often wise to talk to the same person several times. You also have wandering merchants that sell you upgrades. These upgrades ranges from magical underwear (No joke. Some underwear will start vibrating when there is a hidden chest close by, or let you equip the 4 level of armor.) to Hint scrolls and other useful items. Another very helpful group are the old guards. These men will teach you weapon skills that will unlock new attacks that mow down enemies in a whirlwind fury of sharp steel.
I can't really think of anything negative with this game. A perfect 5, if I ever saw one! Highly recommended!
Once get a newer computer, cause yeah have heard some good things about 2.
