nerd alert : broken sword | the shadow of the templars

Nicole is a journalist who has uncovered a dangerous lead linking the deaths of some very powerful men all over the world. As she investigates a recent terrorist attack who just killed her latest lead, she meets George Stobbart. George is an American tourist in Paris, and he is about to embark on an adventure that follows the last moves of the Knights Templar as they hide what remains of their great treasure.

Originally released for PC, the Broken Sword series consisted of 4 games released between 1996 and 2006. Shamefully, I haven't played any of them until this past weekend - and I will say better late than never because the first game in the series, The Shadow of the Templars, has set me off in hot pursuit of the remaining 3 games. This point and click adventure game doesn't lack anything in the puzzle department, and translates to the DS quite well - too bad that top screen was mostly a screensaver the whole time though! 

01/ cross ring $6.00  //  02/ knight chess pieces $5.00  //  03/ elephant $9.95  //  04/ skull cupcake mold $11.95  //  05/ clown nose $4.99  //  06/ paris manhole cover $24.99  //  07/ magic carpet $64.00

5/6 Toes // Overall

1 // Graphics
The game was originally released in the mid 90's so it is going to be judged by era. The illustrated style of the game goes well with the DS interface and it doesn't look like an older game on this platform (on a PC it might be a different story).

1 // Storyline and Characters
I'm not going to lie - the whole Templar thing was WAY overdone in the 90's/00's (come on - Gabriel Knight, Post Mortem...) but this may have been the first one, and since I don't have a timeline of all the Templar games in front of me I will let it slide. The main character George, is likable and you get a little tug and pull on whether he is good or bad in some situations. I originally thought Nico would be a toggle character, but you don't get to control her after the beginning of the game. Story-wise though - I couldn't put it down and loved every puzzle ridden minute of it. But seriously Nicole, what is up with those blue shoes?
 
0.5 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects
Nothing too stellar (it was the 90's) but I do appreciate they didn't change anything from the original. There are sound effects for all the actions in the game, and the cut scenes have additional sound - I did like the typing sound that accompanied the talking portions... but I would've liked talking more.

1 // Length of Game and Price
So for $19.99 at GameStop, this game entertained me all weekend and then some (about 9 hours total). so definitely would recommend. You can probably find it cheaper for PC or used - and I even heard a rumor its available for the iPhone.

1 // Replay Value
I could see this series becoming one I replay ever few years. It has good bones and I cant wait to see what happens next.

0.5 // Puzzle Difficulty
The DS version has a little hint cheat in the upper corner, I'm not going to lie - I was glad it was there and even used it once or, ok, twice. the puzzles were inventory and location based - but overall were more enjoyable than outright difficult.

nerd alert : zelda - phantom hourglass ds

You and Tetra (don't even think about calling her princess Zelda!) are out on the high seas looking for the legendary ghost ship and all the adventure that comes with it. The rumors of treasure have Tetra jumping on board moments after it comes into view. A scream send you after her... but the next thing you know you are waking up on a beach. (haven't we been here before Link?) Celia, a fairy of sorts, finds you and commits to helping you find your friend. You meet your new partner Lineback, who is usually not much help, but nothing can stand in your way! Fight your way through bosses to collect more sand for the Phantom Hourglass until you can finally defeat an evil that has cast a shadow over the entire ocean.

01/ link decal $5.00  //  02/ heart containers $5.00  //  03/ phantom hourglass DS game $11.99  //  04/ celia (Navy) earrings $15.00  //  05/ hourglasses $38.00  //  06/ boss key chain $3.50  //  07/ heart chest $165.00  //  08/ tri force earrings $12.00  //  09/ shield mints $3.99  //  10/ bomb bag $45.00  //  11/ tri force print $30.00  //  12/ link tee $19.95  //  13/ limited edition DS $499.99  //  14/ Rupees $25.00

This game is flat out fun. Like, can't put it down, dream about it fun. Link has his standard sword and shield, but there is also Lineback's ship that lets you explore the ocean, salvage treasure, go deep sea fishing and explore all the islands on your map. The split screen of the DS is especially helpful since you have a constant map displayed on your top screen, and you can make handy notes with the stylus. There are also a lot of creative uses of the DS features including the microphone! Also you get to play barbie with the ship, swapping out different hulls, chimneys, hand rails, cabins, anchors, etc...

5/6 Toes // Overall

1 // Graphics
Graphics are great, love the split screens like i said before it makes the map super easy to use and eliminates the back and forth between gameplay and secondary screens. I also really enjoyed the paper cut out style of the cut scenes, it was a nice way to make the look/feel different on the relatively lo-res DS screen..

1 // Storyline and Characters
Zelda & Link, together forever. Its the classic boy saves princess in distress - but Zelda (sorry, Tetra) had a pretty tough girl attitude in this game - she definitely wasn't playing the part of a princess in this game.

1 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects
Classic Zelda, don't mess with a good thing. I loved the microphone elements taking the interactive sound to the next level.

1 // Length of Game and Price
So I payed $29.99 for this game and I spent about 3 weeks playing through the story, mini-games and extras. Honestly I think I found all the treasure.Definitely was ready for the end so I could get back to life as normal - but I would be lying if I didnt tell you I loved every minute of it.

0.5 // Replay Value
There is lots of discovering to do in this game. And there are also lots of skill challenges that you can keep playing - archery, ship cannon targets, fishing. I dont think I would replay the whole game since it was epically long, but i might go for a boat ride from time to time.

0.5 // Puzzle Difficulty
Honestly the interior mazes before the bosses are my favorite. They are all based on sequence and flipping the right switch. They aren't terribly difficult, but you cant just cruise through without paying attention to the details. Did I ever feel stuck? no.

nerd alert : professor layton & the last specter

// from here

There is a monster in the town of Misthallery and Professor Layton has been sent a suspicious note from an old friend asking for his help in the investigation. Together with his assistant Emmy and apprentice-to-be Luke, Layton leaves London to see what can be done about the Specter. He starts to unearth clues; an ancient flute and an archeological dig to unearth a legendary golden garden.

This is the 4th installment in the Professor Layton series, and it solves the question of how Luke and Layton came to be such a formidable duo. I'm not sure I remember Emmy in the other 3 games, but I like her spunk. This game, like all of the Layton games, is a puzzle game - like, puzzles that are otherwise unlinked to any part of the plot. Let me try to explain...

Professor Layton : "Hello random townsperson of Misthallery"
Randon person : "Why hello, you look pretty smart - think you could help me with this puzzle?"

And then you get a nice puzzle to solve - it could be anything ... even something like "if a train left London at 12:15m traveling 56 meter per hour..."

Get the gist? There is a nice storyline and the characters are well developed - but the puzzles are why I play. Not sure if you'd like it? Play the free demo!

01/ scooter necklace $59.99  //  02/ puzzle workshop $70.40  //  03/ mouse pendant $10.00  //  04/ stove pipe hat $30.00  //  05/ Luke $19.99  //  06/ flute $12.95  //  07/ Vespa paper clips $7.98  //  08/ Hershel Layton $23.11  //  09/ Keats the cat! from the game  //  10/ dino ring $31.00

6/6 Toes // Overall


1 // Graphics
These 2D cartoon games are a cross between french (think triplets of Belville) illustration and anime. They are cute and cool at the same time.

1 // Storyline and Characters
Professor Layton, Assistant Emmy, and apprentice-to-be Luke are quite the trio traipsing around Misthallery looking for the facts on the Specter. There are a lot of secondary characters in this game to interact with as well, and some very frustrating villains to deal with. Find out who is playing the mysterious flute that follows the specters appearances like clockwork, work out what really happened in a mysterious suicide, get to the bottom of a local group called the black ravens, and help out 2 orphans who have more to do with the mystery than they are letting on.

1 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects
I always appreciate when characters are given voices - it makes them more real. The video and straight talking segments are very nicely done and the !! sound when you solve a puzzle is something you will be very glad to hear over and over again.

1 // Length of Game and Price
The game took me around 14 hours to complete. I know this because it logs your time next to your saved game (depressing and convenient). for $30 that's not too shabby (considering that's about 2 weeks of casual gaming for me).

1 // Replay Value
The puzzles arent really going to change, but it will take you a few times of replaying them before you memorize the answers. There is also a great mini game called "little london" where you create a character and try to create a little digital london life for yourself. Its addictive. 

1 // Puzzle Difficulty
Thank goodness for the hint coins in this game - because otherwise I would've been stuck more than once. There are a total of 170 puzzles in this game (if you can find them all!) and each one is great.

Nerd Alert : Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7

Harry is back in the land of Lego - ready to finish the saga and duel it out with Lord Voldemort. Throughout the game play, and replay not only as Harry and his friends - but all the characters in the story. Each character brings their own skills to the table. Oh and did i mention you get to play as their pets too?




01/ Harry Pillow $22.00  //  02/ Illuminating wand $37.46  //  03/ horcrux tie clip $18.00  //  04/ Harry Potter poster $15.00  //  05/ muggle born $13.99  //  06/ deathly hallows decal $7.95  //  07/ Hermione lego necklace $15.94  //  08/ up to no good notebook $16.00  //  09/ Dobby lego necklace $11.00  //  10/ accio keyring $9.95

Let me first say that I loved, LOVED the first Harry Potter Lego game for DS (read that review here) - I couldnt put it down for days and days... so I was waiting for this sequel to hit the shelves. And so the anxiously awaited Lego Harry Potter sequel came out - and I anxiously drove home from best buy, ran inside and snuggled up with my Nintendo DS XL.

I started playing and was confused...

"why does this feel so different?"  

"...why are there so few villains to kill?"
"if they are going to change the way you cast spells why aren't they giving me a tutorial"
"...oh that's how that's supposed to work?"
 "this is supposed to be a game where your character uses a wand! and i can play completely without the stylus!?"

and that last one people, that's the one you should be taking note of. the entire game can pretty much be played with no stylus. VERY surprising since the first game was very wand/stylus based, where you would draw different shapes on the screen to cast different spells. They even had a version of the game that came with your very own Harry Potter "Wand" stylus. Now its just point and shoot, and i couldn't be more disappointed.  

// from here

Also - almost all of the fighting in the game is via "duel."  I think this was done so you knew exactly who you were fighting for stronger storyline - not nearly fun as taking out dementors in years 1-4. I might need to try the Wii versions of these games to see if there is a huge disconnect in game play with those as well.
 
2/6 Toes // Overall 
1 // Graphics
The graphics are the same as the the first game so no complaints there.

0 // Storyline and Characters  

The characters are great, and i really like the addition of the pets. But the storyline (though great) was hard to follow even though I knew the story! There was no "how to" intro even though they changed all the game play controls.  

1 // Soundtrack and Sound Effects

Music and sound effects again are the same as the first game.

0 // Length of Game and Price

Compared to the first game, this one was very short. I played the whole thing in less than 10 hours. the first taking me over 20. The difference has a lot to do with the items hidden in each level. with the first game there was more you could accomplish - now you have to pretty much beat the entire game then go back with very specific characters. also, being new - at $39.99 this game wasn't cheap.

0 // Replay Value
I will replay it to unlock every item and every character in every level. but not with the same enthusiasm that i played the first one.

0 // Puzzle Difficulty

The puzzles in this game were not nearly as hard - the most complex levels require you to move light from one lamp to the next, or find items and take them to their designated area. you don't get to fly the broom very much, you didn't get to cast the shape spells, you didn't get to find the hidden hats and red legos until you replayed for the second time.