Demos Worth Downloading Part 2

Thanks to all for the approval of Part 1, I've gone ahead and added part 2. As with Part 1, these mini evaluations are an effort to be as objective as possible but some bias may seep through.I appreciate any and all feedback. I hope this is helpful
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Game: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

Available On: Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Size: 677MB

Summary: Naruto is back again and the titles are getting even longer. The demo starts with a story being told with slide shows and voice acting to create drama. This is a one player only game as you fight through three different bosses. Each time you beat a boss you get stronger and of course, so does your enemy. It’s a good way to show off the games progression. This Naruto game like you would expect is cell shaded but offers 3D environments. It’s not graphically amazing but the camera angles that come in during the special moves are great. The first level of the demo offers the help of two friends that jump in quickly at the press of a button. If you charge up your chakra enough you transform into a red animal-like creature which is more powerful and much more agile. The demo gives you an option to lower the difficulty if you keep losing, and I kept losing. The AI in this game was not giving me any breaks and I wouldn’t call this game a pick up and play. You’re going to have to read and learn how to play, there is a lot going on here.

Learning Curve: Hard

Worth Downloading: Yes

Multiplayer: No

ESRB: T
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Game: NBA 2K12

System: PlayStation 3

Size: 1.1 GB

Summary:

NBA 2K12 gets right to it starting you at the tipoff for 4 minutes of game play in casual difficulty. You play as the Dallas Mavericks hosting the Miami Heat. This demo is only for one player. The camera angle remains on broadcast even though a 2K angle would have been cool and you play only as the Dallas Mavericks. The game feels solid but the Mavericks might not be the best team to demo this, it would have been cool to play with some high flyers. Holding down the two trigger buttons allows you to throw the ball in front of you and creates a running momentum. It’s a great addition to the pace of the game. The post button is now a face button and I must admit I like the change. The game feels different from last year’s. There’s a different feel to the players and it feels refreshing. New face animations give the players a more accurate look and it shows. Having played the actually game I don’t think this demo does it justice meaning that the game is much better. This demo is just a tease watching Lebron dunk on your squad.

Learning Curve: Easy

Worth Downloading: Yes

Multiplayer: No
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Game: NFL Blitz

Available On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Size: 1.81GB

Summary: NFL Blitz, the only other game with the NFL License. They are back and I can’t tell the difference. I guess this game will be fun when you get all your online buddies to play with you. But as a demo, there’s nothing new here. I mean, even the announcer sounds the same if I look away from the TV. It’s that same voice, sound effects and presentation. The graphics have obviously been revamped so that’s a plus. Honestly it just looks like a perfect remake with added online features including co-op online but the demo only features up to four players locally. This is definitely a game you want to play with a friend. The game play is too played out to play alone. If you know anything about the Blitz series it’s a pickup and play arcade game, pass, run and turbo. The game is quick and fun game play but hasn’t changed much.

Learning Curve: Easy

Worth Downloading: Yes

Multiplayer: Yes, Local Only

ESRB: E10+
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Game: Ninja Gaiden 3

Available On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Size: 435MB

Summary:

What is this! The only good part of the demo was the Team Ninja intro, which reminded me that Dead or Alive 5 is coming out soon. I’m under the impression that people bought Ninja Gaiden 3 just to play the Dead or Alive 5 demo anyway. This game reminds me of bad Chinese food; how something has turned commercial and now its no good. You choose difficulty and then it starts with a cheesy cut scene in Hayabusa village with Ryu in regular clothes! They’re explaining the plot in the cut scene like he’s Sam Fisher or something. This game is all over the place you can’t help but laugh and rant at the same time. You jump off a building and you’re equipped with three different weapons. The game play seems washed down for the casual gamer; just a hack and slash button masher. The demo shows how the game is going to hold your hand the whole time. I don’t’ know if the graphics are what you would expect from Ninja Gaiden game. It’s very dark. You can barely see detail. The presentation is cheesy but good to make fun of, and the game play has changed drastically. Give it a try for a good rant and possible laugh.

Learning Curve: Easy

Worth Downloading: No

Multiplayer: No

ESRB: M
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Game: Rayman Origins

Available On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Size: 351MB

Summary:

Jump right into the cartoony world of Rayman Origins. It has superbly goofy graphics; a polish that squeaks. You can’t go wrong with this 2D side scroller. There’s strong and weak attacks and run and jump buttons. The game keeps surprising you swinging you around the stage not knowing what to expect next. Run with the top buttons like you would in a sports game, a comfortable choice. The in game momentum is quite enjoyable. Have fun pacing yourself throughout the stage. My favorite part was when those little fairies played music as I caught them. This game is fluid randomness. Jump, run and punch as you please but be careful because you’re far from invincible in this game. Just one or two hits before you’re using continue. The game play is so fluid and it’s filled with gloomy and vibrant colors so there’s never a dull moment. You might even enjoy just watching others play or add another controller and play co-op. You get to pick from four different characters including Rayman. In the second level you hop on a flying bug that shoots pellets or you can vacuum in the enemies and use them as ammo. It’s a fun game to try out. I can appreciate the effort that went into the graphics and smooth game play.

Learning Curve: Easy

Worth Downloading: Yes

Multiplayer: Yes, Local only

ESRB: E10+
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Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2

Available On: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Size: 414MB

Summary: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is back in episode 2, and for no good reason. I thought that Sonic Generations put the Sonic 4 series to shame and in doing so should have stopped this sequel. The momentum is still not fluid just as in the first Sonic 4. You would have to be a child to enjoy this game because Sonic fans wont. In the game Sonic seems to have a brand new pair of brakes, frequent stops and choppy moments of speed. Might I note that the camera is still zoomed which takes away from the game play. The only upside is that the game looks pretty, it’s vibrant and detailed. But that’s the only upside I promise. I’m running or better yet jogging through the first level and suddenly the screen darkens, my controller rumbles and it was over. The game demo reached its limit and with good reason. This is an easy pick up and let down.

Learning Curve: Easy

Worth Downloading: No

Multiplayer: No

ESRB: E

[coolbeans]

While I applaud (and approve) this effort, isn't it a bit odd for certain titles mentioned to have "Worth Downloading: No" when the blog title is "Demos Worth Downloading?"

[X-Factor]

Coolbeans: Yes. It is. It's very odd actually. I'm in a bit of a quandry on the naming. On my website that is what I named the page, but it's meant to cover all demos to help the reader, decide to download or not download.

So I want it to help gamers by saving the time of downloading a not so good demo, or at least one that I thought was not so good.

So, yeah, the title is not aptly named. In fact, now that you bring it up, it really is something I should consider renaming (at least on my site, or any future posts).

Thanks for your comment. I think you're right on.

[coolbeans]

Keep up the good work!

:D

[Emilio_Estevez]

Um....yeah, you should be submitting these to the front page, not the user reviews/blogs.

[X-Factor]

What is the front page?

[Hovis]

Where is the Darksiders one?

As far as I remember, it was like 1 hour long and a huge chunk of the game.

Other than that good list :)

[X-Factor]

Dr Stabwounds. What is the front page?