A Storm of Thoughts

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is categorized under the 'fighter' genre and it has both single-player and multiplayer mode.  The game is similar to the previous Naruto games but there are a few noticeable differences.  The story mode for the game has been enhanced quite a bit and they've added a few battles that are similar to free-roam.  Just like the previous game there are many boss battles and quick time events that keep you on your feet. The trophies are relatively the same as Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 in the sense that you must S rank all the battles and go through the story mode.  However, in this game there are a few differences when it comes to collecting things.  There's no real 'collection' trophies/achievements instead most of the collecting is done to complete the Ninja World Timeline.  You collect the missing chapters throughout the world and once you 100% the timeline you obtain the trophy/achievement.  There's also a multiplayer portion in this game (just like the previous one) and basically they have the same concept.  You choose your character and you fight against people online to boost your rank.  You also get to customize your Ninja Info Card (kind of like a player card).  The multiplayer is a great place to beat up your friends and to socialize with people on your friends list.  I have a few friends that really enjoy the anime and the game and thus we usually have little competitions among ourselves.  The online portion of the game is just as I remembered from the previous Ninja Storm however this time around there's no trophies/achievements for anything that has to do with multiplayer.  Therefore, this game is perhaps a better choice for someone who doesn't have/use their PSN/Gamer tags.  I personally liked the single-player more then the multiplayer because the graphics were amazing and the overall the design and 'feel' of the game really got me excited.  The game follows the story line from the anime Naruto and starts off from where the previous game ended (so I would recommend checking out either the anime or the previous games to get caught up on the story-line). I recommend this game to anyone who really enjoys a well put-together story line and might like to beat the crap out of their friends online. It was a pretty quick finish and was a bit difficult but compared to many other games this game was pretty easy to complete.
Sources:  Image taken from Google

Crashing the Castle of my Mind

Castle Crashers is a game for the Ps3 console.  The game is considered a Beat em' up and is really enjoyable.  When you first start the game you get to choose between 4 different characters.  The blue character controls ice, the orange one is a fire-expert, the green one is poisonous and the red one is the master of electricity.  Each character has some positive features but some (the orange and red) tend to be a bit more powerful when it comes to their magic.  Basically, throughout the game you're travelling around the map and playing through each level.  Some of these levels also let you rescue the kidnapped princess.  You can play with up to 3 other people but you all have to be different characters.  As you continue on through the game you manage to find pets (which give you certain 'power-ups') and you unlock different characters.  You may also manage to find different weapons which can either give you bonus defence, agility, magic or strength (however, they may also decrease either of these categories.)  While defeating monsters you level-up, after each level you get to use a skill point and put them in one of the four categorize as well.  This gives you the freedom of going down whichever path you want to; the warrior (strength), magician (magic), tank (defence) etc.  After you go around the map once you unlock insane mode which is basically a more challenging play-through.  The monsters are quite a bit harder and I recommend playing with at least one other person.  My experience with this game is that it is really fast-paced and sometimes difficult.  While the regular mode may not pose many difficulties I had quite a few difficulties with insane mode and had to get my friends to help me out.  The game also has two different aspects to it which are the Arena and the Volleyball matches.  If you go online you can either face an opposing player in volleyball or in the arena.  The arena has a few different game-types (catch the chicken to 'beef-up' etc.)  Overall, I recommend this game to anyone that liked other games such as TMNT, Scott Pilgrim etc.  The game is appropriate for all age groups and it would be a wonderful game to play at a group game night. 

Sources:  Image taken from Google

Just my Thought Bubbles

Little big planet is a PS3 game that is categorized as a puzzle platformer.  The game can be challenging at times and personally I have had quite a few difficulties with it.  A really awesome component of this game is just how much you can personalize the game.  You have a little sackboy that you dress and modify which ever way you like.  You gather different items in each level from prize bubbles.  Some of these bubbles can be tricky to get while other are just as easy as walking straight.  Each portion of the Little Big Planet world is different.  For example you have the Wilderness, The Temples etc. and each world poses their own challenges.  You also get to customize your own pod, which is basically like a little house for your sackboy.  You can also create and publish levels using the items that you found from prize bubbles.  I've had many problems with acing certain levels (required for a trophy) but if you keep at it you'll eventually get it.  Personally, I have had many problems with the boss battles and have found that most of them are based strictly on luck.  This game is perfect for younger age groups as well so it would be great for a family game night!  I find that LBP is a game that tends to be more entertaining when you have at least one other person playing with you.  Overall, I highly recommend the game and suggest that you try to stay calm while playing it since it can be a hair-puller!
Sources:  Image from Google

Entering My World

Many of you may recognize Kingdom Hearts as a game that was originally on the PlayStation (and PlayStation 2).  Finally, it has been 'remixed' as a game that is available for the PlayStation 3.  There's 3 games in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix however the third of the three games is just cut-scenes (from the original game) that you are supposed to watch.  The game revolves around 3 main characters: Sora, Donald Duck and Goofy.  The story-line for Kingdom Hearts Final Mix starts you off playing as Sora on this unknown world with a couple of other people and friends. However, you want off the island and spend the beginning of the game trying to get off by collecting parts for a raft.  Then a series of events occur and you learn out about keyblades and other worlds.  You end up having a boss battle and end up in another world called Traverse Town.  From there on your adventure begins and you gradually visit other worlds in order to collect the remaining keyblades.  All the while there are villains (from most of the Disney fairy tales) that are kidnapping the 'princesses'.  In each world there's a boss that may unlock other worlds that you must explore.  This game would be categorized as action-role playing and is one of my personal favourites.  I loved the games on the other consoles and when I heard that it was finally coming over to the PS3 I was very excited.  I'm currently on the first of three games and am cruising through the game.  The game brings back amazing memories and reunited me with some old friends.  It has an amazing story-line and builds a very strong relationship with each character that at the end of the game you just don't want to part with them.  The game-play is also amazing and is an amazing test of your patience and skill.  Some points of the game may get confusing (Alice in Wonderland World) but when you finally pass that part you feel quite satisfied with yourself.  I recommend this game to anyone that doesn't mind spending a little more time when it comes to finishing games and to someone that doesn't lose their patience easily.  This game can be a bit of a challenge at points but as long as you keep trying I'm sure you'll complete it.  I haven't started the second game yet but as soon as I do, expect a review.  
Sources:  Image taken from Google

Re-entering Uncharted Territory: With a Team

The last blog was an introduction to the single-player but seeing as how the single-player really does stay consistent throughout the game I decided to express my feelings about the multiplayer.  The Uncharted 3 multiplayer is a great place to socialize and refine your shooting skills.  Since you're playing against players with different skill levels it is a bit challenging at times but the more you play, the better you'll get.  When you start the multiplayer you're not going to have many boosters or good weapons to use.  However, as you level up and legacy (reach level 75 and then restart at level 1) you'll eventually get more useful boosters.  Keep in mind that once you legacy you'll return to level one and lose your boosters and any other competitive load-outs that you don't currently have in use.  The maps in the game have amazing graphics and features such as the water in which you can swim.  There's many secret routes throughout the maps that take some getting use to but when you play for a while you'll know them like the back of your hand.  The multiplayer offers many ways to customize your character.  Ranging from changing the colours of shirts, to adding hats and making your own emblem the multiplayer truly has many ways to express yourself.  The multiplayer also has both co-operative game modes and competitive game modes which make it enjoyable for a wide variety of players.  In general, the multiplayer is just as good, possibly better then the single-player and it's a must-play for anyone that owns a PS3.
Sources:  Picture was taken from Google.

Entering Uncharted Territories: Alone

Uncharted 3:  Drake's Deception is the third game in the Uncharted series.  It was released on the first of November in 2011.  The game is a third-person shooter that is packed with adventure.  Not only does this game have a cinematic single-player but it also has a very rich multiplayer experience.  My first impressions of this game was that it was going to be entertaining due to the fact that the first chapter in the game consisted of much humour.  In the first chapter you're introduced to the main protagonists and antagonists of the game; Drake, Sully, Talbot and Marlowe.  After the first chapter you play as young Drake which gives you the story of how Drake and Sully (Drake's best friend) met.  The beginning of the game is pretty easy but as the game progresses it seems to get more challenging in certain chapters.  Like the other Uncharted games, treasure hunting still plays a vital role in the game. Unlike, the other Uncharted games you don't see as much of any other side-characters and the main focus is on the relationship between Drake and Sully.  In conclusion, I would recommend this game for anyone that is looking for a fun cinematic experience, the graphics are amazing and the game-play is thrilling which has managed to keep me coming back to the series over and over again.  
Sources:  Picture taken off of Google