PS2

Right from the start, I sensed something was wrong. I think in any game, if you find yourself dead within the first five minutes of playing, that's a bad sign. That's exactly what happened to me in Oni.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence

Game Description: Set in the year 2032, Oni is the story of Konoko, an elite agent of the Tech Crimes Task Force who is on a quest to infiltrate and destroy a ruthless crime syndicate. The game puts the player in a world that can be imagined as a blend of action thrillers, such as La Femme Nikita, and classic anime, such as Ghost in the Shell. As the game progresses, Konoko wrestles with the terrible secrets of the underworld, confronts the frailty of her own identity, and discovers that she can trust no one.

Chi does a good job of covering most of the game's flaws, but I disagree about the curse of being a game critic. To me, the worst part of being a critic is actually having to play games like Oni.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence, Mild Language

Game Description: In a post-apocalyptic future where the nations of the world have splintered into numerous unstable factions, only the powerful Western Alliance can bring peace and stability once more. With an arsenal of powerful AGWS-class infiltration units at their disposal, these battle-hardened warriors have what it takes to rip off a quick CHM round and sketch the less-skilled predatory scum of the New World Order.

Playing Gungriffon Blaze, I definitely agree with Chi when he said that almost everything is done wrong here. The offenses taken separately by themselves aren't anything that would ruin a normal game, but there are just so many individual pieces that don't work. When you add them all up it makes for a pretty miserable experience, and a game that does not deserve to be purchased under any circumstances.

There are so many things wrong with Gungriffon Blaze, I barely know where I should begin. It's like a laundry list of how not to make a next-generation title.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence

Man, I really wanted to like this title. The minute I loaded the disc, I marveled at the stunningly clear introduction movie and drooled over the countless customizations for Armored Cores. I was even impressed by the mock e-mail system used to give characters life and progress story details. Suffice it say, the game had me the second I hit the start button.