Reviews by Kryptic Centurion

All reviews - Movies (67) - TV Shows (18) - Books (6) - Games (30)

The End is everywhere.

Posted : 1 year, 9 months ago on 4 February 2008 11:00 (A review of Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars)

In terms of strategy games, there is none more renowned than the Command & Conquer series. Set in three different timelines on Earth which all provide interesting and addictive gameplay for all types of fans. The Original Command & Conquer game starts in late 20th century where an alien substance, known as Tiberium, starts to pollute the world. This story has evolved for over a decade now, following three major wars and the very fate of the planet at stake.

The third Tiberium War was recently witnessed by players in EA’s new sequel: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. The world has changed since the last war. Tiberium is literally choking the life of the planet. The world has been split into three different zone types classified by Tiberium infestation. Red Zones are totally uninhabitable and can no longer sustain life; this covers 20% of the world. Yellow Zones are more numerous, covering about 50% of the globe where a majority of the world’s population live, it contains tiberium crystals in random and various quantities. Blue Zones are the Havens on Earth, which is where the Tiberium hasn’t been able to reach due to the continual efforts of the world government.

The player has the choice between playing as the infamous cult, the Brotherhood of NOD, or the UN’s high-tech Global Defence Initiative (GDI) in the campaign mode. Both have their own goals which conflict with the other creating battles on massive scales. The GDI wants rid of the Tiberium infestation as it is ruining the ecosystem of the planet but NOD believe it to be the key to human evolution because of its mutating properties. EA have also added a new faction, which fits the mythos of the Tiberium series quite well. The Scrinn are an alien race coming to Earth to harvest the ‘Ichor’ (Tiberium). It is hinted that they sent the first tiberium crystals to Earth so they could harvest it years later once it took over. However, they never expected lifeforms to still be present and therefore see humanity as a threat so a three-way world war begins.

Each faction has been refitted with a new arsenal of weapons and innovative technology to aid their causes. While all unique, each faction has 3 different tiers of Units with varying power so the player can progress from basic weaponry to state of the art technology to best their opponent. You can also upgrade your units, which is new to the Tiberium Series; it was first used in the spin off C&C Generals. Upgrade your infantry’s armour, add a mortar to your scout buggies or even replace your tanks primary cannons with rail-gun or laser technology.

NOD strategy counts on hit-&-run tactics and so they rely on cloaking technology, chemical warfare and laser technology. GDI has the backing of the official world Government so it has the funding to rely on groundbreaking technologies like rail-gun emitters, sonic technology and the Ion Cannon. The Scrinn are an alien race and it is beyond obvious to say that the weapons they will be using are out of this world!

Multiplayer brings the usual online play between fans over the globe, with the ranking and clan system still intact. With the new C&C Online TV, replays and league tables are reviewed on a regular basis. This is an ingenious idea by the creators as it allows the players to get recognition for their efforts online and allow the fans to be updated on the latest news and reviews.

Command & Conquer provides the player with fresh ideas and new concepts for the modern RTS. With the series still expanding and popular amongst the die hards out there, it is safe to say that expansions and further instalments are in the pipeline.

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Grand Old Duke of York!!

Posted : 1 year, 10 months ago on 7 January 2008 04:00 (A review of My New Best Friend)

This is one of the greatest discoveries of late 2007. My friend had this show on DVD and one evening when we was bored, we slapped it on and it is absolutely hillarious.

Marc Wootton's characters are all hand picked to annoy the specific individual they are placed with. It really works. The looks on peoples faces and the fact that each situation is unique makes this a purely outrageous and funny beyond all reckoning.

There are so many moments to pick from but I believe the scene where Wicky invades Michael's room more than 10 times in the middle of the night just to talk to him is laugh riot central.

Please, please watch this show and give it the recognition it deserves.

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Rambo (A 4 minute short film by Max Moswitzer) review

Posted : 1 year, 10 months ago on 7 January 2008 08:59 (A review of Rambo (A 4 minute short film by Max Moswitzer))

Is this different from First Blood?


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Effect this!

Posted : 1 year, 10 months ago on 6 January 2008 03:09 (A review of The Butterfly Effect 2)

I'm afraid Scott Kuhl didn't watch this film as it is NOTHING like the first.

Yes, it has the same concept of travelling into your past. But the main guy is a selfish back stabber who has no redeeming qualities. I'm glad he ruined his life. There I said it.

Disgraceful.

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Mate, this is his hour!

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 3 January 2008 08:16 (A review of The Battle for Middle Earth II: Rise of the Witch King (Expansion))

As soon as I learned of the production of this expansion, I must say that I have never been so obsessed about a release date. I think it was July when it was announced and from then up until December, I was constantly scoping the net for information.

Slowly and surely, it all came to light. But I was wondering that the release date was quite early and the expansion may be made just to cash in!

And yes, it was. The start-upscreen was no longer animated, there was gaps and errors at every turn and the gameplay balance seemed to have died with the primary game.

C&C3 was being released in March and its made by the same company as ROTWK and so it suffered as a result. The moderators on the forums just disappeared aswell and so the game was soulless attempt at a decent expansion.

Massive let down, EA knows how to ruin a game series. Let's hope that Kane's Wrath doesn't suffer the same fate.

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WHOSE S*** ENOUGH TO GET LIGHTNING!?!

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 3 January 2008 07:59 (A review of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)

Definitely one of the best reasons to stay in at Uni. My housemates and I would connect up the four controllers and just play every level over and over. The drinking game made it even better!

You would do a shot when:

You got hit by the Blue Shell.
You got hit by someone with a Starglow.
Your screen goes black.

Everyone would do a shot when Lightning was applied!

Then at the end of the race, depending on your position. You would have to do that many shots.(So only 1 for the winner and 4 for the loser!)

Definitely the best of the series so far and I can't wait for the future installments.

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It is not actually endless.

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 3 January 2008 05:20 (A review of Zone Of The Enders)

I was experimenting with new games when I got my new PS2. I read a delightful review about this game which compared it to Xenogears, which was my current obsession of the time.

However, the game turned out to be more action than RPG. So there wasn't much of a story.

The game was also really short and had zero replayability. It was an obviously rushed onto the market.

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I can see a hurricane.

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 3 January 2008 03:41 (A review of The Butterfly Effect)

I was totally taken by storm when I watched this film. I only bought it on DVD because the deal was 5 for £30 and there wasn't much to choose from.

I got round to watching it and was totally surprised. The story appealled to me because the main character Evan was righteous in every action he made. He sacrificed everything to save his family and friends from horrible fates.

I've always wondered about what would happen if I changed my past at integral points and after watching this film I can see why and how it could be a problem. There is no constant when you change how things went.

I wasn't very happy about the cast to be honest but the story was what really mattered to me which is why I will always cherish this film. I often get ripped for liking this film (because of Kutcher) but that won't stop me liking it.

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Crash Crash Crash.

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 30 December 2007 06:12 (A review of Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex)

I was recently immobilized by the Flu and whilst my friend and I lay in our own misery, we plucked up the energy to get this game on the TV.

We shared a life and were going for 100% completion. But we never got there...

However, I've played and completed this game before and it provides addictive and diverse gameplay.

Most levels provide a new challenge and with the inclusion of the 100% thing made it all the better to best!

The villains are very hateable too making wanting to thrash them a constant goal in my life!

Great game.

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Still in Original Wrapping.

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 30 December 2007 06:31 (A review of Koudelka)

I bought this game with the intention of playing it once I had finished with Final Fantasy VIII but I never did. It seemed like a waste of an idea. I don't think anything could have been done to save it.

It just sits on my shelf, untouched and I have no drive to ever bother with it. It reminds me of a dream I once had, a dream I never want to relive.

It's a cross between a console-RPG and Resident Evil, when both are perfectly fine how they are: separate!

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