Review: Def Jam Icon

B-b-b-brawlin’

EA Chicago / Xbox 360, Playstation 3 / Mature

 

Anyone who’s ever witnessed a scuffle outside a trendy nightclub, taken a look at DMX’s arrest record, or sat through any number of movies where ass is kicked in a club setting knows that Hip-Hop and violence seem to find each other quite often. So, it was no great surprise when EA started making hip-hop fighting game series in a partnership with the Def Jam record label. It was surprising, however, that the series was actually good, thanks to the use of the developers behind the N64’s superb wrestling games. The Def Jam series has since evolved from wrestling game to brawler, to a stylized hybrid the likes of which we haven’t quite seen before known as Def Jam: Icon.

 

As with the previous games in the series, you make your own character with one of the better create-a-player modes you’ll find in any game. You’re a random dude who, after beating the crap out of a meathead in a club, is invited to work as an enforcer/producer for the record label owned by Curtis Carver, a once prominent force in the industry that has fallen on hard times. You’re soon introduced to the competition, Troy Dollar, played, in a downright confusing casting choice, by funnyman Anthony Anderson. You’re put right to work as a type of hired thug, and that part of your job doesn’t change at all as you progress up the ladder at the label. Even when you become a big-name producer, you’ll still be slapping around people to build your business. That’s right kids, every conflict in this game is solved by beating the holy hell out of those who would dare oppose you.

 

The fights themselves are set under a colored haze in environments that literally bounce to the beat. Each fighter picks a song from the licensed soundtrack and whoever is in command of the fight has their track of choice controlling the movements of the level. Using the environment’s movements and surges is essential to wining fights. Each stage has a number of points that make a dramatic movement at high points in the beat and can be used to deal a big blow to opponents. You also have some control over the environment as you can use a turntable-scratching gesture to trigger a high point and cause the stage to surge, hopefully hitting your nemesis. While this dynamic is certainly interesting for a time, you’ll need to pull it off over, and over, and over again to win all your fights, and there aren’t enough levels to keep it interesting.

 

The between fight setup is pretty much the same as last time with your guy being quickly told who he’s going to fight and why before being simply let loose like a bull in Pampalona. However, there is something new to do betwixt slobber-knockers besides shopping and playing dress-up with your hard fighting, hip-hop doppleganger, run a record label. Yes, your character is given control of a hip-hop label and, as a music producer, your primary duties are to sign artists, release albums, and beat the giblets out of people who get in the way of those first 2 activities. The music part of those duties are accomplished using the computer in your crib between fights. You will release albums from your stable of rappers, determine the marketing budget, then watch them shoot up the charts as you rake in the profits. You will also have to keep your artists happy by shelling out money for private planes, video games, and, occasionally, legal fees(seriously). As interesting as this may seem there isn’t all that much to do in running the business and what there is to do is generally idiot-proof.

 

If the career mode and straight up fighting isn’t so great how about online play? Alas, the game gets so unresponsive online it’s hardly worth the trouble. So much for that.

 

Even if the gameplay isn’t so great there are some positives here to keep people interested through the mediocre parts. The game looks great and has the same level of quality character models and graphics as Fight Night 3 with a sense of style that few games can match. Also, the soundtrack is great, if you’re into that sort of thing, and is completely uncensored. Every dirty word is there to make your pugilistic experience that much better.

 

If you like rap and fighting games and wish they could be somehow combined, then this is your game. It’s worth a rental even for fighting fans who are looking for something a little different. Just be warned that the experience looses steam quickly.

 

6.5/10

By Zack Rovinsky

 

 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 16

 

Overlord

360 PC Teen

A Pikmin knock-off that starts slow and suffers from iffy controls and a lack of  inovation. Sports more graphical fog than should be seen in a next-gen game.

6/10

 

Bioshock

360 PC Mature

A top-notch shooter with beautiful, deeply immersive settings and deep, nuanced gameplay. But the story isn’t all it could’ve been and it fades at the end.

9/10

 

Spider-Man 3

All Platforms Teen

Just as disappointing as the movie was. It’s essentially the same game they put out for the last 2 movies with the handicap of the 3^rd movie’s story.

4.5/10

 

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80’s

PS2 Teen

Nothing more than a cheap and dirty cash-in with less songs than, and recycled characters and venues from Guitar Hero II. Luckily the song list is good.

6.5/10

 

NCAA Football 08

360 PS3 PS2 Xbox Everyone

Fun additions to the already engrossing and newly renamed Campus Legend mode, and a robust set of replay options keep the college game at the top.

9/10

 

All-Pro Football 2K8

360 PS3 Everyone 10+

2K is back to challenge Madden without the NFL license. The gameplay and creation mode are sharp but there’s very little to do beyond that.

8/10

 

Madden NFL 08

All Platforms Everyone

All this year’s additions are gameplay-based and most work well. The rest is still the same old Madden. If you like it you’ll buy it and if you don’t you won’t.

8.5/10

 

God Of War II

PS2 Mature

No one does crazy hacking and slashing like Kratos, and he’s still the best with huge, inspired boss battles and a robust combat system that makes every fight fun.

9/10

 

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

All Everyone 10+

If you’ve ever wanted to tag along and perform menial tasks with Harry and his chums here’s your game. If you want something to actually play look elsewhere.

5/10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 15

Forza Motorsport 2

360 Everyone

The best sim racer, pure and simple. The races are tight and intense, the tracks and cars look great, the career mode is deep, and customization options abound.

9.5/10

 

Grand Theft Auto:Vice City Stories

PS2 PSP Mature

There are some interesting additions here, such as expanded hand-to-hand combat, but the PS2-era formula is wearing thin and this story is the thinnest of the series.

8/10

WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Wii Everyone 10+

A ton of fun with friends and even alone. The mini games are as wacky as ever, and the form system helps the wiimote movements feel right for each game.

9/10

 

Red Steel

Wii Teen

Imprecise controls and lackluster AI keeps the first Wii FPS from living up to the console’s promise. Most likely to go down as an interesting Wii experiment.

5/10

 

Need For Speed: Carbon

All Platforms Everyone 10+

More of the same from the top street racing franchise, not that that’s a bad thing. The racing is still fun, and the autosculpting and canyon races are nice additions.

8/10

 

Yakuza

PS2 Mature

The Japanese take on GTA has its moments: a good story, RPG elements, an ear-scalding amount of swearing, but the targeting system leaves much to be desired.

6.5/10

 

WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007

PS2 360 Teen

The control, graphics, and creation system benefit from next-gen power but, maddening gameplay inconsistencies and horrific load times mar the experience.

6/10 

 

Sonic The Hedgehog

360 PS3 Everyone 10+

Between the mind-numbing load times, the unwatchable cutscenes, and the moronic sidequests. The same camera and control problems still haunt Sonic in 3D.

4/10

 

NBA Street: Homecourt

360 PS3 Everyone

Still the best streetball game and still a ton of fun. The homecourt challenge mode is a solid and intuitive career mode and the video packages are facinating.

8.5/10

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 14

Kingdom Hearts II

PS2 Everyone 10+

A great sequel that fixes all the problems with the original and adds enough to keep the formula interesting. The best of both worlds from Square and Disney.

9.5/10

 

Tomb Raider: Legend

360 PS2 Xbox PC Teen

Learning from the mistakes of Angel Of Darkness, Lara’s latest romp revitalizes a faltering series while borrowing liberally from other games, but in a good way.

8/10

 

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

360 PC Teen

A possible sneak peak at the future console RPGs. Features a huge sandbox environment with tons of stuff to do. Purchasable extras may rub some the wrong way.

9.5/10

 

Rumble Roses XX

360 Mature

Slightly improved gameplay and visuals can’t redeem this flimsy excuse to show busty women in skimpy outfits and vaguely homoerotic wrestling situations.

5/10

 

The Godfather

PS2 Xbox PC 360 Mature

The largest game budget ever was not wasted in making one of the greatest movies ever into a game. A great deal of fun despite the issues that accompany any GTA clone.

8/10

 

Driver: Parallel Lines

PS2 Xbox Mature

Largely succeeds in taking the series back to its wheelman roots, but the on-foot portions are still trying to be too much like GTA, albeit with terrible audio.

7.5/10

 

Onimusha: Dawn Of Dreams

PS2 Mature

True to the Onimusha formula of hack-n-slash gameplay and spectacular cutscenes. The cutscenes are still the best, but the hacking and slashing is getting old.

8/10

 

The Outfit

360 Mature

A cartoony take on WWII that is more strategy than shooting. The formula is interesting, and works best online. Offline, the AI can’t support the gameplay.

7/10

 

Arena Football

PS2 Xbox Everyone 10+

Even for fans of Arena Football, the game is too thin in features and unbalanced in gameplay to provide much enjoyment. Non-arena fans will just be confused.

6/10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 13

Black

PS2 Xbox Mature

Criterion makes good on its promise of destructability and focus on the weapons, but the rest of the game doesn’t feel like all it could be. Plus new guns come slowly.   

7/ 10

 

Fight Night Round 3

360 Xbox PS2 Teen

The first game to truly feel “next-gen”, with unbelievable graphics on the 360. Otherwise it’s more of the same Fight Night, and that’s a good thing.        

9/ 10

 

Full Auto

360 Teen

Car combat in amazingly destructable environments. Tons of fun while showing the potential of next-gen hardware to create more interactive environments.   

8.5/ 10

 

25 To Life

PC PS2 Xbox Mature

It’s amazing that such long delays were needed to produce what is, essentially, a bad PS1 game. This game has no redeeming qualities other than annoying politicians.   

2/ 10

 

Perfect Dark Zero

360 Mature

Intended to be the leader of the 360 launch, in reality it’s a mediocre FPS that  disappoints because it doesn’t aspire to be more. In short, we’ve played better. 

6/ 10

 

Project Gotham Racing 3

360 Everyone 10+

Sets the tone for racing in the next generation not with better graphics, but by masterfully blurring, and at times erasing, the line between online and offline play.        

10/ 10

 

Ridge Racer 6

360 Everyone

Sticky physics and a lack of customization options doesn’t exactly scream next gen. This type of drift racing is likely on it’s way out. Stick to PGR 3.       

6.5/ 10

 

Kameo: Elements Of Power

360 Teen

A decent platformer for a system that’s not going to see many, but six years in the oven has raised expectations higher than what the game actually delivers.   

7/ 10

 

Star Wars Battlefront II

PS2 Xbox Teen

Bigger is better for Battlefront. Bigger stages and more vehicles, weapons, and single-player missions address some, if not all, complaints about the original.      

8.5/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 12

Dead Or Alive 4

360 Teen

Has expected character additions and graphical improvements, but a hurried launch left the game feeling incomplete. Can’t be to 360 what DOA 3 was to Xbox.

8.5/ 10

 

MVP 06 NCAA Baseball

Xbox PS2 Everyone

The new analog stick control makes a valiant effort to make up for the loss of the MLB license, but the fact remains that it’s still college baseball.

7/ 10

 

Soul Calibur III

PS2 Teen

A great sequel that takes a big step for fighting games by adding character creation. Only problem is the bulk of gameplay rests with the hit-and-miss RTS-style mode.

9/ 10

 

Condemned: Criminal Origins

360 Mature

A decent survival-horror game that makes great use of the 360’s sound and visual capabilities, but tries too hard to freak gamers out with creepy imagery.

7.5/ 10

 

Call of Duty 2

360 PC Teen

The 360’s best launch title. Improves production values and controls to create a more immersive experience than ever before. An adrenaline rush start to finish. 

9.5/ 10

 

Shadow The Hedgehog

PS2 Gamecube Xbox Everyone 10+

Sonic Team takes another stab at 3-D, this time with guns! All the framerate, control and other problems return along with new gun-related targeting issues.

5.5/ 10

 

Ratchet: Deadlocked

PS2 Teen

A new, arena-style, Ratchet that has its hits and misses. The combat portions work but the gameplay is a bit shallow without the platforming.

8/ 10

 

Blitz: The League

Xbox PS2 Mature 

Out of the loss of the NFL license something wonderful happened, the Blitz series rediscovered its anti-establishment soul. Too bad the graphics are so horrific.

8/ 10

 

Shadow of the Colossus

PS2 Teen

Like no game ever made before, made entirely of boss battles and huge spaces to explore. The new darling of the games-as-art crowd but it’s not for everyone, though.

9/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 11

 

 

Peter Jackson’s King Kong

All Platforms 360 Teen

A cinematic and engrossing, if linear, experience that is disappointingly short. As close as it gets to playing the movie, for better or worse.

8/ 10

 

Gun

Xbox Gamecube PS2 360 Mature

Simple and fun western shooter that just doesn’t have the variety needed to keep gamers coming back to and open-ended world.

7.5/ 10

 

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

All Platforms 360 Teen 

The merging of the last two NFS gimmicks makes for fun and varied gameplay, but the use of real video is a bit painful.

8.5/ 10        

From Russia With Love

Gamecube PS2 Xbox Teen

EA tried too hard to re-create the classic Bond film and ended up with a game that is deliciously heavy on ambiance but light on gameplay.

5.5/ 10

Battalion Wars

Gamecube Teen

The console update of the classic GBA Advance Wars series is a nice third-person strategy game with a horrific, near-unusable targeting system.

6/ 10

 

Ninja Gaiden Black

Xbox Mature

A directors cut with bonus levels, downloadable content, and a toned down difficulty. Good for those who were curious about the series but scared off.

8/ 10

 

WWE Day Of Reckoning 2

Gamecube Teen

A disappointing sequel to a better original. Tries to change too much about the combat system, and inadvertently mucks it up. The best wrestling is still on the PS2.

6/ 10

 

SOCOM 3

PS2 Mature

Still the best in squad-based shooting and the PS2’s online powerhouse. The only disappointment is the massive amount of graphical fog.

8.5/ 10

 

Serious Sam II

Xbox PC Mature

The very definition of mindless shooting. With a goofy sense of humor and simple mechanics, it’s sure to make Serious Sam fans happy.

7/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 10

Medal Of Honor: European Assault

X-Box PS2 Gamecube Teen

Tries to update the tired WWII genre with an open-ended approach and squad control, but the graphics are fuzzy, and it’s all been done before.

7.5/ 10

 

Fantastic 4

All Platforms

A decent beat-em-up for Fantastic 4 fans. The group dynamic and unique powers make for a more strategic experience. Just don’t expect too much of a challenge.

6.5/ 10

 

Advent Rising

X-Box PC Teen

A descent game with an above average Orson Scott Card-written story. Marred by framerate issues, an unusable targeting system, and repetitive gameplay.

6/ 10

 

Alien Hominid

PS2 Gamecube Teen

An excellent Newgrounds game turned improbable budget title. Think Metal Slug with cell-shaded style. A challenging and affordable retro experience.

7.5/ 10

 

Sid Meier’s Pirates

X-Box PC Teen

While the long production time makes this one show it’s age, the rest of the game is a thoroughly enjoyable RPG adventure on the high sees.

8.5/ 10

 

Forza Motorsport

X-Box Everyone

The perfection of racing simulation that adds two things GT4 desperately needed; car damage and online play.

10/ 10

 

Gran Turismo 4

PS2 Everyone

The newest GT seems lacking in innovation without the promised online multiplayer, but still wows with the great amazing physics, and graphics GT’s known for.

9.5/ 10

 

Juiced

PS2 Xbox PC Everyone

This is a competent street racer with some interesting online play, but the racing and customization have been done before, and better.

7/ 10

 

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down

PS2 Xbox Teen

A game based on a forgettable conflict that looks and plays like it’s three years old. Some hectic and laggy online play make for a bad tactical shooter.

2.5/ 10 

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 9

Darkwatch

Xbox PS2 Mature

An average FPS with a zombie-western theme. Basic shooting combines with some fun horseback scenes and oddly floaty physics to make something unremarkable.

6/ 10

 

Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

PS2 Xbox Gamecube Teen

A surprisingly good beat-em-up with a popular character. While the story is unremarkable, the titular ultimate destruction provides for hours of fun.

8/ 10

 

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

All Platforms Everyone

A broken platformer in the recent run of decent movie games. Expect a bad camera, repetitive objectives and frustrating jumping puzzles and candy combat.

1.5/ 10

 

Batman Begins

PS2 Xbox Gamecube Teen

A decent stealth-action game that centers on the goal of terrifying your enemies. Batman is back.

7/ 10

 

Madden NFL 2006

All Platforms Everyone

Madden is now the only show in town and the new features are minimal. The NFL superstar mode is a fun experience for those who don’t like franchise mode.

9/ 10

 

NCAA Football 2006

Xbox PS2 Everyone

The college game adds Race for the Heisman mode to counter Madden’s NFL Superstar.The new mode and the rest of the game is more accessible than the pros.

9/ 10

 

Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike

Xbox Teen

An expansion pack to a game that wasn’t very good in the first place. Only for those who liked GR2 and want more maps and missions.

5.5/ 10

 

Outlaw Tennis

PS2 Xbox Mature

A raunchy tennis game that tries too hard to be funny. While the gameplay is decent, the between point cutscenes get old fast, and slow down the action.

6/ 10

 

Conker: Live And Reloaded

Xbox Mature

A visually-beautiful update of the late N64 cult classic. Unfortunately the gameplay and story are essentially the same. Fun online play is the main draw.

7/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 8

God Of War

PS2 Mature

Hail! to the new king of the hack-n-slash. Does everything right with the genre and creates a top notch experience. P.S. Definitely not for kids.

9.5/ 10

Psychonauts

X-Box PC PS2 Teen

A delightful platformer from the god of adventure games, with tons of collecting, exploring, and other things to do. Brimming with cleverness and hilarity.

9/ 10

Jade Empire

X-Box Mature

An engrossing and beautifully set RPG with a unique style and all the familiar KOTOR mechanics. The highly touted real time combat, though, gets repetitive.

8.5/ 10

Enthusia Professional Racing

PS2 Everyone

Overly touchy but competent sim racing with innovative points system, lots of well-rendered cars, and a horrifically cheesy soundtrack of techno-jazz.

7.5/ 10

 

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict

X-Box Mature

Provides several interesting twists on the classic Unreal formula. New challenges and opportunity for strategy await veterans and newbies alike.

8.5/ 10

 

Predator: Concrete Jungle

X-Box PS2 Mature

A decent third person action game with a complex story. Everything from the combat to the graphics is simple and satisfying. A good romp for Predator fans.

7/ 10

 

LEGO Star Wars

X-Box PC PS2 Everyone

A fun little LEGO style romp through Episodes I, II, and III. Good co-op and simple gameplay make this the best Star Wars for kids.

7.5/ 10

 

MX vs. ATV Unleashed

PS2 X-Box Everyone

The same good racing action one expects from these games plus a variety of different vehicle types. Nothing new, but nothing bad either.

8/ 10

 

Fable

X-Box Mature

A fun, open-ended RPG that gives gamers what they want: a choice. Starts off slow but allows for hours of exploration. Also, a bit short.

9/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky