A Barrel of Fun — Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze ReviewFebruary 26, 2014 by

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country makes its debut on the Wii U and proves once again that the big ape is still a Nintendo flagship. Challenging levels, brilliant design, and a plethora of collectables make DK's latest adventure a knock-out success. It might not be revolutionizing the platforming genre but Tropical Freeze will surely please anyone with a craving for 2D action.

by Travis Sokolowski


Side-scrolling platformers have become synonymous with the Super Mario Bros. franchise, and Nintendo clearly knows what side their bread is buttered on. When Retro Studios released Donkey Kong Country Returns on the original Wii, it showed that Donkey Kong still held a special place in the minds of gamers and that the DKC series was still home to top-notch platforming.

The sequel Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze takes everything that Returns did and repeats it with the same amount of care and attention. Running and jumping through the rich jungles and battling the evil forces of Antarctica hasn't been tempered with since the previous installment, and that both works in the game's favor but also keeps it from reaching new heights.

During Donkey Kong's birthday party, an army of artic penguins, walruses and other animals from the frosty regions of the world sail to DK's sunny island and cover it with a blanket of snow, turning the primate's home into a winter wonderland. DK must then return his island to its original, lush state and stop the mastermind behind it all with the help of Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky Kong.

The story is obviously not the main focus of Tropical Freeze; it's the gameplay that's the true star of the show. As stated before, the basic mechanics from DKC Returns haven't been altered to any large degree and the game is extremely accessible to newcomers. The gameplay might mostly be the same but that doesn't mean it's no longer a tight and focused experience.

Donkey Kong himself has been the primary reason the DKC games have felt vastly different from most of the other 2D platformers on the market. His weight keeps him running at a steady pace and limits his jumping height, but those attributes are enough to give the player a hefty sense of empowerment. After all, playing as bulky gorilla isn't the same as an Italian plumber.

Bouncing off of enemies' heads, swings from vines, and riding wild rhinoceroses are all necessary methods of traversing the dangerous stages. Carefully planning each jump accordingly is a skill that you'll learn to master over time and the constantly changing variables keep the action well-paced. There's almost not a single moment in Tropical Freeze where you're not moving.

Most of the enemies can be dealt with using a simple knock on their thick skulls, but not all of them will go down without a fight. The Viking-like penguins and intimidating walruses will often wear armor and carry deadly spears, meaning you'll have to stun them first with a ground-pound attack. Combat isn't deep by any stretch of the imagination but it keeps the encounters fresh.

Some of the best moments in Tropical Freeze are found in the mine cart and rocket barrel levels, which rely on your fast reflexes and full attention. The unfortunate thing is that there are only a handful of these levels and they don't last very long on top of that, but the rush of exhilaration that they provide manage to make up for their short length and limited selection.

Each of the six unique islands has their own theme and most of them are outrageously original. One of the game's highlights is an island that is packed with giant fruit and it would be a crime to spoil the content. Of course, that is only scratching the surface of what DKC has to offer and everyone is most likely to find something to love about the game's consistent variety.

The classic duo are ready for action.

The classic duo are ready for action.

DK can only take two hits from an enemy before he bites the dust, but having one of this fellow mammals ride on his back will give him two addition hearts of health. Not only will DK take more damage with the help of the Kong family, but all three of them offer special abilities that can make a quick escape easier than everprovided you have enough bananas, that is.

After freeing one of the characters from a barrel, DK will have a new form of movement available and a specific attack. Diddy can make DK hover in the air and turn his foes into extra lives in the form of red balloons; Dixie will give an extra boost to your jumps and give you an additional layer of health; and Cranky can hop and swipe with his cane and turn everyone into coins.

Co-op was a big component of DKC Returns and it makes a comeback in Tropical Freeze. While the first player is restricted to playing as only Donkey Kong, the second one can choose between Diddy, Dixie and Cranky. Making your way through a stage with a friend is undeniably satisfying but having a partner also means that the sheer challenge will be less painful.

Tropical Freeze doesn't pull any of its punches when it comes to the difficulty level, and you'll need all the lives you can get. Having ninety or so lives saved up might seem ridiculous but they drain faster than you can blink. Endless pitfalls will become your worst nightmare but the game never becomes unjustifiably hard or unfair—the same can be said for the boss battles.

Each boss has a distinct set of patterns that must be adapted to and closely examined before you can defeat them, and that's part of Tropical Freeze's hook. Learning the best possible way to approach the bosses and which characters to use might cause you to yell out of frustration, but the payoff of bashing them into a stream of unconsciousness is hard to top.

If you find yourself stuck on any of the states, you could always stop by Funky's Fly 'n' Buy for assistance. Character barrels, lives, and various power-ups are available for purchase in exchange for coins, and most can change your luck significantly. Small figures can also be bought and be placed in your gallery, which can than be view at anytime on the world map.

I think they might have forgotten someone...

I think they might have forgotten someone...

Collectables are everywhere in Tropical Freeze and you'll need a keen eye to find all of them. Bananas and coins are easy to come across but the puzzle pieces and KONG letters are a different story altogether. Hidden passageways can either lead you to one of these lost treasures or give you access to one of the many bonus stages sprinkled throughout the six islands.

Visually speaking, Tropical Freeze won't melt your mind like a block of ice but the game still looks gorgeous. All of the characters and environments pop off the screen with a coat of beautiful coloring reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, and the best part is that the frame rate stays silky smooth when the action gets chaotic and the stages become crowded.

In true Nintendo fashion, DKC has a laundry list of memorable beats that will charm your ears as you dash through the jungles. The classic theme makes an obvious return but it's accompanied by catchy tunes of drums and various other instruments being masterfully played in the background. Listening to each song is pleasing and they impeccably complement the gameplay.

Despite the praise that Tropical Freeze rightfully earns, perfection isn't something it can wear like a badge of honor. DKC's biggest problem is that even though the level design is fantastic and creative, the game just doesn't evolve the 2D platforming genre. It's clear that an enormous amount of effort went into the game's production but still falls short of being a milestone.

Another issue DKC has it that the time it will take you to complete the main levels isn't long at all. The game will only last around six hours and the replay value depends on how badly you want to uncover the game's final secret. Leaderboards are available for those who want to be competitive with the time trials but don't expect any other online functionality to impress you.

Complaints aside, Tropical Freeze remains one of the best offerings on the Wii U that's currently available. Hardcore fans of the series will adore the ferocious bite when it comes to the challenging stages and there's enough space for newcomers to adapt. Retro Studios made sure that this venture to Donkey Kong Country could be picked up and enjoyed by anyone.

You'll end up finishing the game sooner than you expected, but be ready for another great entry in the long-running, Rare-created franchise. Stating that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a revolutionary platformer is far too generous, but it still remains an exquisite one and it's a mandatory purchase for anyone who owns Nintendo's floundering Wii U console.


Score: 8.9 out of 10 - "Great"

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Best Friends Forever — The Last of Us: Left Behind ReviewFebruary 18, 2014 by

The Last of Us Left Behind

Naughty Dog returns to the dreary world of The Last of Us for a satisfying side-story that reminds us of the game's quality. Left Behind might be short but it offers even more character development for Ellie, the same rock-solid gameplay from the main game, and an interesting new character in the form of Riley.

by Travis Sokolowski


It's no secret that The Last of Us is a modern masterpiece in storytelling and game design that single-handedly defined the PS3's life cycle. Expanding a game's story further than its original length can be a daunting task for any developer, but Naughty Dog has taken on the challenge. Ellie was always the true star of the show and the DLC titled Left Behind further cements that fact.

Left Behind not only gives players a reason to return to 2013's critical darling, but it manages to add a brand new layer of depth to Ellie and her dim past. Nothing about the mechanics have been changed but that doesn't bring down what is ultimately a superb, yet notably short, addition to The Last of Us' cannon and a prime example of how downloadable content should be handled.

The plot of Left Behind jumps between two different moments from Ellie's life—both of which present unseen and mostly unmentioned events. The first storyline is set in the middle of The Last of Us' main campaign and second one takes place in the past before Ellie was bitten; the latter being much more engrossing due to the introduction of Ellie's best friend and close companion Riley.

After Joel is impaled by the metal spike in the Colorado university, Ellie manages to find shelter in a shopping mall and goes hunting for medical supplies before Joel's life slips away. This section of Left Behind is more combat-heavy but the tense feel of each encounter never grows stale. As expected, humans won't be the only dangers lurking in the cold shadows of darkness.

The subtle whispers and from hunters and the disturbing clicks of the infected fill the hallways with dread, giving that slight sense of survival horror that helped create the tone of The Last of Us. Sneaking through abandoned stores and making every bullet count hasn't been altered to any degree, but what makes the fights so special is Ellie's limited physical strength and faster movement.

Ellie can still perform stealth kills from behind enemies with her knife but one-on-one brawls don't fare much in her favor. Crafting items like health kits and nail bombs are essential if you want to successfully defeat the waves of blood-thirsty psychopaths, but Left Behind adds a new aspect to the combat that was strangely never used by Joel during his cross-country journey.

Specific areas of the mall will give you the chance to pit the infected against your human pursuers, mostly ending in complete carnage. Throwing a brick or glass bottle from a distance will alert the spore-breathing creatures and cause them to attack unsuspecting hunters. These moments don't happen often but they do open up new paths that Naughty Dog could experiment with.

There's still plenty of creatures to kill.

There's still plenty of Clickers to kill.

Getting the chance to see Ellie survive on her own without Joel once again is certainly a treat, but the main course of Left Behind doesn't involve a single second of combat. The plot thread concerning the interactions Ellie has between her friend Riley showcase some of the best depictions of our young heroine's personality, all without cramming the brutal violence down your throat.

During a run-of-the-mill day of Ellie's earlier life, she has a surprise reunion with her buddy Riley after an ambiguous argument separated them. In that same span of time, Riley became the latest member of the Firefly militia and decides that Ellie would be the best person to celebrate with. Despite having some doubts, Ellie sneaks out with Riley at night and heads to the local mall.

The soul of Left Behind is found in the relationship between Ellie and Riley, and the writing remains top-notch. The dialogue brings a feeling of humanity to the story and it also makes both girls appear more like actual teenagers rather than adults acting like ones. You'll definitely snicker at a few of Ellie's sarcastic remarks and the excitement she finds in performing everyday activities.

Riley is given plenty of screen time and isn't overshadowed by Ellie's presence. Despite how she keeps many key points of her background vague, Riley has excellent chemistry with Ellie and an entire adventure starring her would be quite intriguing. Whether she's laughing at one of Ellie's puns or sharing an emotional moment with her friend, Riley brings plenty of charisma with her.

All humor aside, the best part of the DLC's plot is seeing Ellie's friendship with Riley flesh out. It's nice to see them have fun and act their ages, but the drama that tests the strength of their bond is pulled off flawlessly. Very rarely do video games portray teenage characters properly, but The Last of Us proves that smart planning can break that trend and create something special.

As stated before, this whole section of Left Behind doesn't feature any combat at all and instead puts emphasis on exploration and discovery. In fact, the only thing the two halves of the DLC have in common is the ruined mall setting. Not having anyone to fire a gun at might sound like a boring slog, but the small details of the world are rich enough to keep your hands on the controller.

These two are what hold the tale together.

These two are what hold the tale together.

Interacting with the arbitrary objects of the environment gave The Last of Us an extra coat of substance, and it's taken just a bit further in Left Behind. Ellie and Riley will come across numerous shops and oddities in the mall, and most of them can be tampered with to a certain capacity. Don't be surprised if you end up wasting ten minutes of your time by looking at one strange trinket.

One of the chapters will have Ellie and Riley fool around in a Halloween store, setting their imaginations free. Wearing a cheesy werewolf  mask and asking a prop skull meaningless questions aren't exciting things to do in theory, but they're given weight by dissecting the minds of the two female leads. Getting a glimpse at the pre-outbreak world is something special for the both of them.

There's also social media integration in Left Behind but it isn't anything groundbreaking. Without spoiling the admittedly charming moment, you'll have the option to post pictures onto your Facebook profile but that's the extent of it's use. A corny joke about the service is thrown into the mix and it comes off as a bit off-beat for a developer like Naughty Dog, but it's harmless nonetheless.

Taking your time to examine every nook and cranny in Left Behind would be a wise move because of the DLC's short length. The narrative will only clock in at about two and a half hours before the credits roll, and the replay value is unfortunately low unless you want to hunt for collectables and trophies—but don't let the short runtime tarnish your interest in playing it.

Having a beloved protagonist evolve beyond their initial character arch is undeniably difficult, but Naughty Dog has passed the test with flying colors. What could have been a pointless cash-in manages to add a new side to Ellie and pulls back the curtain on a shady part of her past. Without a doubt, quality took precedence over quantity when it came to this single-player package.

It might not be the longest expansion out there, but Left Behind's content more than justifies it by building on a foundation that was perfect to begin with. Ellie and Riley make for an unforgettable pair of pals, fighting off hunters and the infected is still thrilling, and exploration has never been as rewarding. The Last of Us still has a story to tell and everyone should listen closely to it.


Score: 9.0 out of 10 - "Amazing"

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Even The Shadows Have Eyes — Outlast ReviewFebruary 11, 2014 by


This terrifying survival horror title doesn't offer much in terms of gameplay, but it more than makes up for it with great scares, an unsettling atmosphere, and a surprisingly interesting story. Outlast might feel repetitive at times but that doesn't deduct from the chills that it will send up your spine.

by Travis Sokolowski


Is it really possible for Hell on Earth to exist? Just take one look at Outlast and the answer should be clear. The relevancy of survival horror has been kept alive through independent studios, and developer Red Barrels has created one of the most intense experiences in the genre. Death is around every corner in this realm of evil and there's not a soul who can save you from the darkness.

An entire book can be written about how disturbing Outlast is, but not everything should be looked at with the same amount of praise. Outlast's gameplay is based around a limited set of mechanics and they're seams start to show only an hour or so after you're journey into madness has begun. Despite this, horror fans shouldn't run and hide from one of the most thrilling titles in recent memory.

After receiving a tip from an anonymous whistleblower, journalist Miles Upshur heads to a remote forest in Colorado to investigate the shady activities of Mount Massive Asylum. Taking only a camcorder and spare batteries with him, Miles climbs into the asylum through a window and plans to score the scoop of a lifetime. Unfortunately for him, what lies inside the asylum is far from ordinary.

The plot isn't the main focus of Outlast, but saying the tale isn't intriguing would be a flat-out lie. Most of the storytelling is done through basic examination of the environment with a few cutscenes thrown into the mix, and it never contains a dull moment to speak of. Learning about the history of Mount Massive and its mental patients is compelling enough to keep anyone pushing forward.

While the story does a nice job of keeping your attention, the real hook of Outlast is its sequences of terror. As you wonder the dark halls of Mount Massive, you'll come into contact with most of the asylum's unstable inhabitants. Seeing as how more than ninety percent of them want you dead, the odds of you making friends is pretty slim but that will be the least of your concerns.

Insane, disfigured patients called Variants roam the dreary interior of Mount Massive and are out for the sweet taste of blood. Miles is incapable of fighting back with the exception of shoving foes away during scripted moments, meaning that the only way to survive the Variants' rage is to run out of their line of sight and hide. If you think this sounds easy, you're in for an unpleasant surprise.

Taking shelter underneath a filthy bed or cramming into a rusty locker are the most common methods of security, but they don't always guarantee safety. The Variants won't hesitate to yank you out from your hiding spot if they guess your location correctly, building a tremendous amount of tension with each encounter. However, you could always put your legs to the test and run away.

Savoir your last breath...

Savor your last breath...

Sprinting out of a sticky situation could potentially be the only way to save your life, but the bigger challenge is actually being able to see where you're going. Outlast is home to some of the darkest environments to be featured in any game but Miles' camera is the key to salvation. When surrounded by shadows, you can activate the camera's night vision mode that will immensely improve your sight.

Exploration is both encouraged and rewarded but making the choice to enter dangerous territory is up to you. Blue folders filled with files can be collected and read, which will give you more information about certain characters from the Asylum and its long, corrupt past. Miles can also record events with his camera and jot down short notes about what he witnessed, giving slight hints about his personality.

Item management is also present in the game but it's fairly limited. The only thing you'll have to worry about is the number of batteries on hand for your camcorder, but Mount Massive is full of them with complete charges and any skilled player won't see their battery count drop below three. If your battery level does empty, the only part of the camera that will be affected is the light that's used with the night vision.

The atmosphere of Outlast couldn't be more perfect and it flawlessly delivers a miserable, nail-biting mood. Mundane activities like opening a bathroom stall or turning around a corner will have you on the edge of your seat, questioning just how long it will be before the next psychopath decides to attack. Thankfully, there are a handful of moments that will allow you to catch your breath and reflect.

Beautiful visuals aren't normally associated with indie horror games but Outlast is an exception to the rule. All of the environments and character models boast grimy, disgusting details that most developers tend to overlook, and you probably won't even notice them at first. Small additions like leaving bloody footprints and reading the barely legible handwriting on the walls just build on the dreadful world.

Outlast's sound design is another aspect of the game that will have you looking over your shoulder every second. The tiniest footstep is enough to put you into alert status and hearing the scratchy voices of your pursuers is even creepier. When the only locked door behind you is being pounded down by a hulking brute, you'll surely know it from the sound of his fist bashing against the cold surface.

The doctor will see you now.

The doctor will see you now.

All of these components work in harmony and give Outlast the impression of an interactive thriller, but it's hard to dismiss the game's core issue. For a game that feeds of off your exhilaration, not much variety is brought to the table when it comes to the gameplay. Constantly hiding from deformed maniacs is without a doubt enthralling, but it can also grow a tad repetitive after a while.

Most of the mission objectives are deprived from loathed video game clichés, such as pulling a set amount of switches or collecting a select number of items before proceeding. Due to the asylum's linear layout, getting lost is almost impossible and enemy patterns will soon start to become obvious upon close study. Playing through Outlast for a second time will only prove this point.

Replay value is quite low unless playing through the game on higher difficulties sounds entertaining. A chapter select option becomes available after the game is beaten at least once, so reliving your favorite moments of despair won't cause much of a hassle. Outlast only clocks in at around four hours and most players will feel satisfied once the credits role without the need to return.

In a market that only has a handful of polished, well-paced survival horror games, Outlast is a worthy highlight. Scaring people is becoming harder and harder with Hollywood desensitizing audiences to intense violence and gore, but making those same individuals play Outlast might force them to change their perspectives on horror and what they considered to be frightening.

When Outlast fails to supply originality, it hits you over the head with thick tension and endless anxiety. Running around to finish the similar mission goals won't put you over the edge but everything else found in the game certainly will, especially when playing in the correct environment. Turn off all of the lights, plug in a good pair of headphones, and soak in the chaos known as Outlast.


Score: 8.0 out of 10 - "Great"

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