When I travel home I always bring a plethora of video game systems with me. Security at LAX becomes a hassle when I have to be “that guy” who has to use two separate bins – one for the PS3 and one for the laptop – when going through security. It is a pain, but it allows me to properly game back home. And game I did.
Now that we are back on campus, some people have asked me what games I played over break. Here are some of the newer titles that kept me busy over the cold, long break:
“Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds”
Nintendo 3DS/2DS
MSRP: $39.99
Princess Zelda and the other sages have been sealed into living paintings by the evil wizard Yuga, and it is up to Link to save them and the world of Hyrule from evil.
Nintendo brings the best of the old “Zelda” formula, mixes it with some new ideas and turns it into a masterpiece. As the first original “Zelda” game for the Nintendo 3DS and a spiritual sequel to “A Link to the Past” Nintendo had some big shoes to fill, but it did so brilliantly. “A Link Between Worlds” is often played in a top-down perspective, but “A Link Between Worlds” features a Link who has the power to turn into a painting and move along the walls adding a whole new dimension to the puzzle-like gameplay.
New features include detailed orchestral renditions of old music from “A Link to the Past” along with some new tracks. The controls are the tightest they have ever been in the series, and the ability to rent all the items at the start of the game allows for unparalleled freedom that has never been felt before in a Zelda game. It is one of the best Legend of Zelda games yet, a necessity for any 3DS/2DS owner.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
iOS iPad/iPod Touch/ iPhone(reviewed)
MSRP: $6.99
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTASA) has come to iOS. GTASA is one of my favorite games that I grew up with. Playing the entire game on an iPhone is nothing short of amazing, compared to what was once an old Xbox/PS2 game.
The port has made some necessary changes that adapt it for the audience of today. In addition to an obvious texture update, GTASA has added checkpoints in missions. This makes the game far less frustrating than it needs to be; a necessary change when playing on your phone. Playing on a phone can be tough, but (developer) Rockstar has updated the controls significantly from their previous iOS adaptations and features gamepad support.
GTA San Andreas for iOS still makes my jaw drop, and now I get to stop by Grove Street, San Fierro, Las Venturas and (most importantly) Los Santos wherever and whenever I want.
Other games that took up my time include lots of “Halo 4” multiplayer, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and the incredible “The Last of Us” multiplayer.
What did you play over break? What are you playing now? Send me a tweet @WeeklyWest.
