by Shaan Verma ’13

Don’t Starve

Score: 3.5/5

A game that is about exactly what the title says. The goal of “Don’t Starve” is to survive as long as possible with dwindling materials and resources, while monsters attack at every corner. The art style is very distinct, like a dark, moody, hand-drawn sketch. The fact that the game is dark colored adds to the bleak feeling of knowing that there is an eventual end to the player’s life. The game takes its own unique view on surviving that is unlike other games in the genre: a player cannot survive an unlimited amount of time. This major difference is what draws players to in. “Don’t Starve” offers an entirely different way to play. The game is a bit glitchy at times, but it is in pre-release mode and should be fixed relatively quickly.

Assassin’s Creed III

Score: 4/5

“Assassin’s Creed III,” ends the tale of Desmond as he searches his ancestors memories to try to save the world from the 2012 apocalypse. The story is completely immersive as it effectively chronicles both Desmond and his Native American ancestor Connor’s adventures. The story, filled with gameplay of sneaking through Revolutionary America, battling ships on the high seas and aiding historic figures at key moments in the revolution, gives a fresh, new feel to the franchise while still maintaining the core essence and elements of “Assassin’s Creed” gameplay, such as free-running, combat and a fluid story that fans enjoy.

 The Unfinished Swan

Score: 4/5

“The Unfinished Swan” is a radically different game than one would expect. The story follows a boy named Monroe after his mother died. He awakes one night to find the swan in one of his mother’s unfinished paintings mysteriously missing. Curiosity getting the better of him, Monroe follows the swan through the painting into a completely white landscape. The player, as Monroe, must fling paint in order to find his way through the environment. The puzzles found throughout the landscape produce variety and flow which make the player think outside of the box while still staying within the confines of the game’s alluring story. In the end, “The Unfinished Swan” provides a much needed break from the mainstream, fast-paced shooters that come out every year, and gives the player an entirely new experience.

Halo 4

Score: 5/5

Set four years after Master Chief saved the universe from the death machine called the Halo Array, “Halo 4” lives up to the legend of previous titles. The story finds Master Chief stranded in space and follows him on his new journey. The game is clearly different from its predecessors, but that is what makes it distinctly unique. There is an entirely new feel to the story because of the added interactivity and new challenges that players face. Apart from the story, the multiplayer is endlessly entertaining as a new ranking system has been implemented. This, along with new weapons, maps and character upgrades, enhances the flow of the gameplay while still maintaining the feel of Halo.