January
1. 1942 (PS3 - Capcom Arcade Cabinet)
A checkpoint based shmup. Even with credit feeding there is a very satisfying level of challenge. While I was frustrated at times, likely due to my lack of experience in shmups, I overall enjoyed my time with this. Took me around 3 and a half hours too beat. Only one looping music track for 32 levels was a bit brutal though. Ended up turning my sound off and listening to podcasts while I played.
2. Avengers (PS3 - Capcom Arcade Cabinet)
An extremely easy game to clear, as when you game over you can continue right where you left off. I loved the visual style, but it just didn't really seem like I accomplished anything.
3. 1943: The Battle of Midway (PS3 - Capcom Arcade Cabinet)
This was a big disappointment after 1942. Yes the music is better, yes the graphics are better, yes the power ups are better. But when you die the game
keeps scrolling up completely removing what was so satisfying about 1942's checkpoint system.
4. Legendary Wings (PS3 - Capcom Arcade Cabinet)
I've always had a soft spot for the NES version of this (despite never getting past the first level), and always wanted to try the original Arcade version. Its actually what prompted me to buy this collection in the first place.
Its pretty much what I expected. I still love the aesthetic of the game. Gameplay is only alright, but I still like it.
5. Resistance 2 (PS3)
I beat the original Resistance way back when I got my PS3 in 09. I hated it. I felt the game dragged on too long, that it looked ugly and didn't provide very interesting combat encounters. It did however use a weapon wheel which was very nice, and the story was interesting enough for me too see it through to the end.
Resistance 2 made some things better, made some worse. The game looks way better, environments are more colourful and detailed. Combat encounters had more variety. But the game got rid of the weapon wheel for a two weapon limit, which sucks. As well, the story is a lot more confusing as they fall to explain several key points unless you happen to find and then read the various intel documents.
I do have to give it credit for doing something not many games do. This is an end game plot spoiler for those who might still play it:
Overall I had more fun with number 2 then I did the original, but I wouldn't say either are great, or even good.
6. Resistance 3 (PS3)
Resistance 3 I feel is actually a good game. Unlike the previous two. It still suffers from the lack of explanations unless you read the intel, but too a lesser extent then the previous game. Visually, this is the best game, it was fun just to look around at the world I was in. The weapon returns, and all the weapons in the game are fun too use. Combat is way more varied then it was in the last two games because not only did they add new types of enemies, but they increase the number of ways you can encounter enemies in the game.
Its still not the best game ever, but its worth a play through if your interested.
If you are only gonna play one Resistance game, play this one.
February
7. Hyper Dyne Side Arms (PS3 - Capcom Arcade Cabinet)
Another game where it puts you back right too where you died, like 1943, making it easy as all hell too beat. Unlike 1943, I found the shooting mechanics to be much more fun, and when in 1943 I didn't care if I died, I wanted to actively avoid it in this game.
I can see myself playing this one again, maybe getting good enough too 1CC it one day.
