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How Metascores Are Calculated
35
Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Death, Jr. embarks with his friends on a school fieldtrip to the local museum. When the group sneaks away to explore on their own, they unwittingly unleash an ancient evil force from a mysterious locked box. Facing near insurmountable odds and the threat of being grounded and sent to military school, Death, Jr. and his pals must fight hoards of demons and their wicked master Moloch through the museum and surrounding town before anyone else finds out. In order to avoid being punished for his mischief, and to save his friends from eternal suffering at the hands of Moloch, Death, Jr. must eliminate the evil demon scourge that has taken over the town. Armed with his scythe and an arsenal of guns and explosives, Death, Jr. will battle through numerous action-filled levels towards a final confrontation with Moloch himself. [Konami]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
Play Magazine
DJ exemplifies the maturation of handheld gaming - full-fledged console quality in a smaller, more approachable package. [Aug 2005, p.52]
85
Next Level Gaming
It's exactly that solid game you're looking for to take with you on a long trip, or to play when you've gotten tired of all sports games and the like. Konami was smart for picking this up for publishing.
 83
Gaming Age
I can do nothing but recommend DJ highly, even if the game is on the short side, the game is perfect for those on the go.
76
Gamer's Hell
Its mixture of platformer and third-person shooter holds considerable potential, but unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot of gameplay development throughout the relatively short single-player campaign.
75
Deeko
Essentially a platformer with added elements of a first person shooter. This style gives the player a nice change from the norm, but has an unrefined feel.
75
PSM Magazine
It's not impossibly hard, but easily frustrated, weak sauce gamers may want to try before they buy. Still, Death Jr. has a great style, and the characters have a lot of personality, so even with its flaws, it's definitely worth playing. [Sept 2005, p.82]
75
Detroit Free Press
A solid but predictable game with a creepy personality.
72
eToychest
It seems likely the world will see more of DJ, and gamers should look forward to it; but maybe next time the movie should come out before the game.
70
WHAM! Gaming
The graphics and sound in Death Jr. are nothing spectacular. The music is catchy but repetitive, and the sound effects are sparse and basic.
70
IGN
The way that the dialog sequences are just text -- not even a face of who's talking to go with the text -- and how the bosses don't even get their own theme song for battles, there are just too many compromises made in the production value to maintain the energy and excitement that this game needs.
70
Game Informer
Overall, the game is just average, but the potential is there for something really special if a sequel cam our way. [Sept 2005, p.115]
68
Gaming Target
The core ideas are there, and the challenge is refreshing in these days of infinite lives and sometimes simple gameplay. But the unpolished controls and targeting system cause massive headaches on top of being challenged, thus making the game more difficult than it should be.
68
Cincinnati Enquirer
There's more humor and character development at the Web site than in the game, so if you are still curious, check out the Death Jr. Web site and maybe - maybe - rent it for a day or two.
68
Just RPG
While the game definitely isn't perfect, much of the action can be somewhat entertaining. That is if you can get past the annoying camera angles and sloppy lock-on system.
67
Game Chronicles
Just brighten up the levels and give me some camera scripting and this game would have scored a full [twenty] points higher.
65
Game Over Online
Simply put, the control of DJ should’ve been left to the directional pad, the camera should’ve been centered to the nub, and the weapon select should’ve been placed on a subscreen accessed by the start or select buttons.
65
GameSpot
What's especially unfortunate is that you'll find sprinklings of a great game concept all throughout Death Jr.'s relatively short storyline. It just never successfully delivers.
60
1UP
Oftentimes the game will thrust you into difficult, unexpected situations with little warning; try-and-die when you only have a few attempts before starting the fairly lengthy levels all over again, is frustrating.
60
GamerFeed
After all of the hype about the story, the Death Jr. comic book, and the upcoming film, one would think that the actual game would include a kick @$$ story, but that's just not the case. There's a neat opening cut scene, but past that there's nothing worth checking out.
60
TotalPlayStation
Great idea, poor execution. It's a common story, but this was supposed to be an uncommon game. Hopefully things will turn around should a sequel pan out, but the first Death's DOA.
60
Adrenaline Vault
Cute and charming in a macabre way. The opportunity for reaping rewards from the creative premise is, however, largely squandered. The control problems are almost enough to sound the death knell by themselves, and other issues of balance or polish also interfere with player enjoyment.
60
DarkStation
Playing as the Grim Reaper's son should have been cool, except for the lazy platforming bits and repetitive action.
60
Modojo
After all of the hype about the story, the Death Jr. comic book, and the upcoming film, one would think that the actual game would include a kick @$$ story, but that's just not the case.
60
Gaming Horizon
It has memorable characters that certainly could have made it a standout hit for gamers, but it seems the developers didn’t put enough time into fixing all the faults that included problems with camera angles, controls and more.
60
Computer and Video Games
The result looks well tasty, but is hard to swallow. [PSW]
60
Computer Games Magazine
Quotation forthcoming. [Nov 2005]
57
PSX Extreme
A dodgy camera and touchy controls can be fixed. I know I wasn't the only one at E3 who told the producer that the camera was a mess. But, alas, they shipped this most stylish and most gore-riffic game with its major problems still intact.
56
Worth Playing
Bland, boring, infuriating, and above all, painfully disappointing.
50
GamePro
It sports a unique premise, wonderful art direction, and genuinely funny writing, and yet guilelessly hangs itself in the Hall of Shame by botching the camera and controls.
50
Cheat Code Central
The game is as hollow as the sentiments behind it. More attention should have been paid to the innerworkings of the game rather than securing the toy rights and shopping the concept around to make a major motion picture.
50
Yahoo! Games
It's not nearly as fun to play as it is to watch in cutscene form. The game tries to emulate the vibe and humor of Psychonauts, but doesn't come close to that title's wit or personality.
50
Stuff
Bury this one six feet under. Even if the Tim Burton aesthetic turns you on, the tepid gameplay makes this disc DOA.
50
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
A monotonous shooter with a crippled camera and a crush on "Psychonauts." [Sept 2005, p.93]
50
PALGN
A major disappointment, considering the game has been in development for so long we definitely had some high hopes for the game, but unfortunately the title just isn't that impressive.
50
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
The fantasy sequences and overall visual style are truly a feast for the eyes, but this is little more than just a standard slash 'n' bash game in pretty clothing. [Christmas 2005, p.104]
48
Electronic Gaming Monthly
With the bland levels, generic PS1-era platform gameplay, and cheap enemies, you shouldn't bother. [Sept 2005, p.116]
42
Game Revolution
This is a tired, dull platformer that only manages to avoid the pitfalls of purgatory by way of its groovy style and decent character design.
40
Loaded Inc
You quickly realize that Death Jr. is the right character in the wrong game. The erratic camera control and the resulting difficulty factor stop the game dead in its tracks when it comes to the fun factor.
40
Edge Magazine
Even with just an additional pair of buttons for camera movement, a broad switch of irritations could have been avoided, but as it is, Death Jr is recommended only for forgiving platformer enthusiasts. [Nov 2005, p.113]
30
GameCritics
A whole lot of hot air and buzz with nothing to back it up.
Zem Z. gave it an8: Johnny A. gave it a1: Patrick W. gave it a2: Wongit gave it a6: Lara B. gave it an8: Nick B. gave it a9: Sammy R. gave it a10: |
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