fran_mirabella - Synonyms for fran_mirabella

Examples of "fran_mirabella"
Fran Mirabella II of IGN said of the game, "From the hostage-taking dynamics to the controls, the experience just feels unpolished. It can be fun, but there are a lot of frustrations that come along with it to sour the experience a little."
"Melee"s visuals garnered a positive reaction. GameSpot lauded the game's character and background models, stating that "the character models are pleasantly full-bodied, and the quality of their textures is amazing". IGN's Fran Mirabella III praised the game's use of physics, animation and graphics, although his colleague Matt Casamassina thought that "some of the backgrounds lack the visual polish endowed upon the characters" when giving a second opinion about the game.
Reception for "Lost Kingdoms" was mixed. Fran Mirabella III of IGN gave it an aggregate score of 5.9/10, citing smooth framerate, deck customization, and two player mode as pros, but citing repetitive music, stiff graphics, average gameplay, trial-and-error, and random battles as cons. Ogami Itto at RPGFan was more positive and awarded the game 82/100, calling it a solid game marred by lack of polish and short length. In his review he praised the gameplay as addictive and a highly polished and impressive mix of its influences, but tempered his review by noting the simplistic story, graphics, sound, and translation.
"Super Smash Bros. Melee" received critical acclaim from reviewers, most of whom credited "Melee"s expansion of gameplay features from "Super Smash Bros". Focusing on the additional features, GameSpy commented that "Melee really scores big in the 'we've added tons of great extra stuff' department". Reviewers compared the game favorably to "Super Smash Bros." IGN's Fran Mirabella III stated that it was "in an entirely different league than the N64 version"; GameSpot's Miguel Lopez praised the game for offering a more advanced "classic-mode" compared to its predecessor, while detailing the Adventure Mode as "really a hit-or-miss experience". Despite a mixed response to the single-player modes, many reviewers expressed the game's multiplayer mode as a strong component of the game. In their review of the game, GameSpy stated that "you'll have a pretty hard time finding a more enjoyable multiplayer experience on any other console".
"Sin and Punishment" received generally positive reception from Western critics upon its release. IGN's Fran Mirabella III gave the title 9.0 out of 10, while GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann ranked the original Nintendo 64 version a 7.1 out of 10, citing a lack of difficulty modes (a factual error on their part) as a key complaint. A more recent GameSpot review of the Virtual Console version raised the rating to 8.0 out of 10. "Retro Gamer" magazine also listed it as top in its list of top 25 "run 'n gun" games, and included it among the top 10 games for the Nintendo 64. In Japan, "Famitsu" magazine scored the game a 35 out of 40.
"Super Smash Bros. Melee" generally received a positive reception from reviewers, most of whom credited "Melee" expansion of gameplay features from "Super Smash Bros". Focusing on the additional features, GameSpy commented that "Melee really scores big in the 'we've added tons of great extra stuff' department." Reviewers compared the game favorably to "Super Smash Bros."—IGN's Fran Mirabella III stated that it was "in an entirely different league than the N64 version"; GameSpot's Miguel Lopez praised the game for offering an advanced "classic-mode" compared to its predecessor, while detailing the Adventure Mode as "really a hit-or-miss experience." Despite a mixed response to the single-player modes, most reviewers expressed the game's multiplayer mode as a strong component of the game. In their review of the game, GameSpy stated that "you'll have a pretty hard time finding a more enjoyable multiplayer experience on any other console."
Reviews for "Sonic Mega Collection" were generally favorable. Louis Bedigian of GameZone praised the controls as "top-notch" including that "even the thumbstick is usable, and it works flawlessly." "Game Informer" declared "Sonic Mega Collection" to be "perhaps the best compilation ever." Fran Mirabella of IGN christened the compilation as "a wonderful little collection that, while not perfect, is a great value." Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot suggested that "if you're fiending for Sonic the Hedgehog and either don't have or are unwilling to drag out a dusty Genesis from the closet, don't hesitate to give it a shot." However, Johnny Liu of Game Revolution advised "just blow the dust off the old Genesis, because there isn't enough good extra stuff here." "Nintendo Power" described "Sonic Mega Collection" as "the ultimate compilation of "Sonic" adventures."
Many reviews compared "Battle for Naboo" to "". "GamePro" remarked that the games share the same "exciting aerial combat, sturdy controls, and ... absorbing story line", and IGN's Fran Mirabella III wrote, ""Battle for Naboo" proves to be a worthy follow up to "Rogue" by improving on nearly everything that held it back from perfection." EGM believed that, "if you liked "Rogue Squadron", it's a good bet you'll like "Naboo" even more." GameSpot's Ryan Davis, however, thought that the game remained fun despite the "general lack of innovation over its predecessor" and believed it to be "one of the best "Episode I" titles to hit the market". The Nintendo 64 version received mostly positive reviews and received an aggregate score of 82 percent and 84 from GameRankings and Metacritic, respectively.
In his preview of "Super Mario Advance 4", IGN's Craig Harris criticized the inclusion of "Mario Bros." in it due to its prominence in every "Mario Advance" title beforehand. However, he did show excitement for the e-Reader functionality. Fellow IGN writer Fran Mirabella III praised the gameplay, adding that the e-Reader functionality makes it more appealing. They listed it among the 10 best upcoming Game Boy Advance games of 2003. In their hands-on, 1UP.com anticipated being able to play "Super Mario Bros. 3" again, showing excitement for the new levels and abilities. GameSpot's Brad Shoemaker commented that the announcement of this re-release would make gamers happy. He later added that the enhancements made and its "immense popularity" could make it the best Game Boy Advance "Mario" title. Fellow GameSpot writer Ricardo Torres called the e-Reader functionality a "pleasant surprise" that would add replay value to the game.
Reception towards the introduction of Takedowns was highly positive. Reviewers admired the impact that Takedowns had in transforming the boost mechanic and shifting the game's focus to a more aggressive style of driving. "GamesTM" pointed out that the hostile behaviour of AI rivals supplemented the system by presenting more opportunities to perform Takedowns, culminating in an intense and dramatic racing experience. Lopez explained that "Burnout 3" had intelligently integrated elements of vehicular combat games by introducing Takedowns. Gerstmann commended the game's use of Impact Time and Aftertouch mechanics, which he believed made crashing an entertaining aspect of the game unlike other racers. IGN's Fran Mirabella III was amazed by the crash system; he considered it to be far ahead of anything that had been done before.
Writing for IGN, reviewer Fran Mirabella III praised the option for players to save the game at any time, saying that "You can no longer live in fear of playing for 45 minutes only to end up getting whacked before you reach a save beacon". However, he criticized the game's inconsistent frame rate and the fact that the game can look worse than its predecessor in some regards. Similarly, "GamePro" said that the game's "sloppy" frame rate discourages the use of "awesome" multiplayer options, especially in 4-player mode. Despite the criticism, "Nintendo Power" highlighted the realistic character models as well as the cinematics for their lip-synched speech, a feature that is uncommon for a Nintendo 64 game.
The game has also received criticism, mainly because of its length. GameSpot said that "Luigi's Mansion" "fails to match the classic status of Mario's adventures" and that the "short amount of time it takes to complete it makes it a hard recommendation." The review, however, also considered that the short length prevents the gameplay and audio from getting tiresome. GameSpy also criticized the game's length, saying that it could be beaten in about six hours. Allgame declared that "Luigi's Mansion" "ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive gameplay experience over the long-term." Fran Mirabella III of IGN felt that the game was sub-par, due to its "predictable, formulaic gameplay." G4's TV show "X-Play" criticized "Luigi's Mansion" in their special on "Mario" games and media, calling the game a letdown for players waiting for the first "Mario" game on the GameCube. "Luigi's Mansion" was awarded the 2002 BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Award for audio. The game placed 99th in Official Nintendo Magazine's 100 greatest Nintendo games of all time.
Fran Mirabella III of IGN gave the GameCube version a 3.4 rating and wrote, "The only added benefit [from the arcade version] is multiplayer, and that also dries up speedily. Smashing Drive is a neat concept, but fails pretty miserably in execution. It's just far too linear to offer up any compelling gameplay. There are no permanent upgrades for your cab, no cars to unlock, and only one final bonus destination to surprise you." Mairabella called the soundtrack, "Definitely one of the most god-awful soundtracks ever created. The collection of about four or five songs is downright nauseating. [...] We've asked ourselves if anyone could actually like this music. Even the composer -- dare we call them that -- would have to be somewhat crazed to think he/she created something anyone would want to listen to." Mirabella also criticized the game's outdated graphics, and concluded that "after about a half-hour or so I had nearly beaten the game and found most of the shortcuts. It's an arcade game port. It's not a title I feel is made for the home console market."
IGN reviewed all four versions of the game. David Smith scored the PlayStation 2 version 9.4 out of 10, giving it an "Editor's Award" and calling the Dark Alliance engine "one of the best 3D engines yet devised." He dismissed criticisms of the game as a ""Diablo" clone," arguing the gameplay is much deeper than such a comparison suggests. His only criticisms were some anti-climatic boss fights and repetitive music. He concluded "There is honestly not a great deal to complain about here [...] Snowblind has put together one of the best engines on PS2 and one of the best hacks in the business, certainly the best a console has ever seen." Kaiser Hwang scored the Xbox version 8.5 out of 10. He praised the graphics, but wrote "What hurts this game's score is the fact that it is almost exactly the same game that was released last year, not that that's a bad thing. The game is a fine example of exceptional game-making. But an extra level or character, or really any added extras would've been great." Fran Mirabella III scored the GameCube version 7.5 out of 10, calling it "a downgrade from the PS2 version." He criticized the "bafflingly destroyed frame rate," and commented "When it was released on the PS2 a year ago, few could believe what Snowblind had pulled off on Sony's stubborn console. A year later, and quite magically, High Voltage couldn't get the engine running smoothly on GameCube." Craig Harris scored the Game Boy Advance version 8 out of 10, arguing that "Even though it's missing a few key elements from the original design it's based upon, "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" works out very well in portable form."
Rat Attack, received mostly mixed reviews. N64 Magazine said that it was "Simple, well executed puzzle-em-up, with cats trying to catch rats." Nintendo Official Magazine, called it "fast, frantic fun with a great sense of humor." Fran Mirabella III from IGN.com, described the gameplay and premise of catching rats and disposing of them, as being similar to Ghostbusters. While reviewing the N64 version of the game, compared the camera view of the game has to a yo-yo, in that "the camera hangs overhead bobbing and swinging about." He also criticized the games music short music clips for each level, saying: "The composers must have literally created about 25 seconds of MIDI audio and looped it." The graphics he described as "character models suck badly", and "Even the title screen has a horrible eye-burning font and sloppy art." In a review for Allgame.com, Span Bennet examines the PlayStation version with more affection saying "The '50s decor and vivid color give Rat Attack a unique look that only adds to its appeal." concluding that, "It is a game with a unique look and feel, coupled with sound and playability that are top notch." Max Everingham, of IGN, gave the game a mostly positive review with the exception of the Multiplayer mode saying that it becomes "Incredibly frustrating trying to work out where you actually are on the screen. (Each player can independently zoom the camera in to focus on one area of the screen, but this just confuses things further)". Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot summed up the game with the following; "Rat Attack is an extremely forgettable title that isn't worth a first look, let alone a second one."