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Marc Saltzman Author Bio

Status: TASTE THE PAIN!

Last Login: Never
Joined: February 28, 2008 2:23:09 AM

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	Review: Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 6/16/2009 6:43:59 PM \| 0 comments Indiana Jones is on a quest to make the most of your Wii Remote. Get Marc Saltzman's take.
	Feature: Behind the Vapor: Games That Never Debuted by Marc Saltzman \| 3/30/2009 8:38:55 PM \| 6 comments Ever been left hanging forever? Marc Saltzman gets a handle on vaporware.
	Review: Castlevania: Judgment (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 12/2/2008 7:15:34 PM \| 0 comments The Castlevania series' new fighting entry receives a damning judgment from Marc Saltzman. If only you could play as Superman...
	Review: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 11/4/2008 5:28:47 PM \| 0 comments Go after that rascally Dracula as Glyph-wielding Shanoa in the Castlevania franchise's latest side-scroller. Read on for Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: Far Cry 2 (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments Is Far Cry 2 the first real first-person safari? Drive your jeep past wildlife and into ambushes, maybe with a virtual companion at your side, and never without your gun. Marc Saltzman reports on his trip into the jungle.
	Review: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 9/23/2008 6:16:47 PM \| 6 comments With new RPG elements and improved AI, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky takes you back to the Zone, one year before the events of Shadow of Chernobyl. Marc Saltzman brings full exposure on this radioactive new prequel.
	Review: Devil May Cry 4 (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 9/23/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments How well do Nero and Dante hold up on the PC version of Devil May Cry 4? Read on for Marc Saltzman's take on this port of Capcom's devilish third-person action-adventure.
	Review: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 6/2/2008 6:06:37 PM \| 3 comments There's a barbaric new game at the gates of the MMORPG realm -- will it win over fans in a WoW-dominated world? Find out in Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: Haze (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 5/22/2008 4:31:22 PM \| 0 comments Marc Saltzman reviews this futuristic first-person shooter for PS3 -- is the Nectar working for him? Read on to find out.
	Preview: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood by Marc Saltzman \| 5/22/2008 4:31:09 PM \| 0 comments Your favorite spiky-blue-haired hedgehog is getting the BioWare treatment, and Marc Saltzman got an early look. Find out what's in the works for the very first Sonic RPG.
	Preview: Killzone 2 by Marc Saltzman \| 5/21/2008 2:34:10 PM \| 0 comments Guerrilla Games' futuristic shooter series is gearing up to invade the PS3, and the game is looking good. Get a taste of what it's like to battle it out on Planet Helghan in Marc Saltzman's early look.
	Preview: Resistance 2 by Marc Saltzman \| 5/20/2008 3:01:33 PM \| 0 comments At a recent publisher event, Marc Saltzman got to try his hand at the 60-person multiplayer in the works for the upcoming sequel to Resistance: Fall of Man. Find out what's in store in his preview.
	Review: Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 4/11/2008 1:53:23 PM \| 0 comments As if this stealth and sci-fi action spectacle weren't visually stunning enough, it makes its move to the PC with tweaked graphics and some new additions. Read Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 3/4/2008 6:49:18 AM \| 0 comments Kratos is back in a prequel that just might make you forget you're playing on the PSP. Find out more in Marc Saltzman's review of God of War: Chains of Olympus developed by Ready At Dawn and published by SCE.
	Review: Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The stealthy assassin hits the DS -- can this pocket-sized action adventure live up to the franchise's big name? Find out in Marc Saltzman's review of Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft.
	Review: Turok (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Turok takes you to a distant planet to combat vicious dinosaurs and malicious soldiers, but can this FPS survive in the world of BioShock and CoD 4? Marc Saltzman reviews the game for the Xbox 360.
	Review: Turok (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Turok takes you to a distant planet to combat vicious dinosaurs and malicious soldiers, but can this FPS survive in the world of BioShock and CoD 4? Marc Saltzman reviews the game for the PS3.
	Review: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Combining two versions of Rondo of Blood and a revamped Symphony of the Night, this first Castlevania game packs a lot of thrills into the PSP. In his review, Marc Saltzman takes a stab at Konami''s haunting vampire platform adventure, Dracula ...
	Review: Drawn to Life (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Draw your own adventure in this innovative platforming release from THQ. Developed by 5th Cell, Drawn to Life lets you customize elements of your game using the DS touch-screen and stylus. Is it a work of art? Marc Salzman reviews.
	Review: Lair (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Featuring a dragon-riding warrior named Rohn, this action-adventure title developed by Factor 5 and published by SCEA for PS3 gets you up in the sky for combat -- does it soar or sink? Marc Saltzman reviews Lair.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for PC.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for PS3.
	Review: Silent Hill: Origins (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The survival horror third-person shooter franchise packs a prequel into the PSP -- is it a thriller? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Silent Hill: Origins developed by Climax Studios and published by Konami.
	Review: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Next Level Games developed this Marvel Comics franchise release from Activision -- is the web-slinging action-adventure beat-‘em-up for Xbox 360 worth a swing? Marc Saltzman has the answer in his review of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe.
	Review: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Next Level Games developed this Marvel Comics franchise release from Activision -- is the web-slinging action-adventure beat-‘em-up for the Wii worth a swing? Marc Saltzman has the answer in his review of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe.
	Review: Worms: Open Warfare (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Align your troops, select artillery, and defeat the enemy -- worms? Find out how this comical twist on the turn-based strategy game ports to the dual-screen DS in Marc Saltzman''s review of THQ''s Worms: Open Warfare 2 for DS.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for the Xbox 360.
	Review: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments The popular anime manga franchise kicks its way into the PSP for more 3-D ninja fighting action. Marc Saltzman reviews Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes, developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Namco Bandai.
	Review: MySims (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The Sims are making a home for themselves on the Wii, where players can bring a down-on-its-luck town back to life. Marc Saltzman spent some time with the new Sims on the block -- find out more in his review of MySims developed by EA Redwood Shores.
	Review: The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 12 comments Ever feel like you need to get away from your hum-drum sim life? This expansion pack lets you do just that. Marc Saltzman sends a postcard (in the form of a review) from the world of The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, developed by Maxis and published by EA.

» See All Crispy Gamer Articles

Vitals: 37, married, three kids (twin five-year-olds, three-year-old)

Education: B.Sc. (Honors) Psychology, University of Toronto

Publications worked for: Freelance journalist for more than 50 publications including consumer newspapers and magazines (Gannett News Service/USA Today, Playboy, CNN.com, Costco, MSN and AARP) and videogame pubs/sites (Yahoo! Video Games, PC Gamer, Gamezebo).

Platforms played: All -- though recreationally, I tend to play Xbox 360 more than anything else these days. Still a PC fan, too.

Genres played: Preferably 3-D shooters, RPGs, action/adventure, rhythm games, strategy.

Multiplayer or single-player: Both, but with a crazy travel/work schedule, single-player is often easier (as is laptop play on planes).

My favorite Top 10 games ever played:

1) Half-Life
2) Warcraft
3) Day of the Tentacle
4) Diablo
5) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
6) Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
7) Rock Band
8) Doom
9) The Longest Journey
10) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

What makes me tick: My family. Videogames. Music. Travel.

Marc Saltzman hasn't rated any games yet. Have you? Find some.

The Chatter Box

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Games for Lunch: DJ Hero
1 Comment
Last November 22, 2009 by UnionCarbide
Just a heads up: the crossfader counts as being centered if it's not pinned to either side, it doesn't have to be dead center. This makes fast fades in ...
Games for Lunch: Modern Warfare 2
9 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by UnionCarbide
Oscar Mike means "on the move", it was used all over the place in Generation Kill. This game, like all CoDs before it, pulls its dialog heavily from whatever ...
Non-Player Character 11/20/2009
1 Comment
Last November 22, 2009 by thejoesaid
OH THE IMPORTANCE OF CAPS LOCK
A Zombie of a Chance: Looking Back at the Left 4 Dead 2 Boycott
12 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by Gr1mm4
You can tell they're working hard by the picture of Chet on the second page! :D http://i48.tinypic.com/4udnc5.jpg

Weekend Playlist, 11/13/2009
35 Comments
Last November 18, 2009 by girlgamer21
@RyanKuo: thank for letting me know.
The Questionable Ethics of Brütal Legend
34 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by Andy Bates
@DavidThomas: “To the contrary, I think that a game that uses metal and humor and a narrative that does not attempt to define good is an ambiguous ...
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
31 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by longtimegamerr
Tom Chick it has been severa; years since I've read your reviews. You seemed to going thru a sustained "PC RTS phase" and I never really felt the joy ...
"It's a Massacre!": The Appalling Failure of Modern Warfare 2's "No Russian" Mission
29 Comments
Last November 17, 2009 by RyanKuo
@TomBissell: Pulling out narrative flowcharts to defend the scene doesn't seem so different from calling it out for being awkwardly rammed in, ...

ChknKitty Says

Wow, people win every day in the Chicken Out contest! Sign up and win.

	Review: Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 6/16/2009 6:43:59 PM \| 0 comments Indiana Jones is on a quest to make the most of your Wii Remote. Get Marc Saltzman's take.
	Feature: Behind the Vapor: Games That Never Debuted by Marc Saltzman \| 3/30/2009 8:38:55 PM \| 6 comments Ever been left hanging forever? Marc Saltzman gets a handle on vaporware.
	Review: Castlevania: Judgment (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 12/2/2008 7:15:34 PM \| 0 comments The Castlevania series' new fighting entry receives a damning judgment from Marc Saltzman. If only you could play as Superman...
	Review: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 11/4/2008 5:28:47 PM \| 0 comments Go after that rascally Dracula as Glyph-wielding Shanoa in the Castlevania franchise's latest side-scroller. Read on for Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: Far Cry 2 (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments Is Far Cry 2 the first real first-person safari? Drive your jeep past wildlife and into ambushes, maybe with a virtual companion at your side, and never without your gun. Marc Saltzman reports on his trip into the jungle.
	Review: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 9/23/2008 6:16:47 PM \| 6 comments With new RPG elements and improved AI, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky takes you back to the Zone, one year before the events of Shadow of Chernobyl. Marc Saltzman brings full exposure on this radioactive new prequel.
	Review: Devil May Cry 4 (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 9/23/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments How well do Nero and Dante hold up on the PC version of Devil May Cry 4? Read on for Marc Saltzman's take on this port of Capcom's devilish third-person action-adventure.
	Review: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 6/2/2008 6:06:37 PM \| 3 comments There's a barbaric new game at the gates of the MMORPG realm -- will it win over fans in a WoW-dominated world? Find out in Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: Haze (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 5/22/2008 4:31:22 PM \| 0 comments Marc Saltzman reviews this futuristic first-person shooter for PS3 -- is the Nectar working for him? Read on to find out.
	Preview: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood by Marc Saltzman \| 5/22/2008 4:31:09 PM \| 0 comments Your favorite spiky-blue-haired hedgehog is getting the BioWare treatment, and Marc Saltzman got an early look. Find out what's in the works for the very first Sonic RPG.
	Preview: Killzone 2 by Marc Saltzman \| 5/21/2008 2:34:10 PM \| 0 comments Guerrilla Games' futuristic shooter series is gearing up to invade the PS3, and the game is looking good. Get a taste of what it's like to battle it out on Planet Helghan in Marc Saltzman's early look.
	Preview: Resistance 2 by Marc Saltzman \| 5/20/2008 3:01:33 PM \| 0 comments At a recent publisher event, Marc Saltzman got to try his hand at the 60-person multiplayer in the works for the upcoming sequel to Resistance: Fall of Man. Find out what's in store in his preview.
	Review: Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 4/11/2008 1:53:23 PM \| 0 comments As if this stealth and sci-fi action spectacle weren't visually stunning enough, it makes its move to the PC with tweaked graphics and some new additions. Read Marc Saltzman's review.
	Review: God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 3/4/2008 6:49:18 AM \| 0 comments Kratos is back in a prequel that just might make you forget you're playing on the PSP. Find out more in Marc Saltzman's review of God of War: Chains of Olympus developed by Ready At Dawn and published by SCE.
	Review: Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The stealthy assassin hits the DS -- can this pocket-sized action adventure live up to the franchise's big name? Find out in Marc Saltzman's review of Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft.
	Review: Turok (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Turok takes you to a distant planet to combat vicious dinosaurs and malicious soldiers, but can this FPS survive in the world of BioShock and CoD 4? Marc Saltzman reviews the game for the Xbox 360.
	Review: Turok (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Turok takes you to a distant planet to combat vicious dinosaurs and malicious soldiers, but can this FPS survive in the world of BioShock and CoD 4? Marc Saltzman reviews the game for the PS3.
	Review: Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Combining two versions of Rondo of Blood and a revamped Symphony of the Night, this first Castlevania game packs a lot of thrills into the PSP. In his review, Marc Saltzman takes a stab at Konami''s haunting vampire platform adventure, Dracula ...
	Review: Drawn to Life (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Draw your own adventure in this innovative platforming release from THQ. Developed by 5th Cell, Drawn to Life lets you customize elements of your game using the DS touch-screen and stylus. Is it a work of art? Marc Salzman reviews.
	Review: Lair (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Featuring a dragon-riding warrior named Rohn, this action-adventure title developed by Factor 5 and published by SCEA for PS3 gets you up in the sky for combat -- does it soar or sink? Marc Saltzman reviews Lair.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for PC.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (PS3) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for PS3.
	Review: Silent Hill: Origins (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The survival horror third-person shooter franchise packs a prequel into the PSP -- is it a thriller? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Silent Hill: Origins developed by Climax Studios and published by Konami.
	Review: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Next Level Games developed this Marvel Comics franchise release from Activision -- is the web-slinging action-adventure beat-‘em-up for Xbox 360 worth a swing? Marc Saltzman has the answer in his review of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe.
	Review: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Next Level Games developed this Marvel Comics franchise release from Activision -- is the web-slinging action-adventure beat-‘em-up for the Wii worth a swing? Marc Saltzman has the answer in his review of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe.
	Review: Worms: Open Warfare (DS) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Align your troops, select artillery, and defeat the enemy -- worms? Find out how this comical twist on the turn-based strategy game ports to the dual-screen DS in Marc Saltzman''s review of THQ''s Worms: Open Warfare 2 for DS.
	Review: Medal of Honor: Airborne (Xbox 360) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments EA''s popular military franchise drops another FPS -- seen through the eyes of a WWII paratrooper -- but does it land on its feet? Find out in Marc Saltzman''s review of Medal of Honor: Airborne for the Xbox 360.
	Review: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes (PSP) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments The popular anime manga franchise kicks its way into the PSP for more 3-D ninja fighting action. Marc Saltzman reviews Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes, developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Namco Bandai.
	Review: MySims (Wii) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The Sims are making a home for themselves on the Wii, where players can bring a down-on-its-luck town back to life. Marc Saltzman spent some time with the new Sims on the block -- find out more in his review of MySims developed by EA Redwood Shores.
	Review: The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC) by Marc Saltzman \| 1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 12 comments Ever feel like you need to get away from your hum-drum sim life? This expansion pack lets you do just that. Marc Saltzman sends a postcard (in the form of a review) from the world of The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, developed by Maxis and published by EA.

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Marc Saltzman Author Bio

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