Do you ever play on your laptop at work? Maybe pop in, game review, one of the latest PC games and go to town for an hour? Ah ha, I caught you. Now get back to work. Okay, I'm joking of course. Hey, if you can get, game review, away with it and your boss doesn't notice, what's the harm in it?
These days there are loads of video games to choose from, game review, . I like to look through the island of Best Buy for PS2 and the latest PC games. Those electronic shops have it all. Whether you're in search of Xbox, Playstation, Game Cube or the latest PC games, you'll find them all at Best Buy.
Have you browsed for your system lately?
Where do you prefer to play your favorite video games? These days we often have the choice of playing on our PCs or video game cheer up. It's kind of a, game review, preference thing. Although there are different, game review, games for both machines, you can surely find some you like on either, game review, . One thing I like about experiment in the latest PC games is the access. I always have my laptop at hand.
As far as a PS2 or Xbox, those are typically with my home entertainment center; and I'm not lugging, game review, that TV around.
I can recall back in the day when Doom was the big PC game. I loved that one. You basically creep around, game review, through all these dark tunnels and monster infested realms, game review, in search of creatures to destroy. For some strange, game review, reason that never got old. Unfortunately my older brother got sick of me sitting at his computer, and kicked me out. I noticed recently that they even made fate into a film. Now, you know this must have been a great game.
Are you searching high and low for the latest PC games to entertain you? Well, look no further than your local Best Buy store.
I'm sure they will have plenty to irritate your fancy. If by some chance they are lacking a particular game, you, game review, can, game review, easily hop online and find a variety of websites that sell the latest PC games at great prices.
This is also a cool place to look for tips and codes. I tell you, the Internet has it all. Now days you don't even have to struggle with the game on your own. Pop open Google and do a search for tips and pointers regarding a specific game. This is one way to control the latest PC games.
2009/12/12
Chameleon Gems Game Review
The Zuma style games are very popular. And the more and more developers create more and more games using the similar gameplay. One, game review, of the latest games which combines Zuma gameplay with some new features is Chameleon Gems. It's very addictive and not so easy game and everybody must play it!
Most of you probably know the basic rules of the game, but if anyone do not I'll tell it for you. On game field color balls (they are called 'gems' in this game) move, game review, from one point (called 'hole' here) to another one.
. Your main objective is to destroy all color balls by shooting differently colored balls at them and creating the groups, game review, of three or more balls of the same color. And a number of various bonuses like fireball or slowing down of balls moving are usually given during the game.
As I already wrote earlier in Chameleon Gems you must destroy all gems not allowing them to fall into the hole. The main creature in this game is Chameleon - you control him and shoot colored gems . You can get a number of different bonuses, the, game review, most interesting one is the Rock Gun (it's interesting because none of similar games has it).
When you take it you get ability to shoot small rocks at gems and destroy them. The game is fully 3D and has one interested feature - sometimes the, game review, gems are moving above other gems on two or three levels , and when you destroy underlying gem then upper gems fall down and you must destroy them too. It gives, game review, to a player more opportunities to destroy gems and to create chain reaction for gems destroying. You even can complete the level having, game review, shot only one gem , but you must be extremely lucky for it! ;)
Another one very good game feature is the Shop.
When you destroy gems or end up the level you get scores and some money. You can spend this money in the Shop after ending up any level. Here you can buy different bonuses that will be working on the (next, game review, - ???) level for a certain period of time (for example you can buy Fire Ball and on next level, game review, you will get this bonus every 45 seconds ). You can buy bonuses, game review, for one next level, game review, only and it will cost less money. For much more money you can buy different Chameleons.
The Chameleons have different abilities - for example standard Chameleon you start playing with, game review, is Azure skin Chameleon and he hasn't got any special features. But you can buy Gold skin Chameleon, game review, and you will get by 20% more money on a level. You can buy many different skins for Chameleon but only one of them can be used for a level, and you can choose the skin, game review, for the level in the shop. The shop has very many positions to spend your money, but to buy them all you should earn loads of money! ;)
This game has at least 107 levels to play; it can be seen on the very nice game map.
The game unique features combined with good graphics and effects and mixed with suitable sounds, game review, and music make from this game the truly gem of latest games releases, game review, . If you like Zuma or Tumble Bugs games you must try to play Chameleon Gems. And I proud - you'll fall in love with it!
..
Play Chameleon Gems!
Find more games on GamesPlasma.com.
Most of you probably know the basic rules of the game, but if anyone do not I'll tell it for you. On game field color balls (they are called 'gems' in this game) move, game review, from one point (called 'hole' here) to another one.
. Your main objective is to destroy all color balls by shooting differently colored balls at them and creating the groups, game review, of three or more balls of the same color. And a number of various bonuses like fireball or slowing down of balls moving are usually given during the game.
As I already wrote earlier in Chameleon Gems you must destroy all gems not allowing them to fall into the hole. The main creature in this game is Chameleon - you control him and shoot colored gems . You can get a number of different bonuses, the, game review, most interesting one is the Rock Gun (it's interesting because none of similar games has it).
When you take it you get ability to shoot small rocks at gems and destroy them. The game is fully 3D and has one interested feature - sometimes the, game review, gems are moving above other gems on two or three levels , and when you destroy underlying gem then upper gems fall down and you must destroy them too. It gives, game review, to a player more opportunities to destroy gems and to create chain reaction for gems destroying. You even can complete the level having, game review, shot only one gem , but you must be extremely lucky for it! ;)
Another one very good game feature is the Shop.
When you destroy gems or end up the level you get scores and some money. You can spend this money in the Shop after ending up any level. Here you can buy different bonuses that will be working on the (next, game review, - ???) level for a certain period of time (for example you can buy Fire Ball and on next level, game review, you will get this bonus every 45 seconds ). You can buy bonuses, game review, for one next level, game review, only and it will cost less money. For much more money you can buy different Chameleons.
The Chameleons have different abilities - for example standard Chameleon you start playing with, game review, is Azure skin Chameleon and he hasn't got any special features. But you can buy Gold skin Chameleon, game review, and you will get by 20% more money on a level. You can buy many different skins for Chameleon but only one of them can be used for a level, and you can choose the skin, game review, for the level in the shop. The shop has very many positions to spend your money, but to buy them all you should earn loads of money! ;)
This game has at least 107 levels to play; it can be seen on the very nice game map.
The game unique features combined with good graphics and effects and mixed with suitable sounds, game review, and music make from this game the truly gem of latest games releases, game review, . If you like Zuma or Tumble Bugs games you must try to play Chameleon Gems. And I proud - you'll fall in love with it!
..
Play Chameleon Gems!
Find more games on GamesPlasma.com.
2009/12/11
Bejeweled 2 iPhone Game Review
Bejeweled 2 is a classic, game review, puzzler, and the sequel, game review, to the original Bejeweled, which has also seen release on the iPhone, from developer Popcap games. The popularity of Bejeweled 2 has made it a cornerstone of many gaming sites, including many skill-based gaming/gambling sites such as king.com, where it's one of the most fiercely contested games.
Bejeweled 2 does not come cheap. You will have to pay $10 to enjoy the benefit of playing this game on the go on your iPhone.
Considering the fact that you can play this game online for free (although not the full game), there always is the doubt whether the game is worth its price tag. Read ahead to find out whether you should spend $10 or not.
If you loved the classic puzzle games of the old which worked on a "simple to understand but hard to master" premise, you will love Bejeweled 2. Understanding how the game works is not very difficult. The game has two modes and you can choose to play the game in either mode. However, the gameplay is not very different in both, game review, the modes.
At the beginning of each stage, you are presented with many colored gems on the screen. Your task is to move, game review, them around to form chains of 3 jewels. The chain must be made of identical jewels only. If dissimilar jewels are matched, the board shall be reset, game review, . Your task is to form, game review, a chain every time you make a move. The game must be permit random moves to be made where no chains are formed. This makes the game a lot tougher even though the concept is very simple and easy to understand.
Sounds simple enough, and it, game review, is, but the real trick to the game is in setting up combos and larger chains. Much like chess, you must think ahead and instantly be able to recognize how doing one thing will affect everything else that is going on, game review, . Simply plowing through the game by matching everything in sight may get you a decent score if you're fast enough, and you may very well stumble upon combos and larger chains at times, but the game can only truly be mastered by those who can actively 'create' their own combos.
The trick to, game review, winning a large number of points in the shortest possible time is to create long chains to obtain greater bonuses, game review, . Creating a chain consisting of four jewels will result in a glowing gem on the board. Once this glowing gem too is matched in a chain, a bunch of gems surrounding the glowing, game review, gem will be destroyed and your points tally will see a big increase. A five gem chain is the biggest chain that you can create. This move results in a super gem being created which, if, game review, matched in a three jewel chain, will destroy all the gems on the board.
Large chains apart, a combo will also help you increase your points. A combo is created when the creation of a single chain leads to realignment of the position of other gems into chains without any additional moves.
The graphics are sharp and colourful, with static background images that are interesting to view, but not so distracting that they'll, game, game review, review, pull your attention from the game. The combos and chains result in some nice explosions of color, but for the most part there isn't a whole lot happening on the screen that will make you stand up and take notice.
This being a puzzle, game review, game, too much graphical prowess or glitzy effects could actually hinder the gameplay, so this balance is ultimately for the better, game review, .
The audio production is much like, game review, the graphics,, game review, very solid, but ultimately limited in scope. The various sound effects are particularly pleasing to the ears, while the music is very laid back and conducive to thoughtful gaming for the most part.
It is very common for the players, game review, of such games to follow the list of high scores religiously.
However, this facility is not present in this game and there is no means of keeping track of ones high scores in this game. Further, there are no variations or additional modes available as far as this game is concerned. The absence of these two features is a disappointment.
Overall, Bejeweled 2 is a good puzzle game. However, this game, game review, often seems very random instead of being challenging or strategic as good puzzle games ought to be. It may take months for an individual to master this game which is a good thing.
The price is on the high side and those playing this game for the first time may find it, game review, too expensive. However, for those have played this game, it certainly is a good, game review, choice to keep yourself occupied
Game Score: 6 out of 10
Bejeweled 2 does not come cheap. You will have to pay $10 to enjoy the benefit of playing this game on the go on your iPhone.
Considering the fact that you can play this game online for free (although not the full game), there always is the doubt whether the game is worth its price tag. Read ahead to find out whether you should spend $10 or not.
If you loved the classic puzzle games of the old which worked on a "simple to understand but hard to master" premise, you will love Bejeweled 2. Understanding how the game works is not very difficult. The game has two modes and you can choose to play the game in either mode. However, the gameplay is not very different in both, game review, the modes.
At the beginning of each stage, you are presented with many colored gems on the screen. Your task is to move, game review, them around to form chains of 3 jewels. The chain must be made of identical jewels only. If dissimilar jewels are matched, the board shall be reset, game review, . Your task is to form, game review, a chain every time you make a move. The game must be permit random moves to be made where no chains are formed. This makes the game a lot tougher even though the concept is very simple and easy to understand.
Sounds simple enough, and it, game review, is, but the real trick to the game is in setting up combos and larger chains. Much like chess, you must think ahead and instantly be able to recognize how doing one thing will affect everything else that is going on, game review, . Simply plowing through the game by matching everything in sight may get you a decent score if you're fast enough, and you may very well stumble upon combos and larger chains at times, but the game can only truly be mastered by those who can actively 'create' their own combos.
The trick to, game review, winning a large number of points in the shortest possible time is to create long chains to obtain greater bonuses, game review, . Creating a chain consisting of four jewels will result in a glowing gem on the board. Once this glowing gem too is matched in a chain, a bunch of gems surrounding the glowing, game review, gem will be destroyed and your points tally will see a big increase. A five gem chain is the biggest chain that you can create. This move results in a super gem being created which, if, game review, matched in a three jewel chain, will destroy all the gems on the board.
Large chains apart, a combo will also help you increase your points. A combo is created when the creation of a single chain leads to realignment of the position of other gems into chains without any additional moves.
The graphics are sharp and colourful, with static background images that are interesting to view, but not so distracting that they'll, game, game review, review, pull your attention from the game. The combos and chains result in some nice explosions of color, but for the most part there isn't a whole lot happening on the screen that will make you stand up and take notice.
This being a puzzle, game review, game, too much graphical prowess or glitzy effects could actually hinder the gameplay, so this balance is ultimately for the better, game review, .
The audio production is much like, game review, the graphics,, game review, very solid, but ultimately limited in scope. The various sound effects are particularly pleasing to the ears, while the music is very laid back and conducive to thoughtful gaming for the most part.
It is very common for the players, game review, of such games to follow the list of high scores religiously.
However, this facility is not present in this game and there is no means of keeping track of ones high scores in this game. Further, there are no variations or additional modes available as far as this game is concerned. The absence of these two features is a disappointment.
Overall, Bejeweled 2 is a good puzzle game. However, this game, game review, often seems very random instead of being challenging or strategic as good puzzle games ought to be. It may take months for an individual to master this game which is a good thing.
The price is on the high side and those playing this game for the first time may find it, game review, too expensive. However, for those have played this game, it certainly is a good, game review, choice to keep yourself occupied
Game Score: 6 out of 10
PC Game Review - BOH
Game Name: BOH
Developer: Simone Bevilacqua
Cost: (Euros), game review, 12.5
Release Date: Out Now!
BOH is an old-school adventure puzzler game where you must overcome a series of mazes in order to find and stop the Evil Masters!
Well, yes that's all well and good but the fact, game review, is that it isn't different because of it's story. Nor is it because it's a top-down corridor shooter game, game review, where you must find keys and traverse the correct route of each level while defending yourself from nasty enemy things.
No this is different for other distinct reasons. Firstly lets talk about the distribution methodology. It's boxed version only, which is an interesting move from the developer. It's unusual for an independent, game review, developer to offer, game review, a boxed version at all let alone making it the sole distribution method. It's a pretty smart looking box/manual/disc too, and at least you'll never need to worry about deleting the files off your machine accidentally. Just, um, losing the CD? Anyway, this in itself makes BOH interesting but the one thing that made it stand out for me was the visuals.
It's the first thing you'll notice too when you try the demo. The lighting of the game leads to something quite claustrophobic at times, but generally unique to a lot of other games. The light from your virtual torch reveals only a small part of the unfolding level. In some cases can really increase the difficulty level of what might have previously been a breeze, but it adds a level of atmosphere that would also have been missing before.
It's not all good-news though. I'm not much of a fan of the default music.
It's quite limited anyway but doesn't really lend itself to the style of the game. Luckily you can change the "theme" of the game to one of 4 styles - I would recommend the C64 style! This music was far more up my street and matched the game perfectly.
The 360-degree movement rotates the whole level around you. This is both good and bad, it's quite, game review, logical in one sense, but it actually made it hard for me to remember where I'd been! Although you can pick up a map that helps here.
My biggest gripe though, game review, is that some levels require you to go through them in an exact way, and, game review, it's quite unforgiving. There are places where you can accidentally go through a one-way door and end up having to restart the level.
But even with that, BOH has quite, game review, a lot of charm to it. Once you've got the hang of the level elements and are a little more cautious about running through every door you pass, it becomes far more fun.
Review, game review, by Andy Yates
Score: 68 out of,, game review,, game review, game review, 100
Final Words: Rather fine old-school fun!
Developer: Simone Bevilacqua
Cost: (Euros), game review, 12.5
Release Date: Out Now!
BOH is an old-school adventure puzzler game where you must overcome a series of mazes in order to find and stop the Evil Masters!
Well, yes that's all well and good but the fact, game review, is that it isn't different because of it's story. Nor is it because it's a top-down corridor shooter game, game review, where you must find keys and traverse the correct route of each level while defending yourself from nasty enemy things.
No this is different for other distinct reasons. Firstly lets talk about the distribution methodology. It's boxed version only, which is an interesting move from the developer. It's unusual for an independent, game review, developer to offer, game review, a boxed version at all let alone making it the sole distribution method. It's a pretty smart looking box/manual/disc too, and at least you'll never need to worry about deleting the files off your machine accidentally. Just, um, losing the CD? Anyway, this in itself makes BOH interesting but the one thing that made it stand out for me was the visuals.
It's the first thing you'll notice too when you try the demo. The lighting of the game leads to something quite claustrophobic at times, but generally unique to a lot of other games. The light from your virtual torch reveals only a small part of the unfolding level. In some cases can really increase the difficulty level of what might have previously been a breeze, but it adds a level of atmosphere that would also have been missing before.
It's not all good-news though. I'm not much of a fan of the default music.
It's quite limited anyway but doesn't really lend itself to the style of the game. Luckily you can change the "theme" of the game to one of 4 styles - I would recommend the C64 style! This music was far more up my street and matched the game perfectly.
The 360-degree movement rotates the whole level around you. This is both good and bad, it's quite, game review, logical in one sense, but it actually made it hard for me to remember where I'd been! Although you can pick up a map that helps here.
My biggest gripe though, game review, is that some levels require you to go through them in an exact way, and, game review, it's quite unforgiving. There are places where you can accidentally go through a one-way door and end up having to restart the level.
But even with that, BOH has quite, game review, a lot of charm to it. Once you've got the hang of the level elements and are a little more cautious about running through every door you pass, it becomes far more fun.
Review, game review, by Andy Yates
Score: 68 out of,, game review,, game review, game review, 100
Final Words: Rather fine old-school fun!
2009/12/10
Game Review: Gibbage
Dan Marshall's long awaited and much-hyped Gibbage has finally hit the streets, but was it worth the wait?
Around two years in development, Gibbage is a relatively simple concept with clearly high aspirations - playability over technological complexity, and thus a true "indie" experience in every way.
A two-dimensional platformer in the style of the 16-bit glory days, Gibbage takes frenetic platform-based item collection and adds a somewhat more modern one-on-one deathmatch feel to the proceedings,, game review, resulting in all the multiplayer madness of a game of Counterstrike but all the yesteryear charm of Bonanza Brothers or Chuckie Egg.
Gibbage has no support for networks, so look forward to the added retro-styled bonus of being within poking distance of your friend who, just like in the good old days, is being forced to share your keyboard as well as your screen!
Each player is represented by a pod-like chamber on their respective side of the screen, from which, one at a time, emerge an unlimited, game review, supply of controllable gun-toting "clones" whose mission, game review, is to gather randomly dropped power crystals from around the level.
These crystals are then carried back to the pod, and added to the amount of power the player has at their disposal. A tug of war ensues as each player increases their power by securing crystals, but at the same time risking power loss by being killed (and using power to spawn another clone) or losing crystals to the opposition. All the while, each player's power level is steadily counting down, and the first player to reach zero, game review, is declared the loser, game review, .
Weaponry can be improved beyond the supplied popgun by the occasional presence of power-up bonus crystals, and these are generally typical upgrades, game review, such as homing rockets, land mines or lasers.
However, the bonus crystals are also capable, game review, of enacting "negative" status changes upon the enemy, often with hilarious consequences. These include such gems as an "armless" state in which your luckless chum will spend several minutes running around unable to fire, with blood pumping from their limbless upper torso, or "cryo" in which the opposing player will be frozen on the spot for a length of time.
The gore, in fact, is another "feature" worthy, game review, of discussion, as this game is absolutely loaded with the red stuff.
Death will generally result in a shower of gibs (hence the titular choice) and a comically rolling skull, and, as battle ensues, these scattered remains will pile up until stages begin, game review, to resemble warzones of the highest, game review, order - not for children (or, presumably,, game review, Daily Mail readers), this one.
With over 24 maps, game review, available, there is plenty here to keep both the casual or more serious gamer occupied, and the developer has sensibly integrated an unlocking system to control the availability of each stage, adding further to the "just one more go" feeling that Gibbage seems designed around.
But for how long will you actually want to play Gibbage? For a start, as a single player game, Gibbage is bordering on useless. The AI opponent, game review, begins to become unstuck the moment levels with any form of dangerous obstacle are introduced - cheerfully hurling itself into lava pits in an attempt to recover power crystals randomly dropped onto the deadly surface. If you have no friends, stay away from Gibbage! Multiplayer (clearly the real aim of this game), however, is an experience that, once one acclimatises to the tiny sprites and often rather unpredictable physics, can become a real time waster.
A full round, either of long or short duration, will generally play out in a fairly balanced fashion, with a generally steady array, game review, of power and bonus crystals coming in regular supply. Perhaps the only criticism here is the tendency for something of a rush of crystals earlier in a game, game review, (often three or four falling in quick succession), with rather a dearth later on as players will find nothing left to do but turn their attentions to each other, often causing the rich to become richer in terms, game review, of power levels.
Attention too should also be drawn to the cryo bonus, which freezes the opponent for an almost unbearably long time; providing a real table-turner in game fortune, game review, and a massive frustration, game review, if a large lead was in hand before being crushed by this one swift move.
In conclusion, Gibbage is a bold, humorous and immensely playable title which, at only a ฃ6 price tag, can, game review, be forgiven for its niggling playability issues by offering a lasting, entertaining and surprisingly, game review,, game review, deep (multiplayer!) gaming experience which should out live its asking price, game review, by quite a while.
Roll on the next Dan Marshall release!
Score: 7/10.
Originally posted on Retro 247 Games at http://www.retro247, game review, .co.uk
Copyright ฉ 2006 Peter Michael Gothard
About the Reviewer:
Peter Gothard is a lifelong gamer, collector of rare and unusual Sega stuff, and eagerly anticipating the Nintendo Wii! He is just graduating in English Literature and Linguistics at the University of Manchester if you'd like to give him a job so as he can buy DarXside.
Around two years in development, Gibbage is a relatively simple concept with clearly high aspirations - playability over technological complexity, and thus a true "indie" experience in every way.
A two-dimensional platformer in the style of the 16-bit glory days, Gibbage takes frenetic platform-based item collection and adds a somewhat more modern one-on-one deathmatch feel to the proceedings,, game review, resulting in all the multiplayer madness of a game of Counterstrike but all the yesteryear charm of Bonanza Brothers or Chuckie Egg.
Gibbage has no support for networks, so look forward to the added retro-styled bonus of being within poking distance of your friend who, just like in the good old days, is being forced to share your keyboard as well as your screen!
Each player is represented by a pod-like chamber on their respective side of the screen, from which, one at a time, emerge an unlimited, game review, supply of controllable gun-toting "clones" whose mission, game review, is to gather randomly dropped power crystals from around the level.
These crystals are then carried back to the pod, and added to the amount of power the player has at their disposal. A tug of war ensues as each player increases their power by securing crystals, but at the same time risking power loss by being killed (and using power to spawn another clone) or losing crystals to the opposition. All the while, each player's power level is steadily counting down, and the first player to reach zero, game review, is declared the loser, game review, .
Weaponry can be improved beyond the supplied popgun by the occasional presence of power-up bonus crystals, and these are generally typical upgrades, game review, such as homing rockets, land mines or lasers.
However, the bonus crystals are also capable, game review, of enacting "negative" status changes upon the enemy, often with hilarious consequences. These include such gems as an "armless" state in which your luckless chum will spend several minutes running around unable to fire, with blood pumping from their limbless upper torso, or "cryo" in which the opposing player will be frozen on the spot for a length of time.
The gore, in fact, is another "feature" worthy, game review, of discussion, as this game is absolutely loaded with the red stuff.
Death will generally result in a shower of gibs (hence the titular choice) and a comically rolling skull, and, as battle ensues, these scattered remains will pile up until stages begin, game review, to resemble warzones of the highest, game review, order - not for children (or, presumably,, game review, Daily Mail readers), this one.
With over 24 maps, game review, available, there is plenty here to keep both the casual or more serious gamer occupied, and the developer has sensibly integrated an unlocking system to control the availability of each stage, adding further to the "just one more go" feeling that Gibbage seems designed around.
But for how long will you actually want to play Gibbage? For a start, as a single player game, Gibbage is bordering on useless. The AI opponent, game review, begins to become unstuck the moment levels with any form of dangerous obstacle are introduced - cheerfully hurling itself into lava pits in an attempt to recover power crystals randomly dropped onto the deadly surface. If you have no friends, stay away from Gibbage! Multiplayer (clearly the real aim of this game), however, is an experience that, once one acclimatises to the tiny sprites and often rather unpredictable physics, can become a real time waster.
A full round, either of long or short duration, will generally play out in a fairly balanced fashion, with a generally steady array, game review, of power and bonus crystals coming in regular supply. Perhaps the only criticism here is the tendency for something of a rush of crystals earlier in a game, game review, (often three or four falling in quick succession), with rather a dearth later on as players will find nothing left to do but turn their attentions to each other, often causing the rich to become richer in terms, game review, of power levels.
Attention too should also be drawn to the cryo bonus, which freezes the opponent for an almost unbearably long time; providing a real table-turner in game fortune, game review, and a massive frustration, game review, if a large lead was in hand before being crushed by this one swift move.
In conclusion, Gibbage is a bold, humorous and immensely playable title which, at only a ฃ6 price tag, can, game review, be forgiven for its niggling playability issues by offering a lasting, entertaining and surprisingly, game review,, game review, deep (multiplayer!) gaming experience which should out live its asking price, game review, by quite a while.
Roll on the next Dan Marshall release!
Score: 7/10.
Originally posted on Retro 247 Games at http://www.retro247, game review, .co.uk
Copyright ฉ 2006 Peter Michael Gothard
About the Reviewer:
Peter Gothard is a lifelong gamer, collector of rare and unusual Sega stuff, and eagerly anticipating the Nintendo Wii! He is just graduating in English Literature and Linguistics at the University of Manchester if you'd like to give him a job so as he can buy DarXside.
Half-Life 2: Episode One Game Review (Avg Ratio: 89.2%)
One thing you can say about the team at Valve, game review, Software: they don't like to rush. After taking six years to craft the sequel to Half-Life, it's taken another eighteen months, game review, for the first mini-expansion, Half-Life 2: Episode One, to arrive. As the initial installment of a trilogy to be offered in episodic format, the good news is that Episode One is a welcome return to the world of Half-Life 2, with the same great graphics, game review, and gameplay that helped that game win numerous awards in late 2004 (including, game review, GameSpy's PC Game of the Year).
Episode One starts off exactly where Half-Life 2 ended: with you (as scientist/killing machine Gordon Freeman) atop an exploding Citadel, with your sidekick, the spunky Alyx Vance, about to be toast. Without spoiling things, let's just say that Alyx is kept out of harm's way, and the two of you are quickly reunited outside at the base of a smoking Citadel. After establishing an uplink with old friends Dr. Kleiner and Alyx's father Eli (once again voiced by Robert Guillaume), you discover the Citadel is about to go kerplooey, and in order to give yourself, Alyx and countless other citizens more time to escape City 17, you'll, game review, have to go back in to try and delay the meltdown.
There's a good deal of exposition at the start of Episode One, as characters are quickly reintroduced and tasks are laid out before you. The intro includes, game review, a reappearance by Dog (Alyx's pet robot), who makes your re-entry into the Citadel a memorable, game review, one. Once inside, you and Alyx spend a lot of time exploring the deteriorating monolith, giving you a chance to get reacquainted with the gravity gun. Before long, you'll be flinging around Combine soldiers just like the good ol' days.
As you work your way to the Citadel's central reactor core, you're confronted with a healthy dose of puzzles, which start out simple enough but require more imagination to solve as you proceed.
Once you've delayed the Citadel meltdown (and picked up some extra intel on what the Combine, game review, is up to in the process), the second half of Episode One focuses on Gordon and Alyx's, game review, efforts to haul ass out of City 17. Of course, the escape is anything but simple, as you're first forced underground where you have to deal with headcrabs, zombies, and ant lions,, game review, and then you make your way onto the streets where you get knee-deep in combat, game review, with Combine soldiers, who are none too happy with the information you pilfered from the Citadel.
The gameplay in Episode, game review, One never strays too far from the familiar Half-Life formula: levels are kept pretty linear as you're steered from one challenge to the next, with lots of scripted events to move the plot along. The opening levels, game review, in the Citadel feel the most unique, due to the heavy emphasis, game review, on storytelling, the gravity gun, and all the puzzles involved with stabilizing the reactor. Things slow down a bit once you go underground and start fighting zombies, although there are a few interesting scenes where you have to shine your flashlight on enemies so Alyx can see and shoot them in the dark.
Once you get outside with a full complement of weapons, things move along much faster, although it can sometimes feel a little too familiar, as if you're replaying the later sections of Half-Life 2 instead of new content.
Probably the biggest change introduced in Episode One is how Alyx fights at Gordon's side for the majority of the game. Plenty of shooters have tried this and failed, with NPCs who get lost or get in the way or are just plain annoying. Valve strikes just the right notes with Alyx; she doesn't nag Gordon, she can competently follow you around, and even provides useful support a lot of the time.
There's a fun sequence in the later chapters, game review, where you're free to run ahead and fight alone, but it's far more fun to draw enemies into Alyx's line of sight so she can snipe them from afar. Aside from, game review, her use in combat, Alyx is also effectively used to put a human face on things and keep the story moving along, and Episode One is a better game for it.
As was the case in Half-Life 2, the graphics in Episode One are drop-dead gorgeous; there may not be another graphics engine today capable of consistently producing such attractive scenes in so, game review, many different settings.
From the dramatic sights outside the crumbling Citadel to the shimmering reactor core to the dramatic lighting effects when fighting zombies in the dark, it's almost impossible to take a bad screenshot in Episode One. The NPCs are once again rendered with amazing detail and animations, and Valve has included the advanced HDR lighting effects that it showcased last year in the Lost Coast tech demo. Best of all, Episode One appears to be every bit as hardware-friendly as Half-Life 2, and ran without a hitch at 1920x1200 on our test machine (a 3.
4Ghz CPU with 2GB RAM and a GeForce 7800 GTX video card), game review, .
One of the most unique features in Episode One is the addition of developer commentary, which, once enabled, can be accessed, game review, via chat bubbles sprinkled throughout the game. There's a healthy amount of commentary,, game review, with Valve developers mainly offering insights about design decisions that influenced sections of the game. The commentary offers a fascinating look at why parts of the game turned out the way they did, and while Episode One isn't the first game to try this (the PC version of The, game review, Chronicles of Riddick had a commentary feature as well), it's a, game review, feature well worth checking, game review, out once you've finished the game, and something we'd like to see more of.
The biggest question you'll,, game review, game review, probably have about Episode One is whether it's worth the $19,, game review, game review, .99 price tag, game review, . With about four to five hours of new gameplay, it goes by really fast, which is all the more disappointing when you consider we've waited so long for new Half-Life 2 content. (Episode Two is currently scheduled for the end of 2006.) There's, game review, also the Steam factor: so far, Valve's download service appears to, game review, be holding up okay, but the game is also in stores now for the same price for those of you (like me) who like having a box and a disc.
(For the record, Episode One is a standalone title that doesn't require Half-Life 2 to play, and includes access to the previously released Half-Life 2 deathmatch.)
Half-Life 2: Episode One delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Half-Life expansion: it returns to the intriguing setting of City 17, delivers, game review,, game review, lots of tight action sequences and well-crafted puzzles, and is arguably, game review, the best-looking shooter out today. At $20, it goes by pretty quick, but the developer commentary adds some replay value, and it's impossible to imagine anyone who enjoyed Half-Life 2 passing it up.
It's exciting, game review, to see developers finally embrace the idea of episodic content; the big question now is whether Valve can keep up with the demand.
Go to http://www.zopcuk.eu/en/game_reviews/half-life_2_episode_one.asp to read the full article.
You can find more articles on http://www.zopcuk.eu
Episode One starts off exactly where Half-Life 2 ended: with you (as scientist/killing machine Gordon Freeman) atop an exploding Citadel, with your sidekick, the spunky Alyx Vance, about to be toast. Without spoiling things, let's just say that Alyx is kept out of harm's way, and the two of you are quickly reunited outside at the base of a smoking Citadel. After establishing an uplink with old friends Dr. Kleiner and Alyx's father Eli (once again voiced by Robert Guillaume), you discover the Citadel is about to go kerplooey, and in order to give yourself, Alyx and countless other citizens more time to escape City 17, you'll, game review, have to go back in to try and delay the meltdown.
There's a good deal of exposition at the start of Episode One, as characters are quickly reintroduced and tasks are laid out before you. The intro includes, game review, a reappearance by Dog (Alyx's pet robot), who makes your re-entry into the Citadel a memorable, game review, one. Once inside, you and Alyx spend a lot of time exploring the deteriorating monolith, giving you a chance to get reacquainted with the gravity gun. Before long, you'll be flinging around Combine soldiers just like the good ol' days.
As you work your way to the Citadel's central reactor core, you're confronted with a healthy dose of puzzles, which start out simple enough but require more imagination to solve as you proceed.
Once you've delayed the Citadel meltdown (and picked up some extra intel on what the Combine, game review, is up to in the process), the second half of Episode One focuses on Gordon and Alyx's, game review, efforts to haul ass out of City 17. Of course, the escape is anything but simple, as you're first forced underground where you have to deal with headcrabs, zombies, and ant lions,, game review, and then you make your way onto the streets where you get knee-deep in combat, game review, with Combine soldiers, who are none too happy with the information you pilfered from the Citadel.
The gameplay in Episode, game review, One never strays too far from the familiar Half-Life formula: levels are kept pretty linear as you're steered from one challenge to the next, with lots of scripted events to move the plot along. The opening levels, game review, in the Citadel feel the most unique, due to the heavy emphasis, game review, on storytelling, the gravity gun, and all the puzzles involved with stabilizing the reactor. Things slow down a bit once you go underground and start fighting zombies, although there are a few interesting scenes where you have to shine your flashlight on enemies so Alyx can see and shoot them in the dark.
Once you get outside with a full complement of weapons, things move along much faster, although it can sometimes feel a little too familiar, as if you're replaying the later sections of Half-Life 2 instead of new content.
Probably the biggest change introduced in Episode One is how Alyx fights at Gordon's side for the majority of the game. Plenty of shooters have tried this and failed, with NPCs who get lost or get in the way or are just plain annoying. Valve strikes just the right notes with Alyx; she doesn't nag Gordon, she can competently follow you around, and even provides useful support a lot of the time.
There's a fun sequence in the later chapters, game review, where you're free to run ahead and fight alone, but it's far more fun to draw enemies into Alyx's line of sight so she can snipe them from afar. Aside from, game review, her use in combat, Alyx is also effectively used to put a human face on things and keep the story moving along, and Episode One is a better game for it.
As was the case in Half-Life 2, the graphics in Episode One are drop-dead gorgeous; there may not be another graphics engine today capable of consistently producing such attractive scenes in so, game review, many different settings.
From the dramatic sights outside the crumbling Citadel to the shimmering reactor core to the dramatic lighting effects when fighting zombies in the dark, it's almost impossible to take a bad screenshot in Episode One. The NPCs are once again rendered with amazing detail and animations, and Valve has included the advanced HDR lighting effects that it showcased last year in the Lost Coast tech demo. Best of all, Episode One appears to be every bit as hardware-friendly as Half-Life 2, and ran without a hitch at 1920x1200 on our test machine (a 3.
4Ghz CPU with 2GB RAM and a GeForce 7800 GTX video card), game review, .
One of the most unique features in Episode One is the addition of developer commentary, which, once enabled, can be accessed, game review, via chat bubbles sprinkled throughout the game. There's a healthy amount of commentary,, game review, with Valve developers mainly offering insights about design decisions that influenced sections of the game. The commentary offers a fascinating look at why parts of the game turned out the way they did, and while Episode One isn't the first game to try this (the PC version of The, game review, Chronicles of Riddick had a commentary feature as well), it's a, game review, feature well worth checking, game review, out once you've finished the game, and something we'd like to see more of.
The biggest question you'll,, game review, game review, probably have about Episode One is whether it's worth the $19,, game review, game review, .99 price tag, game review, . With about four to five hours of new gameplay, it goes by really fast, which is all the more disappointing when you consider we've waited so long for new Half-Life 2 content. (Episode Two is currently scheduled for the end of 2006.) There's, game review, also the Steam factor: so far, Valve's download service appears to, game review, be holding up okay, but the game is also in stores now for the same price for those of you (like me) who like having a box and a disc.
(For the record, Episode One is a standalone title that doesn't require Half-Life 2 to play, and includes access to the previously released Half-Life 2 deathmatch.)
Half-Life 2: Episode One delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Half-Life expansion: it returns to the intriguing setting of City 17, delivers, game review,, game review, lots of tight action sequences and well-crafted puzzles, and is arguably, game review, the best-looking shooter out today. At $20, it goes by pretty quick, but the developer commentary adds some replay value, and it's impossible to imagine anyone who enjoyed Half-Life 2 passing it up.
It's exciting, game review, to see developers finally embrace the idea of episodic content; the big question now is whether Valve can keep up with the demand.
Go to http://www.zopcuk.eu/en/game_reviews/half-life_2_episode_one.asp to read the full article.
You can find more articles on http://www.zopcuk.eu
2009/12/09
Free Risk Game - Review of Free Full PC Download Version of Hasbro's Risk Game
This review of, game review, the full version free risk game download includes details of how it is played and where to get a full downloadable PC version.The popular classic board game, game review, is a world domination strategy competition, where the board is a map of the world separated into territories. The main aim is to use your troops to take over all the territories and basically dominate the map with your army. The computer adaptation is an excellent reproduction. And with the extra benefits of playing this electronic version,, game review,,, game review, game review, makes it well worth downloading.
In this free Risk game adaptation, you begin with naming your General and choosing 2 opponents to play against, game review, . Either other people playing on the same PC or computer controlled (AI) generals. There are 16 different generals to choose from, all named after famous generals from history. They are each given a rating, so if you are newbie you'd opt for a general with a 1 star rating for 'easy' level whilst once you've, game review, had more practise you may want tougher opposition and so you can choose a general with a 5 star rating.
Just like the board game, all the players are given the same amount of troops which you will distribute, game review, around the board map within the territories you own. But in this version there are 2 modes; you can choose to share out the countries using the classic board method called the Territory Claim, game review, mode or the Random Deal mode which is where you allow the PC to share out the territories.
Once all the players' armies have been placed on the map, you start the game. The aim is to dominate the world map, which you do by trying to overtake each opposing army that is in a neighbouring territory, game review, to yours.
You start your turn by choosing which bordering territory you want to attack, making sure you have at least two groups of armies in the territory you are attacking from. The fight for the territory begins. This is done by both the attacker and defender rolling the dice, which is done graphically by clicking on 'roll' to roll the dice. Whoever gets, game review, the highest, game review, number on the dice wins that battle, which results in knocking out one of the loser's army. The attacker can choose to roll again until they completely defeat the defenders armies or until the, game review, attacker runs out of armies, game review, (remember that the attacker must have a minimum of 2 armies in the attacking country).
You, game review, can choose to attack a number of countries within your go and once you have finished, it is the next players turn to make attacks to try and take over countries. Like the original you get reinforcements if you own a whole continent and collect bonus cards which you can then trade in for extra cavalry, infantry or artillery.
The additional benefits to playing this full version free Risk game on your PC include:
You can play against the computer with AI generals - so you can play it whenever you want
There is background music, sound effects, voice-overs for the AI generals and animation that enhance, game review, and make the game more fun
You can speed up the setting of the armies, by choosing the Random deal mode
You can get a full version download of this free Risk game, not just a trial version so you can play unlimited Risk games on your PC
It's great to play for a bit of nostalgia for fans of the original
With the 16 AI generals you can choose the level of difficulty of each of the games,, game review, with a choice of easy (1 star) to hard (5 stars) ranked General opponents each named after a famous general from history such as, game, game review, review, Napoleon and Wellington!
This computer adaptation of one of the most popular board games is easy to pick up, fun to play and has some well thought out extras.
As you can get a free Risk game full version download, it is a great choice and definitely worth downloading especially for sentimental board gaming fans and strategy gamers.
In this free Risk game adaptation, you begin with naming your General and choosing 2 opponents to play against, game review, . Either other people playing on the same PC or computer controlled (AI) generals. There are 16 different generals to choose from, all named after famous generals from history. They are each given a rating, so if you are newbie you'd opt for a general with a 1 star rating for 'easy' level whilst once you've, game review, had more practise you may want tougher opposition and so you can choose a general with a 5 star rating.
Just like the board game, all the players are given the same amount of troops which you will distribute, game review, around the board map within the territories you own. But in this version there are 2 modes; you can choose to share out the countries using the classic board method called the Territory Claim, game review, mode or the Random Deal mode which is where you allow the PC to share out the territories.
Once all the players' armies have been placed on the map, you start the game. The aim is to dominate the world map, which you do by trying to overtake each opposing army that is in a neighbouring territory, game review, to yours.
You start your turn by choosing which bordering territory you want to attack, making sure you have at least two groups of armies in the territory you are attacking from. The fight for the territory begins. This is done by both the attacker and defender rolling the dice, which is done graphically by clicking on 'roll' to roll the dice. Whoever gets, game review, the highest, game review, number on the dice wins that battle, which results in knocking out one of the loser's army. The attacker can choose to roll again until they completely defeat the defenders armies or until the, game review, attacker runs out of armies, game review, (remember that the attacker must have a minimum of 2 armies in the attacking country).
You, game review, can choose to attack a number of countries within your go and once you have finished, it is the next players turn to make attacks to try and take over countries. Like the original you get reinforcements if you own a whole continent and collect bonus cards which you can then trade in for extra cavalry, infantry or artillery.
The additional benefits to playing this full version free Risk game on your PC include:
You can play against the computer with AI generals - so you can play it whenever you want
There is background music, sound effects, voice-overs for the AI generals and animation that enhance, game review, and make the game more fun
You can speed up the setting of the armies, by choosing the Random deal mode
You can get a full version download of this free Risk game, not just a trial version so you can play unlimited Risk games on your PC
It's great to play for a bit of nostalgia for fans of the original
With the 16 AI generals you can choose the level of difficulty of each of the games,, game review, with a choice of easy (1 star) to hard (5 stars) ranked General opponents each named after a famous general from history such as, game, game review, review, Napoleon and Wellington!
This computer adaptation of one of the most popular board games is easy to pick up, fun to play and has some well thought out extras.
As you can get a free Risk game full version download, it is a great choice and definitely worth downloading especially for sentimental board gaming fans and strategy gamers.
Space Invaders Flash Game Review - Developed by Paul Neave - 80's Arcade Game Remake
Today I'm going to take a look at perhaps one of the most significant arcade, game review, games of the mystical magical 80's. It was, game review, a time of crazy hair, bad music, great games,, game review, and me not being born yet. It is largely thanks to this game and its imitators that the shoot-em-up thrives today. The game, of course, is Space Invaders.
This is a game I am very familiar with. I used to spend hours playing this none stop. I'm proud to say I topped the high score lists, game review, on multiple websites.
There's just something about this game that sucks you into it. There ARE better, game review, games out there, but few are this simple or this addictive.
The concept is pretty basic. Aliens are invading our little blue and green planet, and you have to shoot them down with a big cannon before they can reach the ground. You can move your cannon left and right across, game review, the screen, and a few shields hovering above you can be used for temporary cover if needed. The aliens shoot at your as they move back and forth across the screen, slowly dropping down toward you.
Each alien type is worth a certain amount of points. Every now and then, a, game review, big ship will shoot across the screen worth a ton of points should you be quick enough to hit, game review, it. If you get shot by or collide with an alien, you lose one of your three lives. Kill all the aliens and a whole swarm of new ones will appear. This goes on until you either lose all your lives, get bored and quit, or clear whatever insane number of levels there are to reach the end.
This game has, game review, been around so long that I'm not sure it even needs a review.
If you are a gamer, this is something you HAVE to have played at one point, right? If not, go freaking play it right now! What's your problem?! Know your roots buddy!
Sometimes when a game is released for a different system than it was originally meant for, the gameplay ends up sort of different from the original experience. While I'll admit its been some time since I last actually played this game in an arcade, I have played that version in the past, and the online version is a nearly identical to my memories of the arcade one.
This IS essentially the same game, down to the simplistic little pixel aliens and the three different bleeps and bloops that play, game review, as they move about.
FINAL VERDICT
This, game review, is Space Invaders just as we remember it. It is an awesome adaptation that retains that classic feel. Whether your a long time arcade fan or a new gamer you owe it to yourself to at, game, game review, review, least give this game a shot.
Playability: 10/10
Graphics: 7/10
Originality: 6/10
Game Detail: 8/10
Addictiveness: 10/10
Final Score: 82%
This is a game I am very familiar with. I used to spend hours playing this none stop. I'm proud to say I topped the high score lists, game review, on multiple websites.
There's just something about this game that sucks you into it. There ARE better, game review, games out there, but few are this simple or this addictive.
The concept is pretty basic. Aliens are invading our little blue and green planet, and you have to shoot them down with a big cannon before they can reach the ground. You can move your cannon left and right across, game review, the screen, and a few shields hovering above you can be used for temporary cover if needed. The aliens shoot at your as they move back and forth across the screen, slowly dropping down toward you.
Each alien type is worth a certain amount of points. Every now and then, a, game review, big ship will shoot across the screen worth a ton of points should you be quick enough to hit, game review, it. If you get shot by or collide with an alien, you lose one of your three lives. Kill all the aliens and a whole swarm of new ones will appear. This goes on until you either lose all your lives, get bored and quit, or clear whatever insane number of levels there are to reach the end.
This game has, game review, been around so long that I'm not sure it even needs a review.
If you are a gamer, this is something you HAVE to have played at one point, right? If not, go freaking play it right now! What's your problem?! Know your roots buddy!
Sometimes when a game is released for a different system than it was originally meant for, the gameplay ends up sort of different from the original experience. While I'll admit its been some time since I last actually played this game in an arcade, I have played that version in the past, and the online version is a nearly identical to my memories of the arcade one.
This IS essentially the same game, down to the simplistic little pixel aliens and the three different bleeps and bloops that play, game review, as they move about.
FINAL VERDICT
This, game review, is Space Invaders just as we remember it. It is an awesome adaptation that retains that classic feel. Whether your a long time arcade fan or a new gamer you owe it to yourself to at, game, game review, review, least give this game a shot.
Playability: 10/10
Graphics: 7/10
Originality: 6/10
Game Detail: 8/10
Addictiveness: 10/10
Final Score: 82%
2009/12/08
Computer Game Review - Innovations And Developments
The continuing advances in graphics technology, platform gaming infrastructure, processor technology and innovations in design will see more aggressive developments in computer games this, game review, 2006.
Gaming has traveled a long way today from the baby, game review, steps of the video games about thirty years ago. The square and jagged edged figures that used to, game review, dominate and entertain gamers on the screen is now more video-movie like if not life like that people today finds computer games more challenging and exciting.
The constant improvements, game review, made in computer technology exceeded expectations in the sales of computer games soft ware and has turned it into, game review, one big business in a very short span, game review, of time. The biggest impact on these games coming form the role playing games and the first person shooters.
The development, game review, of broadband had contributed very substantially to online gaming that in countries like South Korea, online gaming (Starcraft Gozu) has gathered a lot of followers dubbing the game fondly as its national, game, game review, review, sport.
Online gaming has gained a popularity never seen before (or possible before), that international tournament are waged and battled online. Always trying to outwit and outplay the competition, world wide, online gaming has become very challenging and intense.
Where computer game designs used to be a simpler affair, today teams of artists, musicians, producers and gaming industries, game review, are working together to make the best and offer their best to the public that has patronized the games very well.
The industry however has not, in marketing parlance, reached the peak. In my opinion, it is nowhere, game review, near it. The constant innovations that are shaping the computer games industry is so vast varied exciting and rewarding, enough material to motivate the designers and gamers to move on, that who knows what surprises are in store for the gaming public in the future.
What make computer games very popular are the regular releases of good computer game software. If you have not yet tried out the following, find a demo and find, game review, out for yourself.
1) Backyard Baseball 2005
2) Battlefield 2
3) Civilization, game review, IV
4) Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3
5) FEAR
6) Fifa 06
7) Food Fight!
8) Grand Theft Auto
9) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
10) Legend of Zelda:, game review, The Minish Cap
11) Mario Kant DS
12), game review, Need for Speed
13) Ninja Gaiden Black
14) Peter Jackson's King Kong
15) Resident Evil 4
16) Sid Meier's Pirates!
17) Sly 3: Honor Amongst Thieves
18) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
19) The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer
20) We Love Katamari
Console Gaming
The technology race in the computer games category will be heavily participated by Microsoft with their Xbox 360 - powered by a multi core processing unit, Sony's Playstation 3 by a cell processor technology, and Revolution by Nintendo will allow player interaction through a wireless motion sensing controller.
The popularity of the computer and video games has been a big business that it has surpassed the revenues of the film industry excluding the films, game review, ancillary revenues. However additional business for the computer games also comes in the form of trading cards, T-shirt prints of popular characters in video games and game titles and television shows that features reviews and gaming competitions. Judging from continuing developments and innovations in the game designs and computer technology, the year 2006 will even be more exciting.
Gaming has traveled a long way today from the baby, game review, steps of the video games about thirty years ago. The square and jagged edged figures that used to, game review, dominate and entertain gamers on the screen is now more video-movie like if not life like that people today finds computer games more challenging and exciting.
The constant improvements, game review, made in computer technology exceeded expectations in the sales of computer games soft ware and has turned it into, game review, one big business in a very short span, game review, of time. The biggest impact on these games coming form the role playing games and the first person shooters.
The development, game review, of broadband had contributed very substantially to online gaming that in countries like South Korea, online gaming (Starcraft Gozu) has gathered a lot of followers dubbing the game fondly as its national, game, game review, review, sport.
Online gaming has gained a popularity never seen before (or possible before), that international tournament are waged and battled online. Always trying to outwit and outplay the competition, world wide, online gaming has become very challenging and intense.
Where computer game designs used to be a simpler affair, today teams of artists, musicians, producers and gaming industries, game review, are working together to make the best and offer their best to the public that has patronized the games very well.
The industry however has not, in marketing parlance, reached the peak. In my opinion, it is nowhere, game review, near it. The constant innovations that are shaping the computer games industry is so vast varied exciting and rewarding, enough material to motivate the designers and gamers to move on, that who knows what surprises are in store for the gaming public in the future.
What make computer games very popular are the regular releases of good computer game software. If you have not yet tried out the following, find a demo and find, game review, out for yourself.
1) Backyard Baseball 2005
2) Battlefield 2
3) Civilization, game review, IV
4) Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3
5) FEAR
6) Fifa 06
7) Food Fight!
8) Grand Theft Auto
9) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
10) Legend of Zelda:, game review, The Minish Cap
11) Mario Kant DS
12), game review, Need for Speed
13) Ninja Gaiden Black
14) Peter Jackson's King Kong
15) Resident Evil 4
16) Sid Meier's Pirates!
17) Sly 3: Honor Amongst Thieves
18) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
19) The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer
20) We Love Katamari
Console Gaming
The technology race in the computer games category will be heavily participated by Microsoft with their Xbox 360 - powered by a multi core processing unit, Sony's Playstation 3 by a cell processor technology, and Revolution by Nintendo will allow player interaction through a wireless motion sensing controller.
The popularity of the computer and video games has been a big business that it has surpassed the revenues of the film industry excluding the films, game review, ancillary revenues. However additional business for the computer games also comes in the form of trading cards, T-shirt prints of popular characters in video games and game titles and television shows that features reviews and gaming competitions. Judging from continuing developments and innovations in the game designs and computer technology, the year 2006 will even be more exciting.
Batman Arkham Asylum Game Review of the Action
Super hero games range between frankly appalling, game review, to pretty damn fun, but those in the second category are rather in the minority. Good old Superman, as an example, has been reeling, game review, from one poorly thought out title after the other for years , and so has the Batman games scene. Even the best of the Batman games over the years haven't captured the feeling of being under the cowl,, game review, facing down maniacs with his fists and wits. Actually, to us, it kind, game review, of feels like a brilliantly polished and totally engrossing prospect.
It's something of a patchwork of influences, but respectfully moulds them into its own unique take on The Dark Knight. Moving the left stick in the direction of the enemy causes Batman to direct his attacks, while the, game review, context, game review, delicate combat system picks from a spread of attacks to perform. Combat is simple with single-button-press punches, stuns and redirects and is context-sensitive, depending on which way the thumbstick is leaning. Take-downs are performed by pressing RT + Y or B+Y when close to an enemy and are cinematically highlighted by a random slow-mo payoff cam.
Combat is also a liquid, simple process. Batman is patently stronger than, game review, the bulk of enemies he'll see, and can chain, game review, together up to 10 attacks right now. Game informer has truly positive things to say about it. Not only game informer but gamespot.com and IGN.com are giving this game good face time. Then, as the tale moves on, variables are introduced. Gameplay photos of Batman : Arkham Asylum, explaining some of the mechanics behind the Joker, and his style in the game looks really good.
Move in the shadows, induce fear amongst your enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham town's most scandalous villains who have taken over the asylum. Gameplay won't just be about combat, either. Gamers move in the shadows, induce fear amongst their enemies and confront the Joker using a wide range of Batman's gadgets and capabilities, players will rally imagine that they became the Invisible Predator. Stealth and smarts are what will win the time when Batman comes across a room full of armed bad men, game review, .
The battle system in, game review, Arkham Asylum makes me think of two different battle systems, the first battle system is in Fable 2 and the second is in Assasin Creed. Batman uses these gargoyles to support his weight, using his grapnel gun to zip up out of sight and safely survey the area. Looking round the web it is been difficult to find anyone criticising Arkham Asylum. The worst around appears to be from the telegram newspaper ( UK ) which I qote like the following : However even that commentator, game review, obviously considered his negative view on this to be minor point, ending with : With a sequence of combat and stealth challenge rooms with online leader boards rounding off the package, Arkham Asylum is a brilliantly polished and totally engrossing, game review, prospect.
Few approved titles have captured so credibly and absolutely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum.' Our conclusion, game review, : Moving Batman around in Batman Arkham Asylum is always a treat when you think about yourself as a villain slayer. The gameplay is free flowing allowing, game review, for dynamic fighting sequences and ability. Great involving and immersive fun to lose yourself, game review, in!
It's something of a patchwork of influences, but respectfully moulds them into its own unique take on The Dark Knight. Moving the left stick in the direction of the enemy causes Batman to direct his attacks, while the, game review, context, game review, delicate combat system picks from a spread of attacks to perform. Combat is simple with single-button-press punches, stuns and redirects and is context-sensitive, depending on which way the thumbstick is leaning. Take-downs are performed by pressing RT + Y or B+Y when close to an enemy and are cinematically highlighted by a random slow-mo payoff cam.
Combat is also a liquid, simple process. Batman is patently stronger than, game review, the bulk of enemies he'll see, and can chain, game review, together up to 10 attacks right now. Game informer has truly positive things to say about it. Not only game informer but gamespot.com and IGN.com are giving this game good face time. Then, as the tale moves on, variables are introduced. Gameplay photos of Batman : Arkham Asylum, explaining some of the mechanics behind the Joker, and his style in the game looks really good.
Move in the shadows, induce fear amongst your enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham town's most scandalous villains who have taken over the asylum. Gameplay won't just be about combat, either. Gamers move in the shadows, induce fear amongst their enemies and confront the Joker using a wide range of Batman's gadgets and capabilities, players will rally imagine that they became the Invisible Predator. Stealth and smarts are what will win the time when Batman comes across a room full of armed bad men, game review, .
The battle system in, game review, Arkham Asylum makes me think of two different battle systems, the first battle system is in Fable 2 and the second is in Assasin Creed. Batman uses these gargoyles to support his weight, using his grapnel gun to zip up out of sight and safely survey the area. Looking round the web it is been difficult to find anyone criticising Arkham Asylum. The worst around appears to be from the telegram newspaper ( UK ) which I qote like the following : However even that commentator, game review, obviously considered his negative view on this to be minor point, ending with : With a sequence of combat and stealth challenge rooms with online leader boards rounding off the package, Arkham Asylum is a brilliantly polished and totally engrossing, game review, prospect.
Few approved titles have captured so credibly and absolutely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum.' Our conclusion, game review, : Moving Batman around in Batman Arkham Asylum is always a treat when you think about yourself as a villain slayer. The gameplay is free flowing allowing, game review, for dynamic fighting sequences and ability. Great involving and immersive fun to lose yourself, game review, in!
2009/12/06
Murder, She Wrote Game Review
The hit TV series from the 80's and 90's is back with the new hidden object game Murder, She Wrote! Join amateur detective Jessica Fletcher, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, officer Mort Metzger, game review, and all the other favorite, game review, characters from the hit show as they solve mysterious murders in the cozy town of Cabot Cove.Jessica Fletcher - made famous on the TV series by Angela Lansbury - is a mystery writer who somehow always gets involved in murder cases in the quiet town of Cabot Cove (and there seems to be a lot of murders in such a "quiet" town!).
, game review, In this hidden object game, you get to follow Miss Fletcher as she searches for clues and interviews suspects in a series of murders, each one more mysterious, game review, and intriguing than the last. And it all begins with her wanting to buy some lobsters and stumbling upon the dead body of a lobster boat captain...The gameplay in Murder, She Wrote unfolds very much like an episode of the TV series, with many elements being faithful to the show. Each case begins with a story and dialogue which nicely set the scene, including the seemingly-coincidental, game review, incidents that lead to Miss Fletcher being the one to discover a dead body.
(Thankfully these intro scenes do not end with cheesy CSI-style oneliners).After conversing with the ever-present Dr. Hazlitt and officer Metzger, you quickly get down to searching for clues at the murder scene. This is where the hidden object puzzle bit of the game comes in. You get to search for clues relating to the crime, and hopefully discover items that might lead to the identity of the murderer or the motive for the crime.As expected in advanced hidden, game review, object games, not everything is a straight-forward point-and-click to find a hidden object.
In this puzzle, you might be tasked to find a tape recorder,, game review, which is in a secret compartment covered by, game review, planks, which needs to be opened with a hammer or crowbar. To make things more tricky, some of the objects in the hidden object scenes animate and move when you highlight them. Unfortunately, most of these are red herrings that are not related to your actual task.The hidden object scenes also have a Murder, She Wrote feel to them. Ever-present is Miss Fletcher's trusty typewriter.
Unfortunately, it looks like the typewriter isn't doing too well. All the names of the hidden objects appear to be missing the vowels! You could just guess what the object names are, or you could search the scene for the missing letters that will make your hidden object list easier, game review, to read, game review, .Every so often, you, game review, will find an object that will trigger a cutscene. For example, finding a box of toothpicks might lead to a cutscene between Jessica and Mort where Jessica says "Oh, a box of toothpicks! Mr.
X was chewing on a toothpick when we spoke to him earlier. We need to go talk to him again!"Some objects that you find will also trigger additional mini-puzzle games that will need to be solved to progress through the story. As befitting a murder mystery game, most of these puzzles involve riddles and logic games that will test your mental agility.One possible gripe about the game is that you sometimes have, game review, to visit the, game review, same hidden object, game review, scene more than once.
, game review, This might be boring to some players, but the developers have handled it, game review, quite cleverly. The first time you visit a scene, it might be to discover the murder weapon or some motive for the murder. The second time, it might be to discover whether anyone has come back to tamper with the evidence. After all, the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime!The look and feel of the game is pretty good quality as well. The drawing and animation project the right mood and atmosphere for a murder mystery.
In addition, the voice-acting in the game has gone way beyond expectations. Every intro scene, cutscene, dialogue and event in the, game review, game is, game review, accompanied by full voice-acting, game review, (and the voices are pretty believable too).So if you want to be an amateur detective and help the town of Cabot Cove solve its many murders, then come be a part of Murder, She Wrote!Rating: 4, game review, .0/5.0You can read more about Murder, She Wrote at http://www.hidden-puzzles.
com/murder-she-wrote.html
, game review, In this hidden object game, you get to follow Miss Fletcher as she searches for clues and interviews suspects in a series of murders, each one more mysterious, game review, and intriguing than the last. And it all begins with her wanting to buy some lobsters and stumbling upon the dead body of a lobster boat captain...The gameplay in Murder, She Wrote unfolds very much like an episode of the TV series, with many elements being faithful to the show. Each case begins with a story and dialogue which nicely set the scene, including the seemingly-coincidental, game review, incidents that lead to Miss Fletcher being the one to discover a dead body.
(Thankfully these intro scenes do not end with cheesy CSI-style oneliners).After conversing with the ever-present Dr. Hazlitt and officer Metzger, you quickly get down to searching for clues at the murder scene. This is where the hidden object puzzle bit of the game comes in. You get to search for clues relating to the crime, and hopefully discover items that might lead to the identity of the murderer or the motive for the crime.As expected in advanced hidden, game review, object games, not everything is a straight-forward point-and-click to find a hidden object.
In this puzzle, you might be tasked to find a tape recorder,, game review, which is in a secret compartment covered by, game review, planks, which needs to be opened with a hammer or crowbar. To make things more tricky, some of the objects in the hidden object scenes animate and move when you highlight them. Unfortunately, most of these are red herrings that are not related to your actual task.The hidden object scenes also have a Murder, She Wrote feel to them. Ever-present is Miss Fletcher's trusty typewriter.
Unfortunately, it looks like the typewriter isn't doing too well. All the names of the hidden objects appear to be missing the vowels! You could just guess what the object names are, or you could search the scene for the missing letters that will make your hidden object list easier, game review, to read, game review, .Every so often, you, game review, will find an object that will trigger a cutscene. For example, finding a box of toothpicks might lead to a cutscene between Jessica and Mort where Jessica says "Oh, a box of toothpicks! Mr.
X was chewing on a toothpick when we spoke to him earlier. We need to go talk to him again!"Some objects that you find will also trigger additional mini-puzzle games that will need to be solved to progress through the story. As befitting a murder mystery game, most of these puzzles involve riddles and logic games that will test your mental agility.One possible gripe about the game is that you sometimes have, game review, to visit the, game review, same hidden object, game review, scene more than once.
, game review, This might be boring to some players, but the developers have handled it, game review, quite cleverly. The first time you visit a scene, it might be to discover the murder weapon or some motive for the murder. The second time, it might be to discover whether anyone has come back to tamper with the evidence. After all, the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime!The look and feel of the game is pretty good quality as well. The drawing and animation project the right mood and atmosphere for a murder mystery.
In addition, the voice-acting in the game has gone way beyond expectations. Every intro scene, cutscene, dialogue and event in the, game review, game is, game review, accompanied by full voice-acting, game review, (and the voices are pretty believable too).So if you want to be an amateur detective and help the town of Cabot Cove solve its many murders, then come be a part of Murder, She Wrote!Rating: 4, game review, .0/5.0You can read more about Murder, She Wrote at http://www.hidden-puzzles.
com/murder-she-wrote.html
Castle Age Game Review
Castle Age is a massively-multiplayer online (MMO) game hosted on Facebook. You get to quest in a lore-rich world, team up with friends to fight monsters such as dragons and hydra, and even invade and duel thousands of other Castle Age players!
The game is based on a turn-based concept that has been around for decades but has only recently become popular due to successful Facebook and MySpace games such as Mafia Wars and Farmville. The core concept is that the turns are time-based, game review, .
For, game review, example, you can perform a move every 5 minutes. However, since most players aren't able to stay, game review, online and play the game 24/7, these games feature a turn-accumulation mechanism where you can accumulate "energy" while, game review, offline, and use it, game review, all up the next time you log on to perform multiple turns. This levels the playing field between hardcore gamers, game review, and the more casual players, making these games very popular with a lot of people.
There is so much to do, game review, in Castle Age that it is surprising that this game is free to play. You get to immerse in the fantasy land of Castle Age any which way you want to. If you are more inclined to explore the world and experience the many wonders and inhabitants it has to offer, then questing is for you. If you wish to team up with other valiant players to defeat powerful and mythical monsters,, game review, then there are plenty of dragons waiting for you. Or if you'd rather fight other players, then invading, dueling and looting them, game review, are available options.
Questing involves visiting the different lands in the world of Castle Age as you help the mystical Celesta retrieve powerful crystals in order to safeguard the world. As you journey, you will encounter quests that present challenges that you will need to overcome. Each quest tells the story of a small part of your great undertaking, game review, with Celesta.
The quest system in this game is based on requirements, game review, . Firstly, you will need energy to solve them, with higher level quests requiring more energy.
In addition, each quest will require, game review, you to hire certain units such as wizards and knights in order for you to be successful. You will also have to hire specific heroes to lead your units and help you complete each quest. As you complete each quest, you will be rewarded with experience, gold and treasure!
If you prefer to play with other players rather than quest on your own, there are plenty of epic bosses roaming the world for you to summon and fight. Some monsters are weaker and can only be fought by you and your friends, while the more powerful bosses such as the World Hydra can be fought by a team consisting of anyone playing the game, making this feel epic with a great sense, game review, of teamwork and achievement.
Killing these monsters will provide you with powerful,, game review, game review,, game review, followers, weapons and armor to make you stronger for future battles.
Another aspect of the game is the ability to attack other players, commonly, game review, known as the player-vs-player (PVP) portion of the game. There are 2, game review, ways in which to fight other players: by invading them or dueling them.
Invasion represents all out war. You muster your friends, followers, heroes and equipment, and attack the other player.
Or you can challenge them to honorable combat, dueling them mano-a-mano with your best weapons, armor and magic. And to the victor go the spoils!
The more successful you are at PVP and the more players you defeat, you will be able to climb the battle ranks. You start off as a lowly scout, but with persistence, you might be able to attain ranks such as knight, general and even duke! And with each rank you gain, you are entitled to special rewards that help you stand out from the crowd.
One thing that makes Castle Age different from typical games is that its contents are, game review, updated on a very regular basis.
You are able to fight new monsters, face new bosses and find new treasures almost every week! The amount of constant updates and improvements that the developers provide to the game is what makes it really shine.
There is also an element of collectability and surprise in this game. Killing monsters gives you a chance of acquiring the coveted favor points, game review, . These favor points can be used to buy limited edition heroes and equipment, game review, that are only available for short periods of time.
And if you're feeling, game review, lucky, you can use these favor points to open treasure chests. You might find an unimpressive shield, or you could end up in control of an ultra-rare hero with the power of a demi-god!
Rating: 4.5/5.0
You can read more about Castle Age at http://www.game-tycoon.com/castle-age.html
The game is based on a turn-based concept that has been around for decades but has only recently become popular due to successful Facebook and MySpace games such as Mafia Wars and Farmville. The core concept is that the turns are time-based, game review, .
For, game review, example, you can perform a move every 5 minutes. However, since most players aren't able to stay, game review, online and play the game 24/7, these games feature a turn-accumulation mechanism where you can accumulate "energy" while, game review, offline, and use it, game review, all up the next time you log on to perform multiple turns. This levels the playing field between hardcore gamers, game review, and the more casual players, making these games very popular with a lot of people.
There is so much to do, game review, in Castle Age that it is surprising that this game is free to play. You get to immerse in the fantasy land of Castle Age any which way you want to. If you are more inclined to explore the world and experience the many wonders and inhabitants it has to offer, then questing is for you. If you wish to team up with other valiant players to defeat powerful and mythical monsters,, game review, then there are plenty of dragons waiting for you. Or if you'd rather fight other players, then invading, dueling and looting them, game review, are available options.
Questing involves visiting the different lands in the world of Castle Age as you help the mystical Celesta retrieve powerful crystals in order to safeguard the world. As you journey, you will encounter quests that present challenges that you will need to overcome. Each quest tells the story of a small part of your great undertaking, game review, with Celesta.
The quest system in this game is based on requirements, game review, . Firstly, you will need energy to solve them, with higher level quests requiring more energy.
In addition, each quest will require, game review, you to hire certain units such as wizards and knights in order for you to be successful. You will also have to hire specific heroes to lead your units and help you complete each quest. As you complete each quest, you will be rewarded with experience, gold and treasure!
If you prefer to play with other players rather than quest on your own, there are plenty of epic bosses roaming the world for you to summon and fight. Some monsters are weaker and can only be fought by you and your friends, while the more powerful bosses such as the World Hydra can be fought by a team consisting of anyone playing the game, making this feel epic with a great sense, game review, of teamwork and achievement.
Killing these monsters will provide you with powerful,, game review, game review,, game review, followers, weapons and armor to make you stronger for future battles.
Another aspect of the game is the ability to attack other players, commonly, game review, known as the player-vs-player (PVP) portion of the game. There are 2, game review, ways in which to fight other players: by invading them or dueling them.
Invasion represents all out war. You muster your friends, followers, heroes and equipment, and attack the other player.
Or you can challenge them to honorable combat, dueling them mano-a-mano with your best weapons, armor and magic. And to the victor go the spoils!
The more successful you are at PVP and the more players you defeat, you will be able to climb the battle ranks. You start off as a lowly scout, but with persistence, you might be able to attain ranks such as knight, general and even duke! And with each rank you gain, you are entitled to special rewards that help you stand out from the crowd.
One thing that makes Castle Age different from typical games is that its contents are, game review, updated on a very regular basis.
You are able to fight new monsters, face new bosses and find new treasures almost every week! The amount of constant updates and improvements that the developers provide to the game is what makes it really shine.
There is also an element of collectability and surprise in this game. Killing monsters gives you a chance of acquiring the coveted favor points, game review, . These favor points can be used to buy limited edition heroes and equipment, game review, that are only available for short periods of time.
And if you're feeling, game review, lucky, you can use these favor points to open treasure chests. You might find an unimpressive shield, or you could end up in control of an ultra-rare hero with the power of a demi-god!
Rating: 4.5/5.0
You can read more about Castle Age at http://www.game-tycoon.com/castle-age.html
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