It is not surprising to find a, game review, lot of Pet games lately in Facebook as nearly every major developer are now in full steam to make their own version. This week we will review into Zynga own version of pet game, PetVille.Gameplay
We first start by looking what Zynga has to offer us in PetVille after so many developers has gone where no man has gone before, pet simulators! Now first, game review, off we always start the game with the character creation screen and, game review, not to my surprise I find this in PetVille.
The pet creation screen is rather simple to follow for any age group. From what I can see, this game was made for the younger audience, but adults may find it rather interesting as well. Nothing too special about the creation screen as you will find your usual gender class, face, body color, eyes and so on. Once you fully customize your character to the way you wanted, the next thing to do is to go to your new home.There, game review, you will be introduced to your new neighbor Nosie as she will guide you to the basic fundamentals of the game mechanics.
Those who have played pet games before will find themselves, game review, right at home as PetVille has the same mechanics as any other pet, game review, games out there in Facebook.Your pet will be usually in an empty room during the first time you visit it (Minus the flower vase and the small little drawer). Players can then decide what, game review, they wish to do with their pets and its surrounding. Other feature in the game that players might notice is the yard. To see the feature, players can usually visit the neighbor house and just get a scroll around to see how PetVille's house arrangement is like.
Once players gather enough cash, player can then take their pets for shopping. This is very well done for Zynga as the menu will take you to different locations in the game. The stores look exactly like shopping malls with various levels and also the accessories that are arranged in proper order. Gone are the days on all the square boxes for this game. However, I do notice, game review, that there, game review, is a large portion of goods that is being sold in the game that use Facebook Cash (Real World Money) and I think very large number of people will, game review, be not be able to afford it or would not even think about it.
Personally speaking here, this is getting a bit troublesome, game review, lately as a lot of games are now promoting this sort of options to make more money out of the people in Facebook, game review, .Now let us forget about the money part. We will go to the shopping area where you decide to get what you want in the shopping malls. Players can also start dressing up their pets the way they see, game review, fit. From shirts to hats and so on! This is rather normal, but, game review, some cloths are rather interesting really.
If you fancy dressing up as Indiana Jones on your pet, then you are, game review, in luck as one of the costumes is available in the shopping mall, game review, is design to look like the adventures archeologists.New feature that I notice in the game is the Pet Personality skills. In this feature, players can train their pets in 3 types of personalities and this will reflect how your pets react to their environments. Personalities are categorized such, game review, as creativity, troublemaker and outgoing.
Thinking it was fun to make my pet into a troublemaker, I focused all the skill points to it. True enough the next day I visit her, she was thrown to the local pound for making, game review, a bit of trouble in the neighborhood. This is rather a fun feature as players may not expect what will happen on the personality they focus their, game review, pets on. Points can usually be gain by giving, game review, your pets food (Which, game review, can be asked from friends or buy with, game review, Facebook money)Mini-game is also made available to players as there are a few types of games that players can jump into like Pop the bubbles blow up or pick up weekly challenges if you feel up to it.
Weekly challenges are changed weekly and new challenges will be provided to players to achieve the goal. Players, game review, will then have to decide if they wish to play it or just wait for new challenges the next coming week.Finally, players may find that their pet, game review, will tap the screen if no mouse movement is detected on the Flash game. Cute feature if you ask me.Graphic
PetVille is fully 3D when it comes to the pets themselves. You can see the pet moves smoothly on the screen as it tries to get your attention or even just doing nothing.
The environment and the inventories are also nicely done as all the textures and sprites are well design and colorful to attract anyone's attention.Sound
PetVille has a very happy like type of music and your pet will make various kind of noise as he or she goes around and does her usual routine. Once in a while you might even hear birds and cricket singing in the background. This might sound a bit weird especially when you are actually indoor.Conclusion
This is a very nice and well designed game that is made for all ages.
Showing posts with label game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label game. Show all posts
2010/05/11
2010/05/05
Old Mans Review of the Nintendo Wii Game System
It's true, I'm an old timer. Approaching 60 years, game review, old. That doesn't beggarly I'm asleep though. Not yet anyway, game review, . I've consistently enjoyed video amateur starting waaaay aback with the aboriginal Atari 2600, and aboriginal Nintendo bold systems such as the SNES. Well, some things never change. A acceptable bold aback again is apparently still a acceptable game. Every year the systems get added avant-garde decidedly the anamnesis and graphics. Some of the new systems are about too clear acute for me.
I don't charge to see every texture, every brand of grass, to accept a acceptable time. In 2006, Nintendo appear the Wii arrangement and my babe got, game review, one for Christmas. The Wii was a altered arrangement mostly due to its controller, a actual acute limited ascendancy device. This accessory is actual authentic and is a amusement to use in abounding games. The bold itself can use the Wiimote in a bulk, game review, of ways. It can be captivated in altered admonition such as pointing a flashlight, or alongside like a bike handle.
There are several controls on the Wiimote including a directional pad, buttons, and a activate blazon button beneath the Wiimote. The Wiimote makes this arrangement altered and offers abundant, game review, alternate wireless control, game review, . Some added absorbing appearance of the Wii are its adeptness to play earlier Nintendo games, such as GameCube games, as able-bodied as earlier Nintendo 64 amateur and even SNES amateur through the basic channel. This is a big move in the appropriate administration as far as I'm concerned, because it's nice to not carelessness, game review, the earlier amateur for newer models.
The Wii aswell connects wired, or wireless to the internet, and to Nintendo. This allows for abounding added appearance on the arrangement including browsing the Internet, and the download of "Wiiware" games. There are aswell channels on the Wii for photo applications, news, acclimate and more. To top off all of this, the Nintendo at, game review, its release, was one of the a lot of bargain bold systems of its day. It has become, game review, the a lot of accepted bold arrangement of all, game review, time.
Many of the amateur for the Wii are centered about its controller. It comes with a sports bold backpack that appearance bowling, tennis and added games, game review, . In these amateur the Wiimote is acclimated as one would use the bowling ball, or a tennis racquet. One accept to be a bit authentic if accomplishing this, not to bandy the Wiimote through the TV screen. Nintendo addresses this by adhering a wrist band to the Wiimote, and reminds players during the bold to use the straps..Bowling is a authentic all about admired of abounding generations.
A lot of humans adolescent or old adore this authentic representation of the absolute thing. There are a ample bulk of amateur accessible for the Wii. Abounding of them are sports aggressive games, active games; addle blazon games, and even ballista games.One, game review, of my admired amateur, game review, for the Wii, is Resident Evil, game review, 4, a aboriginal being shooter. (Not bad for an old guy?). In this bold the wiimote is acclimated as a gun, rifle, or knife, while the nunchuck ambassador is acclimated to airing around.
I will not go into RE's bold play at abyss, game review, at this point because it is absolutely admirable of its own review. The aboriginal time, game review, I saw the game, I anticipation it would not be my blazon of game. It appearance, game review, some actual gross and agitated scenes,, game review, although the artwork is exceptional, game review, . If you shoot a crank like appearance in the head, or bang him in the head, it explodes in what sounds like a accomplished allotment exploding.
But already you get over these gross things, the bold is actual agreeable to say the least. The Wiimote makes using a rifle, gun or knife actual realistic. Its rather agreeable to see anyone arena the game, sitting on a armchair slashing abroad with the wiimote.RE4 aswell includes some able and admirable addle like activity.All in all, I'd accept to say it's one of the best amateur I've anytime played on any system,, game review, but the Wiimote absolutely makes it abundant added enjoyable. It takes abounding abounding hours to complete this game, and it is a lot of fun.
Strangely enough,, game review, this is aswell one of the a lot of bargain amateur for the Wii. The soundtrack, admirable action and accomplished bold play accomplish this a must, for the Wii player. I aswell adore a bold alleged Smooth Moves which absolutely makes use of the Wiiremote,, game review, game review, which is referred to as a "baton" in this game. In this bold you are arena hundreds of micro games, aggravating to do simple things like aperture a bottle, driving, beating a nail, all in breach seconds.
Another big accession for the Wii is a bold alleged Wii-Fit. This is a basic, game review, exercise and exercise trainer that has become absolutely popular. This bold gives the eyewitness a conditioning as he completes assorted backbone and aspect exercises. Wii-Fit if appropriately done will absolutely advance your exercise level. I acclaim the Wii to abounding people, adolescent and old as a abundant accession to their home entertainment. Take it from an old man, its lots of fun, and Wii should all never belittle the accent of fun.
I don't charge to see every texture, every brand of grass, to accept a acceptable time. In 2006, Nintendo appear the Wii arrangement and my babe got, game review, one for Christmas. The Wii was a altered arrangement mostly due to its controller, a actual acute limited ascendancy device. This accessory is actual authentic and is a amusement to use in abounding games. The bold itself can use the Wiimote in a bulk, game review, of ways. It can be captivated in altered admonition such as pointing a flashlight, or alongside like a bike handle.
There are several controls on the Wiimote including a directional pad, buttons, and a activate blazon button beneath the Wiimote. The Wiimote makes this arrangement altered and offers abundant, game review, alternate wireless control, game review, . Some added absorbing appearance of the Wii are its adeptness to play earlier Nintendo games, such as GameCube games, as able-bodied as earlier Nintendo 64 amateur and even SNES amateur through the basic channel. This is a big move in the appropriate administration as far as I'm concerned, because it's nice to not carelessness, game review, the earlier amateur for newer models.
The Wii aswell connects wired, or wireless to the internet, and to Nintendo. This allows for abounding added appearance on the arrangement including browsing the Internet, and the download of "Wiiware" games. There are aswell channels on the Wii for photo applications, news, acclimate and more. To top off all of this, the Nintendo at, game review, its release, was one of the a lot of bargain bold systems of its day. It has become, game review, the a lot of accepted bold arrangement of all, game review, time.
Many of the amateur for the Wii are centered about its controller. It comes with a sports bold backpack that appearance bowling, tennis and added games, game review, . In these amateur the Wiimote is acclimated as one would use the bowling ball, or a tennis racquet. One accept to be a bit authentic if accomplishing this, not to bandy the Wiimote through the TV screen. Nintendo addresses this by adhering a wrist band to the Wiimote, and reminds players during the bold to use the straps..Bowling is a authentic all about admired of abounding generations.
A lot of humans adolescent or old adore this authentic representation of the absolute thing. There are a ample bulk of amateur accessible for the Wii. Abounding of them are sports aggressive games, active games; addle blazon games, and even ballista games.One, game review, of my admired amateur, game review, for the Wii, is Resident Evil, game review, 4, a aboriginal being shooter. (Not bad for an old guy?). In this bold the wiimote is acclimated as a gun, rifle, or knife, while the nunchuck ambassador is acclimated to airing around.
I will not go into RE's bold play at abyss, game review, at this point because it is absolutely admirable of its own review. The aboriginal time, game review, I saw the game, I anticipation it would not be my blazon of game. It appearance, game review, some actual gross and agitated scenes,, game review, although the artwork is exceptional, game review, . If you shoot a crank like appearance in the head, or bang him in the head, it explodes in what sounds like a accomplished allotment exploding.
But already you get over these gross things, the bold is actual agreeable to say the least. The Wiimote makes using a rifle, gun or knife actual realistic. Its rather agreeable to see anyone arena the game, sitting on a armchair slashing abroad with the wiimote.RE4 aswell includes some able and admirable addle like activity.All in all, I'd accept to say it's one of the best amateur I've anytime played on any system,, game review, but the Wiimote absolutely makes it abundant added enjoyable. It takes abounding abounding hours to complete this game, and it is a lot of fun.
Strangely enough,, game review, this is aswell one of the a lot of bargain amateur for the Wii. The soundtrack, admirable action and accomplished bold play accomplish this a must, for the Wii player. I aswell adore a bold alleged Smooth Moves which absolutely makes use of the Wiiremote,, game review, game review, which is referred to as a "baton" in this game. In this bold you are arena hundreds of micro games, aggravating to do simple things like aperture a bottle, driving, beating a nail, all in breach seconds.
Another big accession for the Wii is a bold alleged Wii-Fit. This is a basic, game review, exercise and exercise trainer that has become absolutely popular. This bold gives the eyewitness a conditioning as he completes assorted backbone and aspect exercises. Wii-Fit if appropriately done will absolutely advance your exercise level. I acclaim the Wii to abounding people, adolescent and old as a abundant accession to their home entertainment. Take it from an old man, its lots of fun, and Wii should all never belittle the accent of fun.
2010/05/02
Facebook Game - Music Pet
Music Pets is yet accession pet bold which is accessible to the Facebook community. This bold about, game review, is a bit added altered from the added pet amateur I accept encountered so far. Developed by Conduit Labs, this bold provides an accession aberration to how pet amateur work.GameplayMusic Pets is about adopting a pet and aswell accepting music in their life. Sounds a bit out of the accustomed but for those absolutely like music should like this pet game.The bold starts you off with the awning alternative of the Pet you ambition to have.
From there you will accept a name and aswell a gender for your Pet. Unlike a lot of added pet games, Music Pets does, game review, not acquiesce you to change the attending, game review, of your pet; instead the attending is anchored by the developers. For my case, I accept a babyish fox for this review. (Yes, I adulation fox)Once you accept best which pet you want, you will again be asked to aces the allowance that you ambition your pet to reside in. Afterwards all that is done the bold will accommodate you with a alternative, game review, screen.
This awning will acquiesce you to aces the artisan or music albums that you will see and apprehend during the games. Music alternative is rather bound and not all songs provided will be acceptable for everyone's taste.After that accommodation making,, game review, your pet will be placed in his or her new home. This is area you will be visited by the Mayor of Pet City-limits and you will be appearance how the bold works.The aboriginal affair you are asked to do is to ask your Pet to "fetch" you an anthology in the city.
From there you will be provided 3 songs to play per-day. Arena songs on Music Pets will acquiesce your pet to change their blessed credibility which in about-face can be acclimated for training your pets and acquire some rewards.Your pet will aswell, game review, accept an activity bar which will acquiesce him or, game review, her to do added specific assignment like attractive new songs and add, game review, it into your play list.In adjustment to absorb some of your blessed credibility in the game, the Mayor will acquaint you that you can furnish it by arena a song in your anthology collection, absorb blessed fruits/food and appointment, game review, your accompany pet and associate a bit.
Now we will attending a bit into the environment, it will be rather abandoned at aboriginal in the bold and while you, game review, can consistently appointment accompany and the mayor's resident, annihilation abundant can be done during the aboriginal date of the game.So let us arch to the training, the training is added, game review, like a mini-game for your pet and so far, I alone begin 1. This is rather a bead a brawl and hit what, game review, you can on the awning blazon of the mini-game.
The ambition to this bold is to hit the name of the anthology or artists that you accept, game review, called on the screen. Already players complete the game, this will add to your accumulating credibility and aswell accolade you with some money.Your pet aswell needs to eat already in a while, so do appointment the chef and get the aliment bare to accumulate your pet activity level. Aliment is not chargeless so you charge to absorb a bit on your credits to get it.Finally the bold allows, game review, you to adorn your pet's house.
This is what you acquisition in a lot of pet, game review, amateur account from bed, to table appliance and to posters. You can do this afterwards you accretion abundant credits and to accomplish your pet as adequate as possible.GraphicsFrom the attending of the graphic, this bold is annihilation to be WOW at as it looks the aforementioned as any added pet amateur in Facebook. Animation is bound and annihilation abundant to do again to allocution about the allowance or play with your, game review, pet.
You cannot even personalize your pet much, alone affair action is to change blush on their furs.SoundThe best in the game, but one akin lower the Super, game review, Dance. Music is actual nice to accept to and you can accept from assorted artists on your play list. Famous Artisan like U2 and, game review, aswell Lady GAGA, game review, is provided for amateur to accept any, about if amateur charge added, game review, accumulating or the alternative of, game review, songs is not available, amateur will accept to buy it from the internet.
I bet absolute apple bill will be complex if amateur wants their music to arise in the game. Please do buck in apperception that a lot of of the songs listed, game review,, game review, in the bold are not up to date and if players do charge the latest one, they will accept to acquirement it.ConclusionMusic Pets is a actual accurately done pet bold with admirable music. This bold is for those who adore adopting their pets and adore superior music in Facebook. Added than that it is just accession pet actor in Facebook.
From there you will accept a name and aswell a gender for your Pet. Unlike a lot of added pet games, Music Pets does, game review, not acquiesce you to change the attending, game review, of your pet; instead the attending is anchored by the developers. For my case, I accept a babyish fox for this review. (Yes, I adulation fox)Once you accept best which pet you want, you will again be asked to aces the allowance that you ambition your pet to reside in. Afterwards all that is done the bold will accommodate you with a alternative, game review, screen.
This awning will acquiesce you to aces the artisan or music albums that you will see and apprehend during the games. Music alternative is rather bound and not all songs provided will be acceptable for everyone's taste.After that accommodation making,, game review, your pet will be placed in his or her new home. This is area you will be visited by the Mayor of Pet City-limits and you will be appearance how the bold works.The aboriginal affair you are asked to do is to ask your Pet to "fetch" you an anthology in the city.
From there you will be provided 3 songs to play per-day. Arena songs on Music Pets will acquiesce your pet to change their blessed credibility which in about-face can be acclimated for training your pets and acquire some rewards.Your pet will aswell, game review, accept an activity bar which will acquiesce him or, game review, her to do added specific assignment like attractive new songs and add, game review, it into your play list.In adjustment to absorb some of your blessed credibility in the game, the Mayor will acquaint you that you can furnish it by arena a song in your anthology collection, absorb blessed fruits/food and appointment, game review, your accompany pet and associate a bit.
Now we will attending a bit into the environment, it will be rather abandoned at aboriginal in the bold and while you, game review, can consistently appointment accompany and the mayor's resident, annihilation abundant can be done during the aboriginal date of the game.So let us arch to the training, the training is added, game review, like a mini-game for your pet and so far, I alone begin 1. This is rather a bead a brawl and hit what, game review, you can on the awning blazon of the mini-game.
The ambition to this bold is to hit the name of the anthology or artists that you accept, game review, called on the screen. Already players complete the game, this will add to your accumulating credibility and aswell accolade you with some money.Your pet aswell needs to eat already in a while, so do appointment the chef and get the aliment bare to accumulate your pet activity level. Aliment is not chargeless so you charge to absorb a bit on your credits to get it.Finally the bold allows, game review, you to adorn your pet's house.
This is what you acquisition in a lot of pet, game review, amateur account from bed, to table appliance and to posters. You can do this afterwards you accretion abundant credits and to accomplish your pet as adequate as possible.GraphicsFrom the attending of the graphic, this bold is annihilation to be WOW at as it looks the aforementioned as any added pet amateur in Facebook. Animation is bound and annihilation abundant to do again to allocution about the allowance or play with your, game review, pet.
You cannot even personalize your pet much, alone affair action is to change blush on their furs.SoundThe best in the game, but one akin lower the Super, game review, Dance. Music is actual nice to accept to and you can accept from assorted artists on your play list. Famous Artisan like U2 and, game review, aswell Lady GAGA, game review, is provided for amateur to accept any, about if amateur charge added, game review, accumulating or the alternative of, game review, songs is not available, amateur will accept to buy it from the internet.
I bet absolute apple bill will be complex if amateur wants their music to arise in the game. Please do buck in apperception that a lot of of the songs listed, game review,, game review, in the bold are not up to date and if players do charge the latest one, they will accept to acquirement it.ConclusionMusic Pets is a actual accurately done pet bold with admirable music. This bold is for those who adore adopting their pets and adore superior music in Facebook. Added than that it is just accession pet actor in Facebook.
2010/05/01
Counter Strike - Source Review
Gameplay - 9/10Counter-Strike: Source is acclaimed,, game review, game review, for it's multiplayer in Europe with abounding gaming leagues including it in their bold list. Counter-Strike:Source (known as CSS from now) doesn't accept a individual amateur, game review, but this doesn't yield from the acquaintance of the bold as multiplayer offers abundant for the beginner, to the accomplished, game review, player, whether that's at CSS itself or FPSs. CSS has a actual altered play appearance to a lot of added FPSs, for archetype the abundantly accepted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which in my opinion, is easier to play than CSS.
CSS does in fact about-face into absolutely a appropriate bold abnormally with the hundreds of clans about and abounding new ones abounding all the time. As able-bodied as clans abounding communities accept servers for this bold too so there's consistently a server for you to play on. All the servers can accept modifications implemented too which gives the bold some diversity.When you alpha the multiplayer you accept to aces amid two teams, Terrorists (Ts) and Counter-Terrorists (CTs). Usually you accept to aces which anytime aggregation would accomplish,, game review, game review, it antithesis out due to server settings and to accomplish, game review, the bold fair.
Afterwards, game review, this, you accept 5 altered 'characters' to aces from on anniversary team. These are just for looks because it's if the annular starts you accept some banknote which you acquire from killing and your aggregation acceptable the round. Aswell I anticipate there's a time aspect in it too but I'm not too abiding on the aphorism apropos time and cash. You accept a ambit of accoutrements, game review, to aces from your accepted rifles M4A1 for CTs and AK-47s for Ts as able-bodied as an AWP but this is usually bound to one per aggregation to accomplish it fair.
Anniversary of the accustomed maps (you can aswell get abounding orange maps which are created by humans added than Valve, the creators) are either accomplishment, game review, the hostages or bulb the bomb. These are self-explanatory. A lot of servers are usually 20-24 aperture so apprehend to accept 9-11 added aggregation mates with you as well.Now, allotment of the appropriate play to CSS is that if you die, you lose your accoutrements so you accept to be accurate and not just run out, abnormally as if you die, you accept, game review, to delay till one aggregation wins to respawn for next annular (unless you're on a afterlife, game review, bout, game review, server), so some players, if the times next to active out, will just 'play for time' acceptation they accept no ambition of killing but putting them off continued abundant to survive the round.
This arena for time aswell happens afterwards a bomb plant. I anticipate you can plan out how that works.Graphics - 7/10The cartoon, game review, in CSS are boilerplate but to be honest,, game review, unless you accept a high-spec computer you don't wish the clear settings on the best they can because you wouldn't get as acceptable Frame amount which could, or will rather arrest you in bold play as acknowledgment times absolutely calculation in this game.Sounds - 9/10Sounds are a actual big allotment of bold play in CSS and because of that they're good.
They're a above allotment because you can apprehend peoples' footsteps (unless, game review, they're using Shift to walk) which allows you to adapt aboriginal and ambuscade them so in association play it's affectable to airing about corners or areas which may accept the adversary abreast by. Added than that, all added sounds are acceptable too like the complete aberration amid a accustomed M4A1 and the complete, game review, you get from a Silenced M4A1 has a astute change. All grenades, beam bangs and smokes accept a complete as able-bodied and they change depending, game review, on ambit from you.
CSS does in fact about-face into absolutely a appropriate bold abnormally with the hundreds of clans about and abounding new ones abounding all the time. As able-bodied as clans abounding communities accept servers for this bold too so there's consistently a server for you to play on. All the servers can accept modifications implemented too which gives the bold some diversity.When you alpha the multiplayer you accept to aces amid two teams, Terrorists (Ts) and Counter-Terrorists (CTs). Usually you accept to aces which anytime aggregation would accomplish,, game review, game review, it antithesis out due to server settings and to accomplish, game review, the bold fair.
Afterwards, game review, this, you accept 5 altered 'characters' to aces from on anniversary team. These are just for looks because it's if the annular starts you accept some banknote which you acquire from killing and your aggregation acceptable the round. Aswell I anticipate there's a time aspect in it too but I'm not too abiding on the aphorism apropos time and cash. You accept a ambit of accoutrements, game review, to aces from your accepted rifles M4A1 for CTs and AK-47s for Ts as able-bodied as an AWP but this is usually bound to one per aggregation to accomplish it fair.
Anniversary of the accustomed maps (you can aswell get abounding orange maps which are created by humans added than Valve, the creators) are either accomplishment, game review, the hostages or bulb the bomb. These are self-explanatory. A lot of servers are usually 20-24 aperture so apprehend to accept 9-11 added aggregation mates with you as well.Now, allotment of the appropriate play to CSS is that if you die, you lose your accoutrements so you accept to be accurate and not just run out, abnormally as if you die, you accept, game review, to delay till one aggregation wins to respawn for next annular (unless you're on a afterlife, game review, bout, game review, server), so some players, if the times next to active out, will just 'play for time' acceptation they accept no ambition of killing but putting them off continued abundant to survive the round.
This arena for time aswell happens afterwards a bomb plant. I anticipate you can plan out how that works.Graphics - 7/10The cartoon, game review, in CSS are boilerplate but to be honest,, game review, unless you accept a high-spec computer you don't wish the clear settings on the best they can because you wouldn't get as acceptable Frame amount which could, or will rather arrest you in bold play as acknowledgment times absolutely calculation in this game.Sounds - 9/10Sounds are a actual big allotment of bold play in CSS and because of that they're good.
They're a above allotment because you can apprehend peoples' footsteps (unless, game review, they're using Shift to walk) which allows you to adapt aboriginal and ambuscade them so in association play it's affectable to airing about corners or areas which may accept the adversary abreast by. Added than that, all added sounds are acceptable too like the complete aberration amid a accustomed M4A1 and the complete, game review, you get from a Silenced M4A1 has a astute change. All grenades, beam bangs and smokes accept a complete as able-bodied and they change depending, game review, on ambit from you.
2010/04/30
Fallout 3 Review
Fallout 3 is an RPG/FPS bold, game review, accessible, game review, for all above platforms(PS3, 360 and PC). It is based in a column apocalyptic apple with some capacity of mid - 20th aeon USA.GameplayFirst of all, the capital I can't sing the praises of the capital storyline in Fallout 3. I begin it rather annoying in fact,, game review, it has a actual beeline alternation of quests with actual little variation. The chance begins with the character, the alone adventurer advanced through, game review, assorted stages in age and eventually artifice from Basement 101 and adrift the boscage in seek of his father.
After award him, he dies actual anon and lets you, game review, backpack out the bedraggled work. The chance cannot be majorly criticized however,, game review, as the accessible and head attributes to Bethesda's RPG amateur accomplish any storyline assume akin and banausic in allegory with accessible exploration. One botheration about is commutual the final mission after-effects in the end of the, game review, bold completely, and the charge to reload a antecedent save (In my opinion, a above and accidental aberration on Bethesda's part) unless one has the amplification backpack "Broken Steel" which extends the storyline.
The apple in Fallout is in my assessment fantastic! There are two capital areas of landscape, the wasteland, which covers almost 2/3 of the map, and the Washington D.C ruins, which covers the rest. Abundant of the D.C area's anchorage are blocked by rubble, banishment the amateur to biking underground in alms tunnels to ability assorted locations of the city, about I anticipate this is a acceptable idea, and proves a nice aberration in backdrop as you biking (There is consistently fast travel). There are affluence of absorbing places to appointment in the game,, game review, for example:Paradise Falls - An alone arcade capital now citizen to a accumulation of slavers.
The Citadel - Clever abetment of the avant-garde day, game review, Pentagon now apartment the Brotherhood of Steel"Washington Museum - The ghoul cityMegaton - One of the two capital towns in the game, complete an unexploded diminutive, game review, bombRivet City-limits - One of my favourites, an aircraft carrier cleverly adapted into a city.The vaults - As able-bodied as your own, there are affluence of added vaults, all with their problems. For example: One basement has consciousness-expanding gas which will addle the amateur and aftermath a consciousness-expanding adventure.
Addition is citizen to abounding clones of "Gary", all will advance to advance the amateur with sledgehammers on sight.The characters in Fallout 3 are exceptional. All characters are absolutely articulation alive and interesting. Anniversary has assorted chat, game review, options, enabling, game review, the amateur to ask about their background/history and added atomic things. Characters accept circadian schedules, some, game review,, game review, of which are afflicted by the storyline, they sleep, go shopping, allocution to assertive added characters at approved intervals etc.
Creating, game review, a actual immersive and astute experience.Fallout 3 contains no "Factions" as such, like Oblivion did. About there are factions which, game review, a amateur can do quests with etc. Which will accolade you with goods. Some are friendlier than others and will acknowledge to you in altered agency as you accomplish assorted moral choices throughout the game. For archetype a amateur with complete Afterlife will be bolter by the Talon Company, a amateur of complete afterlife, game review, will be bolter by the Regulators.
Some factions to, game review, agenda are the Brotherhood of Steel, Enclave, Slavers, Ghouls and several added accessory factions, which a amateur hasty through the bold may discount such as the Family, Reilleys Rangers and Brotherhood Outcasts. Anniversary band has its respective, in abyss belief and accept a array of quests available. Whatever you may accept to play as, there will consistently be a band you may wish, game review, to try and fit into to accompany your playstyle.Character stats and attributes are analytic able-bodied done, a amateur will accept their "SPECIAL"(Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Agility, Luck)), game review, at the alpha of the bold and they will, to a assertive admeasurement abide the same.
Abilities on the added duke are added through a alternative arrangement as the appearance levels up, with a assertive bulk of credibility to agent to skills.Equipment, game review, and ammunition, game review, is actual able-bodied done. A amateur can access a ample array of weapons and armor throughout the game, from assassin rifles to mines and rocket launchers, its all there! There are absolutely no criticisms on the alternative available, as it is acceptable to accumulate a amateur altogether agreeable with their gadgets, about some weapons can be advised too "overpowered", even with aloft adversity levels, "end game" weapons such as the Gattling Laser and Experimental MIRV atom enemies in seconds, and can absolutely abolish any adversity from the game, about one is not answerable, game review, to accept these, and can calmly yield addition root,, game review, about you consistently get the activity that you are "gimping" your appearance by not using these weapons.
GAMEPLAY SCORE - 9.5GraphicsGraphics in Fallout 3 abatement beneath the class of "reasonable as far as avant-garde amateur go. In my assessment, game review, compared to some of the arch graphical games, some of Fallout 3's textures assume a tad chapped and the continued ambit appearance inferior, about this did not bother me too, game review, much, game review, . The explosions and gun animations are great, and characters attending far added astute than they did in Bethesda's antecedent RPG, Oblivion.
GRAPHICS SCORE - 8SoundSound may assume like a neglible agency in allegory to graphics, or even added so, gameplay. About it is an complete capital for captivation and authoritative that action perfect. Sound is by no agency exceptional, like in amateur such as Call of Duty, about it is good, and a lot of gamers will be absolutely agreeable with this. Explosions accomplish a abundant babble and all NPCs are articulation acted(as ahead mentioned). There are a huge array of articulation actors in Fallout 3 and this brings about a abundant faculty of alone personalities in anniversary character, absolute for immersion.
The bold has aswell a few beautiful homesickness orientated affair tunes, played through assorted radios etc. In the game, which is a abundant benefit to apperceive Bethesda affliction, game review, about the little things.SOUND SCORE - 9Other NotesI accept Fallout 3 can alone be absolutely accepted with a adumbration of roleplay on the players part. I begin it abnormally acceptable to archetypal my appearance on one of the factions (In my case, Brotherhood Outcasts), game review, and, game review, aggregate armor and weapons adapted to that band to body your absolute character.
After award him, he dies actual anon and lets you, game review, backpack out the bedraggled work. The chance cannot be majorly criticized however,, game review, as the accessible and head attributes to Bethesda's RPG amateur accomplish any storyline assume akin and banausic in allegory with accessible exploration. One botheration about is commutual the final mission after-effects in the end of the, game review, bold completely, and the charge to reload a antecedent save (In my opinion, a above and accidental aberration on Bethesda's part) unless one has the amplification backpack "Broken Steel" which extends the storyline.
The apple in Fallout is in my assessment fantastic! There are two capital areas of landscape, the wasteland, which covers almost 2/3 of the map, and the Washington D.C ruins, which covers the rest. Abundant of the D.C area's anchorage are blocked by rubble, banishment the amateur to biking underground in alms tunnels to ability assorted locations of the city, about I anticipate this is a acceptable idea, and proves a nice aberration in backdrop as you biking (There is consistently fast travel). There are affluence of absorbing places to appointment in the game,, game review, for example:Paradise Falls - An alone arcade capital now citizen to a accumulation of slavers.
The Citadel - Clever abetment of the avant-garde day, game review, Pentagon now apartment the Brotherhood of Steel"Washington Museum - The ghoul cityMegaton - One of the two capital towns in the game, complete an unexploded diminutive, game review, bombRivet City-limits - One of my favourites, an aircraft carrier cleverly adapted into a city.The vaults - As able-bodied as your own, there are affluence of added vaults, all with their problems. For example: One basement has consciousness-expanding gas which will addle the amateur and aftermath a consciousness-expanding adventure.
Addition is citizen to abounding clones of "Gary", all will advance to advance the amateur with sledgehammers on sight.The characters in Fallout 3 are exceptional. All characters are absolutely articulation alive and interesting. Anniversary has assorted chat, game review, options, enabling, game review, the amateur to ask about their background/history and added atomic things. Characters accept circadian schedules, some, game review,, game review, of which are afflicted by the storyline, they sleep, go shopping, allocution to assertive added characters at approved intervals etc.
Creating, game review, a actual immersive and astute experience.Fallout 3 contains no "Factions" as such, like Oblivion did. About there are factions which, game review, a amateur can do quests with etc. Which will accolade you with goods. Some are friendlier than others and will acknowledge to you in altered agency as you accomplish assorted moral choices throughout the game. For archetype a amateur with complete Afterlife will be bolter by the Talon Company, a amateur of complete afterlife, game review, will be bolter by the Regulators.
Some factions to, game review, agenda are the Brotherhood of Steel, Enclave, Slavers, Ghouls and several added accessory factions, which a amateur hasty through the bold may discount such as the Family, Reilleys Rangers and Brotherhood Outcasts. Anniversary band has its respective, in abyss belief and accept a array of quests available. Whatever you may accept to play as, there will consistently be a band you may wish, game review, to try and fit into to accompany your playstyle.Character stats and attributes are analytic able-bodied done, a amateur will accept their "SPECIAL"(Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Agility, Luck)), game review, at the alpha of the bold and they will, to a assertive admeasurement abide the same.
Abilities on the added duke are added through a alternative arrangement as the appearance levels up, with a assertive bulk of credibility to agent to skills.Equipment, game review, and ammunition, game review, is actual able-bodied done. A amateur can access a ample array of weapons and armor throughout the game, from assassin rifles to mines and rocket launchers, its all there! There are absolutely no criticisms on the alternative available, as it is acceptable to accumulate a amateur altogether agreeable with their gadgets, about some weapons can be advised too "overpowered", even with aloft adversity levels, "end game" weapons such as the Gattling Laser and Experimental MIRV atom enemies in seconds, and can absolutely abolish any adversity from the game, about one is not answerable, game review, to accept these, and can calmly yield addition root,, game review, about you consistently get the activity that you are "gimping" your appearance by not using these weapons.
GAMEPLAY SCORE - 9.5GraphicsGraphics in Fallout 3 abatement beneath the class of "reasonable as far as avant-garde amateur go. In my assessment, game review, compared to some of the arch graphical games, some of Fallout 3's textures assume a tad chapped and the continued ambit appearance inferior, about this did not bother me too, game review, much, game review, . The explosions and gun animations are great, and characters attending far added astute than they did in Bethesda's antecedent RPG, Oblivion.
GRAPHICS SCORE - 8SoundSound may assume like a neglible agency in allegory to graphics, or even added so, gameplay. About it is an complete capital for captivation and authoritative that action perfect. Sound is by no agency exceptional, like in amateur such as Call of Duty, about it is good, and a lot of gamers will be absolutely agreeable with this. Explosions accomplish a abundant babble and all NPCs are articulation acted(as ahead mentioned). There are a huge array of articulation actors in Fallout 3 and this brings about a abundant faculty of alone personalities in anniversary character, absolute for immersion.
The bold has aswell a few beautiful homesickness orientated affair tunes, played through assorted radios etc. In the game, which is a abundant benefit to apperceive Bethesda affliction, game review, about the little things.SOUND SCORE - 9Other NotesI accept Fallout 3 can alone be absolutely accepted with a adumbration of roleplay on the players part. I begin it abnormally acceptable to archetypal my appearance on one of the factions (In my case, Brotherhood Outcasts), game review, and, game review, aggregate armor and weapons adapted to that band to body your absolute character.
2010/04/26
Assassin's Creed II Review
Gameplay - 8.5/10The world is nonlinear meaning you can free roam and aren't constricted to where you are in the, game review, story, another example, game review, being GTA. The game is set in Italy during the Reneissance period (15th Century) and the developers have done their research, game review, when it comes to creating the environment as everything is superbly fitted into that time era. There are many changes to way you interact with the environment too, for exmaple, you can now swim and loot boats.
You also have a new health system which can be improved by buying new armour and in the end,, game review, achievening Altair's armour, game review, . The health is split into actual health, and just armour. If you've only a minor wound it will rejenerate whilst severe wounds you will have to visit a street doctor or use a medicine jab, game review, . Armour needs to be repaired once broken.During the game you will still, game review, be able to find those feathers but in this game, it will unlock the Auditore Cape, which in turn grants you an achievement.
You'll also be able to find symbols which will unlock movie clips of 'the truth'. Once you've found the symbols you will have to crack, game review, the clues and trust me, they're hard unless you're a) religious, game review, b) Intelligent c) Know about some of this Da Vinci Code already. You can find all of this through a simple Google search though. All of this is recorded in, game review, the new Database you have access to whilst playing the game. The Database also records all the landmarks and people of importance.
Each having a little background information on them too. So not only is it a fun game to play, it's also a history lesson Even clues to those looking to follow up on the Da Vinci Code. All of these are nice bits of the side for when you don't want to carry on with the story for a bit.A nice other distraction is that you can control a town. What I mean by this is you can buy shops for it, improve these shops etc. This in turn gives you income which you can collect from the villa. Inside this villa is also all your purchased weapons, armour and collected Codex Pages.
The Codex Pages are crypted scripts you find about the cities, guarded by multiple troops, game review, . Once you've found one, game review, you have to take it to Leonardo Da Vinci, game review, who decrypts them for you. The codex pages give you armour and weapon improvements, for example, duel, game review,, game review, assassin blades. What's funny is that Leonardo says things like 'Ah, yes this is a very complicated one using letter and number replacements' then seconds later does it.
A real show of his intelligence. Later you'll be able to use the all famous flying machine he built for a mission.The missions have now become more diverse and can even change during the mission from escort to chase and assassinate. There's about 100 storyline missions whilst another 100 are side missions. The way you, game review, assassinate a target is much different. You no longer have to do the grooling task of eavesdropping, intimidating etc, game review, . but instead either follow some narrative or another mission leads to it.
About the cities you will find some catacombs which are, game review, very similar to Prince of Persia or Tomb Raider where you have to run about jumping ledge to ledge trying to get through the maze. At first it's fun but after a while, it becomes tiring, in the end it's all worth it as you collect secret seals of the previous famous assassinators and some nice riches. Once you have 6 seals you unlock the all mighty Altair, game review, Amour which is outstanding, game review, and you'll find it hard dying.
There are also several vendors from which you can buy treasure maps, armour, weapons, fast travel, game review, to cities, medicine and clothing. All of these help customise your character to just how you want it.The only problem with the game is because once you've finished the plot, unless you really love running about buildings, there's no reason to replay the game and the truth videos aren't necessary (as far as i know) but would be nice to find them all as there's only 20 and uncover a deep secret.
Graphics - 9/10The graphics in Assassin's Creed II without HD are simply amazing but when you do go HD, it's a real treat. Assassin's Creed II is by far one of the beautiful games around, especially when sitting on top of a high tower and you can see for miles, game review, around. The scenery ranges from day to night, city to fields all with superb transition and flowing detail.Everything is just as flowing during attacks, assassinations and running roof to roof too, there's no lack in the quality of this game's graphics.
There are nice blood effects which can be seen time, game review, to time depending on what attack you did.A nice view of the city and fields beyondAction shotNice view of the rivers being used to escape captureSounds - 10/10 Everyone, game review, in, game review, the game has some speech they say when you bump into them, or in the case of bards, when you pass close by. When you assassinate a target, a nice blade sounds plays which really helps keep you involved and have a feel for the assassination.
Although, the sound when you assassinate isn't quite realistic but more aiming to create depth and feel to the attack. There's also sounds for each sword deflect, hit and, game review, slash which are realistic. All sounds are on que and aren't lagging behind. You can also hear, game review, your own footsteps when sprinting about and the thud of each landing which really helps keep you involved in the game. You'll also be able to change spoken, game review, dialogue from English to Italian if you want a more realistic game.
You also have a new health system which can be improved by buying new armour and in the end,, game review, achievening Altair's armour, game review, . The health is split into actual health, and just armour. If you've only a minor wound it will rejenerate whilst severe wounds you will have to visit a street doctor or use a medicine jab, game review, . Armour needs to be repaired once broken.During the game you will still, game review, be able to find those feathers but in this game, it will unlock the Auditore Cape, which in turn grants you an achievement.
You'll also be able to find symbols which will unlock movie clips of 'the truth'. Once you've found the symbols you will have to crack, game review, the clues and trust me, they're hard unless you're a) religious, game review, b) Intelligent c) Know about some of this Da Vinci Code already. You can find all of this through a simple Google search though. All of this is recorded in, game review, the new Database you have access to whilst playing the game. The Database also records all the landmarks and people of importance.
Each having a little background information on them too. So not only is it a fun game to play, it's also a history lesson Even clues to those looking to follow up on the Da Vinci Code. All of these are nice bits of the side for when you don't want to carry on with the story for a bit.A nice other distraction is that you can control a town. What I mean by this is you can buy shops for it, improve these shops etc. This in turn gives you income which you can collect from the villa. Inside this villa is also all your purchased weapons, armour and collected Codex Pages.
The Codex Pages are crypted scripts you find about the cities, guarded by multiple troops, game review, . Once you've found one, game review, you have to take it to Leonardo Da Vinci, game review, who decrypts them for you. The codex pages give you armour and weapon improvements, for example, duel, game review,, game review, assassin blades. What's funny is that Leonardo says things like 'Ah, yes this is a very complicated one using letter and number replacements' then seconds later does it.
A real show of his intelligence. Later you'll be able to use the all famous flying machine he built for a mission.The missions have now become more diverse and can even change during the mission from escort to chase and assassinate. There's about 100 storyline missions whilst another 100 are side missions. The way you, game review, assassinate a target is much different. You no longer have to do the grooling task of eavesdropping, intimidating etc, game review, . but instead either follow some narrative or another mission leads to it.
About the cities you will find some catacombs which are, game review, very similar to Prince of Persia or Tomb Raider where you have to run about jumping ledge to ledge trying to get through the maze. At first it's fun but after a while, it becomes tiring, in the end it's all worth it as you collect secret seals of the previous famous assassinators and some nice riches. Once you have 6 seals you unlock the all mighty Altair, game review, Amour which is outstanding, game review, and you'll find it hard dying.
There are also several vendors from which you can buy treasure maps, armour, weapons, fast travel, game review, to cities, medicine and clothing. All of these help customise your character to just how you want it.The only problem with the game is because once you've finished the plot, unless you really love running about buildings, there's no reason to replay the game and the truth videos aren't necessary (as far as i know) but would be nice to find them all as there's only 20 and uncover a deep secret.
Graphics - 9/10The graphics in Assassin's Creed II without HD are simply amazing but when you do go HD, it's a real treat. Assassin's Creed II is by far one of the beautiful games around, especially when sitting on top of a high tower and you can see for miles, game review, around. The scenery ranges from day to night, city to fields all with superb transition and flowing detail.Everything is just as flowing during attacks, assassinations and running roof to roof too, there's no lack in the quality of this game's graphics.
There are nice blood effects which can be seen time, game review, to time depending on what attack you did.A nice view of the city and fields beyondAction shotNice view of the rivers being used to escape captureSounds - 10/10 Everyone, game review, in, game review, the game has some speech they say when you bump into them, or in the case of bards, when you pass close by. When you assassinate a target, a nice blade sounds plays which really helps keep you involved and have a feel for the assassination.
Although, the sound when you assassinate isn't quite realistic but more aiming to create depth and feel to the attack. There's also sounds for each sword deflect, hit and, game review, slash which are realistic. All sounds are on que and aren't lagging behind. You can also hear, game review, your own footsteps when sprinting about and the thud of each landing which really helps keep you involved in the game. You'll also be able to change spoken, game review, dialogue from English to Italian if you want a more realistic game.
2010/04/10
5 Great Games and 5 Terrible Games for Your Mobile Phone
There are thousands of games out there available for download. Some games are great and will keep you entertained,, game review, game review, while others will make you feel like disposing of your phone as though it has the Black Death. This article should save you some time browsing bias review sites and downloading games you'll never play.
The Hotness
These are the games that you need to get, game review, on your phone. Each one is guaranteed to keep you entertained wherever you are.
KaGlom
KaGlom is such a great game that it's only a matter of time until it has a cult following.
The game is similar to Tetris and Bejeweled but it follows a slightly more action packed format. Blocks are destroyed, game review, with a sound that could easily be described as "KAGLOM!"
Buy, game review, it here:
www.magmic.com
IQ
Overall, I.Q. is a cut above the rest - at least in the puzzle/ intelligence, game review, challenge department. It's challenging enough to rope in the serious puzzle gamer while still containing enough frantic action to entertain the casual fan. I.Q. is a straight port of the original, so no dice on any extra game modes.
Buy it here:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/fun/wxhtml/download1/downloadDetails?cc=GB&contentId=22305&files=573&lc=en&page=2&products=K700i
Alpha Wing 2
If you're looking for a quality game to, game, game review, review, play on the move, you will often find that Glu do it best, especially with their proprietary brands - things like Fatal Force, Zuma and the like. Not surprising, then, that the trend is expanding into the brave new world of mobile 3D gaming, which is currently underrepresented, game review, by most developers.
Glu, however,, game review, have managed to deliver a near Game Boy Advance experience with Alpha Wing 2.
Buy it here:
http://www.glu.com/games/game.php?game=alpha_wing2
Jewel Quest
Jewel Quest deviates slightly from the standard, game review, Tetris format. The goal in Jewel Quest is to turn all the squares red rather than eliminate them. This may seem like a small difference, game review, but it fundamentally changes the gameplay. The variation adds a more strategic aspect to this simple puzzle game by making where you make your connection more important then simply, game review, just making connections.
Buy it here:
http://www.iplay.com/
Block Breaker Deluxe
Block Breaker Deluxe is basically Pong on drugs. Your goal is to use the ball - along with an explosive array of weapons and power-ups - to destroy many, many blocks. I'm sure we all know this style of game, but what separates Block Breaker Deluxe from its cheaper cousins is the attention to detail and general mayhem Gameloft is willing to pump into this futuristic, game review, throw back. In an industry polluted with big budget movie tie-ins and overly complex controls, it's refreshing to see such a simple, yet well done game
Buy it here:
www.
gameloft, game review, .com
The Whackness
There are a lot of terrible games available for download, game review, . In fact, the majority of mobile games aren't worth your time/money, game review, . This is a list of some of those games.
War of the Worlds
War of the Worlds is a 2D side-scrolling shooter, with a very clean and distinct visual style. The game tries to create some variety with the use of different types of attacks; you can shoot 'em down, use your 'everything-dies' super attack, or my personal favorite: the grab and toss.
Although having these multiple attacks does add variety, it crams your fingers all in one small area that makes for a horribly awkward game.
(Don't) buy it here:
www.gameloft.com
King Kong
You're, game review, basically, game review, a giant monkey running through the jungle,, game review, busting dino skulls with your ape-rage. Like the film, King Kong is visually impressive, but in both cases the content just isn't up to par. I may get some flack about putting this game in the whackness column when there seems to be so many deserving contestants, but I, game review, stand by my convictions.
Nothing is worse than knowing a project had a huge budget and great production team only to turn out a mediocre product.
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.gameloft.com/
D12 Fighting
This is usually where I tell you a little bit about, game review, how to play the game and what it offers, and I wish I could. I honestly would if I could, but I haven't got the slightest clue how to play the thing. I tried reading the instructions and it became apparent that I was going nowhere without a Rosetta stone, so I pressed play hoping I could pick it up as I went along.
I pressed each button individually. I pressed them in patterns. And, game review, eventually I was just givin' 'er on the keypad, game review, like I was Data of the Star Trek, game review, Enterprise. All in all probably the worst game I've ever played.
(Don't), game review, buy it here:
http://www.hudsonentertainment.com/
24
The game goes like this: read for an hour, play a minigame and repeat. Some of the minigames are alright, but for the most part I'd rather stick a flaming chopstick in my eyes.
One of the minigames involves maneuvering Bauer though, game review, what looks like a bird's eye view of a bad acid trip. If you get spotted by one of the guards, your options are to dodge or shoot what looks like a corn kernel. Another minigame involves driving from point A to B without hitting the cars around you. This minigame is so easy that I play it while actually driving. This is a terrible game for a great show.
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.iplay.com/24
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia's frustrating gameplay and whack 'plot' create a pretty disparate view of ancient Persia.
The game contains lots of beautiful women in the game which the prince decides to constantly avoid for no apparent reason. Also, the game is incredibly, game review, difficult; almost too difficult. I played this game for about an hour before I decided to throw my cellular phone into the garbage.
That is why I have to end the article here.
All of these reviews are taken from quicklybored.com
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.gameloft.com/
Editor and writer for http://www.quicklybored.com
The Hotness
These are the games that you need to get, game review, on your phone. Each one is guaranteed to keep you entertained wherever you are.
KaGlom
KaGlom is such a great game that it's only a matter of time until it has a cult following.
The game is similar to Tetris and Bejeweled but it follows a slightly more action packed format. Blocks are destroyed, game review, with a sound that could easily be described as "KAGLOM!"
Buy, game review, it here:
www.magmic.com
IQ
Overall, I.Q. is a cut above the rest - at least in the puzzle/ intelligence, game review, challenge department. It's challenging enough to rope in the serious puzzle gamer while still containing enough frantic action to entertain the casual fan. I.Q. is a straight port of the original, so no dice on any extra game modes.
Buy it here:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/fun/wxhtml/download1/downloadDetails?cc=GB&contentId=22305&files=573&lc=en&page=2&products=K700i
Alpha Wing 2
If you're looking for a quality game to, game, game review, review, play on the move, you will often find that Glu do it best, especially with their proprietary brands - things like Fatal Force, Zuma and the like. Not surprising, then, that the trend is expanding into the brave new world of mobile 3D gaming, which is currently underrepresented, game review, by most developers.
Glu, however,, game review, have managed to deliver a near Game Boy Advance experience with Alpha Wing 2.
Buy it here:
http://www.glu.com/games/game.php?game=alpha_wing2
Jewel Quest
Jewel Quest deviates slightly from the standard, game review, Tetris format. The goal in Jewel Quest is to turn all the squares red rather than eliminate them. This may seem like a small difference, game review, but it fundamentally changes the gameplay. The variation adds a more strategic aspect to this simple puzzle game by making where you make your connection more important then simply, game review, just making connections.
Buy it here:
http://www.iplay.com/
Block Breaker Deluxe
Block Breaker Deluxe is basically Pong on drugs. Your goal is to use the ball - along with an explosive array of weapons and power-ups - to destroy many, many blocks. I'm sure we all know this style of game, but what separates Block Breaker Deluxe from its cheaper cousins is the attention to detail and general mayhem Gameloft is willing to pump into this futuristic, game review, throw back. In an industry polluted with big budget movie tie-ins and overly complex controls, it's refreshing to see such a simple, yet well done game
Buy it here:
www.
gameloft, game review, .com
The Whackness
There are a lot of terrible games available for download, game review, . In fact, the majority of mobile games aren't worth your time/money, game review, . This is a list of some of those games.
War of the Worlds
War of the Worlds is a 2D side-scrolling shooter, with a very clean and distinct visual style. The game tries to create some variety with the use of different types of attacks; you can shoot 'em down, use your 'everything-dies' super attack, or my personal favorite: the grab and toss.
Although having these multiple attacks does add variety, it crams your fingers all in one small area that makes for a horribly awkward game.
(Don't) buy it here:
www.gameloft.com
King Kong
You're, game review, basically, game review, a giant monkey running through the jungle,, game review, busting dino skulls with your ape-rage. Like the film, King Kong is visually impressive, but in both cases the content just isn't up to par. I may get some flack about putting this game in the whackness column when there seems to be so many deserving contestants, but I, game review, stand by my convictions.
Nothing is worse than knowing a project had a huge budget and great production team only to turn out a mediocre product.
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.gameloft.com/
D12 Fighting
This is usually where I tell you a little bit about, game review, how to play the game and what it offers, and I wish I could. I honestly would if I could, but I haven't got the slightest clue how to play the thing. I tried reading the instructions and it became apparent that I was going nowhere without a Rosetta stone, so I pressed play hoping I could pick it up as I went along.
I pressed each button individually. I pressed them in patterns. And, game review, eventually I was just givin' 'er on the keypad, game review, like I was Data of the Star Trek, game review, Enterprise. All in all probably the worst game I've ever played.
(Don't), game review, buy it here:
http://www.hudsonentertainment.com/
24
The game goes like this: read for an hour, play a minigame and repeat. Some of the minigames are alright, but for the most part I'd rather stick a flaming chopstick in my eyes.
One of the minigames involves maneuvering Bauer though, game review, what looks like a bird's eye view of a bad acid trip. If you get spotted by one of the guards, your options are to dodge or shoot what looks like a corn kernel. Another minigame involves driving from point A to B without hitting the cars around you. This minigame is so easy that I play it while actually driving. This is a terrible game for a great show.
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.iplay.com/24
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia's frustrating gameplay and whack 'plot' create a pretty disparate view of ancient Persia.
The game contains lots of beautiful women in the game which the prince decides to constantly avoid for no apparent reason. Also, the game is incredibly, game review, difficult; almost too difficult. I played this game for about an hour before I decided to throw my cellular phone into the garbage.
That is why I have to end the article here.
All of these reviews are taken from quicklybored.com
(Don't) buy it here:
http://www.gameloft.com/
Editor and writer for http://www.quicklybored.com
2010/04/09
Rent Video Games? Online Rentals vs Storefront Rentals
Storefront rentals had been to be the only dominating market, game review, for 12+ years now when you wanted to rent video games, ever since, game review, the conception of the VCR. Many businesses have taken their company online due to the fact that startup costs are remarkably lower compared to, game review, storefront costs and they can virtually expand their business to an entire nation or worldwide within a few short months. Why not expand the same concept for movies and game rentals? It was only a matter of time.
Depending on where you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people living in the information age. Everything, game review, has to be now and, game review, fast these days.
So lets look at a few factors that will help you make your decision a little easier. Convienance, games, game review, in stock, game formats, availability , pricing, and customer service are, game review, the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or game rental company. Lets look at each one:
CONVIENANCE- If you live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your way to rent, game review, anything is more than most people have time for.
Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the, game review, country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live, game review, in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you, but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at its best.
WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores (Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100 games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock of games that, game review, are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking at 2000, game review, games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more older and newer games available to rent at anytime.
WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY-, game review, I've never really felt like i've had too much, game review, of a choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a deduction of what was left to choose, game review, from at the time you made it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be able to choose another game from the thousands listed.
Once that particular sought after game is available, you will know about it whenever you log into, game review, your account, instantly. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS- Even though I have always thought that having PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does online rentals contain the, game review, 3 major consoles, but they also have such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo DS.
Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE, game review, RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8), but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency. If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees, which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you want for only X amount.
Game prices fluctuate from game plan to plan, but these prices are still far more lower, game review, than you'll ever find at your local store. Check out the pricing here. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting, game review, in lines and dealing with crowds and irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with your local rental store at any cost, game review, . On the other hand, online rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable employees to deal with, so, game review, that experience is elminated altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3 business days for delivery and thats it.
If you, game review, ever, game review, have troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24 hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
For Expert Reviews on Video Game Rental Clubs located all over the US, visit us at, game review, http://www.GameRentalGuide.com/reviews.htm
Depending on where you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people living in the information age. Everything, game review, has to be now and, game review, fast these days.
So lets look at a few factors that will help you make your decision a little easier. Convienance, games, game review, in stock, game formats, availability , pricing, and customer service are, game review, the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or game rental company. Lets look at each one:
CONVIENANCE- If you live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your way to rent, game review, anything is more than most people have time for.
Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the, game review, country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live, game review, in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you, but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at its best.
WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores (Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100 games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock of games that, game review, are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking at 2000, game review, games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more older and newer games available to rent at anytime.
WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY-, game review, I've never really felt like i've had too much, game review, of a choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a deduction of what was left to choose, game review, from at the time you made it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be able to choose another game from the thousands listed.
Once that particular sought after game is available, you will know about it whenever you log into, game review, your account, instantly. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS- Even though I have always thought that having PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does online rentals contain the, game review, 3 major consoles, but they also have such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo DS.
Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE, game review, RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8), but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency. If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees, which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you want for only X amount.
Game prices fluctuate from game plan to plan, but these prices are still far more lower, game review, than you'll ever find at your local store. Check out the pricing here. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting, game review, in lines and dealing with crowds and irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with your local rental store at any cost, game review, . On the other hand, online rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable employees to deal with, so, game review, that experience is elminated altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3 business days for delivery and thats it.
If you, game review, ever, game review, have troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24 hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
For Expert Reviews on Video Game Rental Clubs located all over the US, visit us at, game review, http://www.GameRentalGuide.com/reviews.htm
2010/04/05
Girl Gaming Revolution
It seems like guys are always shocked whenever I beat them in a video game. When my husband's friends, game review, come over and I ask them if they want to play, game review,, game review, Halo 3 or Call of Duty 4 they are always surprised. It gets even worse once I beat them. It seem like we need a girl gaming revolution because guys always consider girls who, game review, game as some kind of freaks.
We need to start with the family games like Rock Band, game review, or Viva, game review, Piñata.
Getting the concept of how to use the controller and how to get your coordination, game review, perfected. Plus, you aren't judged nearly as much when you are playing these games in single player mode or multiplayer with your friends. It seems like as soon as you start playing games online you are expected to be an amazing gamer.
There are quite a few games that are exclusively single player which are a great place to start learning how to play. When you are playing by yourself for, game review, the first time, generally most games have tutorials that you can go through to help you learn how to play the game.
Especially strategy type games such as Warcraft 3 or Age of Empires can be especially fantastic for learning, game review, how to play for the first time.
Some of the first person shooters and other genres drop you right into the game. In these games you might try playing single player mode on the easiest difficulty. Most game designers understand that people who may not have the most coordination in the world will be playing their game. The easy mode in generally can make your life a whole lot easier.
Another tip is that you need to make sure that you take advice when offered. Typically guys are much more apt to help a girl who doesn't understand the concepts. However, you are going to get hugely harassed, game review, when you try to play online so DO NOT ask for help when playing multiplayer online. In addition, you'll realize how much of pigs these little kids and teenagers are so make sure if you have the option to play a male character, game review,, game review, that you do. I know its horrible that you have to do this, but it truly is the only way to avoid, game review, getting harassed.
In addition, a lot of times games that are especially gory just aren't fun. Instead of playing Gears of War 2, you might want to try some, game review, of the games that are rated T for Teen instead of those M for Mature games. A lot of times these games are just as fun, but you avoid the gruesome details that are just disgusting. Unless you are up for zombie movies or something, you might want to avoid games of this caliber.
Understand that you might not be good at a game when you first start playing.
If a game is highly reviewed, just keep playing. A lot of these games can be very unfriendly to new players, but can be absolutely amazing, game review, once you understand how to play. Even certain games have a slow introduction to build up the characters.
If a game seems excessively easy at the beginning,, game review, make sure you don't give up as well. Sometimes games are specifically easy at the beginning to help you learn the controls but get much more difficult later.
Never just buy a game straight off the shelf.
Go to a review website like gamespot.com prior to buying a game. It seems like this is one of the biggest mistakes that new players make. When you go to the store, don't buy the game because the cover looks like a type of game that you would like to play. Make sure that it isn't rated like a 43/100 before you spend the $50 on the game.
You should also try to pick games within a genre that you like to play. If you play a game and you really don't like it, make sure you remember, game review, what genre that type of game is so you don't buy a game like that again.
For instance, in my opinion sports games are horrible. I always make sure to avoid this genre. However, I really enjoy playing strategy games where you, game review, move around and army and try to attack the other player. Sometimes playing RPGs can be fun as well where you build up, game review, a character to fight monsters and go on quests. However, you need to find your niche where you like to play.
If you haven't played many, game review, video games, I suggest trying a couple used games in different genres, game review, or start renting games.
There are some great online services that are similar to Netflix except for the fact that you rent games. Just keep in mind that you want, game review, to rent the high quality games.
Again, just make sure you keep with it. We definitely need more girl gamers out there. I'm tired of being the only one out of, game review, my female friends that play video games. All I, game review,, game review, want to do is talk, game review, about how great my character is on World of Warcraft and they have no idea what I'm talking about.
Trust me, this is a fantastic way to spend your time. You'll absolutely love getting into the gaming world once you try a few high quality games. If you have friends that play, ask them prior to getting a game. I look forward to the day when we can start an all female guild or an all female gaming group. One final piece of advice: Let's start a gaming revolution.
We need to start with the family games like Rock Band, game review, or Viva, game review, Piñata.
Getting the concept of how to use the controller and how to get your coordination, game review, perfected. Plus, you aren't judged nearly as much when you are playing these games in single player mode or multiplayer with your friends. It seems like as soon as you start playing games online you are expected to be an amazing gamer.
There are quite a few games that are exclusively single player which are a great place to start learning how to play. When you are playing by yourself for, game review, the first time, generally most games have tutorials that you can go through to help you learn how to play the game.
Especially strategy type games such as Warcraft 3 or Age of Empires can be especially fantastic for learning, game review, how to play for the first time.
Some of the first person shooters and other genres drop you right into the game. In these games you might try playing single player mode on the easiest difficulty. Most game designers understand that people who may not have the most coordination in the world will be playing their game. The easy mode in generally can make your life a whole lot easier.
Another tip is that you need to make sure that you take advice when offered. Typically guys are much more apt to help a girl who doesn't understand the concepts. However, you are going to get hugely harassed, game review, when you try to play online so DO NOT ask for help when playing multiplayer online. In addition, you'll realize how much of pigs these little kids and teenagers are so make sure if you have the option to play a male character, game review,, game review, that you do. I know its horrible that you have to do this, but it truly is the only way to avoid, game review, getting harassed.
In addition, a lot of times games that are especially gory just aren't fun. Instead of playing Gears of War 2, you might want to try some, game review, of the games that are rated T for Teen instead of those M for Mature games. A lot of times these games are just as fun, but you avoid the gruesome details that are just disgusting. Unless you are up for zombie movies or something, you might want to avoid games of this caliber.
Understand that you might not be good at a game when you first start playing.
If a game is highly reviewed, just keep playing. A lot of these games can be very unfriendly to new players, but can be absolutely amazing, game review, once you understand how to play. Even certain games have a slow introduction to build up the characters.
If a game seems excessively easy at the beginning,, game review, make sure you don't give up as well. Sometimes games are specifically easy at the beginning to help you learn the controls but get much more difficult later.
Never just buy a game straight off the shelf.
Go to a review website like gamespot.com prior to buying a game. It seems like this is one of the biggest mistakes that new players make. When you go to the store, don't buy the game because the cover looks like a type of game that you would like to play. Make sure that it isn't rated like a 43/100 before you spend the $50 on the game.
You should also try to pick games within a genre that you like to play. If you play a game and you really don't like it, make sure you remember, game review, what genre that type of game is so you don't buy a game like that again.
For instance, in my opinion sports games are horrible. I always make sure to avoid this genre. However, I really enjoy playing strategy games where you, game review, move around and army and try to attack the other player. Sometimes playing RPGs can be fun as well where you build up, game review, a character to fight monsters and go on quests. However, you need to find your niche where you like to play.
If you haven't played many, game review, video games, I suggest trying a couple used games in different genres, game review, or start renting games.
There are some great online services that are similar to Netflix except for the fact that you rent games. Just keep in mind that you want, game review, to rent the high quality games.
Again, just make sure you keep with it. We definitely need more girl gamers out there. I'm tired of being the only one out of, game review, my female friends that play video games. All I, game review,, game review, want to do is talk, game review, about how great my character is on World of Warcraft and they have no idea what I'm talking about.
Trust me, this is a fantastic way to spend your time. You'll absolutely love getting into the gaming world once you try a few high quality games. If you have friends that play, ask them prior to getting a game. I look forward to the day when we can start an all female guild or an all female gaming group. One final piece of advice: Let's start a gaming revolution.
2010/04/04
Flight Simulator Reviews - Read Or Write It's Up to You!
One of the most frustrating aspects of video games is that you invariably have to adopt a suck it and see approach to it meaning that you as the hapless consumer are left in the greatly undesirable position of having to place, game review, your blind faith in the product in the vain hope that it will be of use to you. How many of have spent upwards of $100 or more on a particular game only to discover that it is poorly coded, continually crashes all the time or suffers from some other technical problem?, game review, Too many, I'd wager.
Thankfully there IS a solution on hand to this rather unfair state of affairs and it takes the form of the flight simulator, game review, reviews written by consumers themselves. Would you venture out into a strange land or city with no idea of where you are, with no sense of the landmarks and with no notion of where you should go? Only if you want to court trouble and stress.
The great thing about these flight simulator reviews is that they will provide you with a concise and succinct breakdown of the different games that are currently available on the market, meaning that you can quickly and painlessly weed out the wheat from the chaff as the saying goes.
Whilst by no means absolutely foolproof (but then, what in this world, game review, truly is?), reading through the various reviews on the flight simulator programs is an excellent, game review, way to add another much needed layer of protection to your wallet. Stack the odds in your favor, and take a quick browse through, game review, the reviews as you find them.
On another note, you maybe pleased to hear that many of these consumer review sites actually reward people for their input and contributions, game review, and this maybe in the form of a cash payment, gift vouchers or a check as the case maybe.
Whilst you will not be able to make your fortune so to speak, they are an excellent way to generate some pocket money for yourself and who knows? You may even enjoy yourself and make new friends via, game review, the internet. Many of these consumer review sites also boast thriving forums and social functions which means that members can converse and, game review, engage with one another quickly and easily. You never know until you try so why wait? Whether,, game review, game review, it is to read them or write them, consumer reviews are great for us all.
Thankfully there IS a solution on hand to this rather unfair state of affairs and it takes the form of the flight simulator, game review, reviews written by consumers themselves. Would you venture out into a strange land or city with no idea of where you are, with no sense of the landmarks and with no notion of where you should go? Only if you want to court trouble and stress.
The great thing about these flight simulator reviews is that they will provide you with a concise and succinct breakdown of the different games that are currently available on the market, meaning that you can quickly and painlessly weed out the wheat from the chaff as the saying goes.
Whilst by no means absolutely foolproof (but then, what in this world, game review, truly is?), reading through the various reviews on the flight simulator programs is an excellent, game review, way to add another much needed layer of protection to your wallet. Stack the odds in your favor, and take a quick browse through, game review, the reviews as you find them.
On another note, you maybe pleased to hear that many of these consumer review sites actually reward people for their input and contributions, game review, and this maybe in the form of a cash payment, gift vouchers or a check as the case maybe.
Whilst you will not be able to make your fortune so to speak, they are an excellent way to generate some pocket money for yourself and who knows? You may even enjoy yourself and make new friends via, game review, the internet. Many of these consumer review sites also boast thriving forums and social functions which means that members can converse and, game review, engage with one another quickly and easily. You never know until you try so why wait? Whether,, game review, game review, it is to read them or write them, consumer reviews are great for us all.
2010/03/30
Game Rating System Explained
If you are a video or computer game purchaser or user, you may or may not be familiar with, game review, the rating system for, game review, this type of software. Whether you are buying for yourself or someone else, it is important that you understand how the system works and how the actual game rating is determined. For those who have children in their home it is especially important for you to know what the letters, game review, (i.e. E, T, M, AO) mean before you bring a new game into your home.
The, game review, rating system is a good tool to help anyone determine the appropriateness, game review, of the software.
In the past, entertainment software was pretty simplified with pixilated graphics and very basic sound capabilities, but in the last decade it has changed drastically. A game can be made very realistic. This is exciting for those who like to use the latest software and it can make the gaming experience much more enjoyable. But, in addition to the vastly improved technology, graphics and sound on the software, many game products are becoming increasingly more violent, and more "adult in their themes.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was established as an independent group to rate each game according to age appropriateness, game review, .
Each rating is determined by an independent panel of three reviewers who are not connected with the, game review, entertainment software industry. They look thoroughly at the product and using a "grading" sheet, mark what elements are contained in the game. Most of the time the panel agrees on a rating, but if not, more reviewers are sometimes used.
Then the panel submits their findings to the ESRB who gives them to the manufacturer. Entertainment software companies do not have to use the ESRB, but virtually all of them do. The ESRB has, game review, also established the ARC (Advertising Review Council) which regulates "truth in advertising" for the ads and packaging of a game.
The ratings have two parts. When you purchase software, you will see a bold black letter in a white box on the front of the packaging. This is the symbol. The symbols run from eC (for Early Childhood) to AO (for Adults Only.
) Ratings are based on the amount of violence, sexuality, drug use, gambling, and other material. On the back of the package, game review, you will find another box with a block letter in it. This is the content descriptor box. It will have details of what the content of the software is. This gives you further information to base your purchasing, game review, decisions on.
As a parent or guardian, it is your choice and responsibility to make the entertainment in your home appropriate, game review, .
Eriani Doyel writes articles about Home and family. For more information about finding, game review, a fun game for your, game review, family or children visit farogame.com
The, game review, rating system is a good tool to help anyone determine the appropriateness, game review, of the software.
In the past, entertainment software was pretty simplified with pixilated graphics and very basic sound capabilities, but in the last decade it has changed drastically. A game can be made very realistic. This is exciting for those who like to use the latest software and it can make the gaming experience much more enjoyable. But, in addition to the vastly improved technology, graphics and sound on the software, many game products are becoming increasingly more violent, and more "adult in their themes.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was established as an independent group to rate each game according to age appropriateness, game review, .
Each rating is determined by an independent panel of three reviewers who are not connected with the, game review, entertainment software industry. They look thoroughly at the product and using a "grading" sheet, mark what elements are contained in the game. Most of the time the panel agrees on a rating, but if not, more reviewers are sometimes used.
Then the panel submits their findings to the ESRB who gives them to the manufacturer. Entertainment software companies do not have to use the ESRB, but virtually all of them do. The ESRB has, game review, also established the ARC (Advertising Review Council) which regulates "truth in advertising" for the ads and packaging of a game.
The ratings have two parts. When you purchase software, you will see a bold black letter in a white box on the front of the packaging. This is the symbol. The symbols run from eC (for Early Childhood) to AO (for Adults Only.
) Ratings are based on the amount of violence, sexuality, drug use, gambling, and other material. On the back of the package, game review, you will find another box with a block letter in it. This is the content descriptor box. It will have details of what the content of the software is. This gives you further information to base your purchasing, game review, decisions on.
As a parent or guardian, it is your choice and responsibility to make the entertainment in your home appropriate, game review, .
Eriani Doyel writes articles about Home and family. For more information about finding, game review, a fun game for your, game review, family or children visit farogame.com
2010/03/21
Mass Affect 2 - Video Game Review
Mass Affect 2 is a game that has made some small changes from its first version. Some say the graphics are better and others say there are some miner bugs in the game. And while there are some pros and cons to this exciting game, most gamers would agree that they are up for the challenge and can't wait to play it.
Almost everyone is attracted to the universe, so for anyone who is also a gamer, putting the two together can be magic for some people. This game has you spinning, game review, through the universe on a ship that had to be replaced.
The first one blew up just seconds into the game.
The game begins with a tragedy as the SSV Normandy is attacked, game, game review, review, and blown to pieces and the fate of the protagonist Sheppard is unclear. Your job is to investigate the situation and look for clues. You also need to confront vicious forces behind the mystery. You owe an illusive man your life and he follows you wherever you go and stays in your shadows.
You rebuild a new team called the Normandy SR-2. Your team consists of wild characters that might have, game review, you in stitches laughing with their antics and jokes.
Your crew will help you battle out any enemies shall they come your way.
The main plot is conventional science fiction, game review, and has a predictable close. You have to complete missions but not all missions are combating but as you build through the developments you actually build on, game review, your characters development, game review, . The writing and dialogue between characters is excellent and the characters have detailed facial expressions and voice matched to feelings giving into that sense of reality.
You can go into a third person shooter. Sliding the cover is easy, however as you move in and out of positions and hideaway locations, your characters, actions may be delayed enough to have you killed, these, game review, bugs in the game have some people complaining.
If you want to change weapons there is no more pop up screen to quickly, game review, access, game review, . This time you have to go all the way to the weapons, game review, locker room, to find your weapon and have it. Many gamers did not, game review, enjoy that feature at all.
The worst part of this game noted by reviews was the constant scanning that needed to be done. This is where a lot of game play is wasted. The reticule is slow and the entire process of doing it is long and worn out.
The shooting in number two has been much improved and contains all of the things you would expect in a battle targeted game. You can actively explore the worlds and meet many new characters that will prove to be only too helpful as your journey continues.
The game adjusts to the challenges and moves that you make.
In the end of the game the choices that you, game review, made as you went along will determine the type of ending you get. This game will have, game review, you pushing right to the end just to see what happens.
This game got mostly good reviews. Everyone loved the idea of traveling, game review, through space, especially when a great crew was involved. It was also noted that many people did not find the bugs in the game to be too concerning and were able to continue in the game with no more distractions.
Almost everyone is attracted to the universe, so for anyone who is also a gamer, putting the two together can be magic for some people. This game has you spinning, game review, through the universe on a ship that had to be replaced.
The first one blew up just seconds into the game.
The game begins with a tragedy as the SSV Normandy is attacked, game, game review, review, and blown to pieces and the fate of the protagonist Sheppard is unclear. Your job is to investigate the situation and look for clues. You also need to confront vicious forces behind the mystery. You owe an illusive man your life and he follows you wherever you go and stays in your shadows.
You rebuild a new team called the Normandy SR-2. Your team consists of wild characters that might have, game review, you in stitches laughing with their antics and jokes.
Your crew will help you battle out any enemies shall they come your way.
The main plot is conventional science fiction, game review, and has a predictable close. You have to complete missions but not all missions are combating but as you build through the developments you actually build on, game review, your characters development, game review, . The writing and dialogue between characters is excellent and the characters have detailed facial expressions and voice matched to feelings giving into that sense of reality.
You can go into a third person shooter. Sliding the cover is easy, however as you move in and out of positions and hideaway locations, your characters, actions may be delayed enough to have you killed, these, game review, bugs in the game have some people complaining.
If you want to change weapons there is no more pop up screen to quickly, game review, access, game review, . This time you have to go all the way to the weapons, game review, locker room, to find your weapon and have it. Many gamers did not, game review, enjoy that feature at all.
The worst part of this game noted by reviews was the constant scanning that needed to be done. This is where a lot of game play is wasted. The reticule is slow and the entire process of doing it is long and worn out.
The shooting in number two has been much improved and contains all of the things you would expect in a battle targeted game. You can actively explore the worlds and meet many new characters that will prove to be only too helpful as your journey continues.
The game adjusts to the challenges and moves that you make.
In the end of the game the choices that you, game review, made as you went along will determine the type of ending you get. This game will have, game review, you pushing right to the end just to see what happens.
This game got mostly good reviews. Everyone loved the idea of traveling, game review, through space, especially when a great crew was involved. It was also noted that many people did not find the bugs in the game to be too concerning and were able to continue in the game with no more distractions.
2010/03/16
Toss the Turtle Game Review
Online flash games love brutality to, game review, random animals; this may seem a bit harsh, but as long as nothing like this happens in the real world, then it is something I can live with! As you may have guessed from the title, it is time for the turtle to be battered and bruised in an online distance game.
This is a distance game, but it is not just another distance game, this is because it offers a lot of distinctive features that other games of this genre have not added. Let's take a look to see why this game differs with others.
Your goal is to aim your cannon, game review, with your mouse and fire your turtle into the air, just get the, game review, right amount of distance and let go at the right time, and then use the [w] [a] [s] [d] controls to guide your turtle along as far as possible, game review, .
Depending on, game review, a variety of factors you are given money to spend on items. However, unlike other games these maps conjure up an array of obstacles, this is where the excitement comes in, as the most powerful shot can go an unusually short distance and your mistimed shot can go for miles and miles.
To, game review, start, you have your essential items, including a cannon and a slingshot. The slingshot can be used up to three times to keep your turtle up in the air; this should be used primarily, game review, to avoid obstacles on the ground.
It is not always clear which items you should look to hit or avoid, so here is a small breakdown:
Money, game review, bags: Distributed at random points and one item you want to hit, as they give you money.
Bombs: If you hit a bomb at speed it will boost you a mile, however, if you hit the bomb at a slow speed it usually just throws you back up into the air.
Man with chainsaw: There are not many occasions when you want to meet a man with a chainsaw but this is one of them. This is one of the better obstacles to hit.
Like other games you should, game review, use your money effectively to buy the right items, these items propel you farther along the map (if you use them correctly.) You can buy from a selection of jet packs, rockets, cannons, nuclear bombs and even a tank.
You can also choose to purchase a range of guns which act as a replacement to your original slingshot; this is another way, game review, to keep yourself airborne.
It has, game review, got to the point where you, game review, have every item you can buy, and you have gotten yourself as far as you think you are going to go, so is this game over? Well, not really, there are also 40 medals up for, game review, grabs; you should use these as a scale to see how well you are progressing.
Hints and tips
This is a distance game, but it is not just another distance game, this is because it offers a lot of distinctive features that other games of this genre have not added. Let's take a look to see why this game differs with others.
Your goal is to aim your cannon, game review, with your mouse and fire your turtle into the air, just get the, game review, right amount of distance and let go at the right time, and then use the [w] [a] [s] [d] controls to guide your turtle along as far as possible, game review, .
Depending on, game review, a variety of factors you are given money to spend on items. However, unlike other games these maps conjure up an array of obstacles, this is where the excitement comes in, as the most powerful shot can go an unusually short distance and your mistimed shot can go for miles and miles.
To, game review, start, you have your essential items, including a cannon and a slingshot. The slingshot can be used up to three times to keep your turtle up in the air; this should be used primarily, game review, to avoid obstacles on the ground.
It is not always clear which items you should look to hit or avoid, so here is a small breakdown:
Money, game review, bags: Distributed at random points and one item you want to hit, as they give you money.
Bombs: If you hit a bomb at speed it will boost you a mile, however, if you hit the bomb at a slow speed it usually just throws you back up into the air.
Man with chainsaw: There are not many occasions when you want to meet a man with a chainsaw but this is one of them. This is one of the better obstacles to hit.
Like other games you should, game review, use your money effectively to buy the right items, these items propel you farther along the map (if you use them correctly.) You can buy from a selection of jet packs, rockets, cannons, nuclear bombs and even a tank.
You can also choose to purchase a range of guns which act as a replacement to your original slingshot; this is another way, game review, to keep yourself airborne.
It has, game review, got to the point where you, game review, have every item you can buy, and you have gotten yourself as far as you think you are going to go, so is this game over? Well, not really, there are also 40 medals up for, game review, grabs; you should use these as a scale to see how well you are progressing.
Hints and tips
2010/03/09
Fallout 3 Review
War. War never changes. It's been years in the making, but Fallout 3 is finally here for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3,, game review, and PC. While some would be quick to call the game an Oblivion clone from Bethesda, there is enough changed and added to the gameplay to make Fallout 3 worthy successor to the name.
Story: Set in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC, your character is literally born into the world of Fallout, which sets up brief tutorials and character customization for you to partake in.
Cut into a series of specific meaningful times in your life, you will learn about your father, life in Vault 101, and watch yourself grow up into the character you'll become. Your "life as you know it" will be thrown, game review, to the way side when your father mysteriously disappears from Vault 101 one day, which has sent the entire place into a ravaging death trap. You eventually decide to try to find your father, which means leaving the Vault, and exploring the world. What comes after this opening story section, would be littered with spoilers, so it would be best to leave it at that.
The story is pretty straight froward as, game review, far as RPGs go, but how you want to tackle it, is 100% up to you. In the playthrough that I completed initially for this review, I actually skipped over a HUGE story point, just because of how I explored the game. In the end, it didn't leave me with a gapping hole in the story, and allowed me to come back to the mission later on with points being somewhat relevant to the events that I had already completed. Similar to the story that was in Oblivion, if you decide to plow through the story and not take any time to do anything else,, game review, you can, game review, probably finish the game in about 20 hours or so.
While not great, the plot keeps you interested to complete story sections to finish the game, and just see what happens. Unfortunately, the endings pale in comparison to the game that you will put the, game review, time into completing, but they do allow for some closure depending on if you played the game, game review, as a good, bad, or, game review, neutral, game review, character.
Gameplay: Fallout 3 is set up just like Oblivion, which is why most, game review, people make the immediate comparison for the, game review, two games.
You are in a gigantic open world, have a main story quest, and then are also aided by side quests that are at your leasure to complete... just like in Oblivion. Generally, if you are a good character, you're going to try to stick to the positive outcomes for missions in order to not lose karma in the game. The Karma system is set up so that if you do things like save a person in the, game review, Wasteland by giving him water, you'll gain good karma. Randomly kill a woman who just said hello to you, will obviously gain you negative karma.
The karma does not have an immediate impact to most things, but it will affect the dialog, game review, tree's that appear,, game review, as well as other quests that you might take. While you can be good and bad, you, game review, can also be neutral in most cases, by just not doing something that would be considered good or bad. The outcomes... well I'll leave you to find out what happens at neutral karma to not spoil the fun. Side missions are generally the way to level up your character, but the main issue here is that they don't provide a variety of fun things to do most of the time.
The Megaton "Power of the Atom" mission was great because it gave you an option... ok, that's spoilers, so lets just say that the outcome is pretty neat depending on how you beat it. Other missions just don't live up to what you just completed in Megaton, and then just drop off to "go here, get this, bring it back, fin" structure that has been present in too, game review, many games recently. So while there is a giant world to explore, you're going to, game review, have a different variety, game review, of enemies hunting, game review, you down to kill you (it is a wasteland after all), and you're going to have to dispose of them in some sort of way.
Enter once again, the similarities to Oblivion in terms of how combat is played out. Your basic set, game review, up is that you are in first person mode or third person mode to take on an enemy on screen. You can use the first person mechanics, but a first person shooter this is not, and one should not go into this game thinking you're going to get a Halo or Call of Duty style of play out, game review, of it. The, game review, first person aspects are very clunky, and result in using the RPG element called VATS.
While in VATS, you go into a type of freeze mode to where you can take aim at specific body parts on enemies. This helps you, game review, cripple enemies, knock guns out, game review, of their hands, or straight up shoot 'em dead in the face (which is the, game review, best course of action at all times).
Immediate thought that would come to mind is that one would just use VATS, game review, all the time, but it has a certain amount of ability points that need to recharge before you can use it again.
So a good 50-50 relationship from real time fighting to using the VATS system is how it plays out, and for the most part it works pretty well. The hang up with the combat system is that you always just aim for the head in VATS, because it hurts the enemy the most of course. This leads to lots of running up to an enemy dead to their face, turn on VATS, aim for head, and then INSTADEATH. The third person aspect of the game is completely and utterly useless. Not only is it terrible for battle, but you can't properly see what you are doing because of the angle of the camera whenever you go into third person.
It's, game review, just something that is just there which adds nothing to the game, and I advise to not even bother trying it. While the review probably sounds like it has a very negative tone to it, I should talk about some of the great parts of the gameplay. Easily the best thing about the game is the sheer scope of the world that you are in. Once you leave Vault 101, and get that first look at the Wasteland with DC off in the distance, the size of the game really hits you.
I don't know what it was, but I always seemed to gravitate towards where people were in the game, and when you were alone, you felt alone.
There were also a ton of moments within my two playthroughs of the game, which made me actually think to kill someone or not, and more so than, game review, how it was in Bioshock when you had to save or destroy the little, game review,, game review, sisters. I knew that taking out that one person may have an, game review, impact later on in the game, and I always had to think out things, which was an interesting, game review, morale issue with ones self. The choices may be limited in what you can do, but doing things have repercussions, which, game review, doesn't happen in some games with similar "choices" you can make.
The perks that you get when you level up, always added a new way of playing the game depending on what your choices were. During my first play through I was a fairly balanced character, which made it harder and easier in, game review, some spots. During playthrough two, I poured all of my abilities into weapons and talking, and just completely dominated everyone I talked to. The leveling system leaves the door open to your own style of play, while leaving the door open for replayabilty.
Graphics and Sound: If someone said that Fallout 3 looked like Oblivion,, game review,, game review, it would be hard to disagree with them.
Reason being is that Fallout 3 is using the same engine from Oblivion, bugs in tow and all. This is not to say that the game looks bad in any sense, in fact, it is one of the best looking games that I have seen. The sheer scope alone really puts other games to shame. Looking out over DC to see everything in ruins, while still making out famous landmarks,, game review, it's really just a sight to be hold. Unfortunately with all that massiveness going on, the game does some weird, game review, things at random.
I experienced frame rate skipping from the moment I turned the game on, until the credits rolled. I also, game review, experienced a couple of freezing issues, all of which were, game review, random, and I contributed to the game just freaking out due to everything that was going on while I was playing.The color pallet in the game is brown, brown,, game review, and then a darker shade of brown. With a setting like this, it's hard to move away from anything but dirty colors, so get use to sitting there and looking at brown textures, muddy water, and other items of that nature.
Character models, game review, are straight out of Oblivion with a new coat of paint, so don't expect anything new there. The voice acting in the game is top notch, with all the main characters and side characters giving their lines perfectly to you,, game review, as if you really were the character. You have the occasional person who is alittle to over happy for the character, but it still fits (and boy is it, game review, , game review, great to shoot them in the face when you don't need them anymore).
, game review, The sound effects are pretty standard, with gun shots and lasers sounding just like the should. I will mention that the game doesn't have any real "music", with the exception of when, game review, you, game review, come upon enemies, or if you're listening to the Pipboy 3000's radio. There is more of an overtone which fits with the setting very well, and after hearing some of the radio songs for, game review, an extended period of time, you'll be happy you can turn it off and listen to nothing at all.
Yaaaaaaaays -Massive open world for you to explore
-Great voice acting
-Combat Shotgun (oh yeah)
-Replayability Boooooooos
-Shares many of the same aspects to Oblivion
-Interior levels can get confusing at times
-Ending is kind of a bummer Final Verdict: Buy it. War. It never changes, but Fallout has. This is easily one of the best video games that I have played in a long time, and while there are some gameplay issues and bugs, the amount of things to do and sheer scope of the world make it easily recommendable.
Stop what you're doing, and go pick it up now.
Story: Set in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC, your character is literally born into the world of Fallout, which sets up brief tutorials and character customization for you to partake in.
Cut into a series of specific meaningful times in your life, you will learn about your father, life in Vault 101, and watch yourself grow up into the character you'll become. Your "life as you know it" will be thrown, game review, to the way side when your father mysteriously disappears from Vault 101 one day, which has sent the entire place into a ravaging death trap. You eventually decide to try to find your father, which means leaving the Vault, and exploring the world. What comes after this opening story section, would be littered with spoilers, so it would be best to leave it at that.
The story is pretty straight froward as, game review, far as RPGs go, but how you want to tackle it, is 100% up to you. In the playthrough that I completed initially for this review, I actually skipped over a HUGE story point, just because of how I explored the game. In the end, it didn't leave me with a gapping hole in the story, and allowed me to come back to the mission later on with points being somewhat relevant to the events that I had already completed. Similar to the story that was in Oblivion, if you decide to plow through the story and not take any time to do anything else,, game review, you can, game review, probably finish the game in about 20 hours or so.
While not great, the plot keeps you interested to complete story sections to finish the game, and just see what happens. Unfortunately, the endings pale in comparison to the game that you will put the, game review, time into completing, but they do allow for some closure depending on if you played the game, game review, as a good, bad, or, game review, neutral, game review, character.
Gameplay: Fallout 3 is set up just like Oblivion, which is why most, game review, people make the immediate comparison for the, game review, two games.
You are in a gigantic open world, have a main story quest, and then are also aided by side quests that are at your leasure to complete... just like in Oblivion. Generally, if you are a good character, you're going to try to stick to the positive outcomes for missions in order to not lose karma in the game. The Karma system is set up so that if you do things like save a person in the, game review, Wasteland by giving him water, you'll gain good karma. Randomly kill a woman who just said hello to you, will obviously gain you negative karma.
The karma does not have an immediate impact to most things, but it will affect the dialog, game review, tree's that appear,, game review, as well as other quests that you might take. While you can be good and bad, you, game review, can also be neutral in most cases, by just not doing something that would be considered good or bad. The outcomes... well I'll leave you to find out what happens at neutral karma to not spoil the fun. Side missions are generally the way to level up your character, but the main issue here is that they don't provide a variety of fun things to do most of the time.
The Megaton "Power of the Atom" mission was great because it gave you an option... ok, that's spoilers, so lets just say that the outcome is pretty neat depending on how you beat it. Other missions just don't live up to what you just completed in Megaton, and then just drop off to "go here, get this, bring it back, fin" structure that has been present in too, game review, many games recently. So while there is a giant world to explore, you're going to, game review, have a different variety, game review, of enemies hunting, game review, you down to kill you (it is a wasteland after all), and you're going to have to dispose of them in some sort of way.
Enter once again, the similarities to Oblivion in terms of how combat is played out. Your basic set, game review, up is that you are in first person mode or third person mode to take on an enemy on screen. You can use the first person mechanics, but a first person shooter this is not, and one should not go into this game thinking you're going to get a Halo or Call of Duty style of play out, game review, of it. The, game review, first person aspects are very clunky, and result in using the RPG element called VATS.
While in VATS, you go into a type of freeze mode to where you can take aim at specific body parts on enemies. This helps you, game review, cripple enemies, knock guns out, game review, of their hands, or straight up shoot 'em dead in the face (which is the, game review, best course of action at all times).
Immediate thought that would come to mind is that one would just use VATS, game review, all the time, but it has a certain amount of ability points that need to recharge before you can use it again.
So a good 50-50 relationship from real time fighting to using the VATS system is how it plays out, and for the most part it works pretty well. The hang up with the combat system is that you always just aim for the head in VATS, because it hurts the enemy the most of course. This leads to lots of running up to an enemy dead to their face, turn on VATS, aim for head, and then INSTADEATH. The third person aspect of the game is completely and utterly useless. Not only is it terrible for battle, but you can't properly see what you are doing because of the angle of the camera whenever you go into third person.
It's, game review, just something that is just there which adds nothing to the game, and I advise to not even bother trying it. While the review probably sounds like it has a very negative tone to it, I should talk about some of the great parts of the gameplay. Easily the best thing about the game is the sheer scope of the world that you are in. Once you leave Vault 101, and get that first look at the Wasteland with DC off in the distance, the size of the game really hits you.
I don't know what it was, but I always seemed to gravitate towards where people were in the game, and when you were alone, you felt alone.
There were also a ton of moments within my two playthroughs of the game, which made me actually think to kill someone or not, and more so than, game review, how it was in Bioshock when you had to save or destroy the little, game review,, game review, sisters. I knew that taking out that one person may have an, game review, impact later on in the game, and I always had to think out things, which was an interesting, game review, morale issue with ones self. The choices may be limited in what you can do, but doing things have repercussions, which, game review, doesn't happen in some games with similar "choices" you can make.
The perks that you get when you level up, always added a new way of playing the game depending on what your choices were. During my first play through I was a fairly balanced character, which made it harder and easier in, game review, some spots. During playthrough two, I poured all of my abilities into weapons and talking, and just completely dominated everyone I talked to. The leveling system leaves the door open to your own style of play, while leaving the door open for replayabilty.
Graphics and Sound: If someone said that Fallout 3 looked like Oblivion,, game review,, game review, it would be hard to disagree with them.
Reason being is that Fallout 3 is using the same engine from Oblivion, bugs in tow and all. This is not to say that the game looks bad in any sense, in fact, it is one of the best looking games that I have seen. The sheer scope alone really puts other games to shame. Looking out over DC to see everything in ruins, while still making out famous landmarks,, game review, it's really just a sight to be hold. Unfortunately with all that massiveness going on, the game does some weird, game review, things at random.
I experienced frame rate skipping from the moment I turned the game on, until the credits rolled. I also, game review, experienced a couple of freezing issues, all of which were, game review, random, and I contributed to the game just freaking out due to everything that was going on while I was playing.The color pallet in the game is brown, brown,, game review, and then a darker shade of brown. With a setting like this, it's hard to move away from anything but dirty colors, so get use to sitting there and looking at brown textures, muddy water, and other items of that nature.
Character models, game review, are straight out of Oblivion with a new coat of paint, so don't expect anything new there. The voice acting in the game is top notch, with all the main characters and side characters giving their lines perfectly to you,, game review, as if you really were the character. You have the occasional person who is alittle to over happy for the character, but it still fits (and boy is it, game review, , game review, great to shoot them in the face when you don't need them anymore).
, game review, The sound effects are pretty standard, with gun shots and lasers sounding just like the should. I will mention that the game doesn't have any real "music", with the exception of when, game review, you, game review, come upon enemies, or if you're listening to the Pipboy 3000's radio. There is more of an overtone which fits with the setting very well, and after hearing some of the radio songs for, game review, an extended period of time, you'll be happy you can turn it off and listen to nothing at all.
Yaaaaaaaays -Massive open world for you to explore
-Great voice acting
-Combat Shotgun (oh yeah)
-Replayability Boooooooos
-Shares many of the same aspects to Oblivion
-Interior levels can get confusing at times
-Ending is kind of a bummer Final Verdict: Buy it. War. It never changes, but Fallout has. This is easily one of the best video games that I have played in a long time, and while there are some gameplay issues and bugs, the amount of things to do and sheer scope of the world make it easily recommendable.
Stop what you're doing, and go pick it up now.
2010/03/07
Fonix Voice Command Technology Receives Rave Reviews in Latest Generation of Interactive Games
SALT LAKE CITY, UT November 14, 2003), game review, Fonixยฎ Corporation (OTC BB: FNIX), a global provider of easy-to-use speech solutions, announces the availability of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, published by Ubisoft, and SWAT: Global Strike Team, published by Vivendi Universal Games, the first two games using Fonix, game review, voice command technology on the Xboxยฎ video game system from Microsoft.
โ€œThe introduction of voice command to the player's experience heralds an entirely new level of game play,โ€ says Brian Schmidt, program manager of voice technology of Xbox.
โ€œGamers love the increased interaction and realism. And developers can easily implement Fonix speech technology with the Xbox developer's kit (XDK). Demand from gamers for this cool, game review, feature, and the ease in which developer's can utilize the technology, will become market drivers for voice in the games industry.โ€
Gamers are discovering the heightened excitement, game review, and fun of voice commands. As one reviewer says, โ€œThe use of the Xbox Live Communicator further immerses gamers into the already stellar game play of RS3 [Rainbow Six 3.
RS3 isn't the first console game, game review, to use a headset and voice recognition, but it certainly is the best implemented to date. I've never had so much fun looking like an idiot, yelling at my TV.โ€ (Horus, TeamXbox.com, October 30, 2003)
Another reviewer focuses on the ease and accuracy of using voice commands, โ€œUsing the Communicator is as simple as it gets, gamers simply speak the orders. Though at first it feels a bit awkward to be talking to the television, the system works very well, even in the heat of battle.
โ€ (Rod Oracheski, Gamingworldx.com) With voice commands, the game experience just keeps getting better and more realistic.
Xbox makes it easy for developers to add these adrenaline-pumping features to games. โ€œMicrosoft's platform opened the doors to what our team was able to do with this new game,โ€ says Michael McCoy of Ubisoft Montreal, developer of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3. โ€œVoice commands really enhance the player's experience, and the Xbox XDK allows for easy implementation of the voice technology.
โ€
โ€œGames based on the Xbox platform are definitely upping the ante in the industry,โ€, game, game review, review, says Tim K. Hong, vice president of Fonix Mobile Wireless. โ€œPlayers will come to expect voice command features, and developers will have to deliver, game review, in order to keep up with market demand. Microsoft and Fonix provide the easy-to-use tools developers need to create a, game review, truly engaging gaming experience.โ€
About Xbox
Xbox, game review, (www.
xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, โ€œit's good to play together,โ€ captures, game review, the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America,, game review, Asia. Europe and Australia.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live, which launched in the United States Nov. 15, 2002, allows gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a broadband, game review, connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console is the only video game system built from the ground up for online gaming, negating the need to buy additional, costly peripherals or upgrades. Xbox Live enables gamers to easily find their friends; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive; and play online - all exclusive features to Xbox Live.
About Ubisoftยฎ
Ubisoft, game review, is an international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products. A leading company in the multimedia industry, Ubisoft's strong and diversified lineup has grown considerably, as has Ubisoft itself. As well as steadfastly,, game review, game review, continuing to partner with several high-profile companies, Ubisoft has confirmed its presence on the global market by developing its own exceptional properties. Founded in 1986 in France, Ubisoft is now present on every continent, both through, game review, offices in 22 different countries including the United States, Brazil, Morocco, Germany and China and through sales of products in over 50 countries.
The group is dedicated to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game, game review, titles to consumers around the world. Ubisoft generated a turnover of 453 million euros for the 2002/2003 fiscal year, up 23 percent over the previous year. To learn more, visit www.ubi.com.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in New York, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com), game review, is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive.
Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners, including Crave Entertainment, Interplay, Majesco, Mythic Entertainment and Simon & Schuster, among others.
About Fonix
Fonix Corporation (OTC BB: FNIX) provides speech interface solutions for mobile / wireless devices, computer telephony systems, the assistive, game review, market, automobiles and everyday consumer devices. Manufacturers and developers incorporate Fonix technology to provide their customers with an, game review, easy, convenient, reliable user experience.
Visit www.fonix.com for an introduction, game review,, game review, to Fonix's complete suite of speech solutions, or contact a Fonix representative at (801) 553-6600 and say โ€œSales.โ€
The statements released by Fonix that are not purely historical are, game review, forward-looking within the meaning of the โ€œSafe Harborโ€ provisions of the Private Securities, game review, Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions and strategies for the future.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business prospects and performance. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risk factors include general economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors as discussed, game review, in the Company's filings with, game review, the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft, game review, Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Media Contact:
Fonix Corp., Salt Lake City
Elizabeth, game review, Sweeten
1-801-553-6600
mediainfo@fonix.com
Investor, game review, contact:
ECON Investor Relations, Inc.
1-866-894-3913
Dawn Van Zant
dvanzant@investorideas.com
or
Trevor Ruehs
truehs@investorideas.com
www.investorideas.com
For full details, click here:
http://www.investorideas.
com/Companies/FNIX/NewsReleases.asp
โ€œThe introduction of voice command to the player's experience heralds an entirely new level of game play,โ€ says Brian Schmidt, program manager of voice technology of Xbox.
โ€œGamers love the increased interaction and realism. And developers can easily implement Fonix speech technology with the Xbox developer's kit (XDK). Demand from gamers for this cool, game review, feature, and the ease in which developer's can utilize the technology, will become market drivers for voice in the games industry.โ€
Gamers are discovering the heightened excitement, game review, and fun of voice commands. As one reviewer says, โ€œThe use of the Xbox Live Communicator further immerses gamers into the already stellar game play of RS3 [Rainbow Six 3.
RS3 isn't the first console game, game review, to use a headset and voice recognition, but it certainly is the best implemented to date. I've never had so much fun looking like an idiot, yelling at my TV.โ€ (Horus, TeamXbox.com, October 30, 2003)
Another reviewer focuses on the ease and accuracy of using voice commands, โ€œUsing the Communicator is as simple as it gets, gamers simply speak the orders. Though at first it feels a bit awkward to be talking to the television, the system works very well, even in the heat of battle.
โ€ (Rod Oracheski, Gamingworldx.com) With voice commands, the game experience just keeps getting better and more realistic.
Xbox makes it easy for developers to add these adrenaline-pumping features to games. โ€œMicrosoft's platform opened the doors to what our team was able to do with this new game,โ€ says Michael McCoy of Ubisoft Montreal, developer of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3. โ€œVoice commands really enhance the player's experience, and the Xbox XDK allows for easy implementation of the voice technology.
โ€
โ€œGames based on the Xbox platform are definitely upping the ante in the industry,โ€, game, game review, review, says Tim K. Hong, vice president of Fonix Mobile Wireless. โ€œPlayers will come to expect voice command features, and developers will have to deliver, game review, in order to keep up with market demand. Microsoft and Fonix provide the easy-to-use tools developers need to create a, game review, truly engaging gaming experience.โ€
About Xbox
Xbox, game review, (www.
xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, โ€œit's good to play together,โ€ captures, game review, the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America,, game review, Asia. Europe and Australia.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live, which launched in the United States Nov. 15, 2002, allows gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a broadband, game review, connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console is the only video game system built from the ground up for online gaming, negating the need to buy additional, costly peripherals or upgrades. Xbox Live enables gamers to easily find their friends; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive; and play online - all exclusive features to Xbox Live.
About Ubisoftยฎ
Ubisoft, game review, is an international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products. A leading company in the multimedia industry, Ubisoft's strong and diversified lineup has grown considerably, as has Ubisoft itself. As well as steadfastly,, game review, game review, continuing to partner with several high-profile companies, Ubisoft has confirmed its presence on the global market by developing its own exceptional properties. Founded in 1986 in France, Ubisoft is now present on every continent, both through, game review, offices in 22 different countries including the United States, Brazil, Morocco, Germany and China and through sales of products in over 50 countries.
The group is dedicated to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game, game review, titles to consumers around the world. Ubisoft generated a turnover of 453 million euros for the 2002/2003 fiscal year, up 23 percent over the previous year. To learn more, visit www.ubi.com.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in New York, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com), game review, is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive.
Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners, including Crave Entertainment, Interplay, Majesco, Mythic Entertainment and Simon & Schuster, among others.
About Fonix
Fonix Corporation (OTC BB: FNIX) provides speech interface solutions for mobile / wireless devices, computer telephony systems, the assistive, game review, market, automobiles and everyday consumer devices. Manufacturers and developers incorporate Fonix technology to provide their customers with an, game review, easy, convenient, reliable user experience.
Visit www.fonix.com for an introduction, game review,, game review, to Fonix's complete suite of speech solutions, or contact a Fonix representative at (801) 553-6600 and say โ€œSales.โ€
The statements released by Fonix that are not purely historical are, game review, forward-looking within the meaning of the โ€œSafe Harborโ€ provisions of the Private Securities, game review, Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions and strategies for the future.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business prospects and performance. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risk factors include general economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors as discussed, game review, in the Company's filings with, game review, the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft, game review, Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Media Contact:
Fonix Corp., Salt Lake City
Elizabeth, game review, Sweeten
1-801-553-6600
mediainfo@fonix.com
Investor, game review, contact:
ECON Investor Relations, Inc.
1-866-894-3913
Dawn Van Zant
dvanzant@investorideas.com
or
Trevor Ruehs
truehs@investorideas.com
www.investorideas.com
For full details, click here:
http://www.investorideas.
com/Companies/FNIX/NewsReleases.asp
2010/03/04
God of War 3 Review - Some Facts You May Not Have Known About GoW3
The first playable God of War 3 (GoW3) Demo was shown live at E3 2009. We will review various elements of the GoW3 game like Gameplay, Graphics, Sound, Replay value, etc.
GOD OF WAR 3 GAMEPLAY:
Hit, game review, Start on the PS3 controller and you see Kratos on a narrow path, game review, on a mountainside. The Sun God Helios seems to buzz around on his Sun Chariot, but we, game review, can rip his skull later. More pressing matters are at hand (or blade). You are immediately drawn in the action as the soldiers from the Army of Olympus surround you.
Tapping SQUARE to hack and slash is typical of God of War. However, Kratos can now Grab in different styles using various buttons. Grab enemies using CIRCLE and then you can use different buttons to throw them, use as battering ram, rip it away, etc.
Kratos' sub-weapons are now available on the D-pad and can be switched mid-move. Previous God of War versions had the sub-weapons as, game review, combination, game review, of R1, R2, L1, L2 and SQUARE, TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, game review, and X. Not any more.
In GoW3, simply press the down button for the Cestus, and the right button for the Blades. The Cestus is good, game review, for close-up melee fighting, whereas the Blades are suitable for general attacks.
The Amulet of Fates from God of War 2 has been replaced by (Apollo's?) Fire Bow. Unlike Typhon's Bane, the magic meter for the Fire Bow regenerates automatically. You can make 6 hits to drain out the Fire Bow meter. The meter fills up completely after another 5 seconds. That is useful, considering that you don't have to conserve your Fire, game review, Bow only for boss battles.
A thoughtful innovation has been done with the Quick Time Event buttons. Previous God of War games had the QTE button prompts appear in the middle of the screen. In God of War 3, SQUARE prompt comes on the left side, CIRCLE button on the right, TRIANGLE comes at the top and X comes at the bottom of the screen. L1 and R1 come on the top-left and top-right corners respectively. CIRCLE button mashing comes at the bottom-right corner. This is a commendable addition, game review, to this epic series as, game review, we don't have to stare at the screen during the finishing moves of a boss-battle to see the button prompt.
Just observing towards which side of the screen the prompt comes up, determines which buttons to mash making it just that little bit easy.
GOD OF WAR 3 GRAPHICS:
God of War 1 & 2 had, game review, a varying framerate;,, game review, game review, the same has been continued in GoW3. The framerate varies between 30-60 fps, game review, . Stig Asmussen has followed in the footsteps of Cory Barlog and originally David Jaffe who wanted important, game review, scenes in the game irrespective of the framerate.
However, Stig has reiterated that the framerate will not go below 30 fps.
The vivid art direction comes to the fore, as Kratos makes his way across the picturesque mountainsides to the city of Olympia, bludgeoning and battering the Army of Olympus creatures like undead soldiers, Centaurs, Harpies & Cyclops. A lot of thought has gone in each move. The attention to detail can be judged by the fact that each teeth of Kratos, game review, were separately, game review, modelled.
The processing power of the, game review, Playstation 3 has been used to its maximum.
In God of War 2, we could see only 15 enemies on the screen at a time. This has been beefed, game review, up to 50 in GoW3. Kratos is also now a 20,000 polygons hulk compared to 5000, game review, in GoW2. And we haven't even started talking about the Titans. Stig has said that some of the levels will be on the Titans themselves. (remember the Fear Nothing trailer?). In the Demo, the Fire Titan Perseus is shown in the background; a monstrous living, game review, being made of volcanic rocks and molten lava that flows down his, game review, body.
The Fire Titan Perseus is pitted against the Sun God Helios as an engrossing backdrop while Kratos slashes the undead soldiers in the foreground.
The Demo has a resolution of 720p. The final in-game resolution will be 1080p & 1080i.
GOD OF WAR 3 AUDIO:
After Gerard Marino's amazing score, game review, in GoW2, GoW3 music seems like another hit-to-be. The music really rouses you up. The background music differs depending on the game situation and blends perfectly with the overall tone of the game.
When you are alone, the score simmers quietly, and drums up forebodingly, when you are about to face baddies, game review, .
GOD OF WAR 3 STORY:
The story is set 3 hours in the actual game. It has been confirmed by Stig that the demo is in-game part and not a separate play-through. We are left to fill in some blanks as to: the whereabouts of the Blade of Olympus, lack of a magic meter, how the sole sub-weapon Cestus was obtained,,, game review, game review, why does the Fire Titan Perseus attack Kratos, etc.
However a few things have been verified by Stig: Kratos will battle 5-10 Gods including the Gods seen on the balcony during the final scene of GoW2. He wont have sex with women; which could mean men (heaven forbid!) or Goddesses (yummy!) The Titan Gaia and the Blade of Olympus left out in the trailers & demo will make a comeback in GoW3.
REVIEW BOTTOMLINE:
Stig Asmussen has declared, "We want this game to show what the Playstation 3 is capable of." That is a pretty strong statement and going by the looks of the Demo, one that is surely living up to the promise.
The background score is awe-inspiring. The Firebow and the QTE positioning are commendable additions to the gameplay. The beautiful graphics use the full power of the PS3.
The bottomline is that the potential, game review, & possibilities in God of War 3 are unlimited. It is like a Chest filled with Magics Orbs waiting to be opened.
This review is provided to you by the God of War 4 Community.
GOD OF WAR 3 GAMEPLAY:
Hit, game review, Start on the PS3 controller and you see Kratos on a narrow path, game review, on a mountainside. The Sun God Helios seems to buzz around on his Sun Chariot, but we, game review, can rip his skull later. More pressing matters are at hand (or blade). You are immediately drawn in the action as the soldiers from the Army of Olympus surround you.
Tapping SQUARE to hack and slash is typical of God of War. However, Kratos can now Grab in different styles using various buttons. Grab enemies using CIRCLE and then you can use different buttons to throw them, use as battering ram, rip it away, etc.
Kratos' sub-weapons are now available on the D-pad and can be switched mid-move. Previous God of War versions had the sub-weapons as, game review, combination, game review, of R1, R2, L1, L2 and SQUARE, TRIANGLE, CIRCLE, game review, and X. Not any more.
In GoW3, simply press the down button for the Cestus, and the right button for the Blades. The Cestus is good, game review, for close-up melee fighting, whereas the Blades are suitable for general attacks.
The Amulet of Fates from God of War 2 has been replaced by (Apollo's?) Fire Bow. Unlike Typhon's Bane, the magic meter for the Fire Bow regenerates automatically. You can make 6 hits to drain out the Fire Bow meter. The meter fills up completely after another 5 seconds. That is useful, considering that you don't have to conserve your Fire, game review, Bow only for boss battles.
A thoughtful innovation has been done with the Quick Time Event buttons. Previous God of War games had the QTE button prompts appear in the middle of the screen. In God of War 3, SQUARE prompt comes on the left side, CIRCLE button on the right, TRIANGLE comes at the top and X comes at the bottom of the screen. L1 and R1 come on the top-left and top-right corners respectively. CIRCLE button mashing comes at the bottom-right corner. This is a commendable addition, game review, to this epic series as, game review, we don't have to stare at the screen during the finishing moves of a boss-battle to see the button prompt.
Just observing towards which side of the screen the prompt comes up, determines which buttons to mash making it just that little bit easy.
GOD OF WAR 3 GRAPHICS:
God of War 1 & 2 had, game review, a varying framerate;,, game review, game review, the same has been continued in GoW3. The framerate varies between 30-60 fps, game review, . Stig Asmussen has followed in the footsteps of Cory Barlog and originally David Jaffe who wanted important, game review, scenes in the game irrespective of the framerate.
However, Stig has reiterated that the framerate will not go below 30 fps.
The vivid art direction comes to the fore, as Kratos makes his way across the picturesque mountainsides to the city of Olympia, bludgeoning and battering the Army of Olympus creatures like undead soldiers, Centaurs, Harpies & Cyclops. A lot of thought has gone in each move. The attention to detail can be judged by the fact that each teeth of Kratos, game review, were separately, game review, modelled.
The processing power of the, game review, Playstation 3 has been used to its maximum.
In God of War 2, we could see only 15 enemies on the screen at a time. This has been beefed, game review, up to 50 in GoW3. Kratos is also now a 20,000 polygons hulk compared to 5000, game review, in GoW2. And we haven't even started talking about the Titans. Stig has said that some of the levels will be on the Titans themselves. (remember the Fear Nothing trailer?). In the Demo, the Fire Titan Perseus is shown in the background; a monstrous living, game review, being made of volcanic rocks and molten lava that flows down his, game review, body.
The Fire Titan Perseus is pitted against the Sun God Helios as an engrossing backdrop while Kratos slashes the undead soldiers in the foreground.
The Demo has a resolution of 720p. The final in-game resolution will be 1080p & 1080i.
GOD OF WAR 3 AUDIO:
After Gerard Marino's amazing score, game review, in GoW2, GoW3 music seems like another hit-to-be. The music really rouses you up. The background music differs depending on the game situation and blends perfectly with the overall tone of the game.
When you are alone, the score simmers quietly, and drums up forebodingly, when you are about to face baddies, game review, .
GOD OF WAR 3 STORY:
The story is set 3 hours in the actual game. It has been confirmed by Stig that the demo is in-game part and not a separate play-through. We are left to fill in some blanks as to: the whereabouts of the Blade of Olympus, lack of a magic meter, how the sole sub-weapon Cestus was obtained,,, game review, game review, why does the Fire Titan Perseus attack Kratos, etc.
However a few things have been verified by Stig: Kratos will battle 5-10 Gods including the Gods seen on the balcony during the final scene of GoW2. He wont have sex with women; which could mean men (heaven forbid!) or Goddesses (yummy!) The Titan Gaia and the Blade of Olympus left out in the trailers & demo will make a comeback in GoW3.
REVIEW BOTTOMLINE:
Stig Asmussen has declared, "We want this game to show what the Playstation 3 is capable of." That is a pretty strong statement and going by the looks of the Demo, one that is surely living up to the promise.
The background score is awe-inspiring. The Firebow and the QTE positioning are commendable additions to the gameplay. The beautiful graphics use the full power of the PS3.
The bottomline is that the potential, game review, & possibilities in God of War 3 are unlimited. It is like a Chest filled with Magics Orbs waiting to be opened.
This review is provided to you by the God of War 4 Community.
2010/03/03
The Game Audio Explosion - A Guide to Great Game Sound Part II: Music, FMVs and Audio Planning
V. MUSIC, game review, PRODUCTION
A. THE UNDERSCORE - INTERACTIVE, game review, VS. FILM MUSIC
Until recently, you simply could not compare game music to film, game review, music. Every
aspect involved in their production, from budgets to performance, made it an
impractical comparison. Today, these two media have a working relationship.
Games are created to support movies and movies are made, game review, from successful, game review,
game franchises. Film composers are now writing for games, and some game
composers have made the transition to film.
Hollywood orchestras and
orchestrators are now commonly used for game music scores. Why make this
comparison?, game review, Because even though the considerations, game review, involved in their creation
are different, their effect and function are relatively the same.
B. STORY-DRIVEN/ROLEPLAYING GAMES
As the name suggests, the scores, game review, to story-driven games must primarily tell a
story. To tell a story musically is a sublime art. A composer, game review, must be, game review, well
versed in the work of his predecessors in order to understand what constitutes
successful story telling using the language, game review, of music.
Fortunately, centuries of
music have been written for this purpose, allowing today's composer a
foundation for developing this art. We now associate certain sonorities and
rhythms with specific actions, emotions or locations, game review, . Compositions like
Rossini's 'William Tell', Wagner's 'Tristan' and Holst's 'Planets' have laid the
groundwork for these non-verbal associations. Film and television composers
have since, game review, expanded on these motifs to help express the elements within a
story.
A portion of story telling is to define the environment, both time and place, game review, .
Musically, we draw influence from folk traditions for such a purpose. Through
ethnomusicology we can effectively represent locations and time periods by
incorporating traditional instruments, modes and progressions, game review, into the score, game review, .
For instance, a tabla, tambour or sitar is appropriate for describing an Indian
location. If such instruments are not available,, game review, the music may be orchestrated
in such a way as to mimic, game review, these traditional sounds.
A modern orchestra is
greatly enhanced by the addition of folk elements for the purpose of describing
a specific time and place.
Characters within a story are supported through the development of melodic
themes and motifs associated with each character. Orchestrating, game review, the motifs
throughout various instruments will provide a sense of character development
as the game progresses. In addition, varying the harmonic support of these
themes will reflect the character's physical, mental and emotional states.
Game music for the story and role genre must highlight the dramatic events in
the story as well as drive the game-play. NIS and FMVs are the primary tools
for, game review, advancing, game review, the storyline and scoring to these videos is generally a
straightforward process. You must consider, however, that game-play is also a
dramatic event that contributes to the overall development of the story. Herein
lies the careful balancing act of supporting the story as well as the action,
without the music sounding repetitious.
Cross fading alternate versions, game review, and
transitions, or layering individual tracks that are programmatically, game review, muted and
un-muted, will secure the musical effectiveness over long periods. The
programming methods of manipulating music within a game are beyond the
intent of this article. Further reading from game development resources such
as 'gamasutra.com' will provide a closer look at some of the programming
methods used in game music playback.
B. ACTION/ARCADE AND SPORTS GAMES
The most basic function of game music is best exhibited in 'arcade' style
games in which the overall gaming experience is enhanced by the addition of
adrenaline-surging music.
The music helps to drive the action, thereby
heightening the intensity of the experience. For this reason, it's very common
for these games to license tracks from well-known, marketable artists with a, game review,
track record of producing music that translates to the listener. The interactive
potential of this music, has thus far been very low. However, as many artists
are also avid gamers, they are beginning to show interest in lending their talent
toward interactive soundtrack design, if, game review, not producing tracks in their entirety.
Generally speaking, the interactivity of the music in arcade-style games rarely
moves beyond loops and stings. In many cases, this is all that is required.
However,, game review, as the complexity of arcade-style games grow, so must the level of
musical interactivity. The music for these games should support any changes in
game-play. Power-ups,, game review, signature moves and multiple damage are all examples
commonly reserved for the sound design to immerse the player in the action,
but are appropriately expressed through music as well.
A deep understanding
of the game-play will reveal to the composer, new areas to interactively
enhance, game review, an otherwise monotonous arcade soundtrack.
VI. FULL MOTION VIDEO (FMV)
Since, game review, the FMV is a controlled environment, it is tempting, game review, for the sound
designer to elaborate on the sound effects. While in some cases, it may be
appropriate to heighten the dramatic impact of the story; great care should be
maintained to be consistent with the in-game sound design.
An incredible-
, game review, sounding FMV is surely a joy to behold, however, if the in-game sounds do not
hold up to the FMVs, the playing experience will be diminished. The purpose of
the FMV is to dramatically move the storyline, and to provide a break in the
action. Since Most FMVs occur after completing a level, there is an inherent
sense of reward when viewing the FMV. The sound design should pay, game review, respect
to this as long as it doesn't stray too far from the in-game sound.
The FMV
should act as a seamless transition into and out of the game play. In my
opinion, it is best to use in-game sounds within the FMV wherever in-game
movements or actions are present.
The second consideration for FMV sound is the mix of all the sound elements.
All dialog, sound effects and music should, game review, be mixed at comparable levels to
the in-game mix, unless there is a dramatic motivation for stressing one over
the other.
VII. SOUND REVIEWS
The Beta date is just around the corner.
Your sound team, game review, has worked, game review, countless
hours, and is nearing the finish line. You might think it's time to examine the
sound for any necessary revisions. Well by this time it's probably too late. As
mentioned earlier, the sound team is generally the last in line to begin creating
their content. Add to this, the fact that all previously missed deadlines
becomes their burden to make-up. Your sound team will likely be delivering
content right up to the last minute.
You will need to have in place a regular
and effective, game review, reviewing mechanism to stay on top of the direction of the game
sound.
Using the, game review, same group of reviewers used for the demo phase (part 1 of article),
create a questionnaire that rates the general aspects of the sound. Rating each
individual sound would be time-consuming, so use categories of sounds and
include room for comments or explanations, game review, . By assembling the various
questionnaires, you will be able to develop a consensus opinion, game review, that will reveal
spots that need further attention.
If this is performed in a timely and periodic
fashion, your sound team will be best able to manage the revisions, as they are
needed.
VIII. GOT YOUR SOUND BUDGET? …USE IT!
A. YOUR SIMPLE CHECKLIST
Today's games are competing with each other on every level. Sound is no
exception. You must secure the best resources possible for your sound team.
This will require that you use your budget wisely, and use all of it.
Prior to beginning the sound effects production, ask yourself the following
questions.
1. Is your sound team complete? (i.e. sound designer(s), supervising/Lead
sound designer, composer, audio director and audio programmer)
2. Is each member of the sound team assigned a specific task uncompromised
by additional or overlapping roles?
3. Is your sound team assigned only to, game review, your project?
4. Does your sound team have enough time to complete your project?
, game review, 5. Does your sound team have the adequate resources necessary for your
specific game? These include sonically treated work spaces, equipment,
software and, game review, sound effects libraries that are compatible with the needs of your game.
6. Does your sound team have a demonstrated track record of producing
sound within the style and genre of your project?
If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, your sound design team is
properly equipped, prepared and ready for production. Answering "no" to any
of these questions will tell you where you will need to focus portions of your
budget.
B. OUTSOURCING
If the sound team is incomplete or in any way compromised, you should
consider outsourcing an appropriate amount of the workload to game audio
specialists.
Look for companies and people that have a strong resume of
interactive sound production, and have successfully produced sound for "high
profile" titles. If your game has special stylistic needs, then consider companies
that have a track record of producing sound for similar titles.
C. FOLEY
The overall 'theme' of your game will help dictate where you may need
additional resources. A historically based game will, game review, require authenticity;
therefore consider obtaining fresh recordings of historically accurate weapons
and vehicles.
If your game focuses on destruction, a sizeable Foley session, game review, may
be appropriate to produce original content unencumbered by overused sound
effects libraries. A small but well organized recording session can give your
game a lot of fresh spark without breaking the budget.
IX. MARKETING YOUR SOUND
Game marketing has typically focused on the creator, developer or the voice
actors within the game. In many cases, sound can be used as a marketing tool
as well. For "The Incredible Hulk - Ultimate destruction" we hired some of
Hollywood's, game review, finest sound recordists to coordinate a Foley session that would
produce the raw destruction, game review, sounds we needed to create the sound effects
necessary for this game, game review, .
Our session took place at an auto-dismantling yard in
a southern California desert. A giant forklift and bulldozer were used to drop,
drag and tear apart cars, vans and trailers. Multiple video cameras captured the
session for future use on the "Behind-the-scenes" reel. The added benefit was
the marketability achieved by everyone's dedication to producing the most
destructive sounding game to date. Your ability to market your game's sound
will also help raise any additional finances needed to bring your sound up to
the next level.
Steve Kutay is the co-founder of Radius360, an award-winning audio post
production company, specializing in sound for film and games, located in Los
Angeles, California. You may contact Steve at steve.kutay@radius360.com
A. THE UNDERSCORE - INTERACTIVE, game review, VS. FILM MUSIC
Until recently, you simply could not compare game music to film, game review, music. Every
aspect involved in their production, from budgets to performance, made it an
impractical comparison. Today, these two media have a working relationship.
Games are created to support movies and movies are made, game review, from successful, game review,
game franchises. Film composers are now writing for games, and some game
composers have made the transition to film.
Hollywood orchestras and
orchestrators are now commonly used for game music scores. Why make this
comparison?, game review, Because even though the considerations, game review, involved in their creation
are different, their effect and function are relatively the same.
B. STORY-DRIVEN/ROLEPLAYING GAMES
As the name suggests, the scores, game review, to story-driven games must primarily tell a
story. To tell a story musically is a sublime art. A composer, game review, must be, game review, well
versed in the work of his predecessors in order to understand what constitutes
successful story telling using the language, game review, of music.
Fortunately, centuries of
music have been written for this purpose, allowing today's composer a
foundation for developing this art. We now associate certain sonorities and
rhythms with specific actions, emotions or locations, game review, . Compositions like
Rossini's 'William Tell', Wagner's 'Tristan' and Holst's 'Planets' have laid the
groundwork for these non-verbal associations. Film and television composers
have since, game review, expanded on these motifs to help express the elements within a
story.
A portion of story telling is to define the environment, both time and place, game review, .
Musically, we draw influence from folk traditions for such a purpose. Through
ethnomusicology we can effectively represent locations and time periods by
incorporating traditional instruments, modes and progressions, game review, into the score, game review, .
For instance, a tabla, tambour or sitar is appropriate for describing an Indian
location. If such instruments are not available,, game review, the music may be orchestrated
in such a way as to mimic, game review, these traditional sounds.
A modern orchestra is
greatly enhanced by the addition of folk elements for the purpose of describing
a specific time and place.
Characters within a story are supported through the development of melodic
themes and motifs associated with each character. Orchestrating, game review, the motifs
throughout various instruments will provide a sense of character development
as the game progresses. In addition, varying the harmonic support of these
themes will reflect the character's physical, mental and emotional states.
Game music for the story and role genre must highlight the dramatic events in
the story as well as drive the game-play. NIS and FMVs are the primary tools
for, game review, advancing, game review, the storyline and scoring to these videos is generally a
straightforward process. You must consider, however, that game-play is also a
dramatic event that contributes to the overall development of the story. Herein
lies the careful balancing act of supporting the story as well as the action,
without the music sounding repetitious.
Cross fading alternate versions, game review, and
transitions, or layering individual tracks that are programmatically, game review, muted and
un-muted, will secure the musical effectiveness over long periods. The
programming methods of manipulating music within a game are beyond the
intent of this article. Further reading from game development resources such
as 'gamasutra.com' will provide a closer look at some of the programming
methods used in game music playback.
B. ACTION/ARCADE AND SPORTS GAMES
The most basic function of game music is best exhibited in 'arcade' style
games in which the overall gaming experience is enhanced by the addition of
adrenaline-surging music.
The music helps to drive the action, thereby
heightening the intensity of the experience. For this reason, it's very common
for these games to license tracks from well-known, marketable artists with a, game review,
track record of producing music that translates to the listener. The interactive
potential of this music, has thus far been very low. However, as many artists
are also avid gamers, they are beginning to show interest in lending their talent
toward interactive soundtrack design, if, game review, not producing tracks in their entirety.
Generally speaking, the interactivity of the music in arcade-style games rarely
moves beyond loops and stings. In many cases, this is all that is required.
However,, game review, as the complexity of arcade-style games grow, so must the level of
musical interactivity. The music for these games should support any changes in
game-play. Power-ups,, game review, signature moves and multiple damage are all examples
commonly reserved for the sound design to immerse the player in the action,
but are appropriately expressed through music as well.
A deep understanding
of the game-play will reveal to the composer, new areas to interactively
enhance, game review, an otherwise monotonous arcade soundtrack.
VI. FULL MOTION VIDEO (FMV)
Since, game review, the FMV is a controlled environment, it is tempting, game review, for the sound
designer to elaborate on the sound effects. While in some cases, it may be
appropriate to heighten the dramatic impact of the story; great care should be
maintained to be consistent with the in-game sound design.
An incredible-
, game review, sounding FMV is surely a joy to behold, however, if the in-game sounds do not
hold up to the FMVs, the playing experience will be diminished. The purpose of
the FMV is to dramatically move the storyline, and to provide a break in the
action. Since Most FMVs occur after completing a level, there is an inherent
sense of reward when viewing the FMV. The sound design should pay, game review, respect
to this as long as it doesn't stray too far from the in-game sound.
The FMV
should act as a seamless transition into and out of the game play. In my
opinion, it is best to use in-game sounds within the FMV wherever in-game
movements or actions are present.
The second consideration for FMV sound is the mix of all the sound elements.
All dialog, sound effects and music should, game review, be mixed at comparable levels to
the in-game mix, unless there is a dramatic motivation for stressing one over
the other.
VII. SOUND REVIEWS
The Beta date is just around the corner.
Your sound team, game review, has worked, game review, countless
hours, and is nearing the finish line. You might think it's time to examine the
sound for any necessary revisions. Well by this time it's probably too late. As
mentioned earlier, the sound team is generally the last in line to begin creating
their content. Add to this, the fact that all previously missed deadlines
becomes their burden to make-up. Your sound team will likely be delivering
content right up to the last minute.
You will need to have in place a regular
and effective, game review, reviewing mechanism to stay on top of the direction of the game
sound.
Using the, game review, same group of reviewers used for the demo phase (part 1 of article),
create a questionnaire that rates the general aspects of the sound. Rating each
individual sound would be time-consuming, so use categories of sounds and
include room for comments or explanations, game review, . By assembling the various
questionnaires, you will be able to develop a consensus opinion, game review, that will reveal
spots that need further attention.
If this is performed in a timely and periodic
fashion, your sound team will be best able to manage the revisions, as they are
needed.
VIII. GOT YOUR SOUND BUDGET? …USE IT!
A. YOUR SIMPLE CHECKLIST
Today's games are competing with each other on every level. Sound is no
exception. You must secure the best resources possible for your sound team.
This will require that you use your budget wisely, and use all of it.
Prior to beginning the sound effects production, ask yourself the following
questions.
1. Is your sound team complete? (i.e. sound designer(s), supervising/Lead
sound designer, composer, audio director and audio programmer)
2. Is each member of the sound team assigned a specific task uncompromised
by additional or overlapping roles?
3. Is your sound team assigned only to, game review, your project?
4. Does your sound team have enough time to complete your project?
, game review, 5. Does your sound team have the adequate resources necessary for your
specific game? These include sonically treated work spaces, equipment,
software and, game review, sound effects libraries that are compatible with the needs of your game.
6. Does your sound team have a demonstrated track record of producing
sound within the style and genre of your project?
If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, your sound design team is
properly equipped, prepared and ready for production. Answering "no" to any
of these questions will tell you where you will need to focus portions of your
budget.
B. OUTSOURCING
If the sound team is incomplete or in any way compromised, you should
consider outsourcing an appropriate amount of the workload to game audio
specialists.
Look for companies and people that have a strong resume of
interactive sound production, and have successfully produced sound for "high
profile" titles. If your game has special stylistic needs, then consider companies
that have a track record of producing sound for similar titles.
C. FOLEY
The overall 'theme' of your game will help dictate where you may need
additional resources. A historically based game will, game review, require authenticity;
therefore consider obtaining fresh recordings of historically accurate weapons
and vehicles.
If your game focuses on destruction, a sizeable Foley session, game review, may
be appropriate to produce original content unencumbered by overused sound
effects libraries. A small but well organized recording session can give your
game a lot of fresh spark without breaking the budget.
IX. MARKETING YOUR SOUND
Game marketing has typically focused on the creator, developer or the voice
actors within the game. In many cases, sound can be used as a marketing tool
as well. For "The Incredible Hulk - Ultimate destruction" we hired some of
Hollywood's, game review, finest sound recordists to coordinate a Foley session that would
produce the raw destruction, game review, sounds we needed to create the sound effects
necessary for this game, game review, .
Our session took place at an auto-dismantling yard in
a southern California desert. A giant forklift and bulldozer were used to drop,
drag and tear apart cars, vans and trailers. Multiple video cameras captured the
session for future use on the "Behind-the-scenes" reel. The added benefit was
the marketability achieved by everyone's dedication to producing the most
destructive sounding game to date. Your ability to market your game's sound
will also help raise any additional finances needed to bring your sound up to
the next level.
Steve Kutay is the co-founder of Radius360, an award-winning audio post
production company, specializing in sound for film and games, located in Los
Angeles, California. You may contact Steve at steve.kutay@radius360.com
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