| |
 Virtua
Tennis 2009 (Playstation 3)
Sega's long-running Virtua Tennis series returns on PS3 with another
enjoyable installment that offers the usual solid gameplay mechanics,
excellent ball physics, intuitive controls plus an array of challenging
mini-games. Players can choose to play as one of dozens of real-life
tennis superstars including Nadal, Venus Williams and Roger Federer, each
of which mirrors their actual counterparts in terms of style and ability.
You can go with quick arcade-style matches and or build up your ranking in
World Tour mode. This isn't the most innovative sports title on the
market, but Virtua Tennis 2009 delivers an entertaining and exciting
sports experience. |
Prototype
(Playstation 3)
Prototype
casts players as a rogue super hero trapped within
New
York City
.
The player has to fight his way through military forces and evil mutants
to discover his true identity. Prototype gives players incredible powers
that allow him to battle, destroy and even consume enemies. As the game
unfolds, additional abilities are given which make the character even more
powerful, giving Prototype a fairly good sense of progression. The
question is whether this is enough to make for a challenging and
entertaining gaming experience or if the game’s technical achievements
are undermined by poor play mechanics. Look inside and discover the
answers. |
 Fuel
(Playstation 3)
Codemasters' latest racing title Fuel is an ambitious game that offers a
huge racing environment, 75 unique vehicles to unlock, realistic weather
effects, and non-linear off-road courses. Its racing engine offers
standard point-to-point, checkpoint and battle races. Fuel's structure is
open-ended to a point, since you have to unlock most areas before you can
race and explore them. This approach is frustrating because there's a
promise of unlimited freedom, but you need to work to achieve it. Fuel's
visuals are also erratic, some areas look beautiful, while others are
dull, giving the game an inconsistent feel. Despite some promising
features, Fuel doesn't live up to its potential, and ends up falling short
of the mark. |
 Infamous
(Playstation 3)
Sucker Punch has delivered several knock-out blows for Sony over the
years, most notably with its Sly Cooper series. The developers have taken
a radically different direction this time around with Infamous. Giving
players electricity charged super-powers, such as the ability to throw
objects, scale high buildings and throw bolts of electricity out of his
body to destroy or kill enemies. An open-ended world allows for plenty of
exploration, with varied missions and objectives. Infamous is a
highly-polished and involving game that gives you superhero abilities and
lets you decide to use them for good or evil. It's a highly-polished, deep
title that provides a deep and satisfying experience that most players
will definitely enjoy. |
 Punch-Out!!
(Wii)
This reboot of Nintendo's long-dormant, but much-loved Punch-Out!!
franchise stays very true to its original form. Players will face an array
of classic boxers including the famous Glass Joe and King Hippo along with
a smattering of new characters. The game plays and feels very much as it
did in the classic years, and many of the strategies and moves you
remember work here as well. There are a few new twists, such as a cool
split-screen multiplayer mode, but this version of Punch-Out!! stays very
true to its inspiration. While younger players should enjoy the series, it
seems targeted mostly to gamers who loved the original, making it a truly
classic experience that shouldn't be missed by players who grew up on this
series. |
 Raiden
Fighters Aces (Xbox 360)
This collection of vertically scrolling shooters includes three Raiden
Fighters titles from the 90's on a single disc. Each comes in the
traditional 2D mode with allusions to the classic Raiden series, though
with some impressive enhancements and changes. The most significant of
these is the inclusion of drone fighters, which aid you as you battle
foes. Each game offers intense shooting action, though not of the overkill
variety seen in many recent releases. Raiden Fighters Aces' extra features
include different screen modes, high score rankings and achievements to
name a few. While it's old-school trappings might seem dated visually, the
gameplay itself has held up well and all three games remain challenging
and enjoyable. |
 King
of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (PS2)
SNK's legendary fighting franchise has delivered solid action to players
for nearly 15 years now, and the latest installment, while seeming to be a
look back is actually a nice compendium of the series' 2D era. King of
Fighters 98 Ultimate Match on the PS2 is a rebooted version of the classic
KOF 98 game with improved graphics, music and additional characters. It
includes more than 60 characters in all with more than a dozen new to the
series. Aside from this, the game offers some cool extra modes including
challenge and endurance sections. While its clearly aimed at the hardcore
KOF player, this solid release should satisfy those looking for classic 2D
fighting. |
 ExciteBots
(Wii)
Taking a unique spin on an already successful formula, ExciteBots for the
Wii is a frenetic arcade-style racer that adds numerous tricks, stunts and
mini-games to the already solid mechanics that made ExciteTruck so
entertaining. This time around, instead of trucks, you control bots that
take various forms. While the basic design is similar, these new vehicles
implement stunt abilities that allow you to perform some pretty cool
tricks. Shaking and spinning your wii-mote around adds some immersion to
the races. There are also many mini-games, such as rolling over bowling
pins, kicking soccer balls and even playing poker. ExciteBots' multiplayer
modes have been enhanced with support for Wi-fi play and split-screen
action. While it seems a bit gimmicky at first, ExciteBots adds enough new
elements to the formula to make for a worthwhile sequel. |
 Samurai
Shodown Anthlogy (Wii)
Offering six classic SNK fighting titles on a single value priced disc, Samurai
Shodown Anthology delivers solid arcade fighting action to your living
room. Each of these titles has a unique battle system and switching
between the game offers players the chance to watch the series evolve. Its
unique and uncompromising gameplay mechanics give the Samurai Shodown
titles a different feel than other fighting games and the unique cast of
characters is memorable in terms of design and attack strategy. There are
several other SNK compilations on Wii, and this solid release is a solid
purchase if you want to enhance or add to your existing collection. |
 Pro
Evolution Soccer 2009 (Wii)
Despite arriving several months after versions for the other consoles, the
Wii version of PES 2009 is still worth picking up for soccer fans thanks
to its unique controls and interface. Refining last year's installment,
this year finds several new modes in play. While you can still use the wii-mote
to point at players and perform passes, older players will be happy to
learn that the game now institutes a more traditional control system with
the wii classic controller. Another new mode allows for a hybrid of both
styles, which gives the game added flexibility. Aside from this, the game
offers the UEFA cup license, additional modes of play such as training and
cup modes, and the traditional PES play. This makes for an excellent
soccer title that Wii owners will probably enjoy. |
 SBK
Superbike World Championship
(Playstation 3)
Players can race sophisticated competition motorcycles across exotic
tracks in SBK: Superbike World Championship, the latest racing title from
Conspiracy. The PS3 edition offers a fine selection of game modes that
allow for either arcade-style quick action or deeper simulation modes
where you can adjust many aspects of your bike through a season's worth of
races. Once you get on the track, SBK offers a challenging experience that
requires you to time your corners, anticipate rivals and watch your bike's
position. A dozen real tracks, authentic riders and decent visuals make
for an exhilarating and polished racer that delivers exciting racing
action. |
 Resident
Evil 5 (Playstation 3)
Capcom's long-running survival horror franchise gets another solid
installment with the release of Resident Evil 5. Featuring stunning,
photo-realistic graphics, impressively smooth gameplay as well as online
modes and co-op missions, it offers a challenging, immersive experience.
This edition stars Chris Redfield and his new partner Shiva Alomar. This
introduces a new dynamic into the game where you work together as you
battle the zombie hordes in Africa. RE5's visual flair is incredible and
its cinematic approach is smooth and polished. It's gameplay is also
faster than previous titles, with a faster pace and more gunplay owing
more to RE 4 than earlier installments. It represents another solid
installment in the series, offering a pleasing mix of old and new elements
that bring the series to the HD era without losing its essential appeal. |
 LocoRoco
2 (PSP)
Taking players back to the surreal, humorous planet of the round singing
protagonists, LocoRoco 2 for PSP is another appealing adventure that
brings action, strategy and puzzle elements together in an accessible
package. It's simple play controls are perfectly suited to the PSP, with a
few simple commands allowing you to tilt, roll and jump around the levels
easily. New features such as mini-games, co-operative online play along
with additional enemies, clever level design and additional abilities add
to the fun. However, the sequel is faithful to its inspiration with
brightly-colored graphics and 2D gameplay mechanics that give LocoRoco 2 a
breezy feel that makes for instantly accessible fun.
|
 Street
Fighter IV (Playstation 3)
Capcom's legendary Street Fighter franchise has become somewhat of a niche
experience over the past few years. With the release of Street Fighter IV
it has largely returned to its roots. Gone are the many elaborate stacks
of special moves and combos, esoteric techniques and other hardcore
trappings that intimidated newcomers. Instead, a streamlined fighting
system allows for plenty of depth while simplifying the command structure.
This makes SFIV a much more accessible and fun title gamers of all
abilities should enjoy. It's very similar to the classic installments in
that the action takes place in 2D, but the game concedes to modern visuals
with robust 3D backgrounds and impressive between-fight animations. It
creates an impressive synthesis of old and new that make for a title that
will please both casual and hardcore Street Fighter fans with an
impressive list of modes, features and extras thrown in. |
 Killzone
2 (Playstation 3)
Killzone 2 has to rank as one of the most-anticipated Playstation 3 titles
to date. As one of the longest in development titles on the platform,
gamers have high expectations. The end result is a polished, beautifully
designed shooter with amazing visuals and impressive, intense gameplay.
It's single-player experience is brilliant and creates an impressive sense
of scale and drama while an impressive selection of multiplayer modes add
depth, replay value to the experience. It definitely delivers a solid FPS
title, but the question is how well does it rank against other titles in
the genre. Look inside as we explore this brutal combat experience to find
out the answer. |
 The
Laser's Wii Bargain Bin (Part One)
Finding a decent title amongst the flood of cheap Wii games can be a
daunting task, but we at the Laser are slogging through to find the gems
hidden in the shovelware and point out the bombs you need to avoid. For
our first installment, we take a look at several different titles
including NitroBike, Ocean Commander and The Monkey King plus, we warn you
about Championship Foosball, which is one Wii title you’ll probably not
want to play regardless of how cheap you find it on the shelves. |
 Castlevania
Judgment (Wii)
While it seems like an odd change of pace for the series, Castlevania
Judgment on the Wii offers a fairly decent fighting game, though it's not
up to the level of other titles. The game allows you to play one of many
legendary Castlevania characters as you battle an array of bad guys in
somewhat interesting 3D levels. There are numerous power-ups to collect
and other items as well which makes things somewhat more interesting.
Awkward camera angles and one-button combos make the gameplay unbalanced
and frustrating at times, but those who persevere will find some enjoyment
here. It's not as bad as it could have been, but Castlevania Judgment
isn't particularly memorable either. |
 Ultimate
Shooting Collection (Wii)
Combining three classic vertically scrolling shooters in a single package,
Ultimate Shooting Collection from UFO Games on the Wii offers gamers a
solid dose of high-intensity bullet shredding action. Each title delivers
a unique spin on the genre, with elaborate power-ups, multiple shooting
planes and excellent play mechanics that are challenging and highly
entertaining. Visually, the games run the gamut from high-tech
sophistication to light-hearted humor. The games share certain play
mechanics and styles, making for a cohesive collection that brings solidly
entertaining arcade shooting to the Wii in a diverse and affordable
package.
|
 Geometry
Wars Galaxies (Wii)
This isn't the deepest game on Wii, but it's classic gameplay mechanics,
simple graphics an intense pacing make for an invigorating change of pace
from the usual fare. The complete, nonlinear original is included, but
Geometry Wars Galaxies goes a step further with an extended mission mode
where you can use a drone with special abilities, unlock additional levels
and earn some fairly impressive high scores. It's pick up and play
approach makes it simple to learn, but the high level of difficulty make
it anything but condescending to casual players. Wii owners will discover
that Geometry Wars remains an challenging game and with an incredibly high
replay value. |
 Blast
Works (Wii)
Blast Works is a fairly interesting side-scrolling shooter that has some
interesting play mechanics and a winning, cute design. It allows you to
collect enemies and add to your firepower, which gives it a completely
unique feel. Based on this alone, the title would be worth buying, but its
extensive level editing feature adds plenty of replay value by allowing
players to design, play and share their own levels. This title represents
is an impressive example of a smartly implemented approach to
user-generated content that makes this largely unheralded Wii release
worth picking up for gamers who want to do more than just play the game. |
 Metal
Slug 7 (Nintendo DS)
For the latest release in the long-running arcade shooter series, SNK has chosen the unlikely platform of the Nintendo DS for the
release of Metal Slug 7. While it stays true to the original formula in
most regards, there are a few changes such as a new coin collecting
mechanic, a new training mode and a cool mapping system. For the most
part, it's the Slug you've come to know and love, with the classic
play-mechanics, unique hand-drawn art-style and challenging levels that
have become the series trademark. While the game takes place on a smaller
screen, Metal Slug 7 delivers the arcade-quality action players have come
to expect from the series. |
 FIFA
Soccer 09 All-Play (Wii)
EA Sports' Wii version of FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play offers a surprisingly
deep and enjoyable soccer experience. With multiple play control options,
the game allows players of different abilities to play together and helps
to level the playing field. The game offers a decent standard game of
football, and a cool "Footii" arcade-style mode that's loads of
fun to play. FIFA 09 also offers a deep selection of extra modes such as
online play, manager mode and numerous mini-games that give FIFA Soccer 09
All Play plenty of longevity. It may be as polished and sleek as its
high-def rivals, but its unique play controls and wii-exclusive modes help
make this a compelling experience for soccer fans of all stripes. |
 Castle
of Shikigami III (Wii)
Adding a few twists to the classic vertically scrolling shooter genre,
Castle of Shikigami III brings solid, arcade-style shooting action to the
Wii. With ten unique characters, there's plenty of variety in attack
styles, along with challenging gameplay modes. Players can choose to
battle the foes alone or in co-operative mode, and play in boss attack and
dramatic battle modes as well. The game's unique Tension Bonus system
which allows you to build up extra shooting power and score multipliers
adds a strategic element to the gameplay. Shikigami's fluid controls allow
for screen-filling bullet battles and epic boss battles to create a
solidly entertaining title that should please fans of the genre. |
 Midnight
Club: Los Angeles (Playstation 3)
Rockstar's latest underground street racing title, Midnight Club: Los
Angeles, brings some fairly interesting technical achievements to the
table while delivering the fast-paced action players have come to expect
from the series. Taking place in an expansive and surprisingly realistic
recreation of Los Angeles, the game allows players to progress up the
ranks of street racing underground, create an impressive garage of
customized vehicles and take on the police in dramatic chases. Midnight
Club isn't the most original game on the market, but it delivers a slick
experience with offers exciting, challenging racing action highlighted by
a surprisingly deep story mode and excellent production values. |
 Pinball
Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (Wii)
Wii owners looking for authentic and dynamic classic arcade action will
find plenty to like in Crave's Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams
Collection. With authentic emulations of ten classic machines, there's
plenty of variety to be seen. The game's physics are superb with
impressive tables featuring several modes of play. An extended tutorial
shows you the ins and outs of each board and each machine offers a unique
challenge. Pinball Hall of Fame's controls take good advantage of the
Wii's unique controls, using the nunchuck and wiimote as flippers while
shaking the wiimote shakes the table around. This is an excellent
collection with high replay value that should appeal to gamers looking for
some quick action. |
 SNK
Arcade Classics (Wii)
Featuring 16 classic titles, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 delivers a solid
selection of the company's legendary games for the Wii There's a varied
genres covered ranging from action titles like Sengoku and King of the
Monsters and Last Resort and of course several fighting titles like World
Heroes, Fatal Fury and the original Art of Fighting. Each title is
faithfully reproduced here, looking and playing identically to their
arcade counterparts. Numerous extras such as unlockable artwork, moves
lists and movies are unlockable as well. Using either the standard Wiimote
or the classic controller, the games play identically to their originals.
SNK delivers a great value for Wii owners, who will find plenty of
hardcore classic gaming in this package. |
 King
of Fighters Collection (Wii)
SNK's latest compilation includes five complete titles from their
legendary King of Fighters series. Each of these is a solid title that
delivers plenty of depth thanks to their extensive character rosters, deep
moves lists and solid play mechanics. The selections are some pretty good
years ranging from '94 to '98 giving gamers the chance to see how the
series evolved through some of its best installments. The Wii edition
features excellent emulation with fast loading times, support for both the
standard wiimote and classic controller plus numerous extras. Overall,
it's a solidly entertaining and value-packed collection that fans of SNK's
legendary fighting franchise will enjoy. |
 Soldner-X
(Playstation Network)
Shooters in the classic style of Thunder Force and Darius don't come along
often these days, which makes their comeback with online consoles a great
phenomenon for fans of this style. The emergence of Soldner X:
Himmelssturmer on Playstation Network is a welcome surprise. It's solid
level design and intuitve power-up system make it an impressive addition
to the genre. Featuring high-def graphics and classic gameplay mechanics,
this is an addictive title that delivers intense action, challenging
tactical battles plus an impressive soundtrack, beautifully rendered HD
backgrounds and visuals that makes for a highly polished title that
delivers a solid shooting experience that fans of the genre will love.
|
 Namco
Museum Remix (Wii)
Namco's compilations usually offer a rock-solid selection of classic
titles and the Wii edition of its Museum series is no exception. Namco
Museum Remix includes 9 classic titles including Dig Dug, Galaxian and Pac
Mania, there's plenty of variety in these emulated classics. However, the
center of Museum Remix are several newly developed 3D versions of Rally-X,
Galaga, Pac N Roll, Motos, and Gator Panic. Reconfigured to take full
advantage of the wii-mote's special abilities, the game's take the classic
mechanics and put them in new contexts, making for accessible fun that
should appeal to retro gamers and new casual players alike making this an
excellent value for the money. |
 Prince
of Persia (Playstation 3)
Taking players to a mystical land full of magic and puzzles, Ubisoft's
enchanting Prince of Persia gives the series a fresh start with a new
prince, his new companion and a dynamic illustrated visual style that
makes for a beautiful, engrossing experience. This new prince has a number
of new abilities, such as climbing on ceilings along with more familiar
moves such as running on walls, making huge jumps and more. He also has a
new friend named Elika who's with him every step of the way to aid him on
his journey. A non-linear structure, an engrossing narrative and
beautifully designed puzzles make for a magnificent title that transports
players into another world. |
 Tomb
Raider Underworld (Playstation 3)
Lara Croft returns in fine form with the excellent Tomb Raider Underworld
on the PS3. Her latest adventure offers the challenging puzzles, acrobatic
moves and action sequences the Tomb Raider series has become known for.
Huge, beautifully rendered environments take you to some of the world's
most exotic locations, as you explore ruins and deep caverns that unlock a
series of mysteries. Excellent pacing offers a good balance between
puzzles and action make for a solid installment in the series. Some minor
camera issues and occasionally touchy controls make for some frustrating
sequences, though not enough to detract from its otherwise high quality.
Join us and discover what makes Tomb Raider Underworld such an engaging
experience. |
 Call
of Duty: World at War (Playstation 3)
Taking the series back to it's WWII roots, Call of Duty: World at War is
an immersive, exciting and visceral first-person shooter that delivers a
cinematic and intense shooting experience. It's single-player mode doesn't
stray too far from what players have come to expect, with slick visuals,
good character design and acting plus intense action. It unfolds at a
steady pace and takes you through a variety of locations including
Japanese islands, bombed out Europe and other smoldering areas. The single
player mode is intense, but World at War's brilliant multiplayer mode
offers leveling up, perks and other incentives to help you keep playing.
Overall, this is a highly polished and intense shooter that delivers an
exciting and intense FPS experience.
|
 Mirror's
Edge (Playstation 3)
EA and DICE have taken a huge risk with the release of Mirror's Edge, an
unconventional title that takes gamers to incredible heights in a
high-tension game where speed, dexterity and danger follow your every
step. Playing as a runner named Faith, you need to jump, leap and climb
over the rooftops and chasms of a futuristic metropolis while avoiding the
ever-present police who are constantly on the lookout for you. An
intuitive control scheme allows you to plenty of dexterity and freedom to
complete your missions, and the game's structure offers a mix of linear
and open-ended quests. Mirror's Edge is a solidly entertaining game that
offers challenge, depth and sophisticated puzzles in a sleek package. |
 Pro
Evolution Soccer 2009 (Playstation 3)
Featuring some fairly significant additions, such as the UEFA license and
a new mode that lets you create and use your own player, Konami's Pro
Evolution Soccer 2009 is an excellent sports title that offers plenty of
depth, excellent controls along with better opponent AI. PES 2009's
comprehensive selection of modes offers superb variety for players of all
stripes, whether you're looking for a quick match between rivals or a
deeper simulation mode where you can do all-in on the details. It's a
fairly excellent soccer game and delivers some intense gameplay and deep
strategy as well. While PES 2009 isn't as flashy as FIFA, it retains the
solid play-mechanics that have made the series so popular. |
 Need
for Speed: Undercover (Playstation 3)
EA's Need For Speed series is back on the chase with NFS: Underground for
the PS3. It returns to the familiar formula of high-speed police chases
through an expansive urban environment as players try and evade capture
from the local cops. The new 'heroic driving' system allows you to pull
off cool moves such as drifting and spins easily. Underground's open-ended
urban locations include some impressively rendered locations, extreme
lighting effects like glare and reflections plus realistic car models. An
impressive online mode adds cops and robbers modes, and is also loads of
fun. Look inside and discover why Need for Speed: Underground marks a
pleasing comeback for the franchise. |
 LittleBigPlanet
(Playstation 3)
LittleBigPlanet is a revolutionary title from Media Molecule and Sony for
the PS3 that seems to be a standard platform title on the surface, but
gives players unprecedented freedom to create, share and play unique
platform levels. Its an incredibly well-designed title that creates a
unique experience that makes it one most charming and fun games to come
out in a very long time.. However, LittleBigPlanet's real revolution lies
in the fact that it gives players the ability to create completely unique
levels, using an incredibly flexible and powerful interface that's
surprisingly intuitive. Once players have created their own levels, they
can share and download other players' levels, which gives LBP an
unprecedented focus on the users' creativity. Look inside and discover why
this is an almost irresistible experience that breaks new ground for
console gaming. |
 Far
Cry 2 (Playstation 3)
Ubisoft's ambitious Far Cry 2 takes you deep into war torn African jungles
as you struggle against mysterious forces who are profiting from an
endless civil war. It takes many of the conventions of FPS titles and
turns them on their head. Instead of mindlessly shooting anyone in your
way, you instead need to communicate and make friends as you play. The
deep storyline unfolds gradually and gives you a stake in the outcome.
This emotional attachment means you'll be forced to make sometimes
unpleasant choices in order to survive. Visually, the game offers a
splendid rendering of the continent, with brilliant environmental effects
such as dust and dirt permeating everything. It makes for a solid, and
surprisingly deep FPS experience that takes the series in a completely
new, and yet more satisfying direction. |
 MotoGP
08 (Playstation 3)
Capcom's MotoGP 08 brings the excitement of
professional open-wheel motorcycle racing to the PS3 in fine form.
Featuring 18 licensed tracks including Laguna Seca and LeMans, players
will find plenty of realistic challenges in the game's authentically
rendered courses. There's also a large contingent of actual motorcycle
riders, many modes of play including single races, career and online
components. Players can also customize their bikes in MotoGP's garage mode
to create their own unique ride. It's definitely geared towards the
hardcore player, and its difficulty level is very high, which requires a
great deal of skill, practice and persistence on your part. Look inside
and discover that while MotoGP 08 offers a challenging experience that's
worth the effort. |
 Resistance
2 (Playstation 3)
Following up the underrated Resistance: Fall of Man, Insomniac Games and
SCEA have released the much-anticipated Resistance 2 for the PS3, which
expands the horizons, scale and intensity exponentially. The first thing
players will notice is the increased sense of scale in the game's
expansive levels, which cover more varied ground this time. Battling
through a war-torn America ravaged by a brutal alien invasion, players
will find themselves going up against much tougher foes, who have
undergone quite a transformation in their aggression, intelligence and
danger. The bosses are also quite intimidating, with their massive size
and scale making for some terrifying foes. Resistance 2's deeper backstory
and improved visuals add cinematic flair. It's a massive leap forward for
the series, which makes for one the best FPS titles on the console to
date. |
 Namco
Museum: Virtual Arcade (Xbox 360)
Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade for Xbox 360 offers an impressive selection
of titles like Pac Man, Rally-X and Galaxian with more than 30 offered in
all. VA also includes lesser-known games like Grodba and Metrocross. The
three updated Arrangement versions of Dig Dug, Pac Man and Galaga are
loads of fun as well. Add in the superb Xbox Live remakes Pac Man
Championship Edition and Galaga Legions, and you have a release that
offers superb value. Virtual Arcade doesn't offer many frills or extras,
but the game delivers and abundance of fantastic content in a convenient
package. |
 MotorStorm:
Pacific Rift (Playstation 3)
Sony's MotorStorm franchise returns in fine
form with the arrival of Pacific Rift on PS3. It delivers a more expansive
and deeper racing experience with more varied racing environments and
elaborate track layouts. There's also expanded online play and a new
vehicle class, Monster trucks. The sense of chaos remains and helps
Pacific Rift builds on the successful formula of the first game. Most of
the play action is similar, with a similar boost system used to propel
players forward, while avoiding obstacles. New elements this time include
volcanic lava rivers and deep mud pits that you must avoid or face instant
death. The game's structure has been expanded with a new style-based
ranking system that takes into account how you perform. This is a solid
sequel that delivers the intense, action-packed racing fans have come to
expect from the series. |
 Castlevania:
Order of Ecclesia (DS)
Adding another chapter to the long-running gothic platforming franchise,
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is another solidly entertaining installment
on the DS. It's deep, balanced gameplay should satisfy gamers with its mix
of classic action and role-playing elements. Ecclesia's big change this
time around is the addition of a glyph system. This allows for magic
spells, special attacks and other enhancements when combined.
Additionally, this installment adds multiplayer, wi-fi modes that allow
players to compete head-to-head. It's classic form mixed with innovative
aspects makes this an interesting title and one fans of the series will
probably love. |
 FIFA
09 (Playstation 3)
Instead of resting on previous accomplishments, EA's FIFA 09 offers
significant improvements in many areas. These combine to create a
surprisingly deep and authentic title. FIFA 09 expands last year's Be A
Pro mode to cover multiple seasons and allows multiplayer pro mode
online matches. You can also download player forms from top leagues that
mimic each athlete's performance in real time during the season. From a
gameplay standpoint, the game's controls have been improved which makes
each match flow much better. The tweaks make for a more intuitive title
that allows you to pass and shoot with increased accuracy. FIFA 09's
impressive array of new features makes it the most authentic and playable
FIFA soccer title this generation, making it a solid purchase
for sports gamers. |
 Pure
(Playstation 3)
This is an excellent off-road racing ATV
title that allows players to perform some truly impressive tricks, make
massive jumps and burn up its tracks with a truly awe-inspiring sense of
speed and momentum. The game offers a good selection of play modes,
extensive customization and upgrade options in its single and multiplayer
modes. Pure's course design is superb and brings a sense of extreme danger
to each race with multiple paths, massive jumps and tight corners making
each race a battle. Its outstanding visuals move at a consistent frame
rate, along with its intuitive controls and challenging AI, make Pure an
exciting title that delivers quite a visceral racing experience that's
highly recommended. |
 Wipeout
HD (Playstation 3)
Sony's seminal futuristic racing series has
arrived on PS3 with the long-awaited Wipeout HD, a superb revamp of two
previous PSP titles presented in full high-definition. Featuring eight
tracks, classic vehicles and multiple racing styles, this edition of the
franchise includes both single-player and online modes. In terms of
design, Wipeout HD features breathtaking courses, slick menus and gorgeous
vehicles rendered beautifully while moving at a blistering 60 FPS
throughout. Even though it's a downloadable title, Wipeout HD delivers the
production values, intense gameplay and polish usually reserved for
full-release titles. It points to the future in more ways than one. |
 Star
Wars: The Force Unleashed (Playstation 3)
Taking players on a journey to the dark side, The Force Unleashed allows
players to control Darth Vader's secret apprentice as he tries to wipe out
the remaining Jedi Knights throughout the galaxy. You can use your special
force powers including the ability to manipulate objects, including
throwing enemies around almost at will. The Force Unleashed's level
designs are quite impressive with expansive environments, beautifully
rendered worlds and fantastic animation, with superb production values
throughout. This surprisingly entertaining and polished title lives up to
the Star Wars legacy, making for an intriguing new chapter for fans of
this legendary franchise to experience. |
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