tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50237801005444044612024-02-20T19:15:36.421+00:00Birkett's BlogYet another videogame blog.
Written by Richard Birkett.Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-86383480003388731612010-08-01T13:42:00.000+01:002010-08-01T13:42:40.434+01:00A New Dawn- DedicatedToGamers.co.uk<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvoHsq1TyQKUMmKDTd-6oCDDQAP8ASkGjB6zBLHBLQhqaU_mPh2APz267KYpLn6l47jjJgU3n_YEeR9qohb7LDYarWNUYVD07mlqxOhpwxhMGuIZ1UioDkBe2CjfiCGIX7i65DW6B1tkT/s1600/Mini+Logo+D.T.G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvoHsq1TyQKUMmKDTd-6oCDDQAP8ASkGjB6zBLHBLQhqaU_mPh2APz267KYpLn6l47jjJgU3n_YEeR9qohb7LDYarWNUYVD07mlqxOhpwxhMGuIZ1UioDkBe2CjfiCGIX7i65DW6B1tkT/s200/Mini+Logo+D.T.G.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you've been enjoying Birkett's Blog then why not take a look at my new gaming site that I have only just set up. It can be found at <a href="http://www.dedicatedtogamers.co.uk/">www.dedicatedtogamers.co.uk</a> and I'd love it if people could get joining the forums, posting comments etc. to create a burgeoning community. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm aiming to create a great gaming site, delivering quality reviews, previews and news, as well as specific features from a number of different writers. Please pop over and join the site, it'd be very much appreciated.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-72573252145776301312010-07-29T19:55:00.000+01:002010-07-29T19:55:00.629+01:00Trailer- Halo: Reach<b>Developer: </b>Bungie<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Microsoft Game Studios<br />
<b>Format(s): </b>Xbox 360<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>14th September 2010<br />
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Popping up today was the new <i>Halo: Reach</i> campaign trailer, entitled "The Battle Begins". Cue an intense orchestral score and vast, sweeping shots of space vistas. The trailer also climaxes with the looks of a huge space battle- a la <i>Star Wars</i>. With just over a month now till release, <i>Reach </i>looks set to send Bungie off in style. Take a look at the trailer below...<br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L71bjPGejcg&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L71bjPGejcg&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-26919773018927345542010-07-29T00:03:00.000+01:002010-07-29T00:03:05.214+01:00Trailer- Medal of Honor (2010)<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">D</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eveloper(s): </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EA LA (Single Player), EA DICE (Multiplayer)</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Electronic Arts</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Format(s): </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, PS3, PC</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Release Date: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15th October 2010 (UK), 12th October (North America)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moving towards modern warfare is not the most original undertaking for a series since, well, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern Warfare</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, but EA's </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Medal of Honor</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> reboot ought to be taken notice of. Not least for the excellent trailers that are being produced for the more realistic of first-person shooters (and a departure for the series), the multiplayer portion of the game is being expertly handled by the team at EA DICE who have experience in reams from the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Battlefield </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">series.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The latest trailer includes the single "The Catalyst" from the ever brilliant Linkin Park and their new album "A Thousand Suns" that is released this September. Proving an ideal soundtrack to the action, EA have also not ruled out further projects with the band. Indeed, bassist David Farell told <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/07/linkin-park-links-up-with-ea-for-medal-of-honor/1">USA Today</a> "I definitely think we could do things with them down the road." Nothing has formally been announced at this moment in time, however with EA outputting the creative output of Harmonix, my money has to be put firmly on a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rock Band </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">game dedicated to the band's outstanding career and that'll come most welcome, thank you very much.</span></span><br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jYkqYWYuyAI&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jYkqYWYuyAI&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-71232609302916918072010-07-27T22:58:00.003+01:002010-07-29T00:07:54.601+01:00Trailer- Gran Turismo 5<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polyphony Digital</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sony Computer Entertainment</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Format(s): </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS3</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Release Date: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2nd November, 2010</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sony have been ever so reluctant to settle on a confirmed release date until recently for prestigious racing title </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gran Turismo 5 </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that it borders on ridiculous. But whatever us impatient gamers think of their marketing strategy, the end result will speak for itself and by the released trailers and screenshots seen thus far, it certainly looks mighty impressive. The visuals look insanely well detailed and beautiful- take a look at the recreation of Rome within the trailer- with an insane number of modeled cars (claims up to 1000) and tracks (including the Top Gear Test Track) also making sure this will be </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> racer of the year, nay, the decade.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever you feel of Polyphony's reluctance to release the game that has long been thought to having been completed, you can't help admire their positive attitude towards giving the game every layer of polish that need be applied to make this the must-buy for the PS3.</span></span><br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hxfNb4d3bPY&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hxfNb4d3bPY&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-74928383448366324272010-07-27T20:10:00.000+01:002010-07-27T20:10:01.137+01:00Review- Blur [Xbox 360]<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EBygWKT68irfLSMHyKao1kGS2MX8xIsP7ZAEOOPPdsXKk4cF6A1QJM5pqrkSniKm0G_A3Ubl1XDGDLwieuOzIGiWx93lwgJR8t2ZxU8JFb6t35SfakUq7k7knxpQQwBak7_WwDDRtHiD/s1600/Blur-+X360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EBygWKT68irfLSMHyKao1kGS2MX8xIsP7ZAEOOPPdsXKk4cF6A1QJM5pqrkSniKm0G_A3Ubl1XDGDLwieuOzIGiWx93lwgJR8t2ZxU8JFb6t35SfakUq7k7knxpQQwBak7_WwDDRtHiD/s200/Blur-+X360.jpg" width="143" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Developer:</b> Bizarre Creations</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher:</b> Activision</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Released:</b> 28th May 2010</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straight from the <i>Project Gotham Racing</i> series, Bizarre Creations have taken inspiration from the unlikeliest of sorts by placing their latest 'realistic' racer in power-upped flashes of insanity in the same vein of <i>Mario Kart</i>. In fact, Bizarre were no holds barred in their admittance of such a design choices, basing a whole advertising campaign on it, seeing a cutesy Nintendo-like character contemplating what lay beyond the fencing from his colourful, cartoon world as real-life cars sped past in a swathe of intense neon projectiles and colour.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's <i>Project Gotham</i> meets <i>Mario Kart</i> certainly, and make no qualms about it, <i>Blur</i> is worthy of such comparisons to either of the stalwart series. Similar to <i>Project Gotham</i> in nearly all aspects of its design, from the 'Kudos'-like system of 'Fans' to the similarity of 'Lights' to PGR's medal types. Working in favour of the overall experience, Bizarre have brought an understanding of what made the PGR experience so great to begin with whilst putting that added layer of power-up mayhem that their new footing gives. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6HAVFPn9llZ5osNlIZQNWce7UOlPWUFxFuZh1Fx0XAQbeQirI18NPHEankwdjoq4Nwyr5602jX8h1HSJ-euBnkdpTUf3g_CdrlIjT8MpDPcLtpVrr9bQx2PnT95wX07GNsVyqrLcgSu/s1600/Blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL6HAVFPn9llZ5osNlIZQNWce7UOlPWUFxFuZh1Fx0XAQbeQirI18NPHEankwdjoq4Nwyr5602jX8h1HSJ-euBnkdpTUf3g_CdrlIjT8MpDPcLtpVrr9bQx2PnT95wX07GNsVyqrLcgSu/s200/Blur.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll see no weapon-drops or items that you've not seen before, lets be honest, so everything from rocket-type shock projectiles, 'Nitro' and 'Mines' are all here, although <i>Blur</i> manages to add enough new design choices that the racing somehow feels fresh and skilful, allowing players to use each power-up differently and to their own preferred style. An example of such a statement derives when 'Nitro' is equipped. Sure, you can go ahead and use the power for an added speed boost (and sensational blurring of the screen), or choose to speed into a corner, only to hold back on the directional pad and use it for an 'air brake', slow-motion approach into the corner. Another example would be the use of 'Mines' where they can be dropped behind you in a normal fashion for static bombs on track, or be fired as a missile in front. It's such instances that <i>Blur</i> exceeds expectations and lifts itself from being another hackneyed power-based arcade racer into a true, skill-based racing game. The handling system rarely equates to anything on their realism levels of <i>Project Gotham</i>, although it needn't be. The handling feels responsive and weighty enough to make perfect racing lines remain the best way to first place, although there is enough room to allow the perfectly balanced and multi-coloured weapons to be effective, while not make racing an impossibility, nigh, an utter nightmare. In actuality, being hit from an opponent's weapon is so deftly handled in a short animation that the frequency of such occurrences never get too much and you'll be up to speed in no time. The only handling aspect I feel Bizarre could have refined is the drifting mechanic, which feels much too weighted down and difficult to pull off. With Blur pulling out a number of varying challenges to reach its 'One-on-One' meetings with the 'bosses' at the end of each section within career mode, the game is also deftly handled for each race to remain interesting and insane fun. In addition to building up stacks of 'Lights' in order to unlock further instances in career and more 'Mods' that alter power-ups, the four meta-game style challenges to get the chance to race/defeat each driver for another 8 lights range from nitro-ramming five cars (using nitro to shunt opponents) to drifting for a total of 1,500m. And it doesn't stop there, for the 'Fans' system will also award fans within each race for individual 'Fan Challenges' that lay about the track and might request that you exceed a certain speed or destroy a car whilst drifting, for example. Between the meta-game devices, fan challenges and the fan multiplier scoring system, you'd be hard pressed to find a more engaging racer. In my hours invested in the game, I've found myself so engrossed in the short and sweet modes that I've lost all track of time, only to look up and it being several hours later without me realising. If only Bizarre could have bolstered the number of modes (Race, Destruction, One-on-One and Checkpoint), then I'd have even more reasons to praise <i>Blur</i> than that which I already have.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC97G1LYUNhlFYyNCzM-TiIkM3lkMcNm4fmlJJadYEF5gegvkXk2QLpVxQ3EqlNEJETlrf-ilwT8-u3-wcwygg8bP8z1R1C_aEEahHYBurkk9zaYx9RR0Nanq_RbV3Fbc7BkUOrNhs-FX/s1600/Blur+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC97G1LYUNhlFYyNCzM-TiIkM3lkMcNm4fmlJJadYEF5gegvkXk2QLpVxQ3EqlNEJETlrf-ilwT8-u3-wcwygg8bP8z1R1C_aEEahHYBurkk9zaYx9RR0Nanq_RbV3Fbc7BkUOrNhs-FX/s400/Blur+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The racing is nothing short of remarkable to say the least, where you'll often have to have eyes in the back of your head to maintain composure. The rear-view mirror and 'Shield' will often be your unlikely saviours when the homing missile-type red orb comes into blistering view of your screen. Also adding variation, such powers as 'Barge' (which releases a burst of energy circumvented around your car) also protect if released at the right time. There's none more satisfying a feeling than stopping the race leader in his tracks with a well timed projectile shot, or wrecking other opponents into crumpled heaps of metal (each car has a life bar that depletes through hits until either destroyed altogether or repaired through the 'Repair' pick-up) that come from the game's key mechanics.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The contrast between real-life cars (of which there are a bountiful array, ranging from sturdy Range Rovers to the more rallying supercars) and swathes of neon from weapon drops is bizarre yet extraordinary to look at and <i>Blur</i> is one of the more graphically impressive racers on the market to date. Such tracks as 'Brighton'- that models itself on its pier- also demonstrate Bizarre's intention in delivering fun within course design. Basked in unnatural light, Brighton is one example of the approach of the team, ensuring each track is entirely suited to the dynamism of the game. In spite of their experience in modelling tracks on famous cities, <i>Blur</i> still features real-world locations (such as Brighton and LA), although the developer has chosen to relax their stringent approach on sticking to each relative twist and turn, instead favouring a more altered track design which ensures each are ideally suited to play whilst still maintaining a familiar feel. Short-cuts are obviously an introduction to the PGR-like racing approach, and the tracks are much wider and less akin to tight and twisty sections, much more aligned to 90-degree turns and sweeping left and rights which further lend credence to <i>Blur</i>'s racing style.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bizarre might have left their preceding racer series to the confines of memory, but they have already informed us that <i>Blur</i> is only the start of a brand new franchise. Is it as good as <i>Project Gotham</i>? Without question! <i>Blur</i> has as much excitement as the aforementioned series to home in on racing fans, as well as the thrill and fun that comes with having brilliantly implemented power-ups and frenetic driving action, only bolstered when in multiplayer. <i>Blur </i>is without doubt one of the racing games of this generation.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSiT_EBSrBUX0uVem7r-dwFBbcC7VMMrDvycAmvkW9_GwSuYjOGMuRL4Aaq3wq5zD-9R637jZVjjmmyrRz_E-QMCF9DMYoXvbgEDOZknRr8PpWL8rxVoq_YUrVCkaPYGGpp_YheiIO4xK/s1600/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSiT_EBSrBUX0uVem7r-dwFBbcC7VMMrDvycAmvkW9_GwSuYjOGMuRL4Aaq3wq5zD-9R637jZVjjmmyrRz_E-QMCF9DMYoXvbgEDOZknRr8PpWL8rxVoq_YUrVCkaPYGGpp_YheiIO4xK/s200/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(5).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-73482223931368698022010-07-27T20:01:00.000+01:002010-07-27T20:01:28.858+01:00Developer Profile- Bizarre Creations<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Developer Profiles' is a series of articles that allow me to take a look at some of my most favoured companies within our industry, reflecting on past work and possible future acquisitions.</span></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDTwVnPfwhQ2DMpNO5HipzfMWFPxj6-Or9DzrxQpb3wXiTnrVSkr-SrjCYJkvR5NZ-fEY13WpTsQaOY_NeMdLwZO4vP_o9u_UVmg75gmrdaSV-QZaIsYrACoqzyg4KQYOpTCNuci0_fFc/s1600/Bizarre+Creations+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDTwVnPfwhQ2DMpNO5HipzfMWFPxj6-Or9DzrxQpb3wXiTnrVSkr-SrjCYJkvR5NZ-fEY13WpTsQaOY_NeMdLwZO4vP_o9u_UVmg75gmrdaSV-QZaIsYrACoqzyg4KQYOpTCNuci0_fFc/s200/Bizarre+Creations+Logo.jpg" width="158" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My latest look towards one of the leading developers within the industry is a studio I much admire for the fact that they were the team behind one of my most favoured racers of all time in the <i>Project Gotham Racing</i> series. The developer is also one of few remaining leading studios staying put within the UK- Liverpool to be exact.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Established way back in 1994, Bizarre Creations were originally involved in the Formula 1-licensed games for Sony's Playstation and PC, whilst also focusing on other projects such as third-person shooter <i>Fur Fighters</i>. Perhaps first tested fully on the precursor to <i>Project Gotham</i>, <i>Metropolis Street Racer</i> for the Dreamcast introduced the rewards system of 'Kudos'...[ctd.]</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*Click </b><a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/developer-profile-bizarre-creations/"><b>here</b></a><b> to see the rest of the profile from </b><a href="http://MidlifeGamer.net/"><b>MidlifeGamer.net</b></a></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-48652774048365050902010-07-27T16:40:00.001+01:002010-07-27T16:41:01.412+01:00All Format Chart- Week Ending 24th July 2010<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LkQWLm3esqXeoFIh_miqdeP_K2FOXwAVftP6eKjxjdmhOpiIp2AgzKA8n3Y77_oQzytUknDNCWv174kbQ0v9m4OF_adsUCydPHlW3dKlAejwRfKDuB71u_fS0IU23WvFULhEBCYGN544/s1600/Toy+Story+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LkQWLm3esqXeoFIh_miqdeP_K2FOXwAVftP6eKjxjdmhOpiIp2AgzKA8n3Y77_oQzytUknDNCWv174kbQ0v9m4OF_adsUCydPHlW3dKlAejwRfKDuB71u_fS0IU23WvFULhEBCYGN544/s400/Toy+Story+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
5</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, iPhone)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, PC, DS, Wii, PSP)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dance on Broadway </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Dead Redemption </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Xbox 360, PS3)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span><br />
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<b><i><div align="CENTER" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has risen straight from last week's fifth spot to first this week following the release of the movie, whilst </span></span></span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crackdown 2 </span></span></i></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">goes the other direction down to number 10 from last week's number one. </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Dead Redemption </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">still</span></span></span></u></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> continues to show its strength by remaining in the chart. Meanwhile, </span></span></span></span></span><i><b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 </span></span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has re-entered the chart, take a look at my <a href="http://birkettsblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/review-tiger-woods-pga-tour-11-ps3.html">review</a> to see what I thought of the latest instalment.</span></span></span></span></span></div></div></i></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i></i></b></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty </span></span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will debut in next week's chart following its Tuesday 27</span></span></span></span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> release date. The RTS has been 12 years coming and should enter the top 5.</span></span></span></span></span></div></i></b></span>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-35843147684877362492010-07-26T19:40:00.000+01:002010-07-26T19:40:48.987+01:00Preview- Fifa 11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYYbD3VjI6awcvzauiQ3UHI1l8HG7hDMEuCLkMp5xNVG1NV-I7vbSIZCRKiGB5FdcTNSV0m19nSRoYg9n1zcZsZODGtrGZ78xUtUMTbc9IRZYT_trNluYFKFGV4q64-OOLDO5VtB4pmf2/s1600/Fifa+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYYbD3VjI6awcvzauiQ3UHI1l8HG7hDMEuCLkMp5xNVG1NV-I7vbSIZCRKiGB5FdcTNSV0m19nSRoYg9n1zcZsZODGtrGZ78xUtUMTbc9IRZYT_trNluYFKFGV4q64-OOLDO5VtB4pmf2/s320/Fifa+11.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Developer:</b> EA Canada</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Release Date:</b> 1st October 2010</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a massive fan of videogames, football and <i>Fifa</i> in general, I find myself with a huge obligation in reporting some of the planned features that EA hope will make this the, yes here it comes, “best <i>Fifa</i> yet”. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first of many planned improvements to the formula come in the form of the new Personality+, which aims to completely address each player's “individual personality” within the game, hoping to provide complete “differentiation” sought between each player. To me, it sounds way too sophisticated to be applied effectively within the game within its first iteration, and we've seen such features touted in bygone years, although I hope to be proven wrong. Could we be seeing Arjen Robben's fluid, fast dynamism as he sprints down the wing, only to pull in onto his left foot to fire a shot home? Or Wayne Rooney to lumber about up front? (Sorry, cheap shot). Goalkeepers are also being given the Personality+ overhaul that will dictate how each will react to ongoing play, although <a href="http://www.ea.com/uk/">EA</a> have also been enthusing in detailing all-new goalkeeper abilities that will give them a much needed reality kick. Keepers will now react realistically to lobbed shots, sprint toward oncoming, stray passes, and “demonstrate urgency” when scrambling back towards their empty net. If all goes according to plan, the technology sounds absolutely incredible and could give <i>Fifa</i> another push towards the lofty heights of true realism.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_7Y4CXQtMaYRTvFcSvtrv3qIP_XmLXsUy2nQc3niJWuTz41kQnSNaIWSp14Xhxt9137sxHt_JyQL9RN7WpoGPporUzX8KhvqPMueDof0coTYK_JqsiHWUi_JunxpxUMxTPF5S4QEo-5W/s1600/Fifa+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_7Y4CXQtMaYRTvFcSvtrv3qIP_XmLXsUy2nQc3niJWuTz41kQnSNaIWSp14Xhxt9137sxHt_JyQL9RN7WpoGPporUzX8KhvqPMueDof0coTYK_JqsiHWUi_JunxpxUMxTPF5S4QEo-5W/s400/Fifa+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year's 360° control is also publicised as having being further developed and can now calculate how collisions between multiple players will play out, in the natural progression from individual jostling. The yearly lauded “advanced intelligence” phrase crops up in EA's press release once again for the yearly franchise, now claiming “real AI” (I have no idea what that means) to control CPU players that will be bring much more sophisticated styles of play to the forefront. Again, it's hard to take EA too seriously when year-on-year we hear about such developments in AI and the like. Furthermore, Career Mode has been overhauled once again, with its new engine allowing players to play as either a real player, created player or Virtual Pro, in which instant feedback on performances will now be given, as well as a “vastly improved status system”. Other heralded details reference “authentic tournament structure, results and new calendar system”, and players can now create both players and whole teams in the new Creation Centre. Opportunity to realise my local Sunday team's Premiership ambition? I think so!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSke4N3RJjqc_T5wYuGfGoa5MlEfgqN7qKNmghFXl4WlJmElZmoewsIFNy64SnA0M82nddZoXG00LKHkuQmoxuQuVoKzvnd1cI_GKiQJC1MTMnBrcHpaKg1H-Czk7IJNa7xral2dkfPAVn/s1600/Fifa+11+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSke4N3RJjqc_T5wYuGfGoa5MlEfgqN7qKNmghFXl4WlJmElZmoewsIFNy64SnA0M82nddZoXG00LKHkuQmoxuQuVoKzvnd1cI_GKiQJC1MTMnBrcHpaKg1H-Czk7IJNa7xral2dkfPAVn/s400/Fifa+11+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With each release in the series bringing unique faults of its own, it makes you question whether the race for perfection is ever going to be hit, although the <i>Fifa</i> franchise is too big not to have a yearly release so we're going to have to live with such claims for years to come. I don't doubt the quality of the game however, and will happily buy <i>Fifa 11</i> like I have for the many <i>Fifa</i>'s throughout my life. Will it live up to the exceptional <i>Fifa 10</i> or flounder like <i>Fifa 07</i>? We'll have to wait until the 1st October to find out. I'm hoping it's the former.</span></span>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-2219694029349334332010-07-25T20:33:00.000+01:002010-07-25T20:33:34.695+01:00Review- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 [PS3]<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EA Sports</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EA Tiburon</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> June 2010</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other Formats:</span></span></b></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, Wii, iPhone</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you go about reviewing a game that year on year is so incrementally different to its precursor. In fact, approaching </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with new eyes is difficult, a series that strives for familiarity over vast changes to the core game play mechanics. Sticking with the basics first off, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PGA Tour 11 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alters the key fundamentals in its golfing game play very little, only refining the upgrading rewards, skill advancement and career progression aspects of the game, making sure the latest update is the best yet. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakeYItaFJuG2J5SHLyH6iIRaMiacCjKXPCXh8kxsaSMpLvX4PmPQ5nd0jPdR2Qj3WjKfxwrpECYmo52Ijz-_S4riBkcqEMc2nie9XyluoHbtdpJgTgYbz4pkBwFqoFpStY8EZg-zU-qf1/s1600/Tiger+Woods+PGA+Tour+11-+PS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakeYItaFJuG2J5SHLyH6iIRaMiacCjKXPCXh8kxsaSMpLvX4PmPQ5nd0jPdR2Qj3WjKfxwrpECYmo52Ijz-_S4riBkcqEMc2nie9XyluoHbtdpJgTgYbz4pkBwFqoFpStY8EZg-zU-qf1/s200/Tiger+Woods+PGA+Tour+11-+PS3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'flick-stick' swing mechanic returns once again (ever difficult to master as always!), whilst the ability to put spin on the ball mid-air, adding extra power through repeatedly tapping 'X' and improving accuracy (reducing the size of the expected drop-zone circle) by pressing 'X' within the shot preview screen are also all here. If you'd rather, you can also click the right stick for a more accurate (and my more preferred) setting to hitting the ball, the precise flick mechanic replaced by a more friendly and accessible cursor mechanic in which you must click to begin the back swing, click for power selection and then click when it approaches the right zone. The amount of 'draw' or 'fade' can also be altered by moving the cursor over where you wish to hit the ball. The basic set-up is as ever, tight and easy to use, however, what the latest offers elsewhere is what the game can be remembered for in differentiation from its rivals. The addition of the versatile and brilliantly implemented 'Focus' meter- its semi-circle folded over the HUD of the ball and club type- will enamour those who loved the previous games' granting of unlimited ball spin or power boost in every shot, whereas here you'll have to take into account what aspects of your game are lacking/which will suit the hole, since using any of the mentioned power boost, spin and putting previews will slowly drain the meter (only filled in slight quantities if un-used for a single shot). The system works so well that in actuality, it gives </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PGA Tour 11 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a new lease of life from those that came before it, which were ever so slowly ebbing towards a stale death. You'll be cursing your impatient use of spin onto the green once you then approach a long putt with little more than the coloured gradient grid to help you along, putt preview an impossibility, yet a necessity, with the focus meter drained of all its accrued matter. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Otherwise, the only other additions come from the inclusion of the prestigious Ryder Cup- the dramatic Europe vs. USA battle for supremacy available either online or offline (good luck in getting the whole set of players together), whilst events including 'fourball' (each member of team has their own ball, the lowest scored hole earns a point), 'alternate shots' (teams of two play alternate shots for lowest shot count) and 'single play' all add variety away from the well handled progression of the career mode. This time centred around earned XP deriving from a number of instances (in-game targets such as sinking a long putt, or progressing through the game's other game modes, such as </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger Woods' </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Skill Challenges' mode against rival golfers- from Suzann Petterson to Tiger himself), experience points will go some way in making sure your once weak character goes on to rival the cream of the crop, as it were, within the game. Thus, you can choose where to spend your accrued XP points in a number of areas; focusing on 'swing speed' and 'power boost' for added power, or 'balance' for accuracy, among others. Again, bringing into play what aspects of your game you feel you must concentrate on is paramount to how you approach such levelling; should you focus on putting prowess, or supreme power? It'd have been nice to have a few more choices regarding where to apply points, although the spread is large enough and broad enough to remain relevant.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final addition to the game comes in the form of the new 'True Aim' mode which aims to replicate a more realistic golfing experience for those who want added depth and challenge. Removing the over-layed shot circle, as well as moving into a first-person viewpoint in simulation of tracking the ball as the player, 'True Aim' is likely to be enjoyed by only a select few gamers who will sink their teeth into the expansive game play, whilst others, like myself, can applaud its addition into what is otherwise an already weighty package.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcbiBiFPuwYnuzx28l1LilBEjUcE-aVnVhieg9j3jfoQLq-A1WcT_jRUuJ_a2sXqXOll545y6f6T7lh1QuEjx2ZtM1F5_NtaXurIoMEerCrhM8ygtCgxXb2_WJFRbdLXTeImX4uyvzrwk/s1600/Tiger+Woods+PGA+Tour+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcbiBiFPuwYnuzx28l1LilBEjUcE-aVnVhieg9j3jfoQLq-A1WcT_jRUuJ_a2sXqXOll545y6f6T7lh1QuEjx2ZtM1F5_NtaXurIoMEerCrhM8ygtCgxXb2_WJFRbdLXTeImX4uyvzrwk/s400/Tiger+Woods+PGA+Tour+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Already incredibly accomplished in its TV-style aesthetic, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PGA Tour 11</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> looks vivid, bright and graphically excellent- golfers are accurately animated and modelled, while each golf course is well realised with the lush, green grass contrasting to the ever-altering light and dark from the ever-changing weather effects. Neat TV tricks such as the pseudo EA 'live' tracker bar for shot updates from other golfers is a nice touch and adds to the competitive feel of the game. The way the camera moves and is worked into the style of the game is also well choreographed; panning, zooming and tracking movements to ensure each snippet of play is captured- although once or twice the ball is difficult to spot in its choice of long shots!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PGA Tour 11 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">can be considered another major step forward for the series, that has struggled recently towards yearly updates becoming insignificant. The addition of the 'Focus' mechanic is superbly handled, ensuring gamer's can finally be held from exploiting the artificiality of the game. Excellent in multiplayer as it has always been, with modes ranging from 'Target' to 'T.I.G.E.R' and 'Bingo Bango Bongo', it's a shame that EA have chosen to include the online pass system as part of its upkeep, requiring players to purchase a code for online play if not purchased new from retail. All in all, it's well worth a purchase if you're yet to get into the series, and a worthy addition to the mounting pile for fans.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIb_eLYVY2wnqefKy3otmk4a5SgV6KqFWV84HyZlIStFTUzpSvjwIa8-37cX1G9H9vXcSkByzhyphenhyphenHcedklDK3KineY_OIg7pSc-pR4708O4LlwuI8nbHQ79y11z1lZQD-mGwPwr7mSB9bl/s1600/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIb_eLYVY2wnqefKy3otmk4a5SgV6KqFWV84HyZlIStFTUzpSvjwIa8-37cX1G9H9vXcSkByzhyphenhyphenHcedklDK3KineY_OIg7pSc-pR4708O4LlwuI8nbHQ79y11z1lZQD-mGwPwr7mSB9bl/s200/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*This review is all features on <a href="http://www.dpadmagazine.com/">DPAD Magazine</a>. The review is <a href="http://www.dpadmagazine.com/2010/07/25/tiger-woods-pga-tour-11/">here</a>.</b></span></span></span></span></div></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-72554658467926000792010-07-24T15:24:00.000+01:002010-07-24T15:24:24.904+01:00Review- Alan Wake [Xbox 360]<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Microsoft Game Studios</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remedy Entertainment</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixsA0kCp05aopdKWKy8rV4wy0jjFTCvd_1h4sR5ayq_Ayuqn5gnYcYxiwP3G_oDRCIECKiu294eGtpmRY0b14fZH2JHUA4aUa5NGcgEpq0BMe_W9R1rTcxkte9NMqoZyltSbE_BHAZ9m7/s1600/AW+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixsA0kCp05aopdKWKy8rV4wy0jjFTCvd_1h4sR5ayq_Ayuqn5gnYcYxiwP3G_oDRCIECKiu294eGtpmRY0b14fZH2JHUA4aUa5NGcgEpq0BMe_W9R1rTcxkte9NMqoZyltSbE_BHAZ9m7/s320/AW+COVER.jpg" /></a></div><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> May 2010</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Stephen King once wrote “Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there's little fun to be had in explanations; they're antithetical to the poetry of fear””- so begins </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, protagonist suspense writer Alan Wake's wearisome tones narrating over the sweeping vistas of the idyllic setting of Bright Falls. Inspired by the collected works of novelist Stephen King and the TV series </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twin Peaks</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake </span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by the Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment has been a while coming to fruition- revealed a whole 5 years ago at E3 2005 in fact.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The serial drama style seeps through every aspect of the title, which is split into six chapters of varying length, each with their own “Previously on Alan Wake” opening and dramatic cliff-hanger close to the 'episode'. As a matter of fact, Remedy handle the proportions of drama and tension extremely well, with each close to the episode delivering enough force for want to play through the following section of the game. The TV stylistic undertaking can be commended and praised in maintaining an engaging narrative that settles on the writer's-blocked suspense writer Alan Wake as he searches for his missing wife in small-town Bright Falls, infused with bleak psychological horror, paranoia, delusion and the psyche of a schizophrenic. Also no doubt a helping hand in the pacing department, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake </span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a prime example of how to approach said trait, with each episode both a contained narrative in of itself whilst also contributing to the on-going plot, perfectly proportioned to deliver enough set-piece and chilling moments in equal to the array of quieter scenes between the mis-matched cast of supporting characters. It's such a shame that Remedy seem almost to have forgotten about writing a decent set of characters to relay the narrative back to us, choosing one of the most depressing and damp squibs of a protagonist (with a tiresome voice actor to support) seems strange for a title so revolved around its dramatic ambition. Characters come and go in a flash, with only Wake's highly irritating manager, Barry, sticking round long enough to get a thorough glimpse towards a true personality (even if his failed purpose is to serve the script's comic relief- badly). </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playing a major element within the game, light is dealt with on a number of levels- a marker towards the darker thoughts in Wake's mind, the thematic link to the horror underbelly, and the lack thereof within enemies- 'The Taken'. Doing very little in terms of innovative game play mechanics, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s combat tasks players to 'extract' the darkness from those that have been consumed by the dark (focusing the beam until a flash of light expels from them), allowing you to use conventional weapons. Of course, Wake's torch is often the tool of choice when approaching foes (topped up with product-placed Energizer batteries scattered around areas), although Remedy also allow the use of flash bang grenades, car headlights, spotlights, and flares- the ever reliable spark that forces enemies back for a brief respite from their close-quarter combat in allowing your health and batteries to re-generate and re-charge respectively. Using each item effectively and in the correct way will ensure you are to escape the darkness, although the emphasis on close-quarters combat is often frustrating due to the lack of a melee option for Wake, instead solely focused on guns. It's a huge oversight by Remedy, and can make the game demanding in tight spaces when enemies attack from all sides, with dodging doing little to escape their attacks. Also lacking in enemy type, the game instead focuses on three types; small (that dark can be extracted from whenever), large (the darkness meter will recharge if not drained for a while) and environmental objects (possessed by the darkness and thrown at you- where a well-timed dodge is your best option). Entirely devoid of any ideas, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s action sequences are verbose and dull, rarely altered throughout the game. The control scheme is also twitchy and fiddly, with Wake's animations breaking up any fluidity that can be sought.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjoNxMDomcVDFV1TFL5my8LZT3qc99sJE0t6x9LoY-om1uIwspTv6brPSDCI44yDZcdgWkeq6yqgb9H7HtaFy2152cAHLwItWNCXAmAcEh0E5ESzZYlqKtjIQvlQ68AhkZErnZ7pexORr/s1600/Alan_Wake_69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjoNxMDomcVDFV1TFL5my8LZT3qc99sJE0t6x9LoY-om1uIwspTv6brPSDCI44yDZcdgWkeq6yqgb9H7HtaFy2152cAHLwItWNCXAmAcEh0E5ESzZYlqKtjIQvlQ68AhkZErnZ7pexORr/s400/Alan_Wake_69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while it's extremely hard to speculate on whether the planned open-world sandbox design that was planned to go ahead for the game would have worked, you can't help but feel that the game often suffers from large bouts of linearity and 'A to B' syndrome. Working well when the action takes place within Bright Falls -where the artistic design is minute yet necessary for the small-town feel- the game falters where vast stretches resort to running past tree after tree in any of Bright Falls' wooded areas, not helped along by the repetitive tasks, such as finding a generator to power the gate that halts progression. The team more concerned with trying to infuse these strenuous sections with collectibles (manuscript pages from Wake's as yet unwritten novel, or strangely, coffee Thermoses), although they are merely lazy and pointless additions that add little to the core game play, other than allowing Remedy to tick the box labelled 'Replayability'.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmNgYYk7qsrxcPdF5W4Xa0qeFFCofq2c4gYLSKAaICgZEo3deJz2M0uh7Mc-G-onl57Cc08QXOPY4UqI64JHxqx2IrkGo_4tmDt7iwRg4wB1NlWgZM_YYIKlyHPr7vVwCjtCsCOr6bhn9/s1600/alan_wake_e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmNgYYk7qsrxcPdF5W4Xa0qeFFCofq2c4gYLSKAaICgZEo3deJz2M0uh7Mc-G-onl57Cc08QXOPY4UqI64JHxqx2IrkGo_4tmDt7iwRg4wB1NlWgZM_YYIKlyHPr7vVwCjtCsCOr6bhn9/s200/alan_wake_e3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than favourable in presentation stakes, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s drama is lent a hand by the well composed cut scenes that intersperse the action, with well shot sequences and exceptional lighting and particle effects, only animation and lip-syncing of Wake et. al diffusing from the overall gorgeous graphics and presentational style.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Wake </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a compelling and engaging experience, in which the narrative is strong enough to remain involved within the game, although its control method and repetitive manner sometimes draw you out of what could have been an exceptional drama and game to boot. In the end, it's slightly above average but by no means great. </span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUTaKWhbKG1dh2jSKzMt0ZkHoRf_10mwdmNmrqiDolIG36z3MvKpFf5WagAAimJHNnA6AHP2FAQ0e-22wF2v9uGLGVdaNFMBK7JLjmLVWgG9vFUkB1sXvNXrXGUnbUJsADvy5i55Y5kSH/s1600/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUTaKWhbKG1dh2jSKzMt0ZkHoRf_10mwdmNmrqiDolIG36z3MvKpFf5WagAAimJHNnA6AHP2FAQ0e-22wF2v9uGLGVdaNFMBK7JLjmLVWgG9vFUkB1sXvNXrXGUnbUJsADvy5i55Y5kSH/s200/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(3).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-58374712870708867192010-07-24T13:14:00.001+01:002010-07-24T13:16:07.742+01:00Interview with Illfonic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0KyApuWw583jnaMHhUYlpQKkOIrZOKgVP8IHTyw2cE5CJNn8_5FYygCALh6kI35cuxTfDBzuuykCJTMizEW8g2zz1bscwppdzjth3dXJno98uRzO-_ZFksaSvLcNfFmcDqJQzNw0so30/s1600/Illfonic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0KyApuWw583jnaMHhUYlpQKkOIrZOKgVP8IHTyw2cE5CJNn8_5FYygCALh6kI35cuxTfDBzuuykCJTMizEW8g2zz1bscwppdzjth3dXJno98uRzO-_ZFksaSvLcNfFmcDqJQzNw0so30/s200/Illfonic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ten days ago, we reported on the brand new FPS arena-based shooter <i>Nexuiz</i> that is soon to hit XBLA and PSN. Promising a “AAA digital downloadable title”, <i>Nexuiz</i> is powered entirely by Crytek's advanced middleware technology, CryEngine 3. Sufficient to say, here at <a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/">Midlife Gamer</a>, we're eager to see what <a href="http://www.illfonic.com/">Illfonic</a>'s title is all about, and when we were given the chance to interview creative director- Kedhrin Gonzalez, we had a whole load of questions to press at him regarding the engine, <i>Nexuiz</i>, independent development and the downloadable space.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Richard Birkett:</b> First off, could you introduce yourself to the readership here at Midlife Gamer, who are you and what do you do?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kedhrin Gonzalez:</b> I'm Kedhrin Gonzalez, the Creative Director for <i>Nexuiz</i>. I work on various things with the project from art to design. We're a tiny team of people, everyone is multi-talented...[ctd]</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTRX9lCbHvOC9qqqmF_AEMNidFWTtQxKd95c-XIGRZJ3cIoMQscBYxQIDNRPvinxar6Ur0r446_idrI7CjeCnMNiq7-oql_7wxoLf2r87knejbkwoV4LINZfb8yBzj54zZqWk_QC27iNF/s1600/Nexuiz1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTRX9lCbHvOC9qqqmF_AEMNidFWTtQxKd95c-XIGRZJ3cIoMQscBYxQIDNRPvinxar6Ur0r446_idrI7CjeCnMNiq7-oql_7wxoLf2r87knejbkwoV4LINZfb8yBzj54zZqWk_QC27iNF/s400/Nexuiz1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*Read the rest of the interview <a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/midlife-gamer-meets-illfonic/">here</a> at <a href="http://MidlifeGamer.net/">MidlifeGamer.net</a></b></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-50668229254234894932010-07-19T22:56:00.000+01:002010-07-19T22:56:56.850+01:00All Format Chart- Week Ending 17th July 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAonuzCRZLLmVUZZ53cDzcH9-l3RYrvFn9IzvWkN3XYjFLALqIB25CXjIujcf_i4aUO0gcBauXUklofmh_23Eils7w5Y8wxu7va2UfPuod3RHz2FhTPVQgjTJtsQXfr-6IL5BsOue3esku/s1600/Toy+Story+3+AFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAonuzCRZLLmVUZZ53cDzcH9-l3RYrvFn9IzvWkN3XYjFLALqIB25CXjIujcf_i4aUO0gcBauXUklofmh_23Eils7w5Y8wxu7va2UfPuod3RHz2FhTPVQgjTJtsQXfr-6IL5BsOue3esku/s400/Toy+Story+3+AFC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*New Entry</span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Dead Redemption </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Xbox 360, PS3)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, PC, DS, Wii, PSP)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dance on Broadway </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crackdown 2 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Xbox 360)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The entry to fifth for </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a little lower than I had expected for the Disney tie-in game. Take a look at my review for my impressions on the game. </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crackdown 2</span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> stays top for the second week running in a long, barren spell for videogame releases. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been at least 10 years coming, but </span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starcraft</span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> finally gets it sequel this week with </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty</span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. It should make it into the top five, perhaps the top three.</span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-91143660998399971752010-07-19T15:14:00.002+01:002010-07-19T22:58:22.921+01:00Developer Profile- Relentless Software<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJu32ZXr842VCPlAuCapkvGw3AqkSbxcbnxfVmFoDJkC-mIimX_qFjy2NPpysw616DmHwpbh9aNC7LIwGc2LfkdyybBs3lKZTomFYzi1KBkyns-BF-0J-Q2ULYTcC6rdRJfhoXe62-0EU/s1600/Relentless+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJu32ZXr842VCPlAuCapkvGw3AqkSbxcbnxfVmFoDJkC-mIimX_qFjy2NPpysw616DmHwpbh9aNC7LIwGc2LfkdyybBs3lKZTomFYzi1KBkyns-BF-0J-Q2ULYTcC6rdRJfhoXe62-0EU/s320/Relentless+Logo.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Developer Profiles' is a series of articles that allow me to take a look at some of my most favoured companies within our industry, reflecting on past work and possible future acquisitions.</span></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this week's developer profile, I'm concentrating on a studio that is perhaps unlikely to be considered by most 'core' gamers for the simple fact that they produce more family orientated titles and party games. Undoubtedly talented and full of fresh and exciting ideas however, Relentless Software are the sole creators of the hugely enjoyable </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buzz!</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> quiz game series, exclusive to Sony. In fact, it was perhaps their effort in 2004 with the original </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buzz! The Music Quiz</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that set off the party game craze.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the more obscure of company foundings in game developer history, Relentless was originally formed by...[ctd.]</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*To read the rest of the profile, click <a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/developer-profile-relentless-software/">here</a>, or go to <a href="http://www.MidlifeGamer.net/">www.MidlifeGamer.net</a></b></span></span></div></div></span></span>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-55111832858927534592010-07-17T23:42:00.001+01:002010-07-17T23:45:59.600+01:00Review- Darksiders [PS3]<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THQ</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vigil Games</span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> January 2010</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other Formats:</span></span></b></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, PC</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLce6DbwserPKT5rJa-hGj6j3pMDiBRZo3oHypyEJiJAcwb_iRqFbtyQjTsWfZJTqTGnBQ5bGVziDuzQlC3GdpsgKZupFN3sKDzUvWskQJ_DHbJPL84N1z5pzn7eRu8o0n8dYxRSLV8BxQ/s1600/Darksiders+Box+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLce6DbwserPKT5rJa-hGj6j3pMDiBRZo3oHypyEJiJAcwb_iRqFbtyQjTsWfZJTqTGnBQ5bGVziDuzQlC3GdpsgKZupFN3sKDzUvWskQJ_DHbJPL84N1z5pzn7eRu8o0n8dYxRSLV8BxQ/s200/Darksiders+Box+Art.jpg" width="172" /></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drawing immediate comparisons to the likes of Sony's flagship </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God of War </span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">series is no mean feat for a game that was overlooked at launch due to Platinum Games' swift, excellent and ravishing combo-heavy </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bayonetta</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, but </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plays akin with some of the most effective and joyful videogame tropes available in an engaging, action-rich experience (albeit with a terrible and clichéd story to back it up!)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Putting its emphasis on an ever popular hack-and-slash combat system may raise eyebrows as being hackneyed, underdeveloped and devoid of ideas (particularly within the Apocalyptic and mythological setting), however <a href="http://www.vigilgames.com/">Vigil Games</a> manage to keep harsh critical reception at bay in delivering the combat with a unique set of skills to accompany the extremely basic button-tapping monotony that you are likely to endure. With each new ability enabling previous parts of the world to become entwined into game play, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is particularly clever in how each new skill or item is possessed. Unlocked in regular intervals, the game manages to allow the player to become accustomed to each unique skill in time, never forcing more than one skill into players' hands before the previous feels second-nature. One of the most intriguing aspects of the game, item acquisition ranges from “War” (yes, that is his name) to be granted ability to use cross blades for a blend of weaponry and gadget to activate forlorn switches, for example, or the ability to fire portals in order to teleport from one area to another (an extension of Valve's </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Portal</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> into the 3D action game space). Not only giving the game apt room in providing a number of different ways to dispatch the horde of dark beings that populate the hellish setting, but also allowing <a href="http://www.vigilgames.com/">Vigil</a> to craft some of the most devilishly tricky and fantastic 3D puzzles seen in this generation. Lost in most games these days, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is an ode to platformers of time's past where thwarting enemies is only a small proportion of the vast gaming experience, where exploration within its many (and multi-layered) dungeons and solving puzzles is vital for progression. However, it also brings up one of my key frustrations with the game, that of the dubious map. Extremely irritating to interpret the various levels of the stage, it's a detriment to the often excellent new IP that has been produced, where idly wandering any of the game's dull, lifeless chasms and corridors will become the norm, not alleviated with the lack of colour on the palette or any weight of graphical beauty. When each area looks almost identical to the next, it makes many of the complex puzzles and tasks hard to swallow, although it still has to be said, they are exceptionally well thought-out for the most part.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzrVl3_Dmg7sSzW6Pa9cIfEK91CtY8MCWwPH8I5oxdGyMVmCgpOwQWr-3b5DpaWoeZBKhsVPhAuWBeCQOgz8f7BxrkUB6OeI0j7MA9QYdsfKQp9OxMXO3Ihgan-DBh8ilXAHxHywaEsOc/s1600/Darksiders+Screen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzrVl3_Dmg7sSzW6Pa9cIfEK91CtY8MCWwPH8I5oxdGyMVmCgpOwQWr-3b5DpaWoeZBKhsVPhAuWBeCQOgz8f7BxrkUB6OeI0j7MA9QYdsfKQp9OxMXO3Ihgan-DBh8ilXAHxHywaEsOc/s400/Darksiders+Screen+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built around a huge, open world, the aforementioned acquisition of new skills and weapons allows previously unfounded parts of the map become free to traverse, meaning the game has a distinct 6-part structure- four of which acting as separate entities where War must defeat the end-boss Demon and tear out their heart to return to the Demon Lord 'Samael', who can grant access to the Black Tower where the “Destroyer” lay. I'd loved to have seen each area pose a stylistic switch in design, although this is never really perceived or alluded to. With each distinct segment of the game offering new tasks to complete and new enemies to face, the game never begins to tire in the least, instead opting to constantly throw new ideas at the player (such as the ability to slow down time, or introducing War's valiant steed). It's a nice approach and a neat separation from the weight of other games thrown at us on a weekly basis, where every game play concept is driven in from the second the 'Start' button is pressed. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG3Cc2_gVP3xmBB_im0AnW65f8Rmi9c7IX35iiz9zd25IzA2NRVgXT9iHuK57IqhbP5VMLSKZYBdBR2fkRlD8eKLp0T6DxBmODajDm3zRlkEdjx19T9CjNhvpnW3aLVtXEfK7AGmwLk0l/s1600/Darksiders+Screen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG3Cc2_gVP3xmBB_im0AnW65f8Rmi9c7IX35iiz9zd25IzA2NRVgXT9iHuK57IqhbP5VMLSKZYBdBR2fkRlD8eKLp0T6DxBmODajDm3zRlkEdjx19T9CjNhvpnW3aLVtXEfK7AGmwLk0l/s200/Darksiders+Screen+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a nod to the previously mentioned </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God of War</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">insistently rips on the three levels of orbs that populate the hugely popular series. Called “souls” within this title; here, green orbs (sorry, “souls”) fill the health bar (also upgraded through progression, akin to </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOW</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), yellow, the 'Wrath' meter (a meter for magic to be performed for added variety in combat) and blue acting as the currency of the game. Used to buy upgrades, combos, additional powers and weapons from the many Vulgrim locations within the game, the idea is another extension of how deep the initial combat system levels. War also has the added ability to transform into his 'Chaos Form' when the 'Chaos' meter fills (from delivering damage), which envelops him in a giant, demonic form for a short duration in which an added damage boost is accustom.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And although many games of its type suffer from an extreme syndrome of repetitiveness, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">can not be considered amongst them- to a degree anyway. Although the world is often distinctly boring, the array of enemy types is a great thing to see. With some requiring you to perform different attacks to defeat them- perhaps best witnessed in the epic boss battles, where the game exceeds expectations in playing out some great ideas- the format is never tired. One boss battle is particularly memorable in which you must manipulate the portals on the floor in order to float onto the enemies back and deliver some devastating blows. In fact, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darksiders </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is an amalgamation of some of the best game design ideas available, and in that, it may be considered cheap and superficial but it ought not to be. This is a well drawn out and demanding release that is worthy of attention amongst the very best action-adventure games.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fh7JdTQnumz-vnWxV-IlSnHpNAQiLUHJ9SZEDdFzq9z8S8xE0SKlrQpDAwd4NwGap6oCVLOzYFkEhKCclT9rwpen2KILdUS6Niq88Rdzbcbn2KHkqa7_isLsRASa12QIAtQBWGjsArWu/s1600/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fh7JdTQnumz-vnWxV-IlSnHpNAQiLUHJ9SZEDdFzq9z8S8xE0SKlrQpDAwd4NwGap6oCVLOzYFkEhKCclT9rwpen2KILdUS6Niq88Rdzbcbn2KHkqa7_isLsRASa12QIAtQBWGjsArWu/s200/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-66868620022005293472010-07-16T16:22:00.000+01:002010-07-16T16:22:48.258+01:00Preview- James Bond 007: Blood Stone<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Holiday 2010</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Format: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, PS3, PC</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bizarre Creations</span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Activision</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It might have a ridiculous and over-long title, but </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James Bond 007: Blood Stone</span></span></b></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is an entirely intriguing IP. Announced today, the press release surmounts that the new title will be “an original Bond experience, [capturing] the cinematic intensity of a Bond film. Strangely, this 007 espionage adventure is being developed by Bizarre Creations- the studio behind the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PGR </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blur </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">racing series.</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMJKPmlAEFfQAKjsMl49_PynOiQVgd1zvOWuTscDCXQwPLAKnNXSQRlt0DKrkVpiUhQSQcYecvaNcNN89q_4CCurhKIhGjFkN9W7ZhfJEYY5LyKZQKaPjMXxkw7noOBRCUqDwB2lXC6Bm/s1600/16204508_01_0042_20100623-8bbe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMJKPmlAEFfQAKjsMl49_PynOiQVgd1zvOWuTscDCXQwPLAKnNXSQRlt0DKrkVpiUhQSQcYecvaNcNN89q_4CCurhKIhGjFkN9W7ZhfJEYY5LyKZQKaPjMXxkw7noOBRCUqDwB2lXC6Bm/s200/16204508_01_0042_20100623-8bbe3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joss Stone is touted as stepping in as an all-new Bond girl, whilst she also contributes original music for the game. The polygonal Joss can be seen in the picture to the right, although the likenesses of Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench also imbue the videogame with characters from its filmic counterpart and ought to raise its profile within the mainstream. What's being promised at this stage is an adrenaline filled, explosive action game that spans the globe, similar to the Bond films and every other spy game you wish to mention. The third-person cover mechanics, hand-to-hand combat and driving sequences may have all been seen before, but the original story (being written by acclaimed screenwriter Bruce Feirstein) ought to bring this game over others of its ilk.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicenKdcSJX_C73XuHrCflHkTHdICiGXAW9L4Ak8OQ3uywUzhMbR_fOZls8gjjte2mYzKw_Uod5Eo6OZOGVTwEvMct39uNeAzUtMZwowpD1qcc7viIYixGsMRwA0ml82qMS0zlNVBGWwPAj/s1600/16224508_01_0092_20100623-8bbe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicenKdcSJX_C73XuHrCflHkTHdICiGXAW9L4Ak8OQ3uywUzhMbR_fOZls8gjjte2mYzKw_Uod5Eo6OZOGVTwEvMct39uNeAzUtMZwowpD1qcc7viIYixGsMRwA0ml82qMS0zlNVBGWwPAj/s400/16224508_01_0092_20100623-8bbe2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I particularly enjoyed the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quantum of Solace </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">game that used the engine at the heart of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern Warfare</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for its extremely polished and refined shooting mechanics. For all its generic trappings however, the experience was little to set itself apart from the crowd. Maybe, just maybe, Bizarre can do the 007 license justice in interactive form. </span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-26537310125623229982010-07-15T20:56:00.001+01:002010-07-15T21:00:17.565+01:00Feature- The Demise of 1 vs. 100<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sadly, Microsoft have formally announced that 1 vs. 100 is no more, after a short stint of two seasons. But why, you may ask!? Well, it turns out the demand isn't big enough for the record-breaking game show, although Microsoft's spokesperson stated that the company were extremely “proud” of the creative team, nevertheless.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR-IWrsHv7gcXtZ1DbL2zeTn1MSt6KkWlLyBVj6UMNlAqSgHpA9xEIJuSrPgWevpu8TT-mnUMnqN4rmFZcIl1RCEQcBfW77QDAjy66ngoM-ewKbJjm-CQnIEdSOp5oobirrL-apXv5A4/s1600/1+vs+100+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR-IWrsHv7gcXtZ1DbL2zeTn1MSt6KkWlLyBVj6UMNlAqSgHpA9xEIJuSrPgWevpu8TT-mnUMnqN4rmFZcIl1RCEQcBfW77QDAjy66ngoM-ewKbJjm-CQnIEdSOp5oobirrL-apXv5A4/s200/1+vs+100+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Was it always destined for failure, however? The beta may have seen over 100,000 try it out, but those astronomical figures dwindled to an average of around 10,000 on those nights that weren't hosting the live show (although the live shows' figures were also on a slippery slope!) So what was it that killed 1 vs. 100 before it could return for its third season? Was it over-zealous ambition from Microsoft? After all, they seemed to flood us with game modes night after night during each season which surely couldn't have helped inability to sustain any resounding figures. I'd take a guess that if they solely stuck to live shows, they'd have experienced a much more positive vibe from us gamers, for what they were, the live shows were on the whole, excellent. Other from the missing host most of the time and seemingly random pickings of the '1', the live shows were engaging and thoroughly entertaining to play through, each game weighing in at mere minutes for quick and swift bites of tense multiplayer quizzing action. </span> </div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Many bemoaned the choice picks of the '1' and '100', complaining how they'd “not been picked yet”. Infuriating me in equal measure for their inability to calculate probability, I didn't have a problem myself with how the show was conducted. Out of the two seasons, I knew of one person to get into the top 100- my brother was lucky enough to be picked on that fateful Friday night to rapturous hollering from the demanding avatars in the stands. Sufficient to say, his nervousness got the better of him and he left with nothing...</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't falter Microsoft either in what they held back for winners either, with one night the grand prize being a car! So, I'm going to take a wild punt and put the blame solely onto Microsoft's ingenuity. We've never had anything like it before, where members of the public can turn on a device in their living room and take part in a live game show for prizes. Therefore, I don't see 1 vs. 100 as a failure, I see it as the very beginning of something much bigger to come...</span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-85155255776787161702010-07-14T20:28:00.001+01:002010-07-14T20:30:31.844+01:00Review- Toy Story 3: The Videogame [PS3]<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disney Interactive Studios</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avalanche Software</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16</span></span></span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> July 2010</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other Formats: </span></span></b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, Wii, PC</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FDqP2VjSBC9MCP-8rqzRH2EIu7AJtwe6UCdeFzC_7jeGI5D2_OH02ReNrE9DFWi0TD2Vx43rClNBun0iZbBHqbzKm4xqiBPdcrNtPIkd-c__O4LE68NcDRNMH446xQO6y6a59BtXSrXA/s1600/Toy+Story+3+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FDqP2VjSBC9MCP-8rqzRH2EIu7AJtwe6UCdeFzC_7jeGI5D2_OH02ReNrE9DFWi0TD2Vx43rClNBun0iZbBHqbzKm4xqiBPdcrNtPIkd-c__O4LE68NcDRNMH446xQO6y6a59BtXSrXA/s320/Toy+Story+3+Box.jpg" /></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you hadn't already been made aware, Pixar's crowning glory returns to silver screens this summer in </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(out in the UK on the 19</span></span></span></span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> July, if you're interested), and with it of course, is the tie-in videogame- this time from developer Avalanche Software and Disney Interactive Studios. Of course, movie tie-ins are often, and unmistakeably, poor. However, it seems obvious how far Avalanche have come in delivering sufficient thought towards the game of the same name, with a rich and colourful visual style that sticks true to the franchise's heritage, whilst the platforming and puzzle mechanics at the heart of the game is deft in applying a good deal of challenge for all ages and being entertaining in equal measure.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you choose to forgo through the story missions that interweave between the narrative of the aforementioned CG offering, (and thus, presenting many of the new cast of characters), or jump on Bullseye for a ride around the open-world toy box, the game very rarely fails to delight. The “ToyBox Mode” open world offering seeing Woody become sheriff of the Western-inspired toy-town, western strings plucking along to the rhythm of game play, as you complete missions and mini-games as you see fit for any of </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s excellent characters. From clearing mine shafts for Stinky Pete, to sprucing up the town for Mayor Hamm and capturing criminals to throw into the town jail, the toy box represents a good deal of game play in only a tiny proportion of the overall package on offer. The area is large and intricately designed enough for the more mundane 'fetch' tasks to remain relevant and adequately challenging, whilst also familiar enough to alleviate unnecessary meanderings. Extra toys, whether vehicles or perfunctory buildings, can be bought from Al's Toy Barn for coins that are awarded for completing missions (each with a fantastic TV style ad to match), to add to the town. The vast weight of the game comes from the story missions that perhaps best demonstrate the game's effective and enjoyable platforming mechanics. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With many missions underwhelming and defunct of ideas in terms of contextualising such instances into the overarching plot, the lay-out of each are surprisingly well thought out for the game to flourish in delivering a superb single player, and even better co-op experience. Revolving mostly around 3D platforming, the controls feel sensitive and in-tune with the very best of platformers, even though the level design could perhaps be improved upon for the game to stand alone on its own terms- many of the levels being a split between 'find the item'/mini-game/platformer. The platform sections work best, infused with puzzles that handle the ability to switch characters (between Woody, Buzz or Jessie, using L1) effectively. Each of their own unique abilities (such as Jessie's ability to land on smaller platforms or Buzz's laser targeting), meaning many of the puzzles that break up the platforming sections are sufficiently challenging and ensuring the game's ability to co-op with other players exceptionally rewarding, with players working together towards the end of the level. Story missions such as 'Junkyard' expel all that is great about the game, with each character's abilities intertwined and interspersed between each other towards a conglomerate resolution of stopping Rex, Slinky and Hamm from entering the mouth of the junk machine- where Jessie landing on valves allows Woody to swing to the next mechanical button, thus allowing Buzz to knock down a piece of junk to Jessie for further progression, a prime example of the developer's quality. It's instances such as these in which the game really gives the shows the best qualities on offer, alleviating it above other movie tie-ins that so often, fail to excite. </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where it falters the most is within its fetch quests, where areas are often idly paced up and down to find something that has been hinted toward- shallow ideas denting the well crafted whole. Some of the missions are also drab and dull, especially where Buzz is involved, with the over-the-shoulder lock-on shooting mechanic poor, making the endless destruction of the waves of enemies forced at him a repetitive slog to the invisible timed marker, with the rich interpretation of </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s opening scenes a particularly resonant and stand out moment of the game, but poorly realised due to the underwhelming combat that has been given little thought. It makes me question what could have been achieved had the developer been given enough time to balance and refine the part's of the game which have obviously been rushed towards its release date, where the fetch quests make sense to bulk out the game. Avalanche Software have demonstrated assurance and quality in many instances, with some excellent ideas thrown in.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXp5jeu4SgmxvD8Xav6skPKQajcxbpbYFovp6oAAJTP7F_Yfk50-eHoHbXTNI17zVUhrVCWggWin_C6bTapO6JeXuKHCeH5v_JAr-wPawcoNuC6WpG24T8BF4x915TQ7mZ7bLEh42fZTw/s1600/Toy-Story-3-The-Video-Game-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXp5jeu4SgmxvD8Xav6skPKQajcxbpbYFovp6oAAJTP7F_Yfk50-eHoHbXTNI17zVUhrVCWggWin_C6bTapO6JeXuKHCeH5v_JAr-wPawcoNuC6WpG24T8BF4x915TQ7mZ7bLEh42fZTw/s200/Toy-Story-3-The-Video-Game-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Otherwise i</span></span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nfused with enough replicated Pixar charm and sentimentalities from the films, the game stands up very well visually, retaining playful and insightful characteristics from each of its characters and thus allowing them to each stand out very well within the game, whilst delivering refreshing and delightful colourful sets and game locations. From the dusty plains of the toy box contrasting to the bright neon-lit swathes in space, the beloved </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">franchise is expertly brought to screen, imbuing the essence of the game with enough uniquely designed settings to keep the game pacey and interesting for the whole of its stay. The sparsely used but surprisingly adept cut scenes also doing well to add enough humour for the audience, introducing us to new characters (Peas in a Pod a particular highlight), while stitching together a loose plot.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugely enjoyable for the most part, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">can be considered amongst the best of film to videogame tie-ins for sure. Demonstrating enough charm and exceptional visuals for fans of the series, with the puzzle and platforming sections of the game doing their very best in giving gamers reason to take notice. It's no classic platformer, but neither can it be considered cheap and defunct of ideas, this movie tie-in is worthy of the </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">name and can be appreciated singularly, aside from the film.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uzu-4pSufiS6adAZXIjo9svfliEGGHyUqUhGoda2_2o3QoKq58v-m2eqMCU4o7G1DixI4SefI5QxCa9pIa8wmlt-9JAz-TN9dMyRyxSK41Lu-JgfVFWcfG3i7kIGLbz_x0auXwp1jxup/s1600/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uzu-4pSufiS6adAZXIjo9svfliEGGHyUqUhGoda2_2o3QoKq58v-m2eqMCU4o7G1DixI4SefI5QxCa9pIa8wmlt-9JAz-TN9dMyRyxSK41Lu-JgfVFWcfG3i7kIGLbz_x0auXwp1jxup/s200/Star+Rating-+Birketts+Blog+(4).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*This review can also be found on </b></span></span><a href="http://www.DPADMagazine.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>www.dpadmagazine.com</b></span></span></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-91972116441944352252010-07-14T13:40:00.001+01:002010-07-14T13:45:55.795+01:00Interview with Rock Hippo Productions<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyt7EA1eagtPSb7ExrXzYCQg3l2ofFv6teslVEDkkvz5fJIQ9QQN_vkgUppNkiF8YfPpMFkqoKG2SatAf12sgKw1WBMNL2QhkQLOUSiTwB3vbULOGQsnzybz6_uiodl-qtR7IX6cj2VKK/s1600/FCaracas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyt7EA1eagtPSb7ExrXzYCQg3l2ofFv6teslVEDkkvz5fJIQ9QQN_vkgUppNkiF8YfPpMFkqoKG2SatAf12sgKw1WBMNL2QhkQLOUSiTwB3vbULOGQsnzybz6_uiodl-qtR7IX6cj2VKK/s200/FCaracas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Recently, I reported on the new free-to-play MMO-TPS </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Microvolts</span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">which enters beta soon. The colourful and impressive looking game ought to be a great deal of fun when released, with its setting within the world of toy figurines. We spoke to Flavio Caracas- marketing manager at Rock Hippo Productions- about the game, his feelings on the free-to-play model, and what we can expect from future Rock Hippo releases.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fbZfFzDhBoVfDosqgSdW9yE6AzP5gNzuRq9NkLa1bbE3zjbnx1YHuQF5MiX5VzJLPg-QaBjRKMKgKhTWZCCQEk8hQuL96_iPUunY7zC0z8NKiWpFx4d1giK6vEi-qKmH8ek-icjazqFp/s1600/MV+Screenshot+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fbZfFzDhBoVfDosqgSdW9yE6AzP5gNzuRq9NkLa1bbE3zjbnx1YHuQF5MiX5VzJLPg-QaBjRKMKgKhTWZCCQEk8hQuL96_iPUunY7zC0z8NKiWpFx4d1giK6vEi-qKmH8ek-icjazqFp/s400/MV+Screenshot+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Richard Birkett: </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The first question, very simple; who are you and what do you do?</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Flavio Caracas: </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My name is Flavio Caracas and I'm the marketing manager at Rock Hippo Productions. [ctd]</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*Have a look at my full interview </b></span></span><a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/midlife-gamer-meets-rock-hippo-productions/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>here</b></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> for </b></span></span><a href="http://MidlifeGamer.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MidlifeGamer.net</b></span></span></a></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-65296626353743327472010-07-12T23:23:00.002+01:002010-07-12T23:30:32.625+01:00Out this Week! 16th July 2010<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmsB4B4C9J7_QLd0R9kpG48j8stCjsLJeC2dzrHN7IfDm_691DN-S1zGPGnjcmGJFUlVisPDMZ6ZDpKUnBtVP5gpAOfWBC5rfY93hyMHRjGs19r-hL6535u9YGmRByxBg7YjESgzZxGqR/s1600/ts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmsB4B4C9J7_QLd0R9kpG48j8stCjsLJeC2dzrHN7IfDm_691DN-S1zGPGnjcmGJFUlVisPDMZ6ZDpKUnBtVP5gpAOfWBC5rfY93hyMHRjGs19r-hL6535u9YGmRByxBg7YjESgzZxGqR/s200/ts3.jpg" width="174" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The summer is upon us in force with very few video games released in the coming weeks. The only worthy mention this week goes out to </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which ties in with the hugely awaited film. I'm currently reviewing the game for <a href="http://www.dpadmagazine.com/">DPAD Magazine</a>,</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so expect a review in the next few days. With a number of playable characters and story mode (of which ties in to the film), the game looks to be sufficient for a game/film tie-in. The first hour or so with the game have been enjoyable, I look forward to seeing what else the game has in store. </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[PS3, Xbox 360, Wii]</span></span></b></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-11277935019113789042010-07-12T11:06:00.000+01:002010-07-12T11:06:47.309+01:00All Format Chart- Week Ending 10th July 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbZ0tQWVVEPjpIXaXoZSPcDGXqdQbj3tGLfXNNnnwPJOTtgz-foRQSo5B8A-Z7nrGBoY0pRx5jXxzlQ0VcfJllhnTdVQrzi4L7CGwV_d-QPqVpAIcPdUG6aMxsJ52YdnDnjGvdkkoFIB-/s1600/CRACKDOWN+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbZ0tQWVVEPjpIXaXoZSPcDGXqdQbj3tGLfXNNnnwPJOTtgz-foRQSo5B8A-Z7nrGBoY0pRx5jXxzlQ0VcfJllhnTdVQrzi4L7CGwV_d-QPqVpAIcPdUG6aMxsJ52YdnDnjGvdkkoFIB-/s400/CRACKDOWN+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2010 Fifa World Cup </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dance on Broadway </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Wii)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Dead Redemption </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(PS3, Xbox 360, PC, DS, Wii, PSP)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></span></b></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*New Entry*</span></span></b></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crackdown 2 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Xbox 360)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I predicted last week, </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crackdown 2 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">goes straight in at number one, whilst </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drops down one place into second. There has been a new entry into the chart this week in Wii dance game </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dance on Broadway </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which I had not heard of before. Surprisingly, it is in its second week of sales and therefore will not be crowned as a new entry into the top 5. Big titles kicked from the week this week include </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super Mario Galaxy 2 </span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(having a very short stint in the top 5) and </span></span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11</span></span></b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only one new release this week comes in the form of everyone's favourite talking toys from Pixar: </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toy Story 3</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I'm currently reviewing the title so expect a review up on the site soon. I'd expect good sales from this one.</span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-75711647270239982662010-07-10T23:03:00.001+01:002010-07-10T23:45:40.079+01:00Feature- My Top 10 Games of this Generation so Far<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shall begin my first ever thought piece for <a href="http://www.gamersguidetolife.com/">Gamers Guide to Life</a> with an apology. Sorry for my reserved judgements in favour of the games as featured below, I apologise now if I have left out any games from the past few years that perhaps deserve to be in such a thorough list, but these are, regardless, only </span></span></span></span><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my</span></span></span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> favoured of the generation of which we are told we are only mid-way through! You will have your own favourites, as I mine, so without further adieu, here are my top 10 games of this generation. Long may it continue.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallout 3</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN2r8MHqpeKelA1YtrRFHx5W_FpkZIdgzBoc0GGdWVk2YtMGEBWtYm0JejiQ_HnVHsQoR2XChod3ur5BNxzR90gdPGanlIC7Vh3K8NIXpJWp2Ea_iQ9RfoWKGncvt2ltp6Vo4FWIfudFU/s1600/fallout-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN2r8MHqpeKelA1YtrRFHx5W_FpkZIdgzBoc0GGdWVk2YtMGEBWtYm0JejiQ_HnVHsQoR2XChod3ur5BNxzR90gdPGanlIC7Vh3K8NIXpJWp2Ea_iQ9RfoWKGncvt2ltp6Vo4FWIfudFU/s200/fallout-3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What better game to pick up the mantle for the first of the list than Bethesda's post apocalyptic RPG </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallout 3</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Fitting, since this generation has pretty much birthed the open world genre of which we know see with aplomb. Following on from the critically acclaimed </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oblivion </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(which I could never get on with), </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallout 3 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was a lesson to potential RPG developer's in how to create an immersive world with an engaging storyline and excellent role-playing mechanics. Hours could disappear roaming the wasteland for hidden delights, only boosted by the additional DLC that was offered after release. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LittleBigPlanet</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favourite games of 2008, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LittleBigPlanet</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was like nothing truly seen before. Spawning the label of 'Play, Create, Share', over 2 million levels have been created by its community to date (I lent my talents to two). A platformer at heart, the level designer and community features were where the game really stood out, with unbelievable levels created by fantastically creative people. Search for anything within </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LBP</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s servers and you'll probably find a match. From re-creations of classic Mario levels to representations of people's home lives- </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LBP </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was worthy of its limelight.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9fh_0P2fPMl3HNfJGbnw7hHm0HCnjyGl-5txgzfj8K18L9oTyw863ag0IsqaRGx5-l0NaMzQY1_XkAcTdtT5wmMvWVEaqvaCDpUjhvmz0ELCT1Co7TUMfTiUnwrjxera8eqKrGDobGc7/s1600/littlebigplanet-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9fh_0P2fPMl3HNfJGbnw7hHm0HCnjyGl-5txgzfj8K18L9oTyw863ag0IsqaRGx5-l0NaMzQY1_XkAcTdtT5wmMvWVEaqvaCDpUjhvmz0ELCT1Co7TUMfTiUnwrjxera8eqKrGDobGc7/s400/littlebigplanet-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rock Band</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For being the first game to introduce the full band set-up and hours upon hours of lost time, Harmonix's return to rhythm-action after they had spawned the </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guitar Hero</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> franchise let us run wild in our search for rock stardom, now on drums and mic, as well as guitar. The sequel may have refined the template as layed out here, but for the first game to be a success was praise enough after Activision's vital head start with the </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GH</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> series. Cluttering our living rooms with cheap plastic peripherals ever since, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rock Band</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- we salute you.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grand Theft Auto IV</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Possibly the most sought after sequel for the current generation, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GTA IV</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> set the record at the time for the best single day sales and week sales for a video game, despite its '18' age certificate. The departure from the fun filled </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Andreas </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the much grittier life of immigrant Niko Bellic was bold, although one in which I felt was needed. Despite its clunky controls, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GTA IV</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was exceptional in its design with the hugely detailed Liberty City inspired by NYC and exciting cast of characters.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxwXguIQHuZn2B15qYGnyuoChKQzX0PyUAEeHYirvxNng5n8lEqn9uaorIAkdMW1Sbb-0sU7I_-UAYSGNidl6ILr9r4GoO6rc9g1hhRDSeIPc8kndhbd-0ZOIViM0hwSsqX-WPyke9-_8/s1600/Uncharted-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxwXguIQHuZn2B15qYGnyuoChKQzX0PyUAEeHYirvxNng5n8lEqn9uaorIAkdMW1Sbb-0sU7I_-UAYSGNidl6ILr9r4GoO6rc9g1hhRDSeIPc8kndhbd-0ZOIViM0hwSsqX-WPyke9-_8/s200/Uncharted-2.jpg" width="166" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncharted 2</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the strong original, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncharted: Drake's Fortune</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, at the early life of Sony's PS3 (and one of the first Playstation exclusives of this generation), </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncharted 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has to be considered over the first since it got nearly everything spot on. Superbly animated character models and expertly directed cut scenes seamlessly integrated with game play, yep, Naughty Dog's treasure hunting Nathan Drake is set to be one of the flagship's for Sony for years to come. If you haven't played it yet and don't yet quite understand the hype regarding Sony's console, try it. You won't be disappointed.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heavy Rain</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third PS3 exclusive to appear on my list is also the most recent. Released this February, I only got a chance to play the “interactive drama” around a month ago. Set apart from any other game, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heavy Rain</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is an experience unlike any other. Excellent cinematography, resounding score and an involving narrative imbue its cinematic sense, whilst the frankness of its moral choice philosophy gave each player a feeling of crafting their own experience. I was taken aback by how well the game was conveyed, and utterly spellbound by the plotting.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mass Effect 2</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bioware's sci-fi space saga gave a number of reasons why it ought to be considered one of the best games of this generation. Not only have Bioware created an exceptional and fully in-depth universe of alien species and planetary intergalactic wars, but like a mixture between the cinematic ambition of </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncharted 2 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the moral choices of </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heavy Rain</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the RPG has rarely become so fully polished as this. I await the third to conclude the trilogy.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forza Motorsport 2</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm reluctant to put down the third in the franchise onto the list since I felt slightly let down in its online fuctionality, which was plagued from day one. Instead, I'll go with the sequel to the original Xbox game </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forza Motorsport</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which was the first true driving simulator for the current generation, and one which still performs admirably and looks excellent some time after. The online was also well handled, as well as the progression of the career mode. Whether Polyphony Digital can match its ambition with </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gran Turismo 5 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is another story, but it certainly has a tough task ahead.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halo 3</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7VFcw3oLovZZVLlwMx7z5jHY55yns-mEsi0rvoYla3yuJirhHLbJzBeE0Y_PLHD9_WIdA66075t88237k19Jn-ZlC8h5AKSqTJd-a0Tefhp4jH1PRQBel3UTrjCoEUBd469GIgFom1-S/s1600/Halo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7VFcw3oLovZZVLlwMx7z5jHY55yns-mEsi0rvoYla3yuJirhHLbJzBeE0Y_PLHD9_WIdA66075t88237k19Jn-ZlC8h5AKSqTJd-a0Tefhp4jH1PRQBel3UTrjCoEUBd469GIgFom1-S/s200/Halo+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Finish the Fight'- yeh, right. Then go back again and fight the in-between years! It might have failed to live up to the hype in terms of its epic conclusion to the trilogy, but </span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it can not be argued </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halo 3</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'s success lay within multiplayer, with its matchmaking still one of the most played on Xbox Live besides the competition of recent delights such as </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern Warfare 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Adding XP and character customisation to the massive </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halo 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> online foundation, its the game which I stick on for some multiplayer action before any other.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mirror's Edge</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Received quite poorly, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mirror's Edge </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is one of my more favoured titles for one reason: it tried something different and it worked. The first person perspective was an odd choice given the free-running game play, but EA DICE delivered in epic proportions with fast and exhilarating game mechanics. Slightly unforgiving and frustrating at times, the game still ought to be remembered for some time to come, regardless of the fact it lies for mere pounds in bargain buckets around the country.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaee_4hXe-hTVJ1ixzl4DpgcbeGZAR7Cz2st42mHCXpJnEuezg761VkPwrWAobzCTnFvJl7Hcyj2Nj44oe_AmbimRX1gTnbAWceHp3Iqz9hrr96W4gqmLWg2V4PhpOBAku3RCuKB4bKrq/s1600/Mirror's+Edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaee_4hXe-hTVJ1ixzl4DpgcbeGZAR7Cz2st42mHCXpJnEuezg761VkPwrWAobzCTnFvJl7Hcyj2Nj44oe_AmbimRX1gTnbAWceHp3Iqz9hrr96W4gqmLWg2V4PhpOBAku3RCuKB4bKrq/s400/Mirror's+Edge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-73587871339423488862010-07-09T21:10:00.001+01:002010-07-12T11:10:25.604+01:00My Game of the Year so Far<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcZKWr7FdlAkeb5Zu9ZzDuEmENe90tVFHD8_nvrO2IiWBL1c92UqQ5go-dK7kA3mdUACj-xpdV1t9uHjLzlwMFbgpp1z6pcETq6HNR3xsfX26ryIsIHv3Q8Cmq8A3U10c0uAZagcX_Iia/s1600/mass-effect-2-box-final-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcZKWr7FdlAkeb5Zu9ZzDuEmENe90tVFHD8_nvrO2IiWBL1c92UqQ5go-dK7kA3mdUACj-xpdV1t9uHjLzlwMFbgpp1z6pcETq6HNR3xsfX26ryIsIHv3Q8Cmq8A3U10c0uAZagcX_Iia/s200/mass-effect-2-box-final-xl.jpg" width="143" /></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're now half the way through 2010, which has so far produced a range of frankly awesome titles. From sci-fi epics such as </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mass Effect 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to “interactive dramas” (</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heavy </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rain) and the angriest antagonist this side of Mount Olympus (</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God of War III</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). So, without further adieu, my game of the year so far...</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released in the very first month of the year, my game of the year so far has to be Bioware's masterpiece </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mass Effect 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which I felt refined the core experience at the heart of the first game so consistently that it was very nearly of unrivalled quality from the get-go. No other time in 2010 have I felt so enveloped in a game's experience as this, stepping into the shoes of Commander Shepard for the second time. From its excellent cinematography and outstanding cinematic action, to its deep and atmospheric storyline and plotting, it really had it all.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as providing us with a presentation overhaul with a gorgeous visual quality and bright and vivid worlds that filled its narrative, Bioware went further in delivering a top-class cover based system for combat, rivalling some of the leading shooters out there. The first games clunky control system could finally be forgotten, as enemies were neatly dispatched through a hefty mix of gun play and clever use of powers. The dialogue was excellent, each character given a full and well rounded personality, and there was enough dramatic moments to rival the very biggest of Hollywood blockbusters. </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFw5TCNLOXmmOx2oPiCgJNCKDboJTXDXvUfKnu5L8JULL7VJwUSVQyunAVG9mTM1EiSaKtY282ZFrNwRbJO_imFaKeRZfD4jamCpLPamMf9Sifw3W4HAER3RpxWu8VJrtv-FXS8oo6H5B/s1600/Mass+Effect+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFw5TCNLOXmmOx2oPiCgJNCKDboJTXDXvUfKnu5L8JULL7VJwUSVQyunAVG9mTM1EiSaKtY282ZFrNwRbJO_imFaKeRZfD4jamCpLPamMf9Sifw3W4HAER3RpxWu8VJrtv-FXS8oo6H5B/s400/Mass+Effect+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mass Effect 2</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, we were presented with a rolling continuation of the vast space saga that will conclude in the final game of the trilogy, whilst the negativity that the first game held was addressed wholeheartedly. RPG mechanics were weakened (no bad thing), its cinematic offering was improved, the dialogue system was given extra weight, and action was upped. A resounding success, but did we really expect anything else from Bioware!? Sufficient to say, the third can not come soon enough!</span></span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-64048279251846552362010-07-09T14:41:00.001+01:002010-07-09T14:42:02.064+01:00Developer Profile- Rockstar North<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yz2ev7lrrAa8ubwKunMZLQ4so0Kqy1zDlb0qmXDrMcpuK_40pMGK0LUcJ_OWKkdQUdhxfnP6ZBkIc1MHX-N0H-6mBdBFSZn2LTLeUmL1A8SdPeMQqQaHiPfuwPkovYoGpIjCk5DymML5/s1600/Rockstar_North_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yz2ev7lrrAa8ubwKunMZLQ4so0Kqy1zDlb0qmXDrMcpuK_40pMGK0LUcJ_OWKkdQUdhxfnP6ZBkIc1MHX-N0H-6mBdBFSZn2LTLeUmL1A8SdPeMQqQaHiPfuwPkovYoGpIjCk5DymML5/s200/Rockstar_North_logo.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Developer Profiles’ is a series of articles that take a look at some of our favourite companies within the industry, reflecting on past work and looking forward to future titles. </span></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably one of the most successful developers working in the industry at this moment in time, <a href="http://www.rockstarnorth.com/">Rockstar North</a> continue to excel from pre-existing boundaries in quality with some of the most highly acclaimed titles available on modern consoles, pushing what was deemed possible with some truly epic examples of modern game design. Grand Theft Auto is their holy grail, destined to be remembered as one of the pioneering breaks for video games into the mainstream consciousness, for more reasons than one...</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Originally formed in 1988 by Dave Jones, Russell Kay, Steve Hammond and Mike Dailly...[ctd]</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ve-jkScDB6tcd6QqpzgtqRBHf0vhI6zm8sp0KDJjmT70hPKLdVNP6Ez43vz6x76BSiB-0xxlKAVcdvAWGIRbUZRH8uHY9yQr7QnpYIVW3Ei9KI0cXB1hyphenhyphenOt8AYrqMuJlnNziO6SljjCU/s1600/GTA+IV+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ve-jkScDB6tcd6QqpzgtqRBHf0vhI6zm8sp0KDJjmT70hPKLdVNP6Ez43vz6x76BSiB-0xxlKAVcdvAWGIRbUZRH8uHY9yQr7QnpYIVW3Ei9KI0cXB1hyphenhyphenOt8AYrqMuJlnNziO6SljjCU/s400/GTA+IV+Art.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/developer-profile-rockstar-north-2/">*Click here to be taken to the full developer profile on MLG.net</a></b></i></span></span></div></span>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-60915263451491070352010-07-08T19:35:00.000+01:002010-07-08T19:35:48.465+01:00Preview- Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days [Hands-on]<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Released: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">27</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> August 2010</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Format: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xbox 360, PS3, PC</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developer: </span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IO Interactive</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eidos Interactive/ Square Enix</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJYft0HripcDfWp3YzTr5NEJCjhOczvOYnlyeUAwK5pwCimoLiv2f75iC3g4dNBXjAT7ZJhxyzDK6dVxVf6H2zHTXA8bHhMQxpG2lS1hwusbJdRCDmqhSclyMZKP4EHpduRnin97F5yVY/s1600/Kane_and_Lynch_2_Wallpaper_2_by_SAMPSON12187.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJYft0HripcDfWp3YzTr5NEJCjhOczvOYnlyeUAwK5pwCimoLiv2f75iC3g4dNBXjAT7ZJhxyzDK6dVxVf6H2zHTXA8bHhMQxpG2lS1hwusbJdRCDmqhSclyMZKP4EHpduRnin97F5yVY/s400/Kane_and_Lynch_2_Wallpaper_2_by_SAMPSON12187.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In serving its cold, dirty and gritty underbelly, </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is met with a unique visual style. Shot to look like real-world documentary type camera work, there's no escaping the flair that IO Interactive have used to showcase the second in the </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kane & Lynch </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">series- the first having been received critically poorly. In trying to distance itself from others in its genre, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dog Days</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">' hand-held camera aesthetic that accumulates strewn rough cuts, sharp movements, blinding lens flares and extremely fuzzy quality all help convey its added sense of realism.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it works. As the demo's opening cut scene begins (once the loading screen has neatly portrayed a phone call), it becomes immediately clear- if you hadn't already guessed- the excellent tone that has been set. It's something that is expertly transitioned into the third-person, over the shoulder, cover-based action also, where the camera idles from side to side and waves to and fro as quality seeps and loses focus once the game play picks up.</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking control of Lynch in the sequel, combat feels extremely well handled, from smooth transitions into cover, to the aim assisted shooting mechanics that do well to pick off enemies through the destructible cover. With the opening of the hands-on taking place in a Shanghai restaurant (more on that later), the explosive blend of action movie and grindhouse rough and tumble can be sampled. With sprinting seeing the camera jaunt up and down and side to side in trying to replicate the work of amateur cameramen, action is visceral and brutal with an unforgiving feeling of being a part of the action. </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS_wAL0hpZ_moYs_SjZ63NAo6XCQBFemi-oVpgn_ZADcUsTRxgTp0MV4MsW821yOl_0J6Hmkcm8sXClz051VYyLcdBXQJM7Q8yerQAHYyJXh6zgoxxS7bEj8vQvxTSBG5JJDFk84Nmtat/s1600/kandlynch2_trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS_wAL0hpZ_moYs_SjZ63NAo6XCQBFemi-oVpgn_ZADcUsTRxgTp0MV4MsW821yOl_0J6Hmkcm8sXClz051VYyLcdBXQJM7Q8yerQAHYyJXh6zgoxxS7bEj8vQvxTSBG5JJDFk84Nmtat/s200/kandlynch2_trailer.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the short demo does little to forbade negativity coming its way. I wholeheartedly question the reason for the HUD elements when IO have gone so far in addressing the pervading sense of 'real'. Why not go all out in having that sense of documentary film making? It seems only a part of the intention has been carried out, since the remainder of the game is still blindingly eager in promoting unrealistic game play elements such as relocating weapons after a fire-fight using down on the d-pad highlighting dropped weapons, or choosing to use markers for points of interest. Not that the developer seems keen in becoming lazy in other aspects of the game's design- the attention to detail within the streets of Shanghai is simply fantastic. Stores are fully stocked (one shop has IO's previous work on store shelves!), and the shady streets are dirty and populated with well animated characters. The sense of location is further improved with the lights of monumental skyscrapers casting shadows down onto the action. </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to the sample of single player campaign, the demo also features a newly introduced singe-player 'Arcade' mode in which players must accumulate as much stolen money as possible with a team of ragtag NPC criminals against AI police officers within a four minute time period. Working together is the aim of the game if you're to make the escape vehicle in time, although with money split evenly between surviving members (used for buying additional weapons), you may want to increase your share by killing other members of your team- seeing you become a “traitor” and a walking target for everyone involved. Fail to escape the heist and you'll lose a life, with each of the three rounds given getting progressively harder. The multiplayer equivalent to 'Arcade' is the returning 'Fragile Alliance', whilst 'Undercover Cop' selects one player to be “cop”, tasked with stopping the other players from stealing the dough, introducing a dramatic multiplayer mode in which no one can be trusted until the cop is dead. 'Cops and Robbers', meanwhile, is </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dog Days</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">' take on team death match in a 6 versus 6 fight between the opposite sides of the law.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst the first game was a let down by nearly all who played it, </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dog Days</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> looks really quite excellent. The cover system adds weight and refinement to the combat system whilst the presentation and immersive graphical style is well put together (unless you suffer from motion sickness that is!) The main problem I have is the sense of uniqueness- other than the visual flourishes, it offers very little different from the waves of other games already on the shelves. I can't help but get a feeling that it'll hog bargain bins in little time after its release.</span></span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023780100544404461.post-53992766114039103802010-07-07T14:35:00.001+01:002010-07-07T14:35:37.326+01:00Preview- Blacklight: Tango Down<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The release of EA DICE's </span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Battlefield 1943 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">onto Xbox Live Arcade and PSN last year finally showed us two things; one- broad and full game experiences can be offered onto a meagre 2GB limit, and secondly- downloadable titles can sell </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">extremely</span></span></span></u></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> well if the developer gets it all right (</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1943 </span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was the first download-only title to reach 1 million units sold!) </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibANTgjEZy9hw0zZADHp07cpgF_ZI08g9meG3ENCRw_fR0tz96LU_3TQTofKaY46nBCbEnTogtu1i73KogKjxnAkc9qFN0zxzYPhYTOFPGXr7XlYj0eH54A7LzV06HKTAmFG73IP0vdEWy/s1600/BLTD+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibANTgjEZy9hw0zZADHp07cpgF_ZI08g9meG3ENCRw_fR0tz96LU_3TQTofKaY46nBCbEnTogtu1i73KogKjxnAkc9qFN0zxzYPhYTOFPGXr7XlYj0eH54A7LzV06HKTAmFG73IP0vdEWy/s400/BLTD+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this is why it's worth getting excited about the futuristic shooter- “part </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blade Runner</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and part </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call of Duty</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">”- </span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blacklight: Tango Down</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, that is to be released onto Xbox Live today (July 7</span></span></span></span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></span></span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) for just 1200 MS points...[ctd.]</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Click <a href="http://www.midlifegamer.net/2010/07/blacklight-tango-down-shoots-onto-xbla/">here</a> for the full preview on <a href="http://midlifegamer.net/">midlifegamer.net</a></i></span></span></span></span></div>Richard Birketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252434108266632752noreply@blogger.com1