Archive for January, 2008
Virtua Tennis 3 is available from Sega of America for $37.99 on Amazon.com. Sega’s Tennis games have always entertained me whenever I have played them. This latest game is pretty much as entertaining, if not more.
One great attraction of Virtua Tennis 3 is career mode. With the help of the game’s character editor, you can create a male or female player. You then choose your home city and country. Then begins the long journey from rank 300 to being number one in the world.
You can learn the basics of the game at tennis school. This is a fun experience, but I liked the minigames even more. here your footwork, volley, serve and ground stroke matter the most.
After learning the basics, you need to enter the singles and doubles tournaments for newcomers. These happen around the world. Stamina is an issue in the games. Energy drinks serve to replenish your stamina, but also increase your injury risk. To avoid this you need to take vacations.
The fast paced action in the game sometimes is arcadelike. Playing with the sixaxis controller is real fun. This latest offering is the most refined tennis game in the series. With the PS3 version of the game there is no online play like the Xbox version. With detailed player models and new tweaks, this is not a game I would suggest you miss.
January 31st, 2008
This game is available on Amazon at a price of $59.99. It is due for release on Feb 5, 2008 and is available for preorder. This game opens with the games hero Nero battling demons in the mean streets of the city. He does this while hiding his Devil Bringer arm. He is trying to get to a large church for a meeting with the order of the sword.
As the story progresses, Nero tries to take Dante – the hero of the previous three games down. This fight is more of a tutorial. Dante then flees. Nero is ordered to track down Dante who is on his way to Fortuna Castle.
Nero has three weapons – the Devil Bringer arm, the Blue Rose revolver and the Red Queen sword. The arm helps Nero in his boss fights. In the third level Nero takes on two ice wolf like creatures. There are dark hallways and gothic environs to be traversed by Nero as the game progresses.
About halfway through the game you get to control Dante who has to face a big boss in the end. This game give you great over the top action. The only problem with the game is that it needs a lot of file installation the first time you play.
If you have played and enjoyed the other Devil May Cry games, you might like to pick up another for your pleasure. If you are amongst the uninitiated, a great storyline and entertaining fights beg you to play this game.
January 26th, 2008
Need For Speed Carbon is created by Electronic Arts and is available for the price of $27.99 at Amazon.com. The Need For Speed franchise is known for some great street racing action. Need For Speed Most Wanted is followed up by this, the latest in the series. There is new gameplay in this one and the racing is intense and stylish.
The story is a continuation of Most Wanted. The story begins with you making your way to Palmont City. Sgt Cross, now a bounty hunter almost collects a bounty on you when he is paid off by your old friend Darius. Your history in town is mysteriously revealed during the course of the game.
The gameplay is fantastic and the way the live actors are used is endearing. Flashbacks are used to add to the game interest. If you have enjoyed racing movies you are sure to like this one. This game is about owning the turf of Palmont City. You will find circut races, point to point ones as well as checkpoint races.
Apart from structural imperfections the driving featured is solid. You get to choose among a good selection of cars. Cars can be bought or won. Upgrades galore are available. The online version on the PS3 is solid and multiplayer mode is fantastic.
This is one good looking PS3 game that needs playing. Solid driving action. Recommended.
January 24th, 2008
Burnout Paradise is available from the vendor Electronic Arts at a price of $59.99 on Amazon. The release date is January 22. It can be preordered. If you like crash em up style games with zippy cars this one is for you.
The game features open environments complete with expansive areas. The city of play is massive and the sites are marvellous. Take an hour out to see the city. Learn how to use the alleys to your advantage.
After you have driven around a bit in Paradise City, try Paradise: the challenges. There is a challenge at every intersection of the game. The minimap shows you challenge types as colored dots.
Another enjoyable theme of this game is the marked man events. Psychotic drivers almost take you down as you try to get from one point to the other in these. Make-specific challenges can be done only in prescribed cars. Upgrading your licence can help you collect cars.
Each car in Burnout Paradise is unique. From speedsters to bulky cars this game has it all. Choosing the right car is imperative to success. Get aquainted with the repair shops and paint shops – they will be helpful. You upgrade your drivers licence by winning challenges.
If you are an online buff you will love this game. Competitive and cooperative mode are featured in the online mode. I loved the cooperative challenges. This game is impressive for the amount of content it has. This game is highly recommended.
January 20th, 2008
Sonic The Hedgehog is an offering of Sega of America Inc. It is available on Amazon.com for $19.99 With this game Sonic has fallen to new depths by failing to entertain. This game is replete with bad glitches, poor gameplay and terrible controls. The only thing about this game that arouses your attention is Sonic’s name that is associated with great gaming.
The game is composed of three stories. Sonic, Shadow and Silver are the main characters in one story each. The hedgehogs are controlled differently in each story. Each hedgehog has different abilities. Other characters around Sonic make guest appearances in this game.
In the main game you play different roles, however the structure is the same. Load times are long and give the game a ‘broken’ feel. You do not get a good view of the action due to poor camera control.
The lives in this game are limited and when you die you go back to the main menu. Every time you enter a new area you need to save since the game does not save automatically.
I really hated the glitchy graphics of Sonic The Hedgehog. It is outdated. The frame rate is sketchy and Sonic runs slow taking away much of his appeal. Unless you revere Sonic The Hedgehog enough to burn dollars on him, this game is not recommended.
January 19th, 2008
Ninja Gaiden for the PS3 is available at a price of $58.99 on Amazon.com. When this game was released for the Xbox, it was breakthrough. Now it is on the PS3. In the PS3 version there is quite a bit of new content. There are new chapters, the levels are reworked and the graphics are classier. This is one great experience of satisfying gaming.
You can now play as Rachel the fiend hunter. She is Buxom and can be really bad. Although top heavy, some of her moves are astounding. With a warhammer and a single magic attack, she is quite effective. There are new cutscenes, new bosses and a few feminine touches that come into the game with Rachel.
One great thing about this game is the surprises that come your way across levels. There is a new set of weapons – dual swords called Tigers Fang and Dragons Claw.
You need to shake the Sixaxis controller for well executed ninpo. If you are new to this game, it is a must play. It will probably take you about 25 hours to complete this one. Most of the controls are seamless except the ninpo. This game has new difficulty levels from the old one. Dont miss out on this one.
January 17th, 2008
F.E.A.R. is now available for the PS3 after being highly successful on the PC and the Xbox. It is available for $47.99. The story is the same as the PC and Xbox versions. You get to be a newbie in the military top secret task force. You are an expert in dealing with the paranormal. The story is spooky and revolves around an insane military commander with telepathically linked cloned soldiers.
The action is electrifying with impressive gunfights. The graphics in the gunfights are particularly noteworthy. Powerful weapons are truly a treat to fire. The action includes dropkicks and scissor kicks which can kill an enemy.
The motion controls of the sixaxis controller are not supported by F.E.A.R. The AI in the game is incredible, very close to real intelligence. Thankfully there are health packs and armor kits to keep you alive. Much of the story derives from Japanese horror movies.
If you are playing single player, you will be able to enjoy the game for about 10 hours. The presentation in the PS3 version of this game is not as good as it could have been. It was sharper in the other versions. The effects are not as good either. However the sound is admirable and the voice acting is quite good.
If you are looking for a good shooter game for the PS3 try this one. The Xbox version is better but this one is great as well and good entertainment for fans of the action genre.
January 13th, 2008
Days of the blade is one of the first games made exclusively for the PS3 and is available on Amazon for $49.99. If you have enjoyed Samurai movies and admire Samurai swords, Samurai honor and the lives and times of perhaps the greatest swordsmen the world has seen then this game is tailor made for you.
Genji: Days of the Blade is a unique take on Japan’s ancient history. The visuals are vibrant and full colored. The gameplay could do with some help though. The story is OK and the combat system is good.
The story is a continuation of Genji: Dawn of the Samurai. You get to play Yoshitsune who is to defend the Genji clan from the Hieshi clan. The Heishi’s have unholy powers this time around and morph into demons. Yoshitsunes sidekick is Benkei and he is helped by a pretty priestess and an intimidating man.
The control system is good and makes good use of the sixaxis controller. Apart from the hacking and slashing there are some pretty interesting puzzles to solve. In fights each character has a unique fight style and weapon and you can switch between them if you are going to die. New weapons are available as you progress in the game.
The view of the action is third person. Gyroscopic features of the sixaxis controller are supported. One issue with this game is the level design which is quite dry. The camera angles are not always exciting either. However inspite of this the game looks good. A worthy addition to your action games. Recommended.
January 12th, 2008
This game is available for the PS3 through 2K games. The reduced cost on Amazon is $54.99. Basketball fans are in for a treat with this one. Taking forward the legacy of its predecessor with improved legacy mode and new gameplay mechanics, this basketball game is not one that should be missed.
College Hoops 2K8 is highly customizable and this is one of the things I love about this game. You have the freedom to create schools, players, sound clips etc. Learning to play the game through the complicated interface is sometimes tough, but the fun of playing the game is worth it.
In College Hoops 2K8 you can create conference tournaments, play the College Hoops Classic, play in coach mode or in a number of other interesting play formats. The online play in this game is fantastic. You can play a quick match, custom match or an unranked match. There is a lag in online play sometimes and part of the fun, of course, depends on the creativity of your opponent.
In addition to the great play modes, the presentation of this game is fantastic. Although there are few changes to the on court play from the previous game, the responsive controls and the variety of animation make this game worth it. In addition the cheerleaders and mascots lend realism to this game. The sound quality of this game is better than the visuals.
On the whole this game is better than last years version in almost all parameters. If you haven’t tried out a basketball game as yet, I recommend this one. If you have played a basketball video game and want more, this is a fitting addition to your collection.
January 10th, 2008
The NBA 2K8 is available from 2K Games for the PS3. If you buy this it will set you back by $59.99. This game greatly improves on last years effort from the same game maker. Great new content and great gameplay add to make this game better than ever. Both a basketball audience and basketball players will love this game.
This game is packed with features that will keep you busy. You can play street ball or a three point shootout with real NBA players. There is also a great dunk contest.
Each dunk is done in 3 parts. These are the gather, in air style and the finish. You need a bit of practice to master this game and one issue is the lack of help.
There are impressive options in this years game. The signature style animations are brilliant. With new layups, dribbles and other moves, this game is bound to keep you entertained. With all the new changes and the already great game that this was, 2K8 is a great game.
There are some issues with this game. One is the blown layups. In addition there are some issues with the AI.
In sum however, specially if you are a basketball fan 2K8 is a great game to entertain you and definitely value for your money. Recommended.
January 5th, 2008
FIFA 08 is the soccer game by Electronic Arts and is available on Amazon at a price of $59.99. It builds upon last years game with new gameplay and new features. With this game, something like real football, the more you practice, the better you get and the more you are rewarded.
The presentation of this game is brilliant. The new modes and features are flagged in the games menu, making access easy. You get points based on how good you are to the team. The maneouvering involves passing, tackling and scoring goals. The focus is on team performance rather than solo performance.
The L2 button and the analog sticks give you a lot of power. Other than the Be-a-Pro mode there are many other ways to play. You can practice with the kick off mode. With so many tournaments in the offline and online modes of the game, you can take this game up as a long term challenge.
You can control your favorite team in the interactive leagues online. There are so many modes of gameplay in this game that it gives you great value for money. With difficulty levels the game progresses slower than last years version.
Although this new version is better than all the previous versions, Pro Evolution Soccer has more responsiveness in the players. The majority of the game relies on basic moves.
However with great overall presentation, authenticity, a fantastic sountrack and great graphics, this game comes well recommended.
January 4th, 2008