Archive for May, 2008
If you want to play football better than any other football game on the Xbox or the PS3 then check out UEFA Euro 2008. This game by Electronic Arts is priced at $49.99.
The number of teams in the fray is smaller than FIFA 08. The football is fast, with smooth animations and you can control how the players celebrate after scoring. In the single player modes you can play the finals right away or play through the qualifying round.
There are two play modes, the Captain Your Country mode and the Be A Pro mode. In the former mode you aim is to become captain by the time you reach the finals. This interesting mode has you competing against 3 players who are also trying to be captain.
The football is akin to FIFA 08. There are many scenarios other than regular matches and competitions. The weather has a big role to play in the game as well. Rain makes the ball skid, for instance.
I loved the multiplayer mode as well. Although Euro 2008 is smaller in scope than FIFA 08, the drama is alive and kicking. A must have for football fans.
May 30th, 2008
If you like dark tales woven around warfare and sorcery, you are likely to enjoy “Conan”. This game by THQ is available for a price of $29.99. Inspired by the “God of War”, you get to play the iconic adventurer in this offering. Although not as large in terms of experiential grandeur, Conan does offer you it’s share of enjoyment.
I would have liked Conan to sound a little more Barbaric, except then I might not have understood much of the voiceovers. The game begins around a remote island and a search for a valuable gemstone. Conan accidentally sets a dark sorcerer named Graven free from his grave. Conan is left for dead by Graven.
Chance takes Conan to another island where he meets a gutsy warrior queen who wants to find Graven and recover Conan’s armor. The two team up as they fight enemies ranging from pirates, the Stygian army, beasts of all kinds, supernatural forces and an elephant demon cult.
Set in Hyboria, this game should be yours if you want a good fight. The game progresses through a series of such fights with many weapons, both offensive and defensive. If you like boss fights you will find plenty of enjoyment in this game. In the nature of the backdrop, the fights are truly barbaric. The game is interspersed with light puzzle solving, though.
The only issue I had with this game was the briefness – at just about 6 hours it ends pretty quick. But if you are a sucker for senseless violence, you won’t mind it at all.
May 24th, 2008
Haze is available for the PS3 through UBI Soft at a price of $59.99. In line with tradition, the multi-player mode is well balanced and addictive. “Swamp” is a dark marshland complete with fog and visibility issues. You get to wade through marshes, reeds and fallen trees.
You can play as a Mantel trooper and avail of Nectar which makes enemies more visible. You have florescent yellow patches on your uniform which make you fairly visible as well.
The scenario played in is the future where national armies are privatized. Mantel is one such private company which doses its troops with a drug called nectar. The single player campaign features you playing both as a Mantel trooper and a rebel.
Troopers cannot see dead bodies and this gives rebels an advantage. They can play dead. Another game scenario is the team assault on the Land Carrier map. There is a short video briefing before each map.
The PS3 needed a FPS like haze. This is amongst only a small handful of third party FPS’ on the PS3. The storyline is unique with a number of abilites and white knuckle action. Not to be missed if you own a PS3 and are an FPS fan.
May 17th, 2008
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is due for release through Lucas Arts Entertainment at a price of $49.99 on June 3, 2008. The timing is on dot with the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull being released in a few weeks. With this game the content of the first three films is broken down into six episodes per film.
In these games, it is possible to switch control between characters as you proceed. In the game co-operation between characters is essential to success. Each character is important as you solve puzzles and defeat enemies. On street level, Indy and Willie are joined by Short Round who can crawl into small spaces, which proves handy.
In the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade section, you are joined by Marcus Brody and Elsa. They have the ability to decode tablets that unlock certain doors. After initial action on Venice’ streets, you move inside a large library before heading underground. The feel of Lego Indiana Jones is much like that of the Lego Star Wars series. With more than 60 playable characters in this game, this is one adventure you should not miss.
May 11th, 2008