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 Pro
Evolution Soccer 2012
(Playstation 3)
You can’t really fault
Konami and its legion of fans for staying true to the PES series, despite
the face that FIFA remains the gold standard in football this year. It’s not
for a lack of trying, since its 2012 edition features numerous enhancements
while staying true to the series’ action-oriented roots. Its easy to pick up
and play mechanics remain the key aspect of its appeal, and this year’s
edition doesn’t mess with success. There’s more sophisticated AI and better
ball handling, but the basic game hasn’t evolved dramatically. These subtle
changes make the game flow much better, with more advanced controls making
you feel like you’re on the pitch. It’s not a completely new experience, but
PES 2012 is a solid soccer title that should please its hard-core fans.
|
 Bit.trip.complete
(Nintendo Wii)
Bit.trip.complete is a
brilliant collection of innovative titles from indie developer Gaijin Games.
Wii owners who already experienced these games online will be happy to learn
of the numerous extras and enhancements included on this disc edition, while
those who haven’t played these games will find them innovative, with a mix
of rhythm and retro styles that makes their gameplay mechanics deceptively
simple yet surprisingly challenging. This classic formula is what makes
these games so appealing, its easy to pick up and play, yet its difficulty
keeps you hooked for a very long time. |
 FIFA
Soccer 12 (Playstation 3)
With numerous enhancements, upgrades and new features, FIFA 12 represents
what is probably the most comprehensive and polished soccer title on the
market to date. On the field, its new player impact engine gives the game a
renewed sense of physicality and realism that makes it feel more authentic,
making for smoother flowing matches, better player control and a huge
selection of options. A seemingly endless array of features and modes gives
players plenty of flexibility and depth with many game types to explore.
FIFA 12’s visuals have also been noticeably enhanced by improved animation
and a more cinematic approach that gives each match an epic feel. Look
inside and discover why FIFA 12 creates the deepest and most entertaining
soccer title on the market, surpassing last year’s already superb
installment in almost every area.
|
 Child
of Eden (Playstation 3)
Taking the legacy brought forth from games like Rez and Lumines forward, the
highly-anticipated Child of Eden brings a new level of surreal beauty to the
music game genre. With a very similar formula to its previous games, Q?
Entertainment adds innovation in the form of motion control, to create an
even more immersive and enveloping experience. The game is fairly easy to
get into, with a simple system of shooting, chains and score multipliers to
measure your success. Add in tons of unlockable content and you have a
solidly entertaining experience not to be missed. |
 Resistance
3 (Playstation 3)
This PS3 exclusive series has delivered two solidly entertaining previous
installments, now Insomniac Games has finished the trilogy in the form of
Resistance 3. The new game takes up where the last ended, and features a new
main character who isn’t that much different than the first. This time, you
begin in the center of the
US
and try and fight your way to
New York City
to defeat the Chimera once and for all. R3 doesn’t diverge too far from the
established formula, but adds some cool new weapons and some epic boss
battles to keep players interested. It’s a fairly solid shooter, but is that
enough to make it stand out from the pack? Look inside and find out |
|
 Earth
Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (PS3)
The second EDF title,
Insect Armageddon takes the simple, straightforward approach that made the
first game so appealing and adds a few new elements, such as different armor
modes to make the game slightly deeper. A more varied number of insect
opponents, air-borne foes and boss battles add to the replay value. Its
simple approach to shooting recalls earlier light-gun shooters, and the
on-rails missions only add to this feel. Its not the deepest game on the
market, but its pick up and play approach makes it instantly appealing and
entertaining for players looking to add a simple arcade-style shooter to
their library. |
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|
 The
Laser's 2011 Fall Preview
After the traditional summer drought, the deluge of new titles that begins
in the fall is finally upon gamers everywhere. This year’s lineup of new
titles looks quite impressive from a number of standpoints. With the
maturation of current consoles and the expertise this lends developers,
gamers should be playing the deepest and most polished games this year to
date. While this release is by no means complete, we’ve skipped over a few
new games that have already received saturation coverage, in order to focus
on the best ones you might miss, in order to help you discover some of the
season’s most-promising titles.
|
 BlazBlue:
Continuum Shift II (PSP)
It’s a little bit odd to see a
full-fledged arcade fighter on a handheld, but BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II
does a fine job of resizing the fighting game to portable size on the PSP.
It has a full compliment of modes such as training, online and more and the
complete moves and systems seen in the arcade game are included for a robust
experience. An extensive roster of characters and their accompanying
fighting styles makes for an impressive game with plenty of depth. Many have
written off the PSP, but this release shows there’s still life in the old
portable yet. |
|
 Infamous
2 (Playstation 3)
Infamous 2 is a solid sequel to the original that refines some of the
first game’s flaws, enhances the combat system, adding some new abilities
for the player to use plus adds user-created content. It follows most of the
conventions of the first game with its charging and using this energy to
attack opponents. Its mission progression is linear but you have the choice
to go down the good or evil path, and this has significant effects on the
storyline. Infamous 2 is mostly fun during it city missions, but it also
puts on quite a show with some truly intense boss battles. It definitely a
more polished title this time around. Its impressive new weapons, physics
abilities and improved combat system are the main reasons this sequel
remains an electrifying experience.
|
 Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
(PS3)
Capcom’s latest SFIV release is the most
polished yet with an expanded roster of playable characters, tweaks to its
balance and several under-the-hood enhancements. Its got the same great
engine that made the last two releases, so it looks excellent and the game’s
replayability remains very high. It’s got plenty of depth with such an
extensive roster of characters and brings plenty of online fighting action
thanks to its extensive online community support. While it doesn’t offer a
significant change in the underlying gameplay, SSFIV: AE still delivers the
deepest and most enjoyable fighting game in the current series yet. |
 Retrospective:
The Atari ST's hidden gaming world
Collecting older game consoles seems
to have become a cottage industry over the past decade, but older computers
seem to have been forgotten by many gamers. One of the most-neglected and
under-rated of these is the Atari ST, a machine that is consistently
overlooked by classic game collectors and players. It’s highly unfortunate, since
this innovative machine helped pave the way to the 16-bit era and featured
many innovative and interesting titles, some of which had a major impact
several years later, after they were released on console. Look inside as we
take a look back at this machine and discover its many hidden treasures. |
|
 Voice
Module:
Analyzing Nintendo's Wii U
While there’s been much
talk of tablets, social media and, streaming games over the past year,
Nintendo is planning to release a new traditional console next year. With
the launch of 3DS behind it and the Wii starting to show its age, there’s
definitely a sense that the company might have seen the high-water mark for
its blue-ocean strategy this time around. However, the restart of the
console cycle also brings some new opportunities to fix problems with the
old console. Click here and read as we take a look at the initial details of
the console, and analyze the new console’s prospects for success.
|
 Dirt
3 (Playstation 3)
Descended from the legendary Colin McRae Rally series, Codemasters' Dirt 3
once again brings a solid rally experience to the PS3 with a mixture of
solid controls, smooth visuals, extensive vehicle lineups and some nicely
rendered tracks and courses. The game offers a number of modes including
standard rally racing, career and online, plus a new Gymkana stunt mode
that gives a fun mini-game feel to the proceedings. Slick visuals and
engaging gameplay mechanics make Dirt 3 a solidly entertaining racer that
offers assists that should appeal to the casual racing fan along with the
depth and variety that will keep hardcore racers coming back for more. |
 L.A.
Noire (Playstation 3)
Only a few developers would dare to make such an ambitious and innovative
interactive title such as L.A. Noire, and its no surprise that Rockstar
Games and Team Bondi have created an immersive title that brings the world
of the 1940's to life vividly. The game's amazing level of detail is most
evident in its life-like character animations. The gameplay is a
interesting to, which each case offering tasks such as evidence
collection, interrogation and methodical searches offering players plenty
to do. Its linear nature and some of the hand-holding can be a little
disappointing but, this is still one of the best cinematic games we've
ever played.
|
 Portal
2 (Playstation 3)
This return trip to Aperture Laboratories is filled
with the diabolical puzzles, clever physics and off-beat humor that made
the first Portal such a success. Set many years after the original game,
the new installment sees the labs ravaged by time and decay, but some
things haven't changed much. You're once again trapped in a series of
tests in rooms designed to keep you challenged and trapped, much to the
delight of GlaDOS, your tormentor from the last game. Valve has added some
new elements such as co-op play that keep things fresh and exciting, and
its larger scale, co-op mode and additional abilities makes Portal 2 a
deeper title that delivers on its predecessor's promise.
|
 Motorstorm:
Apocalypse (Playstation 3)
MotorStorm: Apocalypse leaves the off-road courses behind for a destroyed
urban dystopia that offers new challenges for players. The new setting
dramatically alters the gameplay experience, with crumbling office towers
and dangerous seaside parks to traverse. There are still clashing vehicle
types with monster trucks battling against motorcycles, but players now
have to contend with crashing buildings, flaming debris and some
spectacular cinematic set pieces. These changes makes create a different
experience that's more arcade-oriented, and gives the game instant
visceral appeal and we're happy to report that this approach delivers a
fresh injection of excitement to the series. |
 NASCAR
2011 (Playstation 3)
Activision's release of NASCAR 2011 on the PS3 marks the return of
open-wheel racing to its own dedicated titles after several years. While
not groundbreaking, it's a fairly good racer in most areas, and does an
excellent job in bringing the excitement and intensity of stock-car racing
to the console environment. It has decent graphics, abundant licenses and
extensive online features to help flesh out the experience while adding
some depth. With the racing game flooding the market, the question is
whether it can race ahead to the finish line or get lost back in the pack. |
 Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed
(Playstation 3)
EA's latest Need for Speed title arrives only a few months after Hot
Pursuit, and is itself another sequel. This time, it's the
simulation-oriented Shift 2: Unleashed that takes up the flag. Somewhat
less punishing than Gran Turismo, Shift 2 still challenges players with a
realistic patina of racing techniques and strategies. There are dozens of
real-life manufacturers and models to drive on real-world courses. The
usual upgrade and career paths are available, but the now-famous Autolog
feature returns. This is a fairly decent title that straddles the line
between sim and arcade racers. Shift 2 will probably please casual gamers,
but leave hardcore racing fans wanting more. |
 Crysis 2
(Playstation 3)
Console owners have waited a long time to get their hands on a version of
Crytek's infamous Crysis series. The ground-breaking original came out on
PC several years ago and featured some truly impressive special effects
and physics. Now, the sequel has arrived and despite some concessions,
delivers a truly engrossing and immersive gameplay experience. Its
incredible level of detail makes the battlegrounds of Manhattan come alive
and the combat sequences are likewise intense. It's definitely an
impressive technical achievement, but the gameplay offers some unique
twists that make for a terrific title. |
 Test
Drive Unlimited 2 (Playstation 3) An ambitious
open-world racing title, Test Drive Unlimited 2, from Atari on PS3,
attempts to combine racing action with online social media, but seems to
fall short of the mark in several key areas. There are some interesting
options, such as the ability to create custom avatars and challenges and
share them online, and the races are challenges, but for the most part,
the game's poor user-interface and disappointing implementation undermine
some good ideas. This is a game where the gimmicks seemed to have
overwhelmed the good elements, making TDU2 one of those games that doesn't
live up to its potential, making for a disappointing experience that can't
compete with other driving games on the market. |
 Killzone
3 (Playstation 3)
The much-anticipated Killzone 3 delivers the FPS action players have come
to expect from Guerilla's highly-polished series. It once again takes
place on the forbidding planet of Heighan, home of an evil race of aliens.
The objective this time is to eliminate as many of them as possible while
demolishing their ability to invade Earth. There are a few new twists this
time around, with the ability to control tanks, fight new Heighast foes
and some expansive levels the highlights of the gameplay. The game also
breaks new ground with its support of the Move controller and its 3D
effects. Look inside and find out why Killzone 3 is a fairly solid solo
game that features exciting set-pieces, decent multiplayer support and viscerally
exciting gameplay. |
 Marvel
vs. Capcom 3 (Playstation 3)
After more than a decade of waiting, two legendary companies have finally
teamed-up once again with the release of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two
Worlds. Like its predecessors, this is an over-the-top melee of video game
and comic book characters spanning the library of both companies' glorious
history. Most battles consist of three-on-three battles giving players
plenty of flexibility in assembling teams while providing plenty of depth.
The HD visuals are spectacular with over-the-top scenarios and incredible
animations. Extensive online modes, downloadable content and a flurry of
unlockable extras adds to the replay value, making Marvel vs. Capcom 3 a
deep, engaging fighting title that delivers on the series' potential while
extending its legacy.
|
 Nail'd
(Playstation 3) Bringing
arcade-style off-road racing to the PS3, Nail'd delivers an exhilarating
adrenaline rush for gamers who want something fast and challenging.
Driving ATVs over massive, multi-branching tracks with incredible jumps,
huge gaps and twisting courses, the sheer intensity and speed it creates
is impressive. Add speed-boosts and massive crash animations and Nail'd
delivers an enjoyable racing experience. Several modes including
tournaments, stunt modes and tons of upgrades give the game more depth.
The racing field is quite crowded these days, so look inside and
discover if Nail'd has enough in the tank to beat the competition. |
 Donkey
Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Nintendo's classic 2D platformers
have undergone a huge resurgence in the past year with the release of New
Super Mario Bros. and Kirby's Epic Yarn. Add to the growing list of
revivals Donkey Kong Country which returns in a solid installment for the
Wii that features traditional gameplay with a few modern motion-controlled
twists. Featuring the famous protagonist, the objective is to complete
levels, beat enemies and collect
many extras. It definitely plays like the SNES originals in most aspects.
It's a lot harder than players might remember, but its clever puzzles,
challenging boss battles and interesting levels will keep gamers coming
back for more. |
 Tron:
Evolution (Playstation 3)
Tron Evolution is has an interesting storyline set just before the
events in the new film. The single-player mode is a basic third-person
action combat where players battle foes and collect objects. There's a mix
of strategy and combat as you traverse the worlds, with the ability to
walk on walls and take magnetic rides over gaps. Unfortunately, the camera
angles make it difficult to see where enemies are attacking and the
complex controls make combat difficult. The online modes are slightly
better than the main game, with some fun multiplayer battles.
Unfortunately, Tron Evolution's poor execution falls short of the mark and
makes a disappointing game that doesn't live up to the excellent Tron:
Legacy film.
|
 Time
Crisis: Razing Storm (Playstation 3)
Namco has brought out another edition in their long-running shooter
franchise. Time Crisis: Razing Storm is unique in that it supports the
PS3's Move controller which does a good job in bringing a new style of
play to the franchise and works well with its traditional play mechanics.
From a gameplay standpoint, this is another on-rails shooter in the
traditional vein with some branching sections, but not much in the way of
innovation. Two earlier shooting titles are also included in the package,
a conversion of Time Crisis 4 plus an obscure pirate-themed title,
Deadstorm Pirates, which adds to the game's replay value. |
 Intellivision
Lives (Nintendo DS)
Intellivision Lives brings more than 60 classic home
console games back to life for the Nintendo DS. With a similar selection
to previous games, the appeal of this compilation lies in its
implementation and convenience. There's a wide selection of titles that
span genres from sports to arcade, with a few unreleased titles and
rarities thrown in for good measure. Intellivision Lives' emulation is
fairly good, but the primitive graphics might be a turn-off for younger
players. All in all, this is a solid collection that should appeal to
nostalgic gamers. |
 Atari
Greatest Hits (DS)
The latest DS classic games
compilation, Atari Greatest Hits Volume 1, vastly improves on the
disappointing Retro Classics title released a few years back. Trying to
update classic games like Warlords with trendy makeovers was an awful
idea. However, AGH takes things back to basics with 50 titles and
introduces a few twists to keep things fresh, making for a much better
experience. Add in a few unreleased prototypes and some surprising extras
and you have a very good release that should please older gamers while
introducing younger players to these timeless titles in new and
interesting ways.
|
 Gran
Turismo 5 (Playstation 3)
Polyphony Digital's long-awaited Gran Turismo 5 is finally here and the
biggest question many gamers have is whether it was worth the wait.
Featuring over 1,000 vehicles and dozens of tracks, there's a massive
array of racing styles. Technically, GT5 does an excellent job showcasing
the PS3 with realistic car models and impressive track renders. The HD
visuals are impressive and the realistic physics and driving mechanics
make for an impressive simulation. GT5's diverse selection of racing
styles includes everything from NASCAR to off-road challenge that gives it
plenty of depth. Other elements such as the long loading times, tedious
licenses and inconsistent visuals are disappointing. After such a long
wait, It's a contradictory situation, but do these flaws keep GT 5 from
the checkered flag? Look inside and find out.
|
 Epic
Mickey (Wii)
The long-anticipated collaboration between Disney and Warren Spector has
finally arrived in the form of Epic Mickey for Nintendo's Wii. It's a
brilliantly realized platformer that nearly matches the quality seen in
Super Mario Galaxy, though it brings a few twists and surprises of its
own. You play as the famous mouse and follow along on his journey,
battling foes and helping friends with Mickey's special paint and thinner
brushes. The game's brilliant design gives you plenty of freedom to
explore and find many secrets. Its not a perfect game but, these minor
flaws don't over-ride Epic Mickey's charming execution and superb
production values. This makes for one of the best Wii titles we've played
to date, and a must-purchase for anyone who owns the console or is a fan
of the classic Disney cartoons. |
 Need
for Speed: Hot Pursuit (Playstation 3)
When EA announced that Criterion, the developers behind Burnout were
taking the wheel for the next Need for Speed title, gamers were genuinely
excited. Melding these two winning franchises together, with the
high-octane and occasionally violent Burnout aesthetic meeting the classic
cops 'n robbers formula, along with super-powered high end vehicles seems
irresistible. The implementation is superb with brilliant visuals, and
incredible sense of speed and large, open-ended courses. Add an excellent
new online mode called Autolog that mixes social networking with
competitive racing and its easy to see why Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
lives up to the high expectations. |
 Call
of Duty: Black Ops (Playstation 3)
Following up on the massive success of
Modern Warfare 2 would probably be an unenviable task for any developer,
but Treyarch has done a fine job. Call of Duty: Black Ops on the PS3 does
an excellent matching the production polish and slick gameplay that made
last year's title such a huge success. Interestingly, Treyarch has
abandoned World War II for more recent conflicts, this time involving
undercover missions during the Cold War period. There are many sequences
in the single player game that feel incredibly dramatic and intense, along
with some innovative and cool multiplayer features that let Black Ops
stand on its own. The solo game's overall quality is slightly less than
MW2 but, Black Ops delivers a solid multiplayer experience that mitigates
a lot of these issues. |
 Pro
Evolution Soccer 2011 (Playstation 3)
Konami's latest sports simulation, Pro
Evolution Soccer 2011 refines the series in a number of key areas while
staying true to the mechanics and play that have become its hallmark. This
year's installment includes new player models with enhanced animations for
added realism. There's also a new online version of the venerable Master
League mode. On the field, players will find auto move mapping to their
controller with noticeably more aggressive, sophisticated player AI. What
hasn't changed are the intuitive controls, excellent presentation and
fast-paced gameplay. It's not as nuanced as FIFA 11 and plays more
viscerally and its lacks the polish or extensive licenses of EA's titles
but PES 2011 offers a solidly entertaining and challenging sports title. |
 Medal
of Honor (Playstation 3)
EA's long-running franchise
receives a reboot with the release of Medal of Honor. Instead of taking
place during World War II, the game takes on a contemporary setting with
the war on terror. Placing gamers in the role of a special ops Tier One
operator, the game allows you to go behind enemy lines in Afghanistan.
This sets up a new style of play with more modern weapons and less
predictable single player missions. The linear portions of these missions
are fairly simple and straightforward, but the multiplayer is much more
interesting with large maps and some clever game modes. While it's not
quite as polished as Call of Duty has been in recent years, Medal of Honor
still represents a decent choice for military shooter fans. |
 Castlevania:
Lords of Shadow (Playstation 3)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is the
first attempt by Konami to bring the storied franchise into the HD realm.
Developed by Mercury Steam, the game takes place outside the traditional
Castlevania universe and instead acts as a reboot of the franchise. This
reimagined Castlevania features massive boss battles, time intensive quick
time events and other changes that attempt to bring the series up to date.
An impressive array of HD set-pieces, including richly detailed
environments, screen filling bosses and a lavishly detailed story bring a
cinematic flair to the action. Unfortunately, it seems that the soul of
the Castlevania franchise was lost in this transition, leading to a game
that doesn't feel or play anything like the previous installments. Read
our review to find out why this Castlevania adventure falls short of the
mark.
|
 FIFA
Soccer 11 (Playstation 3)
EA’s latest soccer title supercedes the previous installment in a number
of key ways. While the gameplay was always superb, the new installment’s
refined passing system is both more challenging and more accurate.
FIFA’s fantastic Be A Pro mode has also returned but now expands to
include goalkeeping, which means you can now play any position on the
field. Players also perform more like their real-world counterparts thanks
to the new Personality Plus feature that lends them more of their own
unique style. Extensive customization features have also been added which
gives you even more control of appearance, uniforms and even music tracks.
All this combines to make FIFA 11 an absolutely fantastic soccer title
that captures the drama and excitement of the sport in a highly-polished,
deep simulation. |
 F1
2010 (Playstation 3)
Codemasters brings the excitement of the world-racing circuit home to
consoles with F1 2010. F1 takes players behind the scenes and lets you
experience what its like inside the paddock. This is the game's main hub
where you meet your agent, talk to reporters and manage your sponsors.
This hub occupies you between races, but the excitement begins once you're
on the track when F1 2010 recreates challenge of Formula One racing
brilliantly. Its vivid weather effects and outstanding physics models
provide a game that's authentic and challenging. Extended career and
online modes, plus extensive vehicle customization give you plenty of
options. This makes for an outstanding simulation of the sport that
rewards the time you'll need to put into it.
|
 PlayStation
Move (PS3)
Sony's
heavily-advertised attempt to bring motion control gaming to the PS3 is
here in the form of PlayStation Move. The new wand controller and its
accompanying camera work decently for what they are. The Move system
offers increased accuracy over what you can find in most Wii titles and is
relatively simple to set up and use. Unfortunately, the software, at least
initially isn't quite as innovative. Playing through the launch title
Sports Champions brings on a strong sense of déjà vu. It offers multiple
'events' but it will be difficult for most players not to feel like
they've seen this before. However, it's a only the beginning for the Move,
so join us as we look at the new controller and discover if it lives up to
its potential. Other Move titles >
Kung
Fu Rider (PS3) Racquet
Sports (PS3) |
 Metroid
Other M (Wii)
You probably thought you knew what to expect from a Metroid title.
Nintendo had other ideas, unexpectedly enlisting Team Ninja to produce and
design the newest installment, Other M for the Wii. This version changes a
few things. Eschewing for the most part, the Prime titles' exclusive first
person perspective for a mix of third and first is an interesting idea,
and the extended cut-scenes add some depth to the backstory. In addition,
new abilities such as close range attacks give Other M a different feel
from a gameplay standpoint. The question is, do these changes work or does
the reboot fall short? Look inside and discover the answer. |
 Gunblade
NY/ LA Machineguns (Wii)
Sega has released a pair of their
classic light-gun shooter titles for the Wii and this collection is
appealing, yet limited in depth. Both games came out in arcades during the
mid to late 90’s and feature straight-up shooting action with limited
options and controls. You are in control of a police helicopter flying
through various locations, trying to destroy swarms of alien invaders
over-running various cities. There’s very little strategy in these
games, you just need to aim and shoot. Is this enough to sustain gamers
for long play sessions or is there just not enough content? Look inside
and discover the answer. |
 River
City Soccer Hooligans (DS)
Players who grew up during the 8-bit era will be happy to learn that a new
version of the classic River City franchise has arrived on the Nintendo
DS. This isn't an emulated or slightly enhanced version of those old
titles, but an entirely new game based on the characters and settings from
the classic series. It's an entertaining comic-sports title that gives you
the chance to play with some cool power-ups that add to the fun. It's
humorous take makes it a refreshingly fun and accessible title that should
please new and veteran players with its retro-graphics and action-oriented
arcade play style. While it's not going to win any awards, River City
Soccer Hooligans is an entertaining diversion that offers a solid mix of
new and classic gameplay elements. |
 Deathsmiles
(Xbox 360)
Gamers looking for a classic shooter in the mold of Donpachi or Cotton
will probably want to check out Deathsmiles. It comes from legendary shmup
maestros Cave and has released on Xbox 360. Far from a mere arcade-port,
this release includes several enhanced versions that include tweaked
gameplay, improved graphics and other additional features. It's play
mechanics are fairly standard, but there are a few twists that keep things
interesting. There's several levels of difficulty as well, so players of
different abilities can join in the fun. Look inside and discover why
Deathsmiles is an entertaining and satisfying release that fans of the
classic shooter won't want to miss. |
|
 Prince
of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Playstation 3)
Ubisoft's latest edition in the long-running Prince of Persia franchise,
The Forgotten Sands takes place between the legendary Sands of Time and
Warrior Within titles. It offers the usual mix of strategic puzzles and
fighting elements along with a few new moves. Players who remember the
original games will be happy to learn that the tone and style of those
titles have returned with lush environments and elaborate puzzles. There's
a few surprises in store this time around, such as the ability to freeze
water and an elaborate character upgrade system, but this is a safe title,
offering a familiar yet satisfying experience that delivers a solid mix of
action and strategy.
|
|
 ModNation
Racers (Playstation 3)
Taking a page from the successful Little Big Planet, Sony's new
kart-driving title ModNation Racers gives players a fairly interesting
sandbox to play with. The game features a fairly decent set of standard
racing tracks and karts and a good single-player career mode. However, the
game goes further than this and it allows players to create and use their
own modded cars on custom tracks. The creation tools are easy to use and
accessible and once created and saved, these can be shared with other
players online with an extensive community as well. This gives Mod Nation
plenty of replay value, which makes for an appealing title. Its solid
gameplay mechanics are also finely produced, making this an entertaining
game for racing fans.
|
 Pure
Futbol (Playstation 3)
Ubisoft's attempt at bringing action/arcade style soccer to current
platforms has arrived in the form of Pure Futbol. This is a streamlined
sports title that throws out many of the complex rules in favor of a
simpler five-on-five game. There's no off-sides rule to worry about and
refs only come out in the most egregious fouls. This makes for a
faster-paced soccer game that flows very quickly through each match.
Additional special moves, such as Pure shots make the game even more
exciting. It's a bit simplistic in its controls, too but this makes for a
more accessible game. While it probably won't appeal to purists, Pure
Futbol is a fun, accessible title that delivers an entertaining
experience.
|
|
 Blur
(Playstation 3)
Activision and Bizarre Creations have teamed up to
create the long-awaited action racing title Blur. The neon-infused driving
game takes players on a wild ride with power-ups, projectiles and massive
speed tied together with bonus features and a progressive rewards system
that allows players to unlock additional content. The action is frenetic
and intense with players trying to knock others off the course while also
trying to gain as many fans and light points as possible. Blur is a bit
harder than it initially seems, but the game rewards skilled players with
some viscerally exciting racing action. Blur is definitely in the mold of
other PS3 action racers like Burnout: Paradise and Split Second, so read
on and find out how it stacks up to those titles.
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 Split
Second (Playstation 3)
Split Second is an action racer from Disney Interactive that brings an
explosive aspect to its adrenaline fueled contests. Instead of merely
trying to knock opponents off the track, you knock the track itself onto
your opponents. This is done by triggering Power Plays that cause massive
explosions, hurling debris onto the track. There's tons of vehicles to
choose from, and these offer different driving styles, but all are tuned
for arcade action. Its solo game is loads of fun, but the online mode is
also solid with support for up to 8 players. Add in tons of unlockable
content and bonus features and you get a solid game that brings ferocious
arcade racing action. |
 Super
Street Fighter IV (Playstation 3)
Last year's Street Fighter IV marked Capcom's long-awaited
resurgence into the fighting genre, delivering the solid gameplay players
have come to expect from the series along with a brilliant HD makeover
combining hand-drawn artistic visuals with high-def polygons. Now, the
company has released a new update, Super Street Fighter IV which adds
copious amounts of new content in the form of ten new playable characters,
tweaked the original roster to add balance while adding new online modes
to make for a much deeper and more rewarding title. There's bound to be
some complaints from those who purchased the original but, SSFIV offers
more than enough new content to justify its purchase.
|
 FIFA
World Cup 2010 (Playstation 3)
EA gives players a chance to experience the quadrennial international
soccer tournament in FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa, superb recreation
of the excitement surrounding the sporting event. The game features
numerous modes of play that allow you to go from the qualifying rounds to
the finals using your favorite national teams, which adds to the
excitement. On the field, the gameplay is intuitive and precise, allowing
you to maneuver your players, change tactics on the fly and score some
incredible goals. The controls are intuitive and effective, making for an
exciting and challenging title. It performs very much as expected but,
EA's latest soccer title is a solid performer that delivers a great
simulation of the sporting spectacle.
|
 Moto
GP 09/10 (Playstation 3)
Capcom's Moto GP 09/10 for the PS3 delivers a fairly good simulation-style
racing title for the platform. It allows you to not only speed along the
usual licensed tracks with manufacturer bikes, but goes a bit deeper into
the realities of the racing world with sponsors, team management and
customization factors which can play a huge role in the outcome of the
race. This deep style of play isn't for everyone and some players will
find this approach intimidating. However, those with the patience and
discipline will find an enormous amount of satisfaction in completing and
winning races. Look inside and discover how Moto GP's excellent visuals
and deep gameplay make is an appealing title that offers a surprising
amount of longevity.
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original content c. 2011 the-laser.com
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