This time, the story revolves more around Nathan Drake’s long late relative Sir Francis Drake than ever before. Nate notices a discrepancy in Sir Francis’ diary in regards to his voyages and realizes that his ring is the key to finding a city known as “The Atlantis of the Sands”. As expected a shady organization wants to find it too and the treachery and cat-and-mouse games ensue. While it may sound very familiar, Drake’s Deception houses the best story of all three games and manages to personalize many of the characters and relationships we’ve grown fond of. Underlying themes of Nate’s obsession and endangerment of others is addressed which lends a lot of gravity to the story. The voice acting is stellar and exhibits narrative storytelling that is unprecedented in the medium.

Graphically, Uncharted 3 impresses from a technical and design standpoint. The models, lighting and scale of the game is absolutely jaw-dropping, while the attention to detail is second-to-none as every model, environment and set-piece is beautifully designed.

Throughout the game, you’ll still be fulfilling the mix of gameplay styles the Uncharted series has become known for. Cover shooting, platforming and puzzle sections make up the majority of the game, although the melee combat system has been overhauled. Brawling sections are more prevalent now where an attack, counter and grab moves are available. These segments end up being very cinematic and aren’t as fast as something such as Arkham City, but they flow well and the animations in the fights are great to watch.

Quick-time events are still evident throughout the game, although they have been cut down as opposed to Uncharted 2. Putting the player in control more often than not works well for the experience as it gives players that immersive feeling during intense action sequences.

Online multiplayer appears relatively unchanged from that of Among Thieves, however the platforming and shooting mechanics still make the matches unique in comparison to other online games out there. New co-op survival modes have also been added, as well as local split-screen which makes the whole package much more valuable.

Overall, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is the closest thing to perfection. It manages to juggle a variety of different gameplay styles and mechanics in order to create a game which can just about do anything. The action, story and gameplay is bigger and better than it’s ever been and if you’re a Playstation 3 owner you shouldn’t even be hesitating to buy this.

Pros

• Thrilling story
• Gorgeous visuals
• Constantly surprises

Cons

• Some cheap deaths

As WRC 2 is the official licensed game for the World-Rally-Championship, the game has just about everything that a rally enthusiast can hope for. The cars, the tracks, the drivers and the season are all mirrored straight from the WRC.

Blackbean haven’t exactly produced the most graphically advanced games to date, and unfortunately WRC 2 carries the same misfortune. Cars are relatively well-modeled, although the enviroments and interface seem really bland and often resemble Dirt’s asthetic a little too closely.

On the plus side, the gameplay is extraordinary. Not only is it a massive jump from last year’s original, it gives the game so much character that you will find yourself coming back for more and more. There is so much that they’ve done right in this game, for example, the different track surfaces feel unique and have a large affect on handling. The handling models of each car feel more realistic than ever as there’s a good sense of speed, which makes cornering and braking a real challenge.

The career is very involving. It starts off quite basic and becomes a lot more challenging and advanced. Hiring team managers and technicians to look after your chosen sponsors and do research on better performing components are some of the career criteria at your disposal. All of these options take time and cost money, the less time you allocate towards your research, the less you have for repairs for the following tournament. So allocate and plan wisely.

The aspect that makes the game so enjoyable is the variety, length and overall layout of the tracks. Each track has different surface levels and will give many, a hard time on deciding what setup to choose.

The sound department leaves quite a bit to be desired. There’s nothing worse than having to listen to someone rambling on with a very flat monotonous tone of voice. Playing this game with no audio and your own music in the background will save you from going crazy. Mix one of the most boring, flat, unexpressive voice with the same constant popping sound of your engine backfiring, will have you tearing your hair out in no time.

WRC2 is the rally game for enthusiasts. The career is long, it will keep you playing for hours on end as there is so much to unlock in terms of cars, sponsors and tracks. I recommend it for those who are fans of the WRC and want to race against their favourite drivers on the world’s most prestigious rally tracks. Unfortunately, the game is so focused on conventional rally, there there is not much else. Those searching for a more relaxed and varied game, should look elsewhere.

The title doesn’t too many favours of special goodies. Instead you get the two games, maxed out in glorious 1080p HD visuals and some trophy support. That’s not to say it isn’t a good deal, as you’re already getting two games for less than the price of one.

Both stories are very good and tie into the franchise very neatly. Chains of Olympus covers Kratos’ service to the Gods, while Ghost of Sparta sees our beloved disemboweler explore his past. The narratives stand out from one another, particularly Ghost of Sparta, which is probably the strongest of the whole series.

The game’s visuals have their ups and downs. Given that the games are originally PSP titles, and particularly the older Chains of Olympus, many of the models and environments appear blocky and geometric. The pre-rendered cut scenes are also pulled straight out of the original titles and are grainy and ropey at best.

Onto the good. The use of another analogue on the full PS3 controller does wonders for the control of the game, as you can now dodge without the use of the PSP’s shoulder buttons. This makes the whole combat gameplay that much better, and gameplay is where God of War shines.

The fast and frantic fighting mechanics remain intact here and the clearer visuals and sharper controls make it a much more enjoyable experience.

God of War: Origins is going to be a must-buy for any fan of the series. However, for those on the fence, it’s a great value title, where you’ll get to experience both games (which were overlooked by most gamers) at a decent price. Everything you loved about the God of War franchise has survived the transition to the PS3 and given that each game will provide another 10-12 hours of addictive violence, it’s worth checking out.

Huge overhauls in the game’s visuals are immediately apparent. While maintaining the same graphical style as previous games, PES 2012 sharpens up on just about everything on the pitch. The game really does look gorgeous and is now feels that way to, as the player movement is fluid and even more flexible than ever before. There are still certain graphical issues in some of the cut-scenes, but when they work out, they’re absolutely gorgeous.

The passing mechanic, where you push the ball into space as opposed to directing it at a player, has been reinvigorated this year. The difference is that the passing seems a lot faster and more responsive, changing the pace and manner in which the game is played, mostly for the better. This results in a general improvement on the all-round control of the ball.

The AI also seems more active and prominent than before, with better and more frequent timed runs and sticking to strong defensive patterns, making the attack and tackling aspects of the game much more dynamic.

The PES series has been looking to have more and more potential with each release and this year’s title appears to have all the franchise’s strong points in place while sharpening up it’s gameplay to provide something different, yet familiar. PES 2012 doesn’t necessarily exceed expectations, it simply meets them. We’d like to see some more innovation from Konami, but it doesn’t take anything away from the fact that PES 2012 is a great football title.

The first thing gamers noticed about Rage were the glorious screenshots, and the attention was fair given that the game is absolutely gorgeous. The new id tech 4 engine produces an stunning environment, with huge draw-distances and lighting that leaves players staring in awe. Character models and the astonishing enemy AI highlight the game’s beauty as enemies move beautifully and fluidly, even though they usually want to pull your head off. There is some texture pop-in here and there, but it doesn’t detract anything from the stellar visuals you’ll be treated to.

The premise for Rage is pretty simple – after waking from cryogenic freezing, you find Earth has been devastated by a meteor strike and all that’s left is barren wastelands and sporadic settlements, while bandits and mutants terrorize all that’s left. While the premise does sound quite exciting, you also thinking that it sounds incredibly familiar. It just seems that the post-apocalyptic setting and plot has become a sense of déjà-vu over recent years; and given the game’s technical prowess, it’s a bit of a downer that the story is so uninventive.

Players have to find their way around their new environments and engage with a number of different characters and factions in order to access missions and objectives. Missions usually entail you travelling to certain locations in order to acquire an item, deliver a package or help the settlement, although they all end up in the same manner – some awesome shooting. And this is where Rage shines as the shooting mechanics are as solid as they come, where every gun has a great feel and impact to it. Developers id really do know how to make shooters and they prove it with Rage.

The map is pretty spread out and you’ll be travelling some pretty big distances, therefore vehicles were a necessity in the game. The driving component of Rage could be a game of its own, with vehicles having the ability to be mounted with guns, upgraded and even taken into races. The driving is definitely not a highlight, but it rounds off the experience very well.

Multiplayer does exist in the form of competitive races and a broken-down co-op mode which lets you and friends play through certain segments of particular levels. It’s a nice addition, but the emphasis is on the campaign, and we’re ok with that.

When the dust settles, Rage isn’t anything revolutionary. It may have been the extremely high expectations set by fans, but that said, it’s still one of the best and most gorgeous shooters out there. There’s enough here to keep you busy for 20+ hours and the stuff id does right is phenomenal. So if you’re looking for a well-rounded shooter that’s had some serious spit-and-polish, Rage should be on your list.

Pros

• Amazing gun-play
• Gorgeous visuals
• Enemy AI keeps you on your toes

Cons

• Story is a bit weak
• Some mission objectives feel mundane
• Post-apocalyptic setting leaves déjà vu feeling  right from the start

The player controls a boy who must find and slay 16 colossi (real word, I promise) in an open-world setting, using nothing but a sword, bow and arrow and his trusty horse. As an action/adventure game SotC has no equal, simply because of how unique and innovative its gameplay and overall package is.

As mentioned before the game is not driven forward by a massively complex story, and to prevent spoiling what story there is it will not be discussed. What can be said is that it is an artistically compelling and deep story simply because it is so basic.

In regard to its graphics and score, it will become quickly apparent to most gamers that this is one of the most asthetically-pleasing games on offer. Visually, it is extremely attractive – the environments look realistic and the movement, design and sheer scale of each of the colossi are astounding.  The game’s score is very well put together, ranging from tranquil melodies when navigating the open world to intense and dramatic instrumentals perfectly suited to battles against building-sized juggernauts. Its obvious that the developers worked long and hard to make the game appear and sound amazing, and they succeeded.

The gameplay is what makes this game worth the money. There are no enemies in the game besides the colossi that need to be defeated. Some might see the lack of minion-type enemies as a subtraction, but in the long run it just emphasizes the importance of the boss battles. All things considered, smaller hordes of enemies would serve more as a distraction than anything else. There is a platforming element to the game as objectives can be underwater or on top of mountains, and anywhere in between. The platforming serves as a welcome break from the challenging and intense boss fights. Fighting the colossi truly is an epic experience, very few games have tried and pulled off enemies on this scale.

The game has no leveling up or development system, the equipment that is available from the beginning of the game is identical to what will be used to slay the last colossus. Shadow of the Colossus definitely proves that less really is more.

There isn’t much the game does wrong, but if there were a slight fault it would be the occasionally erratic camera. From time to time the camera can jump to a different angle or refuse to move past a certain point until you change your character’s position. While this isn’t a game breaking issue it can result in a few frustrating continue screens. It is quite difficult to describe the nature of the game, and on paper it doesn’t seem like much is going on, it’s truly something that needs to be experienced.

Like Heavy Rain or Little Big Planet, Shadow of the Colossus is an extremely unique gaming experience and has no comparison, and for this reason it should be on any PS3 owner’s list of games they need to play. Being coupled with ICO and being ridiculously affordable, there isn’t any reason why this game shouldn’t be going from a shop’s shelf straight to yours.

Pros:

• Atmospheric presence and very attractive presentation
• Scale of the colossi encounters is insane

Cons:

• Camera is temperamental at times
• They aren’t working on a sequel yet

The story kicks off 4 years after the events of Resistance 2, where you take control of a new protagonist, Joseph Capelli, who made his debut in the last entry, although I don’t delve into that to avoid spoilers. The Chimera have now taken over Earth and only small pockets of humans try to survive in harsh conditions across the globe. It’s discovered that the Chimera have created a machine over New York City that is freezing the planet in order to make Earth habitable for the Chimera. Joseph, along with Dr. Malikov, must travel across America to make a last stand against the Chimera and their machine in New York. The story itself is the strongest of the whole series and makes a bold move away from the military-esque plot of previous games, into a more personal and relatable story. The relationship between Joseph and his family, along with witnessing the pain, anguish and despair the Chimera have caused provides a powerful and meaningful narrative throughout

The gameplay remains largely unchanged from previous installments, although the first-person shooting mechanics have been tightened up and tweaked in order to deliver one of the most visceral and satisfying experiences on the system. Shooting packs more punch than ever before as Chimera dismember, growl and collapse as bullets tear through them, while the movement and whole feel of the game feels more organic and natural with some really immersive moments.

Developer Insomniac have always prided themselves on the inventive weapons in their games, such as the Ratchet and Clank series, and this time they really come through on their promises. All the favourite weapons from the previous games, like the Bullseye and Auger, are back but this time have the ability to be upgraded with extensive use. The existing and alternate fires change and deliver even more damage and chaotic eye-candy this time around, and this adds a lot of variety to the combat.

The presentation and visuals have taken a huge step-up this time around as everything from the Chimera to the level design is flawlessly detailed and gorgeous. Amazing particle effects of dust, wind and flowing debris highlight every gun battle and the entire game has a beautiful shine to it. The little details, such as the hand-drawn enemy journals, are immaculately designed and really bring an authenticity to the story and world of Resistance.

The multiplayer component is also a highlight of Resistance 3, and although it’s been scaled back to 15 players (where Resistance 2 supported 60) the sci-fi weapons and specific pros and cons of the Chimera and human sides provides a relatively unique experience in the online arena. You won’t find the depth or longevity of Call of Duty or Battlefield here, but it’s something worth a try.

Resistance 3 manages to exceed all the expectations put forward by it’s predecessors by delivering a heart-stopping campaign, complete with a touching story which sums up the somber mood of the game. This is the best the series has to offer and if you’re slightly interested, pick it up because the fight against the Chimera is one worth joining the resistance for.

Pros

• Compelling campaign
• Co-op
• Strong humanized story
• Weapons

Cons

• Some scenarios re-used

Right away, the first initial difference is definitely in the visuals. FIFA 11’s wax-like figures have been replaced with more natural and fluid moving characters, which now resemble their real-life counterparts more than ever. This new look does the game wonders and gives each player more character and uniqueness on-field and in the short but dynamic cut-scenes.

Pro-player intelligence is also a new feature whereby players are ‘aware’ and use their heightened characteristics and attributes more than ever, such as Barcelona, who use Messi’s direct passing and Villa’s clever running as opposed to using unnecessary crosses.

Power dribbling may not sound like a new feature because previous FIFA’s seem to have offered this year after year. However, it is rather prevalent within FIFA 12 given the fact that the ball physics are much looser, making the close control dribbling seems a lot more precise when used.

Probably the most hyped new feature is EA’s Impact Engine which was specifically designed for FIFA 12 over the last two years. This generates different animations and outcomes after a collision between two players occur. Think GTA’s Euphoria engine, except not as advanced, yet. It adds a lot of physicality to the game but also makes you hold off on your barges, which can work for or against you.

Another flagship addition this year is the inclusion of FIFA’s Ultimate Team, where in previous installments it was a downloadable extra. Ultimate Team allows players to build their own club from scratch and manage their ‘nobody’ players to wins and rewards for their club, eventually getting the chance to nab one of the big names for your club. Chemistry, signings, training and coaches all make a huge difference and it’s up to you to make your club work. It’s a great addition to the actual game and the inclusion of it this time around will give players that accessibility to the online that they wanted.

Overall, FIFA 12 manages to stand on its own two feet and create a new identity for itself. The Player Impact Engine, new tackling system and re-worked physics are the core components of the game’s new feel, and veteran, newcomers and critics should be pleased at the changes this time around.

Pros

Tackling system adds new defensive strategy

Physics allow for more dynamic goals and passes

Ultimate team

Cons

Impact Engine sometimes results in soft fouls

Playing a match for the first time can be slightly confusing, but the sport is easy enough to pick up. There are 3 sections of each team, offensive (when you have possession), defensive (when the other team has possession) and a team specific to dead ball situations like converting a touchdown. American Football does not flow, this might be the biggest adjustment new players have to make, but the more you play the more comfortable the constant pauses feel. The mini-game mode splits the game into its different phases of play, and pit the player against the computer to score points by completing certain actions. This is a fun way to kill time but also a useful way to get familiar with the rules.

The gameplay feels intuitive, as in offense, buttons are assigned to players making runs and tapping that button makes the controlled player pass to the assigned player. Defense pretty much amounts to trying to get to the guy with the ball and hopefully making a decisive tackle. Considering how many players are on the field and how difficult it can be to lose track of the ball carrier, defense is definitely the toughest part to get use to. There are a few aides to players that might not want to be too involved or need some help, two of them being auto-sprint and defense assistance. Defense assistance can be activated by holding A, this gives the CPU control and means that less experienced players won’t be torn to shreds by the opposing team’s passes and runs because the CPU will complete most defensive tasks for you. Various different plays are available, and on-field control is extensive. You can adjust the runs your CPU team mates will make or shift your defensive structure based on what the opposing team does.

The game has all the different modes associated with EA’s sport games, “Play Now” featuring exhibition matches and the option to play through the Superbowl. Ultimate Team, Be a Superstar (I.e, Be a Pro) and Franchise (I.e, Tournament) Mode are standard fare for sports games. It also has an online where most of the features from single player Franchise Mode are available, and with the presence of a massive online community.

The real value of the game comes from Franchise Mode, comparable to a rugby or soccer season. EA has put in a lot of work to make this an exceptionally realistic and involved experience. Everything from a player’s form, his traits (Similar to Fifa) and types of injuries sustained are present and will influence how that player performs. Real-time bidding wars for players are an interesting feature that allow you to bid against the other teams, which makes landing a good signing very satisfying. Franchise mode is an extremely involving and in-depth, giving the player complete control over most aspects of the game, making each successful game feel like a real accomplishment not only on the field but off as well.

Control is definitely the focal point of the game. Making a ridiculously cool 30 yard pass with a rookie quarterback you’re giving a debut game to, or going on a run and dummying your way past three linebackers to surge into a touchdown feel so much more satisfying when you know you controlled a lot of the aspects leading to that success.

Overall it has the feel of a quality game, and given the time will grow on most people who are fans of sport games. There are a few faults, the commentary can get a little stale, with somewhat over-enthusiastic commentators becoming a possible earache. There are also instances where a tackler seems to float or stumble past (and occasionally through) the person he should be tackling, which can be a bit frustrating but not game-breaking. At the end of the day its a solid game with a cool soundtrack, and where it might not live up to the expectations or desires of Madden and NFL enthusiasts, its definitely worth adding to your shelf if you’re up for something new and want some good fun.

Pros

• Mini-games provide good introduction to American
  football
• Presentation
• Extensive career mode

Cons

• Some technical hiccups
• Overwhelming at first

Players take control of Captain Titus (voiced by Mark Strong), a superhuman space marine who is sent into battle to help the human forces fight off an alien orc invasion, as well as get to the bottom of their operations. The story itself isn’t anything new, but the universe and world of Warhammer makes for a great backdrop to a battle narrative, and Mark Strong’s voice acting gives the character a surprising amount of gravity.

While Space Marine may look like Gears, it certainly doesn’t play in that manner. There is no cover system and the game relies heavily on the melee component of combat in addition to range attacks. Space marines wield a variety of guns, including machine guns, pistols, shotguns and sniper-rifles to vary up their arsenal. The melee weapons are unique in their own right, as everything from chainsaw swords to pulse hammers can be used. The integration of both combat elements is done excellently, as you’ll be hacking and slashing up enemy orcs, while still pulling out your guns to peck off some shooting enemies when you get a chance. The levels also compliment this as there is a great degree of vertical variation, causing you to think tactically when approaching a situation.

Titus also gets the ability to wield a jet-pack in certain segments. These allow the player to get to high ground with ease and attack from above. This may be sounding like the space marines are overpowered, and that is the case, but that doesn’t make it easy. You are constantly fighting hordes and hordes of enemies, with the inclusion of some stronger mini-bosses thrown into the mix. It’s then all about fighting as strongly as you can and making the right decisions.

The emphasis on going head-on into battle is highlighted through the health system. Players acquire health by doing executions on enemies. These are like small grapple moves which sees Titus causing some serious pain through a number of brutal melee moves. This mechanic keeps up the visceral nature of the game and ‘find cover and wait’ mentality of regenerating health.

There is a rather beefy multiplayer component to Space Marine. 8v8 competitive and co-operative multiplayer is available and the game uses full force of the shooting / melee hybrid gameplay style. All the classes and weapons feel balanced and fun, although the melee combat doesn’t have the same splattering satisfaction as it does in single-player.

Warhammer has always been a stalwart of innovation and design and that is shown in the games visuals. While the actual polish of the graphics leaves a little to be desired, the inventiveness and creative design of the look and feel is what stand out in the game. Resembling the look and style similar to Darksiders, Space Marine carries a unique visual flair that many should take notice of.

Unfortunately, Space Marine will probably be the game that is most overlooked this year with big titles such as Gears 3 and Battlefield 3 on the horizon. However, if you manage to get your hands on this, you’ll find one of the most brutal and visceral experiences of the year, with a hybrid combat system that emphasizes where Space Marine excels.

Pros

• Fast-paced viceral action
• Warhammer universe is awesome
• Dynamic between melee and ranged combat

Cons

• Some monotonous enemy types
• No custom load-out