Value for Money

Now this may seem like a very common point but it’s still a valid one. It must be said that gaming is becoming a very expensive hobby and most games will get shelved after one or two playthroughs. But, should you buy a game which boasts a decent multiplayer component, you’re guaranteed to pile on ten or more days of online time alone. You do that math to get the hours.

Unless you're Richard you care about the price of games.

All the cool kids are doing it…

Have you ever joined a conversation about last night’s Modern Warfare 2 game and been unable to share in on the topic? We know how you feel and with the simple process of inserting an ethernet cable into your console, you will soon be able to fit in with all the ‘rad’ kids at school, varsity and work. (Please note that ethernet cable must be run through a router connected to the internet. Inserting the cable alone will not have any effect… duh?!)

The cool kids...

You are not alone!

Does your gaming obsession get you down somedays? Do you ever think “man, I play this way too much! It’s all I ever do!” Living with this feeling can be quite a burden for one individual to carry, however the minute you jump online you’ll discover a plethora of others who are equally obsessed as you. You will also find some who are obsessed to such extremes that you’ll even feel better about yourself.

Swearing at individuals you don’t know.

Swearing at someone who is standing directly in front of you could lead to a black eye and swearing at irritating younger kids could get you into big trouble. Welcome to the world of online: a place where you can swear at anyone big, small, old, or young and not have to worry about the repercussions.  Had a bad day? Come online and find some poor soul to take it out on. Simply fantastic.

Grey hairs, depression and potential hair loss.

Once you have become an online veteran, you will pride yourself at all the skills that you have acquired over time in online multiplayer games. As you will soon find out, people have off days, and so will you. You will die over and over again, miss easy shots, witness laggers and many other annoyances. The result?  Frustration, anger, and sorrow which will lead you down a path of grey hair, depression and hair loss.  It’s great fun.

You in the next few months..

Diablo 3

The infamous third instalment of Blizzard’s dungeon RPG has been a long time coming. Since Diablo 2’s release in 2000, fans have been sharpening their weapons in anticipation, waiting for the fateful day that they get to continue looting chests and hacking skeletons in dark corners. Well, since being announced in 2008, Diablo 3 has been through a bunch of delays, design choices and changes, giving this threequel an unconfirmed 2011 release date. Will it ever happen?

So preetttyyy

Splinter Cell Conviction

Earlier this year, Splinter Cell: Conviction hit our shelves and although it wasn’t the SC experience fans were expecting, it was one of the most action-packed and innovative third-person stealth shooters to come out for ages. But what many don’t know is how drastically the concept and release dates changed for Ubisoft’s title. The original Conviction design saw Sam Fisher as a washed-out hobo-like street brawler. The game was announced in 2007, but after a lot of delays and overhauls with the look and feel of the game, April 2010 saw the new and improved Splinter Cell: Conviction hit the street, and with its streamlined action sequences and interesting mechanics, it was worth the wait.

Originally titled: 'Hobo Beatdown 3' - Ok, that was a lie.

Max Payne 3

Everyone cries and whines when Mario or Sonic are absent for a year or two. Sure they’re iconic characters in the industry, but what about Max Payne!? The guy brought bullet-time into mainstream gaming and has changed the way developers look at third-person shooters for crying out loud. We’ve been missing Mr. Payne for a while now and Max Payne 3 (originally scheduled for a late 2009 release) is taking way too long. The game should be in slow-motion, not the development – just a thought.

Delays are a Payne in the ass (Pun overly intended)

Duke Nukem Forever

And now onto the bad boy of the video game world, who’s latest ironically titled game will probably never be seen or heard of ever again. Duke Nukem: Forever was announced in 1997 and thanks to multiple re-writes and developmental changes, Duke’s first outing in over 10 years still didn’t make it into our PC’s and consoles. After the whole project was recently shutdown, all we have is a few screenshots 3D Realms left behind – enjoy.

It looked cool at the time

Too Human

Too Human was originally announced in 1999 for the original Playstation. Then it was rumoured to release on the GameCube after Nintendo and Silicon Knights partnered up. Then… it kinda disappeared. Too Human was then revealed to be released exclusively to Xbox 360 and in August 2008, over 9 years of development hell finally ended. Unfortunately the game was met with sub-mediocre reviews and faded away faster than vacant memory.

Too Human? More like Too Late! heehee! We crack ourselves up

Surprisingly for a racing game, Modnation Racers offers the player a story and a decent story at that, which unfolds in short cutscenes before and after races. The plot revolves around a character who is about to start his Modnation racing journey. With the help of an unsuccessful car paint woman and a crazy old man, he will have to make his way through the ranks to become a Modnation Racing Champion. The story is surprisingly entertaining and offers a different take on the racing genre with its great voice acting and quirky humor.

Players will inevitably make the comparison between Modnation and Mario Kart as these two titles do have something in common. In Modnation, players will choose among a series of different cars to compete for that first place position by collecting and shooting power-ups at your competitors. The power-ups include missiles, speed boosters, sonic waves and a range of other abilities. Once you’ve picked up a particular power up you will continue to increase its level as you drive through more power-up bubbles, which allow you to max out your power at level 3 and thereby creating the most dangerous form of that power-up. A word of caution to this tale: should you choose to build up a power and you are hit by an opponent, you will lose it all. There is also a boost bar, which will fill up with style points which can be achieved by drafting, drifting and especially by dropping some fancy tricks during mid-air jumps.

Modnation offers players a range of different race modes (Online Race, Quick Race, Split-Screen and Career) which will be present within the ‘ModSpot’: an arena which allows you to free roam about and choose what you would like to do. In addition to this players will also be able to enter the ‘Creation Station’ which will allow you to customize you character, your car, as well as build your very own racing circuit. The character and car customization is simply sublime and offer players even more room for craziness than LBP. The possibilities are in fact endless. Track customization is just as cool and user friendly to the point where you’ll be creating your own tracks in no time.

The visuals of Modnation are highly stylized from the characters bodies (which lack any true proportion), to the squashed and mishapen vehicles and many crazy tracks. Overall the visuals are very sharp and fit in perfectly with the feel of the game. The level design is very unique and this can be easily seen with some of the ridiculous looking track layouts which are nothing short of awesome.

When it comes to the moment of judgement, Modnation Racers is a great little racing title. It offers the players loads of crazy racing time as well as plenty more time to spend creating characters, cars, as well as tracks. If you own a PS3 and you’re tired of the run-of-the-mill racing games, this is a must have.

Xbox 360 Controller:

The 360 controller firstly benefits from some great trigger buttons which not only allow you to press them in at different sensitivities but due to their shape, your fingers are guaranteed to stay put without sliding off. The ultimate remote should include the Xbox analogue sticks, however their placement will have to be different.

Slowly getting better...

PS3 Controller:

Yes, it has been the same since PS1 with minor changes here and there but while it may look aged, it still carries some useful characteristics for the ultimate gaming remote. First off it has a responsive and easy to use d-pad which simply has to be used for the ultimate remote. It also has correctly placed analogue sticks and most importantly has six-axis.

Look familiar?

Wii-Remote:

There’s something weirdly wonderful about the Wii-remote.  Yes, its split in two but its shape and design seem to work quite well. Perhaps one could take the creativity and uniqueness of the Wii-remote and use it to brighten up the character of the ultimate remote. This also bring s us to the fact that the ultimate remote should possess the responsiveness of the Wii Motion Plus in order to get the most out of your gaming.

Beware of too much innovation.

Keyboard and Mouse:

For PC gamers, these above mentioned controllers are completely subordinate to a keyboard and mouse. Perhaps the ultimate gaming remote should include a mouse peripheral in order to give the players the ability to play FPS’s and strategy games with ease and that way keep all the gamers happy. PC guys will like this as playing adventure games, or FIFA sucks with a keyboard and mouse.

With the triggers and analogue sticks of the Xbox, the D-pad, and six-axis of the PS3, the innovation and motion control of the Wii-remote and the mouse attachment from the PC, the ultimate gaming remote would completely eradicate the existence of any other controller and move toward world domination in the controller arena. Now, we’ll need to find someone to build it. Any ideas?

The Beta itself features two different maps: Kabul City, an urban middle-eastern setting, and Helmand Valley, which is a large outdoor area scattered with rocky cliffs and small villages. The version also allows players to experience two of the game modes that will be available in the final version, Team Assault and Mission.

Team Assault is just one open-ended squad deathmatch, while Mission gives players objectives throughout the entire match, which constantly change as each objective is completed (or failed).

The game itself plays very similar to Bad Company 2. This should be expected as it’s also being developed by DICE and it’s definitely not a bad thing. The Bad Company 2 similarities are in the movement and feel of the player and shooting, while the levels are more representative of Modern Warfare 2. It’s kinda like a squeaky clean baby between BC2 and MW2, but one that has its own identity.

The layout and HUD is stylized like a digital readout, really signifying that the series has made its way into the present. Colourful messages, scores and XP updates are stylistically strewn across the screen, and with all the destruction and debris, MoH is so far housing all the bells and whistles.

Down to the way the game is played. So far there are three loadouts available for both terrorist and US forces. Rifleman, Special Ops and Sniper loadouts allow the player to try out a small variety of weapons, although one knows DICE have a whole lot they not showing. Players can also call in mortar and air-strikes when a large enough combo is made. Although MoH does borrow a bit from Infinity Ward’s shooter, there are currently no killcams or anything of the sorts.

At the moment, Medal of Honor’s multiplayer is looking to have a ton of potential. It’s got all the tricks up its sleeve to lure in fans of the genre (as well as a lot more features we haven’t seen),  and it’s got the playability that’s already made Bad Company 2 a fan favourite. It does need a little more time in the oven, but we cannot wait to put that medal back on.

The biggest difference between annual releases, such as the Tiger Woods series, is undoubtedly the new features. This time around, the most notable addition is the integration of a first-person camera system. Now this isn’t just an aesthetic touch-up, as it also affects the gameplay. Players are given a top-down perspective over the ball as if you were on the course itself. The responsiveness also has been beefed-up as players can clearly see the tilt and fade of the club as they rotate the Wii-mote.  Overall, the new first-person mechanic adds a lot to the game and immerses the player like never before. We’re just wondering why it hasn’t been done sooner.

In terms of game modes, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 now finally features the Ryder Cup, allowing players to take their patriotism to the virtual course in order to represent the United States or Europe. The Ryder Cup can also be taken online, allowing 24 players to rack up points for their respective countries.  It shows that the community element of Tiger Woods has definitely been given some attention, and all competitive players are going to start enjoying the series a whole lot more.

Some smaller tweaks also make a welcomed and appreciated appearance in the game, as the crowds, commentary and atmosphere when playing has been jazzed-up, creating the feel and mood of big golf tournaments for the player. As for the visual elements of the game, not too much has changed, although some new animations, golfers and courses keep the entire experience looking fresh(er).

Tiger Woods PGA tour 11 contains a lot of elements which leave the title feeling awfully familiar and may not warrant a full price purchase for fans still satisfied with PGA 10. However, the new first-person perspective, along with the new golfers and tournaments may just lure in long-time fans.

SBK 10 offers a slightly different approach to the series. At the get-go, the menu system is somewhat similar to what is found in Dirt 2 in terms of how it functions from a first person perspective, which It instantly creates a more immersive atmosphere for the player.

SBK 10 tries hard to cater for a wider gaming audience, whether you are into racing motorbikes or not. There is a strong emphasis on the different options that the game offers, which allows for many different ways to change the game’s difficulty settings. Enthusiast gamers will still feel at home with SBK10 as well offer newcomers a good start. Overall there are 5 realism settings that range from arcade to full simulation. You are also able to tinker with another 15 settings such as rider weight, bike damage, tyre wear, brake differentiation and so on. There are plenty more settings and options to play with after you have selected your level of simulation and opponent difficulty.

The graphics are fairly good, the detail of each rider, their bikes and the inside of their garages are well detailed. The tracks could do with some more textures and objects in the environment, but otherwise, it has the best visuals of any Superbike game. There are also some small added visual effects such as flames that burst from the exhaust when changing gear. After a few falls, your rider’s leathers will also show the evidence that you are still trying to perfect a couple more corners before making it to the podium. As usual, there are all the official SBK tracks and team riders to choose from, adding some authenticity to the racing experience.

The game offers three main modes of play: Arcade, Simualtion and Multiplayer. Arcade and Simulation both offer a championship mode where you begin your career by customizing your rider’s looks, riding style and weight which will affect how you take corners. Simulation offers career and championship modes, where you will choose from one of the twenty world class teams to ride for. The different teams have their specific bike manufacturers, and each manufacturer will have bikes with different weights and power outputs. The rider and manufacturer you pick will determine your future upgrades and riding ability as each is rated according to overall experience, knowledge and reliability.

There is also the option to start your career in either one of the three classes which are Superstock, Supersport and the big time Superbike. Ideally you should start at Superstock, work your way to Supersport and then get stuck into Superbike to be able get used to the playing mechanics as the game is extremely challenging when in simulation mode.

The degree of bike tuning is really immense. Between races, you have the option to speak to your team engineer where he will give you the latest tips for the current race, what tyre profile is best suited for each track and the telemetry for each which you can save and load at anytime you wish. Your bike’s settings such as the suspension dampening, steering angle, gear ratios, chain adjustment, brake power and tyre profiles can all be fiddled with or carefully adjusted to get the most optimum settings for each race.

The soundtrack in the game is super, as the fantastic mix of rock and electro is well chosen, which adds perfectly to the overall attitude of the game. The different engine sounds have been captured extremely well, choosing a v-twin Ducati sounds exactly as it should along with the rival 4-cylinder Japanese bikes.

SBK 10 is definitely the most advanced Superbike title to date. It has absolutely everything a hardcore SBK fan would want from a two-wheel racing game, as well the options for any casual gamer to just pick it up and play with ease.

WARNING: Unsuitable for people more squeamish than others!

Chatter among E3 says this title is one of the most outstanding of the low profile games that were shown this year. Being made by Konami, the game takes place in a Demonic stricken world where you play as the only immortal to rid the land of all its evil demons. Apparently it features one of the most interesting and innovative health systems to date.

You play the role of Bryce, a human immortalized by demons in a previous “shadow of evil.” Centuries later the evil forces that once plagued you have risen, and you are tasked with saving the world from these demons. Equipped with a unique butterfly-shaped sword and an impressive arsenal of guns, you must take out your enemies by any means necessary in a high detailed destructible environment.

The health system is unique as when you take enough damage to a certain part of your body, your most damaged limb will fall off. By picking up the limb and reattaching it, you will regain your health.

The game is being developed by Rebellion, creator of the recent Aliens vs. Predator, as well as Star Wars: Battlefront Renegade Squadron and The Simpsons Game, looks to bring an exciting horror game to Konami’s already extensive catalog of titles.

So Lego Harry Potter covers the first few escapades that Harry has at school, including the events from The Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban and the Goblet of Fire. The main events and ‘boss fights’ are all in there and you’ll encounter all the familiar faces that you’d expect to, except they’ll be made of Lego.

Although Lego Harry Potter is based around the story elements of the books/films, the game is centered on exploration elements and collecting items, and there is a lot to collect. While traversing throughout Hogwarts, players can smash and interact with objects using wands or spells in order to complete objectives, unlock areas and grab collectibles.

Another big part of the game is learning, using and gathering spells as they become the main components to solve puzzles, help with objectives and every now and then blast enemies. Players can also create potions to achieve certain objectives. The correct ingredients need to be found and the outcomes (whether good or bad) are often really funny.

Although single Lego pieces appear simplistic and dull, everyone knows that magic can be made when tons are put together, and Lego Harry Potter really is a testament to this. The game looks awesome with great visuals and a whole bunch of creative re-imagining using the Lego universe. A concurrent element of the Lego video game series is the omission of speech, and this is a good thing as it makes the humour and funny gestures really shine throughout the game.

Lego Harry Potter has made the series fun again with an enjoyable story mode and a wealth of side-missions, but the majority of the fun comes in platforming, smashing and collecting stuff, and that fact that there’s  co-op makes it all the more appealing.  So even though Harry Potter would probably be about 24 years old now, hitting on some young Hogwarts girls in a Wizardry nightclub, the legend still lives on through the world’s favourite plastic blocks.