Halo Wars - Review

Let me start by saying that Halo Wars is not your typical Real Time Strategy (RTS) game. When I say typical I mean slow paced, complex and massive battles that you have come to expect from such a game.

Halo Wars is all about small but highly entertaining levels jam packed with interesting objectives and firefights. It is a shame that this is the last we will see of Ensemble Studios since they have packed up shop a few months ago. It is also a shame as they have created a very entertaining and approachable game for the 360.

The presentation in Halo Wars is fantastic and Halo fans will love the respect they have given to the Halo brand and its story. The cut scenes are of the highest quality and the game engine runs smooth with no noticeable slowdown.

Sound design is also great and is on the lines of what you would hear whilst playing Halo 3.

The only negative thing that can be really be said about Halo Wars is that it's fairly easy and it's single player campaign is not that long. Around 6 to 7 hours of gameplay.

Halo Wars can only be described as an action RTS game that has been custom built to be played on a console. I had a lot of fun playing it and I think you will too.

Gameplay = 8
Visuals = 8
Sound = 8.5
Game Now Score = 8.2/10

GTAIV: Lost and Damned - Review

In arguably the best downloadable addon to a game on the 360, is the Lost and Damned everything we have come to expect from Rockstar or does it fall flat on its face.

Well after completing the new campaign in just over 10 hours I can assure you this is a great addition to an already brilliant game. What you have in TLAD is a brand new character by the name of Johnny and his story of a power battle within a biker gang. It all leads up to very heated and very memorable characters in typical Rockstar fashion, TLAD doesn't disappoint.

TLAD is a whole new campaign although its packed with many surprising tie ins to the original game and Nicko Belic appears quite a few times to my delight.

The missions are simular to what we had in GTAIV however they are more gang focused and you will often find yourself rolling with your gang on your way to target other rival gangs. That along side the internal gang power struggle makes this content very satisfying.

There is no need to go into who the game looks and sounds as we are all aware that Liberty City feels so alive and is a real achievement on the part of Rockstar.

So if your into GTA you need to play the Lost And Damned, plain and simple.

I am looking forward to the next chapter which will hopefully be out towards November.

Gameplay = 8
Visuals = 9
Sound = 9.5
Game Now Score = 8.8/10

F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin - Review

What a ride!, from hi-tech weapons, to armored mec's and lets not forget to mention the slow-mo button for added effect. F.E.A.R 2 is a great FPS. As the story unfolds, you realize that Alma is back and she is pissed. The story is an excellent continuation on where it finished from the first installment

Visually the game is very good, and the level of detail is something to be impressed with. I have to make special note, of how it looks while you are in the mec, and the level of devastation as you play through. The sound is also very impressive, I run all my games through my Denon Amp and Aaron speakers, and to hear the comments from the super soldier and the gun fire, makes you want to pump it up.

Gameplay, the movement and slow down button, makes for an enjoyable experience. The game excels, when it switches modes, from fighting super soldier, to ghosts, and watching cut scenes, repetition is far from your mind.

This game is very linear, so don't expect a large amount of exploring.

Overall this is an excellent game, and I enjoyed playing it.

Gameplay = 7.9
Visuals = 8.5
Sound = 8.5
Game Now Score = 8.3/10

50 Cent - Blood on the Sand - Review

50 Cent - Blood on the Sand is a surprisingly good game. Yes I know I can’t believe it either. In all honesty we were not expecting big things from this game as 50’s previous game was terrible. So terrible that I’m not even going to mention the title of it. All you need to know is that 50 is back with an action shooter that is fun on many levels.

The game starts off with 50 performing a concert somewhere in the Middle East. After the show 50 goes to collect his cash however the promoter doesn’t have the funds. He offers 50 something far greater than money, something that is priceless. A diamond encrusted female skull! Yeah ok, I know the story sound shocking but trust me it works. Anyway 50 leaves with his skull however doesn’t get far as he is ambushed and the skull is taken away from him. You spend the majority of the game trying to get your prize back.

The action in Blood on the Sand is great. The shooting feels spot on and the game looks great on the unreal 3 engine. Its basically Gears of War just not as polished. Its got similar cover mechanics like Gears and again it doesn’t feel as responsive, still a heap of fun to play.

The sound is great with tracks from 50 playing in the background as you go about your business of blowing people into pieces. Blood on the Sand is a relatively short game however short does not mean bad, in fact this game is a fun arcade feel shooter that is sure to please all that play it.

Gameplay = 7.5
Visuals = 8
Sound = 7.5
Game Now Score = 7.6/10

Street Fighter IV - Review

When it comes to fighting games, no one does it better than Capcom. Street Fighter 2 set the benchmark many years ago and since then other fighting games have tried and failed to capture the true essence of fighting. Don't get me wrong, Virtua Fighter and Tekken are both great games but they ain't no Street Fighter.

Street Fighter IV is here and is breathtaking in every way. The visuals need to be seen to be believed, with a very unique artistic style. Character models look great and the attention to detail is very impressive.

You have all you standard modes you come to expect from SF but a nice touch is the ability for other players to challenge you whilst you are playing the single player Arcade mode. So you will find yourself fighting through the various stages of the single player game and all of a sudden, you will get challenged by someone over XBL or PSN. A great touch which really brings the feel of the arcade to your home. The game is extremely polished and plays perfectly. Multiplayer games play surprisingly smooth without much lag to report at all.

There are a bunch of hidden characters to unlcok as well as videos, photos and more. A very comprehensive package which I can recomend not only to the fighting fan but to all xbox and playstation owners. Street Fighter IV has raised the bar when it comes to fighting games and I dont see it being challenged for a little while yet.

Gameplay = 10
Visuals = 9.0
Sound = 8.0
Game Now Score = 9/10

Burnout Paradise - 1 Year on!

When Criterion Games released Burnout Paradise in January of 2008 the game was a huge success. It received great reviews and for good reason, the game is brilliant.

Since the release over 1 year ago we have seen a lot of FREE content added to the game, with motorbikes, weather effects, day/night cycle plus more, all added free of charge. The latest update 1.6 adds improved visuals, vehicle dynamics overhaul and refined gameplay. All this adds up to a very polished game that still plays perfectly and at a blistering pace.

Paradise City is a pleasure to drive around in and I personally cant wait for future updates like "The Fuzz" which will bring cops to Paradise City.

If you haven't checked out Burnout Paradise in a while do yourself a favor, step back into Paradise City were the grass is green and the girls are pretty :)