I recently saw a video preview of the first mission in Killzone 2 and i must say it looks fantastic. From what i saw I'm thinking we may really have a contender for a COD4 killer on our hands. The Guerilla guys have taken full advantage of the PlayStation 3's power as the graphics look fantastic and the AI is said to act like a real military unit i know this has been said over and over again but this time it looks like the truth. The AI is essential in Killzone 2, rather than just being there to mill around shooting somewhere "near" the enemy they actually help you and you depend on them in some situations to advance through the levels. From what i saw the first mission looks insane. As you may know the game takes place on Helghan, the home planet of the Helghast two years after they assaulted Vekta, the mission begins just like any other invasion level with fire and flak flying everywhere and AI getting cut down left right and centre. You need to work with your squad to advance through the level and establish a foothold for your fellow troops bring up the rear in a convoy. I was a fan of the first Killzone and i am seriously thinking of investing in a PS3 for this one!
Check out some videos from IGN http://uk.media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748475/vids_1.html
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Friday, 9 May 2008
Race Driver GRID Demo
Well what can i say? I have been looking forward to this game since i saw the trailer a couple of months ago and i was excited when i saw the demo was up. First off the game is made by Codemasters so it's got some good talent behind it, after all they have been making the great Collin Mcrae rally games.
So the demo loaded and the first thing i noticed was the great graphics just on the title screens. Loading the game and getting started is easy and the loading screens are very short so you get straight into the action. The demo has three races, time trials and xbox live. While racing the cars feel brilliant, they handle how you would expect a real car to handle and you have to control just like you would in the real world. If you speed into a corner with no braking you WILL spin out, so a good understanding of racing and driving is a help. The graphics on the cars is spot on they look amazing as well as the tracks and backdrops.
The damage on the cars is very good and the games engine breaks parts of the bodywork off in the right places at the right time. For example one of the tracks is based in SF and as you would expect it's very hilly, as the car jump the hills and connect with the tarmac the bumpers/splitters crack, bend and distort. Overall this game is looking great and i will definitely be buying it when it hits the
shelves.
So the demo loaded and the first thing i noticed was the great graphics just on the title screens. Loading the game and getting started is easy and the loading screens are very short so you get straight into the action. The demo has three races, time trials and xbox live. While racing the cars feel brilliant, they handle how you would expect a real car to handle and you have to control just like you would in the real world. If you speed into a corner with no braking you WILL spin out, so a good understanding of racing and driving is a help. The graphics on the cars is spot on they look amazing as well as the tracks and backdrops.
The damage on the cars is very good and the games engine breaks parts of the bodywork off in the right places at the right time. For example one of the tracks is based in SF and as you would expect it's very hilly, as the car jump the hills and connect with the tarmac the bumpers/splitters crack, bend and distort. Overall this game is looking great and i will definitely be buying it when it hits the
shelves.
Friday, 2 May 2008
Gamespy Most Wanted
If you haven't already check out Gamespy's Most Wanted list for a rundown of the most anticipated games of the year. http://mostwanted.gamespy.com/2008/
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Gaming Memories
If like myself you have been gaming for many years I'm sure you'll have some great memories of the good old days.
I'm talking about the days of Playstation, N64, Dreamcast, and PS2. I thought I'd jot down some thought on the good old days of gaming before everything had to be online.
Most of my gaming memories come from my school days playing with friends or challenging other kids in the class. One game that sticks out in my mind is Metal Gear Solid, me and my best friend at the time bunked off school, stocked up on snacks and drink and spent the entire day playing it (remember you had to switch the controller port to beat that one guy?) and completed it twice. Another great game was Fighting Force on the Playstation. This was one of the first games where i discovered how cool co-op modes could be. The ability to rip a bar off the wall and beat a bad guy to a pulp with it amazed me but it seems like nothing in today's games.
Another great game was Premier League Stars, this was the first football game to feature details such as league badges, sponsors and branding on teams shirts. Bloody Roar is also a classic, a great beat u up with the power to transform your fighter into beast form and rip apart your enemy! Bloody Roar 2 was equally as good. Then there was Bushido Blade, a Japanese styled fighting game which featured gore which in the days of the Greystation was pretty impressive. Next up is WWF (WWE) SmackDown! Now that was a great game! Me and my friends would rush home from school and spend hours fighting each other in home made PPV 's (the best feature of the game). When SmackDown 2 was to be released we almost died! Myself and friends brought all the Playstaion magazines we could to read the previews of SmackDown2 drooling over the pictures (We were obsessed with wrestling at the time).
After the grey days of the Playstation (which i ended up having to stand on it's side after a while to get it too work) came the Nintendo 64. Ah yes that dark lump of plastic was the nuts at the time! With games like F-Zero X, Bioharvest, Pokemon Stadium, WWF (WWE) No Mercy, Excite Bike and of course the legendary Goldeneye. Oh yes the one and only Goldeneye i cant tell you how many times i completed that game! Amazing game play and great multi player meant for countless all night marathons!
I also have to mention the Dreamcast for two reasons. One, Crazy Taxi. Two, Bass Fishing!. Enough said i think.
Then of course came the PS2. I remember staying at a friends house near Christmas
the year the PS2 was released and he had got his as an early present along with GTA3 , which for years remained my top game. We spent all night on GTA3 almost finished the main storyline! SmackDown 3 hit the shops for PS2 and as you can imagine after reading the above me and my friends were over joyed at the thought of "next gen" wrestling. GTA San Andreas was a game that really blew me away too due to it's sheer size and new game play features.
So there's a few thoughts on the old days of gaming and hopefully maybe one day I'll look back on the 360, Wii and PS3 days with the same fondness
I'm talking about the days of Playstation, N64, Dreamcast, and PS2. I thought I'd jot down some thought on the good old days of gaming before everything had to be online.
Most of my gaming memories come from my school days playing with friends or challenging other kids in the class. One game that sticks out in my mind is Metal Gear Solid, me and my best friend at the time bunked off school, stocked up on snacks and drink and spent the entire day playing it (remember you had to switch the controller port to beat that one guy?) and completed it twice. Another great game was Fighting Force on the Playstation. This was one of the first games where i discovered how cool co-op modes could be. The ability to rip a bar off the wall and beat a bad guy to a pulp with it amazed me but it seems like nothing in today's games.
Another great game was Premier League Stars, this was the first football game to feature details such as league badges, sponsors and branding on teams shirts. Bloody Roar is also a classic, a great beat u up with the power to transform your fighter into beast form and rip apart your enemy! Bloody Roar 2 was equally as good. Then there was Bushido Blade, a Japanese styled fighting game which featured gore which in the days of the Greystation was pretty impressive. Next up is WWF (WWE) SmackDown! Now that was a great game! Me and my friends would rush home from school and spend hours fighting each other in home made PPV 's (the best feature of the game). When SmackDown 2 was to be released we almost died! Myself and friends brought all the Playstaion magazines we could to read the previews of SmackDown2 drooling over the pictures (We were obsessed with wrestling at the time).
After the grey days of the Playstation (which i ended up having to stand on it's side after a while to get it too work) came the Nintendo 64. Ah yes that dark lump of plastic was the nuts at the time! With games like F-Zero X, Bioharvest, Pokemon Stadium, WWF (WWE) No Mercy, Excite Bike and of course the legendary Goldeneye. Oh yes the one and only Goldeneye i cant tell you how many times i completed that game! Amazing game play and great multi player meant for countless all night marathons!
I also have to mention the Dreamcast for two reasons. One, Crazy Taxi. Two, Bass Fishing!. Enough said i think.
Then of course came the PS2. I remember staying at a friends house near Christmas
the year the PS2 was released and he had got his as an early present along with GTA3 , which for years remained my top game. We spent all night on GTA3 almost finished the main storyline! SmackDown 3 hit the shops for PS2 and as you can imagine after reading the above me and my friends were over joyed at the thought of "next gen" wrestling. GTA San Andreas was a game that really blew me away too due to it's sheer size and new game play features.
So there's a few thoughts on the old days of gaming and hopefully maybe one day I'll look back on the 360, Wii and PS3 days with the same fondness
Monday, 28 April 2008
GTA IV Review from IGN
A review of GTA IV is up on YouTube. The picture quality isnt great but still some good gameplay shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxf5KwmPkk0&feature=bz301
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxf5KwmPkk0&feature=bz301
.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Condemned 2 Demo
Now i know Condemned 2 has been out about a week but i only got round to the demo today. First impressions are good the opening cut scene looks great and sets the story perfectly. Everyone i know who played the original Condemned loved it and was scared shitless by it at the same time and i for one fall into that category, The start of Condemned 2 sees the now rough looking Ethan Thomas pursing Malcolm Vanhorn but all is not well. The city streets seem to be covered in what looks like thick black oil. A couple of addicts are hanging around the streets and can be deposed off in brilliant gory fashion thanks to the new combat system which sees the player using the trigger at the right time to perform executions. TVs are dotted around the first level and with the tweak of the antenna information can be gained from a freaky looking guide. He explains the sonic devices are causing the mayhem but of course you knew that from the original game. After learning a little about the sonic devices and where to find them. You come across "beings from the goo" as i like to call them. These bad guys seem to made completely of the "oil" that's covering the streets and can be defeated with one blow of whatever you have picked up to defend yourself with. I wont reveal too much as many of you will want to play and find out yourself but as far as i have played its brilliant and i will be purchasing the full game soon.
Map Reviews
First post! If your reading this then welcome and i hope you enjoy the blogs. For the first post I'd like to review the new maps added for Halo 3 & Call of Duty 4!
First off the Call of Duty 4 map pack was released not too long ago and contains three brand new maps. (Available with game of the year edition)
Creek:
Creek is a fairly small map based in a village in what looks to be Russia and seems to tie in with the S.A.S campaign. Personally i don't like this map. One team will always start on the higher ground and has the advantage early on. From the high ground you can access thick grass verges to pick off the other team starting below in the dry river bed. The map also has a tunnel in which campers can have a field day hiding in the dark with a high power weapon. It is hard to keep track of your teams movement on this map and is maybe a bit too small.
Chinatown:
Again I'm not a fan of this map as like Creek its very small and too complex. Chinatown is dimly lit on the outside (street level) and most buildings can be entered but with twisting corridors and plenty of corners makes it another haven for campers and frustrating to get around.
Broadcast:
Now this map is brilliant! It's taken from the Marine campaign and is based on the TV station featured in the early missions. The entire office floor is open as it is in the campaign as well as some second story rooms making manic battles all the more fun. The rooftop can be accessed and a few buildings placed outside the station making great grenade and sniper locations. Smaller offices can be entered as well as the large lobby at the front of the station. Open windows doors and roofing means cover is not always safe as you may assume. This is COD4 is all about.
Not wanting to be outdone the guys at Bungie have offered up another map pack for the fantastic Halo 3. This "Legendary map pack" containers three new maps Blackout, Ghost Town and Avalanche as well as some new Forge effects.
Ghost Town:
Ghost Town is a great ruined urban style map with traditional Halo jumps, ramps, cover and vehicles. In the middle of the map is a large building with a domed glass roof. This two story building is great for mass battles with its ramps and ally ways leading all the map. A road surrounds the centre building and is great for the Mongooses positioned at the spawn points. Broken concrete piping and battered buildings provide great cover for assaulting the main building.
Avalanche:
This huge snow covered map is a tribute to the much loved Sidewinder map from the original Halo. It's had a small make over and contains massive man cannons and the forge feature can make for a lot of fun with tanks and airborne vehicles. The detail on Avalanche is fantastic the Mongooses, warthogs and Scorpion tanks have all be given snow camo and look great. Icy tunnels make perfect flaking areas for assaulting the opposite base. This map as you may imagine is better played in big team battle with sixteen players rather than eight.
Blackout:
Blackout is the answer to most Halo multi players dreams it's an exact copy of Lockout expect its been given a face lift. The graphics are of course enhanced to fit the Halo 3 look. Instead of white stone the level is now black and dark metal with patch's of rust and damage dotted around. Playing Blackout is like second nature as it's exactly the same as Halo 2 favourite Lockout so nobody familiar with the game should have problems on this map.
As if the three great maps were not enough Bungie also threw a few Forge effects into the mix. Now when in forge you can different camera effects including "Old Timey" with gives the camera a old style brown lens look, Colour Blind adds a black and white effect while Nova blurs the screen so it's nearly impossible to see where your going. Gloomy seems to be a nod towards Gears of War and adds a grainy darker look to the map while Pen & Ink makes the area look a bit skecthy.
First off the Call of Duty 4 map pack was released not too long ago and contains three brand new maps. (Available with game of the year edition)
Creek:
Creek is a fairly small map based in a village in what looks to be Russia and seems to tie in with the S.A.S campaign. Personally i don't like this map. One team will always start on the higher ground and has the advantage early on. From the high ground you can access thick grass verges to pick off the other team starting below in the dry river bed. The map also has a tunnel in which campers can have a field day hiding in the dark with a high power weapon. It is hard to keep track of your teams movement on this map and is maybe a bit too small.
Chinatown:
Again I'm not a fan of this map as like Creek its very small and too complex. Chinatown is dimly lit on the outside (street level) and most buildings can be entered but with twisting corridors and plenty of corners makes it another haven for campers and frustrating to get around.
Broadcast:
Now this map is brilliant! It's taken from the Marine campaign and is based on the TV station featured in the early missions. The entire office floor is open as it is in the campaign as well as some second story rooms making manic battles all the more fun. The rooftop can be accessed and a few buildings placed outside the station making great grenade and sniper locations. Smaller offices can be entered as well as the large lobby at the front of the station. Open windows doors and roofing means cover is not always safe as you may assume. This is COD4 is all about.
Not wanting to be outdone the guys at Bungie have offered up another map pack for the fantastic Halo 3. This "Legendary map pack" containers three new maps Blackout, Ghost Town and Avalanche as well as some new Forge effects.
Ghost Town:
Ghost Town is a great ruined urban style map with traditional Halo jumps, ramps, cover and vehicles. In the middle of the map is a large building with a domed glass roof. This two story building is great for mass battles with its ramps and ally ways leading all the map. A road surrounds the centre building and is great for the Mongooses positioned at the spawn points. Broken concrete piping and battered buildings provide great cover for assaulting the main building.
Avalanche:
This huge snow covered map is a tribute to the much loved Sidewinder map from the original Halo. It's had a small make over and contains massive man cannons and the forge feature can make for a lot of fun with tanks and airborne vehicles. The detail on Avalanche is fantastic the Mongooses, warthogs and Scorpion tanks have all be given snow camo and look great. Icy tunnels make perfect flaking areas for assaulting the opposite base. This map as you may imagine is better played in big team battle with sixteen players rather than eight.
Blackout:
Blackout is the answer to most Halo multi players dreams it's an exact copy of Lockout expect its been given a face lift. The graphics are of course enhanced to fit the Halo 3 look. Instead of white stone the level is now black and dark metal with patch's of rust and damage dotted around. Playing Blackout is like second nature as it's exactly the same as Halo 2 favourite Lockout so nobody familiar with the game should have problems on this map.
As if the three great maps were not enough Bungie also threw a few Forge effects into the mix. Now when in forge you can different camera effects including "Old Timey" with gives the camera a old style brown lens look, Colour Blind adds a black and white effect while Nova blurs the screen so it's nearly impossible to see where your going. Gloomy seems to be a nod towards Gears of War and adds a grainy darker look to the map while Pen & Ink makes the area look a bit skecthy.
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