FIFA 10

When it comes to soccer video games, FIFA is the name that people look for. With 16 prior games in the series dating all way back to 1993, Electronic Arts’ FIFA games have a long history. FIFA 10 puts those years of knowledge of soccer simulation to good use to deliver the ultimate experience.

FIFA 10 isn’t the sort of game that seeks to reinvent the wheel, but rather tries to refine and improve on what’s come before. Fans of previous games in the series will find new and improved versions of many of their favorite features returning in the newest FIFA, such as the revamped Manager mode, the Virtual Pro mode, and more.

Of course, the most important element of a soccer simulation is the actual gameplay itself. FIFA games are known for their realistic graphics and animations and pinpoint control, and FIFA 10 doesn’t disappoint. With a revamped graphics engine, FIFA 10 delivers the most photorealistic graphics and smooth animations, making it feel as though you’re watching a real game. The game also introduces the new 360 degree control system, allowing players greater flexibility in how their players move. While FIFA 10 gives players access to some new skills, it also provides them with much more adept opponents. The AI of computer controlled players has been significantly reworked, making opposing computer players act much more realistically – and making them significantly more difficult to outplay.

FIFA 10 also introduces the new Virtual Pro mode, an enhanced version of the old Be a Pro feature. In this mode, players can create a virtual version of themselves and live the life of a pro footballer for four seasons. Players can customize their avatar’s appearance and skillset, and even put their own face into the game. Playing through this mode will unlock new player attributes and skills, and even new celebration animations.

Another big feature for FIFA 10 is the improved Manager mode, which allows the player to take total control over a football club as its manager. This mode is perfect for true soccer buffs who are as interested in player stats and transfers as they are in kicking the ball around the field.

FIFA 10 also brings quality multiplayer content to the table. Players can play with friends locally or through the Internet, and can even form full 10 player teams that can compete against each other for the regional and world championships.

Key Features:

• 360 degree player control revolutionizes the way that players move on the virtual soccer field

• Battles for ball control are played out more realistically and skillfully than ever before

• New animation technology results in a much more realistic looking game, with players that move and handle the ball just like real soccer players would

• Recruit your friends and other online players and engage in 10 v. 10 multiplayer championship games

• Take complete managerial control over a football club and guide it to victory season after season in a totally revamped Manager mode

• Insert yourself directly into the game by creating a virtual avatar with your face who gains more skills and other rewards as you play

• Purchase special powerups and other fun extras at the FIFA Store

• Hone your skills to perfection in a new, customizable practice arena that lets you set up authentic game situations however you like

• Play in 50 different faithfully recreated stadium from all over the world

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Fallout 3, like its predecessors, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has been all but annihilated by nuclear warfare. It’s been over two hundred years since the event, but society is still struggling to reestablish itself. Those people that are still living on the surface have huddled together in small communities for mutual protection against violent gangs, irradiated animals, and deadly super mutants. However, many others found their ways into safeguarded vaults prior to the nuclear destruction – and they’ve remained there ever since in small, insular communities.

FallOut 3

The player takes on the role of one such Vault Dweller. The player controls the character’s growth through his or her formative years, starting as a baby and then taking part in vignettes of the character’s adolescence and teenage years. When the character turns 18, the plot takes off in earnest. The character’s father, a noted scientist, breaks the cardinal rule of life in a vault – he leaves it. The overseer of the vault deems the character a threat that must be eliminated, forcing the player to escape into the unwelcoming wasteland of what was once Washington D.C. From there, the player searches for his father and unravels a greater mystery.

How exactly to go about finding the main character’s father is a left up to the player. As soon as the player leaves the vault, they are free to go anywhere in the Capital Wasteland. Of course, the area is far from friendly, and is crawling with all kinds of threats. Throughout the adventure, the player will visit a variety of locations. These include: Megaton, a makeshift city built around an undetonated atomic bomb, Little Lamplight, a town full of children that kick out anyone who reaches the age of majority, and Rivet City, a beached aircraft carrier now serving as a home for hundreds – and that’s just to name a few.

How the player interacts with characters around the game world is also totally open. The player can aid people and make friends, or they can simply walk into town and start shooting everyone and rob them blind. Even most key characters don’t have “plot immunity” and can be killed – although it’s probably not a good idea, as you will need allies in this quest.
As in most traditional RPGs, the player will gain levels by killing enemies, completing quests and exploring the world. Those who have played previous Fallout games will be happy to see the series’ trademark “S.P.E.C.I.A.L.” advancement system. In addition to increasing base attributes, players can choose from a variety of “perks” that have a wide range of different gameplay effects.

On the surface, Fallout 3 plays like first person shooter. However, the player won’t reach maximum combat effectiveness without using the Vault-Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S. This ability allows the player to target specific body parts of his enemies, allowing them to pinpoint weak spots, disarm (literally) or disable enemies. V.A.T.S. takes time to recharge after use, giving the game’s combat a light turn-based feel.

Key Features:

• Fallout goes next gen – last seen in an isometric 2D game, the world of Fallout is brought to life in all its grimness in full 3D with advanced graphics

• Go anywhere, do anything – from the moment you leave the vault, you’re free to go anywhere in the Capital Wasteland and interact with its inhabitants however you see fit

• No easy decisions – the world of Fallout is a dark one, and sometimes the only choice is between two horrific evils

• The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system and perks both make a return, allowing you to customize your character and gameplay experience to your liking

• First-person shooter meets strategic turn-based combat through with the help of the pinpoint-targeting V.A.T.S. system

• The series trademark kitschy post-WWII paranoia humor and style remains intact for this newest entry

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World of Warcraft

In WoW, You are the Hero
The game is set in the high fantasy world of Azeroth in a period that is similar to Medieval Europe. WoW as an MMORPG is set in the established universe of the Warcraft franchise. Instead of macromanaging and directing units and base operations, you assume the character of the Warcraft hero you earlier designed and choose to play. With this avatar, you experience the adventure, interact among other players and explore the common world of Azeroth. In this realm, you may team up or fight against other players by forming coalitions and compete for control and honor.

Experience Warcraft from Eye-Level
WoW turns Azeroth and what’s behind the Dark Portal into a stunning virtual 3D environment. Both new and old gamers are able to experience the Warcraft chronicles from an individual’s perspective and explore the game universe at eye-level. Familiar characters, places, units and abilities from the original game come to life interactively.

A Continuing Saga
Set four years after the events of Warcraft III: Frozen Throne, a great unrest spreads across the ruins of Azeroth. Both ancient and ominous plagues emerge that threaten the different Races as they rebuild their individual Kingdoms.

Personalized and Flexible Adventure
In WoW, you can play at your own pace. This may range from a few hours or a marathon weekend.  A Quest system introduces multiple variations of intriguing pursuits combined with narratives, lively events and adaptable reward schemes. Faster chronology of events means lesser downtime and more focus on conflicts and techniques against various enemies. The WoW Universe contains 10 playable Races of 10 playable Classes having 14 different Professions with exclusive advantages. There also exists thousands of Quests to pursue and accomplish, several methods of Transportation and Personal Mounts for quick travel, a far-reaching and intricate Storyline for realism and 4 Realm Types that determine your gameplay.

An Immersive Reality
You will experience an immersive world with acres of different landscapes like forests, deserts, snow-covered mountains, and other exotic regions. You will encounter both the familiar and new characters and enemies in the Warcraft saga. You can better understand the epic story behind the territories of Azeroth and the other kingdoms by participating in various quests. You can then explore the far reaching and uniquely styled Dungeons scattered throughout the map.  You should visit the 6 colossal Capital Cities mostly populated by the races who built them. Your character can practice a selection of primary and secondary Professions from different trades and perform related responsibilities to amass wealth by transacting deals with other players or Non-Playable Characters (NPCs).

An Exotic World
After designing your character, you will enter the Warcraft Universe through the starting area of you race, except for the Trolls who start with the Orcs and Gnomes with the Dwarves. After viewing a cutscene introduction of your race, you free to explore the World of Warcraft. Encountering monsters won’t take long because WoW is the habitat of these creatures which come in various forms, sizes and threat. You will also be facing smarter and more dangerous beasts or entities of different shapes. The vast regions in WoW contain unique scenarios for that landscape. The destruction brought by previous conflicts and curse are reflected in the diseased flora and fauna of the that land.

Continuous Exploits
The absence of the RTS element in WoW is replaced by Quests which are integral in RPGs. Aside from eradicating monsters and voyaging far lands, accomplishing Quests will increase experience points and play an important contribution in level advancement. Quests are abundant throughout the game and vary greatly in terms of objectives, difficulty, length, rewards and outcomes. These tasks also help familiarize the player about the interesting legends of Warcraft. Best of all, completed Quests provide rewards like cash, potions, food, magical items, weapons, armors or other gifts that make your WoW experience more enjoyable.  Quests can sometimes trigger another related one forming Quest Chains.

A Virtual Society
As an MMORPG, WoW is designed with in-game Socials in mind. Searching for other players are as easy as entering the name or other keyword search details.  The Friends List can also be useful to quickly access other players. You can join or establish your own Group, Guild or Party with players of similar interests to undertake common pursuits. Packages and Mail containing messages, gold or items can be sent to other Characters. Items can be Bought and Sold using Gold in Auction Houses. Players are able to communicate with others using chat channels, friend lists, animated and audible character expressions.

An Intuitive Visual Interface
WoW has a user-friendly visual interface that’s intuitive and consistent throughout the game. The context sensitive philosophy involving the mouse and keyboard make the game control easier to learn and master therefore freeing the player from the complex learning involved with navigation to have more time for gameplay.  Hovering the mouse will reveal pop-up clues that will further aid learning and information for the player. Using XML, the game interface can be customized to suit your preference.

A Fulfilling Experience
Aside from just leveling or grinding through battle after battle, a huge variety of things can be done. Characters can craft items, fight against other players and explore distant lands. Even when players do fight monsters, it will often be as part of a quest, or in search of special materials for their crafts. Aside from fighting, there are other ways of gaining experience. Substantial experience points can be earned from doing quests. Exploration can also be a source of experience by simply traveling to areas where your character has never been.

Responsive Developers
Blizzard employees are mostly MMORPG gamers, have considerable gaming experience, are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the genre and strive to improve on the positive qualities while eliminating the downsides. Several problems in the past like “Kill Stealing” and “Camping” have been resolved by “Tapping” and “Instancing” policies. Experience points are fairly distributed among group members relative to their levels. Quest participants will receive a copy of the item from the killed monster or place where it was found. As a commitment from the developers, subscribers can enjoy regular monthly updates of quests, items and adventures.

An Ongoing Quest
WoW, as you will find it, is easy to learn but difficult to master. The game cannot truly end because of the thousands of game play hours in WoW plus nearly infinite goals for the players and the regular addition of new quests, creatures and items by the WoW Development team. This constant flow of fresh content guarantees that the game will introduce new attractions and innovations which makes it more and more exciting every coming month.  Currently, WoW has 2 Expansion Sets: Burning Crusades (January 2007), Wrath of the Lich King (November 2008) and the upcoming Cataclysm (~2010).

Warcraft across the Years
In the first Warcraft game, the warring Human and Orc races annihilate each other in campaigns directed by players or the in-game AI. Introduced in the second release were additional races of Elves, Dwarves and Gnomes who allied with Humans while Ogres, Trolls and Goblins fought with the Orcs. Two more playable races of Night Elves and the Undead were introduced in the third version.

A Pioneer of Real-Time Strategy Games
In the original three games, contenders play simultaneously and continuously against each others’ forces in virtual battlegrounds. Players manage the over-all operations which include resource gathering, structure building, base management, unit training, technology upgrades and combat direction. New options during the game become available after requirements are met. Each succeeding game version introduced major enhancements in gameplay over the previous ones.  The first three editions were entirely based on a local computer that also allows network gaming modes.

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The original Modern Warfare — of the Call of Duty series — completely revolutionized first- person shooter (FPS) gaming, for both PCs and game consoles, at a time when the genre was losing its appeal. The title earned critical acclamations that raised the bar for all future FPS games. Now, a few years later, Infinity Ward churned out Modern Warfare 2, a game that builds on the immense popularity of the first and carries on the legacy of the celebrated franchise.

Plot
Modern Warfare 2 is set five years after the wrapping up of the events of Call of Duty 4:
Modern Warfare and takes the original story forward, while smoothly infusing new characters into the storyline. The antagonist from the first title, lmran Zakhaev, is dead and his mantle has been taken up by his protégé, Vladimir Makarov, a terrorist who is hell-bent on disrupting global security. The intricate plot revolves around the recovery of an ACS module which has been seized by the Russians — and to recover this module, Two members of Task 141, Captain “Soap” MacTavish and Sergeant Gary “Roach” Sanderson are sent by the US Army. Mission locations are set all over the world, ranging from the war-torn Afghanistan, to mob- infested Rio de Janeiro, to the bombarded landmarks of Washington D.C. Though the plot is thick with betrayal, surprises and unpredictable twists, the lack of association to any of the soldiers you control is heavily felt, as is the absence of an orderly structured story, which is laid out in the form of generic mission briefings.

Gameplay
The single-player mode of this FPS game has 18 missions altogether. Similar to the previous installments, the player can assume the role of various characters during the campaign mode in order to experience different battle situations. However, this time around, battle missions feel much shorter and more abrupt than in the original, though they basically account for the same amount of play time as the previous one.

Multiplayer and cooperative mode
Modern Warfare 2 not only lives up to the groundbreaking multiplayer aspect of the original, but also incorporates several additional perks. In addition to new game types and maps, players can choose to play from a third-person perspective. The multiplayer perks and class system return with several improvements. For example, although you can only equip yourself with three different perks per class, additional bonuses are provided upon death, based on your gameplay, such as a timed health boost for consecutive deaths without a kill. Players can also choose which bonuses to receive for kill streaks based on their style of play. Unlike its previous installments, the offline multiplayer mode now incorporates most of the online multiplayer features.

Lastly, the game includes a cooperative Special Ops mode, which features timed challenges to be accomplished by two players off line and approximately four players online.

Tweaks and enhancements
Modern Warfare 2 carries forward all the excitement, action and mechanics from the original and further improves upon them. It upgrades the design of enemy attacks — instead of having players consistently mow down waves of enemy soldiers, the game offers dramatic set pieces that come in different varieties. This game allows enemies to act more ‘independently’, appearing and behaving differently every time one plays a level. Along with standard mission objectives that involve run-and-gun tactics, players can also utilize specific vehicles to their advantage which spices up the gameplay.

The pace is staggeringly fast, with players having to break through enemy resistance one moment, and then running for dear life on rooftops the next. Players now have much more room for manoeuvrability and can accomplish an objective via multiple routes. This makes the game more challenging, since enemy locations are less predictable and the enemy forces will use any means necessary to take down the protagonist amidst civilian population. The authenticity of the series also extends to the armament supplied to players. With over 30 different weapons, multiple firing modes, realistic grenade and bullet physics, and the ability to operate dual handguns, the game does a spectacular job of creating authentic bafflefields.

Visuals and sounds
The visuals and sounds of Modern Warfare 2 have received a huge improvement from the first installment. With a modified game engine, the graphics of the game are mesmerising and its sounds are simply astounding. While shadows may suffer from pixelation at times, lighting and textures are unmatched and the level of detail is simply jaw-dropping. Even with absolute mayhem raging on-screen, the game maintains a blistering frame rate, and the militaristic background score livens up the action. Hands down, this game is definitely the best looking title released on multiple platforms.

The verdict
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a stupefying title that lives up to the reputation of its predecessor. The single-player mode is amazingly action-packed, while multiplayer gameplay is one of the best. Few games manage to deliver on such high expectations, but this sequel does, making this addictive game an absolute must to get your hands on – if you’re older than 15 years.

Just Cause 2
A Swedish developer, Avalanche Studios, brings us Just Cause 2, a sequel to the 2006 title. The game once again puts players in shoes of protagonist Rico Rodriguez, as he ventures to the Southeast Asian island of Panau, to overthrow an evil dictator, Baby Panay, and ultimately confront his former boss and mentor, Tom Sheldon. The gameplay carries forward the traditional sandbox elements found in the first title. An upgraded version of the game engine used in the first version of the game engine used in the first installment has been used and is aptly named Avalanche Engine 2.0. Several additions and improvements appear to have been incorporated, including enhanced artificial intelligence (Al), a hybrid aiming system that helps players master, their marksmanship, and an adaptive difficulty setting that scales itself with the progress of the player. New weapons such as a laser-controlled rocket launcher, a one-hand grenade launcher, remote-triggered C4 and detachable mini-guns have also been introduced.

Furthermore, the driving mechanics have been improved incorporating a real-time deform system for detaching movable parts. In this installment, weapons and vehicles can be acquired through the black market and upgraded as the game progresses. There are over 2,000 parts available for purchase; once bought they are transported to the player’s location in-game via heavy drop. With two years of development invested in the project, Avalanche Studios plans to ride high with this title.

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Bioshock is a first person shooter game by 2K Games – formerly Irrational Games – the minds behind the critically acclaimed System Shock series. As a spiritual successor to that series, Bioshock takes the winning formula of a haunting atmosphere, deep storyline, and great action gameplay and updates it for a new generation.

In Bioshock, the player takes on the role of a man named Jack. The story begins with Jack aboard a plane which promptly crashes somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. As the only survivor, Jack makes his way to a nearby lighthouse, which is actually the entrance to an underwater city known as Rapture. Built by a visionary named Andew Ryan, Rapture was meant to be a city of science and progress, where great minds could pursue their research without sanction. This leads to great advances in biotechnology and the introduction of ADAM, a material that can rewrite the human genome, granting miraculous powers and superhuman capabilities.

However, something has gone horribly wrong. When Jack arrives in Rapture, he finds himself under attack by splicers – violently mad ADAM addicts – and the city’s defenses controlled by a seemingly paranoid and insane Andew Ryan. To survive, Jack must arm himself and enhance his own body with ADAM, gaining new powers as he progresses through the now derelict city.

Throughout the game, the player comes across audio diaries that chronicle the alternately inspiring and horrific history and downfall of Rapture. There’s also an important ethical decision to be made. Little Sisters, genetically altered adolescent girls who can collect ADAM, can either be rescued or sacrificed to gain more power. Harvesting the Sisters grants the player more ADAM to upgrade abilities – but at what cost? Of course, to make the choice at all, Jack must first defeat the Big Daddies, the hulking guardians of the Little Sisters. The core gameplay of  Bioshock is that of a first person shooter. Jack employs both standard firearms and ADAM-powered plasmids to do things such as project fire, use telekinesis, and control the minds of enemies.

Key Features:

• Atmospheric presentation draws you into beautiful and horrifying world of Rapture

• Learn the disturbing history of Rapture through audio diaries found around the city

• Explore an open and fully realized underwater city

• Experiment with different combinations of firearms and superpower-granting plasmids to defeat your enemies

• Collect items and money from the environment and use them to upgrade weapons, ammunition and plasmids, and even build new weapons and ammo

• Choose to either save or harvest the Little Sisters – do you choose power, or mercy?

• Battle insane splicers and the massive Big Daddies, and use hacking skills to work your way past security turrets and cameras

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While the core experience of navigating environments through parkour or “freerunning” movement and brutal stealth assassinations is unchanged, Assassin’s Creed II has a wealth of new futures that raise it up above its predecessor. As in the first game, players will take on dual roles: in 2012, they play as Desmond Miles, the descendent of an ancient line of Assassins, who explores his forebears’ history through a device called the Animus. This time, instead of focusing on the Assassin Altair in the late 12th century, Desmond relives the memories of Ezio Auditore de Firenze during the renaissance era in Italy.

Assassin's Creed II

Due to a dark conspiracy, Ezio’s father and brothers were killed – and now he seeks vengeance. Taking up the white garments of the assassin, Ezio is trained in the art by his uncle before setting off to unravel the conspiracy.

Just like Altair in the first game, Ezio is a remarkable athlete, who can sprint, jump, hurdle climb, balance, shimmy, swing, and wallrun to get just about anywhere in the game world. He’s also an excellent assassin who can take out an enemy in a single, fatal blow should he get the drop on them. However, Ezio is no slouch in direct combat either, and can disarm his enemies and use any of their weapons against them. Should the fight turn against Ezio, he has some new ways to escape his pursuers. The ability to dive into the water and blend in with any crowd (instead of solely the white-robed monks in the first game) give the player new avenues of escape.

Assassin’s Creed II takes players to a number of notable locations in Italy, including Venice, Florence and Tuscany, all presented in stunning detail. In his journeys, Ezio runs across some notable figures from history – including a young Leonardo Da Vinci who can create new weapons and gadgets to help Ezio succeed at his task. Players even get to use a flying machine based on true-to-life Da Vinci designs.

One of the criticisms of the original game was the lack of variety in missions. Assassin’s Creed II fixes that problem with a much wider variety of objectives and other side-missions to keep the player busy and entertained.

Key Features:

• Open world gameplay across beautifully rendered and faithfully recreated regions of renaissance Italy, including Venice and Rome.

• Improved version of the freerunning system from the first game.

• More complex combat system than the first game, with the ability to disarm. enemies and wield new types of weapons.

• Meet famous historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli.

• Simultaneously unravel two separate storylines – bringing down the conspiracy in Ezio’s time, and uncovering the truth about Abstergo in Desmond’s.

• New health and notoriety systems force players to stay on their toes and react.

• Enhance Ezio’s family estate to bring in income that can be invested in new weapons, upgrades and other helpful items.

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