Reviews Thread

[BabeSlayer]

Hey guys i was lurking the web today and i came accross this program.
Its called Point Gen,
it does exactly the same as a KEygen
It generates a random code and you just reedeem your code from the dashboard.


I got 800 points,
You guys should try it
CLick here!!!!
download it, its so simple it took me 5 mins maximum!!

[BabeSlayer]

Two Worlds Review

Well I know this was long awaited but i wanted to get a feel for the game properly before i passed judgment.

Ah now where to begin. Well the obvious comparison to this game is Oblivion, so i'll be comparing and contrasting it with oblivion. I'll run through the elements of a game in order of imiportance at least to me



First off Gameplay: This is the thing that can make or break any game, no matter how bad your story sucks if your gameplay is good it doesn't matter (GOW for example) no matter how horrible the graphics might be gameplay can outweight it (Final Fantasy 7 for example). The game play in two worlds is nothing amazing, and nothing we really haven't seen before, it is however something new to consols, in my opinion the gameplay for this is superior to that of oblivion. The combat for example is not simply slash run away slash run away like i felt like i did in oblivion always but you actually have various combos you can do, and fighting groups of enemies at once with spinning and twisting attacks (like you've seen in the trailers) is actually quite fun. The physical engine of this game is also superior to that of Oblivion, in that it actually has one (lol). This game is simple to pick up and go, ya there's the usual learning curve but its not so big that you can't get your mind around it in under 10 minutes. For overall gameplay I would rank it higher than oblivion simply because you feel more involved. In oblivion it was almost to much like you were giving commands and a guy was responding but it wasn't you. I feel more apart of this one. Another really cool part that deserves to be mention'd is the fact you can set traps for opponents and lure them into it, nothing like setting a bear trap one someone and beating them sensless while they can't move . Now a few of the negatives about the gameplay, i couldn't even name my character? WTF is that? Who the hell wants to walk around with a nameless hero...pretty stupid if you ask me for something that is soo easily fixed. The skill tree and tech tree....absolutly no training is given on this everything i learned was either from trial and error or from reading the book....i want some in game training please! Oblivion absolutly blew this away with character costumization, no doubt about it. You can't even pick your major skills and things for single player (you can when you go online...wtf if anything should be the other way around) so that really bother'd me. Now i know everyone has been hearing about framerate problems and etc. . . and ya its a little absurd i haven't had framerate issues but there are "loading" icons every now and then and everything stops on the screen your like uh...wtf?!?!?! but it doesn't happen a lot and for the most part i can over look it (only happen'd once in battle) As for the famed fighting on horseback? wow i've never seen more glitches...either that or i've just been on some stuborn horses that don't wanna move to save there dang lives, thats annoying!



Story line: The main story line (granted i'm only 5+ hours into the game) but so far I really like it. Has more of an epic feel to it than Oblivion. You feel like your actually apart of something huge where as in oblivion you just felt like it was huge and that you got to play around in the...well oblivion. The quest are fun and rewarding some of them like any RPG are cheesy and mundane but hey thats life in an RPG (atleast until Mass Effect comes out). Overall i've enjoyed this story line over Oblivions (other than patrick stewart at the start of Oblivion was awesome!) This one just feels more epic to me. That aside the guild quests do not hold a candle to the guild quests of oblivion...however unlike oblivion the guild quests actually tie into the main quest (novel idea a game thats fluid lol). There mostly retarded to be honest with an occasional really fun and exciting one but your don't feel like your working your way up to master all these guilds your more feel like your there errand boy and get the work no one else is willing to do.



Graphics:.......after playing Bioshock for 3 days straight i thought I was back on a PS2 or Xbox......the graphics are maybe a rival for fable's graphics...maybe. No comparison Oblivions graphics were far far superior. Its annoying at first cause you feel like your playing a last gen game on such a powerful consol but hey thats life. Graphics get a big thumbs down from me.



Script: ok the script in this game is probably worse then a steven segaul (sp) movie....seriously these people talk like complete idiots....actually thats giving them too much credit they talk like there thirteen century peasants that don't know wtf english is lol. its absurd and downright shameful, mostly its just comical

Soundtrack: only one word describes this soundrack Epic, it is amazing!



Replay value: I don't know if anyone actually replayed oblivion i know i didn't and i know i wont replay this one but i'll probably finish it faster than i did oblivion, the cool thing is, is that you can complete quests differently if someone has something i want i can either kill them and take it or do what they want and coax them into giving it to me. Each route will result in a differnt outcome and its pretty cool i've messed around with that a little bit, and its pretty sweet how reputation plays such a big role in this world. This game however does have the added online, and there is a variety of things you can do on there, questing, deathmatch (pvp) monster hunts, horse thiefing, horse racing etc. . . all those are catagories of online play, i think when i'm done with the single player (or bored of it and needing a break) that will make for a good diversion.



Overall this game vs oblivion i'd still go with oblivion, it was just bigger thats the only way i can describe it, this game is fun and i'm rather addicted to it at present time, but its no oblivion so don't expect it to be. If you are really craving a good RPG and can overlook a few minor things that should be there that arn't then i'd recommend this game, it has a lot to offer and can be very quite fun (even my niece was mezmorized watching me for about 2 hours), it can pull you in like the best RPG's. However if your cash is short and you have to make tuff decisions about games then i'd save some of that cash for the big named games that are coming here pretty quick (Halo, Mass effect, Assasins Creed, COD4, etc. . . ) This game is great for me because i'm ok with dropping the money on a game like this, i'll get a lot of use out of it and possibly some really good times online with it.

overall i'l give this game a 7.3 out of 10 Great fun but maybe not for everyone

[BabeSlayer]

Two Worlds Follow up

I have some final thoughts upon finishing the game.

The Story which at first was exciting and even bordering on epic turned out to be a complete sham, lamely put together and horribly ended. Seriously the ending looked like it was thrown together in about 5 minutes. The cut scenes in this game are an absolute joke. The Grand enemy as he is refered to is not half as tuff as some of the monstors i incountered in the world and that really bother'd me. Remember how Oblivion ended? Well that was epic this was just short and poorly put together.

My favorite part: Probably the best part about this game or one of the funnest things i did was to hunt down a dragon, man i tell you what those beasts are massive and it was a thrill to engage one in combat, granted its animation was sub-par at best but still...its a dragon its just cool no matter what.

Finishing this game did give me a sense of accomplishment but i probably wouldn't buy an expansion pack for it, the game has obvious misgivings and the glitches are frequent and just plain irresponsible. Will I ever play this game again? Most likely i will i want to explore the online a bit more where i think there is a bit of room for potential but it is badly in need of a patch to clear up some of the obvious issues both single player and multi.

In my early review of the game i talked about how I enjoyed the fighting style and that stuck true throught the game the fighting style to me at least was a bit more fun than oblivions, however eventually my character became so powerful that most creatures that fell victim to my double bladed axe fell in one swoop, which was really cool at first, but eventually got kinda boring, I would be surounded by enemies and none could touch me. The creatures in Two Worlds do not advance according to your level, they stay the same stats as always (unlike oblivion) which was a two edged sword. In the beginning i got my butt kicked on a regular basis, and in the end I walked through hords of enemies with little to no skill involved in my battle tactics.

In general I did enjoy this game, but like i've mention'd this probably isn't a game most people would be willing to pay full price for, maybe after its patched and available for a lower price i'd recommend picking it up, but as is it seems like i've played 15+ hours of a beta of a game that shows a lot of promise. In the end the story was a let down, and the acting/voice's remained a constant drag on my sense's but none the less the game was fun and did keep me entertained for quite a few hours. After only playing that game for close to a week i'm ready to put Bioshock back in my console.

(i would have included some more pictures and stuff but i'm at work and not able to)

[BabeSlayer]

Shadowrun Review.
by Atillia



Hey guys, I recently purchased Shadowrun, not thinking much of it. One of my friends was very interested in the game, so I bought it to play with him. I was expecting something good, as he hyped it to no end. I wasn't super interested in the game, but that changed when I played it.

For starters, I highly advise going through the training sessions before you deploy yourself into the Xbox Live portion of the game...its intense out there. The training sessions are explained very well, and will help you greatly when you get into the field.

Right when I started the first training session, I realized that the graphics were very nice. They have a very smooth look, and the lighting effects look awesome.



In the first session, you learn the basics. Gliding is the first thing you learn. In multiplayer, you can buy a glider (The game uses a buy system similar to Counter Strike and Perfect Dark). The glider is like a set of wings, and when you use it, you lift high into the air and slowly glide back down. Its a pretty neat tool. You also learn how to teleport in this section, which is a crucial tool when avoiding or tricking enemies. You can teleport through walls, ceilings, or floors...and even through the air.

As you move along in the training sessions, you learn such things as resurrect and The Tree of Life. These really change the way people play online. Resurrect works exactly how you would think...it resurrects a teammate who was killed. The Tree of Life is basically a giant magical tree, where if close by, will heal you. Without resurrect, your team could be doomed, as games go quickly. Other powers like Gust(A burst of wind that blows enemies away), Strangle(Enemy deterring spikes that can be deployed), Summon(Summons a large beast), Anti-magic (self-explanatory?) Smoke(Like an over shield in Halo), Smartlink(Improved accuracy, aim, and scopes on all guns), and Wired Reflexes (Insane speed and agility)are described and explained in the training sessions. You use your magic based on your Essence level. Your Essence goes down a certain amount every time you use magic. Don't worry though, it regenerates on the spot, the speed depending on which race you are.

In this game there are four races to choose from. Each having their advantages and disadvantages.

Elf: They are fast, and self heal, but they have less health, and move slower with heavy weapons.
Troll: These big beasts are strong, and can wield a minigun. Their skin also hardens while they get shot to prevent damage. You may think this is great, but they are slow, and are huge targets.
Human: Just like you and me. An average fighter.
Dwarf: These guys are pretty cool. They can survive a head shot, and they also have the most Essence, yet it recharges very slow.

There is a small amount of weapons in this game, but don't be angry, magic plays a huge role in defeating your opponent. There is an SMG, Rifle, Katana, Minigun, Sniper rife, pistol, shotgun, and rocket launcher.

There are two teams when playing online. Lineage and RNA. There is a story behind this game, but I regret to inform you, that I dont know it. The RNA are cop-like people, who in one game mode, defend an artifact. The Lineage are the enemies of the RNA, or terrorist-like individuals.



Ah, now onto the gameplay. I played a few matches on Live, and let me tell you...its crazy. The game is very fast paced. One wrong move, and you are gone(Unless you have teleport that is). The maps are pretty balanced from what I've seen. The game is very team oriented. You have to use your magic to help yourself, and your team(ie. Tree of Life and Resurrect). Using all of that magic, in coordination with weapons is good fun. Slashing with a katana while invincible to gunfire (limited time) is awesome. There are so many possibilities with the different kinds of magic, and thats what really makes the game fun.



No Xbox Live? No problem. You can still play against bots, and do everything you can do in multiplayer, just not play against other people.

It was also stated that people playing Shadowrun on the PC with Windows Vista can play against people on Xbox. Seems like a cool feature, we will see soon how that works out.



Well, from what I have played so far, this game is pretty damn fun. Its got great potential to be an awesome online game. I would highly recommend buying it in the near future. By the way, there are alot of maps on multiplayer as well. Enjoy.

Im off to play more Shadowrun. See ya.

Review by: Atillia.

i can't get the pictures to copy over

[BabeSlayer]

Bioshock Review by DragonKnight

BioShock Review by DragonKnight


Developed by 2k Boston/Australia

The Story of course takes place in an underwater city called Rapture. You get here by your plane crashing in the middle of the Atlantic and this is where you start the game. When you get inside this underwater city you see it decaying around you and seems like the ocean is caving in on it. You see when you get there that it was created by Andrew Ryan a idealist who despised the way governments and laws were set towards people so he created Rapture.

If you played the demo then you basically know the story but that is what it quickly is about. Ok on to the review I know some people wanted this so here it is. I did not beat the game when I wrote this review but I played it for a good 10 hours or so which is about half way there.




Gameplay: The game plays as in other ways a modified shooter. You use your plasmids which are the genetics which you shoot out of your left arm. There are they say 70 plasmid tonics in the game which you have to get from buying them with the Adam you get from the little sisters or find them lying around Rapture. When I first started the game I knew what I was expecting from the demo so what is important is really after the demo ends. The game still plays the same as the demo just with more weapons and plasmids. The mood of course sets the gameplay perfect as it is very dark and a mystery to what went on in this place. There are 6 weapons you get in the game which you can modify and upgrade as you progress with 3 different ammo types:

Pistol – The average revolver gun, very good if your low on ammo with the other weapons and is a pretty furious weapon.

Shotgun – The shotgun is a pretty good close quarters weapon and great for a one on one combat.

Machine Gun – Typical machine tommy gun. Very good against a load of enemies.

Crossbow – The Crossbow is a good weapon for a surprise attack for a reason, I just saw it as a weapon to use against one or two enemies.

Grenade Launcher – This is a good gun to use against several enemies to take them all out at once. You get like mines and grenades which are good for traps.

Chemical Thrower - For this weapon it uses elements kinda like the plasmids to freeze light on fire or electrocute stuff. Very good also to use against several enemies.

For the plasmids, there are so many to mention but they are basically self explanatory when you get them. You get a little message that is a little funny and cool explaining the plasmid.

The AI's in the game are pretty smart they attack you when they see you and don't back off. Another thing about the AI's are the little sister and the Big Daddies. They have an interaction that I have never seen in a game before. It is just incredible. Like when he gets the little sister from one of those holes she starts saying how she heard him or something and she starting singing songs and talking it is just amazing. Once she gets her adam she starts saying how she is tired and the big daddy pats his hand on her head, nothing I have seen in a game before. Also once when I was fighting the Big Daddy he throw her on top of him and starting fighting me which I was like wtf that is insane. I heard about this from trailers and stuff but when you see it it is just breathtaking. Once you defeat a big daddy she starts to cry and says mr bubbles please get up mr bubbles. In other words the AI is absolutely fantastic in this game. From hacking stuff and making turrets and bots help you, to vending machines to other machines that help your character grow. I kinda liked the arrow too when they show you where to go. I thought it was helpful when you get lost. All in all gameplay on this game is one of a kind and a pleasure to play. I am giving Gameplay a 10/10.




Sound – The sound in this game is something to be heard. If you just stand still you hear stuff from the distance and just shows the environment and place your in. There are other things you hear and see but you have to experience that yourself. Sound is probably the best sound I have seen in a game 10/10




Graphics – The graphics are probably one of the best I have seen on a console. The water alone is something to behold. The character models seem very well done and the level's graphics are done well too. I can't say I can compare it to other games because graphics are graphics but still very amazing graphics for a console game. 10/10.




Lastibilty – Now I know this is where a lot of people are going to be looking it. Is it worth it to buy? Is it worth a rent?. To lastibilty i have to say this. I am about half way through the game already I am assuming and I still wanted more. I will play it a second time or maybe even third. I think the best answer to this is. If you truly think you are going to play it only once, just rent it then. You have to experience it at least. If you really think your playing it through twice based on what you seen from other reviews then I say buy it. It is something nice to have in your collection and you never know when your bored one day to just pick it up and play it. Since I played about half the game in 10 hours in medium I think it will be much longer on hard. The game is hard enough on medium when you progress through it. I am going to rate this on my honest opinion and not a biased one but I think lastibilty if you play it once is a 9.2. if you play it twice then I say a 9.5.




Conclusion – I believe that this can be one of my favorite games of all time. I never had so much fun playing a game like this before. The experience, the story, the characters, the twist and turns all of that. Truly remarkable game. I just have to thank 2k Boston/Australia for making such an awesome game and I hope they make an amazing sequel. Thanks for reading and I hope you liked it. Final score will be added once I finish it.

again no pictures if you guys transfer your own reviews i'll take this down so your pictures show

[BabeSlayer]

Madden 08 Review by (BabeSlayer)

Well, its finally here, some of us have been waiting two years for a game of this caliber to hit our Xbox, and after last night, all doubts and distaste i had for the Madden franchise has left me completley. When I first heard the new madden was coming out I was peeked, souly due to the fact that I love football, i'd figure'd i'd get it just becaue it was madden and hey why not. Then as it got closer and closer the more i heard the more excited I was. When yesterday finally arrived and at midnight i was gonna pick it up. I started to get scared. Thinking this year would be another let down, and that it just wouldn't live up to the hype and all of those things. When i finally got my hands on the game and got it into my xbox i booted it up and the opening cinamatic was of course excellent, i thought to myself well its off to a good start. When I loaded up my first game (Denver Broncos VS Oakland Raiders) I lost the coin toss and had to kick off, thinking to myself oh man i'm gonna get rocked first play.....as my thoughts were going here and i non chalantly kicked off the ball suddenly i was ingrossed in the game the kickoffs ARE AMAZING now, Jason Elam (best kicker in the NFL bar none) launched the sucker outa the enzone but it was like i was watching a cinamatic it was pretty impressive. Needless to say the rest of the game progressed, me starting on defense and actually being able to control the defence (this is new for me in past maddens the deffence has been so sloppy feeling) long story short amazing first game which i won by 21 points in the end and had some pretty amazing game moments through it. Now there is a couple of things I wanna point out

1. The new hitstick 2.0, this new little inovation is simply down right pure fun. I was dropping quarterbacks with heavy hits to the upper body, and undercutting recievers running cross routes all night long. Nothing gets old about watching a reciever fly through the air just to be hit again.

2. Complete control Defense. You have so much you can do on defense now, no longer will one reciever just tear your team apart, you can pin two guys on that SOB, No longer will mobile Quarterbacks run rampit on you, you can call guys up for quarterback containment. There is so much depth to what you can do that quit literally you can counter anything if you know what to expect, picking up on tendancies is KEY in this one, where as before it was helpful in 08 if you don't do it you will be beaten and beaten badly.

3. Weapons of the field. Players which excel in certain areas have weapon icons (atleast thats what i'm calling them) for instance John Lynch (Free Saftey for the Denver Broncos) Is known as one of the hardest hitting players in the league he of course has a hammer under his name indicating he can deliver a punch, and he does i forced 2 fumbles with him and broke up countless passes. He also has a light bulb which means he is an intelligent player, this shows in his pass deffense ability, not the quickest but almost always is between the ball and the reciever. Another example, Cutler the QB for the Broncos has a rocket under his name indicating that he has a rocket of an arm...and he sure does very few people can gun it in there like Jay Cutler. Utilizing these weapons is key winning games, miss matching and off setting the weapons on the field is like an elborate game of chess, and is really rewarding when you pull it off.

All in all I am highly impressed with my initial exposure to Madden 08, and look forward to getting into the game more deeply. I played 3 games of single player last night and one online and even the online game first night wasn't laggy, still wasn't perfect mind you but leeps and bounds better than what i've come to expect from sports games online. I lost so the outcome wasn't what i wanted but i had a chance to win, and can't blame it on lag or anything of the sort....i wouldn't have it any other way . If anyone else is getting this game and wants to go up against my Broncos hit me up and i'll show ya how its done at Mile High!

[BabeSlayer]

Dirt Review by (Seal) i think.....

Hi folks. Ever since the first screenshots of DiRT emerged I've been anticipating this game. The wait was over more quickly than I had imagined it would be, with the game being released around two weeks later than the Marketplace demo. Even if the wait had extended further into the year, it would have been worth it, this game is extremely impressive.

I'll start by giving a brief description of the types of racing available in the game:Rally:
Exactly what it says on the tin; conventional Rallying. Racing point-to-point on treacherous stages across Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia and the UK.
Crossover:
This racing puts two racers head to head on the same, 2 lane, track. The lanes are crossed at the end of every lap, giving both drivers the advantages and disadvantages that each lane incurs.
In the game much of the Crossover takes place in knock-out tournaments-with quarter and semi final heats leading to the final.
Rallycross:
Rallycross is a motor sport of European origin. The tracks comprise both track and off-road elements, making the competition action packed and fierce. The tracks are mainly located in France and the UK, with most of the drivers being European.
Rally Raid:
The home of long track off-road racing in the USA. Reminiscent of the vehicles used in the Dakar rally (Google it) these purpose built and rugged vehicles are raced across desert courses in the Otay Valley.
This type of racing involves six vehicles being raced simultaneously on the same thin, dangerous track. This makes competition very aggressive, and at times dangerous for your vehicle.
CORR:
Short for Championship Off Road Racing. This is the most popular short course off-road competition in the USA. The races take place between buggies, by which I can't help being reminded of the Smugglers Run games. Very similar to Rally Raid in terms of course terrain, only these specifically designed vehicles can survive the sever land.
Hill Climb:
Fairly self explanatory. This is the most extreme of the racing disciplines in the game; seeing you racing 850bhp behemoths skyward to the peak of the mountain.



All these disciplines will be tested if you choose to partake in the career mode. This comprises all of the above racing types, giving you a pyramid of events you must climb to become the “Champion of Champions.”

For the old school, die hard Colin McRae fan there is the Championship mode. This is the classic Colin McRae rally mode, where you progress through the championships as in the WRC (World Rally Championship.)

Of course, these race types are available outside of any progressive mode; the tracks and vehicles you have purchased during the Career and Championship modes can be used at any time, in single races, single events (comprising several races) and time trials.

Finally we can talk about the gameplay. I knew what to expect at the Amateur (Medium) difficulty setting from the demo: A semi-real Arcade/Sim hybrid which allows you to throw your car around, making you feel like a stuntman, but also punishing you if you fail to brake or decelerate when necessary.

The higher difficulties (Pro-Am and Pro) are, as far as I can see, aimed at the simulation fans among us; they require far more concentration and skill to prevent yourself from skewing of the track or tumbling down a mountainside. So, there is something here for Forza fans, especially when you consider the fact that the realism of the damage system is also altered by the change of difficulty.

The lower difficulties (Clubman and rookie), in my opinion, are an unnecessary addition. I believe that anyone could progress comfortably through the game at Amateur difficulty with 20 minutes or so practice.



The instructions given by your co-driver are very helpful, telling you how far away and how sharp the upcoming twists and turns are. If you listen carefully they eliminate the need to look at your course map, allowing you to focus on the track ahead.

The physics engine in this game is, at times, unpredictable: it can feel very realistic one minute and then suddenly very unrealistic, obviously by my assumption, I've never driven a Rally car. For example, at occasions the handling seems very light and floaty, this can make it much harder or much easier than I assume it would be to handle the cars.

Aesthetic damage is however, a completely different story. Fences and crowd barricades crumple and fall away realistically as and when your car hits. Stronger obstructions, such as billboards and railings mould around your car, often getting caught under parts of the bodywork and tearing away as you attempt to get back into the race.

The same is true for damage in the vehicles-aesthetic damage not only occurs where you've collided with another vehicle or part of the scenery, but also how you'd expect to happen. I'll take the above as an example; reversing with part of the rail tangled under the front body work of your car may leave you deprived of a bumper.

Mechanical damage, as far as I'm concerned, is also very realistic. As with the aesthetic side of things, wreckage affects the areas of the car you would expect it to-driving over a large rock, hidden in the Aussie undergrowth at 90mph will damage your wheels, suspension and steering.
Although the damage system is not as detailed and precise as Forza, let's be honest-the benchmark in realism, it's works well in this game.

The car setup options are also excellent. I personally have no idea what to do with them, so can't offer any insight into getting your car running perfectly. I can, however, assure you they are there, and that there are basic audio explanations of what they influence.

Here's one I think many will have been waiting for; visuals. I for one feared that it would be a major let down after the screen shots and videos littered across the web, but it wasn't. The graphics are exactly as they are in the media you may have seen, which I think you'll agree is superb. Mud and sand are flicked up realistically and are hurled over your vehicle. This effect works much better in DiRT than I've seen it work in any other game; the thickness of the grime and the speed of the vehicle effect quite clearly the amount that ends up on the bodywork, it isn't just slapped on willy nilly.
The HDR lighting effects are also superb, coming out from a shaded area into the sun is one of the most impressive pieces of visual assertion in any game, ever. The only gripe I have in terms of the visuals is that some of the textures of the car interiors are of low quality compared to the rest of the game, as are the crowds. On the whole I think DiRT steals the graphics crown from GOW, not an easy thing to do.




The sound is also very absorbing, engine sounds very real, as do the strange grinding and crunching noises rally cars always seem to make (if anyone knows what these noises are, please share.) The clang of vehicles colliding with each other or parts of the environment are also very accurate, you can hear the fibreglass crushing in on itself. Bear in mind, I'm listening in a stereo HiFi, many of you will have better audio setups than me.

As of yet I've had no chance to play online, I'll add to this when I have.

I'd recommend this game to anyone; racing fan or not. The visceral and realistic visuals and sounds make up for the occasional wobble in the handling and until another Toca Race Driver is released nothing offers the range of racing types that this game does.


Gameplay:8.9
By far the most enjoyable racing game I have played since the days of the PS.
Graphics: 9.4
The best graphics of any 360 game, I think you'll agree there is some pretty strong competition out there.
Sound: 9.5
Brutal and realistic, I'd love to hear it on a decent surround setup.
Longevity:9.0
The Career and Championship modes will pan out differently each time, giving great replay value.

OVERALL:9.2

[BabeSlayer]

Forza 2 Review by Lithium

FORZA 2 review
by Lithium



Hey guys, I was lucky enough to get Forza 2 yesterday (I live in Namibia and most games only arrive ten years after their release around here) and unsurprisingly,I am very impressed. Nowadays most games tend to be too fast-paced for me and my dad to enjoy some gaming together but FORZA 2 is one of the few games me and my dad can play together, he even payed half of the price. So first off, thanks FORZA, for re-uniting me with my father.

Graphics

Like most people I was expecting FORZA 2 to be a graphical powerhouse and unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. By no means is FORZA 2 an ugly game, its a GOOD looking game but not a GREAT looking game. 60 FPS, damage models and deep customization are the goods but the track textures are blurry,the cars pack some serious jaggies and the damage models arent that great. But overall, if your not looking straight into a tree in Photo mode, the game looks good.



Gameplay

FORZA 2 plays incredibly, drifting feels extremely risky, brakes lock (with ABS off) and the overall feel is very satisfying. The controller layout is like any racer but the key in racing is feathering the buttons, full-out braking and full-out acceleration are the keys to losing a race. FORZA 2 has a driving line implemented like the original FORZA but it also has a new braking-only line, which only shows you when to brake/slow down which I prefer most. The AI is smart and they move realistically although it tends to be too easy to bounce off of other racers in corners and scare them off with sudden braking.
Although FORZA 2 is a simulator it still brings the fun and excitement in bucket-loads and overall, the best aspect of FORZA 2 is obviously the car handling and although I have no clue whatsoever how a real car drives, I'm guessing this is pretty close. Oh, and for anyone who would take their time to look at the stats, they are incredibly detailed and way too deep for me.

Sound

All the cars sounded quite realistic, with lots of different engine sounds but the soundtrack kinds sucks. Some Asian-American-alt-rock-jazz-R&B lover might like this soundtrack, but I don't, although I found myself jumping to one of the songs while tricking out my ride.

On that note, the car customization is incredibly deep and fun, with unlimited decal possibilities (well almost) and lots of performance options, car tuning and powertrain swapping, this feature alone adding a massive chunk of longevity to this game.



Modes

The main mode is Career which starts out with you choosing a region, Asia, North America or Europe and the car manufacturers in these regions will continuously support you throughout your career with discounts and free cars. So far I have enjoyed the career but I have read that some tracks become quite repetitive after a while (doesn't everything get old after a while?)

There is also a multiplayer mode which supports XBOX LIVE which I have not been able to experience yet since I don't have LIVE and Arcade mode which includes Time trials, exhibition and free run. I have only tried out time trials (race against the clock and your ghost) and free run (fool around) and both were as expected.

Overall, FORZA lived up to its expectations making up for its disappointing graphics with great gameplay and numerous modes. FORZA 2 will last months for any gamer and years for true car enthusiasts. I highly recommend FORZA 2 to anyone who hasn't bought it yet.


The goods:
Great handling, Great customization, big car roster, good graphics with a super-fast frame rate. Will last for ages. Your dad will play it with you.

The bads:
Weak soundtrack, potentially repetitive selection of tracks, graphics arent THAT good. Your dad will play it with you.


Graphics: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 9.5/10
Sound: 7.5/10
Longevity: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

[Lethal]

Bioshock Review:

Bioshock is not your everyday shooter. In fact, I wouldnt even call this a FPS game. Its more like first person role playing game/shooter. The story starts out with a plane crash in to the ocean. You make your way to some sort of tiny island which is basically just a building. Once inside you make your way to an elevator which takes you to the under water city of Rapture. Rapture was once a wonderful city full of hopes and dreams.......By the time you arrive those hopes and dreams are loooong gone. You are greeted via radio by a man name Atlas. His wife and child are trapped and he is not able to save them. You are his only hope of ever seeing his family again. Throughout the city are many many different enemies. Splicers were once normal people but after too much Plasmids and tonics these people have turned into crazed people who are extremely aggressive towards anybody they do not know. Little sisters are little girls that roam around Rapture drinking the blood of the dead bodies scattered around. The big daddy hangs around the little sisters and protects them at all costs.
There are many items to find in this game. Weapon upgrades, Pasmids, keys, money, diaries and more. You will also recieve a camera and will need to take pictures of whatever you can. There are grades for each picture.

GRAPHICS
The game has some of the best graphics I have ever seen. Actually this might have better graphics than Gears of War. The water and lighting effects are absolutely amazing.

SOUND
The sound couldnt get any better. Sounds of water dripping and fire cracking. The faint sound of a woman talking to her dead baby in the distance. Security cameras noticing a disturbance in the area. The music also has a nice 50s feel to it to really set the era.

GAMEPLAY
The game controls are incredibly smooth and using all your powers and weapons are easy.

OVERALL
I give this game a perfect score. There isnt a single thing wrong with this game and is an absolute must purchase for any Xbox 360 owner.

10/10

[BabeSlayer]

CrackDown Review by Simon

Review written by forum member Simon

Review, in a nut shell. By Forum Member Simon


Crackdown, released earlier this week is a major hit so far. Is it because with it, comes a Halo 3 Beta? Or was it purely the goldness of the demo that hit the public?

Crackdown is a sandbox game, meaning it’s a whole living and breathing world, all about freedom. A place for gamers like ourselves, to chill out and do what we wish we could in the real world. Well Crackdown certainly proves that, and could be every gamers dream.

Your role in the game, is playing as a special agent, or ‘super cop’, and save the world of crime, hence the name Crackdown. But what makes this game so different in the playing style to the specials like Grand theft auto, or possibly Saint’s row? Three words, Super Human Abilities. The ability to leap 35 feet into the air, while in the air, throw a lorry at innocent bystanders.

You start the game as your basic super agent, with no name. Each time you log on to crackdown, you are free to change the difficulty and your super agents appearance. However, the in-game appearance changes due to your ability levels. When you first start, your abilites are nothing too special, being able to hop a few feet and maybe run as fast as your grandma. But that’s what makes crackdown so special, the amount of time and effort it takes in levelling up will make you keep coming back for more, let alone the saisfaction when you DO level up. The demo showed us a 30 minute trial of what our powers could be like at there full potential. Sure it was nice, being able to have these powers but for a mere 30 minutes? It wasn’t enough. But that’s the idea, to make you want to buy the game, so you can get all your stats up full could take weeks for the average gamer, if not months. But a dedicated Crackdowner, this could be just a week. As well as being able to explore the magnificently done cell shaded environment. But can you, as a gamer, come back purely to get your ranks up? I know I couldn’t. That’s why the developers have included a story mode. Didn’t notice it? I am not surprised.


Image courtesy of Gamespot

Yes, a successful sandbox game is one where freedom is essential. You are able to tackle a mission, in any way possible, finding tricks and techniques to use to your advantage. That’s where games such as Grand theft auto and Saint’s row succeeded. Crackdown offers a very subtle story mode. Why you ask? Because the developers have tried to make a game, with too much freedom. It’s not about the engaging, well script story mode. It’s simply about driving, running, jumping and swimming around the city. Anyhow, that’s where crackdown fails. A story mode with no plot is not really a story mode at all.

Crackdown though unlike previous GTA games, and the successful Saint’s row or in fact ANY previous sandbox games, offers a complete co-op mode. A fantastic one too. The game suffers from extremely small, if no moments of ‘lag’ despite its large size, and you are able to play with a friend, or a stranger over Xbox Live and tear down the city together, doing exactly the same stuff as you could on your own. With hundreds of races planted accross the map, you can spend hours at a time just cruising or killing your pal. With a great list of achievements to complete (Body Juggler, Use explosives to keep a body up in the air for 10 seconds), and the fun gameplay, the game will keep you coming for more. The game is smashes the likes of ‘Superman: The Videogame’ to a pulp, and certainly gives Saint’s row an extreme run for its money. With lots to do, great cell-shaded visuals and lovely open ended play, this could be the purchase for you, unless you’re looking for an in depth story mode.

A quick summary,
Visuals > 88% - They may be cartoony, but they are perfect for the game.
Sound > 78% - Good sound effects. While driving, the occasional good tune, but no rocky radiostations.
Gameplay > 95% - A large amount to do, from races to collecting agility orbs, offering a fun amount to do.
Value for money > 89% - This game will take you more than a weekend to complete. Plus, a free Halo 3 Beta. What more do we need?

Overall, a solid 85% offering a good length of enjoyment.


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