The Lair of the Monkey

9/10
Whichever system you buy Fallout 3 on, believe the hype.  I never normally say that, but this is truly an epic game in a number of ways…ranging from the many ways in which you can choose how to play the game all the way through to the superb atmosphere provided throughout.  In a different style to my normal reviews, I thought we’d break it down into the component elements:

Graphics
Fallout 3 uses the same engine as The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Bethesda’s other masterpiece), and it shows.  Huge vistas are shown before you, with crumbling landscapes, all destroyed by-ways and all manner of interesting buildings just waiting for you to navigate to.  Perhaps one of the most notable areas of improvement however are the character models.  The facial detail is certainly improved.

Does it look good by today’s standards?  Oh yeah.  Even on my laptop I had it running at quite a high resolution – although when there’s a lot going on you may notice a bit of a hit in performance.

Sound
The music is subtle and can add a great deal of tension to the actual gameplay, whilst the sounds can at time have you on edge.  The wilderness is a strange place that should have you on edge – and the effects you’ll hear will provide just that atmosphere.  Character voice acting is on the whole very good, with few jarring moments.

Gameplay
There’s a lot in Fallout 3 that makes it a special game – even the character creation (that brings you up through your various critical moments in the vault of being born, being ten and taking your tests) tells you the game is S.P.E.C.I.A.L.  - which is exactly what the character stat and levelling system is!

To read more, visit my review on Forever Geek.

It’s about time too!  If you’re excited about this game then fear not - you can now grab it.  Batman returns in what should be his coolest outing ever (after all, he’s been in a few stinker video games in his time).  Here’s the skinny:

• Fight for justice as Batman and Robin or create chaos as The Joker, Catwoman and other villains, as you save or destroy Gotham City.
• Rocket through sewers and bound across rooftops as you take the fight to the criminals across classic locations in Gotham City.
• Fight on land, sea and in the air using a number of powerful Batman, Robin and villain-controlled vehicles, including the rocket-powered Batmobile, sleek Batboat and stealthy Batwing.
• Enhance the abilities of the Dynamic Duo with all new power suits, including the Magnetic Suit.
• Play through the game in Story Mode from both the hero and villain sides.
• Replay any level in Freeplay Mode with any characters you’ve unlocked. Access previously hidden areas to find additional rewards and bonus content.
• Collect LEGO studs and special LEGO bricks throughout the game to unlock tons of extra content including special power-ups and bonus levels.
• LEGO Batman: The Video Game also features Danny Elfman’s iconic The Batman (1989) musical score.
• The PlayStation 3 system version offers 720p/1080p display support.

Here’s the lowdown first of all on what to expect from PURE (a Disney – don’t let that put you off – quad based racing game):

* Choose among a variety of male and female character riders
* Race against deft A.I. opponents or online players (up to 16-player multiplayer)
* Take part in frenetic races and freestyle competitions all over the world
* Developed by award winning development team Black Rock
* Pro-rider Wes Miller, founder of H-Bomb Films, known for showcasing his team’s incredible stunts is adviser to the development team to assure the game adheres to the sport’s culture and authenticity but still allows creative liberties
Now, here’s how I found it:

PURE is a good game.  A very good game.  In fact, I’d say it turned out that I was more than pleasantly surprised.  Quite often games dedicated to a rather niche sport will either go balls-to-the-wall with tricks such as SSX or will have some annoying celeb endorsement thrown in your face, such as Tony Hawks.  However, by and large, Pure manages to avoid this (barring the annoying voice-overs).

There are a variety of game modes to choose from, ranging from the World Tour (more on that later) to the usual race-and-practice sessions that you get.  The pace of the game is what is noticeable, along with damn good scenery and rider details.  You’ll find that whatever mode that you’re in, the action will come fast and frenetic.

Returning to the World Tour mode, this is where you unlock stuff such as new courses to race on, better equipment for your quad bike (which you can actually build from scratch, paint, stick decals on etc) and of course compete in order to become world number one.  Generally speaking, there’ll be 15 other racers on there too, all battling to beat you to the finish line, pull off more stunts or zip around the short courses faster than you can sneeze.

So, what’s not so good about PURE.  Well, you might find that after a while it may get a little repetitive.  Granted, the racing and stunts are both fun, but you may feel that it is lacking in a little depth after a while – given you’ll start to see some of the courses repeat on you.  Not only that, but didn’t find a difference in the riders – though that may be more down to my playing style than anything else.

The bottom line with PURE is that it is a genuinely fun racing experience that offers something different compared to say, Project Gotham Racing 3.  Whilst you shouldn’t buy it expecting Forza-like levels of involvement, you will be pleasantly surprised at the detail level, speed of the action and all round fun that you’ll have with this title.  I can certainly recommend it.

8/10

Nonsensical title aside, if you’re looking for a new RPG to play on your Xbox 360, you could certainly do a lot worse than Infinite Undiscovery (it’s an exclusive by the way).  There’s some great character models, a nice world, decent battles and some exciting enemies.  Unfortunately, some might find it short, a little repetitive and ultimately far less engaging than, say, Eternal Sonata (also an Xbox 360 exclusive).  However, if you are a big fan of RPG’s and completed most others on the Xbox 360, it is still worth a look.  Here’s the blurb:

• Epic new action adventure RPG gameplay from tri-Ace, creators of the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series
• Seamless real-time action means no separation between exploration and combat - the only thing punctuating your adventure will be the game’s amazing action sequences!
• Unique situation battles - escape the clutches of giant ogres, run from dragons’ fiery breath and even fight while a tsunami approaches!
• Command a party of four in real-time to seize victory
• Stunning visuals bring a complex world to life
• Stirring orchestral soundtrack from the composer of Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile
• Seventeen characters join the hero, Capell, each with a unique “Connect Action” that allow you to take direct control
• Episodic “situational battles” urge you to think before you engage
• The twisting, 30-hour storyline was co-written by Ryo Mizuno, creator of Record of Lodoss War

Well, I’ve finally become one of you.  By that I mean I have suffered at the hands of the shoddy customer service that Microsoft provides.  Not only was the person who replied to my email rude enough to not bother to read my original message, they then didn’t bother to include the phone number so that I could get in touch with Microsoft directly.  What do I think of this?  Well, I think as a customer I deserve better, as I have a now-broken Xbox 360 with 3 red lights.  It definitely puzzles me why they call it the red ring of death though.  I mean it’s not a ring is it?

From Xbox Community: 

The hero of Mistwalker Studio’s newest RPG has lived for a thousand years. Kaim Argonar is an immortal warrior; he has survived for generations. Through the passage of time Kaim has experienced all the glory that immortality can bring, but also suffered the pain of losing loved ones. He has endured the most dramatic life imaginable. Lost Odyssey is his story told through a series of memories, as Kaim gains wisdom that could benefit all of mankind.

Lost Odyssey is driven by a magical but thought-provoking story from the pen of a renowned Japanese novelist, Kiyoshi Shigematsu. The incredible scenes are art directed by celebrated comic book artist Takehiko Inoue. If you loved the music of Blue Dragon, the same composer, Nobuo Uematsu, has been at work for Lost Odyssey too. Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi is at the helm.

Good points: Great in-depth story, interesting MMO style action sequences, fabulous music.

Bad points: Some CGI sequences (such as battle segments) can be overly long, some non-battle sequences can be rather frustrating.

Well, Devil May Cry 4 (Xbox 360 and Playstation 3) is finally out and it’s a lot of fun.  Thankfully, they haven’t toned down the mad difficulty either so you should find it a challange.  So, why should you buy it?

• High-definition visuals moving at 60 frames per second
• Blend of familiar and new - newcomer Nero clashes with veteran Dante
• New characters and environments
• Signature blend of guns and swordplay
• Deep combo system rewards stylish dispatching of enemies
• Unique “Devil Bringer” arm opens up a range of combo options
• Distinct set of weaponry and moves for Nero and Dante
• Exceed System allows Nero to charge up his sword with a throttle effect, revving up to three levels with powerful attack options
• New active style change system for Dante allows him to switch styles and weapons on the fly, producing crazy combo possibilities

The bosses are perhaps some of the best we’ve seen in gaming in a while and are even on par with the great God of War.

Well, I’m due to start announcing the LOTM Awards 2007.  My very own awards for some of the best games we’ve seen this year.  First though, I’d like to give an honourable mention to a few games:

• Assassin’s Creed (Various)
• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (PS3)
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Various)
• Silent Hill: Origins (PSP)
• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
• Mass Effect (Xbox 360)
• Crysis (PC)
• Virtua Fighter 5 (Various)
• Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Nintendo DS)
• God of War 2 (PS2)
• Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360)
• The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Various)
• Bioshock (Various)
• Halo 3 (Xbox 360)

Generally speaking, the games of real worth are scattered amongst the various formats.  This is good.  Something for everyone and all that.  on the other hand, there’s a poor showing from the PS3 so far even with a lower price-point.  I’d like to see more on the PC too but then people are probably busy getting along (or not) with the new Direct X for Vista etc.  On the whole, it’s clear that this year has been a good one for games.

In case you’ve been under a rock for a while, here are a few games you should ask Santa for:

• Mass Effect
• Assassin’s Creed
• Crysis
• Virtua Fighter 5
• Forza Motorsport 2
• The Witcher
• Guitar Hero 3
• Final Fantasy VI Advance
• The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
• Football Manager 2008
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Halo 3
• Bioshock
  
• Skate
• Supreme Commander
• Final Fantasy III
• The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass
• Metroid Prime 3
• Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
• Super Paper Mario
• Super Mario Galaxy

Now, if you get any of these really you shouldn’t be too bored over Christmas.  If you get most of them, well you’re either unemployed or a millionaire.  Either way, enjoy some AMAZING festive gaming.

Well, it’s here.  No, it doesn’t live up to the hype.  However, Assassin’s Creed is a very, very good game indeed.  I’m sure you have an idea what it’s about by now - you’re part of an elite clan in Crusade-era holy lands, taking out the nine folk who are apparently responsible for the war.  One of the first things you’ll notice is just how beautiful the game is - graphics are superb not least thanks for the brilliantly smooth animations.

Altair (your eponymous assassin) moves fluidly - so much so you’ll gasp and wonder at his free-running skills.  You’ll be able to master the movement quite quickly as it’s very easy to pick up.  You will find though that some skill is required to not have Altair land on his bottom after a jump.

One of the talking points for Creed is the combat - similarly to the acrobatics of the game this is easy to operate yet quite satisfying.  Most of the people you’ll come across can be interacted and damaged with the chase sequences being the most interesting.

Coming to the chase, you’ll find that the game is really 9 missions of 3 segments each.  First is the finding of your target - you can wander through the streets or leg it over rooftops to find him/her.  Second, there’s the kill.  You can choose how best to approach and this will lead to the final segment - the escape.  Just how are you going to get out without being killed by the guards?

It’s really the repetitive nature of the game that lets it down somewhat.  The mechanics of it are good, as are the graphics.  The simple fact is though that it can be a little simplistic because of the linear nature of the game.  Nonetheless, taking out your target and fleeing across rooftops will be one of your standout moments of the year - though the weird ending and lack of replay value may sway you otherwise.

Let me just say though that I can heartily recommend the game - okay, so Jade Raymond was great at her job and it’s not quite as good as you’d hope - nonetheless this is truly next gen stuff and certainly worth the price of admission.  Trust me, you’ll enjoy being Altair.