Sunday Mercury - Power Up

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2

2009-11-12T11:25:34Z

Sometimes games just come along that are that good you simply don't know where to start when reviewing them.

This is one of those games.

Epic storyline, huge multiplayer fun and potential, and graphics to die for.

Throw in suspense, realism, fear, angst, gung-ho brilliance, excitement and even disgust and you are getting close.

Taking off directly after the first game you play as Sgt Gary "Roach" Sanderson part of an anti-terrorist squad out to stop Russian ultra nationalists.

The action is at time controversial, we start of in the backstreets of Afghanistan and move around the globe on different missions

The 'much talked about in the press' third level is best glossed over. I have never played a game that warns you about an individual level before and warns that it may disturb you.

And it did slightly. It's a game at the end of the day so it's easy to detach it from reality. It is a disturbing level though.

Reality is a big issue with this game. Despite the cinematic cut-scenes and dynamite gameplay it also has a real air of brutality about it. It reflects the fear and anxiety of war very well and whilst we can never imagine what it is like to be on the front line this is certain to be the closest a game has ever got.

You get sucked into the superbly imagined HD environments so much that it does become as real as it can be and you live and breathe the campaign you are part of.

The graphics are astounding, lighting and effects create a foreboding world wherever you find yourself.

This is probably a very male thing to say but firing the guns in this game just feels brilliant! Each one is a joy when you squeeze that trigger!

This is a game that was always destined to be knocked due to the quality of the predecessor and most criticism is focused on the short nature of the single-player campaign.

That may be fair; I haven't got very far at all yet so I reserve judgement.

What I would say is that the Medal Of Honour games for me were never long enough but they did have a superiority about them that let them get away with it. This seems quite similar.

As I write I have just hurtled down a snowy slope on a snow bike thing whilst driving one-handed and firing my pistol at the baddies 'James Bond style'.

The depth of the multiplayer game does make up for any lack of longevity in the single player mode. I think the makers know that the game's strengths lie in the multiplayer action.

The online play is what propelled the first game to dizzy heights. This time around it is bigger and better and you really will be in warfare heaven.

The single-player mode is fairly linear from the start, but I expected this and I think most would. It is that kind of game. The action is fast, frantic and extremely noisy!

The blood spattered screen is a bit off-putting but it does add to the frantic panic of the game quite well.

The new co-op mode is good fun and a welcome addition to a very strong package.

Ignore the knockers if you find any, there won't be many that's for sure.

Play this in multiplayer mode and you will enjoy gameplay at its finest and nobody can knock it. Sheer high-octane brutal brilliance.

On the whole the comments and ratings are top-notch across the board. Check out sites such as 1UP, EuroGamer and IGN for the real voice on this truly groundbreaking game that is arguably the best First Person Shooter of all time.

Yes I include Halo in that.

If you are not sure about it then try your mate's copy, everyone you know will already have this game and be having a serious amount of fun with it.

I just feel sorry for the 1 million Xbox Live users who have been banned for having illegal copies!

Wii Fit +

2009-11-09T13:30:41Z

The girls in my family love the Wii Fit and use it constantly to exercise and they love tracking their progress as they go.

Me? I hate it! I think it's a fantastic piece of kit, it has revolutionalized the leisure aspect of gaming and it is quite simply brilliant.

My problem with it? It is brutally honest! When you have a soft spot for junk food and lager like I do the last thing you need is your Nintendo Wii telling you how overweight you are!

Jokes aside, it is a fantastic device and I do use it on a regular basis, it has a real purpose, it works and it is fun - the perfect mixture.

And what's more the best just got better.

This isn't a sequel, it's a progression. This is why it's Wii Fit Plus rather than Wii Fit 2.

You can transfer your data from the original game meaning you don't have to start from scratch again.

So what's new? Well there is a great facility that allows you to plan a 30 minute workout by adding exercise slots in to fill up the time. You can then save this to keep using as and when you wish. Great if you have favourite activities. There are also some preset workouts too.

The existing areas like Yoga, Muscle, Aerobic, Jogging etc have all had some extra stuff included to expand them nicely. There is now the added MET rating for each activity which is basically to give you an idea of what you have burnt off in terms of calories.

This is a great addition, nothing motivates you more than being given a progressive idea of the immediate effect your exercise is doing.

A new fun section has been added in to which keeps to the traditions of the Wii as a family party game tool, these fun exercises include skateboarding, throwing snowballs ,
Nintendo have also added brain interaction into the game too, it's nothing heavy but for example in one of the games you have to do simple arithmetic whilst exercising.

There is quite a lot of tweaks here and certainly there is enough added to give fans of the original Wii Fit a reason to buy it.

For me the calory counting and fun games made this worthwile. It's a series of improvements to a winning formula.

Just in time for Christmas, you can start burning those calories off now so you don't feel as bad about piling on the pounds when the Turkey and treats arrive!

WWE: Smackdown Vs Raw: 2010 (Xbox 360)

2009-11-09T13:19:31Z

KNEE-high leather boots, sweaty bodies, grunts and groans - it could only mean one thing.

Well, maybe more than one.

But in this case we are talking wrestling!

WWE is one of the biggest cash cows in the THQ stable with a huge global audience and a guaranteed entry each year on the gaming scene.

The Smackdown Vs Raw series is a massive brand on multiple consoles. Kids and adults around the world wait for it each year.

This latest version landed on our desk last week and once again it proved to be a hugely customizable, very in-depth game with all of the official fighters and great gameplay.

Fans of WWE will be ecstatic with the depth and quality of the game. The ever popular Story mode has been heavily enhanced and improved with the Story Designer mode allowing you to embrace a directorial role to create and customise unique storylines.

The Create-A-Superstar mode is as funny as it is brilliant.

Once again it gave me a chance to unleash my creation 'The Phantom Pant Bandit' on the world.

It's a tradition I have carried forward since my drunken uni days. Skinny wrestler, pink pants, crazy hat - you get the idea.

You get to create each night's match-ups which will be a big fan for the uber-wrestling geeks.

The gameplay itself is excellent, very fluent and responsive with a huge catalogue of moves.

Playing online against wrestling fans worldwide is an awesome thing to have at your disposal. The sheer genius of Xbox Live is something I never take for granted!

Your mates or family members can also provide the opposition and multiplayer, it has to be said, is fantastic.

If you are looking for a huge departure from last year then this probably isn't the game for you. It doesn't radically alter anything.

There are some real strides forward but they are quite subtle and the idea is to polish the already smooth and shiny game that was already there.

Graphics, storyline, presentation and gameplay are of the highest standard possible. That will do for me...

Family Party: Outdoor Fun (Wii)

2009-11-09T13:11:53Z

YET another compilation of family orientated mini-games on the Nintendo Wii.

The market is suffering from severe overkill of this type of game at the moment and for every good one there are five bad ones.

Sadly this sits near the bottom end of the scale, it's by no means the worst example I have seen but it's not one of the best either.

There is a lot packed onto the disc with 30 party games ranging from martial arts to athletics and canoeing to brain-teasers.

A huge variety is evident in terms of gameplay and undoubtedly some of the games are good fun on four-player mode.

Simplicity is at the heart of the gaming but somehow it feels like that wasn't intentional.

Some of the game comes across as crude and clumsy, others are better.

Graphics on the game are not of the standard we have come to expect on the Wii and if the developers were looking at one area to improve that would be my suggestion.

It's not that this is awful, it's not. It is aimed at families and is priced low. The simple fact is that it is very simplistic and despite the amount of games on offer none are particularly memorable.

With games like Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports already setting such high standards it is hard to recommend this whole-heartedly.

Imagine being an Aston Villa fan all your life and suddenly deciding to support Stalybridge Celtic.

Motorstorm: Arctic Edge (PSP)

2009-11-09T13:08:49Z

HAVING just tried out the excellent Gran Turismo on the Sony hand-held, I was fearing the worst for Motorstorm when I first popped the UMD disc in.

I shouldn't have worried, though. The two don't compare. Gran Turismo is all serious realism. Motorstorm: Arctic Edge is its fun-loving younger cousin who's just got chucked out of their third school for drinking too many alcopops.

Slips, slides, bangs and wallops are the norm as you crank up the adrenaline in a variety of vehicles around 12 frosty Alaskan tracks with reckless abandon.

But it's more than the ice and snow that'll cause you problems, watch out of the avalanches, collapsed bridges and some serious AI competition.

Select your machine carefully - the snow plough is my favourite - and don't get too carried away with the nitro turbo boost. I met a fiery end on more than one occasion.

Gameplay is very quick and slick, featuring interactive scenery and gorgeous graphics.

There's a few different modes to try out to cater for hardcore racers and those just looking for a quick blast.

Other cool options include the ability to use your own music collection as the in-game soundtrack - Vanilla Ice anyone? - and an ad-hoc mode.

However, the real ace in the pack is the tremendous six-player online mode. The joys of ramming a Frenchman riding a tiny bike off the road with your souped-up monster truck will never get old!

DANIEL SMITH

Disney announce Epic Mickey

2009-11-09T12:55:19Z

DISNEY Interactive Studios have announced the development of Disney Epic Mickey, an adventure-platforming game with role-playing elements for the Wii.

The game stars Mickey Mouse who has been re-imagined for videogames by luminary game designer Warren Spector and his Junction Point game development studio.

In Disney Epic Mickey, Spector, a life-long Disney fan, taps into Mickey Mouse's rich history along with the characters and worlds brought to life by Walt Disney to create an edgy and unexpected cartoon adventure.

"Mickey is an adventurous and rambunctious mouse," said Warren Spector, creative director and vice president, Junction Point.

"I want to bring his personality to the forefront, place him in a daunting world and connect his spirited character with video game players worldwide. Ultimately, each player decides for him - or herself what makes Mickey cool."

Players use the Wii Remote to wield magical paint and thinner to re-shape the world around them. Paint's creativity and thinner's damaging effect give the player robust tools and empowers them to make choices about how they move through the world.

Each player's decisions to use paint, thinner or both dynamically changes the world with consequences that affect the environment, interactions with other characters, and even Mickey's appearance and abilities.

"The core of this game is the idea of choice and consequence, and how that defines both the character and the player," says Spector

"By putting the mischievous Mickey in an unfamiliar place and asking him to make choices - to help other cartoon characters or choose his own path - the game forces players to deal with the consequences of their actions.

"Ultimately, players must ask themselves: 'What kind of hero am I?' Each player will come up with a different answer."

Review: Tekken 6 (Xbox 360)

2009-11-03T14:03:35Z

AFTER more years than I care to remember of playing the Tekken Series I confidently put the much-heralded new arrival in the 360 and told my 11 year-old daughter to prepare for a gaming education.

That was four days ago. She pummelled me.

I am having to put in some serious hours on my 360 this week after the unthinkable event. I have stripped my Tekken skills back down to basics and no longer will I handle Lei Long, Eddie or Lee with any degree of complacency.

I love Tekken, and if you are the same then you are in for a real treat with this much-anticipated arrival. This game is packed full in every way, shape and form.

Imagine four elephants in a Mini - it's that full.

There are 40 characters available for you to choose from in online and offline modes.

There are tons of different modes and features with a fantastic customization option where you can create characters and change their hairstyles, apparel, fashion accessories, tattoos, etc.

You can then fight online with them - love it! The real joy of the game, though is much more simplistic. Running at 60 frames per second, the fluency, sheer brilliance and flexibility of the gameplay is fantastic.

The sluggish days of Tekken are gone, and perhaps finally that stigma can be removed. This is fast-paced fighting fun with a very deep control system and a plethora of moves.

Graphics are brilliant, the cut scenes are of the highest quality possible and interlace fantastically with a great storyline that continues the Tekken story.

My kids loved the way your characters start fighting on one level and smash through the floor and end up somewhere else.

The backdrops are brilliant and, all in all, this game is a must for fans of the Tekken series.

I have to say think this could be the best yet.

Shaun the Sheep: Off His Head (DS)

2009-11-03T14:00:42Z

MY THREE-year-old daughter is rapidly becoming a DS addict. She has gone from banging the stylus on the screen to learning to press the buttons she needs to get to the next screen.

Games like Shaun The Sheep are fascinating for her. She wants to be able to play them despite them being aimed at a higher age group This game is great for younger kids and very engaging through cheerful characters and colourful graphics.

Based on the animation series from Aardman Animations, the game is set in various different environments that kids will recognise such as the field, the barn and the farmer's house.

The game has a great storyline featuring some recognisable characters. There are three game modes: Story Mode, Minigame Mode and Colouring Book Mode.

Lily seemed to be transfixed with the colouring book mode, it kept her quiet for nearly two hours as she painted Shaun and friends in pink. This is a bright, colourful, cute and fun game for younger gamers.

Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360)

2009-11-03T13:56:35Z

FORZA Motorsport 3 lures you in gently. Unlike many games where you go to an option screen to start, this slick racer caresses you into prolonged action.

"Hello and welcome. Before we start let's go for a spin in an Audi TT," a silky voice tells you as if you've wandered into a high-class car showroom.

Before you can ask "Where's my start menu" you're plonked in a rapid motor and screeching round rolling hills in a two-lap race. The fun tutorial means you've soon done a few three-lap races, earned a couple of new cars and even jazzed them up a bit.

Its format is a well road-tested one of starting you off in a 17-year-old's first-car-that-his-dad-buys-him, and allows you to gain credits which lets you upgrade, or even buy, a new car.

After a few competitive outings you are given cars by manufacturers, which probably has the desired effect for the game's maker of keeping you playing longer than you planned.

But it also makes you feel a bit like a cheat. After only one season and three hours of play you have four cars including a snazzy Alfa Romeo and a speedy blue Williams Clio. I used to play Gran Turismo for hours before I could upgrade to a Honda saloon.

The graphics are spot-on and there's plenty to go at with a relentless set of races each season. The various difficulty settings allow permanently-hold-accelerate-types to progress and the wannabe Stigs to plunge through the gears late to turn in on a tighter line than the race leader.

Overall a gentle Volvo S40 compared to Gran Turismo's growling Aston Martin DB9.

By Jonny Greatrex

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (Xbox 360)

2009-11-03T13:51:47Z

JUST like Saving Private Ryan, this game attempts to make every bullet count. Unlike the visceral thrill of storming a German bunker in Call of Duty one bullet is more than enough to finish you off. Codemasters have made a valiant attempt at introducing a bit of reality into first person combat simulation.

In many ways they are trying to re-sensitise the player to the actual madness of warfare and the reality that all you'd probably do in a real war would be keep your head down and hope for the best. Set several years in the future it revolves around a conflict over oil between between Russia and China. The US intervenes on behalf of its old Cold War foe to drive the invading Chinese PLA forces out. You play as one of these troops and have at your disposal a squad of four whose AI is not much better than your average squaddie.

It's in the finer details of the game that the mission Codemasters set themselves begins to falter. But they should be commended for trying to bring a true tactical shooter to a console, a genre most often successful with the hardcore PC gaming crowd.

And with that in mind if you enjoy tactical shooter's this is definitely a worthwhile purchase and 11 missions give the main game added longevity.

But ultimately if you prefer your warfare neatly packaged and in your face then perhaps this would be one best to duck and cover from. By Adam Aspinall

New U: Fitness First Personal Trainer (Wii)

2009-10-27T14:24:02Z

THE Wii is becoming an altogether more complex beast than many people thought it would be.

This latest fitness title from Ubisoft is not only a perfect example of the diversity of the Wii, but is also a top-class product with a real purpose.

The Wii Fit took the gaming world by storm. It's fantastic and the Wii Balance Board is one of the cleverest bits of kits in donkey's years.

It's also one that finds itself acting as a plant-stand, dumping ground and general dust-gatherer. That's why products like this are so great, I call it a product because I don't see it as a game.

This is very much like having a personal trainer in the house, hence the name.

There are more than 80 exercises for the whole body which utilises the Balanace Board and Wiimote. An exercise programme and nutrition diet will be created for you when you've entered your details and then the hard work begins.

Everything you ever knew such as 'eat healthy and exercise' is re-inforced by the software. The most important thing is that this is done in a non-patronising manner and made to be fun and informative. You can challenge yourself and set yourself realistic aims as you head on the way to healthier body and lifestyle.

The exercises are extremely rewarding and the software tracks your progress carefully throughout. This is a well-designed idea overall and certainly will appeal to anyone looking for a well-designed and effective alternative to a personal trainer.

The game hasn't forgotten the men. There are some great goals such as 'banish that belly' which gives the husbands/boyfriends a reason to sneak the game on, too!

All in all this is an innovative fitness product that once again takes advantage of the unique nature of the Wii.

King Of Fighters 12 (Xbox 360)

2009-10-27T14:13:03Z

IGNITION Entertainment has once again wheeled out classic fighting title King Of Fighters.

The crowning jewel in the SNK stable is back with the usual three-on-three team system, with fights of up to five rounds and 20 characters to choose from.

The gameplay engine and graphics have been given a complete overhaul as the game tries to compete in the new market it finds itself in. Gamers demand excellence now and whilst this is a decent game which will thrill hardcore fans, there is definitely something missing for me.

Personally I really enjoyed the game. I have grown up with KOF and Streetfighter franchises and, despite the similarities, there are room for the two.

Would an outsider pick the game up and enjoy it as much? I'm not sure. The graphics may be artistically impressive and hand-drawn but for me they didn't look as brilliant as I expected.

I mainly blame this on the garish, vomit-inducing backdrops. They detract too much from the quality of the characters and interfere with the main action.

The gaming is also not as quick as I expected but it was by no means unplayable, quite the opposite.

It does very much feel like a redesign of the game but it is a very stable one for it to move forward.

The fact of the matter, though, is that this a work in progress is not as good as some brawling games on the 360... yet!

Scooby-Doo!:First Frights! (Wii)

2009-10-26T23:18:36Z

SCOOBY-Doo has been pulling masks off bad guys, eating behemoth sandwiches and running on the spot for what seems like an eternity.

He has made it onto games consoles, TV screens, cinema screens, toys and much more - a huge franchise that shows no sign of dying.

This latest incarnation sees Scooby and pals as teenagers in this bright and breezy, bold and colourful take on the Scooby-Doo world. You have to explore and investigate as any of the Mystery Inc team and tackle a host of ghosts and spooks as you try to unravel the mysteries.

Players can switch between characters to access different areas and perform different tasks - think Lego Star Wars.

In fact, there are many similarities - collecting Scooby snacks is done in the same way as the Lego studs. The action is a nice mix between action, puzzle solving, cut-scenes and humour. The graphics are excellent and the sound even better.

The license is well used and the over-the-top nature really works well. Kids will love it, mine do, even if they are too busy to write the review for me!

I had to take valuable time out of my Fallout 3 schedule to write this.

Toy Story Mania! (Wii)

2009-10-24T21:44:17Z

BEAUTIFULLY timed to tie-in with the release of Toy Story 3D at the cinema, this is a collection of mini-games with a carnival-style theme.

You can't go wrong with the likes of Woody and Buzz in a game, but Disney Interactive has ensured this is a catchy little title packed full of fun and challenges for the whole family.

It is essentially funfair puzzles, mini-games and shooting games incorporating everyone's favourite characters and utilising the genius of the Wii to full effect.

Our version of the game came with a Buzz Lightyear ray gun and this added a whole new element of fun. You also get 3D glasses for the levels that use this feature, which Disney Interactive is keen to develop.

This is a real multiplayer gem and highly addictive. Some of the games are a bit naff, but on the whole the collection is strong and very playable. Production values are as you come to expect from Disney, graphically it can't be faulted and the gameplay is strong too.

Story Mode is where you can unlock extras you can then play in Free Mode. Great fun for all the family, all I need to do now is seize back the Buzz Ray Gun (extra cost - but worth it!) from my youngest Lily who thinks it's a toy.

Mario vs. Sonic Winter Olympic Games (Wii)

2009-10-23T22:07:36Z

IT'S fair to say that the gaming world has been eagerly awaiting the return of everyone's favourite plumber and his blue hedgehog pal.

Mario vs. Sonic: The Olympics was a huge smash hit on the Wii and was always going to see at least one sequel.

This follow up is the perfect opportunity for Sega to release a game to trounce the rest of the market and delight family gamers throughout the world.

Did they succeed? Yes, and then some.

Don't just take my word for it, we got one of our younger reviewers Katie Smith, aged 11, to test it out. Here's what she had to say:

The aim of the game is to complete every activity or day in festival mode including challenges from rivals.

I also like the way you choose who you want to play as.

For example you could pick well known characters such as Yoshi, Sonic, Donkey Kong, Bowser or Mario.

The festival mode is good fun but we have only really played 'Single Event' against each other in our house.

This is where you can choose which ever activity you want.

I like the figure skating because you can do different tricks - and different characters do different things.

In bobsleigh it's quite difficult, but funny at the same time, because you and whoever you're playing with have to co-operate and turn in the same direction or else your bobsleigh will go everywhere and you will lose.

In snowboarding you get to fly into the air and perform tricks, which is how you score the points.

In every game there is one chance to press A, which will speed you up.

But be warned: once you've used this, you cannot use it again.

In party mode you can play (with your friends or on your own) some extraordinary games, balloon attack, wheel challenge and panel flip.

In the 'shopping' icon you can buy things with the tokens you have won throughout the game.

You can spend them on things like music or go to the boutique etc.

Using the Wii Balance Board for certain events is brilliant.

'Dream Events' is fun, too - this takes you to an amazing world.

Overall this is a tremendous game, one of the best I have ever played. The graphics are brilliant and the characters are excellent.

Playing against each other is great fun, very funny and we got very competitive in our house.

Mums and dads can take it all very seriously indeed.

You can also catch the game on the Nintendo DS