Game Tube

Madden NFL 10

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Madden NFL 10 comes with the ability to customize player moves, battle for loose balls, dynamic player ratings, updated playbook formations, all-new commentary, and more- Madden NFL 10 will bring you closer to the NFL than ever before! Feel the suspense of the NFL as you battle your opponent in a fast-paced mini-game to recover a game-changing fumble

Game Features
* A revamped play calling system and menu options that take you to kickoff faster than ever before and speed up online matches with accelerated clocks, presentation and more.
* Pro-Tak animation technology providing unprecedented control over the outcome of every play via the dragging and dropping of players, a new blocking system and more.
* The most comprehensive list of online offerings in franchise history, including new modes like online co-op, to satisfy the needs of every football gamer.
* New TV broadcast-style presentation and cinematic cameras bring the suspense and intensity of the NFL to your living room.
* Enhanced franchise mode allowing you to draft players, sign free agents, manage the salary cap - just like a real GM.

Every Sunday in the NFL, an epic battle rages between the offense and the defense. Every play is a struggle, with each side relentlessly pursuing every single yard. In Madden NFL 10, you will join the fight and experience firsthand what it is like to fight for every yard. With the all-new Pro-Tak animation technology you will have more control over the outcome of every play than ever before. Whether driving your receiver towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play won't be over until the whistle blows.

Madden NFL 10 also lets you take your fight online with an all-new Online Franchise mode, complete with 32 teams, NFL-style drafts and a custom league webpage. Add to that the most immersive broadcast presentation to date, and Madden NFL 10 gives you everything you see on Sundays, minus the grass.

Fight for Online Dominance
One of the major improvements of Madden NFL 10 over its predecessors is its improved online franchise mode. Battle for franchise dominance online with leagues of 32 teams, with functionality featuring real NFL scheduling, live fantasy drafts and draft options, player transactions, league message boards, and more - all manageable from your console or your league's custom web page online, making your Madden NFL 10 online franchise always just a click away. There are even iPhone and other smart phone apps in the making to help Madden fans keep a hand in managing their team when away from their console and computers.

The Extra Point Show
The realism of Madden NFL 10 is about more than just for the action on the field. With the introduction of the game's postgame show, the Extra Point, every game feels even more like a real life gridiron contest. Check out the happenings around your online franchise league with its dynamic, network-style reporting and commentary hosted by Fran Charles and Alex Flanagan of NFL Network. Featuring news and information from each week's games, The Extra Point recaps all the excitement of your franchise.

Madden NFL Your Way
Madden NFL 10 is the most customizable version of Madden NFL to date. Now players can alter gameplay options to adjust the experience to their liking. A revamped play calling system and menu takes you to kickoff faster than ever before. Players in a hurry can even speed up online matches with accelerated clocks, streamlined presentation and more.
From referees peeling players off a fumble pile and the chain gang rushing in to measure for a key first down, to authentic throwing and kicking styles, all-new player equipment and pre-game ceremony for every game, including the Superbowl, players can be sure that if you see it on Sunday, you'll see it in Madden NFL 10.

Game Review
The game play is better. First off, the game speed can be adjusted. Many of you played the demo and didn't like the speed of the game. Well, it can go from very slow, slow, normal, fast and very fast. Also, EA has added a new threshold differential. This means setting to the higher the level will give the player less of a disparity between the fast and slow players. A lower setting will increase the disparity.
The player animations and movements are realistically fluid and not robotic.

Resistance: Fall Of Man

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Resistance: Fall Of Man takes you back in time to an early 20th century that's very different from our own. Through brute force, a species of unknown origin known only as the Chimera have conquered Asia and most of Europe in mere decades. Seeing the risk of annihilation, the United States supports the British Resistance in a European counterattack. The story follows Hale, a US Ranger, as he struggles for survival and desperately seeks a means to eliminate the Chimeran blight.

In Resistance: Fall of Man, US and British forces band together in a last-ditch effort to save England from a horric scourge -- the Chimera. This parasitic species infects other life forms with a virus that rapidly mutates victims into new Chimera. In mere decades this race has ripped apart populations across Asia and Europe and by 1951 has landed on the shores of England. You play the part of US a Army Ranger, fighting alongside a group of British resistance soldiers to free the country from the Chimera and to halt their spread across the globe.

The Chimera wars
War is everywhere and everything in Resistance. An alien race began toying with the planet just after Word War I and in mere decades, the Chimera Ð a species of unknown origin propagating a virus that converts other life forms into more Chimera Ð has overrun Russia and all of Europe. HumanityÕs hope for survival is slim, and the tide of the battle rests on the shoulders of U.S. Army Ranger, Sgt. Nathan Hale.

The Chimera didn't plan to take this protracted war lying down, however, and amassed their forces in Russia. Once Russia was captured, they quickly erected a wall around the former country, rebuking all efforts at communication or contact. While the world waited and wondered what other terrors might spill from the wall, England prepares for and falls to a major Chimera invasion in 1951.

The United States comes to aid their English allies, but all does not go as planned. The next three days will see some of the most intense fighting the war has known thus far, and it's up to you to end the Chimera threat before the plague of defeat can encircle the globe.

Next-generation gameplay and style
The gameplay of Resistance is classic First Person Shooter. Insomniac Games has combined its passion for creating exotic weapons and vehicles with a proprietary physics system to create unique human and alien weaponry. Many of the weapons of the game are era-appropriate, such as pistols and grenades. Other weapons, such as the Chimeran Auger, are of alien design. Due to the differences in the ways that the various weapons handle, great care must be taken when entering an area infested with Chimera with their own weaponry. In addition to the obvious array of weapons, players can use melee attacks and jump to avoid attack.

Special game actions, called "Skill Tasks," are worth set number of points that can be spent to unlock new content in the game. A Skill Task may be something as simple as killing a number of enemies in a short period of time or as involved as locating a hidden area in the single player campaign. The mystery of the tasks, however, is that they aren't actually revealed until you have completed the task. This makes for a great reply incentive, as you will be mowing down Chimera and be suddenly rewarded with task points, often when you least expect the reward.

Obviously, presentation is one of the areas in which Resistance shines. The frame rate is silky-smooth, and never seems to get bogged down when there is a large number of Chimera or teammates on screen. Animations are believable, the locations are detailed, and the voice acting is top-notch. Explosions are especially impressive, sending shrapnel and smoke in all directions. If you're looking for a game to impress your friends with graphically, look no further. Resistance is the type of game that makes you feel confident about the future of the PLAYSTATION 3.

Track stats and more online
Resistance also boasts an impressive 40 player online multiplayer mode. It's not uncommon to find large-scale battles with both intricate strategy and simple "run and gun" play styles. Created and managed jointly by Insomniac Games and Sony Computer Entertainment, MyResistance.net is the official online community destination for Resistance: Fall of Man. At MyResistance.net, players can view their multiplayer stats in near-real time, participate in forums with other fans, download unlockable content and more.

Game Features
* Gameplay elements and enemies that create a sense of unease and set an atmosphere that frightens the player
* Engage in some of the largest turbulent battles ever witnessed on a console gaming system
* An immersive world delivers photo-realistic characters, environments and lighting effects
* Co-Op play via split screen or compete against up to 40 players via online or LAN play

Game review
No one can resist the urge to keep playing Resistance: Fall of Man once the game is started. Chapter after chapter of exhilarating battles against a plethora of creatures that you use a plethora of weapons to defeat (and they'll use them against you too).
To really put the plot of the game in context (if you care about the plot), it's well worth the visit to the official Resistance: Fall of Man web site; there's a ton of story there that I'd bet 90% of the people who start the game are unaware of. For me, the story helped me "get into character" for the game. If you just want to start wasting some nasty beasts, "Get to it, soldier!" Rest assured, the story won't help you beat the enemies or evade the barrage of defenses that will be fired at you by them.

As a relatively new gamer, I'm glad that I played Call of Duty 3 Call of Duty 3 before I cracked open Resistance: Fall of Man. It was good FPS training (set in approximately the same time period) for this much more difficult PS3 title.
Resistance has an M (mature gamers only) rating which miffs me a bit, but then I'm a bit more liberal when it comes to what I think might warp the little minds of kids these days. I've seen this classified as a Horror title, but I think that Sci-fi Action is much more fitting. Resistance deserved a T (teen) rating. My kids and I get hung up all too often on sunny days playing Resistance's Co-op Mode when we should be outside playing ball. And hopefully that alone speaks volumes as to how addictively fun this game is.
Co-op Mode is split screen of course because the game is FPS; it would be nice if some games could give the option of switching to a single screen, third person view for Co-op in order to negate the need for split screen, but that would distinctly change to look, range, feel and some of the weaponry...so I assume that's why it's never offered on Co-op mode.
Multi-player is very cool. Multi-player is not like Co-op where you play the Campaign Mode with a partner. In Multi-player you battle against your friends offline (4 player max/split screen) or online (40 player max/full screen). You get some areas of battle to play in that you encountered in Campaign Mode and some new map scematics.

Gun - Video Game

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:15:00 +0000

Gun is the story of a man's quest for revenge. When life robs Colton White of all that matters, the only thing left he can trust is his gun. Follow along with him as he exacts justice on those who have wronged him. Seek retribution as you face corrupt lawmen, warring tribes, cold-blooded outlaws, and ruthless renegades.

I was very surprised and impressed with the game, "Gun". It is full of Old West adventure and has a lot of different things you can do including the assigned missions. It's fun, challenging, and great for any fans of the Wild Wild West. I highly recommend this game.

Game Features
* New and savage ways to punish - Stealthily sneak up and attack your enemies, use them as cover, stab, shoot, or scalp them
* Blow your enemies away and watch the aftermath - Shoot guns out of enemy hands, or destroy them with dynamite
* Multiple missions straight out of the Old West - Wage war on horseback, commandeer trains, protect whores, collect bounties, play poker, hunt buffalo, and more
* Precision shooting, stealth tactics, use of explosives and missions that make you master gun slinging and horse riding
* Authentic weapons including - Six shooters, shotguns, Gatling guns, flaming arrows, hatchets, dynamite, and more

Super Smash Bros Melee

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Nintendo has done it again. The follow-up to Nintendo's crossover fighting game for the N64, Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Gamecube. Your favorite Nintendo characters are back. Mario, Pikachu, Link, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Fox McCloud, and Samus Aran return, with newcomers like Princess Toadstool (a.k.a. Peach), Bowser, Princess Zelda, etc. Captain Falcon and Ness also return, but are unlocked by default unlike the original and Brawl. Luigi and Jigglypuff are still unlockable along with Falco Lombardi, Ganondorf, Young Link, Marth, Mewtwo, and Mr. Game and Watch. The gameplay remained intact, but it is more fun. The single player mode improved, with more variety. There are more weapons as well. The bumper was removed, however. It still has the bob-ombs, baseball bats, fans, food, and Pokeballs with new Pokemon up to the Gold and Silver generation. The multi-player mode is still a satisfying experience. It features new modes like sudden death, fast, slow, etc. It also has a bunch of trophies to collect. You can use coins at the lottery or you can find some in the Adventure mode.

Normally, Nintendo contract players such as Mario, Pikachu, Link, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Kirby are generally happy and well-mannered, but in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the pleasantries get thrown out and the gloves (except for Mario's) come off. This update of the N64 favorite features these and other video game icons in furious, yet utterly absurd fisticuffs that usually make for a smashing good time. Just make sure you have at least one human opponent to pound on.

Starting off with 14 characters (an additional 11 are waiting to be unlocked), the game has a pretty standard premise--let Nintendo's stars beat on each other until the timer runs out. However, a lot of emphasis is put on knocking opponents off ledges while avoiding the same fate. In typical Nintendo manner, there are quite a few power-ups to assist you in the melee. The actual combat isn't as intricate as in other fighting games; however, the ultra-cartoony layout of the many, many arenas sometimes adds a strategic element not usually found in similar titles.

Super Smash Bros. Melee's strength lays in the mayhem created in four-player fights. The camera does an excellent job of positioning itself so all combatants are constantly visible. Also, Melee sports some of the best visuals seen in a Nintendo product. All the characters are highly detailed, and the movements of each are smoothly infused with personality. Donkey Kong lumbers and Princess Peach fights with grace.

As the multiplayer mode is the key reason for this game's existence, the single-player mode is decidedly weak. The game features an adventure mode that plays somewhat like an old-school, side-scrolling Mario game. Sadly, despite its good looks, its gameplay is rather uninspired. This game is clearly at its best when there are two or more players with controllers in their hands. --Mark Brooks

Game Features
* It features a whole new set of characters, and some hidden ones for you to unlock
* Create your own matches in the new Tournament Mode
* New AI and smoother animation makes for a better game
* Buy trophies of classic Nintendo characters such as Pit & Mach Rider
* One to four players

Mirror's Edge

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:23:00 +0000

This is an amazing new concept that is fun and action packed! Your Faith a runner in a futuristic world where you are chased by the "blues" this is when you will have to run, jump,roll,slide,wall run,punch,kick and any thing else to escape.
But this is a experience that is definitely something to own!

In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed and now you are being hunted. You are a Runner called Faith - and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain, in this city, you will learn how to run.

Game Features
* Heroes Emerge - A young woman without a home until she is taken in and trained by the Runners.
* Your incredible gifts allow you to swiftly navigate the city while eluding those who would try to stop you.
* Go Vertigo - Heights create vertigo, movements flow naturally, collisions are felt realistically, and muscles and tendons strain as you chase and are chased throughout the city.
* Slip off the Edge - Perform amazing acrobatic moves from below street level, through buildings, and up to the dizzying heights of hyper real skyscrapers as you face off against your enemies or run for your life.
* Unrivaled Immersion - An exciting mix of chase, intense combat, strategy and puzzles draw you into a world like never before.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:12:00 +0000

I don't think this is the game of the year. I think it's the game of the decade. I enjoy it more than any other games.

Oblivion Game of the Year edition presents one of the best RPGs of all time like never before. Step inside the most richly detailed and vibrant game-world ever created. With a powerful combination of freeform gameplay and unprecedented graphics, you can unravel the main quest at your own pace or explore the vast world and find your own challenges. Also included in the Game of the Year edition are Knights of the Nine and the Shivering Isles expansion, adding new and unique quests and content to the already massive world of Oblivion.

BioShock - Video Game

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:59:00 +0000

BioShock lets you do the impossible as you explore a mysterious underwater city. When your plane crashes, you discover Rapture - an underwater Utopia torn apart by civil war. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified "splicers" and deadly security systems, you have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. As little girls loot the dead, and biologically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn. Now you're trapped, caught in the middle of a genetic war that will challenge both your capacity to survive and your moral allegiance to your own humanity. Make meaningful and mature decisions that culminate in the grand question - do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture to save yourself - or risk all to become their savior?

Game Review
Having a bit of hype surrounding it before it's release, BioShock does not disappoint one bit. In fact, as far as first person shooters go, games rarely get any better than this. BioShock takes the FPS to new levels thanks to it's brilliantly realized atmosphere and setting, and a story that is so engaging you'll think that you were playing an RPG. Taking place in a secret underwater city called Rapture, you get put right in the middle as things go very, very wrong quite quickly, and it's up to you to save the day using a barrage of traditional weapons, and some newfound abilities as well. What makes BioShock so great besides the atmosphere and storyline are the character customization options which really allow the gamer to get into the game and tinker around to your advantage. The overall presentation, from the sound design to the wonderful voice acting to the grimy atmosphere, make BioShock one of the best games to hit the XBox 360 yet, and definitely one of the best FPS' to come out in quite some time. If there's any downsides to BioShock, it's that the game has a lack of enemy variety and that it is a little too forgiving to the gamer. Despite that though, BioShock is a masterpiece of modern gaming, and any and every 360 owner should consider this an essential pick up.

Aliens Versus Predator 2

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:48:00 +0000

The Alien and the Predator are two of filmdom's most beloved and feared creations, and fans have been clamoring for a matchup between the two species for years. Their dreams were teased by a brief shot of an alien skull in the Predator's trophy room in Predator 2, indulged by several uneven pairings in comic books, and finally fulfilled in Rebellion's underrated Aliens vs. Predator video game. Fox Interactive, teamed this time with developer Monolith, delights these fans again with Aliens vs. Predator 2, and the result is easily one of the most intense 3-D shooters ever released.

Like in the first game, there are three distinct campaigns. One lets you play as the Predator, another as an Alien, and a third as the overconfident humans they prey upon. This time out the stories are much more detailed, even crossing over in interesting ways. The plot concerns some arrogant human scientists, a group of heroic marines, a rogue Predator, and the faceless Alien horde found on LV-1201 (the planet from the first two Alien films).

As a human, you play a fearless roughneck sent to check things out and perform missions. This generally involves rescuing fellow marines, recon work, restoring power to various systems, and trying to stay alive against fast-moving killing machines with acid for blood and nasty dispositions. You're armed with the incredible pulse rifle from the films, other weapons such as a knife and a smart gun (which automatically locks onto targets for you), a tension-inducing motion tracker, and a shoulder-mounted flashlight that casts eerie shadows. The Predator is armed with his shoulder cannon, cloaking device, spear, and his famous wrist claws.

The Alien campaign is the most interesting as it first casts you as the spiderlike face hugger. You've got to roam the corridors looking for a solitary victim. Once you implant a human, you play the small and snakelike chest-burster, seeking out rodents and other tiny prey so you can quickly molt and grow into a full-fledged alien. Then all hell breaks loose as the humans become your prey. You can claw, perform a head bite (which restores health), and execute a fearsome pounce attack that literally explodes the target. Aliens can also cling and climb on walls, which takes some getting used to, but the effect is exhilarating, as is the hunt.

The graphics are evocative of the films and feature strobe lights, flashing reds and whites, ample darkness, abandoned barricades, sputtering ruined equipment, and horrific scenes of carnage. The music rises and falls with the drama and draws heavily from the Alien films in particular. And the game is relentlessly creepy, whether or not you are the hunter or hunted. The audio is equally effective, from screaming humans to screeching alien attackers to the familiar Predator purring chuckle. The game is also filled with often amusing conversations between guards, marines, and scientists.

The three campaigns offer 21 missions, but the wide range of multiplayer game modes deserve special mention. The game has legs, no matter which species you prefer, and already a community has sprung up for challenges between gamers. Unfortunately, the Net code is a bit buggy: be sure to download the latest patch.

Monolith has created a much better game than the previous installment, mainly by pumping up the atmosphere, refining the controls, and making sure the three stories combine into a greater tale of horror and survival. Oh, and most importantly to some, the game lets you save whenever you want. Just remember this when playing the game--on the Internet, no one can hear you scream, but your neighbors can.

Aliens Versus Predator Extinction

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Aliens Vs. Predator: Extinction is an incredible shooter that locks you into bloody galactic conflict!

This game has an incredible foundation in place to build an even better game on. If it had spent another few months in the tank getting tweaks and having some more depth added to it, it could have been stunning.
The game that this mostly resembles is not Warcraft, but the seminal Command & Conquer series, though with these graphics, AI, unit choices and relative game play, only the earlier incarnations. I would have liked more unit types, higher caps, larger maps, a skirmish mode (campaign only? What's that?!) and maybe a tweak or two on the controls. The push-the-stick-and-circle-to-select-troops was suspect at best, and C&C already has a perfect way to do it: just make a square and capture the units you want to use, no guesswork. Even the original PS version can do that.

All in all, a good idea and not a wholly bad game, but I hope they take some cues from a franchise that does it right and come back to this. They're really on the verge of making a wholly good game here, just not with these flaws. Give us a "Part 2" to this and make these slight changes and you're gold.

Left 4 Dead

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Set in a modern day survival-horror universe, the co-operative gameplay of Left 4 Dead (L4D) casts four "Survivors" in an epic struggle against hordes of swarming zombies and terrifying "Boss Infected" mutants. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios and Valve, creators of the Counter-Strike and Half-Life games, the latest AI technology allows for multiplayer games of one to eight players.

A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic's victims become grotesquely disfigured widely violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. As one of the "lucky" few apparently immune to the sickness, you, unfortunately, are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the bloodthirsty Infected. Alone, you're dead. But together with a handful of fellow survivors, you might just fight your way to safety.

Players can play as a Survivor or as one of four types of Boss Infected, each of whom possess a unique mutant ability, such as a 50-foot tongue lasso or a giant belly full of explosive methane gas. The gameplay of L4D is set across four massive campaigns. The zombie population of each mission is choreographed by an AI Director that monitors the human players' actions and creates a unique and dramatic experience for them on the fly.

Mass Effect

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:12:00 +0000

A Spectacular New Vision of the Future
The galaxy is trapped in an endless cycle of extinction. Every 50,000 years, an ancient machine race invades the galaxy. With ruthless efficiency, the machines wipe out all advanced organic civilization. They leave behind only the scattered ruins of technology, destroying all evidence of their own existence.
Few believe this ancient legend. You, however, know it to be true. The fight to stop this extinction event has become the most important mission in the galaxy.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
It is your mission. As Commander Shepard of the SS Normandy, you will take your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil, in a desperate race to stop the return of an enemy without mercy. To stop this enemy, you must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law. Your only imperative is to preserve the safety of civilized life in the galaxy - at any cost. You must become the tip of the spear of humanity, for you alone know the full extent of what is at stake if you should fail.

Mass Effect allows you to create your own customizable version of Commander Shepard and plunge yourself into the center of an epic science-fiction story. Choose your squad-mates, your weapons, skills and abilities, and customize your vehicles, armor and appearance - you are in complete control over your experience.

In the course of your mission to stop the machine invasion, you may choose to follow the path of the soldier, the tech-specialist, or the biotics-specialist…each of which brings an arsenal of unique yet equally powerful abilities to use against the enemy. Wield a multitude of weapon types with precision accuracy…utilize your technical skill to turn enemy war machines against their creators…or unleash the full power of Dark Energy against your foe with devastating effects.
As you progress throughout the game you will improve your character's skills, abilities, and equipment (including weapons, armor, biotic implants and more) to ensure that you have the means to face the growing threat before you.

The role you choose to play in Mass Effect will have tremendous consequences on the galaxy around you. You will face moral dilemmas in which the decision you ultimately make will significantly alter the fate of civilized life in the galaxy.
The Vastness of Space Beckons
Your mission will take you into the deepest reaches of known space - and beyond. Aboard your ship, the Normandy, you will choose which planets to investigate, and where to take your team. In addition to the major worlds of the main story arc, you will have the freedom to visit a wide array of uncharted planets and other locations such as asteroids and abandoned space freighters adrift in space. On many worlds, take your team planet side in the MAKO in order to explore and find alien life, ancient artifacts and ruins, rogue trader colonies and a host of other amazing discoveries.

Lose Yourself in a Living Galaxy
Mass Effect combines astonishing photo-realistic graphics with innovative new dialog systems to create a cast of living characters to interact with. Engage these characters in real-time conversations that allow you to immerse yourself in dramatically charged situations.
Characters communicate with full voice-acting and amazing animation that displays their emotions right down to subtle nuances in their facial expressions. Every wrinkled brow and slight twist of the mouth is captured to infuse every interaction with a feeling of realism. Lead Your Squad in Intense, Real-Time Combat

Lead Your Squad in Intense, Real-Time Combat
The struggle to stop the return of the machines will ultimately be a violent one. You will assume responsibility for the lives of your squad as you lead them into often uncharted, hostile alien environments. Each decision you make could mean the difference between victory and disaster. Although combat will take place in real-time, you will have the ability to pause combat and issue commands to your squad which they will then execute with the precision of a highly trained elite force. Upgrading certain skills and abilities as you level up your character will also allow you to increase your ballistic skill - this can ultimately lead to easier aiming, more damaging use of weapons, and biotic effects with the power to turn the tide of battle in your favor.

The Game
Set 200 years in the future in an epic universe, Mass Effect places gamers in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue. A spectacular new vision from legendary developers BioWare, Mass Effect challenges players to lead a squad of freedom fighters as they struggle against threatening armies to restore peace in the land. Mass Effect is the first in a trilogy of games with an overarching story, where the real conflict between organic beings and artificial intelligence comes to life in startling clarity. Intense, in-depth story where the fate of life as you know it depends on you Features six character classes, along with six more unlockable ones - each class contains several talents As each talent is leveled, the character either gains stats (extra health, stamina, etc) or unlocks new abilities. Players can fully customize their appearance, gender, abilities and even military background.

Gears of War 2

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:58:00 +0000

The wait is over, Gears of War 2 has arrived. Ever since the original was released, fans have clamored for this sequel. Developed exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Epic Games, Gears of War 2, which has already garnered several awards, picks up six months after the events of the blockbuster original Gears of War. Players are thrown back into the role of Marcus Fenix, leading the battle for humankind's survival against the Locust Horde. With innovative third-person tactical action gameplay and unsurpassed high-definition graphics, Gears of War 2 is a must-have game for the Xbox 360.

Huge Environments, Bigger Gameplay
For those who loved Gears of War, Gears of War 2 builds upon it in every way, but with several major enhancements. There are more weapons, bigger vehicles, and more action. The enemies are more dangerous, and the total experiences is more immersive than ever. And with a revolutionary tactical combat system, the game will require not just fast reaction times and shooting skill, it will also challenge you to devise a strategy that will work against the enemies who exhibit smart AI.

Game Graphics
Just as Gears of War did the first time around, Gears of War 2 ups the ante for graphical prowess. Combined with the sweeping vistas and evocative locales of Sera, where the story takes place, Gears of War 2 offers jaw-dropping graphics that are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3. New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics, additional blood and bullet decals, advanced destructible environments, new weather effects, and the introduction of fluid objects.

Game Story
Taking place six months after the end of the first game, Gears of War 2 returns the cast of characters of the original, including Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, as well as several newcomers.

Novelist and comic book writer Joshua Ortega, who assisted with the writing, has created a story that is big on character development and personality. With a new in-game conversational camera system and multiple story arcs, the story is presented in a gripping cinematic style where characters gain an emotional depth that matches their realistic graphical representation.

More Characters, Upgraded Vehicles, Badder Weapons
Those who were impressed by the original Gears of War will be in for a real treat. New characters such as Tai Kaliso, weapons like the burst pistol, and huge vehicles like the COG Centaur tank will give players a whole new dimension and scope of gameplay in both single-player and multi-player modes.

Grand Theft Auto IV

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Grand Theft Auto IV is a brand new adventure in the GTA universe following the experiences of Nikolai "Niko" Bellic, a new immigrant from an undisclosed eastern European country whose troubled pa st and the persuasion of his cousin Roman have brought him to the fictional Liberty City. Unfortunately, Niko’s search for the American Dream and a much needed fresh start, hits an immediate snag when the rags to riches story Roman spun to pique Niko's interest is exposed as not only a complete fabrication, but a ploy to enlist Niko’s well-known skills as a tough guy against the ample list of enemies clamoring for Roman’s debt-ridden blood.

Because Roman is the only person Niko knows in Liberty City he begrudgingly accepts his role as Roman’s protector despite the deception. But as time goes on Niko comes into his own, and his experience on the wrong side of the tracks proves more valuable than he could have ever imagined as he fights for survival and later supremacy on the crime ridden streets of Liberty City.

Game Environments
Based on several of the boroughs of New York City and parts of New Jersey, Liberty City, familiar to players of previous games in the series, has been entirely redesigned for GTA IV. Players can expect visible detail down to the weeds growing in the cracks in the sidewalk, cars and buildings of visibly different ages and a much greater level if verticality in the buildings and bridges that they are able to explore as Niko moves through the city streets. In addition, pedestrians in GTA IV are much more realistic. No longer simply moving cardboard cutouts, these NPCs are intelligent, modern, human representations that laugh, cry, eat, drink, use cell phones and ATMs, and talking amongst themselves regardless of Niko’s interaction with them.
Gameplay
Historically GTA games have focused heavily on mission-based play, requiring successful completion of fixed tasks in order for players to progress through the game, but this has changed to a great extent in GTA IV. Players will experience an entirely new and exciting emphasis centered on the blending of on-mission and off-mission play, resulting not only in an increased sense of realism, but more interesting and unrestricted gameplay.

Game Features
Aside from the car jacking and a detailed city environment here are the new features for GTA IV:

* Improved combat system - Now you can use cover and also a target lock system, which allows you to take out targets with greater ease and accuracy. Plus, you can engage in some hand-to-hand combat if you can't get your hands on a piece quick enough.
* Cell phone - Not just for basic phone calls anymore. Use your in-game cell phone to receive missions via SMS, snap photos, and ZiT (tag) songs that can be downloaded exclusively on Amazon.com/mp3.
* Free time - In between missions you can take advantage of "me" time. There are gentleman's clubs, comedy clubs, bowling alleys, and bars, which all house unique activities.
* Take a break from the storyline - A variety of side missions allow you to help run a car service, "borrow" cop cars, assassinate targets, help solve problems for those on the street, or take to the air with stunt jumps that are scattered all over the city.
* Control your own fate - Throughout the game choice moments will arrive causing you to make a decision that will affect relationships and money.

Halo 3

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:33:00 +0000

The saga continues with Halo 3, the amazingly anticipated sequel to the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. In this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.

Halo 3 is the third game in the Halo Trilogy and the thrilling conclusion to the events begun in Halo: Combat Evolved. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. The Covenant occupation of Earth has uncovered a massive and ancient object beneath the African sands - an object whose secrets have yet to be revealed. Earth's forces are battered and beaten. The Master Chief's AI companion Cortana is still trapped in the clutches of the Gravemind - a horrifying Flood intelligence, and a civil war is raging in the heart of the Covenant. It's all been building to this -- a desperate, final war that leads to a soul-shattering climax of epic proportions. Take control of Master Chief to defeat the Covenant and destroy the Flood to prevent the annihilation of the human race.

The game was revealed to the world at the Microsoft press conference held at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA in May 2006. To gamer's delight, the announcement was a complete surprise. The rumors have been abound for the past year, as everyone wondered when the next installment would be ready. Bungie and Microsoft did a stellar job keeping their lips sealed, and fans benefited from their first glimpse of the hallowed third and final installment.

The short presentation was delivered in real-time on the Xbox 360 using the current version of the Halo 3 game engine. That's right, no studio production video, Bungie and Microsoft delivered the real deal: what they showed at the announcement is what gamers will see when they play Halo 3 in 2007. The HDR lighting, self-shadowing, GPU-run particle system and many other effects are rumored to show up in full effect in the final game. Needless to say, the gaming community is salivating.

CJ Cowan, Bungie's director of cinematics discussed one of the most startling moments of the presentation: the return of Cortana. "Given the variety of character and story arcs at the end of Halo 2, we wanted to boil down our announcement to a few key threads. Cortana and the Chief being a galaxy apart is a situation we haven't seen before, and is something that is a powerful component to Halo 3. We are using her transmissions in the demo to give the viewer a few subtle clues to her situation and state of mind, without revealing any specifics we want to save for the game itself."

Graphically, the game closely follows in the tradition of Halo 2, although it has been upgraded to take advantage of the Xbox 360's more prodigious visual abilities. As art direct Marcus Lehto explained, "[The presentation] was intended to be an understated announcement of Halo 3 -- the tone is that of mystery and suspense -- the calm before the storm. I wanted to make sure that we reintroduced the Chief, showed that Earth was thoroughly conquered, with Covenant everywhere, and that there is a glorious, ancient artifact buried under the Earth's crust which will provide Halo 3 with the epic journey which we all want."

Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, Halo 3 expands on everything that has made the franchise great, adding a wealth of technical and gameplay advancements. The game design has evolved with next-generation, high-definition visuals, enhanced A.I., an advanced real-time lighting engine, and, of course, new weapons, characters, and challenges. Halo 3 promises an unparalleled first-person shooter experience and, in the end, the most compelling and engrossing story in the franchise's history. Last, but certainly not least, Halo 3 builds upon the unique social multiplayer experience and innovative, evolving online gameplay of Halo 2. Rest assured, you'll still be able to run with your clan and battle with (or against) your buddies from coast to coast.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be released on November 10, 2009. Here is te Game Trailer.

Modern Warfare 2 (packaged as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) is under development by Infinity Ward and will be published by Activision. Activision Blizzard officially announced Modern Warfare 2 on February 11, 2009,and a release date was later set for November 10, 2009.

The game is set for a worldwide release on November 10, 2009, for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 consoles. A Nintendo DS iteration of the game, titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized, and a Wii port of Call of Duty 4 titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex will be released alongside the game. Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4 and continues the same storyline, taking place several years after the first game but featuring several returning characters.

Dark Fall: The Journal (Video Game)

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Returning from work you listen to a frightened and cryptic voice message from your brother, a talented architect redeveloping the old Dowerton station in Dorset, England. Boarding a train to meet him, you travel to Dowerton alone, wondering what adventure you may be embarking on...

When you arrive, the train is empty and the station is deserted. You begin to explore-the train tunnels, the station, the adjoining hotel, and the grounds--and discover that although no one is there, you are not alone. Finding artifacts, ancient documents, and a valuable journal, you realize that the area holds a history of disappearances and hauntings dating back centuries.

Game Review
Your brother, an architect, is designing a resort and club to take the place of an old hotel and train station. In an opening movie, you receive a phone message asking you to come to the site as strange things are happening. When you arrive, your brother has disappeared and the place is deserted. You soon find out that the old Dowerton Inn has a history of disappearances. As you explore the hotel and station you uncover the frightening story behind these happenings. Soon enough it becomes apparent that it's up to you to put a stop to whatever it is that's going on.

Originally published by an independent designer, Dark Fall is a treat to play. The graphics are wonderful and detailed. The sound is mainly f/x replete with spooky voices just beyond intelligible, giving you the sense that, though you are alone, you may find otherwise at any minute. The interface is very simple and easy to use, allowing you to get caught up in the story. I found the pace of this game ideal. Although there are numerous locations to explore, you never get the sense that you are wandering around looking at things to no apparent purpose; there is always some information to be collected or a puzzle to solve.

There is a nice variety to the puzzles: some inventory, some mechanical, some sound and a lot of putting information from difference locations together to come up with solutions. The inventory is minimal, which I appreciated; I'm a bit tired of games where you collect forty-eleven different pieces of inventory, many of which you use only once. Most of Dark Fall's inventory has multiple uses. Once you have all the pieces you need, the puzzles are relatively simple and straight forward. There is no need for a walkthrough or strategy guide. If you get stuck, the game includes a built-in hint feature that is nicely presented as part of the plot.

There were a few places where you got close-up views of things for no apparent reason and a few things you could interact with that were merely entertaining, rather than adding to the story or helping you solve any puzzle, but these did not detract from the overall experience. There are no timed puzzles, no mazes and you can't die, although you can be quite frightened at times.

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:01:00 +0000

This is probably one of the best storyline I've encountered. It's one of the few games where I was captivated from start to finish with no feeling of having to drag myself through boring parts just to find out what happens in the end. This game is worth playing for the story alone.

Game Features
* Stunning Sounds and Soundtrack ¿ Listen to an emotional and epic soundtrack in 7.1 surround as well as voice recordings of 50+ professional actors.
* Unparalleled Gameplay Variety ¿ Use brains or brawn; be polite or rude, threaten or sweet talk; in Dreamfall you make the choice, resulting in unexpected gameplay.
* Three Playable Characters ¿ Experience the story from three separate character's perspectives, and learn how their destinies blend together in an epic finale.
* Three Worlds ¿ Dreamfall spans three beautifully realized worlds, multiple chapters and a stunning amount of detailed locations.
* Unique World Interaction ¿ Dreamfall introduces a new focus field feature. Scan your environment and use information gathered to trigger remote gameplay opportunities.

Game Review
They should have packaged this as The Longest Journey, with Dreamfall as a bonus. The Longest Journey, the original game in the series, is by far a better game and a better story. (It should also be noted that you should definitely play The Longest Journey before Dreamfall, since a lot of things are only really explained in The Longest Journey.)
Dreamfall has an interesting story with a chliched "spooky" little girl with black hair, but it ends with an irritating cliffhanger. Not to mention the sneaking and fighting portions of the game are horrible, and show up one too many times. Dreamfall has much better voice acting and graphics than the Longest Journey, but it's still more of a 3.5/5, but this package includes The Longest Journey, which is easily a 5.
The Longest Journey is a straight-forward point-and-click adventure game with a great story and interesting characters. The graphics are weak by today's standards, but everything else is very well done. It's definitely long and there are numerous 10-15-minute-long speeches by characters, but they're generally well done, so it's not a problem, just something you don't often see in games. The biggest downside is that a lot of puzzles are really esoteric and take a really long time to figure out. It's often hailed by critics as one of the best adventure games ever made, and I'd have to agree. It's not quite Grim Fandango good, but it's really good.
In addition, you get the soundtrack to Dreamfall in the box, which is fairly good.
Definitely a good package, but ignore the fact that Dreamfall is the headlining act.

Website: www.dreamfall.com

Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Investigate each unraveling image in Flora’s mind! Attempted murder victim Flora Dale wakes up in the hospital. Uncertain of how she got there and unable to speak to the doctors, she quickly falls back into a deep coma. In her mind, she begins an incredible adventure to uncover clues from her memory about her life and the series of events that led to her attack. Will she solve the mystery? Will she wake up in time to name her attacker?

Game Features:
* 30 brain teasing games to solve
* 20 stunning puzzle scenes that will unlock the mystery
* Elaborate soundtrack and real voice actors pull you into this rich, detailed world

Game Review:
"Hidden Secrets: The Nightmare" is ostensibly a casual game, but I have to say, it is the least-relaxing casual game I have ever played. It's not a hidden object game in the traditional sense. Rather, in each scene you need to find anywhere from five to ten objects. So for example, you might find a hammer in a car. Then you have to turn on the car's stereo to retrieve a CD, use the hammer on the CD to break it, which you in turn use to...you get the idea. At the end of each scene you play either one or two mini-games. None of the mini-games are ground-breaking, but there is a nice variety of puzzles, and as you complete each one it becomes available for play in an arcade mode.

There's nothing terribly exciting about this game, but it could have been an amusing pastime were it not for a few flaws, most notably the time element. You get anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes to complete each scene plus mini-game(s), and that would be plenty of time were it not for the absolutely brutal time penalties. You click on the wrong item? You lose a few minutes from the clock. Click on the right items but in the wrong sequence? You lose more time. There's one point where you have to put a jar of fireflies in a car's headlight in order to see the street. (Um...okay?) If you try to click the headlight onto the jar of fireflies, you lose a bunch of time. Instead you must click the jar onto the headlights, because that clearly makes much more sense. You can get hints in each scene, but the time penalty for using a hint is so harsh that you'll probably have to replay the scene if you use one. You're basically stuck in a position where you can't get hints but you also can't click on items to experiment. Isn't that fun? Oh, wait, it's totally not.

Sometimes you'll need to play a single mini-game to finish the scene. That's fine. Sometimes, however, you have to complete each game multiple times to move on. Trust me: whatever entertainment these games might provide is quickly run into the ground when you have to play the stupid thing five times in a row. And then, for added fun, you might get hit with a second kind of mini-game which you also have to play multiple times. Grr. I also found at least one major bug, in a puzzle where you have to switch tiles to form a picture. Not only did the game not give me any idea of what the picture would look like, but three of the tiles were just black. Apparently I was supposed to see a picture on those, but as it was I had to complete the rest of the puzzle and then randomly switch around the black tiles until the game thought I was seeing a picture.

Syberia

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Syberia is easily one of the most breathtaking games to look at. It's landscapes and buildings are stunningly beautiful. The opening takes place in Valadilene, supposedly a town in the French Alps. It's Art Nouveau architecture all around (Guimard, Majorelle and Lavirotte-style for enthusiasts out there), and creator Benoit Sokal is forgiven for putting Art Nouveau in the Alps. You'd be hard pressed to find decent Art Nouveau there nowadays, or any day in the past for that matter! But if Valadilene really existed, it would be an architectural Nirvana!

Game Features:
* You play as Kate Walker, a businesswoman looking for the long-lost heir of the world's greatest family of toymakers
* To find this heir, she'll have to enter the world of odd obsessions and beautiful machinery as she uncovers a mystery that goes back for generations
* As you explore an amzing 360-degree environment, you'll face clockwork men & animals of every shape and size
* It's up to you to complete the jobs here -- find the missing parts so the machines can play out their roles, and you'll be given a clue
* Wonderful graphics will paint a storybook picture for you as 2D paintings meet 3D animation

Game Review:
The animations in Syberia are superb - I've never seen moving water done better than this. The cutscenes are superb, razorsharp, and it is apparent that mr. Sokal likes atmosphere - the rainy openingsequence is very reminiscent of his first game, Amerzone.
But apart from graphics, is it a good game? Well, it certainly has a few shortcomings. For one, it's much too easy. This was also the problem with the first game from mr. Sokal, Amerzone. Very atmospheric, but, too easy, too short. In Syberia, it's all spelled out for you. "I should get someone to carry my suitcase." So you talk to the first person around, an presto, he carries your case. "I can't go in there, maybe I should find a missing part", that sort of thing. In this case it reminded me of the recently released Road to India (also by Microids/Dreamcatcher) wich is an abysmal game and whould never have reached the shelves. But, Syberia overall is much, much better. First of all, it not that short. Although it's always difficult to estimate gameplay in adventuregames - it all depends on how astute you are - I would say it's 25 hours or so, certainly much less than Exile or Beyond Atlantis.
Syberia is reasonably immersive, although I wonder why mr. Sokal decided to design the game in third person, instead of the much more engaging first person perspective, as in Amerzone, Exile, Journeyman Project etc.
The difficulty-level is, of course, always the problem with adventuregames. Either you target the experienced gamer and put in hard puzzles. Or you target the bigger (and probably more lucrative) market of younger players, but then you'll have to downgrade the difficulty. The latter is evidently the case here. It could have been overcome somewhat though, by giving the option of switching off the hints. It's highly irritating to hear "I don't need to go down there" every two minutes just for trying to open a door. Gameplaywise it's very similar (if not identical) to The Longest Journey, with prerendered landscapes and a little lady running through it. You talk to people, you'll get hints, nudges and pushes and you switch from one area to another.
I would have liked 3D free movement - as we have come to expect from most of the recent games around, like Exile, Beyond Atlantis and the like. In this way, Syberia has not kept up with these dramatic and very important opportunities and innovations. Valadilene, Barrockstadt, Aralbad, the surroundings are truly astounding. But time after time you feel the disappointment of not being able to look around in 3D! What a labour of love has gone into the artwork, but what a waste that I'm no able to zoom in, look closer, explore more...

Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Recognized as one of the best licenses in adventure gaming and lauded by the international press, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian super sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, is back in Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack The Ripper. A single player gameplay investigation experience on the PC platform that is sure to be the most horrifying game of the Sherlock Holmes series, in this challenging new adventure, the famous detective and his ever-present sidekick Dr. Watson, race against time to stop the most threatening serial killer England has ever known - Jack the Ripper.

Game Features:
* 2 points-of-view available at all times: gameplay in third-person or classic first-person point-of-view, a favorite for the enthusiasts of the series.
* 2 mythic characters of 19th century England engage in a horrifying manhunt: the illustrious Sherlock Holmes and the terrifying Jack the Ripper.
* Discover the hidden side of London and the sinister streets of Whitechapel, all faithfully recreated (e.g. public work house, hospitals, brothels, etc.).
* The ability to switch between the role of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes or his trusted friend Doctor Watson with a progressive help system always at your fingertips when needed.
* Interact with more than 30 authentic characters that help you complete your investigation and use and combine more that 100 objects as you collect hundreds of clues.

Game Story
In Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack The Ripper players are witnessed to the sights, sounds and grim realities of the late Victorian era. It's 1888, London, in the Whitechapel area, and a series of grisly crimes in the heart of the East End leave a gory trail of mutilated female bodies. The police struggle to pick up the scent as the bodies pile up and paranoia sweeps the city. Sherlock Holmes immerses himself in the dark, sordid alleyways of Whitechapel in order to follow the trail of the one that the press calls Jack the Ripper. During a terrifying investigation, Holmes will attempt to lift the veil of mystery that shrouds the motives and the face behind that horrific nickname.

Gameplay
Presented in full 3D, Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper offers players 2 different perspectives which are available at any moment in the game: a third-person view in the pure style of traditional point ’n’ click adventure games and a first-person view for close-up investigation. Players have the total freedom to choose either of the angles they wish, or use them both to immerse themselves completely in this terrifying adventure. In addition, the player will also find within the game an original crime scene reconstitution system that will allow he/she to test theories during the progression of the investigation as they follow the bloody trail of the terrifying serial killer.

Play as Holmes and Dr. Watson
As brilliant as Sherlock Holmes is, no adventure featuring the super sleuth would be complete without the assistance of his sidekick Dr. Watson. In Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper players get the full experience and benefits of the Holmes/Watson mystery solving team with the ability to play as both characters as they comb the backstreets of Victorian London in search of the infamous Jack the Ripper.

Key Features
* Solve one of the greatest mysteries in the history of England and discover who is Jack the Ripper.
* 2 mythic characters of 19th century England engage in a horrifying manhunt: the illustrious Sherlock Holmes and the terrifying Jack the Ripper.
* Discover the hidden side of London and the sinister streets of Whitechapel, all faithfully recreated (e.g. public work house, hospitals, brothels, etc.).
* Switch between playing the role of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes or his trusted friend Doctor Watson.
* Interact with more than 30 authentic characters that help you complete your investigation.
* Use and combine more that 100 objects and collect hundreds of clues so you can finally uncover the real identity and motives of the perverted Jack the Ripper.
* 2 points-of-view available at all times: gameplay in third-person or classic first-person point-of-view, a favorite for the enthusiasts of the series.
* A progressive help system puts you back on.

Chronicles of Mystery: Scorpio Ritual

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Professor Olivier Leroux, a well known archaeologist, is gone without a trace. The only person who can find him is his niece Sylvie. Frustrated with the police attempts to find her uncle she decides to commence her own private investigation. Which ultimately takes her to the ruins of an ancient church on Malta. It was there, that the scholar encounters a dark secret from biblical times. Become Sylvie Leroux and find out what happened to the professor. Who are the people who wanted him to disappear? And uncover a conspiracy that is thousands of years in the making!

Game Features:
* Classic Point-n-Click game with sudden twists and a thrilling plot
* Intense puzzles that require analytical problem solving skills
* Detailed and varied pre-rendered locations: streets of Paris, ancient churches on Malta, Istanbul’s galleries and Vatican undergrounds

Game Review:
This is a point-and-click adventure. It is set in the Mediterranean island of Malta. During the game you visit the sister island of Gozo as well as Istanbul and Rome. As a visitor to Malta, I can confirm the setting was spot on.

The game installed fine, it needs the DVD in the drive during play. Control is entirely mouse-driven and worked well.

Graphics are well done, with many animations throughout. A more recent graphics card is required to get the best advantage (shadows etc.) My old FX5200 could not manage the latter, but the game played otherwise without a hitch. Cut scenes were well done.

Puzzles were reasonably well integrated and logical. Most are inventory orientated with the odd manipulation. There were no sliders or mazes. Difficulty level is easy to medium. A walkthrough was not required. [ I did need to do a screen grab to enhance the graphics on one of the puzzles (lower fireplace), I believe the cause was my monitor which is too dark. Subsequent examination of a walkthrough shows a much clearer view on a different monitor.]
The story is perhaps the weakest link. A touch old hat, never-the-less it carried one through the game. Niece arrives in Malta, uncle missing, start exploring. Ancient artifacts, temples and documents lie before you.
The sound side is well done, both ambient sounds and background music.
The game is not conversation heavy.
The company that released "Art of Murder" is responsible for this game too. Whereas in that game the lead character is slightly annoying, saying "that was stupid" when clicking an incorrect object, in this game a more friendly "trial and error method they say" is the response.
The game is linear and controlled so that you do not leave an area before all the puzzles have been resolved.
Playing time is roughly 15 hours, which is a tad short. A couple more locations, or expanded existing locations would have been welcome.
Overall a nicely made game, enjoyable to play.

Rhiannon: Curse Of The Four Branches

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Legends, myths, and magic spill into reality as an ancient battle for revenge envelopes a remote Welsh farmstead, threatening the very sanity of a lonely teenage girl. Are reports of unexplained noises and strange visions by fifteen year old Rhiannon Sullivan merely the figments of an overactive imagination? Or does the history of her family’s new home, Ty Pryderi, hold a terrible connection to a timeless struggle between man and magic? Her parents take Rhiannon away, leaving Ty Pryderi to your watch and exploration, but their absence can only postpone an ancient inevitability of revenge and death. Unless you can stop it!

Game Review:
This is a traditional point-and-click adventure game. It is set in Wales.
You play as Chris (take this as male or female to your taste), a character drafted in to hold the fort in the absence of the owners and their daughter Rhiannon. The latter was having nightmares and hearing voices so her parents decided to holiday elsewhere.
Naturally you explore and dig around to see if you can help.

The game installs from DVD and does not require the disk in the drive for play. I played without any bugs (worth remarking on these days). I've an older computer and it is below the min spec required (regarding processor speed).

The story holds interest throughout. Puzzles are inventory based with perhaps only a couple of exceptions. Essentially this is series of scavenger hunts, so expect to visit and revisit locations to check if objects seen earlier have become available for picking up to help solve the current puzzle.

The graphics and animations are to a high standard. Controls work well. There is a little awkwardness regarding navigating. Presentation is Myst-like i.e. a succession of stills. Also in common with Myst, you play as first person, there are no conversations, so it is a lonely experience. The game engine is by Wintermute which is slow when saving. There are up to a hundred save slots. Incidental sounds are well done. Background music is sparse, not annoying when it does play.

I found the game relatively easy, not requiring a hint of any description. In fact, once the first couple of the five chapters were done the play seemed easier simply because I'd got more into the swing of the game. There is some pixel hunting, particularly above eye level and also below.

There is ogam (ancient script), homeopathy and ghosts in this game. None were overdone. You never do meet Rhiannon.

All in all this was worth playing. A solid adventure but not a ground-breaking one, suitable for the family (but not very young children). There's no violence and no cussing in this game. Expect roughly 30 hours play (shorter if you find all the objects required without delays).

Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:40:00 +0000

The master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, leads you on a shadowy journey to finally solve the mystery of his death. As a famed mystery writer, you re looking for your next cold case to crack when an unexpected visitor hands you the perfect case to get your career moving again.

When Edgar leads you through some of his most famous works, The Raven, The Gold Bug, The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Purloined Letter, you ll collect clues, interview witnesses and piece together the conspiracy behind the death of one of America s greatest writers.

Who killed Edgar? And, why were such measures taken so that no one would ever know the truth? You have 24 hours and ghosts of the past to guide you through Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy!

Game Features:
* Hidden object adventure lets you crack a 160-year-old murder mystery
* Guided by Poe himself, you ll collect items and clues through his most famous works
* Solve intriguing puzzles to figure out exactly whodunit!

Game Review:
The usually fastidious writer was found dressed in shabby clothes that did not fit, wandering in a delirium along the streets of Baltimore. He was taken to a hospital where he died four days later. What killed Edgar Allan Poe? Not what but who! This game says it was murder!

In "Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy", the player becomes a famed mystery writer who is an expert in solving cold cases. At the beginning of the game the player is haunted by the eerie and distraught and shackled ghost of Edgar Allan Poe who begs him to avenge his murder so that his soul can be set free. To discover the truth behind Poe's untimely death at age 40, and with the aid of a supernatural pocket watch, the player goes on a hidden-object adventure, seeking clues among macabre graveyards and becoming incorporated and integrated bodily right into Poe's most famous works, including The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Gold Bug. There's a conspiracy here, centered around and hidden within the stories.

So, you as detective -writer embark on this journey to crack the 160 year-old case. You'll find various objects, collect clues and talk with witnesses, to try and deduce who Poe's killer is. You must collect hundreds of objects, frequently combining them to perform a function and to reveal another hidden object. The hint mechanism is a marvelous black crow. He'll flap over the scene and find an object for you if you get stuck, but click too often on the wrong thing and a nasty one-eyed black hissy cat will appear.

The scenes are beautifully animated, with tree branches waving, water rippling, spitting raindrops, sullen autumn leaves blowing in a sullen sky- all wonderfully atmospheric. The art work is absolutely of the highest order and the music and sound effects are suitably macabre to make sure you have an immersive experience. The mini-games are interesting and not hard, being mostly intuitive.

With its highly original story line and the exceptional graphics, "Midnight Mysteries" is a class act. The game is quite easy, older kids can readily handle it; however, it will not bore adults. Recommended for all ages. Don't miss this beauty!

Microids: Sinking Island

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:02:00 +0000

Who killed Walter Jones? Play the role of private inspector Jack Norm, who is asked to find the truth behind the death of Walter Jones. The only suspects are 10 people who were on the island at the time. Due to a raging tropical storm, there is only 3 days to clear up this affair before all of the clues, the island & the guilty party disappear into the ocean forever. Include: - Discover rich environments from the idyllic beaches to Walter Jones¿ last opulent masterpiece. - Captivating characters with unique psychological profiles that evolve. - 2 game modes bring hours of intrigue: You investigate the island at your own leisure or race against time to solve the death of Walter Jones!

Game Features

* The new game by Beno t Sokal - the master of point & click adventure returns to the universe that earned him a reputation as a major comic book author - Detective stories!
* Sumptuous d cors - from the idyllic beaches to the exaggerated proportions of this extravagant tower, discover a rich environment and great graphics
* A heart-racing scenario - hate, resentment, treason and intrigue on a tropical island.
* A Noir novel in a video game - the game is divided into ten simple questions that you have to answer one after the other to make headway in the investigation
* A full and accessible enquiry solving system - thanks to your personal assistant, you can confront the different suspects, compare their statements to evidence and move on in the enquiry by using your sense of deduction

Praise should be given to Benoit Sokal for developing yet another intriguing and beautifully rendered point-and-click adventure game (like Amerzone, Syberia, and Syberia II). The game is different than his previous ones in that Sinking Island revolves around a murder mystery, making the adventure all the more fun.

The plot centers on a billionaire who is found murdered on his private island, Sagorah in the Maladives (based on the Maldives, I'm assuming). Walter Jones has built a massive Art Deco Revival hotel for the wealthy "jet-set" elites. But it is unfinished and structurally unsound, and there happens to be a powerful hurricane building in the area! Jones has invited his three grandchildren and their spouses/love interests, the hotel's architect, and Jones' personal attorney to the hotel for the weekend. There are also two natives living in a hut on the island. When Jones is found washed up on a rocky beach with his head bashed in, the mystery ensues. You play the part of detective, Jack Norm who is flown out to the island to investigate and as you do you begin to uncover the dark secrets of Jones and the 10 suspects as you question them and pick up clues scattered all about the island.

Like most of Sokal's other games, there is a lot of running back and forth through screens that never have anything in them to click on, they are just there to look pretty and add to the atmosphere (which is very well kept, I must say!), which of course adds a lot of wasted time to gameplay. Another disappointment that goes along with this is that there are very few things to click on which is good when you're trying to find clues but not so good when you're wandering around...I mean they could have utilized their space more. The plot is very much like a modernized Agatha Christie-type story that one finds in many TV mystery shows, the only real advancement is having it placed in a sumptuous Art Deco Revival Hotel on a secluded island in the Indian Ocean. The major problem I had with this game was the atrocious final cinematic. The opening was OK, but the ending was just ridiculous at times. Not only did some characters change appearance, but some changed their personality for no apparent reason (right before the ending they were calm, but when you enter the room at the end, they are all of a sudden crazy). Then, I expected that we'd see very cool shots of the beautiful interiors flooding in a "Titanic" fashion, but no, we just see a rather cartoonish-feeling shot of the tower just sliding under the water...I'm unsure how the ocean rose or the island sank enough to consume 22+ stories of building, though. Then, when Jack is explaining everything to the survivors, it sounds like he's an elementary teacher taking questions from his students and explaining the details to their childish minds (not to mention that everyone seemed so unaffected by the calamity, there was nobody crying, or nervous, or anything!)...I don't know that might be a little of an exaggeration, but it just irked me a lot, that ending cinematic! After putting together such a well-crafted game, they almost ruined it with a really dumb ending.

Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy

ariel@arielnieto.com.ar (Ariel Nieto) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Defeat the last prophecy of Nostradamus! Features: ¿ The first adventure game based on Nostradamus! ¿ Portray Nostradamus' daughter, Madeleine or her brother, Cesar. ¿ Challenging puzzles. ¿ Fantasitic Graphics! ¿ Jump into the action!

Product Features

* Play as Nostradamus' daughter, Madeleine, or disguise yourself as her brother, Cesar, to expand your investigation
* Unravel a series of Machiavellian riddles and puzzles based on astrology, alchemy and ancient runes
* Explore a rich background that authentically recreates the feel of the 16th century
* Intuitive gameplay and progressively increasing difficulty levels allow players to get right into the action

This is a first person traditional point-and-click adventure with a historical detective bent. You play as Madeleine, Nostradamus' daughter (appearing as yourself or disguised as your brother).

The queen visits Nostradamus to ask for help to solve and stop a series of murders afflicting those around the royal household. Since Nostradamus is too frail and his son is away then Madeleine is sent in disguise as his son. Briefly, a number of murders crop up and are investigated by the player.

The game installed fine and did not need the disk in the drive during play. The controls worked well, all mouse-driven. No bugs were encountered under XP on a older computer. There are an infinite number of save slots, labelled with the time and date of each save along with a thumbnail picture of each save. Graphics are detailed and colourful as befitting a French small town in the 1500's. Voice acting was well done. Lip synching a bit off, but not abysmally so. Movement was responsive. Questioning characters in game is to be expected, but I would not say the game is conversation heavy.

Puzzles were inventory based (easy) or logic based (medium difficulty). There is one timed sequence at the end of the game which has multiple parts. It is impossible to complete this at first attempt. Fortunately the developers ensured that saving can be done during this sequence. Take my tip, note the relevant settings, replay and save after each part to conserve time and patience. During the game it is wise to inspect the diary and all objects in or out of inventory very closely. Several actions, not including combining objects, need to be taken within both in order to complete the game. This is a refreshing change from most adventure games. The diary also has a list of tasks required to be completed during each day, so you always know what is expected of you during play. Tasks are crossed off the list as they are completed.

Cut scenes were well done.

There was one give away when the diary, which is important during the game, listed a task before the object and place in the note had been discovered. A minor point.

The story held interest all the way until the end. On reflection, there were a couple of loose ends and perhaps a couple of anachronisms. I guess the developers went for a good gaming experience at the expense of absolute historical accuracy.