Post-Apocalyptic Fun: A Review of 51st State

One of our recent acquisitions is 51st State, a card game from Toy Vault based in the Neuroshima world (like Neuroshima Hex). There has been quite a bit of buzz about this one, often with it being compared to Race for the Galaxy. In fact, many claim it will effectively replace Race for the Galaxy in your collection. I want to share how we're feeling about the game after a handful of sessions under our belts. For those of you not familiar with the Neuroshima world, it is a post-apocalyptic North America with various factions vying for power. It was originally based on the Polish roleplaying game Neuroshima. The designer of 51st State, Ignacy Trzewiczek, is also one of the designers of both the Neuroshima roleplaying game and Neuroshima Hex. For those of you familiar with Fallout, what I've seen and read about it seems a lot like the world depicted in that series of videogames. It's an interesting setting, and the art of the cards does a great job of conveying the post-apocalyptic theme.

The rules of the game are not too complex, though I must indicate that the rulebook isn't that great. It meanders a bit, and some things are not referred to throughout but not explained until the very end. That being said, a couple reads and look at some online resources helped us get started. It starts with players selecting cards from several set out at the beginning of the turn. After card selection, players earn an income and then take turn executing actions. Actions can be playing a location (more on this later), using a production location with a worker, playing a leader, rebuilding a location or a couple other minor actions. Play continues until all players have passed. For the most part, gameplay is multiplayer solitaire, much like Race for the Galaxy, or even Dominion.

Most of the cards you'll see are locations, and locations are very interesting in this game. Each location may be played in one of three ways, each with a color associated with it. The most basic function is white, and that is putting the card in your play area as a location; doing this can derive one of several benefits, such as giving an income of a resource, or being able to produce victory points or having a trait that stays in effect. Some are production locations that you, or sometimes an opponent, may play a worker on to get its benefit. Another option is to make a deal, which is the blue action. This will give you a modest income of its resource (or sometimes a card or victory points) each turn. The final action, denoted as red, is to conquer the location. This will yield a one-time windfall of resources, cards or victory points. This is a definite strength of the game. Each time you look at a card, you have to decide how you want to play it. It's a very interesting tactical consideration, and very thematic to the world.

Each player takes on the role of one of the world's factions. There are four: Mutants, New York, Appalachian Federation and the Merchant's Guild. Each faction is trying top establish dominance by controlling areas. They each play a little different. The differences are not huge, but somewhat thematic. This is reflected in how they spend resources to accomplish the three basic actions for dealing with a location, and income they receive in the resources present in the game: scrap, building materials, weapons and fuel. As can be expected, each has an advantage towards one of the basic location actions.

I have to say I've been enjoying this game. Rulebook woes aside, it's a great game. There is certainly a bit of randomness with the limited card availability per turn, but the cards seem balanced enough that you won't have a situation where you need to fish for cards to implement your chosen strategy. It has enough complexity to be interesting, without dictating a dominant strategy.The stated playing time is 40-90 minutes, and is accurate. In an earlier blog post I talked about the "sweet spot" for games in regard to fun versus time spent, and I think this game does a good job hitting it. 51st State gets a solid recommendation from me. I encourage you to give it a try!

View the original article here

Read More

Kinect Sports - Kinect Xbox Review

Pros:

quick and simple fun

variety of sports

stylish

Xbox Live support for two players

Cons:

control incorporation of some sports

lacks a single player career

Kinect Sports offers a diverse range of sports fully in line with competitors, with the only difference that here you actually get involved in sports using your whole body. Kinect and its two cameras are watching you closely.

This means that shaking the controller when running will not be sufficient and because there is no controller with Kinect, you really have to lift your legs, jump, kick or hit with your hands. The variety of sports includes, but is not limited to, soccer, volleyball, boxing, bowling, ping pong as well as athletics such as running, hurdles, jumping into the sand hour drive, and javelin. The game has 3 slightly different modes for each discipline: Party Play mode for two teams designed to fit your party; Main Event offers all disciplines for a single or multiplayer; and Quickplay mode to get you fast into action.

The game is pure fun and it is the best with more players, whether on TV or through the Live. Single player is only offered a good training and good feeling when beating an AI at four different levels of experience.

The most robust of all the games is soccer, which offers not only shots on goal, but the whole match for one or two players. It is not a standard FIFA, but it shows how EA could incorporate Kinect in this popular series. During the match, the game will automatically switch between players who are the closest to the ball and gives you an option of passing the ball, or if the opponent has the ball you can prevent his pass by moving yourself in front of the shot. You have an option to shoot at the goal when you are close to the net or to have a moment to catch the ball when switched to a goalkeeper. The actual running is excluded, allowing you to focus only on the ball.

If you miss running in soccer you can get enough of it in athletics, where you will get a really good workout, whether it is a simple runnig or hurdles. You will be running even when you do sandjumping or javelin. The principle is to lift your knees as high as possible to achieve higher speeds. Only in the disc throwing can you get a little rest because you only need your hand. All the disciplines works without any problems and they are easy to get used to.

Bowling is a sport where you can relax the most. It's a game that everyone will enjoy, whether it be for fathers, mothers,grandparents or children. Bowling is not as physically demanding as boxing. Giving upper and lower hooks can be very hard especially if the opponent doesn`t want fall for a very long time. Three rounds will feel especially painful in the morning when you wake up with sore hands. Your hands won`t be resting in ping pong neither, which doesn`t look difficult, but when you play your hands will be sailing over half the room as you try to catch the ball. It's not a ping pong simulation, so don`t expect any crazy tricks, but rather you will have to be focused on testing your reflexes. Volleyball is very easy since you only have to hit in a place where you expect the ball to go.

Compared to volleyballping pong is more difficult to play, particularly in 2 player mode because of the variety of moves and players can easily get in their way while playing. Fortunately, this is not a problem in boxing where you are boxing only forward and the sideway moves or turns are not necessary.

Standard sports you can play only in the Main Event. Party and Quickplay play offer entertaining modifications such as ball games. For example, in soccer you have to prevent or score as many goals as possible within a certain time and it is the same in volleyball. In addition, you can play all the sports in party mode in a special costume adding to a party atmosphere. For example, your avatar can wear a foam alien costume or a crocodile costume. He then becomes the team mascot.

Kinect Sports is a great game and in addition to Dance Central it offers the highest quality title for Kinect. It has excellent content, plenty of options, lots of fun and it gives you a good workout. It's a title that will last and always have something to offer. Kinect Sports makes a perfect game for a whole family.

Whatever you do please do not click my website link, you might get insight into some great Kinect Games Reviews and actually buy more games...and you don`t want that right? Just kidding please DO... Just the best Kinect Games [http://www.kinectgamesreview.net]

View the original article here

Read More

Do Video Game Review Scores Really Matter?

Many people read a lot of the gaming journalism that is out there on the Internet. These types of people always freak out every time a game receives a lower score than they hoped for in a review. Why do some Baltimore gamers care so much what other people think of a particular video game?

Different people like different things. Almost no one freaks out about why certain people like or dislike certain foods or artwork, so why should games be any different? People can buy any game they want to regardless of what reviewers say about a certain title. Most of the reviews come out before the games hit store shelves, so how can a person say that a game deserves a higher score when he or she has not played the game? The perception of what constitutes as a low score can also be taken to extreme. If a particular game scores a nine out of ten, there are always people complaining that the game should have gotten a perfect score. People should be happy if a game scores a seven out of ten or above. The reason people want a game to have great scores is because everybody wants to know whether he or she will like a game before a purchase is made. Reviews are not going to guarantee anyone a good time. Only the person playing the game can decide whether he or she is having fun or not.

Another problem readers of game journalism have is that they always take one reviewers person opinion as the whole company's view on a game. Just because someone from IGN gives Kirby's Return to Dreamland a 7.5 does not mean that other reviewers at IGN feel the same way. Some might have scored the game higher while others might have scored it lower. One person's opinion on a title is not the final verdict for the whole company. This problem readers have also leads them to believe that just because one reviewer gave game X a "bad" score means that game Y will also receive a negative score as well. When Kirby's Return to Dreamland got a 7.5, the comments went on fire and everyone was wondering what score the new Zelda game would receive based on the Kirby review. The score of one game has no relation to another. Just because a reviewer scores a game not to the public's liking does not mean they hate all of the games a particular company releases.

The Kirby Return to Dreamland review did not say anything different than what most other reviewers from other sites said. Everybody agreed that the game was a very traditional Kirby game with the only standout feature being the four player cooperative mode. Each score might have been different than one another, but they all said the same thing. In the end, scores of games do not really matter.

People should not care about the score so much and start reading why a reviewer liked or disliked a certain game before running off at the mouth about how much he or she is wrong. Another thing people would be better off doing is actually playing a game to its completion before commenting on another person's opinion about a game. In short, if one has not played a game, then one cannot have an opinion of any kind.

View the original article here

Read More

Gears Of War 3 Review

Five years have passed between the release of the original game and Gears Of War 3 and the wait was definitely worth it, if you've been looking for an action packed alternative to first person shooters then you're likely to appreciate what Epic have managed to deliver.

Although you're likely to spend most of your time with multiplayer the single player campaign is superb, you'll take on the role of Marcus Phoenix in an effort to end the war between humanity and the locust horde.

You'll come across Dom at the start of the game who's taking care of tomato plants which seems a little uncharacteristic, you'll quickly meet the other members of your squad and shortly after that the action begins.

Gears Of War veterans will be on familiar ground although newcomers can quickly get the hang of the game play mechanics, the latest game in the series includes that same features such as shooting and running for cover that made the previous games such a success.

It's taken a while but Epic have finally included female troopers in the game who'll back you up during fire fights, Gears Of War has always been about working in a team and your squad mates do a good job of backing you up without robbing you of too many kills.

While you'll mostly play the part of Marcus Phoenix you'll also step into the role of Augustus Cole AKA Cole Train, while the action in the game is good the story is also top notch and delivered by characters with likeable personalities.

Boss fights are superb and you'll come across a vast array of them that are both impressive to look at and totally lethal, for the most part you'll be taking on enemies while you're on foot but you'll also get to stomp around with the armoured fighting machine known as the Silverback.

If you play the single player campaign on any skill setting higher than casual then it will likely take you 12 hours to complete, you can also play the campaign on Xbox live and friends can take on the roles of the various members of your squad.

Deathmatch is probably the most popular of the online modes but I found beast mode to be of particular appeal, in beast mode you can take on the role of one of the many aliens in the game and you'll be tasked with eliminating the humans in their base.

Getting to the humans can be tough as their bases are protected by defences such as barbed wire and gun installations, by selecting characters such as the ticker you can approach the mentioned defences and either scratch away at them or you can explode to take them down.

Later on you'll get to control much larger aliens such as the Berserker that's capable of inflicting some serious damage, the berserker is huge compared to humans and although it's half blind it has the raw power necessary to breach a bases defences in an instant.

Adrian Williams has reviewed Gears Of War 3 in addition to a variety of the latest video games, for videos and further details be sure to check out his Gear Of War 3 Review

View the original article here

Read More

Forza 4 Review and Thoughts

Forza 3 was a brilliant racing game, with great graphics and brilliant gameplay. Two years later Forza 4 has a tough act to follow, but perform it has and more! From the enhanced visuals to the improved car paint design features this game should not be missed for any car fan.

Forza 4 is like top gear, except you are Clarkson crashing into other cars sending them into the gravel, you are Hammond drifting round the top gear track in a cloud of smoke and you are May when you turn all assists off and spin around in circles going nowhere but having a whale of a time. The characteristics of Forza 3 are here in bulk but have been given a major overhaul with new modes added into the mix including auto vista and kinect features.

Forza''s graphics are nothing short of beautiful. There new engine allows the car to be placed in the environment and show the reflections from the environment. Taking this from a car placed in a track to a car driven in a track. Its not only the cars graphics that have been improved the tracks have all undergone overhauls to make vistas look even more stunning. Married with the new auto vista mode which allows you to get up close and personal with some of the best looking cars whilst Jeremy talks or in some cases rants about them. There's even Halos warthog.

Turn Tens decision to include top gear in this was brilliant. Jeremy lends his voice to auto vista whether it be slaging of cars or worshiping them and then there's the top gear test track. This programme is watched by millions here in Britain and to allow them to drive around it as much as they like in the Kia C'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed or whatever car you want, which is frankly awesome.

Though it does have its "problems" and when I say problems I don't mean ones that affect your experience, and won't affect you at all if this is your first Forza game. My "problem" is that there are very few new tracks in this game compared to Forza 3 which is a problem considering that's were all the game takes place. However this is the only problem I have with this amazing game.

If you like cars there's no shortage here, with well over one hundred. All made with the same exquisite detail and care. This game is undoubtedly the best racing simulator to date and I can't wait for Forza horizon which lands this fall on Xbox 360.

Thanks for reading, if you liked it please visit my blog here

http://www.gamesweep.blogspot.co.uk/

View the original article here

Read More

Review of Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 Video Game

For many gamers, exercise games may appear to be the perfect solution to meet their fitness goals. However, there are some aspects of exercise games that consumers should consider prior to making a selection. After all, the best fitness game must contend with gym memberships and personal training sessions. Exercise video games should include effective workout routines, plenty of exercise regimens and enough excitement to keep motivated. The best game also shouldn't inhibit gamers with a controller. Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 isn't one that meets these requirements for workout video games; rather, it exceeds expectations set by other games.

One setback that fitness video games must avoid is redundancy. This is the reason most fitness goals fail and is one that the best exercise game should avoid. With Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012, redundancy doesn't exist. In addition to the many routines, over a dozen fitness styles are included. If players wish to train for self-defense, cardio boxing offers the perfect combination of strength and technique development. If players prefer to just have fun and cut loose, the variety of dancing routines may be the right fit. Environments, music and other aspects also change periodically. You'll even find plenty of mini exercise video games within this title to enhance your success.

The best workout video game should also free players from burdensome controllers and allow them to enjoy their full range of motion. Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012 achieves this by utilizing the Xbox 360's Kinect technology. This option, which is only available to a limited number of exercise video games, uses state-of-the-art sensors to detect and track the player's body movements. Unlike most games, this frees player from using a controller, wearing sensors or even relying on an electronic floor mat and allows them to focus on exercising. This is a rare feature among exercise games but one that is sure to prove successful every time.

Want to bring your friends in on the fun? Not only is the excitement enhanced, it's essential for the success of fitness video games and available in Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012. You may want to exercise with friends in a session or compete with them across an entire regimen. You may also want to explore the many mini exercise games together. The game should leave the choice to you and, unlike many exercise games, it's what you'll find in this title.

Of course, it can be difficult to fit an exercise regimen into a busy schedule. This, however, is another advantage with fitness video games; you pop it in during your free time and end the session when necessary. However, Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012 goes further than most other exercise video games by not only providing you with a customizable schedule, but also routines designed to fit that schedule, regardless of how much free time you have.

This fitness game should also allow you to focus on specific areas to tone and strengthen. It may be a rare find in most workout video games, but it's a given in Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012. Unlike most other workout games, this title allows you to focus on certain areas of your body, including arms and legs. If you need to grow accustomed to heavy lifting, you'll also find exercises to help strengthen your back and other areas. This sets it apart from other games and may even help it qualify as the best exercise game.

For reviews of more exercise video games, go here: http://exercisevideogames.net/

View the original article here

Read More

Video Game Review of Killzone 3 for PS3

This game is the sequel to Killzone 2. This game is about a war between two groups of humans. On one side, there is the ISA; these are the good guys with human faces. On the other side, there are their enemies; the Helghast. These are the humans that wear the red-goggled masks. The Helghast are a menacing group and they are determined to take control of the whole universe.

Killzone 3 picks up right where the last game left off. The game begins with a small group of ISA soldiers that are struggling to survive after being abandoned and left on enemy territory. Throughout the course of the game, you play as Sev. Sev is the same hero from Killzone 2. Sev's purpose is to do as much damage to the Helghast as possible before he is rescued, caught or killed.

Where the storyline falters, the action makes up for it. The action sequences throughout the game are visually impressive. This game offers smooth animations as well as transitions. This makes the game enjoyable when shifting from the standard shooting position, to looking through the sight on the assault rifle. The weapons sound powerful and the animations effectively convey bullets hitting armor. The blood that erupts from your enemies also appears to be extremely realistic.

This game offers a variety of weapons to kill the Helghast soldiers. The popular flamethrower returns as well as the boltgun. In addition to the M82, there are several new weapons that pack plenty of firepower. One of the new weapons allows the shooter to charge up a glowing green sphere of energy that blows through several enemies at once. Another powerful weapon allows the shooter to switch between two modes. One mode actually rains down artillery gunfire onto the Helghast soldiers and their vehicles.

Although this game alleges it uses all of the Playstation's robust processing power, there are moments in the game where the flow is staggered by minor glitches. It is important to note that there are no loading screens throughout the game. However, it's impossible to ignore the times when the game stops for a split-second to transition into another section of a level. There are also rare moments where the scripted sequences in the game will not start because a teammate is not in the right location. Furthermore, the sequence may pause if Sev isn't facing in the correct direction.

Killzone 3 does a great job of separating the levels. Between the levels on foot and the levels in the vehicles, this game transitions seamlessly. Although the entire campaign is linear, Killzone offers just enough time from moment to moment to keep you from accurately predicting the next objective. Every action sequence throughout the game is completely immersive. The combat sequences are more intense and more savage than many other first person shooter games. The design and visual complexity of Killzone 3 makes it interesting and entertaining despite the poorly developed storyline. The use of well-timed pacing and amazing action sequences throughout the campaign makes this game a must have for any PS3 shooting fan. In addition, the much improved and cool multiplayer mode is essential to the Killzone experience.

A downside to Killzone 3 is the one dimensional characters. From the hero, Sev, to the evil Helghast leaders; the traits of all the characters are consistent. The interplay as well as the dialogue between the characters is completely predictable. Consequently, the point of view of the soldiers is not nearly complex enough for a war game. The dynamics that allow the gamer to feel empathy or compassion for the characters is not present in this game. In the original Killzone, Captain Templar was a popular and well liked character. However, there are not many likeable characters in this game. The soldiers are indeed charming; in a savage brute kind of way, but Sev and the rest of the ISA appear to be more like thoughtless drones than soldiers facing a life or death situation. The soldiers do not appear to be fully affected by the feeling of abandonment. Honestly, these characters are not characters that the gamer can relate to or identify with.

Overall, Killzone 3 provides the gamer with a well-rounded experience. The game-play offers devastating melee attacks in addition to powerful gunfire. If close enough to a Helghast soldier, Sev can push his thumbs in the eyes of the soldiers. Sev can also execute a lethal tracheotomy using only his knife. Although the melee attacks may appear to be a minor addition, these attacks add a deeper strategy into the game-play. The only disadvantage of the melee attacks is that Sev is left open to get caught in passing gunfire. This game is visually amazing and utilizes great weapons. The weapons sound powerful and the blood looks realistic. Even though the storyline is a bit predictable and underdeveloped, Killzone 3 is a must have for any first person shooter enthusiast.

Gameplay - 9 out of 10

Graphics - 9.5 out of 10

Soundtrack - 8.5 out of 10

Immersion - 9 out of 10

Overall Rating - 9 out of 10

We provide a great place to play racing games online for entertainment, plus periodically publish video game reviews on various genres within the PS3, XBOX 360, Wii and PC systems.

View the original article here

Read More

Need For Speed - The Run Wii Review

It's fair to say the Wii hasn't had an abundance of decent arcade style racers added to its library of late, thankfully the latest game in the Need For Speed franchise comes to the rescue so if you like fast paced races you could be in for a treat.

When it comes to the visuals the cars in the game look pretty good but the background isn't that sharp, on the plus side the games frame rate is both fast and smooth and doesn't display any noticeable slow down during the main races.

It probably isn't fair to compare the game to the versions found on the PS3 and Xbox 360 as the Wii is quite different, during the games intro sequence you'll discover that your character is a racer known as Matt who comes across a mysterious woman.

The woman who remains nameless during the initial cut scene wants you to take part in a race known as The Run, The Run is a race from coast to coast and on the Wii You'll take part in 26 different races before crossing the final finishing line.

If you've ever played Burnout or Need For Speed Hot Pursuit then you'll be on familiar territory, while parts of The Run involve straightforward races in others you'll need to smash a set number of opponents off the road.

The game is far from being a driving simulator and it's not meant to be as you're able to pull off extreme power slides, features such as the hand brake and nitrous oxide add to the fun and it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of the controls.

Another feature that's been added to the game are the heroic manoeuvres and these can take a little practice, you'll use the heroic manoeuvres to dodge traffic, to dodge falling rocks and also to make insane jumps.

At times the heroic manoeuvres can feel a little tacked on especially then you're using them to dodge objects, other manoeuvres are done with the D pad on the remote and you have enter a specific sequence of button presses to carry them out.

The Wii is to date the most successful console to include motion controls but sometimes they're not needed, although there are exceptions the motion controls aren't always ideal for driving games and thankfully EA are well aware.

You can control the game with either a classic controller or you can use your Wii Remote and nunchuk, motion controls can be fun but in this case you can sit back on your sofa without bothering to point your remote towards your TV.

Adrian Williams has reviewed Need For Speed The Run in addition to a variety of the latest video games, for videos and further details be sure to check out his Need For Speed The Run Wii review.

View the original article here

Read More

Review of Wizard 101

Wizard 101 is a fun Harry Potter style wizard game brought out by KingsIsle Entertainment. It is a 3-D MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) played in a fantasy realm made up of child wizards who must battle and evil sorcerer.

In the initial entrance into the game, the players are greeted by Merle Ambrose, the headmaster of Wizard Academy. Ambrose takes you as a new wizard by the hand and guides you (with a tutorial) through the initial game playing sequences, which includes a duel, so that players get the gist of how things go.

Players can choose, by answering a series of questions, what type of wizard they want to be, how they will look and what name they want to go by. The game offers a good variety to give the player their own look and feel for the character they wish to be in the game. This combined with a great graphics environment adds a lot to the personalization of the game.

There are seven levels of spells that a player can use in the game, which are:

Fire - the fire spell tends to do damage over time without a lot of initial damage, but your potential builds up the longer a fight lasts. With a fire spell you have the unique ability to stun your enemies.

Ice - Of all the wizards, ice wizards have the highest health and defense ratings. Many of the ice wizards' spells have to do with increasing defense and absorbing damage. If you choose to be an ice wizard, you are inevitably invaluable in a group fight situation because you can taunt the enemy and force them to target yourself so that others can take the enemy out.

Storm - Storm wizards have the lowest health rating, but have the ability to remove buffs and rebuffs. They have the ability of doing the heavy damage, but this is at the expense of accuracy.

Life - Life wizards can heal other wizards and even perform group healing. They are considered within the supportive branch of magic. Their offensive moves deliver low damage, but are highly accurate.

Myth - These are the 'summoners' of the game. They possess minimal offensive abilities and most of their spells are to do with buffing and healing their minions who do the grunt work.

Death - Death spells are from a complicated branch of magic that tends to deal with low damage, but have the ability to absorb health and heal the caster. Death wizards can build up chain spells to create powerful combos.

Balance - Balance wizards tend to do a little of everything, as in a balance of power. They can buff other players or hold their own in battles, but they lack the ability to truly shine in any one area.

The players must complete various quests, learn new spells and explore the different realms of the gaming environment of Wizard 101. The evil sorcerer that has to be defeated in the end is Malistare Drake.

Initially the Wizard 101 game is free to play, and the initial zones will take hours of game play to complete, but eventually beyond the 6th or 7th level, players must pay a subscription fee to go further in the game. The subscription fee is only about $10 per month or you can purchase a new zone piece by piece. The premium currency in the game is called crowns and can be purchased in batches of $5 or more.

Wizard 101 has a card-based combat routine. The combat is relatively slow-paced but the concept of each wizard being able to cast a spell on each other while using the card-based system actually works well together. Players start with drawing from a randomly drawn pack of cards from their deck, which can be customized, and draw a new card each turn. There are damage spell cards, healing spell cards and buff/rebuff spell cards. The process of the card game is explained well in the tutorial.

As a game, Wizard 101 rates high on the list of game playability, even though it may be simpler than some other games. Set in a Harry Potter style environment it is well suited to younger players or those just starting out in online gaming (or those who just love magic and wizard games.) It is well worth the effort of downloading the initial free game portion to see if you wish to go further in this game's environment.

If you are looking to find fun wizard games free online, try the new website at Play Popular Online Games

View the original article here

Read More