Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament (Megadrive/Genesis)

Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament (Megadrive/Genesis)

Producer:

Supersonic Software Ltd.

Publisher:

Codemasters Ltd.

Year:

1995 (Re-released in 1998 with extra levels and level creator software).

Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament for me is THE seminal party/racing game and is still just as much fun to play now as in 1995.

These days with online play being so prominent, and the ability to play games with multiple people from all around the world at the same time being commonplace, it is very easy to forget the ‘olden days’ when the idea of more than 2 players at the same time was a distant fantasy, and we had to actually go round each others houses to play multiplayer… Physical social interaction people…it’s the way forward… ;-)

Sure-we had Multi-taps, but the amount of games that supported them were few and far between-and then there was the actual cost of the peripheral itself, with was not much cheaper than some games at the time, and as a young teenager with hardly any expendable income due to the small sticking point of legally being unable to work on anything but a paper round, I knew which of the two things I would sooner buy.

But then this came along…

 …and it changed the way me and my school friends socialized forever (at least until we were all tall enough to sneak into the local pub…)

MM2:TT for anyone who doesn’t know is a top-down arcade style racing game in which  you are given control of a variety miniature cars, (including choppers, speedboats, racecars, tanks, jeeps, and formula 1 amongst others) while racing against either AI opponents or your friends on various locations such as kitchen desks, pool tables, workshops, school desks, gardens, bathtubs etc.

 There are around 20 different drivers and opponents to choose from-all of which are customisable to a point, ie: you can name each one anything you like-this does not sound like much now, but back in the day this was half the fun-naming each character after people you know/TV characters, etc. It was also fun to see your friends arguing over who got to play as the ‘Fonz’ lookalike, Spider, and who had to play as Dwayne the Hillbilly…

 The controls are simple – you just need to accelerate, turn and slow down. There are a few modes of playing. You can compete against computer opponents in single races or tournaments, or you can race your friends in head to head mode. The skill of the game came from learning how to drift round the corners, and how to avoid being bashed off the table by your evil friends, causing you to fall to your doom and have to catch up to the pack upon re-spawning.

 And multi-player is what this game is all about. The “J-Cart” shown above was a revelation back in the day-two extra controller ports built into the cartridge for no extra cost…this allowed 4 players racing with standard controls, or up to 8 players racing at the same time using only 4 controllers! (two people to each controller-the cars auto accelerated, one person steered left and right with the D-pad, pressing ‘down’ to break, and one person used the A+C buttons and B to break).

You cannot imagine the cluster f**k of having 8 teenagers in one bedroom, gathered round a 12 inch CRT portable TV, all trying to “cheat” by knocking each other off the course and hogging the controller you were supposed to be sharing with your peer…hilarity and good natured animosity would always ensue in equal measure…

They certainly don’t make ‘em like they used to… :-)

The Masters, Tiger 12 (Xbox 360)

Here is a quick video of me doing my thing http://yfrog.com/mwqavz

Seeing the Masters being promoted all over SSNews and playing this, I'm now uber excited and contemplating dressing up in those crazy clothes but to save myself from ridicule I will settle for reviewing the latest incarnation of EA's annual offering from its golf sim stable.

Having played the franchise 07-12 (on next generation Consoles) I can easily say that if you want a Golf game then there is no doubt you should only consider Tiger. Whereas other sports games have a direct rival to challenge it around launch date and split the fans (FIFA/PES, NBA LIVE/2K, NHL/2K, MLB2K/The bigs, Madden/Backbreakers) the Tiger franchise has never been really challenged.

As soon as you boot this game up you will realize that this year’s version is titled the Masters, not because of naughty Eldrick (as South park would have you believe) but because like last year’s game it’s themed. Last year the game included the Ryder cup and was a nice touch, this year you can't move for having the Masters rammed down your throat! Home screen, loading screen, Tiger challenge, Career, video footage and prizes are all "The Masters" orientated.

Ok I'm aware that this is the first inclusion of the Augusta, Georgia course and they are actively promoting it but this doesn't give you the same mental freedom or feeling of a vast spectrum of targets that you got from Tiger 10 and even 11 although it was branded. Could they not have just said here is Tiger 12 and it includes the Masters?

Anyway this year’s version of the best Golf game out there includes the usual annual polish of the graphics, but to be honest if like me you have been playing the franchise for years you will realize how minimal it is! In fact I would even say they have removed some of the shine! Player animations in this title have been reduced and make it feel clinical. Your player used to react to the shot type you hit and that added to the atmosphere and general theatre! Now you get a generic walk and wave regardless of how well your stroke went or even if there are no spectators there.

This year also sees the inclusion of a caddy that is there to advise you on your shots, I thought this was a touch of Genius when I first heard of its inclusion, that was till I played the game! You start to learn not to trust your caddie as he blatantly lies like a cheap watch, he seems not to be able to take wind, lye and incline into consideration when taking a shot. If you have never played, watched or video gamed golf before then I recommend using the caddie for a little while. If you’re a veteran of this series then it won’t be long till you disable the caddy and allow him to go back to whatever you interrupted him from doing judging by his attitude, and judging by his suggestions I think it includes monster trucks and crystal meth.

I understand that a lot of people moaned last year that the game had become too much of a sim and this year they wanted to make it approachable again and I welcomed that idea,but its lost alot of the challenge from last year! Also isn't the idea of a franchise that you have been going for a few years and people know what they are getting? Surely the split can't be more than 80/20 of return customers over new customers?

So to recap so far this year’s version feels like a DLC add on with its tunnel vision towards "The Masters" or a better example would be to compare it to a World cup version of FIFA.

The game includes the usual chance to create your pro and download your gamer face although you would think you could just import you golfer from last year like they did with FIFA this year. One of my favourite aspects of the Tiger games is the Gamer net challenges that would pop up around the course as you made your way round alerting you of shots you could take on. This hasn’t happened once to me so far, now if that’s down to the game or lack of people setting them I couldn’t tell you.

Coming back to the fact that they are really championing the inclusion of Augusta, If you want to play a back catalogue of other courses be prepared to drop 2800MSP (yes 2800 it’s not a typo) so your £40 day one purchase now ramps up to a £65 title and that’s before you have even put it in the disc tray. Now obviously you don’t have to purchase this but I don’t know about you but I am getting sick of day one DLC, unless you regularly buy a brand new BMW you would be forgiven for thinking you’re getting everything they can put into a game in the box. I have heard the excuses that “the discs are not big enough to fit all the data on” Cool story Bro! If you can fill a Blu-ray then you’re doing something wrong. Why not give us it when we activate that online code like they did with so many other games. And it doesn’t stop there, anytime you go to but something from the pro shop it asks if you would rather pay with MSP then the XP you have earned!?

When you first start playing the game you are thrown into the shoes of Tiger Woods as he attempts to win the Masters, you will be forgiven for thinking this is scripted because every shot he hits is perfect and he can sink 30 yard puts for fun. I have some bad news for you! Tiger is outrageously good in this game and you will soon find that out online! Everybody seems to pick him and when you can go -25 on a 18 hole round can you blame people for exploiting this?

Whether it’s down to lack of competition in this genre or money saving tactics the game is very average! As I previously stated I’m a huge fan of the franchise but this game does nothing for me and is very forgettable. I hope they step it back up next year and don’t fall into the trap of taking sales for granted! You only have to look at Konami to see the danger of doing that and losing your monopoly on the market (PES/FIFA) or even closer to home for EA the embarrassment of deciding not to launch an NBA game this season.

All in all if someone bought me this game as a gift then I wouldn’t be adverse to playing it among my friends as it still delivers a solid golf sim but if I had to give advice to people spending their cash I would advise to wait for the price drop and rent for now or plump for Tiger 10 or 11 as they are both better games.

Stevie Score 7/10

An oldie but still a goody

Gears of War 2 is a sequel to the highly successful Gears of War.
It is a 3rd person shooter that features co-op campaign play as well as various multi player modes and the highly popular Horde mode.

Set in a futuristic world, the Human race is threatened by another life form known as the Locust. This alien race however has not come from some distant planet, but from beneath the very ground that the humans walk on.
Take control of Marcus Fenix and his Delta Squad as you battle to save the human race from being wiped off the face of the planet.
This story promises to give you all the action you need from a shooter, as well as a personal story line that could have been written in Hollywood

Epic Games (the developer) have done a fantastic job in creating a beautiful, yet slightly depressing future world. The futuristic technology is there, yet it seems to be no match against your enemies relentless attack. As resources dwindle you are shown the devastation that has been caused as you progress through the campaign. You will travel from urban areas to the country, from arctic regions to deep underground. Not one of these regions ever seem out of place or unnecessary.

Despite this game now being a few years old the graphics are more than a match for some of the more recent games.
From stunning backdrops that would not look out of place in an oil painting, to the close up visuals of a chainsaw tearing through a locust (cool right ) epic Games' 'Unreal' Engine does not disappoint.
A lot of attention to detail has been put in place, from empty round cases ejecting from your weapon to small pits of cover being shot away as you hit them.
The cinematic cut scenes look amazing, and are not too dissimilar from the actual game play.
The only downside is probably the look of the Locust themselves. Considering the amount of detail portrayed on the human characters, some of the Locust characters could have used the same attention. But that is being picky
On the whole GoW2 is visually stunning, and a real credit to the developers.


It is important to note that it is not required to have played the first gears to know what is going on here, which I think is a real bonus.



The story itself centres around your character Marcus Fenix and the rest of his team 'Delta Squad'.
Although a bit of a cliche, it is your job to try and save the human race.
But to only say that is not doing this story justice at all.
GoW2 offers up a story line that will see you become more and more involved with these characters as you progress. It is gripping tale of anger, vengeance, worry and even love (don't worry it fits in well).
I wont say too much because anything could potentially ruin it for you, but rest assured, the story is as immersing as you could hope to get in a game of this genre.



With simple controls and a nice tutorial level for you, this game is very easy for anyone to pick up and play. It will take a while to make full use of the control system but by the time you really need it, you will already be at a competent level. The game is structured to bring your skill levels up gradually and I think this works very well.
It is based on a 3rd person (over the shoulder) view, which although can take some people a bit of getting used to, you quickly learn how to use it to your advantage.
The ability to use cover, move at different speeds, jump and switch weapons all work very well together and it starts to happen seamlessly as you move through the game.
With various tasks you have to carry out, operating vehicles and variety between missions. The game play does not become boring or repetitive at any point, and with cinematic cut scenes scattered throughout the campaign, you seldom want to put down your controller.
There is no mission 1 etc, it is one long story, only separated by these cut scenes but it all works very well together.



On the whole GoW2 is a fantastic game, more than worthy of being dubbed one of the 360's greats.
With a gripping story, fantastic visuals and multi player that seldom gets old, its a game that just 'works'.
With more achievements than you can shake a stick at, and various levels of difficulty, the replay value of this game is massive.
A worthy addition to any gamers library GoW2 can be bought for as little as £5 pre-owned at some retailers right now, and with GoW3 set to be one of the biggest releases this year, now is the time to get it.

Also if you pre-order GoW3 from selected outlets you will be given an access code allowing you to take part in the beta.

Doritos Crash Course

Its not that often that a FREE yes free game comes are way but Doritos Crash Course is one such game and with free games come the " its free so it cant be that good " Well take it from me it is good .

Imagine taking the TV shows of Wipout , Total Wipeout and Ninja Warrior adding your Xbox Avatar throw in some obstacles which include Swinging Hammers , Collasping Floors , Vertical Pistons , Swinging Ropes , Conveyor Belts and you can see what sort of games this is . You will have to guide your Avatar through these in a race against the clock while trying not to fall into the water below or getting a nudge from one of the swinging hammers .

The Movement is smooth and crisp and even the dance moves your avatar will do once you finish a level would are fun

It was first released back in December 2010 on the Xbox Live Arcade service and was one of the finalists in a competition run by Doritos called Unlock Xbox , Also in this competition was another free game called Harms Way ( check this out too ) .

Crash Course consists of 3 different levels or locations ( USA , Europe and Japan ) and there are 5 levels within these locations . As with all games the obstacles and the time taken in complete each level gets harder and longer as you move on up .

Each level also has it own leaderboard of time taken which display both world rankings and also your friends times which could lead to some friendly rivalry between yourselves . My only gripe with this game would be there is no option to " restart " a level there is a " chicken " option which if you use it it will move you past the area you are stuck on and onto the next bit of the course but use this option at your peril as it will knock out the clock and it will not enter a time for completing that level .

So in closing i would say download this game and have a run when you have a spare 10-20 minutes and you wont be disappointed and to save you looking here is a link to the Xbox Download page HERE .

Super Nutsy`s game score 8/10

You cant read my poker face....

XBLA's latest community title allows you to take your avatar into a virtual casino and play some poker!

A very simple premise which is surprisingly fun and addictive.
Featuring a single player mode, which allows you to take on an AI player in a one on one, multiplayer ranked matches, party lobbies and weekly tournaments, there is a fair amount of choice in what you want to play.

The game features a rank and xp system.
Earn XP by winning games and by performing certain actions in games.
This allows you to level up your avatar, unlocking different outfits, chip tricks and furniture for your own lobbies.
There is a usefull help section included so people who are new to poker should be able to pick it up relatively easily.
As its new there are a few minor bugs with the game, namely during the live tournaments which will normally see you put with more AI players than fellow humans, but its not too much trouble.
The title really comes into its own when playing with friends, it makes a nice change to just sit back and put the world to rights over a few hands of poker, rather than raging to each other about spawn systems or campers. (Im looking at you CoD). With some avatar awards to unlock and achievements to go for (250G), it can offer you a challenge in that respect too.




Its ashame then that this can quickly become a bit boring when playing alone. With no real prizes up for grabs and no real family involvement (unlike its predecessor 1vs 100) its difficult to see if this will last as a top title. Some say its a bit expensive, but from the amount of game time you could get from it it really isnt that bad.
Dont get me wrong, its fun different and is enjoyable, but I cant help but think it needs a little something else, especially in the tournaments.
As its not real, with no age restriction, it can be sometimes difficult to play properly as people tend to do slightly odd things they wouldnt do in real life (going all in on a nine high?)

On the whole though, this Title is a good bit of fun and a welcome distraction from the chaos that is the FPS genre, I firmly believe this could make a good game night with friends due to the banter it would create. You could even create a league of your own.

Full House Poker will cost you 800 MS Points and is available to download now from the Xbox Live dashboard.

If I met the CEO of EA I would ask him why he is being so good to us!? Much like in the style of the Ferero Rocher advert. Or on the other hand why have people been holding back? I know they are only the publishers but they hold some responsibility for the developers under it's banner. I would also ask him where are my Ferraris In this franchise but thats a whole other matter!

Coming off the back of the Beautiful visuals of Crysis 2 here is another treat for the Eyes in the Shape of Shift 2. For anyone who played Shift 1, you will remember it was an average game trying to force it's way into the niche market of Sim racers and not really causing as much as a bead of sweat on the brows of these Developers: unless you game on multi platforms your either in one camp when it comes to this type of game: PS3=GT5 360=Forza 3

Well be prepared for a new title to enter the fray and not only hold it's own but actually out do the other 2! (I know Forza 3 is dated now so calm down fanboys) I remember playing the first ever NFS on the PC and watching it's self transformation as a franchise from a super car racer to a spotty 18 year olds 1.1 Saxo driving, Max power reading Mcdonalds car park terrorizing "Chavs" favorite game.

I drifted away from the franchise when I discovered the joys of women and drinking as opposed to driving around town racing other "Kevs" lol Although I dabbled with some titles from the NFS series over the past few years none caught my attention like NFSHP and I played this to death! The game got true recognition picking up a BAFTA this year for best online Multi Player.

So bearing in mind I'm a huge fan of Forza and GT whilst enjoying the arcade feel of NFSHP I was skeptical about playing Shift 2 with the frame of mind of expecting a serious racing sim. How wrong I was, This game nails it! The mechanics and physics are near perfect and I'm yet to find fault, if you do take issue with anything the in-depth settings let you change so many settings you can either play full arcade all assists on and above your car view to fully "Elite" all driver aids off and the amazing helmet cam view.

The graphics are up there with GT5 plus you have the bonus of not having to wait 5 hours to install the game before you play it. Although it has a smaller range of cars then the other games the ones that are available are beautifully modeled and include every last detail. The inclusion of the Jeremy Clarkson tongue twister (and it takes a lot to shut him up) Pagani Huayra is the icing on the cake. Small details like the shadow of your car or headlighs effecting you on night races show true polish and as for the feeling of Speed, Chose the Pagini Zonda (one is unlocked from playing NFSHP) and race it around the Dubai national arena and you will never have felt speed like that before!

On a plus note I'm not concerned about the lack of cars available because being a EA game you can bet your life there will be more DLC then you can shake a stick at. Another nice touch is the inclusion of loyalty rewards for playing previous titles(bonus $ XP an cars) On the subject of DLC this game includes the option to unlock all cars and events from the get go for 1200MSP, People moan that its unfair and people should have to work to unlock in game progress but I feel that if you only get to game for say 3 hours a week then you will never get the full benifit of the game as opposed to someone who plays 6 hours a day.

The soundtrack to this game is epic and adds to the atmosphere! Rise against and Biffy Clyro get you right In the mood! And despite the long haired, vegan looking guy from OXM who also looks like he got head hunted from the apple store saying he thought the sound track sucked(I think he would like more Belle and Sebastian in his action games) it's perfect! It can become repetitive in certain events such as Drift as you may need to Restart the event if you crash. Simple option to this is install your own sound track to your Console.

As I just mentioned the drift events in this game are tough! You go to drift school for 3 events but you get thrown in at the deep end and it actually helps. My mate james who is part of the successful Forza 3 Drift Clan "TSM" and a complete Forza 3 fan boy actually prefer the Drift in this and agrees it's a better game! Now that is saying something!

All in all a well presented game with stunning graphics, great gameplay, Challenging and a Solid MP makes this a must own for any Racing Fan. Defo a day one purchase and 1000G is attainable but maybe to time consuming for a rental. If DLC arrives as Regularly as I expect then you will be playing this until the next title drops (or until Forza 4 you fan boys ;p)

Stevie Score 9/10

Crysis 2 (Xbox 360)

Finished the Single player on Super soldier with all Achievements and played as much MP as I think I will So it's time for a Review....... First off I never played the first game on the PC so I'm not a Fanboy, but just because I never does not make me a Philistine! People have been bad mouthing consoles and say this "should remain a PC exclusive"!? Grow up Children lol

May as well start with the best part of the Game, the graphics! This lives up to it's acclaim of best looking Console game ever! Had I been asked prior to playing this I would have said FFXIII, Heavy Rain, ME2 or MGS4 but this game blows them all out of the water. It actually makes you question why more Developers don't bother to produce such amazing engines or put the effort into push the boundaries of what should be achieved for your hard earned cash.

I can't describe just how amazing the graphics are and would not be able to do it justice through the medium of written text. Believe me you need to play it just to experience its sheer greatness. From the weapon details to suits to city landscape it's just jaw dropping. The lighting of the cityscape is ultra realistic.

BUT although the visual side of the game is flawless it let's it self down in other departments. The score for this game is atmospheric and adds to the experience but for some reason the whole audio experience is painful and at parts It's physically painful! The volume levels change with out warning and become distorted (MP match loading Screen is the worst) and as a headset user audio matters to me! There is no perception of depth with SFX and you can't locate where the noises are coming from (for example a Ceph walking above you sounds like it's beside you through a wall :s)

The Single player was enjoyable and was lengthy! I say lengthy 8-10 hours but that's long these days. The game mechanics are well thought out, the HUD,Nano suit....it has a lot of nice touches. The gameplay is like a mix of a FPS version of MGS meets Splinter cell with a little bit of mirrors edge thrown in, oh and aliens but they are in the games that zombies don’t fit into lol.

The game play could have been as good as the graphics where it not for the awful AI (both friendly and Enemy) you can either pick to go guns blazing or stealthy hiding style but to be honest when the enemies are not walking in circles against an object or refusing to investigate any distraction you cause you may as well just put stealth on and walk past them. Had this game have had included the same mechanic of enemy awareness as in MGS (you know where if there are alerted they actually investigate) this could have been a true GOTY contender.

The MP is.....well it's another FPS! I like the fact that you need to collect DT's (Dog tags) from people you kill (prevents campers) in order to gain kill streak rewards but TBH there not that good. The objective based games give you more points for playing properly which makes me happy as it's so annoying on other games when people play them just for kills!? Scum!

It's a nice touch to have both stealth and Armor options in game but it's a token effort because if like me you run and gun then you have no energy for either suit options All in all it's a great game with amazing visuals but the stupid AI and lack of backstory given to you prior to you playing this title let the SP down. I know not many people care about SP anymore but I do and I see MP as an extra on top of what should be the main effort (SP) not the other way round.

Easy game for GS, got 800+ in about 20 hours MP&SP. Thanks to a deal made prior to launch (demand from Devs) this game does not include an online code so it's a MUST!!! Rent with a view to buy. If you like MP FPS then you should enjoy this.

Stevie Score 8.5/10

Home Is Where The War Is

With a story straight from the pages of the writer of Apocalypse Now and Red Dawn, Homefront wastes no time in introducing you into the chaotic world in which it is is based. Cleverly using news footage from recent events and adding a bit of artistic licence, the background story doesn't come across as unbelievable as you may first think.
Starting the campaign you are thrust into the terrible world around you, observing scenes of violence and cruelty that wouldn't look out of place in the Polish ghettos of World War 2.
Events unfold rather rapidly from here on in and you soon find yourself in the thick of the action.
I wont give you a rundown of the campaign step by step, so as not to spoil anything.
The world in which you find yourself is an abandoned wasteland of what once was a bustling suburb. It looks great but for some reason always seems out of reach of the player. The gameplay itself is very linear, you aren't offered the chance to explore the world around you, which really is a shame. Through each mission there is really only one way you can go, and thats the exact same path of your small band of freedom fighters. Which leads me to my only major gripe with the game.
Your team of fighters are with you every step of the way, literally. You cannot progress in front of them (invisible barriers stop that from happening), stay too far away from them and you wont hear what they are saying. They take the best cover spots and you have to wait for all three of them to go through doors, up ladders etc before you can. To sum it up, they are annoying, mainly because although they are your team, you feel totally detached from them. You dont know anything about them, and only get very small glimpses of there personality. Apart from you being told what to do, you dont get a chance to interact with them. This is a real shame, it would have offered a great bit of insight into the world in which you fight.
I couldnt help but feel detached all the way through the game, I often found myself thinking it was going too quickly, there doesnt seem enough depth to the charachters or story itself. I found that very dissapointing. A game such as this is crying out for some cut-scenes, if just to add a bit of weight to the story.
Despite all of this, I still found myself enjoying it, the set pieces you see in game look fantastic and give you a small glimpse of whats going on in this world. and the gameplay itself is fast paced and varied. The fact that ammo is a scarce commodity changes the way you would normally play an FPS, I found myself carefully picking my shots and constantly looking out for a new weapon, this made a refreshing change and was enjoyable rather than tedious.

Yes, the campaign is short, they all seem to be nowadays. But Homefront really could have done with some 'filler' moments. Be it cut scenes, or simple task missions like a shooting range etc. It just seems to build up and end too quickly.
The difficulty is not that bad. The weapons seem balanced enough to take enemies down if you hit them in the right spot regardless of what you use. You have enough time if hit to get to cover (as long as your quick) and the enemy AI can offer you a challenge without completely demoralising you. There are a couple of tricky bits throughout the campaign where I got stuck, but nothing where I wanted to throw my controller across the room.
Visually the game looks quite good. Its not the best by any means but it can hold its own amongst todays market, some polish on the character models wouldn't go amiss but its not like your looking at pixelated faces. As i said before the set pieces look great and there are points in the game that give you the 'that looks cool' moment.
The detail throughout the world is pretty good but background and 'non-interactive' elements are clearly that. Which does at times have a detrimental effect to the whole look of it.

On the whole though, Homefront is a good solid game. It has its flaws yes, but it is definately worth playing. The premise of trying to bring real emotion and thought into the FPS market is an interesting one and well worth experiencing.

The multiplayer side of this game has clearly had a lot of thought put into.

The graphics haven't got the polish of other multiplayer FPS titles, but this isnt detrimental.

With large maps to battle across and an array of weaponry at your disposal, the game is fast paced and most importantly, fun.

The 'Battle Points' system is a new and creative aspect which defines the Homefront multiplayer.

This enable you to earn points for every kill or team action you make and 'buy' weapons or vehicles as and when you need, or want them :D. The things you can buy range from rocket launchers and drones, to airstrikes and helicopters.

This system allows even lesser skilled players to gain the more rewarding 'killstreaks' and keeps the battlefield even and constantly changing.

As with most FPS multiplayer's there is a rank system, XP is awarded allowing you to rank up and unlock more weapons and perks. Although dont worry, levelling up is easy enough.

The game has all the usual suspects that are found in todays FPS genre but the larger maps and Battle Point system make the multiplayer stand out.

Unfortunately since release it has been plagued by bugs making actually play the multiplayer difficult. Kaos Studios assure fans that they are working hard to fix the problems and I for one am looking forward to when they do.

Ive had a lot of fun on this game, but I have also had a lot of problems with the multiplayer.

Once the problems are fixed, Homefront will be a good solid game worth investing some time in.

Hopefully the game will still have a following by that point..........

Crysis 2 (PS3 version)

The year is 2023 and aliens have invaded. At least that’s what Crytek will have you believe in EA’s latest release Crysis 2. The game starts with a thrilling opening scene in which you, as the hero destined to save the world, are thrown straight into the action. Your quickly introduced to the controls and the all important nano suit which you will soon learn is the difference between life and death.

Crysis 2 is not your usual first person shooter. If you play your game in a run and gun style you will soon realise these aliens are not your usual drones, these guys think fast and react to your every move. So, lucky your nano suit is equipped with some pretty snazzy gadgets. Armour mode does exactly what is says on the tin. If you find yourself surrounded by alien scum with nothing but the smell of your bowels in your suit for back up stick armour mode on. Your suit becomes, well stronger, at the expense of manoeuverability however this is not the ideal situation. What Crysis 2 does well is gives you an opportunity to choose how you want to progress in a scene usually by giving you a high viewpoint before you engage. This provides you with 2 benefits. First you can bring up a HUD display and tag enemies and various other points of interest. Now its worth spending a bit of time on this as when you hit the action your tags will show on your mini map giving you a tactical advantage however untagged will not causing that bowel moment again should you meet one around a corner. Second is you can plan your route through. This may sound silly being a directed fps but stealth mode is your friend here. In stealth mode your suit makes you invisible however, as with armour mode, it drains your suits energy so any women’s shower shenanigans will have to be quick (you got to love the future). Your suit allows you to sprint and super jump, again draining precious suit energy so everything will have to be planned so spending time surveying the scene will definitely pay dividends.
Now I can already feel the heat coming from some of you older gamers, I can see the sweat beads forming on your brow as you ponder how your going to cope with all those actions but fear not, Crytek seemed to have got this spot on, not taking away some of the complex combinations you can do and managing to keep it simple which is quite remarkable seeing as how versatile your nano suit is. The cover system also works well and intelligently asks if you would like to peer around a corner without any need to actually go into cover.

Graphically the game, as you would expect, looks sexy including some great detail on surroundings and some excellent water effects but never seems to be pushing any boundaries. Sound is the same, suitably moody and atmospheric emphasising the impending doom your about to face.

Taking the game online is a breath of fresh air and not just because it worked!! Here the same applies, run and gun at your peril. The ranking system works well enough and allows upgrades to your suit that are available in the main game. Your usual game modes are to be found making the MP very familiar to the masses and what could be more fun than bouncing around with eleven other humans all in hyper charged nano suits? Armour works well but you will soon find stealth mode is pretty pointless with human opponents being able to see your outline but still adds a to a satisfying stealth kill especially knowing your victim is about to witness your greatness on their killcam.

All in all Crysis 2 should be a great game. It offers a deep single player game and a credible online experience. The tactical side to Crysis 2 works incredibly well but can slow the action down which may put the Call Of Duty nuts off and mp can sometimes feel a bit of a grind against good players especially when you’re getting spawn killed for the umpteenth time. I wish I could I could say Crysis 2 is a must buy but it just misses out for me. If you want a game you can settle into straight away then steer clear however if you have a bit of time to play the game how its intended Crysis 2 will offer you hours of game time

8.5/10

I hope I never find myself in LIMBO

Eesh, at first I thought this game might be a strange kinect compatible sim of the popular game you play on holiday whilst drunk, but it's the other one im afraid.

Limbo is a 2D puzzle platformer of the simplest form, but its really not simple. The game is moody, grim, depressing and well its bloody beautiful.

You play the role of a young boy who has awoken in the middle of a forest, there is absolutely no narrative here so dont expect any Mass Effect style storytelling here. You instantly get immersed into the grey, dull, unforgiving world, this game is really hard to explain the sheer beauty, you just have to try it for yourself.

In Limbo there are no crazy button combinations, no collecting pretty little bubbles and no mercy, armed with just a jump button and a grab button you instantly feel naked, alone and scared (well i did). Going back to the no mercy part, if you slip, fall, make a single wrong move you'll be dismembered, electrocuted or impaled on a spike, it really is unforgiving. With the horrific and quite humorous deaths that occur, this game isn't recommended for anyone below the age of 16.

How can there be much gameplay with only two button options you may ask? Well the main part of the game I fell in love with was the puzzles, some insanely hard, amazingly intelligent and some you think are hard but when you get past it you realise how much of an idiot you are! Think of Limbo as a quieter, moodier version of Abe's Oddysee. In Limbo you will never feel safe and you never know what's round the next corner it could be a giant spider chasing you or a brain altering worm directing you into a pit of spikes! You have been warned!

The only downside to this game would be the length, it's all over after a couple of hours and at 1,200mps it will seem quite steep to most people and I can see where they are coming from, but this game is more than worth it, just for the lasting impression it will leave on you.

So please, if you read this, give the trial a go and trust me your bank account will have lost a few more pennies on completion, the game is a welcome change to whats out there at the moment and you have and probably wont play another game like it (until Limbo 2 comes out).

8.9 / 10

The dawn of the eyePad?

Whilst certainly one for the mainstream's future, Eye-control for many is very much a thing of now. With it's potential to act as an 'extra hand' or a more 'intuitive' navigation input for the average gamer, for others it can be the only way for them to access a computer and play games.

Many forms of disability, injury or illness can leave users unable to use what is seen to be the standard input method for a computer such as gamepads, mice and keyboards. Eye-Gaze can offer an easier, or often the only, way for someone to interact independently with a computer and, consequently, play games.

Avid gamer Alex Kostov who has SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) states, “Ever since I lost the ability to use a real mouse, I've struggled to cope with certain tasks and things on the computer which I was previously able to do with minimal effort. Since then I've been dreaming about all sorts of things to help me control the computer, from using my eyes to move the mouse to being able to type using my mind! I never really thought I would get the opportunity to actually try one, but now that I have, I literally cannot see myself wanting to go back to using just voice recognition to operate my computer. It has opened so many windows for me and just made using certain things on the computer a lot more enjoyable and convenient.”

One of those things is playing games, “I've started playing things like 9 Empires, Football Manager 2011 and other small browser games which I normally would find exceptionally difficult and tedious to control using voice recognition.”

Alex using Eye-Gaze

Increasingly, eye-gaze technology is opening up the opportunities for communication, freedom and fun access to computers can offer for those without access in the standard ways, however the high price which goes with the relatively low volume production acts as a barrier to many. Perhaps, this is where applications in the mainstream market could help to bring the prices down, controlling your visual navigation in COD perhaps or even interacting with your iPad. Alex Kostov comments, “ Prices would need to drastically drop if it were to become a commercially available item in the mainstream as most people can't even afford it without seeking assistance from charities and other organisations.”

One thing is certain though, eye-gaze will continue to gather pace at giving access to those whom it was previously difficult or impossible, to communicate, explore and have fun using computers.

SpecialEffect lends and supports eye-gaze computers to people, such as Alex, through their StarGaze and Loan Library Projects. For more information visit www.specialeffect.org.uk

Football manager

That's right, its a video game blog post, those who aren't interested please look away now.

Before I begin I'll state that this isn't a review of the latest release, its more a reflection of the series.

From its early days on the Amiga, up to its present day multi format/handheld release, football manager has been a mainstay in most football fans collection.

It's original form 'championship manager' was a basic system. Text based match days, only able to manage a club in the English leagues and unable to sign any foreign players. A few updates on the Amiga including 'championship manager - Italia' saw the series go from strength to strength.
Inevitably the game made it to the PC, again numerous annual releases of Championship Manager helped it keep it's grip on the market.

Championship Manager 3 saw a whole new approach to the game loved, reportedly tested by Arsene Wenger himself, this was to be the hardest game to date. It did prove more of a challenge and with that increase in difficulty came a more addictive game. When this version came out I was working night shifts, so it was pretty much a case of work, sleep and game!

Present day sees a complete overhaul of the game, most notably is the change in name to 'Football Manager'. Also is the inclusion of a 2d match engine, which can be used to view the entire match or just the key moments.

What is it that make us play this game so much even if we're continually losing? Maybe its the hope that our next match could turn things around. Clinging onto hope that the next transfer window will bring in some inspired signings.

I'm 30 and I'm hooked on the handheld ipod version, helps make my commute to and from work quicker. You have to admit though there is nothing as satisfying as discovering a youngster who progresses through your club. Or steering lower league teams into the premiership.

NAT settings and other comms problems

I had the devil's own job of getting my online communications working properly and it took ages to sort out. Here's why.

My home WiFi was set up by a 'proper' network technician who had no idea about playing games. His thing was 'security'. Therefore my WiFi network was locked down tighter than a gnat's chuff. Not an ideal situation when wanting to freely communicate with others over Xbox Live and play games with others etc.

What was happening was I could join in with any type of Call of Duty online match and I could easily play online with others on games such as Left 4 Dead 2 etc. but I could not join anybody’s party or simply 'jump in' on any Gamerdad games in progress etc. It was a total conundrum and I was having a bad time finding a solution. I'd Googled the problem, read countless threads on many gaming websites etc. but to no avail.

I have a Belkin router and I'd read about NAT settings on this website which I found really useful. Unfortunately some of the links are now dead, but this one internet post was enough to point me in the right direction. If you have CoD MW2 and you try to play online it will tell you what your NAT settings are and are either strict, moderate or open. My NAT setting, according to CoD MW2, was set to strict so it was not the situation I was looking for. But even after faffing about with my router (never a good idea as it is really easy to cock all your settings up as I frequently managed to do) I was still stumped.

My last resort was to call Xbox customer service and ask them. Trouble is they can't support NAT settings because it’s to do with which ports you have set to open on your router's settings. What they did though was to recommend a website called PortForward.com and what you have to do is identify your make and model of router (believe me, they will have it listed) and then look up what game you want to set up your router to be able to play. I chose CoD MW2 and followed the easy to understand on screen instructions. Once completed (in five minutes) I popped CoD MW2 into the Xbox and viola! My NAT setting was now set to open and it's been that way ever since.

Now I am able to jump in to anybody's session and have no problems whatsoever regarding connectivity or communications with my Xbox 360.

If you're an Xbox 360 Gamerdad and are still confused about getting online for the first time, look me up on our GD beginners site 'Call of Nooby' and we'll get you going.

Accessing Creed

For some gamers (or potential gamers) using a standard PS3 or XBOX 360 controller is difficult or even impossible. A lack of fine motors skills, the inability to hold a gamepad or the loss of the use of one or both upper limbs can all be reasons why people can't access console games using a standard controller.

There are, however, various options available to get people playing again following an accident (or perhaps even for the first time) using technology which aims to make the inaccessible, accessible. Below is an introduction to a few of them:

One handed controllers, such as the the one above (a replica of the now out of production Dragonplus RPG DuoCon 2 controller by Consoles and Gadgets) offer various configurations of buttons and joysticks which optimise the use of either the left or right hand.  

Enlarged controllers such as the QuasiCON arcade style controllers, allow those without the fine motor skills to interact with a regular gamepad to either choose an existing product from their range or work with them to design there own customised layout to suit their own particular abilities. Options such as joystick extensions can give a larger surface area to grip as well as increasing the sensitivity.

For those who use switches to access computers, the same input method can be applied to consoles using options such as a C-SID or PS3-SAP interface. These allow the user to replicate each button on a standard controller with a switch, controlling the switches with the body movement available to that individual. When teamed with the right game, players can take full control using just a couple of switches or play co-op style by splitting the controls between friends.

By matching users to the right technology or even creating individual solutions, people with disabilties can gain access to games they may have found previously unplayable due to their condition and enjoy the freedom, fun and competition video games should offer us all. Game On for EVERYONE! 

SpecialEffect aims to share the information on these devices with as many people as possible as well as give access to trying the products through their website and various projects. For more information visit http://www.gamebase.info/

Geek control pad appreciation

Well I woke this morning and a quick check on endgadget I saw this;

N-Control Avenger

After tweeting the link to Twitter a discussion began about controllers and which were the best.

In my eyes it has to be the original SNES joy pad.

The Daddy of controllers?

Initially released in 1991, the SNES standard controller added two extra face buttons to the design of the NES pad, and introduced the first appearance of 'shoulder buttons'.

As you can see from the picture the SNES pretty much designed the blueprint for controllers for years to come.

Aside from the number of face buttons, look at the layout, how many pads these days use the same 'diamond' layout.

The shoulder buttons, handy in games like Street Fighter II and Star-wing were never really used to their full potential in other games. Certainly not to the extent that we use them these days.

The main thing I liked from the pad though was the shape of it. It actually felt like it was designed to sit comfortably in the gamers hands, rounded edges and perfect size.

These days though most pads seem to favour the dual shoulder buttons, dual analog sticks as well as wireless capability. But we must not remember the importance of the SNES control pad.

I'm on Twitter

It’s an exciting week for gaming fans but ...........

what happens when your games console is damaged or breaks down?

It’s a great week for gaming fans, with the launch of Microsoft’s hands-free Kinect for Xbox 360 and the biggest game release of the year, Call of Duty: Black Ops.

But technology can go wrong – and all it takes is a rogue drink to ruin the fun.

According to specialist online gadget insurer Protectyourbubble.com, a quarter of all games console claims (24%) are for spilt drinks.

Stephen Ebbett, director, Protectyourbubble.com comments: “Consoles are no longer just for solitary gamers. Families and groups of friends getting together for a karaoke contest on SingStar or a competitive game of tennis on the Wii Sport in the living room with food and drink nearby ups the risk of spillages. Unfortunately, electrics and liquids just don’t mix.”

“Games consoles are expensive to buy and replace, which is why it pays to make sure they are covered against breakdown, accidental damage, loss and theft. Given the high amount of claims we see for spilt drinks, it is worth making sure your policy covers you for liquid spillages as standard.”

Protectyourbubble.com’s list of the top five most common games console claims is dominated by breakdown problems, with software problems, constituting more than a third (35%) of all claims, in poll position.

The Xbox 360’s infamous Red Ring of Death is the cause of 14% of all games console claims. The insurer has spoken to numerous owners of the Xbox who report flashing red lights around the machine’s power button, indicating a technical issue that can cause the console to freeze mid-play and can also affect the game’s graphics.

The age-old problem of being unable to retrieve a game stuck in the machine also made it to the top five, with 5% of claims, while hardware failure outside of the manufacturer’s warranty prompted16% of claims.

Top five most common games console claims:

1. Software problems (33%)
2. Spilt drink (24%)
3. Hardware failure (16%)
4. ‘Red Ring of Death’ (14%)
5. Game stuck in machine (5%)

So drinking and driving is bad and by these figures so is drinking and gaming .

This story was brought to you via a press release .

SpecialEffect - An Introduction

GamerDads kindly offered us the chance to contribute to this blog at the same time that they recently announced their charity partnership with SpecialEffect.

For those who haven't heard of the charity, SpecialEffect was set up a few years ago to help people with even the most severe disabilities to enjoy and play video games. For some people their disability can restrict them from playing the real life version of a game, and in addition, it can also stop them from enjoying the video game version as well. The charity aims to find ways of adapting hardware and software to allow everyone to experience and enjoy the fun of challenge and competition, as well as the resulting therapeutic benefits, friendships, higher levels of self-esteem and motivation, which can be gained as a result of playing games independantly and successfully.

We are aiming to use this opportunity of access to GamerDads members and visitors to raise awareness of the work being done in the area of accessible gaming and we hope that it will provide some interesting reads along the way.

We would like to thank GamerDads for their support of the charity and we look forward to posting a blog soon.