ProductWiki

Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:25:54 -0500

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the eighth game released under the Call of Duty franchise, and true to its name, is the fourth main game in the series. While COD3 was developed by a separate studio, COD4 is developed by the game's original designers: Infinity Ward. Thus far the Call of Duty franchise has focused exclusively in the World War 2 era, with the fourth release being the first happening in modern times, and also the first to achieve a mature rating. Similar to the other main releases in the series, COD4 places a heavy emphasis on both the single player campaign and multiplayer portions of the game. Both sides feature new additions to the series, and some new additions to the FPS genre entirely.

Gameplay

Call of Duty is a traditional first person shooter set in a real world setting. You use real guns and fight in realistic areas and locations. Unlike other modern FPS games releasing in 2007, COD does not feature a dedicated cover system, but instead uses the same crouch/prone positioning system in earlier COD games. New to the series is the introduction of a ballistics model, this means that bullet strength is analyzed and can impact the environment, even shooting through certain materials making cover a relative thing.

Campaign

Following the tradition of the franchise, COD4 has you take control of multiple infantry-men fighting from different perspectives of the same war. You'll take control of an American and a British soldier as they try to take down a rogue Arab terrorist, and corrupt Russian military general. Most of the action sees you taking a role in a tight squad in battles that aren't as big as WW2 ones, but still involve dozens of enemies at any one time. The story takes place over the course of 12 different levels and is told through the use of realtime cutscenes, events unfolding during the levels, and certain details fleshed out in the briefings between missions. Level events can occur even if you're not around to see them, meaning you can miss parts of they story if you're not at the right place in the right time. After the main campaign has been completed an arcade mode unlocks that is scored based giving you multipliers and extra points for stringing kill combos together. This is similar to Halo 3's metagame.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer has been a huge part of the Call of Duty series since the beginning, and Modern Warfare is no different. One of the big new changes with COD4 is the introduction of upgrades. As you play more games and accomplish goals such as killing certain number of enemies, you'll rise in military rank - from a lowly soldier to Captian and beyond. As you rise in rank you gain access to more abilities and "perks" as they're known in the game. You have three slots for perks, each slot with its own set of perks that are unlocked as you rise in ranks. Weapons can level up as well. The more you use a particular weapon and gain more kills, the more experience you get with the weapon which unlocks more upgrades and accessory options letting you add more ammo or lower the recoil. All of these upgrade options come together through the game's custom class mechanism where you can choose every aspect of your character's loadout including weapons, grenades and abilities. Similar to other games there are preset classes available, though the main focus is on creating your own that suits your playstyle the best.

Multiplayer is competitive only with no co-op modes available. Action takes place over 16 different maps that support between 16 and 18 players. Six different game types are available ranging from standard deathmatch to more objective based modes that are reminiscent of bombing runs and assault. And similar to Halo 3 each game type can be further customized with various options to increase longevity. One of the modes available is known as "Hardcore" in this mode you have no HUD, and bullets deliver more damage to give a more realistic feel.

Finding matches in Modern Warfare is again similar to Halo 3. It uses a lobby system where you can group up with some friends and go between matches together. You can also search for custom games that are unranked. Both the PS3 and 360 version feature the same matchmaking system, with the only difference being the 360 version uses Microsoft's TrueKill metric to aid in bringing players of similar skill level together.

Version details

Infinity Ward stresses that all three versions of the game are nearly identical. If you have a top of the line PC, then that version will look the best, but for the most part they all look the same running at a constant 60 frames per second. The PS3 version supports both USB and Bluetooth headsets, but does not support the upcoming Dualshock 3 rumble, with no plans in the future.

Halo 3

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:29:43 -0500

Halo 3 is one of the most anticipated games for 2007 as the series that defined the Xbox makes its debut onto the next generation successor. This third installment marks the conclusion of the Halo trilogy and ending of this particular story arc. Bungie has been developing the game for over 3 years and in a marked difference from other Microsoft Game Studios titles is using their own engine as opposed to Unreal Engine 3. Bungie is also incorporating a large number of substantial new features such as saved films, the Forge system, and 4-player online co-op while keeping all of the old game modes of Halo 2.

Gameplay

The Halo series revolves around the design concept of an extremely refined 30 seconds of gameplay continually repeated. This gameplay involves giving the player tools and environment to fight against their enemies. With Halo 3 Bungie is expanding the core mechanics introduced with the first two games by expanding the range of tools at your disposal and the kind of tools that are available. Players run, jup, shoot, use vehicles, and use elements in their environment to move around the levels and kill their enemies. The player has a rechargeable shield that automatically refills after a few seconds have passed without the player being hit by enemy fire.

Weapons, Vehicles and Equipment

All the trademark weapons of the Halo franchise return with new weapons being added that represent the Brute enemy's arsenal. A new class of weapons is being added known as "support" that are heavier tools of destruction that put the player in a 3rd person view, and cause the player to move slower.

A new class of tools is introduced with H3 called "equipment". These items can support you and your teammates, or hinder your opponents. Shields, portable lifts, RADAR jammers, are examples of equipment that can be deployed in the field.

Vehicles make a return in Halo 3 with the classic warthog once again taking a prominent role. Similar to the weapons new vehicles are added that represent the Brute's arsenal.

Campaign

The campaign mode sees you playing through the last chapter of the Halo arc started with the games, and the three novels. The tag line of Halo 3 is "Finish the Fight" with the ending of Halo 2 seeing Master Chief heading back to Earth to defend humanity from a full scale Covenant invasion. Being the ending in the series many fans expect H3 to answer many of the questions involving the Forerunners and the purpose of the Halos and the Ark.

The campaign is mission based seeing the player traverse the landscape accomplishing the assigned mission objectives, usually in the form of destroying something or rescuing something else. Story is relayed through cutscenes and in-game acting and dialog.

Similar to both of the previous games, the entire campaign can be played cooperatively with another player on the same Xbox 360. And for the first time in the series up to four players can go through the campaign cooperatively over Xbox Live.

For the first time Bungie is creating what they call a "meta-game" around the campaign mode that tracks the player's accomplishments through a particular level and assigns them points and medals. Performing more advanced maneuvers such as double kills, and head shots result in more points. Leaderboards will be available for the overall score, and leaderboards for individual level scores are also available.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer is a large part of the Halo franchise and Bungie is expanding the mode for Halo 3. Similar to Halo 2 multiplayer games can be found by joining a friend's custom game, or through the Matchmaking party system. New for Halo 3 are public custom games which let you join other custom games similar to a server list that don't affect your ranking. The party system sees you joining your friends in a group and going through the matchmaking process together, so you always join the same games.

All the new vehicles, weapons and equipment introduced will be available for multiplayer. And similar to H2 there will be a multitude of game modes available for customization for custom games, alongside an ever changing playlist of ranked matchmaking modes.

The ranking system which tracks your kills and other accomplishments gets factored into the Matchmaking system to try and match you up with similarly ranked players so people get a "fair" game. People who continually drop out of a game will have their rankings negatively affected reducing their ability to find games with "good" players.

Forge

Forge is a new kind of mode that has a significant impact on the multiplayer game. With Forge mode activated players can take on the role of an entity outside the game and manipulate the level and rules of the game in a variety of ways. Spawning weapons, vehicles and other items is already confirmed. At any time players can switch between the Forge mode and normal playing resulting in new ways of playing multiplayer.

New levels can not be created from scratch, and level geometry can not be modified. Forge simply allows you to create and move items around existing multiplayer maps and change their settings. Modified levels and rules can be saved and played through as a normal multiplayer game. Custom creations can even be shared with other players on your Friend's list and beyond. Bungie has stated they'll have a website dedicated to the best Forge games and levels and let people download new Forge levels to play on their own system.

Saved Films

Halo was an extremely popular title to use for Machinima, films created using video games. The popular video series Red vs Blue is an example of Machinima, though others also exist. Bungie is supporting these kind of film makers by integrating the film making capabilities into the game itself. Players can record, save, and playback any of their gaming sessions either in the campaign or multiplayer modes. Saved films aren't actual video files, but instead scripts that playback within the game engine itself. This allows you to watch a saved film from any angle and even manipulate the camera on the fly. Saved films can be shared with friends, and uploaded to Bungie's servers with the best films being available for anyone to download.

Editions

Halo 3 will be offered in three different editions in increasing forms of fan service.

Standard Edition ($59.99) - Game disc and manual

Collector's Edition ($69.99) - adds an Interactive Xbox 360 disc containing new themes and gamer pictures, and the Beastiarum which is a hard cover book detailing the flora and fauna in the Halo universe

Legendary Edition ($129.99) - adds Legendary DVD which contains even more exclusive content, and a Master Chief Helmet to hold all three discs.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:31:53 -0400

Metal Gear Solid 4 is the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed, and fan-obsessed Metal Gear Solid series, which is part of the larger Metal Gear universe. Hideo Kojima, the creator of the series, claims MGS4 is the last game that will feature the iconic protagonist Solid Snake who now finds himself old and decaying. In development for four years, MGS4 was anticipated by fans as the first and last next-gen installment of their favorite series with a budget to match the epic expectations.

Story

Metal Gear games are notorious for their convoluted, intricate and deep narrative that mixes serious themes such as war and free will, with supernatural elements. MGS4 takes place years after the events of MGS2 as Solid Snake who is rapidly aging since he is a clone is attempting to stop his rival Liquid Snake (who has possessed Revolver Ocelot through a transplanted arm) from taking over the world with nano-machine controlled soldiers.

Traditionally the story in MGS games have been told through "CODEC" conversations where two people spend copious amounts of time talking to one another with animated avatars. In response to criticism the traditional CODEC conversations have been replaced by full real-time cinematics. Some of the story presentation is presented while playing the game, most of the cinematics are non-interactive.

Gameplay

MGS4 introduces several refinements and changes to the traditional Metal Gear Solid gameplay, while retaining many of the core elements that make the series. The biggest change comes in the gameplay perspective which now defaults to a regular third-person view from behind Snake's back. Other camera angles are available including an over-the-shoulder view, the birds-eye angle, and even a first person view.

Snake has more tools and weapons at his disposal including the OctoCamo which is a cameleon-like suit that automatically changes colors and patterns to match his surrounding. The Solid Eye and Metal Gear MK.II are two other tools that Snake can use to help his progress.

BioShock

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:03:44 -0400

BioShock is a first-person shooter that is the spiritual successor to the cult classic game System Shock. BioShock takes a more thoughtful approach to the genre as opposed to traditional run and gun gameplay. The three standout features that the developers strive for are with the setting and storyline, the open natured gameplay, and the advanced artificial intelligence.

The game takes place in an underwater city named Rapture. Surviving a plane crash at the beginning of the game you find your way to this lost city, a decrepit and crumbling shadow of its former self. The ocean is reclaiming the space, and the inhabitants have turned into bloodthirsty mutants. During the course of the game you uncover how Rapture fell from its grace of a 1940s Utopian dream to the current nightmare. Minimal use of cutscenes are used as information is spread around the environment itself in newspapers, posters, and radio broadcasts.

At its core the game is a first person shooter, meaning you run around the environment in the first person perspective shooting and killing your enemies. Irrational is trying to mix up the formula by giving players many options to work with. There are eight weapons available that can be customized with various options, alongside the 60 abilities that are found in the game. Abilities, or Plasmids as they're known in the world, let you perform superhuman acts such as launching fire, electricity, or confusing your enemies.

BioShock differs from other games in that the enemies are not out to specifically get you. Irrational games states that each character in the world of Rapture has their own "brain" and motivations, usually revolving around the harvesting of ADAM which is the oil/money/water of the world. Since ADAM is a very limited resource that results in you battling the other characters, but also results in the characters battling each other.

Both a PC version and Xbox 360 version are set for simultaneous release. Both versions of the game have received design and optimization to ensure the interface suits mouse and keyboard, and a controller respectively.

Resident Evil 4

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:41:51 -0500

Six years have passed since Raccoon City was destroyed and the government has dismantled the Umbrella Corporation from the inside-out. But the terror is not over. Now a U.S. Agent, former Raccoon Police Officer Leon Kennedy has been dispatched on a mission to Europe to save the President's daughter from a "crazed organization" that bares a striking behavioral resemblance to creatures found in the Arklay Mountains. Is there a connection between these foes and the horrible nightmares from the past? Discover the answer for yourself in Resident Evil 4.

Wii Version

Capcom has decided to re-release Resident Evil 4 for the Nintendo Wii. The Wii version borrows from both the Gamecube and the PS2 versions of the game. The game has the Gamecubes superior graphics, as well as the extra content found in the PS2 version (that means the Ada Wong missions are included). This version is meant to be the best Resident Evil 4 out there. As expected, the game includes the Wii's signature motion control. A simple shake of the wii-mote draws you knife and slashes crates or the throats of enemies. The pointer is used for precision aiming and camera control. Even though the pointing reticule is onscreen at all times, you still have to stop to shoot. Also, the pointer does not handle camera control (all previous Wii shooters used a bounding box method to control the camera), that is still delegated to the joystick. All of this content for the bargain price of $30. Experience what is widely considered the best game ever made.

The Orange Box

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:17:24 -0400

Five games, One Box. That's the tag line behind Valve's latest offering that packages in three new games along two previously available ones. In a departure from Valve's usual operations The Orange Box will be available simultaneously on consoles alongside the PC. Naturally the title will be available from Valve's Steam digital distribution system, where each game can be purchased a la carte, though at a higher combined price.

Half-Life 2 and Episodes

Half-Life 2 released in 2004 to great critical and commercial success. The Orange Box contains the original game with updated graphics and improvements to the underlying Source engine technology. Half-Life 2 is praised for its solid physics engine with resulting physics-based puzzles, and immersive world and environments. HL2 was also ported over to the original Xbox with many features downgraded, the Xbox 360/PS3 port are nearly identical to the PC version.

Half-Life 2: Episode 1 is the previously available episodic addition to HL2. Once again you take control of Gordon Freeman, fight alongside his partner Alyx and try to take down the Combine the game's main enemy. Episode 1 reuses many of the same gameplay elements as vanilla HL2 with the addition of a few new items and weapons.

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is a new addition to the series introduced in The Orange Box. The latest installment picks up right after the events of Episode 1, and again introduces a few new tricks to the bag. Originally slated for release as a standalone offering similar to Ep1 in Fall 2006, Episode 2 was delayed for a year and incorporated into The Orange Box release.

Portal

Originally started as a class project, Valve was so impressed by the initial demonstration of Portal that they hired the team and made the mod a standalone game. Built upon the Source engine Portal features no guns or weapons of any kind. Instead you have a "gun" that can manipulate portals, which are tiny wormholes that allow you to teleport from place to place. The game is a sequence of rooms each one being its own individual puzzle that requires you to figure out how and where to place the portals to get from the beginning to the end.

Team Fortress 2

Almost a decade in the making Team Fortress 2 was originally set for release in 1998 as the sequel to the popular Half-Life mod: Team Fortress Classic. The original game was set in a modern day military setting, and introduced the concept of class-based multiplayer where each person can choose from a different role with specialized weapons and abilities.

TF2 follows the paradigm of class based gameplay that has since become extremely popular, but goes for an entirely unique design aesthetic. The graphics are cartoony and over the top, with each class being represented by a highly stylized character. The abilities and skills of each class are limited relative to previous offerings as there are only a few weapons and skills available, however Valve added depth through the sheer number of classes and how they interact with one another. For example, pairing a medic with a heavy class grants the heavy character a major boost in health which makes them a far more formidable opponent to deal with.

Differences in Versions

Graphically Valve states that all three versions of the game will look nearly the same, though obviously a top of the line PC will win out. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game do not support mouse and keyboard setups. Valve is directly responsible for developing the PC and Xbox 360 port, while a development team inside of EA handled the PS3 port.

Beyond Good & Evil

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:22:20 -0400

Meet Jade. She's a brunette beauty with an eye for mystery and a camera to uncover it. When the would-be heroine's futuristic planet is threatened by aliens, Jade finds herself thrust into the heart of a vicious conspiracy that could stretch to the very top of her government. This stylized, extremely gorgeous third-person action-adventure plays very much like a Zelda game. Jade can explore a huge, water-covered world by hovercraft or take to a variety of islands and interact with merchants, or tackle assignments to earn money and advance the surprisingly deep and intriguing storyline that surrounds her quest. She can also gain a number of items and weapons that are integral to advancing and a lot of fun to wield. Packed full of twists and turns and even a talking man-pig, Ubisoft has crafted yet another big adventure series.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:13:56 -0400

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is the sixth game released as part of the main Ratchet & Clank franchise, and the first available for the Playstation 3. Just like the other games in the series the game puts you in control of Ratchet as he uses a wide variety of weapons and gadgets to defeat hordes of enemies. Tools of Destruction focuses on the single player aspect of the game, and utilizes more platforming elements. R&C Future also puts you control of Clank, Ratchet's robot sidekick as he discovers his own path and more about himself.

Setting

The story takes place in the far future where inter-galactic travel is common place and aliens co-exist with humans and robots. Rachet is a Lombax, the last of his kind, and the story begins as he is attacked by Emperor Percival Tachyon who is looking to wipe them out. Over the course of the game both Ratchet and Clank learn more about their past and origins while taking on their enemies, and saving their friends. The story is presented predominantly through real-time cutscenes using fully voiced dialog.

Gameplay

Tools of Destruction contains many of the same gameplay elements found in earlier R&C games. The series is known for its wide and varied selection of bizarre weaponry, and keeping true to its namesake, Tools of Destruction introduces new weapons of its own. Each of the weapons can be upgraded by spending bolts, the game's collectible currency, and can be further improved the more you use them. Some weapons make use of the Playstation 3's SIXAXIS control, such as the tornado gun which lets you control a tornado by moving the controller around.

Alongside the main gameplay elements of platforming and shooting, Insomniac uses various mini-games spread throughout the levels. Examples of these mini-games include sliding on rails, shooting asteroids in a space ship, and riding a "grav cycle".

Halo 2

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:29:52 -0400

Halo 2 continues the story of the Master Chief, a genetically enhanced super-soldier who is the only human ever to successfully defy the Covenant -- a coalition of alien races on a murderous march toward Earth. To the mysterious leaders of the Covenant, the human victory at the ancient ring structure known as Halo was an unacceptable failure. They will not fail again.

The Shoot

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:52:41 -0500

The Shoot is a video game for the PS3 that lets you shoot away at movie sets where hidden monsters and other items are hiding. The action allows you to use the PlayStation Eye Camera to duck and dodge incoming fire or get better angles at your targets. The PlayStation Move Motion Controller can also be used for trick shots that twist and spin. The play environments are highly destructible, allowing players to clear out obstacles that monsters are hiding behind and reveal hidden bonuses. Gameplay allows up to 2 players working in co-operative mode, and online play is also available.

Features

Motion controller-based gun-play
Special attacks
Highly destructible environments
Secret power-ups, bonus items, deleted scenes
5 themed movie sets
Up to 2 players
Online competitive play
Rated T by the ESRB
Works with the PlayStation Eye Camera, PlayStation Move Motion Controller

Gears of War

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:37:45 -0400

From the mind of Cliff Bleszinski (aka CliffyB) comes a third-person horror shooter game powered by the Unreal Engine 3 for Microsoft's Xbox 360. Players take the role of Marcus Fenix, a convicted ex-marine, and battle the Locust horde that have taken control of the planet and decimated the population.

Gameplay

The game falls under the self-entitled sub-genre of "stop-and-pop" shooter which gives a summary of the central role that cover plays in the game. Using an over the shoulder perspective, made popular by Resident Evil 4, players hide, duck, slide, and bounce around the cover that's placed about every level. The "A" button is used exclusively to accomplish a variety of cover moves such as slamming behind a wall, moving from one cover position to another, and hopping over an obstacle.

Outside of the cover system GoW introduces many new enhancements and refinements to the world of shooting games. Following Halo's weapon system players can carry only two different main weapons at one time, one set of grenades, and pistol. Melee attacks are standard, with some weapons having special melee forms such as the machine gun's chainsaw, and "grenade tagging". One refinement on the aiming model that GoW brings is the use of an aiming arc for throwing grenades, so players can see precisely where the grenades will land even bouncing off of objects and obstacles.

Co-op plays a very large role in the game, allowing a second player either online, or through splitscreen, to take control of Marcus' partner Dom to play through the entire single-player campaign together. As a result, co-op play mechanics such as reviving your fallen teammate and having separate paths that compliment one another have a big focus.

Competitive multiplayer gametypes are also available, either 2-player splitscreen, or with a maximum of 8 people online. Players can choose to be part of the human COG side, or the Locust horde, with the differences being cosmetic and try to eliminate the other side. Unlike Halo 2's online functionality, Gears of War does not contain a party system, or a matchmaking system, finding games is done through the more traditional way of choosing an individual server.

Story

Precursor: Humanity was living peacefully on the planet until one day the Locust that lived beneath the surface came out on "Emergence Day" and destroyed everything. Now the main war is lost but the humans are still struggling and fighting to take the planet back.

Gears of War follows Marcus and his marine unit as they try to destroy the horde's home base. The action is laid out across 5 different acts each split into subsections where the objectives are constantly changing. Narrative is forwarded from a combination of real-time non-interactive cutscenes and with dialogue during the main game.

Downloadable Content

Gears of War has two downloadable packs available. The first content available is a map pack that introduces two maps into the multiplayer mode: Raven Down, and Old Bones. The second download makes some changes to the game while introducing a new competitive king-of-the-hill type multiplayer mode called Annex.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:03:22 -0500

A Japanese shooter game that rocks? In 2004 Capcom producer Keiji Inafune set out to create a Japanese game on the same caliber as Halo, and Lost Planet is the result. A blend of eastern and western influences, Lost Planet pits humans against humans against giant insect against environment. As a result there's a lot of crazy action going on as Wayne is constantly attacked from all sides, all the while keeping his thermal energy high to remain warm.

Using the new standard over-the-shoulder third person camera made popular by Resident Evil 4 and Gears of War the game is gives you a ton of varied weapons to take down the game's enemies. That's the western part. The eastern mix in the game comes from the use of the game's playable giant robot mechs known as Vital Suits, or VS. The VS are as varied as the handheld weapons, as some can jump very high, others hover in the air, and others transform into different forms. Lastly is the addition of a grappling hook that is available at all times that lets players reach new heights in the stages, as well as grapple onto the giant insects and enemy VS.

The game is sorted into a traditional level-based single player campaign with 11 stages in total, and a multiplayer mode. Single player is short but the collectible target markers and the many difficulty levels emphasizes replayability. Multiplayer features the standard deathmatch and team deathmatch options, as well as king-of-the-hill type modes known as post grab. The game supports up to 16 players in one match, with all of the weapons, equipment, and VS from the single player campaign available to use.

A collector's edition of Lost Planet is also available that includes a collectible tin, a Vital Suit mini-figure, and an extra downloadable multiplayer map, that will be available to everybody in Spring of 2007.

Battlefield 2

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:08:33 -0500

The sequel to the blockbuster online multiplayer war Battlefield franchise, EA and developer Digital Illusions are taking the battle to another realm with a modern-war era edition. Players from the United States, China and the Middle East Coalition (all armed with realistic armarments and vehicles) will all be represented in harrowing battles for a massive number of online players (more than any of the previous Battlefield titles). The new game engine offers vastly improved visuals, physics and sound, plus a dynamic stage limiting system that scales the size of the online battlefield according to how many players are logged on.

WarHawk

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:06:52 -0400

WarHawk is the next-generation sequel to a game of the same name released for the Playstation One. Originally this PS3 game was supposed to launch with a single player campaign similar to the first, however the developers decided to focus solely on the multiplayer side of things. Multiplayer battles see up to 32 players play online, or over a local network in four different game modes, on a choice of five maps.

Players assume the role of a soldier fighting for one of the two sides: Charnovan and Eucadian. Both sides are nearly identical with the same abilities and weapons, only the color and look of their ships differ. Battle occurs through a mix of on-foot, in-vehicle and WarHawk segments. Players start on foot and ride any of the vehicles as necessary. Control of the flying WarHawk planes is done through the motion control of the SIXAXIS controller, though more traditional thumbstick based controls are available as an option.

You can customize the look of your character through color and armor choices. You'll also be able to customize the look of the vehicles you drive with your emblem and other identifying marks. All the statistics of each game is tracked and available on the official WarHawk website. Medals are gained after achieving various accomplishments, such as performing X number of head shots.

Match Setup

WarHawk supports your XMB friends list, so there's no need to create a separate list of friends like in Resistance. The game also contains clan support which acts as a separate list for your clan, alongside other clan specific features such as a clan leader and clan emblem.

Games can be played on peer-to-peer or dedicated servers. Sony and Incognito will be providing a number of dedicated servers that will constantly host public matches. You can also turn your PS3 into a dedicated server so you can host matches without having to play the game yourself.

Multiplayer Modes

Deathmatch - every player for him or herself, the player with the most points at the end wins the round.

Team Deathmatch - similar to deathmatch, except players are split into two teams, with the winning team determined by the aggregate number of points.

Capture the Flag - steal the other team's flag and bring it back to your base to get points. Most points wins.

Zone Mode - the map is split into bases that can be captured. Staying in the base increases the base zone allowing for more weapons to spawn and points scored. If two zones meet that are owned by the same team they are merged into one to gain even more bonuses. The team with the most points wins.

Both Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag feature a base system that allows for more spawn points and vehicles to be created. However, these bases don't have a growing influence like in Zone Mode.

Retail and PSN versions

WarHawk is available in two different forms: a downloadable version for $39.99, and a retail box that comes on a Blu-Ray disc for $59.99. There are no differences with the game itself, but some extra functionality features come with the retail version. The retail version is bundled with a Jabra bluetooth headset for voice communication. Furthermore, the Blu-Ray disc can be used in "game sharing mode" meaning that one disc can be put in multiple PS3s, so that only one copy of the game is needed for local area network play.

A special note about the PSN Version: WarHawk is the first downloadable content that is directly tied to your user account. Sony explains the restriction thusly - "One time fee for download or use solely by the purchasing PSN account on up to five PS3 units, with no more than one activated PS3 unit within a 24 hour period. Content may not be used by any other account." This means that family members who wish to play the game on the same PS3 must use the same account.

The Darkness (video game)

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:00:28 -0400

The Darkness is a first-person shooter from acclaimed Starbreeze Studios that meshes a classic mob tale with supernatural gothic horror. Based upon a popular comic of the same name, you play as Jack Estacado a mob hitman who has inherited The Darkness power that comes to fruition on his 21st birthday. His hitman roots give him the abilities to use a variety of guns, while his powers can be used in five main ways including summoning a black hole, and creating little creatures to take out your enemies.

Story is a strong priority with the game as one of the top writers of the comic was hired to write the entire story for the game. Starbreeze also hired a swath of voice talent including Mike Patten from Faith No More to increase the production values. Similar to The Chronicles of Riddick, Starbreeze's standout game, the story is told through a series of real-time and interactive cutscenes. At various points in the story Jack will stand alone delivering a monologue of what's happening in the story, which is actually a clever way to hide loading times.

Gameplay is split between standard first-person shooter fare and action elements with the darkness powers that gain abilities and prominence as the story goes on. As per its name, Jack must stand in the dark to gain the juice necessary to launch his dark-power attacks.

A multiplayer mode is included that leans heavily towards the shooter side of things. Jack's powers are completely stripped away, and the only "power" left is the ability to morph into a darkling, a small creature, that lets you run fast, jump far, and crawl along the walls.

Extras

Starbreeze has included full length feature movies such as To Kill a Mockingbird which are played on in-game televisions scattered throughout the levels. Accomplishing side quests and exploring bonus areas unlocks special content including commentary and concept art imagery.

Differences between PS3 and Xbox 360 versions

From a technical level Starbreeze claims the two games are nearly identical both achieving the same visual fidelity with insignificant differences. For the PS3 version Starbreeze includes more extra video content as per the larger amount of storage space that Blu-Ray affords.

Half-Life 2

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:39:01 -0500

Once again players assume the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist destined to save the Earth from hordes of gruesome alien attackers. Half-Life 2 takes computer games to a new level of realism with incredible in-game graphics that recreate familiar-looking city streets, and blend them with strange and grotesque monsters, resulting in a believable and at times unsettling environment. Objects and characters feature accurate physics properties, behaving with the appropriate mass, density, and physical properties of their real-life counterparts. Extremely intelligent computer AI result in enemies that plan, adapt, and respond to the player's actions.

Note: The Windows version of the game that is available to buy in stores is published by Vivendi Universal. Valve also self-published the title with their online-only distribution mechanism Steam.

Space Invaders Extreme 2

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:41:47 -0400

Space Invaders Extreme 2 is a shooter style video game for the Nintendo DS that is a sequel to Space Invaders Extreme, which itself is based on the classic arcade game Space Invaders from 1978. Space Invaders Extreme 2 keeps the classic side-to-side shooter style and uses similar gameplay to its predecessor with weapon switching, Power Up, Fever Time, chaining, Bingo Fevers and more. The Power Up Feature which is comleted by shooting down four invaders of the same color, Bingo Fever is achieved by lighting up 2 squares in a row and Fever/Super Fever Time are bonus rounds to get bonus items. The game also features Time Attack mode in which players try to beat levels as fast as possible and a Multiplayer Mode which lets you battle a friend using Nintonde DS Download or Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

Specifications

Developer(s): Project Just
Publisher(s) Taito Corporation / Square Enix
Designer(s) Project Just
Series: Space Invaders
Engine: Space Invaders Extreme engine
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release date:
- JA March 26, 2009
- NA September 23, 2009
- EU October 2, 2009
Genre: shooter game
Mode(s): Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s):
- CERO: A
- ESRB: E

Medal of Honor: Airborne

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:50:32 -0400

Medal of Honor: Airborne is the first Medal of honor game for the next-generation consoles and the 11th in the series. True to its namesake, Airborne sees you taking control of Private Boyd Travers part of the United States 82nd Airborne Division during the second World War. Each mission begins with a parachute drop as you jump out of your C-47 transport and land anywhere on the map. From there you often work with your allies against the axis to fulfill mission objectives that are both set out at the beginning briefing and introduced dynamically as the level progresses.

Similar to other World War 2 games Airborne sees you taking part in various operations around the European theater of war, including the invasion of Normandy. Unlike the popular MoH:Allied Assault title, you don't take part in the actual Normandy invasion itself, instead you drop in a few hours earlier to clear the way for advancing soldiers. Regardless of the level's objectives the overall layout of each mission remains the same involving the drop, fighting with your allies, and completing objectives.

The gameplay mechanics are similar to the average first person shooter with a few new twists that EA adds. More accurate aiming is accomplished by looking down the "iron sights" which prevents you from moving, but allows you to lean left and right. A sprinting ability is included that lasts indefinitely, however you can't fire your gun while activating the sprint. Lastly, and in the biggest departure from other WW2 shooters, Airborne lets you upgrade your weapons. "Experience" is tied to each weapon, the more you use it, and the more kills you get the more experience is gained. At certain thresholds the gun gains a new level (up to 3) that adds a bonus, such as more ammo in a clip, or less recoil.

A multiplayer mode is available on all three versions of the game. There are three different game types, each revolving around two teams: Axis and Allies. In "Airborne Teammatch" the Allied team drops into the map similar to the single player game, and has to eliminate the Axis side. "Regular Teammatch" is the same thing except both sides start on the ground. The third mode is a territories mode similar to that found in games such as Battlefield 2. Six maps are included with the game, and online supports up to 12 players at a time.

Ratchet & Clank Going Commando

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:00:19 -0500

Ratchet and Clank return as heroes for hire in the new PlayStation 2 title, Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando. Upon taking a job to find a stolen experiment for mega-corporation Abercombie Fitzwidget, Ratchet and Clank meet a large cast of characters who will help them along the way. There are 18 entirely new weapons, as well as five weapons from the first game (you can upload them if using your old memory save). Each weapon is upgradeable, utilizing a new experience system, where weapons transform into more powerful forms the more they are used. In addition to main story levels, new Maxi-games give players a chance to test their skills and gain experience.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:08:21 -0500

Set in the universe of Resident Evil, Umbrella Chronicles follows the heroes and heroines of Resident Evil 0, 1, and 3 as they battle the sinister creations of the Umbrella corporation. Played entirely in first person, Umbrella Chronicles is a shooter that is entirely on rails (think House of the Dead). Occasionaly you have the choice of veering off the beaten path, breaking down doors and finding alternate routes will ultimately be beneficial. Many of the objects in the game are breakable, concealing files, health, or ammunition. The files are the major draw of the game, giving fans of the series more back story and facts about their favorite games. All of the guns in the game are upgradable...for a cost. You must sacrifice a number of your stars (recieved after completing a mission) to upgrade the weapon. Some upgrades increase ammo capacity, while others increase damage, blast radius, or reload speed.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

Thu, 10 May 2007 18:48:44 -0400

Another nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. Russian shoulders surround the area, hoping to contain whatever happended within. They begin to hear wierd shrieks and screams coming from the disaster area. Some go in to investigate the noises, some never come back. They are the STALKERS, searching the 30-kilometer area and reporting there findings back to the authorities.

STALKER is a first person shooter with a very open structure. The creatures look as though they came out of a surrival horror game, the grotesqe monsters that prowl the area are the stuff of nightmares. You are able to drive vehicles or take on the creatures on foot with a large arsenal of weaponry. As you explore the area, you may begin to understand the Chernobyl disaster more clearly. Just hope you survive...

Project Sylpheed

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:17:50 -0400

Project Sylpheed is a truly three-dimensional space shooter from Game Arts and published by Square Enix that puts you and your wingmen in the middle of an intergalactic war. This game takes place in the 27th century where humans have colonized many planets and solar systems. Over time the central Earth government grows corrupt with the colonies forming a rebellion and fighting back. You play the role of Katana Faraway who is part of the Terra Central Air Force (T.C.A.F) as you defend Earth's government from rebel forces. The game plays similar to the Wing Commander series of games as you have total freedom in movement utilizing your weapons to destroy enemy ships and protect your allies.

With a heavy emphasis on story, the game takes place over the course of 16 stages with real-time and computer generated sequences intermixed throughout. Following the mission briefing you have the option to develop new weapons and equip them onto your ship. Weapons come in a few standard categories, each with its own strengths and weaknesses for particular situations.

The main gameplay portion of the game is extremely complex with hundreds of space ships on the battle field and dozens of icons on your screen at any one time. Managing all of this information is accomplished through the sophisticated Heads-Up-Display (HUD), and advanced controls. Normal flying is achieved by a combination of the left and right triggers to control speed, with the left analog stick controlling your ship's direction.

The advanced controls let you perform complicated maneuvers such as 180 degree turns, matching your enemy speed, and automatic target tracking. You also have access to a 3-level super move ranging from unleashing a barrage of missiles and shots to slowing down time to take enemies out.

Project Sylpheed is the first 3D game in the series that was originally started in the 8-bit era as a top-down shoot-em-up. This game is also the first Xbox 360 exclusive title published by Square Enix.

Earth Defense Force 2017

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:39:35 -0400

In this third-person shooter game for the Xbox 360, you play the role of a lone soldier that's part of the Earth Defence Force, and must protect the world from the invading alien ants, robots and other horrible monsters. EDF2017 is the first EDF game for the Xbox 360 and is a sequel to the Earth Defence Force games that were released on the Playstation 2, but were only available in Japan. The EDF series is known for throwing hundreds of enemies at you that range from the size of a car to a 50 story building, and EDF2017 is no different.

How the game plays

The game is incredibly straightforward and simple, in the menu screen select the equipment you want to bring, then select the mission and difficulty level of that mission you want to beat. That's it. Choose two weapons from one of the 150 different weapons that are available, split up into 7 different classes: assault rifle, shotgun, sniper rifle, rocket launcher, missile launcher, grenades, and special weapons. You start the game off with a minimum level of stamina, and only 2 weapons to choose from, while playing through the level enemies drop armor powerups and new weapons that need to be picked up to upgrade your character and add additional weapons to your arsenal.

When inside a level the gameplay takes the form of a standard third-person shooter. The camera is placed directly behind the character's back instead of the more modern over the shoulder view. Each level follows the same formula: kill everything. No escort missions, no protecion missions, just kill the giant ants, 50-story robots and flying saucers. There are other EDF soldiers on the ground fighting alongside you that can be recruited to follow you around and cheer you on while helping you kill. Some levels also contain vehicles (4 different kinds) to add more firepower in taking down the larger enemies.

Gameplay modes are sparse. There's the standard mission levels that can be played in single player or with a friend through splitscreen co-op. There's also a battle mode where you and a friend kill each other using the weapons that have been unlocked. No Live multiplayer or leaderboards are present.

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 19:44:27 -0500

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved is the sequel to the original Geometry Wars game found in Project Gotham Racing 2. The new game features enhanced graphics and new abilities for your ship. Standard Xbox Live 360 features are also supported such as achievements and online leaderboards.

The game has an extremely simple control setup with the left analog stick controlling the movement of the ship, and the right analoge controlling the direction of your shooting. The Right Trigger is used to set off a smart bomb that destroys every enemy on the screen.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:30:11 -0500

Once again play as Captain Scott Mitchell of the US Army's elite 5th Special Forces Group, the Ghosts in this GRAW sequel released March 6th, 2007. This game plays much the same as its predecessor with some notable improvements.

The dynamics of the environment have been improved with ever-changing weather and light conditions. You'll also be better equipped with improved tactical support from air strikes, a vehicle known as the MULE, and a new class of medic soldier. The Cross-Com has been improved with the 2.0 version allowing you to quickly toggle between a mini, and expanded full-screen view allowing you to get a greater picture of the battlefield. You're going to need this improved support to deal with the enhanced AI of the enemy. Once again, you are fighting the Mexicans, this time at the U.S./Mexico border in Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

Ca$h Carnage Chao$

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:18:24 -0400

The Running Man's influence extends through the ages as video games take the idea of fighting for your life, for money, in front of a live studio audience. First it was Smash TV, then a bunch of Smash TV clones, now comes Ca$h Carnage Chao$ to usher in the launch of the PS3. Kill lots of things, and collect money for your troubles. Not a bad deal.

F.E.A.R.

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 11:23:53 -0400

F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon) is a first-person close-quarters combat game for the PC. The story begins when a paramilitary force infiltrates a multi-billion dollar aerospace compound, and the government responds by sending in Special Forces. The group loses contact with the government when an eerie signal interrupts radio communications--and when that interference subsides moments later, the team has been destroyed. That's where you come in. As part of a classified strike team created to deal with threats no one else can handle, your mission is simple: eliminate the intruders at any cost, determine the origin of the signal, and contain the potential crisis before it gets out of control.

The PC version of the game released in 2005 to critical and commercial success. The console versions released in late 2006 introduce a new Instant Action mode which plunges players against hordes of enemies and ranks the player based on their performance. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will come with their own exclusive weapon to be used in both the single player and Instant Action modes.

Destroy All Humans 2: Make War Not Love

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:22:39 -0500

The sequel to the sleeper hit Destroy All Humans, you once again must take on the role of Crypto Sporidium 137 in an effort to, well, destroy all of the humans. The second game offers more missions, more upgrades to you weapons and abilities, and more emphasis on action (no stealth missions this time around). The game has been significantly lengthened compared to the first game, giving you more time to blow stuff up. It takes place in 1969 (don't worry, there are plenty off hippies and ninjas) and has you in a plot involving the cold war and a secret military agency.

Stranglehold

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:01:41 -0400

John Woo Presents Stranglehold is a cinematic action game that brings extravagant Hong Kong style gun fighting to the third person shooting genre. In their first collaboration since Hard Boiled, the prequel to Stranglehold, Chow Yun-Fat reprises his role as Inspector Tequila, through full voice acting, in a tale of revenge and justice. John Woo advised Midway on many aspects of the gameplay, the Hollywood level presentation and the story. The developers focused on capturing the intense and ultra violent gunplay that made HK films cult classics, and extensive environmental interaction and destruction in the levels.

Story

Stranglehold is the sequel to the movie Hard Boiled, and sees the game pick up where the movie left off. The plot itself is different however many of the characters in Hard Boiled appear in Stranglehold, including the hero: Tequila, voiced by Chow Yun-Fat. Other Hollywood actors lend their voices to the other characters in the game while the story is told through real-time cutscenes. In Stranglehold Tequila aims to take revenge against the Chinese and Russian mafias that have killed a fellow police officer and kidnapped a girl. In traditional John Woo style the story is melodramatic and light on narrative and serves more as a vehicle to push the action along.

Gameplay

Watching Hard Boiled will give you a good idea about the gameplay. Tequila enters an area, dozens of enemies attack him who must be killed to proceed. It's the fashion in how you kills the enemies that Midway tries to set Stranglehold apart. Taking cues from Max Payne, you can trigger what is called "Tequila Time" where everything but your aiming goes into slow motion giving you an advantage. The slow-mo can be triggered manually through the press of a button, or happen automatically when Tequila performs a stunt such as a diving move.

Stunts play a big role in the game as dozens of objects in the environment provide you with cover, and obstacles. Running up to a table or counter will see Tequila automatically slide across. Pressing the dive button when near a highlighted object will see Tequila do a special stunt such as running on banisters, swinging from chandeliers, and riding carts. The same environment is also destructible, meaning cover gets destroyed, and pieces of wood and concrete fly all over the place obstructing your view. Often times the environment can be destroyed to kill an enemy. Signs, barrels, and awnings will have a highlight over them and if you shoot them will kill whoever is standing underneath.

Multiple weapons are available, though there is only one weapon in each class. There's the iconic dual hand guns, a machine gun, shotgun, and rocket launcher. The guns have a set amount of ammo that can be exhausted and replenished but no reloading is necessary.

Performing fancier kills builds up a special move meter that trigger "Tequila Bombs". Four in total, the bombs allow you to kill a larger number of people in a shorter amount of time. One ability heals your life, and another ability lets you target specific body parts resulting in custom hit and death animations.

Tiger Hill has included a bare bones multiplayer mode that lets you combat up to five other players online. Deathmatch and team deathmatch are the only two game types available. All of the moves from single player are available, with slow motion activating only during Tequila Bombs which slows down the game for everyone.

Versions

Stranglehold is available for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Games for Windows. Both the 360 and PS3 version have a collector's edition available. The collector's edition contains extended cutscenes and four making of featurettes, including an MTV tour of the development studio. The PS3 collector's edition features the full Hard Boiled movie remastered in high definition contained on the same Blu-Ray disc.

Resistance Fall of Man

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:19:15 -0400

Resistance is the marquee title for the Playstation 3 launch. Developed by Insomniac Games the talented studio behind the popular Ratchet & Clank series, Resistance is set in an alternative history world where WW2 never happened and a new breed of monsters, named Chimera, have devastated the world. Insomniac brings its skills for imaginative weapons and awe-inspiring visuals to deliver a one-of-a-kind First-Person Shooter experience. Resistance hits all the key areas of a AAA FPS game: epic single-player campaign, deep online experience, and split screen co-op.

Ratchet & Clank Deadlocked

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:01:24 -0500

Insomniac Games brings back one of its most beloved characters, Ratchet, in RATCHET: DEADLOCKED for the PS2. Although more of the focus is on combat instead of the traditional platform action, Deadlocked still plays similar to the previous RATCHET AND CLANK games. RATCHET: DEADLOCKED begins shortly after the end of RATCHET AND CLANK: Up your Arsenal. The three heroes, Ratchet, Clank, and mechanic Al, have just finished their latest mission when they are captured by galactic villain Gleeman Vox. Vox plans to use the heroes as part of his reality TV arena show, Dreadzone, where heroes are forced to fight each other to the end. The major difference in RATCHET: DEADLOCKED is that Clank is no longer on Ratchet's back. Instead, he will occasionally supply Ratchet with a necessary gadget. This takes out many of the platformer elements of the series, leaving Ratchet to mostly battle his way through the eleven different Dreadzone levels with the help of two combat bots. Gamers can find a number of different weapons and gadgets throughout the game, including the incredibly destructive Harbinger gun. The more Ratchet uses a particular weapon, the more powerful it will become. Several different vehicles are also available. In addition to the main storyline, players can also compete in a number of Dread challenges on each level, complete side tasks, collect skill points, and battle each other in a number of different multiplayer modes. RATCHET: DEADLOCKED has many extras to keep players battling against the evil Vox for hours.

Star Wars Battlefront II

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 16:32:04 -0500

Star Wars Battlefront II improves upon the blockbuster multiplayer original with new space combat, playable Jedi, and never-before-seen environments straight out of final Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith film. The game features an all-new single-player experience that takes players through an epic, story-based saga where every action the player takes impacts the battlefront and, ultimately, the fate of the Star Wars galaxy. The sequel features improved flight control, complex space combat that allows players to board enemy capital ships and battle to take over flying command posts or sabotage the ship to be used against the other faction, increased total online player numbers, and memorable multiplayer encounters in 12 new locations.

Note:Pandemic studios is responsible for the console versions of the title where Savage Entertainment ported the game to the PSP.

Red Steel

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:30:32 -0500

Red Steel is an exclusive Wii launch title that takes full advantage of the console’s innovative controller and puts players directly into the action-packed first-person experience with the weapon in their hand – literally.

An engaging storyline unfolds as you learn that your fiancée has been kidnapped and her father – a Japanese mafia kingpin – murdered by a rival gang. The only way to save your loved one and defend your honor is to journey from Los Angeles to Japan and confront the Tokyo underworld.

By learning the ancient art of Japanese fighting with your katana and the focused precision of modern firearms, you will progress and adapt yourself to this foreign environment, where skills alone may not guarantee you victory.

Shadowrun

Wed, 16 May 2007 10:14:59 -0400

Shadowrun is a popular pen and paper role playing game that combines high-fantasy elements such as magic, elves and trolls alongside a cyber punk setting with a connected network and hacking elements. This latest Shadowrun game takes place near the beginning of the world's introduction to magic, so many of the magical elements found later in the time line are not present. The game is a multiplayer-only affair which pits human players against each other in a number of competitive game modes. Competition and training against computer controlled bots is the only form of a single-player game that is present. If you do not have Xbox Live Gold then 95% of the game will be inaccessible.

Each game mode contains two teams, one working on the rebel side and the other working for the corporation. Matches are split into rounds with the team winning the most rounds winning the overall match. At the beginning of a round the players on the team purchase skills, abilities and weapons to be used. Money to purchase items is gained by performing successful actions in the previous round such as killing enemy players, reviving teammates and completing objectives. Skills are divided into two categories: magical and tech. Players have a health bar, as well as a mana bar which limits the number of skills that can be used at one time. Examples of skills are teleportation, hang-gliding, and seeing through walls.

Shadowrun is also the first game released that allows computer players to play against Xbox 360 gamers on Xbox Live. For the PC version (which is $50) you need to have an active Xbox Live gold account to play with console gamers, otherwise you're limited to playing with other PC gamers. The developers claim they have achieved a balance of control that will satisfy both mouse and keyboard players, and controller players by tuning factors such as turn speed and auto-aim.

Medal of Honor: Vanguard

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:28:06 -0400

Fight through the battles of WWII that made the first paratroopers famous. You control Frank Keegan, a Corporal of the 82nd airborne division. You are charged with liberating Europe from the German Nazis, fighting from Operation Huskey all the way to Operation Varsity.

The game controls using the Wii-mote for pointer control and the nunchuck for movement. Most of the movements are also mapped to buttons, so if you're having trouble with the motion it won't be a problem. Holding the A button will bring up your iron sights, a kind of sniper mode. Medal of Honor: Vanguard employs a unique leaning system that lets you take cover and shoot while continuing to snipe enemies. Throwing grenades is performed by holding the B button and making a tossing motion with the Wii-mote.

After each campaign you are awarded with medals that reflect your progress during the mission. Your squadmates help by taking down enemies, providing covering fire, and throwing grenades. Your squad mates will also let you know how they think you're doing, with shouts of "Get your head down Keegan", "Nice shot Keegan", "Keegans goin' for a medal", and "Leave some for us Keegan". A few of the operations begin with parachute sequences into enemy territory. You control where you start the battle by directing you parachute to where you want to land.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:44:11 -0400

The stakes are high when the world's most elite counter-terrorism unit enters Las Vegas, where over 36.7 million men, women and children visit each year. "Sin City," the home of the famous Las Vegas Strip, flashy hotels, high-rolling casinos and world-famous celebrities, becomes the setting for a terrorist threat of global proportions. What happens when one of the world's most famous cities is held hostage by terrorists?

Call of Duty 3

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:37:47 -0400

Call of Duty 3, the follow-up to the #1 next-generation game, delivers the intensity of being closer than ever to the fury of combat during the battle for the Liberation of Paris, the most harrowing campaign of WWII, known as The Normandy Breakout. Through a seamless narrative, Call of Duty 3 delivers the rush of unrelenting battle and breathtaking action of the Allied offensive that changed the fate of the world.

Far Cry Instincts

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 10:15:53 -0500

Far Cry Instincts is an Xbox remake of the original Far Cry PC shooter.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 14:30:31 -0400

In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement the Integrated Warfighter System evolving what we know as the modern soldier. IWS combines advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system. The IWS program has been developed to meet these new threats head on. Now, it can be tested on the battlefield.

Embody Captain Scott Mitchell as he commands the Ghosts and Special Forces allies equipped with the IWS in the quest to save the president of the United States, recover stolen nuclear codes and eliminate a vicious band of renegade soldiers hell-bent on unleashing catastrophe. Amongst the major new features added to this edition is the new Cross-Cam eye-piece communication device, utilizing the power of the Xbox 360 to deliver constent and complete battlefield awareness.

Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 23:11:28 -0400

Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition adds new maps for the groundbreaking Onslaught mode, new vehicles, new characters and a wide selection of the best user-made game modifications (mods) hand-selected by the designers at Epic Games. Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition also includes all of the content from Unreal Tournament 2004, such as the massively improved graphics, new weapons, and huge levels, and layers and layers of polish and gameplay depth. Along with all of UT2003's game modes and maps, UT2004 features vehicles, new weapons, two new game modes, and more new maps. The popular Assault mode from the original Unreal Tournament makes a welcome return to the series. The game mechanics remain the same: one team attacks by completing a series of objectives, while the other team must prevent them from succeeding.

Added from pc.ign.com

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:58:41 -0400

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is an online, tactical shooter in which the armies of Earth are fighting an alien race known as the Strogg.

Added from www.gamespot.com

UberSolder

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:03:22 -0400

ÜberSoldier challenges players to take on the role of a genetically modified super-soldier brought back from beyond the grave, as he seeks retribution against the enemies that surround him. Join resistance fighters in the struggle to defeat Nazi occupation forces in dozens of action-packed missions that require quick, on-your-feet thinking and tactical prowess. Arm yourself with both tactical supernatural powers and a veritable arsenal of historically based weaponry.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 21:28:17 -0500

The Kazakh President has been assassinated by a Pakistani warlord attempting to take control of the country. Follow the Ghosts as they work in concert with U.N. forces to track him and his military across Kazakhstan. The Ghosts are the only chance to thwart his attacks against high profile targets and to prevent national devastation.

An expansion pack on the popular stealth shooter, Summit Strike features eleven new single-player missions and expanded multiplayer content, with more maps, missions and weapons.

Metal Slug: Anthology

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:10:22 -0500

The game Metal Slug fans will love. This is a compliation of the Metal Slug games including Metal Slug 1,2,3,4,5,6, and X. Side scrolling run and gun action with lots of big explosions. Nostalgic for old school gamers and a good time for those new to the series.

GunValkyrie

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 15:36:03 -0400

In GUNVALKYRIE for Xbox, you're needed on the colonized planet of Tir na Nog to restore order. Once the Imperial Space Forces arrived to investigate the severed communication ties between the British Empire and the small planet, their worst fears were realized. The esteemed yet dangerous Dr. Hebble Gate was missing, along with the entire population of colonists, and the planet was overrun with vicious insect-like life forms.

Panzer Dragoon Orta

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:49:45 -0400

Years ago, a legacy was born that ruled the skies. As time passed and memory grew dim, distant times progressed from History into Legend. Now, the era of human prosperity has come to a grinding halt, with all but a few pockets of civilization destroyed by years of devastating battles. The population clings precariously to the brink of extinction, scattered across the desolate land, living in the darkest age in history. A new Empire rules with an iron grip, and a band of rebels begins a revolt in an attempt to become masters of their destiny once again. As the world is engulfed in the flames of war, an unlikely and unwilling Hero must become mankinds only hope. Soon, the Dragon will rise again... Ten stages of frantic action featuring multiple paths with unique encounters.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:19:42 -0500

Big Boss returns to battle in this all-new MGS action game for the PSP system. Set in 1970, the game acts as a missing link in the ongoing Metal Gear Solid narrative, as players learn more about returning characters such as Para-Medic, Major Zero and Sigint and also witness Big Boss' greatest tragedy -- one that sets into motion the events of later games in the series' timeline. Portable Ops introduces a new team building mechanic that brings additional depth and gameplay variety to the series -- players can now capture and recruit characters and train them to be part of their army to help Snake on his mission! The game also features fully-voiced cut scenes with original artwork by acclaimed visualist Ashley Wood.

In addition to a full-fledged single player mode set after the events of MGS3: Snake Eater, the game's multiplayer modes let players take their custom squad online to do battle across new levels, featuring a unique "White Flag" mechanic that will allow players to fight to the death (with your valuable squad on the line if you lose) or surrender to compete again.

Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 22:26:26 -0400

The third instalment of the popular Ratchet and Clank series. The game gives you more weapons to upgrade and blow stuff up. You are pitted in an epic clash against the evil human turned robot Dr. Nefarious, who seeks to destroy planets with his big floating death ray. The game is genuinely funny at times, but this is all action. There are tons of things to do, with side quests to gain skill points that unlock cheats, upgrading your weapons and armor, finding titanium bolts to unlock extra costumes, and painting your ship so you can have the sweetest ride in the galaxy. Oh, and you can complete the games many missions.

Metroid Prime

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:20:52 -0400

The first game in the Metroid Prime trilogy for Nintendo systems. The game follows female bounty hunter Samus Aran as she goes about seeking to destroy an evil growing within the planet of Tallon IV. The game is a first person ADVENTURE, there is an emphasis on exploration, not shooting (though there are quite a few moments where you arm cannon is put to good use). The game has some of the best graphics and sound that you will find on the Gamecube.

Bionicle Heros

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:27:12 -0500

Based on the Bioncle toy line from Lego, you control the Toa Inika as you battle the Piraka using unique weapons from the Bionicle universe.

System Shock 2

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:10:47 -0400

Choose your path, choose your weapons, choose your skills and then immerse yourself in what is arguably one of the most frightening, eerie and simply amazing titles around. It's a kind of action-intensive RPG that few can even come close to touching. System Shock 2 set a new approachable precedent for all first-person perspective games. It's loaded with so many extras that exploration and interaction were necessities. Cybernetic monsters, rogue robots and a bunch of mutants called "The Many" dot an adventure that should not be missed by anyone with a backbone and a brain. Watch out for them psi- monkeys!

Battlefield 2: Special Forces

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:39:25 -0400

In Battlefield 2: Special Forces, players choose to fight as one of six different Special Forces soldiers: Navy SEALs, British SAS, Russian Spetznas, MEC Special Forces, Rebel groups and insurgents. Armed with the latest special forces weaponry, players can take control of any of the game's 10 new vehicles to engage in major conflicts with up to 64 players. Additionally, persistent character growth allows players to continue to rise through the ranks. The material penetration feature measures weapons' ability to fire through barriers based on their composition and players will need to know the difference between concealment and cover in order to survive. Team play features allow players to enter the action on the front lines as part of a formal squad, or work behind the scenes in Commander Mode to direct the strategic assaults of their teammates.

Added from pc.ign.com

Quake III Arena

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 23:03:49 -0400

Quake III Arena provides the ultimate deathmatch experience.

Added from www.gamespot.com

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:42:53 -0400

Based on the blockbuster online multiplayer war Battlefield franchise, EA and developer Digital Illusions are taking the battle to another realm with a modern-war era edition somewhat similar to Battlefield 2 for PCs but developed exclusively for console gamers. Players from the United States, China and the Middle East Coalition will all be represented in harrowing 24-player battles. Command tanks, choppers and any other of more than 30 military vehicles, and make use of more than 70 kinds of weapons (including heat-seaking missles, laser designated bombs and other modern military hardware.)

Metroid Prime: Hunters

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:57:58 -0400

Based on the stunning 3D revision of the Metroid series by Retro Studios, Hunters features first-person action controlled largely with the DS stylus. The game also features multiplayer gameplay. Experience the ferocious first-person action of the Metroid Prime universe on the Nintendo DS. Hone your skills against a slew of enemies in single-player training modes like Regulator, Survival and Morph Ball, then put them to the test when you compete in Death Match arenas with your friends over a wireless connection. Multiple control schemes take full advantage of the touch screen, giving all gamers an ideal way to play. The top screen displays the main game action in 3D, while the bottom screen doubles as a map and as a control "mouse pad" for the stylus.

Ratchet & Clank

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 14:59:39 -0500

Flying through the air on a winged beast, soaring through the clouds? Ok, so we've all played games like this a thousand times before, that doesn't stop Insomniac Games, creators of the Spyro the Dragon series, from adding another amazing title to the roster. Ratchet & Clank has players assume the role of Ratchet, a small batlike creature, or Clank, a robot that's always on Ratchet's back (literally). Using flamethrowers, bomb gloves, wrenches and 35 other weapons, Ratchet & Clank must venture through a strange and exciting world.

Black (Game)

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 09:54:43 -0400

The developers of Burnout take the heavy throttle of its highly-evolved graphics engine, shove a threaded barrel into its exhaust ports, and load it up with high-caliber bullets with Black, a first-person shooter from EA and Criterion Games.

Join the world’s most brutal and enigmatic strike force. The BLACK tactical squad operates under the cloak of complete anonymity and deniability to protect the US from threats foreign and domestic. It answers to no one, allowing it to carry out brutal and overt operations around the globe. From manipulating politicians to controlling intelligence networks and militaries, BLACK operatives are trained at the highest level in psychological warfare, espionage, and lethal arts. Go deep into the world of clandestine warfare as you use any means necessary to get the job done.

Commandos Strike Force

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:22:23 -0400

In a new direction for the multi-million selling series, Commandos Strike Force takes you right into the heart of the action from a first person perspective. Take control of the three members of the 'Strike Force' unit, each with their own play style. Switch between the Green Beret, always at the heart of the action with his expertise in combat and the use of heavy weaponry, the Sniper with his nerves of steel and expert marksmanship, and the Spy, stealthily striking at the heart of the enemy. However, it is up to you how you execute plans of attack by combining the Commandos' unique skills.

The Punisher (the Game)

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:00:15 -0500

Fueled by the murder of his family, Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher, sets out on a mission to clean up the crime filled streets in one of the most gripping storylines to hit the videogame market. The ingenious writings of Punisher creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Garth Ennis combined with Volition Inc.'s visual interpretation gives players an opportunity to step into the vengeful shoes of The Punisher. An innovative interrogation system allows gamers direct control over the amount of punishment enemies receive before releasing important information. With more than 100 unique kills, let the punishment begin.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:52:15 -0400

Gabe Logan returns in this exclusive PlayStation Portable mission. Gamers assume the identity of Gabe Logan, a highly-trained Precision Strike Operative, commanding a black box United States Agency that legally doesn't exist. As Gabe, players will have to strategize quickly, as he is responsible to infiltrate, recon and execute decisively. Once inserted, Logan is his own authority -- making life and death decisions, quickly choosing his course of action. An immersive single-player experience also delivering an evolving online multiplayer experience, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror features melee attacks, target lock, precision aiming, target and vision enhancements, enhanced artificial intelligence (AI), and high-tech weaponry. Gamers can choose between difficulty modes that monitor and adjust skill level, multiple unique online maps using both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure connectivity, and four types of gameplay modes in multiplayer.

TimeShift

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:51:58 -0400

Set in the near future, TimeShift from Saber Interactive will take the first-person genre to an entirely different dimension marked by erratic time and unrelenting action. The unprecedented technology behind TimeShift will allow gamers, for the first time, the ability to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time while remaining completely unaffected. Set in an engrossing storyline, gamers must learn to master this new skill while navigating through the new universe and ultimately complete the adventure. Using Saber Interactives proprietary Saber3D Engine, the story will progress through virtual environments of cinematic quality, and the games sophisticated AI will challenge gamers to think creatively on how to use their new powers.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 21:29:30 -0500

The Red Army is back. Now that Russia's government has collapsed, a hardline leader is bent on taking over the republics. Enter Ghost Recon, an advanced, futuristic squad of U.S. Army soldiers. Unlike previous Rainbow Six games, the setting is much more focused on the military instead of anti-terrorist maneuvers. Next-generation inventory and weapons will give players a glimpse into the real U.S. Army "Land Warrior" program on which Ghost Recon is based.

Serious Sam II

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:48:38 -0500

The mirth and mania that comes from a gun-toting man named Sam begin again in the sequel to the original Serious Sam and it's expansion, Second Encounter. The game still has the wild, structure-unconcerned nature that made the first two games such a pick-up-and-play blast, but this edition pumps up the visuals and physics by incredible degrees with a brand new graphics engine, as well as integrates all-new gameplay elements for Sam to cause mayhem. The sequel allows Sam to drive vehicles, and the co-op mode returns for multiple players to cause even more of a ruckus in the game's open and enemy-filled environments.

Resident Evil: Dead Aim

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:56:10 -0500

Description to be added later.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Critical Hour

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:48:10 -0400

In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Critical Hour, Ubisoft's Quebec studio blends the finest elements of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six series to create the most complete chapter to date. This latest chapter marks the return to the franchise's roots by reintroducing the deeply strategic and tactical gameplay synonymous with the Rainbow Six name, while incorporating classic in-game elements such as vintage maps and weapons, all rebuilt using today’s technology. Rainbow Six Critical Hour brings a new seven-mission single-player campaign and 18 multiplayer levels.

Saints Row

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:51:53 -0400

Saint's Row sets the player as a member of the Third Street Saints, a gang trying desperately to take back the streets from three rival gangs that hold the city.

25 To Life

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 12:18:25 -0500

25 to Life is the game the streets have been waiting for. Play as either cops or gangsters, in this urban action third person shooter. The game delivers intense Online gameplay for up to 16 players, as well as a rich single player experience. Set in the heart of todays cities, experience the gritty lifestyles of police task forces or as a gangster survive the local neighborhood thugs while fighting your way up the ranks. Bust out of prison, or infiltrate the inner sanctum of the drug lords mansion, your knowledge of the streets will be put to the test because 25 to Life IS the streets!

Far Cry: Instincts - Evolution

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 14:59:03 -0400

Jack Carver goes back into the jungle in this follow-up to the Xbox title. This new edition introduces players to an entirely new story, characters and game features that reflect and improve upon the critically acclaimed elements of the first title.

Serious Sam: Next Encounter

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 17:04:28 -0500

The console-only edition of the freaky all-out action series builds off of the Serious Sam engine for a slightly different gameplay experience -- Climax has twisted the game design to feature similar stages to the first to Serious Sam games, but has added new beasts, new weapons (for a total of 12), and even the ability to ride vehicles. A new scoring system encourages players to get high scores and earn Gold Medals, which are used to unlock hidden levels, new features, cheats and more. This edition of the series also features 4-player multiplayer, with deathmatch, bomb tag, and capture-the-flag, plus 8-player online gaming for PlayStation 2.

Resident Evil Outbreak

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:50:30 -0500

Description to be added later.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:46:28 -0400

A PS2-exclusive expanded release of Hideo Kojima's powerful and dazzling Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. For Subsistence, a new 3rd Person View Camera" gives a controllable, low-angle view of the action for a more intense stealth-action experience with the character. Also included is a new multiplayer online mode -- choose "Team Battle" or "Snake vs. Enemies" and carry out missions cooperatively or competitively. Expanding further with Subsistence, this package contains versions of the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, the games that started it all (and have never been made available outside Japan). In addition, you can find a new Duel Mode, a Demo Theater, expanded Snake vs. Monkey missions and more.

Prey

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:51:50 -0400

Tommy is a member of the Cherokee nation, and his life was going nowhere until the sky fell upon him. A menacing alien spaceship abducted Tommy and his people, forcing him to look deep inside of himself. He has awakened the spiritual powers from his long-forgotten birthright. He must now use these powers to save his girlfriend and the rest of his people from this terrifying alien threat. The future of the planet hangs in the balance.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:10:29 -0500

Standalone expansion to Ubisoft's Xbox Live tactical shooter, Rainbow Six 3. A series of attempts to kidnap telemetry and rocket scientists pulls Team Rainbow into a spider web of international intrigue. An international cabal of renegade military officers is trying to create a war in the oil-rich regions around the Black Sea, giving them an excuse to swoop in and seize control. Team Rainbow must stop the terrorists from developing weapons of mass destruction and prevent them from starting a devastating war. The game features a new single-player campaign, new weapons and equipment, Capture the Point and Capture the Flag online multiplayer modes, as well as advance Xbox Live functionality like user-created tournaments, messaging, and clan statistics.

Far Cry: Instincts - Predator

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 14:57:54 -0400

You're Jack Carver, stranded on a remote tropical island. A legion of elite mercenaries equipped with a military stockpile is rapidly closing in. Outmanned and outgunned, your survival won't come easy. Only with skill, instincts and ingenuity can you conquer the enemy and make it out alive.

This Xbox 360 version of the hit shooter, features both Far Cry Instincts Next Chapter and an enhanced version of the original Far Cry Instincts game. Gamers will experience advanced pathfinding and new enemy and vehicle artificial intelligence for improved chase scenes and more enemies on-screen at one time, allowing for more adrenaline-rushing fast-action sequences.

Serious Sam

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 16:54:14 -0500

High-speed first-person shooter, created by CroTeam. Monsters spawned from another dimension are trying to make The Milky Way their personal trash can. As attempts to defend the solar system fail, the fate of the Earth, and even the universe, rests with one man. YOU are Sam 'Serious' Stone, a legend in your time. Sam is our only hope against these mischievous miscreants and their evil leader, Mental. In practice, this translates into adrenaline-pumping, non-stop alien blasting action, as Serious Sam throws whole waves of monsters at the player. The game can display over 100 creatures at a time.

Note: Gotham Games published the Xbox version of the game.

24: The Game

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 09:57:36 -0400

Based on the action-packed television series, 24: The Game is set between seasons two and three of the TV show and provides the answers to several unanswered questions: Who was really behind the assassination attempt on President Palmer? How did Kim Bauer get a job in the L.A. CTU? How did Jack Bauer and Chase Edmunds first start working together? Penned by 24 episode writer Duppy Demetrius and voiced by stars Kiefer Sutherland, Carlos Bernard, and Kiefer Sutherland, 24 boasts more than 100 missions told through several branching subplots. Gameplay includes on-foot sections (with shooting, stealth, puzzles, and sniping), driving sequences, interrogations, and technical challenges. The game even uses the unique visual style of the television show with multi-panel windows showing concurrent plot developments.

Socom: U.S. Navy SEALS Fireteam Bravo

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:42:18 -0500

Original to the PSP, this title created in association with the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. Players are tasked with completing 14 realistic international single-player missions. After successfully completing a level, players can replay the mission in an entirely new way through the "Instant Action" option, with different objectives, enemy and object placement.

In addition, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo is one of the first titles for PSP to offer interoperability with PlayStation 2 through SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs in "crosstalk" objectives. Objectives completion in one SOCOM game will affect the overall play experience in both games. Once a crosstalk task is completed, the player will be notified and able to sync mission critical data from PSP to PlayStation 2 through a USB connection.

Armed & Dangerous

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:16:59 -0400

Take a band of gun-toting rebels -a robot, a madman, a mole and a criminal mastermind. Put them in a vividly stunning fantasy realm. Then give them an impossible mission - pulling off the biggest heist of all time in the middle of a war. All you have to do is battle your way through dastardly enemies, giant war machines and an army of psychopathic robots. But don't worry; you have plenty of ammo and absolutely no common sense. Victory is yours in 12,000 bullets or less as your fight your way through 21 action-packed missions, explore five diverse environments, and brandish over 17 outlandish weapons like the Cyclops Sniper Rifle, the Vindaloo Rocket Launcher, or the Topsy-Turvy and Sticky bomb.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:07:20 -0500

In this new episode, you lead Team Rainbow, the world's most elite counter-terrorist unit, as they are called into action and unfamiliar territory to battle a bioterrorist threat. Stakes escalate as they are personally targeted by an evil terrorist organization. Used to protecting the lives of others, Team Rainbow must now embark on a mission to fight and save some of their own.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 21:30:40 -0500

In the wake of one of North Korea's worst famines, an insidious North Korean general influences the government to secretly divert humanitarian aid to beef up its army, slowly gaining power in the process. In the midst of another North Korean famine, food riots begin rocking the countryside, and the rogue North Korean general assumes complete control of the army. Blaming China for the famine, he begins charging north to seize Chinese territory with tacit support from its new Russian ally.

China officially agrees to a multinational force to safeguard the China-North Korean border. Unofficially, the Ghosts and other special forces go in. Their mission: cripple the North Korean threat and depose the rogue general.