At Last: Final Fantasy XIII
March 9, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Today we witness the release of one of the most highly anticipated games of the decade; Final Fantasy XIII. This title was actually first teased at way back in 2006, so the long road to release has been staggering. Well, that wait is finally over and we can all sit down to what will surely be the gaming event of the year.
Released in December over in Japan, Final Fantasy XIII has actually amassed a little controversy since its unveling, and the reviews received for the game haven't quite been the straight aces developers Square Enix were hoping for. The main reason for this is that Final Fantasy XIII has quite drastically revised the fundamental gameplay associated with the franchise, and indeed the RPG genre as a whole. Gone are NPCs, interactive towns and an instantly open world.
| Final Fantasy XIII |
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| Retail Price: $59.99 |
| Amazon Price: $59.99 |
Instead, Final Fantasy XIII is a lot more linear and story driven. Players follow quite a tightly set path for the first 25 hours or so of play. Following this, the gameplay opens up and players are free to follow their own choices a little more. This has been a major gripe amongst some, whereas others welcome the more focussed and cinematic approach. It really does depend on your preference.
One element which has been universally applauded is the combat system, which is made up of an innovative mesh of X and XII. Players are now able to 'stack' actions, and the more you can stack increases as you level up. Furthermore, in Final Fantasy XIII there are various different roles your characters can play, such as healer and tank, and gamers are free to shift these roles during fights.
It goes without saying that the graphics in this title are breathtaking. Presentation has always been Square Enix's strongpoint, and the franchise has always offered top range visuals. Being the first of the franchise to hit the next gen consoles, Final Fantasy XIII is, without a doubt, the best looking videogame ever. The cut scenes are so detailed and beautiful you'll want to stare at them all day, and the in-game graphics are good enough to rival the FMVs of lesser games.
Throw in an undoubtedly epic storyline, and you have the biggest game of the year. It may be a little different to what you're used to, but overall Final Fantasy XIII is just what everyone's been waiting for. Masterful combat, achingly beautiful visuals and a guartenteed 60+ hours of gameplay mean Final Fantasy is back with a vengeance. Let the adventure begin.
Go To Hell: Dante’s Inferno Videogame
March 2, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Released just a few weeks ago, the Dante's Inferno videogame has caused quite a stir in the gaming community. The subject matter, which is very loosely based on the titular poem, has been met with scorn by some and certain countries even refused to advertise it. However, this kind of notoriety is often a good thing, as it gets audiences interested in what could be causing such an outcry.
The story follows Dante as he journeys through the various circles of hell on a quest to rescue his beloved Beatrice. But as he ventures deeper into the Inferno, darker secrets are revealed and the truth about his quest comes to light. Dante must battle his way through using Death's scythe, which he took from the spectre having defeated him in single combat!
Now, let's get this out of the way early- the Dante's Inferno video game has been accused of being a rip off of the God of War series, to the point at which the combat system is supposedly almost identical. Well, this is really dependent on your point of view. God of War certainly didn't begin the hack and slash genre, it just does it best, and thus all subsequent games will be measured against it. If a game can come close to emulating God of War, surely that's a good thing?
And the Dante's Inferno videogame is doubtless its own master. The combat system is actually an intricately fashioned tree of possibilities as you employ Dante's two methods of attack; his scythe and holy cross. These weapons can both be levelled up as you progress through hell. Dante will come across lost souls in both combat and non-combat situations, and the player can choose to either punish or absolve them. This will level up either weapon correspondingly.
Hell itself has been nicely designed, and there are definitely echoes of EA's earlier horror offering- Dead Space. The landscape is teeming with writhing damned, impaled prisoners and rivers of blood, whilst the different circles will offer their own slant on things. Journeying through Lust will unveil mutated phallic symbols and darkly seductive enemies, whilst Greed will display unfortunates encased in gold.
| Dante's Inferno Divine Edition |
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| Retail Price: $59.95 |
| Amazon Price: $49.99 |
Dante's Inferno has had a rough ride at the hands of all the God of War fanboys, but is definitely a great game in its own right. Sure, there are a couple of drawbacks- the game is a little too short and some of the environments begin to look over familiar, but these gripes are cancelled out by an empowering combat system and imaginative boss battles and imagery. The Dante's Inferno videogame should be recognised as a great effort from EA, and I urge you to try it out.
The End Of The Xbox Halo Franchise As We Know It
February 18, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Halo: Reach is the forthcoming (and final) chapter from current developer studio Bungie, bringing to an end their reign over the Xbox Halo franchise. Set in 2552 on the human planet Reach, and players once more adopt the Spartan colours as Noble 6 and, along with Noble Squad, the gamer will have to defend their planet from the terror that is the Covenant. However, Halo: Reach is a prequel to Bungie's first award winning "Halo: Combat Evolved" title.
Originally designed to be an improved version of the Xbox Halo franchise entry Halo 3, the notion was dropped, Bungie stating they would redesign and improve the quality of the Halo 3 designs. Harking back to the Halo: Combat Evolved concept ideas, this effectively means the new weapon, armour and covenant designs in Halo: Reach will deviate greatly from prior entries but uphold the ethos of the Xbox Halo franchise.
Hinting that Bungie will not cap the Xbox Halo franchise without a bang, the producers are looking to dramatically increase the graphical quality of all gaming areas, even including the weaponry. This clearly required Bungie to create a fresh new engine in Halo: Reach, with the AI augmented and nudged to provide better support for the player as they battle the Covenant.
So after all these promises of fusing greatly refined graphics and improved AI and designs, will Bungie leave the Xbox Halo franchise with a bang and cement their reputation for producing the best FPS for the Xbox 360? The only way to find out is to grab a copy when it is released later this year!
The Cancellation of Original Xbox Live
February 6, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Since the original Xbox console was released all those years back, Microsoft's online network known as Live has given the ability to enjoy multiplayer games on the web. The network formed the precedent by which all future online system support would be compared, and has received great popularity through support of arguably the best online multiplayer games ever made. It has lead to quite a stir, then, since Microsoft have claimed that original Xbox Live cancellation is to be brought about in the coming months.
This announcement has brought with it many questions, some of which should be answered here. The very first thing to remember is this statement doesn't include Xbox 360 and games for that system. Only the original Xbox, and games released for that platform, will be affected by this. Microsoft assure game-players that the original Xbox Live cancellation was not made without consideration and that they are totally greatful to the gamers who have made Live the success it is.
The news is a bit of a downer to some gamers. Though greatly outdated and surpassed by the 360, the Xbox retains a strong cult popularity, with many of their games still being played by customers. The clear example here is Halo 2, which keeps a sizeable following on Xbox Live. However, being a game released on the original platform, it too will be affected by original Xbox Live cancellation.
And so why are Microsoft implementing original Xbox Live cancellation? To apply all resources and effort to the Xbox 360 and upcoming projects, the company are cancelling this feature. With promising features like Project Natal heading our way, Microsoft are set on applying all they've got into delivering the best they possibly can, and assure gamers that the final result will be worthwhile. The original Xbox Live cancellation is a shame for those involved, but the future holds grander things and Microsoft want to dedicate all efforts into delivering the excellent service they always have.
Xbox 360 Virtual Arcade!
January 28, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Microsoft are continually venturing to make the Xbox Live experience as fun and interactive as they can for existing users and newcomers to the system. As the possibilities grow, Microsoft are able to promote various awesome features online, such as Twitter, Sky and Netfix. Amongst the noteworthy and exciting approaching projects is Xbox 360 virtual arcade, which is garnering much excitement from users.
Microsoft are building upon the ability to play classic games online by developing the new Xbox 360 virtual arcade. The intention is to re-introduce certain titles which many older and sentimental game-players would like to revisit. Whilst a lot of those games may appear simplistic or maybe comical to the audience of today, Microsoft state that many are still awesome titles worth looking into.
Examples of the titles lined up for this feature include such classics as Rocket Knight, Centipede, Streets of Rage and even fan fave Asteroids. These games will mean absolutely everything to those players who grew up with them, and offer a nice aside to the bigger games of our day. The Xbox 360 virtual arcade even offers gamers their very own interactive arcade room. When a player buys one of these classic titles, they are able to place it anywhere in the arcade, and they even appear in the classic arcade machines!
Lastly, Microsoft's new feature is completely interactive, so gamers can ask their buddies to visit and play in their own arcade. Voice chat is included together with avatars, leaderboards, multiplayer features and more. In exchange for Microsoft points you are able to forge your very own Xbox 360 virtual arcade, and sample some classic games with your pals!
A Sneak peek At The Xbox 360 Project Natal
January 19, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Following hot on the heels of the Wii's motion sensing technology, Microsoft hope to take this one better with Xbox 360 Project Natal. Revealed during 2009's E3 meeting, this add-on accessory for the Xbox 360 is said to allow completely controller-free interaction with games, sensing movement and translating that as controls in the title.
Xbox 360 Project Natal is said to be available around the end of 2010, and Microsoft hope that the accessory will become a vital part of all existing Xbox consoles. They also confirm that this revolutionary technology will stretch the active life of the 360 considerably, and is, for all intents and purposes, a next-gen accessory.
The accessory includes a depth sensor coupled with an RGB camera, which hands the Xbox 360 Project Natal a 360 degree arc of recognition. The recognition is so cutting edge that even tiny facial expressions can be interpreted and converted on-screen. The range of recognition can also be extended or shortened as the gamer wishes, with the possibility of including surrounding objects like tables or cabinets.
Along with movement, the Xbox 360 Project Natal also has the ability to interpret sound. The multi-array microphone within can be employed to recognise sound and relay vocal information on the television. These elements mix to offer total interactivity between gamer and videogame.
As the technology employed to create both Natal and the titles it will interact with is reasonably unique, Microsoft have said that current Xbox 360 titles probably will not support Natal, and that a brand new range of titles are in progress. Some technical demos shown at E3 saw Space Invaders Extreme and Paint Party, a game in which pots of paint are manipulated by the gamer to paint canvasses.
Time will tell as to whether the Xbox 360 Project Natal will instill the awe Microsoft are looking for. Whilst the specs are clearly revolutionary and due to trump even the Wii's signature card, Microsoft need to announce more engaging titles to gain increased customer interest. With the right titles coupled with it, the Xbox 360 Project Natal could actually be the future of videogaming!
Check Out The Latest Final Fantasy 13 Trailer Now!
January 14, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Recently the Internet saw the debut of the first fully English Final Fantasy 13 trailer. It was revealed as part of distributor Square Enix's 'lucky 13' project, in which they have vowed to reveal fresh data and promos on the 13th of every month leading up to release of the game.
As the title is due to hit western soil on March 9th 2010, this fresh Final Fantasy 13 trailer is to be the penultimate promo we receive, before February's final 'lucky 13' day. As already discussed, this comprises the first full trailer in which the cast are totally voiced by English speaking talent. We've been treated to leaked pieces of their voices here and there, but this Final Fantasy 13 trailer delivers the full show.
Motomu Toriyama, the director of Final Fantasy 13, has stated that the English copy of the title is now nearly complete, with just final mastering sessions to see to. As anticipation tops new heights, Square Enix are content to drip feed us info in their infamous style. This latest Final Fantasy 13 trailer also includes the English theme song, performed by Leona Lewis. The producers are clearly eager to make use of all of the big names when it comes to this project.
And so with a while yet before the title crashes into our lives, this latest Final Fantasy 13 trailer is ideal to keep you on the edge of your seat a while longer. Packed full of the gorgeous visuals we've come to expect from Square Enix, along with displays of amazing gameplay, it looks like the long, long wait is definitely worthwhile!
When To Use Playstation 3 Cheat Codes
January 7, 2010 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
There are lots of sites online that promote Playstation 3 cheat codes. Playstation 3 Cheat codes are commonly employed to assist with a particular level, making the title easier to finish. They can make your heroes powerful and more talented. Alternatively, if its a racing title for instance, you can also slow down the enemy cars on the course.
Playstation 3 cheat codes, if overused, could make the game pretty boring. Certain games may ask you to complete achievements to earn PS trophies, and Playstation 3 cheat codes are an ideal way to unravel more pesky tasks.
There is no risk in using Playstation 3 cheat codes with your favorite games, it'll just make things easier and wont create any problems for your console. These are supposed to make playing games easier and more pleasurable, but I recommend that Playstation 3 cheat codes be employed as a last resort, or with a title you've already completed. This is because you could miss out on some brilliant challenges and rewarding gameplay.
Conversely, Playstation 3 cheat codes can be a great and rewarding supplement to any game. Multiplayer games in particular frequently benefit from fun codes, such as 'big heads' and 'paint ball' options for a FPS. They deserve to be employed to add extras to your games, not to go around whole levels of it because you're fearful of a little graft! So go on and search for some Playstation 3 cheat codes to add a little bit of additional fun to your games!
What To Expect from Nintendo DSi Features
December 19, 2009 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Nintendo DSi features are made up of fantastic multimedia capabilities, a clear improvement on previous incarnations. These features, for example the SD card, enables players to store pictures, downloads, and AAC music on the SD (as a removable storage). The wonderful Nintendo DSi Sound will definitely attract many fans to record your voice, play music (if it's mp4, 3GP or m4a), adjust pitch and playback, and control filters while you are listening to the music.
Another noteworthy improvement - you can listen to the audio output while your DSi is closed. You could even be an MC if you like, just use the built-in microphone to record audio or vocal messages ( limit is eighteen clips up to ten seconds in length ) and apply them to the audio files you have in your list.
| Nintendo DSi Matte - Blue |
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| Retail Price: $169.99 |
| Amazon Price: $169.00 |
More Nintendo DSi features are made up of a dual camera, with software that allows you to change and adjust your photos. You have 10 variant lenses at your disposal, so you are able to pursue your photo creativity. The Nintendo DSi features let you manipulate pictures captured by the camera, together with imported materials and real time feeds too. You can link the pictures you save with Wii, facebook and other social websites.
Internet connectivity is also a very important inclusion to the Nintendo DSi features. The console can easily be connected to the Internet, with a speedy connection through 802.11b/g Wi-Fi built in.
Lastly let's remember that WEP, WPA and WPA2 wireless encryption is employed by the Nintendo DSi features and that game-players around the world will surely be pleased to see it!
Looking Into The Xbox 360 Pro
December 15, 2009 by Gamestar · Leave a Comment
Xbox 360 Pro is one of the various versions of Xbox 360, produced by Microsoft. The strongest features this offers are Windows Media Center, the option of Hi-D ( whichever game you select ) and compatability with HD DVD movies ( if you include the add on drive ).
Following the presentation of Xbox 360, Microsoft have produced 2 new versions : Xbox 360 Elite and Xbox 360 Arcade. Furthermore, the Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro System was intended to be a limited edition, to be sold until stock was depleted. But as Microsoft later announced, Xbox 360 Pro should be available for consumers in the future indefinitely.
The Xbox 360 Pro is known under various titles, but the most typical ones are Xbox 360 premium and Xbox 360 Go Pro. It was actually an upgraded version of the then-current Xbox 360 Arcade. The Pro version includes a hybrid composite and component cable, the composite cable can be replaced with optical out features.
Xbox 360 pro will swiftly become a favourite device for those that have a lot of downloadable content to house. This model is enriched with a 60 GB hard drive ( removable ) which is added rather than the classic twenty GB disc drive. With Xbox 360 Pro gamers are guaranteed integration with original games for Xbox, and it can easily hold game data.
Starting Sep 2007, new editions were equipped with new motherboards, even more expansive than the Zephyr. this latest motherboard called Falcon houses sixty five - nm CPUs, which means that the full system stays cooler and less noisy.
