Raiden as a character has divided fans of the franchise for many years since his debut. Before Metal gear solid: Rising, when he was revealed to be the protagonist of MGS2, replacing the established and popular Solid Snake, many fans were upset and angered. It didn't help that he reportedly came across as whiney and juvenile, his generic pretty boy appearance in stark contrast to the gruff and able Solid Snake fans had come to love.

However, Raiden returned in MGS4 as a non-playable character, and instantly took the gaming world by storm. Free from the burden of carrying the game on his shoulders and with a reinvented persona which saw him more mature and deadly, Raiden played a pivotal role in the story and his action scenes were easily the best in the game. He had gone from being the joke of the franchise to stealing the show. Now he is set to return to main man duties in Metal gear Solid: Rising.

Little is known about this title so far, with the teaser trailer only offering a brief glimpse of gameplay. However, Metal Gear Solid: Rising did showcase an interesting quirk which allows Raiden to enter a 'bullet-time' like mode, wherein you can plot the course of his sword slashes and therefore make for some interesting (and gory) attack methods.

Some fear that Raiden is not meant to lead a game, and that his recent successful return is owed to the fleeting quality of his appearances. That said, his reinvented character, along with the impressive looking teaser trailer, is beginning to douse the fears of many. Metal Gear Solid: Rising could mark the advent of one of gaming's greatest spin-offs!

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Red Dead Redemption is a sandbox title, wherein you inhabit an open world and are principally free to discover it as you like. The plot follows John Marston, a former outlaw who's blackmailed by the government to seek out his past gang members and spread further legislation and order throughout the frontier.

Red Dead Redemption

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $59.99

Amazon Price: $56.54

Apart from the principle story, there is loads for players to do. Gamers can hunt for meals, play games of poker, take extra jobs and be a part of stakeouts, to call but a few. The title additionally incorporates a morality system much like such games as Fable, wherein your deeds will impact your fame and cause strangers to react accordingly. Red Dead Redemption makes in depth use of period accurate weapons and even different breeds of horses. The validity of the game is what has won it such high praise.

Free world games are becoming much loved within the videogame society, and with Red Dead Redemption it is easy to see why. Gamers can immerse themselves in an enormous and interactive world, free to play precisely as they see fit. Add in thrilling gunplay and a deep storyline, and you're set to join the love of Red Dead Redemption.

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The God of War franchise has always been a epitome for action adventure mastery, and this game returns to show the rest the way it's done. We follow Kratos just as the last title left off, climbing Mount Olympus itself to lay siege to the remaining Gods that banished him. This gives opportunity for a number of new gameplay promises.

God of War III

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $59.99

Amazon Price: $49.99

God of War 3 benefits from a dynamic camera, wavering and looping to comply with Kratos in a clear distinction to the fixed camera of earlier installments. The ascent of Mount Olympus additionally allows for plenty of wonderful gameplay elements, together with flying high on wind tunnels or battling Titans over vast drops.

Visually, God of War 3 is beautiful. The character models are highly developed, down to skin pores. The varied environments supply a wealthy show of vision, from the seat of the Gods to the depths of Hell. The gameplay in God of War 3 can still claim to set the bar, with Kratos getting access to an revolutionary array of new weapons, all of which are able to play a tactical role in your diverse battles.

It was virtually a forgone conclusion, but God of War 3 is an incredible game. Each possible aspect of what makes a game successful is rolled into one; epic storyline, amazing graphics and interesting gameplay. The franchise continues to smash all competition out of the water, and if you happen to own a Playstation 3 you simply must give it a go!

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Nintendo DSi - White

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $169.99

Amazon Price: $169.99

Faceez takes advantage of the DSi's dual cameras, permitting players to take pictures of themselves and buddies. These photographs can then be transfered into the Faceez modifying suite, which may store an enormous variety of photos. Your pictures can now be played around with in varied ways.

By choosing 'mix' you'll be able to build hybrids of your face with a vast stock of different images, allowing you to check out movie star noses or hairstyles. 'Disguise' permits Faceez gamers to add funny disguises to their pictures, including Pirate Hats or Bandit Masks. 'Animate' is certainly the most impressive function, which fixes your facial image to a stick-man and permits you to perform a whole host of actions, including dancing, consuming sweets and singing. Inventory expressions will be fused to your face to make it appear like your mouth is moving, and the results are strikingly realistic.

This application is a great little excuse to get your buddies and have a laugh. The intuitive elements are definitely revolutionary, and you will have hours of fun testing out all of the tools. Faceez pictures may also be uploaded to Facebook and different apps, meaning the possibilities go even further. For those who're searching for a fun little game to try out the DSi's skills, Faceez is the latest obsession!

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You need only play the new version to get the answer. Super Street Fighter 4 has improved upon the original in every way, which is quite a compliment considering the original is considered a near perfect Beat Em Up. Most importantly, the sequel brings an additional 10 new fighters to the competition, bringing the tally to a whopping 35 characters. The slim roster was a sore point for many when considering the original, but that has been fixed with a great range of fighters.

Super Street Fighter IV

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $39.99

Amazon Price: $35.54

Of the 10 new combatants, 2 are completely new while the other 8 have featured in past Capcom titles. Juri and Hakan are the new fighters for Super Street Fighter 4, and offer a diverse style of play. The sadistic yet seductive Juri, a Tae Kwon Do master, offers a speedy and combo-heavy approach. Hakan, conversely, is a comedic Turkish oil wrestler, specialising in grapples and heavy hitting in the same vein as Zangief. The rest of the newcomers include fan favourites Ibuki, Cody and Dudley.

However, new fighters isn't the only thing Super Street Fighter 4 brings to the table. The online mode has been augmented dramatically, featuring the 'endless battle' mode allowing friends to have continuous battles, along with replay modes and clearer layouts. The nostalgic bonus rounds from past entries make a return, and a range of new stages have been included for good measure.

Understandably, some may think it cheeky to bring out a sequel less than a year since the original and expect players to shell out again. Fear not though, Super Street Fighter 4 comes at a reduced price, and is definitely worth the purchase. The range of new fighters bring a whole new dynamic to the gameplay, and all other features have been improved dramatically. This is the icing on the cake of one of the best fighters in years, and Capcom are fully justified with this amazing offering.

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Wii's Red Steel 2 is transfering the action from the Mafia oriented mob story of the first game and relocating to a desert area, wherein you play the mysterious 'Swordsman'. Seeking vengeance on a variety of enemies, you battle your way through numerous environments using the same play system as in the original.

Red Steel 2

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $39.99

Amazon Price: $36.99

The controls have been fine tuned to a high level with this game. In spite of the high sales of the original, one drawback that was frequently cited by critics was that the controls didn't accurately convey gamer movements to the screen. By using the new WiiMotion Plus Wii's Red Steel 2 hopes to counter this drawback drastically.

Additionally, the title takes a fresh visual style. Rather than the realistic look of the original, Wii's Red Steel 2 is done with a cell shaded design, giving the game an impressively stylised finish. Multiplayer has also been dropped from this title, as Ubisoft state they wanted to put all their effort into making the best single player campaign achievable.

The initial Red Steel was really a flawed masterpiece; it had all the promise to be a great and revolutionary title yet was just defeated by below-par controls. If Wii's Red Steel 2 can rectify this problem, then we might be seeing a truly impressive title.

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The initial, and probably most talked about, of the PSP Go features to vary from classic models is the lack of the UMD drive. Previous models have made use of this media outlet for both games and videos, but the PSP Go drops it completely. In its place, Sony want all software on the PSP Go to be transfered onto the sixteen GB of built in memory. This brave move will be allowed by the PS store, which is compiling a vast library of titles and films to be made available with the PSP Go features.

The previously discussed 16 GB of memory is flash based, and can be increased to 32 GB with a memory stick micro. This PSP Go feature delivers a vast stock of memory so players will not be stuck for room. The screen is slightly reduced since the PSP 3000, but presents a much more focussed display at 480x272 pixels. The compact screen shelf is pressed upwards to reveal the buttons and d-pad, which also includes an analogue stick as before.

PSP Go Soft Carrying Case

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $14.99

Amazon Price: $12.96

The PSP Go keeps all the fundamental features of its progenitor, including wi-fi functioning and access to the PS store both individually or through a PS3. Sony are aiming to make all previous UMDs available through the store, and game-players can also find 'Minis', a new range of less expensive titles from classic ranges like Megaman and Tetris.

So that's a quick introduction to the PSP Go features. The console retains the established feel and features of the progenitor, while presenting a fresh new finish and inventive media capacities. Sony have said that solely downloading titles is the dream for all games in the long run, and the PSP Go is preparing the ground for a new step in gaming history.

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Playstation Home exclusives are made up of diverse treats, including special game-based threads or skins, reward based trophies and mini-games. Many PS3 games use the trophy system, bestowing them upon gamers for passing distinct challenges or unlocking specific things throughout the game. These trophies are Playstation Home exclusives and are viewed digitally in your 'space' ; so if you invite a fellow gamer into your space they'll be ready to see your gaming perfection!

PlayStation 2 Console Slim - Black

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $99.99

Amazon Price: $99.99

In order to promote their games, many games developers market Playstation Home exclusives ahead of release to promote interest in their titles. These can comprise promos, short demos or even exclusive skins and garments based primarily on the title itself. For example, prior to release of Street Fighter 4, Capcom created Ryu and Ken garments as special Playstation Home exclusives, ready to buy through the clothes shops.

By winning or unlocking specific trophies, Playstation Home exclusives will be available to you. By beating arcade battle in Tekken 6, gamers unlock a special cupboard for their home space- inspired by a Tekken arcade game! Just by purchasing Batman : Arkham Asylum on the PS3, you'll unearth an exclusive Batcave area for you to go to while interacting!

The range of Playstation Home exclusives is almost endless, with tons of awesome content being added all the time. It is a great way to broaden the attraction of both the PS3 and the games you'll be playing on it, so log on now and find out just what's available!

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Nintendo DSiWare is the name given to an increasing offering of applications released totally for the DSi, most of which utilise the DSi's features and therefore are not compatible with the previous DS. These can be accessed quickly and easily via the DSi store, and gamers spend their Nintendo points in order to download these applications.

Nintendo DSi - Pink

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $169.99

Amazon Price: $169.99

The distributors have offered up the creation of DSiWare features to several 3rd party publishers, and so gamers can look forward to a wide variety of goodies. A vast back catalogue of retro and well-loved games are being added on a weekly basis, and so DSi owners have access to a stack of great titles. Some examples include Phantasy Star, Brain challenge and the Art Style franchise of games.

However, even more exciting are the host of Nintendo DSiWare applications; a range of downloadables that are produced particular to the DSi's augmented technology and features. These include art and flipbook studios for more in-depth customization, augmented browser and camera features and even interactive compendiums with camera synching.

As said, the list of Nintendo DSiWare features is growing weekly, and they're helping to recognise the actual potential of the handheld. Any DSi gamer should definitely check into the huge range of applications and titles available- they're fun, intuitive and are very easy to download. Having said that, try out the huge list of Nintendo DSiWare features without delay!

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Resonance of Fate revolves around a future civilisation which is crumbling into chaos. Vast cities are being poisoned whilst the aristocratic upper classes do nothing to help, and you command three characters fighting for justice. Gameplay revolves exclusively around gun battles, and as you progress further your firearms can be customized and augmented.

The combat system employed throughout Resonance of Fate has divided audiences. Initially, it is quite unforgiving and piles a lot of information onto the player at once, making it all seem quite difficult when starting out. However, commit a few solid hours to mastering it and the result is an intricate and dynamic system displaying balletic gun battles.

Resonance of Fate

Overall Rating:

Retail Price: $59.99

Amazon Price: $56.99

Graphically, the game is impressive to look at and provides a detailed steampunk style world. The characters are pretty in a generic anime way, although the ongoing 'boutique' feature, which allows you to customize your characters appearance throughout Resonance of Fate, is a great addition.

Overall, this is a great addition to the JRPG genre. It takes a risk with the age old combat system and, whilst the result won't be to everyone's taste, it is a commendable effort. It looks great and crucially includes the favourite RPG elements such as towns and NPC interaction, which have been curiously missing in other recent high profile offerings. If you're a fan of JRPGs with an individual twist, give Resonance of Fate a try.

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