REVIEW: Fifa Street 2

Developer: EA Canada | Publisher: EA | Format: Xb (PS2, PSP, PC, DC, GC)

Reviewer: Craig Gallagher  Soccer is the
most popular sport in the world. People play it on makeshift pitches
with jumpers for goal posts and all that. FIFA Street 2 is aimed at
these pick-up and play anywhere fiends, but unlike them this is a awash
in a river of mediocrity.

The idea behind the game is simple. You create a character and
slowly build up their skills, by taking part in various challenges,
until you are the best player in the world. Its an old idea thats been
done to death and the story is nothing but embarrassing drivel that
does little but remind you of all the better sports titles out there.

Lets be honest, FIFA Street 2 isn’t about story, it’s about  fancy
footwork and awe inspiring maneuvers. FS2 offers up wide range of
players,theres 320 pro superstars to play as and against. EA owns the
rights to all national teams, yet for some reason many countries are
missing, which just smacks of laziness on EA’s part.

The gameplay is exactly the same as every EA Big title. You fill you
meter by doing special moves until you let rip at goal. The problem is
yet again that we’ve seen this all before. Any sequel which offers
nothing new is best left where it was. Like all recant Fifa games FS2
is just a lazy cash in which will no doubt sell by the bucket load.

REVIEW: Pursuit Force

Developer: Bigbig | Publisher: SCEE | Format: PSP

Reviewer: Craig Gallagher  One of the most dazzling aspects of the
PSP is how it continues to impress us with the sheer brilliance of
its screen. The standard has been set pretty high already, but then
along comes Pursuit Force and raises the bar again.

PF is an action racing game in which
you play a member of an elite police corps dedicate to ridding the
Capital City of crime by driving witness to the airport or taking on
a convoy of terrorists who plan on detonating chemical weapons. All
through the age old use of cars, copters, boats and guns.

You do this by racing through traffic,
at the same time shooting at enemy cars.  You are also able to leap
from car to car, as you drag the previous driver from the car.

PF is a fast moving, action filled game
which finally does what others promised. It combines vehicles and
guns in a workable manner, while at the same time being one of the
best PSP titles available.

Analyses: Gamers not with Nintendo’s Wii

Nintendo
opens it self to laughter and possible confusion: on internet message
boards, blogs, and games websites, a wave of disproval has dawned after
the announcement of the new name for Nintendo’s next console.

‘
Wii’, pronounced, the firm says, as “We”. With two letters after
the starting ‘W’, many English-speaking commentators are automatically
linking the name to a slang word for urination, ‘wee’.

While some Nintendo fans are still crying, others have somewhat
adjusted, and fanatics of other consoles see it as ‘ammo’ to make fun
of the former. The internet Photoshopers are already in with a
disturbing mock-up of the white console featuring a stained panel.   

“Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter
what language they speak. No confusion”, the fact that they had to tell
us how to pronounce the name is proof that ‘we’ is not universal. “Wii
sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone” says
the big N, the “for everyone” idea is useless if there’s confusion.

Nintendo said that there’s “No need to abbreviate. Just Wii”, which
could be another problem, besides looking similar to ‘WiFi’, the name
could be confused for an abbreviation.

CNN.com Game Over,
as well as games blog kotaku.com near instantly reported on the massive
negative reaction, with the Kotaku headline reading “Wii Pisses People Off“.

On Boards.ie
a user named ‘Goodshape’ said “Seriously though… “Can I get a
pre-order on a Nintendo Wii, please”… I don’t want to have to say
that”. Expanding on that, when you ask about a game, you can just
imagine some store staff saying, “and what console is that for”, just
waiting to laugh childishly.

While the backlash continues, Nintendo holds firm, telling IGN,
“it’s just something they’re going to have to get used to”,
‘they’? Oh! Be a bit more inclusive, what was the word again: http://revolution.nintendo.com/

Dublin – Belfast rail line halved for PC game

 
A computer game depiction of the Belfast to Dublin ‘Enterprise’ train

The ‘Enterprise’ rail service from Belfast to Dublin has been cut
in two, at least in a computer game add-on. ‘Irish Enterprise
North’, an add-on for the Microsoft Train Simulator, will feature the
Belfast to Dundalk section of the service. It is set for release on May
26, at around £24.99 (or about 35 euro). While a planned released,
‘Enterprise South’, will continue to Dublin, completing the line.

“After about a years work the team building the route have had to
come to conclusion that the original scope of the route was too large
to manage in a reasonable time frame”, stated a release. The company
realises that this could be a disappoint to
some and apologised, explaining, “There are genuine reasons for
making this change, mainly a re-evaluation of the amount of extra work
a non freeware involves”.

The UK based developer “Making Tracks” previously released ‘Ballyshannon Route’ with Irish rail stock as
freeware, and the full product ‘London South East’, another
add-on for the Microsoft Train Simulator. Enterprise North, and South
are to be published by First Class Simulations.

As well as the inter-city services, both add-ons will feature commuter and freight services. The
games will encompass the years between 1995 and 2005, including rail
speeds of up to 90mph after the Belfast line was updated around 1999.

The real Enterprise service is jointly operated by Irish Rail (Iarnróid

REVIEW: Shadow of Colossus

Developer: SCEI | Developer: SCEE | Plaform: PS2

Reviewer: Craig Gallagher  The simplest premises often lead to the
most fulfilling games. This is especially true of Shadow of the
Colossus. The sequel to one of the forgotten gems of gaming history,
Ico. Like its predecessor the SoC is a truly magnificent game.

The premise is simple. You must defeat
the 12 Colossus of the title in order to rescue Ami. You do this by
searching the land on horseback until you find one of the Colossus,
and take him down.

The combat system is well implemented.
To take down a Colossus you must first hop on before stabbing it in
various parts. Do this enough times and it will be conquered. And
thats it, you just repeat the process 12 times. The most surprising
thing is how well this works. SoC is alongside 24 the most addictive
game of the year. No matter how frustrating it becomes you will come
back time after time.

Graphically SoC is in a world of its
own. The world created in the game is far superior than a lot of
whats been seen on he 360, and this is from a console thats almost 5
years old. Every aspect of SoC has been tweaked to perfection and
you’d be a fool to miss it.

REVIEW: Lemmings

Developer: Team17 | Publisher: SCEE | Format: PSP

Reviewer: Craig Gallagher  We all remember Lemmings. Those long
nights of frustration as we tried to stop a bunch of green smurfs
committing mass suicide. What better way to celebrate this age old
tradition than allowing us to experience it anew on the PSP.

From the start nothing has really
changed from the old days. The gameplay is still the same and its
implemented in exactly the same manner, the only difference is the
screens got smaller. Some say change is a good thing, but in this
case its refreshing to play something that hasn’t been tweaked for a
new generation.

Your mission is to guide a large number
of Lemmings to safety through the usage of a wide manner of commands.
You can make them dig, tunnel, stop each other, and other assorted
tasks. And thats it. Simple yet effective.

What is surprising is that even after
all these years Lemmings is still an addictive and fun title that
will easily wear away a few bus journeys or slow evenings.

GamingIreland.net revamps, with blood lose

GamingIreland.net, an Irish multi-format computer games site, has
gone through a site revamp. Most notably their site header has gone
from what looks like bloodstains and bullet holes to games graphics
depicting a car and a soldier (pictured above, top and bottom,
respectively).   

Gaming Ireland recently
stated that from last month they started to be “official supplier of
Gaming Reviews” to Irish technology magazine ‘PC Live!’.

The site bills it self “First and foremost” as a “community
site for gamers in Ireland”. It has an extensive download section,
game servers, more then ten forums, as well as news, features, and
review sections. The news often appears on the main page as
word-for-word press releases, with a ‘you need to login’ request
when the ‘read more’ linked is followed.

Directory: Console support for Ireland

Games Toaster’s Irish Computer Games Directory 

The following are contact
details for
console customer support for Ireland, the details and the support is
provided by console manufactures. For help with individual computer
games
contact the publisher of the game, their contact details are typically
found on
game manuals.

At the time of publication, care was taken to
publish correct information; see the website of manufactures for up-to-date information;
please let us know if details are incorrect.

PlayStation: PS2 / PSP / PSOne
Web: Website (click on ‘help advice’)
Web: Support contact page
Phone: 0818 365065
Email: support@ie.playstation.com

Xbox: Xbox 360 / Xbox Live
Web: Support page
Web: Support contact page
Phone: 1800 509 186

Phone: 01 2420758
Hearing Impaired (TTY device): 1800 509 197
Email: see support contact page
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:00-22:00; Sat: 09:00-20:00; Sun: 09:00-17:00

Nintendo: DS / Gameboy / Gamecube
Web: Website
Nintendo website down at time of publishing

Directory: Producers

Games Toaster’s Irish Computer Games Directory 

PHASE ONE: Developers, Publishers, and Middleware Providers
After vastly expanding our news archive’s category tags, the following is the first phase of Games Toaster’s Irish Computer Games Directory.

Part one coverers producers (developers, publishers, and middleware
providers etc). This first phase, like what is to come, will be
dynamic; but also contains historic entrees.

The directory comes after many years of looking at the idea of a
database or similar. It is planned to expand from producers to every
area of computer games in Ireland.

NOTE: While
every reasonable effort has been made to make sure all information is
accuracy, we can not guarantee such. Please send error reports to
errors@gamestoaster.com. Other information is welcome at
directory@gamestoaster.com. As always, we can not take responsible for
other websites. Research sources: Company Registration Office, Dublin;
Google;  companies’ websites; GameDevelopers.ie.

BitRabbit

C/NAME: BitRabbit
TYPE: Mobile games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2004
ADDRESS: Dublin
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.bitrabbit.net/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/bitrabbit/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

CanDo Interactive

C/NAME:
TYPE: Web games developer, middleware provider
STATUS: Active
SET UP:
ADDRESS: Belfast
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.candointeractive.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/cando_interactive/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

DC Studios

C/NAME: DC Studios Ireland Limited
TYPE: Developer
STATUS: Not active
SET UP: 2005
ADDRESS: Dublin
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/dc_studios/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

DemonWare

C/NAME: Demonware Limited
TYPE: Middleware provider
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2002
ADDRESS: 69 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1
OTHER LOCATIONS: Los Angeles; Vancouver
WEB: http://www.demonware.net/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/demonware/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Eirplay Games

C/NAME: Eirplay Limited
TYPE: Mobile games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2001
ADDRESS: Digital Depot, Thomas Street, Dublin 8
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.eirplaygames.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/eirplay_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Frantic Games

C/NAME:
TYPE:
STATUS: Active
SET UP:
ADDRESS: Athlone
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.franticgames.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/frantic_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Frogwares

C/NAME:Frogwares Ireland Limited
TYPE:
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 11/04/2000
ADDRESS: 22 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
OTHER LOCATIONS: France; Ukraine
WEB: http://www.frogwares.com/
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft May 02, 2006

Gmedia

C/NAME:
TYPE:
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2004
ADDRESS: 4 Michael Street, Limerick
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.gmedia.ie/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/gmedia/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Havok

C/NAME: Havok.com Limited
TYPE: Middleware provider
STATUS: Active
SET UP:2000
ADDRESS: Digital Depot, Thomas Street, Dublin 8
OTHER LOCATIONS: San Francisco
WEB: http://www.havok.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/havok/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Kapooki Games

C/NAME: Kapooki Games Limited
TYPE: Games developer
STATUS: ** Liquidated **
SET UP: 2003
ADDRESS: Dublin
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.kapookigames.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/kapooki_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Kerbyware

C/NAME: Kerbyware Limited
TYPE: Mobile games developer
STATUS:
SET UP: 2005
ADDRESS: 82 Edgewood Lawn, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.kerbyware.com/
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Meedja

C/NAME: Meedja Limited
TYPE: Web games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2000
ADDRESS: Dundalk
OTHER LOCATIONS: Dublin
WEB: http://www.meedja.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/meedja/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Microsoft/Xbox

TYPE: PR, marketing, distributor
C/NAME:
STATUS: Active
SET UP:
ADDRESS:
STATUS:
SET UP:
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Nephin Games

C/NAME: Nephin Games / Nephin Games Limited / Nephin Games Investments Limited
TYPE: Mobile games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2003/2005/2006
ADDRESS: Galway Tech Centre, Mervue Business Park, Galway
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.nephingames.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/nephin_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Phooka Entertainment

C/NAME: n/a
TYPE: Games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP:
ADDRESS: Derry
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.phookaentertainment.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/phooka_entertainment/
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Pooka Games

C/NAME: Pooka Games Limited
TYPE: Games developer
STATUS: ** Dissolved **
SET UP: 2002
ADDRESS:
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/pooka_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

PopCap

C/NAME: Popcap Games International Limited
TYPE: Web games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2005
ADDRESS: 30 Herbert Street, Dublin 2
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.popcap.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/popcap/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Purplenose Games

C/NAME:
TYPE:
STATUS:
SET UP:
ADDRESS: 73 Fishermans Wharf, Ringsend, Dublin 4
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.purplenose.com/
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland

C/NAME: Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland Limited
TYPE: PR; marketing; distributor
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 1999
ADDRESS: Dublin
STATUS:
SET UP:
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.playstation.ie/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/sce_ireland/
GT(2): http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/playstation/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Selatra

C/NAME: Selatra Limited
TYPE: Mobile games publisher
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2002
ADDRESS: National Software Centre, Loughmahon Technology Park, Blackrock, Cork
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.selatra.com/
WEB(2): http://www.fonearcade.com
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

StarCave

C/NAME: Star Cave Studios Limited
TYPE: Games developer
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2005
ADDRESS: Unit 10, Galway Tech Centre, Mervue Business Park, Galway
OTHER LOCATIONS: Austin, Texas; Australia (studios)
WEB: http://www.starcave.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/starcave/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Taintech

C/NAME: Taintech Creative Studios Limited
TYPE: Games developer
STATUS: ** Closed 2000, Dissolved 2003 **
SET UP: 1997
ADDRESS: Dundalk, Co Louth
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

TKO

C/NAME:
TYPE:
STATUS:
SET UP: 2003
ADDRESS: 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/tko/index.html
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Torc Interactive

C/NAME: Torc Interactive Limited
TYPE: Games developer, middleware provider
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 1999
ADDRESS: Drumhaggart, Muff, Co Donegal
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://torcinteractive.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/torc_interactive/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Ubisoft

C/NAME:
TYPE: PR; marketing; distributor
STATUS: Active
SET UP:
ADDRESS:
STATUS:
SET UP:
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB:
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Upstart Games

C/NAME: Upstart Games Limited
TYPE: Mobile games developer, publisher, and distributor
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 2003
ADDRESS: 8 Grattan Court, Grattan Street, Dublin 2
OTHER LOCATIONS: Tokyo; New York
WEB: http://www.upstartgames.com/
GT: http://www.gamestoaster.com/games_toaster/upstart_games/
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

Vivendi Universal Games

C/NAME: Vivendi Universal Games Ireland Limited
TYPE: Localisation, testing
STATUS: Active
SET UP: 1995
ADDRESS: Eastpoint Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3
OTHER LOCATIONS:
WEB: http://www.vugames.ie/
GT:
NOTES:
ABOVE LAST UPDATED: First draft April 17, 2006

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