REVIEW: NHL 10

Developer: EA| Publisher: EA| Format: Xbox

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher Each year one sports title stands head and shoulders above the rest. Last year it was EA’s NHL09 which managed to be the most entertaining, feature packed and enjoyable sports game of the year. This year EA have once more claimed the top prize with NHL 10 which manages to expand on last years offering as well as provide a host of new features.

This years return to the ice with the same superior features of 09’s game. The superb online modes, above par skating mechanics and the brilliant defensive skills all return. The new features include Be a GM Mode which lets you work as you teams general manage, Battle for the Cup in which you play to win the Stanley Cup as well as a number of other additions.

Most enjoyable of these new additions is the much improved fighting system. While skating around players can start a fight with another player by pressing the Y button. Once the fight has begun the game takes on a first person view as you and you enemy engage in fisty cuffs. While it’s not a deep and rounded fighting system it is highly enjoyable and the control system utilised is excellently implemented.

The Be A Pro mode, 09’s big addition remains pretty much the same. The addition of a Tough Guy position. This is in line with the more aggressive nature of the game and while it’s far from the deepest additions it is a lot of fun. You can intimidate players and initiate fights with rival defenders in order to keep them away from your teams star players. Players are ranked by how well they perform in their chosen role and as such the tough guy is ranked in accordance as to how well they keep rival enforcers at bay. Beating rival defensive players also counts toward your score.

Multiplayer remains pretty much the same as last year which is no bad thing. It remains the most fulfilling online sports title out there. From the 1 on 1 to the 6 on 6 exhibition matches to the 32 team online leagues no other sports title comes close to matching the game in terms sheer online playability and fun.

As always the game excels graphically. The animation is solid and even the crowd looks good. The addition of black eyes to post fight players adds a sense of realism rarely seen. The sound is also quite impressive. The usual array of songs fills the soundtrack but it is the commentary which really makes the game stand out.

NHL 10 is simply put the most immersive and entertaining sports title available. It’s fast, furious fun which you will find yourself returning to time after time.

ODST, 3rd Fastest Selling Game on 360

The one thing that Halo 3: ODST most certainly is not is a failure. While reviewers have continuously accused Microsoft of ripping off their customers by charging full price for what is basically an expansion pack the game has flown off shelve.Most gamers it seems don’t mind paying the same price for Halo 3: ODST as they did for Halo 3.

The game is now the third fastest selling 360 title in history trailing behind only Halo 3 and GTA4. This success guarantees that we will see the franchise continue so fingers crossed that next time we get a more fulfilling campaign.

Video: Need for Speed Shift

GET INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT WITH NEED FOR SPEED SHIFT

Award-Winning SHIFT is Heralded by Game Critics as One of the Best Need for Speed Games Ever

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 16, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Need for Speed™ SHIFT hits retail stores in North America and across Europe on September 17. Receiving high marks from the top videogame media including a nine out of 10 from IGN PlayStation: The Official Magazine and Official Xbox Magazine. Need for Speed™ SHIFT delivers a true driver’s experience with a stunning cockpit view, deep career mode and amazing car roster.

Need for Speed™ SHIFT redefines the racing genre with the combination of real world physics with perception based G-forces. The game includes a brutal first person crash dynamic to create an immersive cockpit view. When combined with the all-new driver profile, which gives each player a unique persona based on their driving skill and style, Need for Speed™ SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever.

“Without a doubt, Need for Speed™ SHIFT is the first racing game that accurately delivers the physical and emotional sensation of being behind the wheel of a race car,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President of EA Games Europe. “I’m confident this game not only reinvigorates the entire Need for Speed™ franchise but it actually changes the way people will view and appreciate racing games.”
Need for Speed™ SHIFT is available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and iPhone.

REVIEW: Wolfenstein

Developer: Raven Software| Publisher: Activision| Format: Xbox 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher For many of a certain age Wolfenstein 3D was their first introduction to the world of first person shooters. Alongside Doom and Duke Nukem it shaped the lives of many impressionable youths this reviewer included. Years later and 3 generations of console departed from the PC we have the simply titled Wolfenstein. Our good friend B.J. Blazkowicz returns for yet another assault on the ranks of the Nazi forces as well as a number of supernatural beasties.

The story involves the Nazis once more meddling with powers beyond their grasp and in the opening levels B.J. Comes into possession of an ancient relic known as the Thule Medallion and with it a range of supernatural powers.

As one expects from their shoot-em-ups it is up to you to pretty much single handedly put a stop to the Nazis dastardly plans and save the day. One of the first things which gamers will notice is the size of the city indicated by the rather expansive map contained within their journal. You traverse the city and in doing so meet up with the various resistance movements scatter throughout. It is form these resistance members that you accept both side missions related to the main story as well as the all important story based ones. You can also search the various buildings discovering weapons, gold and other assorted niceties. Anyone expecting city like akin to that found in Far Cry 2 will be severely disappointed for bar the odd Nazi patrol he city is pretty much dead.

The addition of the Thule Medallion aids gameplay no end. Were the game a simple shooter it would pretty quickly out stay its welcome. There are four different powers to unlock, Veil Sight which allows access to a parallel world in which enemy weaknesses and secret doors are highlighted, Mire which allows you to slow down time, Shield which is pretty self explanatory and finally Empower which allows your bullets to pass through solid objects. The ability to upgrade the powers through acquisition of crystals means that you will soon be able to bring time to a complete standstill.

Like all FPS these days your game really isn’t complete without some futuristic type weapons and Wolfenstein has it’s fair share. Watch as enemies are electrocuted by the Tesla Gun and others disintegrate thanks to the power of the Particle Cannon. You can also lob some canisters of anti gravity matter at enemies and pick them off like fish in a barrel as they float over head. The addition of these weapons and their implementation is certainly satisfy. It turns the game from a simple run and gun title into a deeply satisfying experience.

Online multi-player is a truly fantastic experience. The the 12 player free for all has a selection of 8 maps, a variety of weapons and 3 different game types. There are also a variety of soldier classes and with the ability to use the Veil powers it really is something to cherish.

Wolfenstein looks and sounds fantastic. Graphically the game stands out from the crowd and while there are a few graphical low points such as dull background textures and bodies disappearing before your eyes. Bar this two rather small sight sores the game really is a treat for the eyes. The expansive city while devoid of life looks fantastic and the parallel world is gorgeous. The score is extremely well done and adds a real cinematic quality to proceedings. Throw in the above average voice acting and you really have a game which hits all the right notes.

A lot of things have changes in the years since Wolfenstein first came into our lives. While the action has a sense of deja vu this quickly subsides with the unveiling of each new power or weapon. Chances are that Wolfenstein wont be as fondly remembered as it’s original chapter but for now it’s one of the most entertaining an thrilling FPS’s available.

360 Games No Longer Have To Be In High Definition

Since it launched in 2005 developers have had to adhere to a number of guidelines set down my Microsoft. One of these meant that games had to run at a resolution of 1280×720 aka 720p. This meant that all titles for the 360 had to be in high definition.

Today Dave Jeffries in his column on industry site Develop revealed that Microsoft have dropped this requirement meaning that from no on developers can if they decide to release game in lower standard definition.

While this may come as big news to some it will not mark the first time that the 360 has had non high definition games released upon it. Halo 3 is the biggest example of a title which Microsoft allowed to be released in less than high definition. According to Jeffries this was down to Bungie “who got it waived”.

Many believe that this decision is down to a recent study which discovered that less than half of Gears of Wars 2’s players owned a High Definition TV. With this latest bit of news and the Gears of Wars 2 survey it’s easy to see how Microsoft believe the console has a 10 year life.