REVIEW: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher

The last Prince of Persia title took the franchise in a rather different direction, employing as id did an open world design and gorgeous artistic graphics. It took a franchise which had grown rather tired and reinvigorated it. The latest release, to tie in with the just released film Sands of Time is something of a step back, which is no bad thing considering just how well it works.

The story focuses on the rivalry between our hero the prince and his brother, like most brothers at on time they got along but once evil inhabits the one brother, things have a habit of going sour. The story is a throw back to the superior Sands of Time and as such it really goes the extra mile in crafting a franchise entry which manages to hark back to older titles but at the same time still seem fun. Harking back to the Sands of time the game features intricate and elaborate level design, a hero who has the agility of a monkey, combat which is fun and puzzles which are actually puzzling.

Initial levels have a very paint by numbers feel and anyone whose played a previous title will find no surprises here. Add in the lackstruck and shallow combat and you have a recipe for disaster. Thank God then for the intricate a designed levels in which surprise lurks around every corner and a responsive control system which makes for entertaining if challenging gameplay.

The linear gameplay, a change to the open world design of the last game may seem like a step back but in reality it’s one of the games biggest strengths. The levels all work together with each new area building on the last as you constantly blend skills and abilities. The unlockable moves are the ones which make for such an interesting experience. The ability to freeze water at the touch of a button is the most widely used ability. Turning waterfalls into frozen walls to run across as at the tap of a button you crash through a previously frozen wall of water. It’s an interesting and highly rewarding feature which makes for some truly stunning moments.

Combat, unfortunately is rather lack struck. In past incarnations combat has never been the franchises  forte but it was always stylish enough to overcome such issues. In the Forgotten Sands it’s a bit of a mess, the camera seems to constantly point in every direction bar where you need and the rather simplistic nature of the combat means simply bashing the controls for a few minutes ensures you come out on top. While bosses are slightly more difficult they all seem to follow the same pattern, you avoid their attack before jumping on attacking. It’s simplistic and boring and constantly reminds you that you’re missing out on some superior platforming fun.

despite the initial hand holding and lack-struck combat there is more than enough fantastic platforming action on offer to satisfy fans of the franchise. At the end of the day the game is never less than entertaining and one of the funnest platforming titles in a long time. It’s shortcomings keep the game joining the ranks of the franchises better entries but it’s still a superior effort.

REVIEW: UFC: Undisputed 2010

Developer: Yuke’s| Publisher: THQ| Format: 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher UFC Undisputed 2009 was one of last years biggest surprises. It offered an unprecedented realistic fighting sim which capitalised on the rising popularity of MMA by creating a faithful representation of the visceral violence we see in the ring mixed with some great gameplay. THQ obviously saw the potential that the series offered and with this years release they have addressed the issues that many had with the original title and given us one of the most realistic and entertaining fighting games available.

The first thing you notice about this years release is the expanded game modes. Alongside returning modes Exhibition, Ultimate Fights, and Career we now have Tournament, Title, and Event modes which offer a series amount of gameplay. The new modes offer a variety of different types of game, Tournament allows you to find a champion in whichever weight class you want.Event mode allows you to set up a fight card and then either play or simply sit back and watch, yes you read that right you can now watch two computer created fighters battle in the octagon though, let’s be honest most gamers will favour fighting themselves. These new modes may not redefine fighting games as we know them but they do add a lot of gaming hours which is something many fighting games lack of late.

As good as last years title was the career mode was for want of a better word, lacking. Thankfully this year has seen the mode drastically over hauled leading to a far more refined and realistic approach to a fighters career. Unlike the original title in which your fighter was thrown head first into the UFC unprepared for what lay ahead. You now must train your fighter and build him up at fight camp. It makes for a far more interesting approach which really pays off.One rather annoying aspect of this is that Stats have a habit to decreasing at an alarming rate when they are not trained. It’s quite frustrating as to properly keep your stats up involves repeated training rather than just honest to God fighting.

The gameplay has also had an over haul, grappling in last years edition was for want of a better word, lacking. Fights were so much about skill so much as looking for an opening and then using your best move to garner the upper hand. This time around asserting your dominance is far more strategic, rather than forcing opponents to the ground you can now pin them against the cage, the addition of finishing moves means ensures that fights no longer have to end in a KO or submissions.

The biggest criticism of the game concerns its strongest asset, career mode The number of tasks you must accomplish including training and gaining sponsorship makes for a rewarding if frustrating experience. WHile it’s nice to see developers including such a wealth of content the repetitive nature of it can be quite overwhelming for the casual gamer.

Online is yet another area in which the game scores highly. You can set up what are basically clans with other players and train together. You can also set up your own eight fight PPV event which you can then watch afterward as if it were a televised event. It’s a lot of fun and adds more playability to a game all ready buckling under the layers of content on offer.

UFC Undisputed 2010 doesn’t do anything drastically different but at the end of the day why fix something when it’s not broken. Building on 2009s foundation the game is one of the most in-depth fighting sims ever released. Newcomers may be slightly intimidated but for anyone who enjoyed last years addition they’ll be hooked from the get go. UFC Undisputed 2010 is a superb title which deserves space on any gamers shelf.

NEWS: Xbox 360 Slim in July

The long rumored Xbox 360 slim has finally been confirmed by Microsoft at it’s E3 press conference.

The slim 360 will come with a 250 GB hard drive, built-in 802.11N wi-fi, ethernet, five USB ports, HDMI, digital optical audio out, Kinect connection port and a new power supply. It will also power the Kinect without the need for an additional power pack. Speaking of power packs the next console’s power supply will be about half the size.

Gamers will be able to transfer their existing data to the new console through a cable which will be sold separately. It has also been confirmed that the hard drive can be replaced but that the existing 360 ahrd drive are not compatible.

The Xbox 360 Slim has been priced at 250 euro and will be in stores from July 16th.

Xbox 360 is fully loaded with new features and still comes with everything you know and love. Here’s a feature list to make sure you don’t miss any of the newest Xbox 360 250GB parts.

Form Factor: Sleek, lean and gloss black finish with chrome accents. Place vertically or horizontally in any living room entertainment center.

Touch Sensitive Buttons: Turn the Xbox 360 video game system on/off and eject a disc with the swipe of a finger.

Whisper Quiet: Whether you’re playing a DVD disc or from the hard drive, or navigating the dashboard, with the all-new and much quieter Xbox 360, the only noise you’ll hear is your own laughing, cheering and playing.

Wi-Fi: Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for fast, easy connection to your friends and entertainment on Xbox LIVE.

Hard Drive: 250GB internal, swappable hard drive for even more storage. To access, remove the bottom panel by pushing the small tab toward the front of the console.

Kinect-Ready: Custom Kinect port on the back of the console that directly hooks up to the Kinect sensor for controller-free fun.

USB Slots: Five USB ports; three in the back of the console and two in the front for easy plug and play.

AV Connections:

AV Cable included for standard definition TV connection.
HDMI port for high definition TV connection.
Optical Audio out port integrated on back of console for AV system connection.

Power Supply: Smaller and more efficient. Xbox 360 250GB and Xbox 360 Original power supplies are not interchangeable.

Wireless Controller: The award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller matches the console in all black with color-matched thumsticks and directional pad with a touch of gloss and chrome to complete the look.

Backwards Compatible. Your favorite accessories and games will work with Xbox 360 250GB. (Xbox 360 External Hard Drives and Memory Units are not compatible.)

Accessories. Customize your Xbox 360 250GB with matching black accessories, including favorites such as Controllers, Wireless Headset, Chatpad, Quick Charge and Play & Charge Kits and more. Get a look at a few of these today.

Key Internal Components Changes:

Fan: Moved from two small fans to one larger fan for improved acoustics.
Chipset: 45 nanometer and integrated CPU and GPU.
Wi-Fi: Integrated wireless capability.

VIDEO: Fallout: New Vegas Trailer

Not only do we have the trailer for one of the years most anticipated titles but today we also learnt that Fallout: New Vegas would be released on October 22 in Europe

VIDEO: Red Dead Redemption The Man From BlackWater

From John Hillcoat the director of the Proposition, the Road and Ghosts of the Civil Dead comes his latest a short machinima film created made entirely within the game Red Dead Redemption.

The short is basically an interpretation of the first part of the game and details Marston’s attempt to capture Bill Williamson. It is not a prequel as many have claimed and while it’s somewhat unnecessary given that most have experienced the story before it is rather interesting.

TRAILER: Crysis 2 Master Pinger

Another day, another tease for an upcoming title which is destined to cause gamers around the world to sit up and take notice. The latest teaser for Crysis 2 shows little but hints at so, so much more. The Master Pinger seems set to be one of the games more formidable enemies. Expect more news and tantalising images of the game once E3 gets into full swing.

News: New Mortal Kombat Title for 2011

Warner Bros. has officially announced that we will see the “triumphant return” of the Mortal Kombat series next year with todays announcement promising a slew of new fighters and what fans will most appreciate, unprecedented levels of violence.

The game will is simply title Mortal Kombat and is due for release on both PS3 and Xbox 360 some time next year. Another entry in the series has been on the cards for a while and with Warner Bros. acquiring Midway the sequel once more spearheaded by series creator Ed Boon is shaping up to be one of next years most anticipate titles.

The game will bring back the visceral violence which 2008s Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe diluted in order to receive a lesser rating aswell as “the deepest story mode of any fighting game”. Hopefully this return to tried and tested gameplay coupled with an involving story will be as successful as Capcom’s recent rebirth of it’s most famous title.

TRAILER: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Full E3 Trailer

It’s not often that we see a trailer for an upcoming title that literally leaves our jaws on the floor but if any title was likely to do just that it was the upcoming Deus Ex sequel. The game due for release early next year is shaping up to be one of the most visually stunning titles available.

The game is the third title in the hughly popular franchise and like previous titles is a first person shooter/role-playing title. The game will be a prequel to the original and is being developd by Eidos Montreal and Square Enix who are creating the CG sequences and will publsih the title.