REVIEW: LittleBigPlanet

Developer: Media Molecule | Publisher: SCEE | Format: PS3

In a world where games are more often than not released with the mentality of release no, patch later it’s becoming more and more common for games to be on store shelves before they’re finished. LittleBigPlanet may very well be the most under-finished early releases ever only in this case the unfinished nature of the game is also it’s biggest asset. The game allows you to fill in the gaps crafting your very own unique gaming experience.

This is done through the use of a number of ingenious level design tool, a truly unique character called sackboy and a hell of a lot of stickers which you can put anywhere you want. The addition of level editors to games are common, some of the most entertaining game levels around have been crafted by fans using these level editors. What no other title has done is utilise the ability to design your very own game levels in such an exciting way.

LittleBigPlanet is designed to bring out your creative inner being. You start with a blank canvas, which you can manipulate and play with to your hearts content. The pre-designed levels are a joy to race through, it’s like Jim Hensons and Tim Burton’s love child/

Levels you design can be shared online with other gamers offering up unlimited possibilities. While it remains to be seen if the game will live up to it’s potential it’s hard to imagine gamers not embracing the title and designing level after level.

LittleBigPlanet is one of the inventive and unique titles ever made. It offers up unlimited possibilities and enough features to keep most gamers entertained for the foreseeable future.

REVIEW: Gears of War 2

Developer: Epic Games | Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios | Format: 360

Two years ago Gears of War burst into gamers lives like a desert eagle blast to the temple. It was polished beyond belief and offered up one of the most exciting FPS experiences in years. Rather than have gamers race in blindly killing everything that moves, it forced you to hide behind debris and then pop out to kill something.

Gears 2 feels more like Gears 1.5, sure the visuals have been polished, environments are far more varied and there’s some nice visual touches but overall pretty much everything remains the same. Characters flounder around like drunken rugby players, gameplay is exactly the same. Run around, duck behind an a burnt out car then pop out and shoot an alien or three.

The online mode is where the action really shines and with that in mind the story mode generally involves our hero Marcus Fenix being accompanied by Dom. This is far more entertaining when another person plays along side you, it allows you to explore a variety of different tactics and utilise the impressive big ass guns, such as the mortars and the sweet ass chain guns which really are impressive to use.

Back to the online mode, the different modes on offer Submission, in which a soldier becomes become the flag in Capture The Flag, and the awesomely fun Horde, which allows five players to survive 50 enemy soldiers till none remain. Horde is one of the most addictive multiplayer experiences ever and worth the price of the game alone.

The greatest problem with the game is that it tries far too hard to aspire to be a truly cinematic experience. The game is a intended to act as the middle part of a trilogy and takes some time to explain the origin of the alien insurgents. Shame then that the characters and dialogue are so laughably handed. The score though is fantastic, Steve Jablonsky who scored last years Transformers does it again delivering one of the finest game scores of all time.

All in all Gears 2 is a highly entertaining and enjoyable experience let down by some rather dull on rails sections. Like many middle sections to a trilogy the game suffers from far too much exposition and not enough action.

WIN: Prince of Persia

*** THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***

Ubisoft have released Prince of Persia (2008) on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Thanks to the publisher, we have one copy on Xbox 360 and another on PS3 to give away. To enter, email win@gamestoaster.com answering the question:

• What year was the first Prince of Persia released?
• UPDATE: Due to the high number of people looking for Xbox 360, entries are now just open for PS3
  

The winner will be selected in the next day or two. As it’s getting close to Christmas please include the answer, your name and address, and what format you want.

You can view the trailer for the game by clicking here, and screenshots and key features are below…

According to Ubisoft the key features of the game are…

A new hero emerges
Master the acrobatics, strategy and fighting tactics of the most agile warrior of all time. Perform perfectly timed acrobatic combinations to traverse canyons and buildings and avoid the evil tremors borne out of the corruption. Armed with a gauntlet acquired from previous adventures, the Prince scale sheer cliff faces and tackle Ahriman’s minions in combat!

A unique visual style
Experience an ancient mythological world brought to life with an all-new art style labeled “Illustrative”, inspired by the highly detailed hand painted illustrations it takes its source from. Prince of Persia’s unique graphic style is a perfect balance between classic drawings and modern modeling, offering the look and feel of a watercolour painting in motion.

A deadly new ally
Combine the Prince’s abilities and Elika’s power to deadly effect. Her abilities will help in combat, acrobatics and puzzle-solving. She will enable the Prince to reach new heights of deadly high-flying artistry through special duo acrobatic moves or devastating fighting combo attacks.

An ancient mythological world
From sprawling Persian citadels, deserted kingdoms and perilous lava rifts, discover a vivid and mythological world of unprecedented scale, with an evolving non-linear structure. With multiple paths to choose from, players will influence the game’s final outcome.

Nintendo DS fully dedicated version
Continue the adventure in an original story exclusive to the Nintendo DS expanding the story unfolding in the PlayStation 3, XBOX 360 and PC versions.

Perfectly adapted to the DS use the stylus in movement, combat and manipulate the corruption with the help of a mysterious ally – the Magus!

Competition rules: Staff, contributors, writers, reviewers, or employees of this website, its partners or of any companies and/or organizations that are involved with the competition, or their families, may not enter. We (this site, and any companies and/or organizations involved) reserve the right to cancel without notice any competitions if deemed necessary. Entrants must be residents of Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Entrants must give us a valid email address, winners will only be notified by email, and asked for a delivery address — the winners names and general location (ie County, or city) will be also published. Winners will have four working days to reply to our email, after such time a new winner will be selected. No cash alternative is offered for these prizes. In some competitions, we reserved the right to extend the duration of a competition and/or withholding prizes in the case of poor response or an inferior quality of entries, and multiple entries may be disregarded. The closing date will sometimes be on the page of which the competition is on; entries will only be accepted at our decision after such date. The Editors decision is final.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

Rockstar Games are to release Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned exclusively on Xbox Live on February 17 2009, screenshots below.

The Rockstar North developed game is to be the first of two downloadable episodes announced for the 360. It will feature “all new” content but will make use of the Liberty City of GTA IV.

Rockstar says the game will include: “…a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV; new missions that offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and a diverse soundtrack with additional music - all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto.”

IMAGES: LocoRoco 2

Sony’s LocoRoco 2 is out tomorrow, Friday November 21, here’s some screenshots…

REVIEW: Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway

Developer: Gearbox Software | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher

Much like the war which its based upon, Hell’s Highway has been a long way coming. First mooted in 2006, a rash of set backs ensured that the third in the Brothers in Arms series lost much of it’s initial momentum. Now, after years of waiting Hell’s Highway finds it’s self on the PS3.

Like many realistic FPS, HH suffers from placing far too much emphasis on heavy handed melodrama and trying to force home just how much a tragedy WWII was. While games based on such a black note in human history should be treated with respect, HH spends far too much time utilising poorly voiced cut scenes and a script peppered with such inane topics of conversation that it’s hard not to wonder if this wasn’t written by 12 year old.

Throw in the usage of slow motion head shots that reward you for managing to place a bullet in an enemies head one does wonder why exactly did the developers spend so long creating a solemn and respectful tone only to go and glorify war in the game. That said, the low motion head shots are bloody great fun if highly inappropriate.

In the last few years we have been treated to a slew of above average war based FPS, so it’s not surprising to discover that HH doesn’t come anywhere near close to matching titles such as Call of Duty 4. Even when this is taken into account HH still stands up quite well due to it’s superior gameplay. Taking a traditional FPS and mixing it with tactical squad-based gameplay works surprisingly well and makes for a far more satisfying experience. Gamers will find themselves contemplating their next move rather than rushing in guns blazing. From the get go one aspect of the game really does shine, the AI of both your troops and enemy soldiers is exceptional. Your team mates will always take cover rather than getting mown down and will more often than not act on their own initiative rather than slavishly wait on commands from you. Knowing that you aren’t constantly needed to baby-sit makes for a truly challenging and entertaining game.

The game is a lot of fun but given the superiority of the first two entries and the numerous delays its likely that Hell’s Highway may be the last we see of the franchise, though the game does leave the door open for a sequel which hopefully deliver the franchises true potential. Far from a poor title, HH is simply mediocre and in this day and age mediocrity is no longer acceptable.

REVIEW: Far Cry 2

Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: Xbox 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher

Far Cry 2 is the new step for FPS gaming, tearing up the rule book as it goes it offers a deeply satisfying and thorough entertaining ride. The overall sense of freedom and sheer spectacle on offer from the non stop action marks Far Cary 2 as the definite next generation FPS thus far.

Right from the start the game tries to set it’s self apart from the original by setting the action in Africa rather than some tropical paradise. Playing as a mercenary you encounter some bad luck when you are ambushed by a group of soldiers working for a local gunrunner named the Jackal as well as contacting Malaria. From here your mission is quite simple, find and kill the Jackal while making waste of his organisation.

Much like GTA4, Far Cry 2 offers an open ended world and allows you to complete your missions and objectives in any order you wish. There is no linear way in way goals must be completed and given that you can pretty much go anywhere. You can steal vehicles and drive off into the hills shooting guards and wildlife to you hearts content. The game is so full jam packed with freedom that no matter how often you replay the game you will never play the same adventure twice.

When you finally decide to go about completing your task you can decided just how exactly you wish to do so. You can use stealth, slice your enemy from left to right with a machete or go for the preferred route and recreate the ending of the last Rambo. Waltz into a enemy compound with a missile launcher and lay waste to hordes of enemy soldiers with blatant disregard for all living entities, it does bring a smile to ones face.

The combat is fantastic and coming up with new ways to dispatch enemies is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening. From causing multi-vechicle car crashes then tossing a few grenades in just for the hell of it to mowing down groups of guards with a jeep, it’s unbelievably fun. The sheer joy one can gain from the sadistic dispatching of enemies may be slightly worrying.

In addition to the substantial single player the game boasts a 16 player multiplayer which includes all the usual modes such as Capture the Flag as well as a new mode Uprising. In this you and your team must guard someone as they attempt to capture checkpoints. While far from the next great step in multiplayer gaming it remains a hell of a lot of fun.

Far Cry 2 is at risk of being just a blip on the radar in the upcoming Christmas race but if there is a agaming God then justice will prevail and Far Cry 2 will reign triumphant. It’s sheer size, aweinspiring visuals and ability to do as you please makes he game worth every cent.

IMAGES: Mirror’s Edge

Being hyped as a “action-adventure experience unlike any other” by publisher EA, the Dice developed game Mirror’s Edge is out in Ireland in on Friday November 14…

IMAGES: Gears of War 2

Here’s some recent screenshots from Gears of War 2 which is out this Friday, November 7…

REVIEW: The Bourne Conspiracy

Developer: Sierra Entertainment | Publisher: High Moon Studios | Format: 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher:

At this stage the vast majority of the worlds populace is familiar with Jason Bourne, be it from the highly successful trio of film or the original novels by Robert Ludlum Jason Bourne has crossed over into mainstream conscious much like James Bond.

The latest incarnation of the iconic character is in pixalated form in the game The Bourne Conspiracy which one of the summers most entertaining and action packed titles thought the plot may not make much sense to anyone approaching with no prior knowledge of the character.

The game follows Bourne, a 30 million dollar assassin whom after failing to neutralise a target gets a dip in the Mediterranean sea and ends up losing his memory. The game follows Bourne as he grables with his identity and searches for the answers he needs. You play the urrent missions as well as a number of older ones which he recalls.

All this takes place across the world with Bourne using a number of techniques from hand to hand combat to to driving cars to the obligatory gunfire.

The gameplay is far from perfect but it is designed in such a way that it makes the game a joy from start to finish. The hand to hand combat is expertly implemented though the duck and cover aspect is poorly done. It’s generally far more effective to just run around shooting than it is to take cover.

The driving levels are also an inconvenience as the over steering results in simple movements send your into walls and obstacles. Both the shooting and hand to hand combat are fantastic. It’s fast, furious and fun to boot which is all you can ask.

Expectations for The Bourne Conspiracy were low, most including this reviewer expected it to be a completely redundant cash in on a successful film franchise but the overall results are quite impressive. The game more than does the film and books justice and delivers the most satisfying gaming experiences of the summer.

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