Presentation
The game is nothing special in terms of looks. It looks pretty much like the latest guitar hero game with flashing lights (lights lights lightsssss), and filters. Overall it is obvious that the graphics were not of primary concern. What the game did well in the presentation department is the audio. The audio was clear and perfect. I only came across some minor lag issues with audio or gameplay. I think it is because of my PS3 and not the game itself. Overall the audio is fabulous and everything sounds perfect in Dolby digital. If you hook it up to a real speaker system trust me in that it will shake the place.

Gameplay
This is where the game shines. The gameplay is similar to Guitar Hero in that it uses the note highway and has star power. That is just about it in the similarities. You have to use both hands intuitively. Crossfading properly is as much a skill as scratching properly. The game is about getting the highest score along with the longest note streaks. The rewind features adds to the dj element and allows you to extend that score. All you have to do is spin the the wheel backwards and you will rewind the track back. The only problem is you have to unlock it by playing hitting around a 50 note streak or higher. The game is in no way easy. Medium itself is very tough.

I had some friends who are insane at Guitar Hero play DJ Hero and they barely were able to get through medium. The learning curve is pretty steep. It will take some time to get used to the game, but when you do, the feeling of hitting every note as if it is almost second nature is amazing. This game catches the essence of DJing, but please don’t think that you can become a DJ playing this game. You might get that feeling though, but don’t think it is true. You might end up embarrassing yourself. Anyway, the game plays smooth once you get it down. I started to really get into the music. The mixes are just amazing. I mean nothing beats my reaction when I first heard Mobb Deep mixed with Gang Starr. That song alone showed the potential this game has. I mean this game will introduce gamers to some music they probably never heard. Dizzie Rascal, Gang Star, Mobb Deep, etc. This game could help introduce people to a different side of hip hop (not mainstream stuff). The gameplay is just pure bliss. You have more than 70 mixes and DLC. The list of DJs working on the game is phenomenal.

Here is one thing about gameplay that is a pretty bad. The online component. It is just lackluster and it seems as if they just threw it in there. It is just a simple two player match with nothing else. No rewind feature or anything. Real disappointment. Other than that everything is perfect.

Controls
The turntable works perfectly. Only one problem though…..scratching. I use my thumb, but no matter how they set it up, the turntable still feels awkward to scratch. Especially on some of the hardest songs in the game. My hands nearly fell off playing 8 songs on expert back to back. Crossfading is real easy, but the quick spikes are really tough to get down. The directional scratching is like an added game element. On medium you can just scratch however you want, but on expert the long scratching segments can be the most devastating. You have to scratch in a certain way and on top of that hit the red button or the blue button or even fade. If you mastered expert…then you are amazing…period.

Summary
Here is the deal. This game is something you have never played. This game captures the essence of DJing, but in no way does it mirror the real thing. It is just a game, so please don’t think it will teach you how to DJ. Regardless it makes a great game. It plays perfectly, and the music is top notch. Top notch DJs worked on the game, and there will be plenty of DLC to come in the future. If you like the music then support Activision in continuing the series. The learning curve is pretty steep in that it will take some time for one to master it. Once you master it, the feeling of kicking ass is just outstanding. The music and background environment real gets you into the music. The Turntable itself is great. The game requires concentration and rhythm to perfect.

If you love hip-hop, pop, and or rock, then this game is perfect for you. It costs 120 dollars, but it is well worth the investment. If you have guitar hero then you should buy this game. The guitar dj playlists are great and you get some extra worth out of your guitars. I would recommend this game to anyone looking for something more than just another rock and roll music game. This is a refreshing game to the music genre in video games.

A copy of DJ Hero has been sent to us and I have beat the game on medium and hard. Almost done with the game on expert. I played a few online matches and clocked in more than 50 hours.

Little Big Planet first premeired last year on the PS3 and what made it such a hit was the ability to “Play, Create and Share” new content for people all around the world to experience. Since LBP’s PS3 release, people have gone on to create hundreds of community based levels and LBP’s Sackboy has become some what of a new mascot for Sony. Now with LBP hitting the PSP and with it including most of the features from its console version, Sackboy’s portable debut is something that PSP owners must play.

If you played the PS3 version, then you know how Little Big Planet plays. You take control of the character Sackboy and you go through levels in the way of a 2D side scrolling platformer. When playing as Sackboy you’ll be able to jump, grab and run through all the obstacles that are put before you and the gameplay formula translates very well to the PSP. In terms of LBP’s story, it’s just as odd as the originals. This time you’ll have to go across over 30 levels which are spread out into different worlds like “Down Under” and “The Orient” and your goal is to find the creators of LBP and have one big carnival in the end. It may not sound like much but playing through the levels will make you forget about the story very quick.

Aside from the the main gameplay of platforming, the other main goal in LBP is to collect the many prize bubbles scattered throughout the levels. The bubbles offer you stickers that you can use when you’re creating a new level and they also offer you costumes for your Sackboy to customize his look. Chances are you won’t get all of these bubbles in your first run of a level so, replaying the levels is highly encouraged. Almost every level has hidden prizes and the player can unlock them by either collecting all the prize bubbles or going through an entire level without dying.

In terms of sound, LBP PSP doesn’t dissapoint. The British voice returns and he once again guides Sackboy on his adventure and he gives those new to LBP some helpful advice on how the game works. Basically the British voice is the only thing LBP has in terms of voice acting because the characters that you’ll encounter on the levels all speak in gibberish language that actually works well in the game and it just makes the storyline even more weirder. The music design in LBP is also very well done and Media Molecule once again created an original soundtrack that is just as good as the PS3 version.

The main thing that made LBP so unique was the ability to “Create” and “Share” new content for people all around the world and LBP on the PSP does a decent job of doing that. All of the creation tools are here and verterins of the first will feel right at home, but the issue is that while creating levels you may experience big frame rate drops that can really make creating levels a pain. Also since you’re on a handheld that needs a WiFi connection, you may not always be able to find a connection to get online or you may find yourself loosing your WiFi connection in certain areas, so you may find yourself unable to connect to the LBP community levels more then often. Probabley the biggest let down for me was the fact that there is no online mulitplayer. For me one the best parts of LBP on PS3 was how me and some friends were able to play tons of community levels together and complete the story missions together, but on the PSP version players will have to play solo and this is sure to frustrate those that enjoyed multiplayer on the PS3 version.

Overall Little Big Planet PSP is a solid game that should please fans of the first. Its got the same charm and creativity of the first one and the platforming is a ton of fun, especially when playing on a handheld. Its just a shame that the features that made LBP fun on PS3 had to be some what hampered down due to the fact it being on handheld. If you can find a good hotspot for WiFi while you’re out and are able to get over the lack of multiplayer then Little Big Planet on PSP is something that all PSP owners must own because all the problems aside its still some of the most fun you can have when playing a PSP.

SCORE: 8.5/10

Modern Warfare 2 is the fourth title in the Call of Duty series from developer Infinity Ward and is a direct sequel to their previous title, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. As with the original, the story takes place in multiple locations all over the world and the player assumes the role of multiple soldiers from different factions. The game also features three separate modes to play through. There’s a single player campaign which sequels the original, two player co-op that varies from level to level, and a full multiplayer mode to keep players involved for ages.

The main campaign puts the player in the roles of multiple soldiers spanning from the American Army Rangers, to CIA and the British SAS. Without ruining any crucial plot points, the story takes place all over the world as groups of soldiers try to chase down a Russian terrorist as he tries to spark a global war. The main story does feel a bit short, but it’s so packed full of action that it doesn’t disappoint. Each mission contains so much variety and it means that no level feels out of place or boring. Not only is there a lot of satisfying first person shooter sequences, there are also stealth segments and vehicle chases. So in essence the campaign’s length feels just right. Not to mention that the story can be played through higher difficulties to make the game a little more challenging.

Beyond the story there is also a vast co-op mode which can be played either split-screen or online with a friend. This mode, also known as spec-ops, is a series of levels specially made for two players. This variation of the game is like a whole game on its own. There is a whole series of levels varying from time trial versions of the single player campaign to separate levels that give each player their own task in a mission. For example, there is a sniper sneaking mission at one point, the next level could be clearing a village without harming civilians, or there’s even a really cool mission where one player fires explosive rounds from an attack plane while the other player tries to work through a farm without getting killed. The great thing is, players can probably invest more time in this mode than the actual single player campaign.

On top of the two previously mentioned modes is possibly the biggest part of Modern Warfare 2, it’s online multiplayer mode. Quite a lot has been added since the last Modern Warfare, including better game balance and more perks. This time around the perks have been rearranged and offer things like using two attachments for a weapon in lieu of a perk that boosts damage or allows faster reloads. There’s also a large variety of maps, with a lot being based on missions from the single player campaign, including a throwback map from Call of Duty 2 that’s been re-skinned. The maps are also nicely sized for the up to 18 players that are allowed. The level cap has also been extended to give more spaced out perks and guns. The weapons are still balanced enough though that it’s not really uneven when earlier guns are used against newly unlocked ones.

The gameplay in Modern Warfare 2 is actually very simplistic and sometimes it just goes to show that keeping things simple works. Each level is a linear path toward a series of objectives usually with more than one way for players to tackle the approach, which can make things more tactical. Essentially the game focuses on aiming down the sights, and picking off targets as quickly and as effectively as possible. It’s very fast paced and in terms of a video game experience, it’s very intense. Suppressing larger numbers of enemies with grenades and flash bangs for more forceful approaches adds an explosive element to the mix, however, most of the time the gameplay involves ducking in and out of cover, so that players can gain an advantage.

It’s not just this that makes Modern Warfare 2 so engrossing, put simply its the rush of the hail of bullets and explosions and cinematic effects that make the game such a joy to experience. The AI responds in such a brutal way that simple exposure for a few of seconds on higher difficulties results in instant death. The game requires players to actually think before they leap and it encourages a sense of actual feeling part of a squad as a opposed to being an ultimate killing machine. The squad members don’t really do a vast amount to help, but it feels like they do. Overall, the formula hasn’t changed much, but there is one new addition in the form of breaching doors. Specifically this happens in the later missions but it’s used a fair bit and essentially involves a slow down of time in order to clear a room of enemies before they can react. It’s quite a nice gameplay element and it gives quite a sense of achievement when the game returns to normal speed and everything is deadly quiet.

The gameplay and various modes are wrapped nicely around some great graphics. The visuals are all very vivid with dense smoke and large explosions. Landscapes are all vast and feature a lot of variety due to the constantly changing environments throughout the game. The characters are also well animated and textures look really good as well. The whole game also keeps everything well paced with great controls. Guns have a nice weight to them and feel like they are actually firing bullets rather than bits of plastic. Surprisingly vehicle segments control great as well and don’t feel like they’re just tacked on as an afterthought.

In terms of sound, the game also shines from the voice acting to the sound of people walking around. All the voices are very well done and they convey emotions well in every character from short one liners to long monologues. In terms of the ambient sound it’s also great. The ambiance can be used as a game mechanic to listen in on people coming near or trying to sneak around. Not to mention weapon sounds, explosions, and vehicles all sound accurate and crisp.

Conclusion

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is easily one of the best games of the year. It features stunning visuals, fantastic sound, solid gameplay, and engrossing content that will keep players enthused for ages. For fans of shooters, or even games with high action, it’s impossible to pass up this amazing title.

I would like to give a shoutout to The SIS Clan and say RIP to INSAIN KILLAS Mother We all hope you make it through bro keep your head up and God Bless. Please sent your best to his fam.

Back in 2008, Left 4 Dead was one of my favourite games that year. The fact that Valve created a game mainly focused on 4 player coop and that you were thrown right into the midst of the zombie apocalypse immediately made it a hit among gamers. Since its release, Left 4 Dead has been nominated for tons of game of the year awards and Valve once again proved that they could do no wrong when it came to game development. Now last June at E3, Valve announces that Left 4 Dead 2 will be released in November and since then Valve has received so much criticism, because if you look at Valve’s past games, they’ve never been so quick to release a sequel just a year after it predecessor. With Left 4 Dead 2 finally out and after spending alot of time playing it, I have to say this really does feel like a true sequel and it trumps the original in almost every way possible.

If you’ve played the original L4D then you know how the gameplay works. You play as one of four of the survivors and you have to use team work to fight through the hordes of undead in order to progress through the campaign and ultimately find a source of rescue from the undead. Left 4 Dead 2 features 4 new survivors Coach, Ellis, Rochelle and Nick and they do show alot more personality then the survivors in the first game did. The first Left 4 Dead featured 4 campaigns and although they were fun, they all felt very similar. Valve addresses this issue by adding 5 brand new campaigns and each one feels alot different then the other. L4D2’s five new campaigns Dead Centre, Dark Carnival, Swamp Fever, Hard Rain and The Parish are all very designed and they make the gameplay more intense then ever. For instance in Dead Centre, you’ll find yourself in a shopping mall and you have to fill up a race car with gas cans and of course while doing this you’ll be flooded with zombies constantly attacking you. I could go into more detail about the other campaigns but I wouldn’t want to reveal any of the games other awesome moments.

The weapon selection in the original was very limited; the game only featured six guns and two types of explosives. Left 4 Dead 2 gives you a much broader arsenal of guns and the inclusion of melee weapons adds a new level of strategy to the game. Some of the melee weapons include baseball bats, guitars, crowbars and of course chainsaws. The melee weapons can really make certain situations alot easier and they can benefit you greatly when you’re being surrounded by zombies. There was one moment when my buddy got covered in boomer bile and he simply ran into a corner and I stood in front of a doorway with my chainsaw, which then caused the attacking horde to be sliced and diced into bits leaving my friend unharmed. When talking about the guns, there is alot more to pick from this time. Players can pick between four new shotgun types, silenced uzis, AK-47s and grenade launchers. The best part of this is that all of the new weapons are spread out across the map, so swapping for new weapons will be a frequent thing when you’re playing. By far one of my favorite new weapons is the new Boomer bile grenade, which is a vial of boomer puke and what ever you throw it at will immediatley attract the horde and if you get lucky and throw it at the Tank then the infected will assist you in taking it down.

Valve even decided to introduce new special infected; joining the Smoker, Hunter, Boomer and Tank are the new Jockey, Spitter and Charger. The Jockey’s main ability allows him to jump on a survivors head and he is able to control the survivors movements. The Spitter shoots acid from her mouth and any survivor that steps in it suffers great damage; so basically don’t think you’re gonna be able to sit in corners any more. As for the Charger, he has the ability to ram through the survivors and when he grabs a survivor he begins to slam them into the ground which can incapacitate the survivor very fast. The new special infected make the experience feel alot more intense and it really make versus mode even more insane.

In the original Left 4 Dead not all of the levels where available right out of the box for Versus mode, but in Left 4 Dead 2’s case all five of the new campaigns are available and the new levels and infected make Versus mode alot more challenging. For those that are unfamiliar with it, versus puts a team of 4 Survivors and 4 Special Infected against  each other and as the survivors you need to make it to the safe rooms in order to gain points to win and its the infecteds job to make sure that doesn’t happen. Like I said before the new special infected make scoring points even more challenging and this can make for some very fun and intense Versus matches. Along with Versus, is the entirely new Scavenge mode which is similar to Versus but as the Survivors you have to recover gas cans spread across the map and use them to fill up power generators and the team that used the most gas cans wins. Scavenge mode is a great addition to Left 4 Dead 2 and its a great for those looking to play some quick competitive matches.

Graphically Left 4 Dead 2 is a greater improvement other the original. Valve made a great choice to make some of the levels occur in the daytime and this really makes the game feel alive and it makes the environments look more detailed. This is greatly due to the fact that each campaign features an entirely different setting like swamps, flooded neighbourhoods and carnivals so no campaign will seem similar like they did in the first game. Also the gore has been taken up a notch so you can expect to more limbs fly off when you swing a katana and a zombie. Although not everything is perfect, there will be times when you will encounter some frame rate drops but they don’t occur to often so you’re experience won’t hampered by this.

So in conclusion Left 4 Dead 2 trumps its predecessor in every way possible. The new weapons, special infected, campaigns and new modes all make Left 4 Dead 2 worth its price tag and anyone still playing the original should really look passed the whole boycott thing and play this game. Valve has proven yet again that they now how make great games and the future of the Left 4 Dead franchise will continue to get better for many years to come.

SCORE: 9.5/10

Ratchet & Clank are two of the more venerable characters in the world of video games and as a testament to this, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time is actually the eighth installment into their main series. Sporting some new features, such as a time manipulation, A Crack In Time is looking to go out with a bang as it actually signals the end of the ‘Future’ trilogy which started this generation with Tools of Destruction.

Ratchet, the game’s protagonist, is searching for his partner in crime, Clank, after he was abruptly kidnapped by the Zoni at the end of Tools of Destruction. It appears as though the Zoni were duped into doing the bidding of one Dr. Nefarious though and fortunately Clank manages to escape. From here, Clank learns of a new destiny and Ratchet realises he’s not the only one of his kind left in the Galaxy.

Despite the two main characters being separated for a vast majority of the game, it actually works quite well. Players will take control of Ratchet, experience some story progression and then take control of Clank. It continues this way for a while, and it helps a lot of extra characters get introduced more fluidly as often they have a distinct connection to either Ratchet, or Clank. The story itself is similar to what players have come to expect over the years. It never overwhelms players with too much information and it never takes itself too seriously; there are still plenty of comedic moments to enjoy. The new characters feel perfectly natural and the returning characters will be just as players remembered them. It’s an aspect of the game that’s almost flawless.

The normal gameplay is similarly flawless too, with controls being extremely refined. Ratchet is able to traverse through the different environments with ease, although this time he has a few more toys. The hover boots are great fun, and allow for quick progression through levels and because of this, there are many more expansive areas to roam around. It also means that the smaller, more condensed environments, have a lot more variety, as Ratchet can zip around very quickly while maintaining full control. For areas where the use of hover boots aren’t recommended, the slingshot comes in handy and the Omni-Soaker, which can suck up various fluids, adds a slight puzzle element to the platforming gameplay.

As expected, there is a wide range of weaponry available, which can be purchased via GrummelNet by the bolts which are collected at almost every opportunity throughout the adventure. There are seventeen weapons in total, all with their own unique look and feel. Each can be upgraded by constant use, which leads to a modified weapon, and there truly is a weapon for every player. For those who want even more, included in the seventeen weapons are Constructo weapons, which can be modified by finding parts throughout the game. These weapons can have their colour changed, as well as how they perform. For example, the Constructo Bomb can be modified to attack ground or air-based targets. Some of the early weapons do seem a bit tame, but once Ratchet’s arsenal picks up, it’s easy to forget the early weapons even existed. Unfortunately, most of Ratchet’s gameplay has a sense of deja vu about it. There are some new weapons, and a few new gadgets, but there isn’t really anything that’s pushing the boundaries – it will be enjoyable for newcomers, but veterans shouldn’t really expect anything new.

Clank’s gameplay is actually quite different though. The platforming elements are much the same, but there is a much lesser emphasis on combat – denoted by Clank being given an extremely small amount of health. Instead, much of Clank’s gameplay revolves around puzzle solving, which is where the time manipulation really comes into play. While venturing around the Great Clock, Clank must use time pods to open secure doors. The time pods allow Clank to create up to four holographic replays of himself and while the puzzles start off relatively simple, the latter ones can actually become quite challenging. Clank also has some other gameplay elements which are unique, such as attempting to eradicate time rifts on planets. It feels more like a mini-game though and only really features once during the game. Unlike the time-based puzzles, which promote a sense of achievement, this mini-game doesn’t really feel like it adds anything, and if it wasn’t included, players wouldn’t be missing out on anything.

There is a third major part of the game, aside from Ratchet and Clank’s, and that’s space travel. Ratchet has the ability to fly the Aphelion around space through various sectors and to engage in full combat. Unfortunately, it’s the gameplay element that feels out of its depth compared to the rest. Flying around isn’t so bad, but combat just doesn’t feel refined at all. Ratchet can fire various weapons, but the movement and weaponry don’t really feel overly convincing – sections where this type of combat is mandatory are some of the worst parts of the game, and it’s a real shame. Aside from combat, Ratchet can fly around to various small planets and moons to collect upgrades. These are actually required in some cases, for story progression, as Ratchet needs to collect rogue Zoni to upgrade his ship, allowing him to break through prohibitive barriers. It’s not too bad though, as these offer a slight departure from the normal gameplay, they are much more about platforming than combat. Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time is in most parts, graphical eye candy. The cutscenes especially just ooze quality and it’s complimented extremely well by superb voice acting and animation. It doesn’t matter what’s featured throughout the game, whether it be a tiny Zoni, or a huge War Grok, everything seems entirely plausible. There is plenty of comedy involved throughout, and the presentation is a real high-point for the game. Everything also runs at 60fps, so there are literally no drops in framerate, despite the chaos that’s caused by all of the enemies on screen, bolts flying around and of cause, all the projectiles from Ratchet’s weaponry.

Upon completing the game, it doesn’t stop. If all of the Zoni haven’t been collected, players are given the opportunity to do so, and then face off against another antagonist. Should they wish to play through again though, they are more than welcome to take all of their weapons, gear and bolts along for the ride a second time. Weapons can then be levelled up beyond their previous cap, to create Omega variants. To further please players, Insomniac Games, the developer of the game, have included a comprehensive community option, which has leader boards and individual stats for almost every aspect of the game.

Conclusion

Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time is a solid platformer, and a fine end to the ‘Future’ trilogy. The story is as strong as ever, and it’s supported by fantastic graphics, animation and sound design. The majority of the gameplay elements are extremely well tuned, but there are some forgettable elements, and high standards set by the rest of the game make the space combat really stand out as a sore point. Fans of the franchise will find lots to enjoy, but they shouldn’t really expect anything that will break the mould. Those who have never played a Ratchet & Clank game before should use this opportunity to become immersed in the franchise.

The first DLC for GTA IV came earlier this year with The Lost and Damned and although it was  fun, it really didn’t offer that much other then a new storyline. Now with the Ballad of Gay Tony Rockstar has certainly taken things to whole new level because this episode features a much better story, fun side missions and an overall experience that feels just as fun as GTA: San Andreas did back in 2004.

In this episode players take on the role of Luis Lopez, who is the right hand man to Tony Prince; the owner of Liberty City’s most popular gay and straight nightclub. The story involves Tony getting into trouble with the wrong people and it then follows the story of the stolen diamonds that has spanned across in both the Niko Belic and Johnny Klebitz storyline. The story is definitely one of the best written GTA story line’s yet and some of the supporting cast are hilarious.  The new character Yusef Amir is surely one of the funniest characters you’ll ever see in a GTA game.

The mission’s in Gay Tony are sure to please long time GTA fans. Some of the missions will have you taking part in helicopter dog fights and even sky diving off of sky scrapers. Sky diving isn’t the only thing that has made a return, one mission with have you driving an APC tank, which will have destroying cars and police like nothing. The APC isn’t as strong as the tanks in previous games, but its nice to something very similar to it because GTA IV didn’t have any sort of vehicle that was this powerful.

Of course with new vehicles there must also be new weapons. The silenced P90 is sure to become you’re new best friend with its amazing fire rate and clip size, killing enemies with it is very satisfying and you may only use this gun through out the entire story. Another great weapon is the new auto shotgun, which is more powerful then the combat shotgun and it can even use explosive rounds that can take down helicopters in just a few shots.

When you’re not busy with the story there’s plenty of side missions you can take part in. Luis can take part in an underground fight club and you can place bets to earn some extra cash. Also there’s 25 drug war missions where you and some on Luis’ old friends steal other gangs drugs in order to become the top dealers in Liberty City. The mission’s feel similar to the previous drug deals that Little Jacob would give you in GTA IV, but these feature a lot more action and they just add more fun to the game. Since Luis runs nightclubs, he can visit the clubs any time he wishes and you can do things like get drunk, throw out anyone that’s causing trouble and you can even play a dance mini game and if you got the moves you may get lucky with one of the many girls on the dance floor.

Overall The Ballad of Gay Tony is the best DLC on Xbox Live so far. For $20 you’re getting a funny and entertaining storyline that can take you over ten hours to complete, plus you’re able to replay any of the main story’s missions and you’ve got a bunch of fun side missions and activities that just take even more time to complete. This is in my opinion a much better game then what we saw in the Niko Belic storyline and lets just hope that Rockstar isn’t done with the GTA IV DLC just yet.

SCORE: 9/10

If you take a look at the development team of Codemasters, you’d see that they take a more realistic approach when they develop games. There past titles like Grid and Dirt 2 are both some of the best and most realistic racing games on the market. Now Codemasters is stepping into the first person shooter genre with Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising and its without question one of the most realistic tactical shooters on the market; but does the realism make the overall game enjoayble?

The story of Dragon Rising involves a fictional conflict between Russia and China which then causes the U.S to ally with Russia in order to stop the Chinese PLA forces from invading a Russian Island. Dragon Rising’s campaign mode will have you taking part in 11 missions that will have you doing things like assasinating high commanders, destroying key targets and clearing out the enemy forces. The missions as a whole aren’t the most enjoyable because they can move at a very slow pace, which for the most part has to do with the large amount of strategy that is involved when you approach each objective.

Visually Dragon Rising does impress. The game takes place on a massive island that you’re free to explore when you’re on a mission, which can make for some nice looking trees and landscapes. Although, as I was progressing through the missions I did notice that there was some texture pop in and some of the enviornments didn’t load properly at times. Another thing that unimpressed me was the character animations, because you’re squad moves like they’re robots and the movements overall look stiff and unrealistic.

As for gameplay, Operation Flashpoint could be one of the most frustrating shooters you may ever play. Since the game’s main focus is on realism all it takes is one shot from an enemy and you can die. There was even a time when I was killed from my squad for accidentally walking in front of their gun fire, the game is just that real. While you’re on missions, they will mainly play out as trial and error because most of the time you’ll be put against some overwhelming odds or you fail to execute the right strategy for you and your squad. You’re squad will consist of 4 soldiers and the A.I of you squad isn’t the greatest either. Sure they can kill alot of enemies on their own but there were times when they wouldn’t follow through with an order that I had given them.

Dragon Rising also features a fun co-op mode, where you and 3 other people can play through the campaign in its entirety. I found the co-op to be the most fun part of the game simply because being with a human controlled team made the missions much more easier and it was very satisfying when we would successfully complete our objectives. However the competative online is where things get ugly. The competative mode is plagued with bugs like texture issues on the weapons and my experience got so laggy that it just made me want to go back to the co-op.

In conclusion Operation Flashpoint is certainly not for everyone. The challenge level may throw some people off and the fact that you’re squad isn’t the smartest really hurts the story mode from being great. The online co-op is definitley where you will be spending most of time, being its the most fun aspect of the game, but the same can’t be said about the competative mode due to it being riddled with bugs that greatly hurt the online experience. If Code Masters spent more time fixing up these issues then Flash Point could have been something very special because its not often we seen a shooter with such a high attention to realism. Lets just hope that Code Masters can really make something great if they plan to do a sequel.

SCORE: 6.5/10

The Action RPG is becoming something of a tradition for Marvel, as this is effectively the fourth installment in the series. The first two, of course, were purely based around the X-Men franchise, but Marvel Ultimate Alliance paved the way for the rest of Marvel’s superheroes to get involved. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 looks to push this series even further, and Activision have handed the reins over to Vicarious Visions to try and make this happen.

Those familiar with Marvel know that there are generally strong storylines to go alongside the action. Marvel Ultimate Alliance’s story seemed very sporadic, so it’s good to see that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2’s is much more sensible. After a rogue mission comes back to haunt Nick Fury, the American Government, along with the public, decide to pass the Superhuman Registration Act. However, amongst the hero population there is unrest at the decision, and instead of going along with it, there are those who choose to stand beside Captain America and fight. This ultimately ends up with the player having to decide which faction he wants to support. He can either try to contain heroes alongside Iron Man, or fight for their freedom alongside Captain America.

The morality behind the decision that players have to make adds an extra level of investment and means there is more purpose to beating the pulp out of generic foot soldiers. Throughout, the story maintains plausibility, within the Marvel Universe of course, and it also flows well, retaining a certain sense of continuity. However, there are some needless elements, like the various conversations that can be had with superheroes between missions. They seem completely unnecessary and don’t really help to shed any light on anything.

Gameplay in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is almost identical to that of the original. Each character has a normal attack and a strong attack, which can be charged. They can also jump, which feels very awkward, and perform evasive manoeuvres. It’s nothing ground breaking, and like in the original, there isn’t really any kind of combo system. It’s disappointing to see this stay the same, as seeing a character repeat the same moves over and over can get extremely dull. However, to spruce things up, each character does have four unique moves which can be performed provided the character has enough energy. Generally they don’t seem to be that effective though, and the only real incentive to use them is to unlock new costumes for characters.

In an odd move, the role-playing elements present in the game have been marginalised. The whole system has become much more streamlined and it’s actually quite easy to forget there is even a role-playing back-end at all. The in-menu user interface for the characters also looks really clunky and doesn’t seem very intuitive. Many of the elements are again retained though and there is essentially nothing new. Superheroes still have 8 powers, although the split is different this time and boosts can still be equipped, but they are now assigned to the entire team, and not specific heroes. One good thing though, is that many of the RPG elements can now be accessed without having to trawl through the menu system. A nice, quick and easy option now exists as part of the general hud upon pressing the back button.

One area where Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 does generally improve on its predecessor is with its presentation. Many of the in-game graphics are very crisp, and the environments are a lot more detailed. There’s definitely a lot more happening on screen, and in some instances, it does lead to some framerate drops. However, for the most part the framerate holds up pretty well. The character models in the cutscenes aren’t overly convincing though, and in some situations, they just look odd. The sound effects are generally pretty decent, and the comments characters make are somewhat context sensitive. It’s a nice touch, and stops them from getting too repetitive.

Where Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 excels though, is its sheer replay value and depth. While the single-player campaign isn’t the longest at face value, the decision making aspect means that player may want to experience it from both sides. There are also tons of unlockable items to find, simulator missions to fight through and of course, harder difficulties, which offer different items. Aside from this, there is also a detailed stat-tracking system, documentation on all of the characters and intel. Couple this with online play, and the fact it’s a four-player experience and it actually becomes one hell of a package to be enjoyed with friends.

Conclusion
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 disappoints majorly from the perspective of originality. Aside from the story, there is essentially nothing new. If anything, certain elements of the game have actually been taken away to try and make it more accessible. However, there’s no denying that the game delivers on its sheer replayability and fun-factor and with friends, this game is extremely enjoyable.

Tim Schafer is considered by many as one of the most creative minds when it comes to making games. Some of his past games like Grim Fandango and Psychonauts were some of the most imaginative and original games every made. Now his latest title Brutal Legend is easily his most ambitious title to date and Schafer once again has created something so unique and different that this is one game that you’d be crazy to pass up.

In Brutal Legend you’ll take on the role of the character Eddie Riggs, a roadie that can build anything and make even the worst band look good. The beginning of the game shows Eddie being somewhat killed at a rock concert and he awakens in a strange mythical heavy metal world. After he awakens Eddie soon learns that the land he his in is ruled by demons and that he may be best hope for stopping them and bringing peace to the land. The story might not seem very original but thanks to its funny dialogue and awesome cast of characters Brutal Legend’s story will surely keep you entertained through the whole adventure.

Brutal Legend’s gameplay is mainly centered on the hack and slash style. Eddies main weapon of choice is his trusty battle axe and his guitar that shoots electric bolts when ever a note is played; when fighting enemies you’ll really need to mix between his axe or guitar because certain enemies you encounter are immune to electricity or they’re able to block the strikes from his axe. The more enjoyable part of the gameplay is definitely in the RTS style missions that you’ll play through. Brutal Legend requires you to recruit an army of metal heads in order to lay waste to the hoards of evil demons and some of the missions will have you taking part in fairly large battles and you’ll have to order you’re troops properly if you hope to achieve victory.

When you’re not busy killing demons, there are plenty of optional side missions and things to explore. The side missions do get a little repetitive but completing them earns you fire tributes which you can use at the Motor Forge to upgrade things like your axe, guitar and learn new combat moves.
The coolest thing about the Motor Forge is that its run by Ozzy Osbourne, who is called the Guardian of Metal and his likeliness and voice are all present in the game.

The soundtrack in Brutal Legend features some of the best songs that any metal fan could ask for. The game features a over 80 tracks from top artists like Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Motorhead and tons more. The voice acting work is also top notch, Jack Black voices the character Eddie Riggs almost perfectly and you really couldn’t see anyone else besides Black doing this role. Even though Jack Black may be the real star here the voice work on the other characters is also very well done and not to mention the script is very well written so be prepared for a ton of laughs when playing through Brutal Legend.

In closing Brutal Legend is easily one of the best game I’ve played all year. The game packs an amazing soundtrack, fun gameplay and top notch voice work and the world that Double Fine Productions created is one the most original and humerous you’ll ever play. Although the overall experience is great the game is not perfect; the game itself isn’t the longest and you may encounter a few bugs that may hurt your experience. Few problems aside this is a game that is packed with so much originality and humor that you’d really be missing out on something very special.

Score: 9/10