The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - review

The popularity of the Nintendo DS has created a new target that playing games is beaten. The hardcore fans call thus sometimes they are seen by Nintendo over the head with games like Nintendogs, Brain Training and Left Thumb training. Nintendo now comes with a new Zelda to come. Is this finally the game where the hardcore gamers have been waiting for?

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, feels familiar and makes excellent use of the capabilities of the DS. Nintendo has even decided to proceed through the stylus., The entire control of the game Running, fighting, click, throwing and boating, all done with the pin.


* Story

Those familiar with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the GameCube see that the visual style of the DS is partly right. The story is not the same, although there is of course a princess to be rescued. The story begins in Phantom Hourglass on the pirate ship of Link and Tetra, both recovering from the adventures of the GameCube section. Much peace is Link not awarded, because soon there emerges a ghost ship that Tetra kidnapping. In an attempt to jump on the ship Link to water and flushes it touches on a mysterious island. The player must help Link in his quest for Tetra, while the little guy gets help from a fairy and pirate Line Beck.

Nintendo reveals in Phantom Hourglass where the DS is capable of. Both graphically and in terms of gameplay, the game gets the most out of the portable console. Moreover, the game will show all the unique opportunities offered by the Nintendo DS. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the reason to buy a DS and we'll explain why.

* Gameplay

If the player has found the greedy pirate Linebeck help the adventure can really begin. Along with Linebeck and his ship to different islands to explore and be discovered. During the game more and more areas Islands that are done, are populated by different types of enemies, which often require several ways to defeat them. Besides a sword will link later a boomerang and bombs at his disposal. The new touchscreen control requires for example that there is a path drawn with the stylus, and the boomerang travels this path. This can be achieved also locations that are out of the picture and corners are.

* Treasure Maps and plans

While the game action takes place on the bottom screen, the top screen serves as a map. The plan is an important part of the game and the player must regularly take notes here, such as the location of a secret treasure or instructions issued by a game character. This makes the card more involved in the game, and often themselves part of puzzles.

* Breathalyzer

We've never been a fan of most applications with built-in microphone of the DS. Since the DS is used regularly outside the door, it is not ideal to have to shout or talk to get further in the game, though it is a good way to get it. Full train compartment empty Fortunately is rare in the game and we want this drawback is not serious charge. We were also charmed by the need to blow out candles to open a door.



The Ocean King Temple is link with a hourglass, called Phantom Hourglass from the title. Every time Link is in this temple is, looking for something valuable, it is a race against the clock - or rather hourglass in this case. Before the last grain of sand has fallen our hero must again be outside. The temple is populated by guards, called Phantoms. Through the map, the player can see where they are located and follow the purview of this guard, similar to the enemies from Metal Gear Solid. The temple is the basic principle for the multiplayer mode, which we discuss in more detail later on.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - screen
Of variety is not lacking in Zelda, which is also evident from the bosses. Each boss must be defeated. Uniquely When a flying boss even two screens, which flies the meanie from one screen to another. Each end fight is a gem in itself, although it is unfortunate that once figured out how to defeat the enemy, the battle over quickly.

Puzzles in this game are always a challenge and give great satisfaction if they are resolved, though we think the hardcore Zelda fans still have fewer problems. It is also unfortunate that the player is provided with many clues, but it makes the game more accessible to the new Nintendo audience.

Medieval 2 Total War - Kingdoms, PC (Windows)

It is stuffy and the metal around my shoulders feel heavy. We walk for days through the woods where every second can be. Your last Afforestation is thick and dark. Beautiful to see, but the nightmare of every leader. Because even though I do not see them, you know they are there: the savages. Fast as light, violent and familiar with this area like no other. The men suffer from malnutrition, but no word complained. The desire for the shiny gold is stronger than any sense of fear whatsoever. I cross them another heartened "Forward men! The gold light yonder behind the hills'! ... The newest member of the Total War series: Medieval II - Kingdoms (henceforth abbreviated to Kingdoms) is finally here. Kingdoms is an extension of the highly acclaimed predecessor, which the authors take you even further into the violent world of our ancestors. Where death, destruction and ruin are everyday fare. Be guided by faith, the will to shining gold or saving your loved ones. It all comes to the same thing in a world of total war: Kill or be killed! Overall Rating: The game offers many new features compared to the original. There are different single-player campaigns, namely: Britannia, Crusades, Teutonic, Americas. Find them all in different areas instead, with each campaign different peoples and its unique units to control. In addition, the interactive campaigns and there are more events in programmed based on the history (where known). It has to be mentioned that there are not too many revolutionary ideas have been incorporated, but that this is largely a continuation of the play that had to offer the game. Gameplay: short: "Delicious!". The campaigns are well stocked, there is much attention paid to the 'events' that occur during a campaign, and there are dozens of new nations to explore. The steering feels natural and graphic aspects are startling sound. There is so much attention paid to detail that you often just look over it, it feels so natural. In addition, the game is long and fascinating it is to enjoy every time when it can be fought. Picture: Simply: Stunning. It is really incredible that so many units on your screen are individually fighting each other. The units are carefully modeled and the movements are fluid. The areas are vast, which many details are processed. The cities are randomly generated, but are always perfect for the eye. No city is the same, no right and no village landscape is identical to another. Noise: Actually very little to complain about. I found every Total War game actually excel in fine music and sound effects on such a large scale. Obviously it is not equal zoomed eg Crysis, but the men shout, arrows whizzing past and guns produce a terrifying roar. Controls: Immaculate, some aspects after unfortunately. Do not always respond as you had in mind is a group of units and sometimes twice control necessary. Also, the preparation of the pre-units in a fight quite a chore if this should be within a city. Done For the rest, the control on the campaign map and excellent listening units better than the previous titles (except the ever oh so naughty horses). Achievements: On my machine (Opteron 144, 2GB DDR400, XFX 7900GT Extreme) runs the game after are at 1920x1200 with medium to high settings. Obviously waiving the flush function (2x, 3x, 6x) but at normal speed under normal conditions (ie, no 6000 + men who are in a big city fighting) fine play. The system requirements are mainly heavy on CPU area and this is the reason that my system is not functioning properly it attracts. Replay Value: The game can be played in the way that you want as a leader. This makes the game very dynamic and prevents repetitive situations. Obviously the acts on at length repetitive but the beautiful graphics, good music and bloody battles make it always a feast to behold the game. With the replay value is so well made. Quality and Stability: Creative Assembly (known for Total War and Total Warrior series) is always known for its very just finished games. The games are high quality and are chock full of functionality that you as a user repeatedly thrilled with what's not possible. The game revolves stable and everything is functioning properly, which is obviously a welcome situation. If there are errors in the game, these are often solved with the freely available patches. Price: Kingdoms is for sale with a price of € 29.99 which is actually a standard for expansion. The expansion offers a lot of new units, landscapes and peoples. It enriches the game experience by offering more events on the campaign folders and offers the user through four separate campaigns, the freedom to focus on. Correct that type of era Unfortunately, there are no great things have been added and the game should be also seen as a really big elaborate update. Basically you liked the original well, but do you really want more than that 30 euros is a good investment and it definitely offers a lot of hours of fun.

Project Gotham Racing 4: flames in style

The Project Gotham Racing series finds its roots in the game Metropolis Street Racer for the Dreamcast. Developer Bizarre Creations then switched over to Microsoft's Xbox and therefore had to change the name of the game. Eventually, the code name Project Gotham remained - like Metropolis Gotham is a New York City modeled - hung and now the series is in its fourth and final part, exclusively for the Xbox 360 appears.




The Project Gotham Racing games are known to earning kudos. ASAP laps on a job is not enough to really win you will, for example a stylish vehicle of choice should drift. Screeched through the curve Using the gathered kudos it is possible to buy new vehicles and gain access to new races access.
Compared to the previous sections, the gameplay has not changed greatly in PGR4. The biggest change is in the fact that to be there. Now racing engines Unfortunately, Bizarre tried not to give so that the whole unbelievable what happens, in terms of speed and maneuverability of the two different types seem too much alike. Engines too advantages or disadvantages compared to vehicles with four wheels Engines have the advantage that they require little space to find to get a hole but you always run the risk of being pushed off the bike.


There are a total of eight different cities that can be made ​​unsafe by city and there are quite a few different routes available so there is enough variation present what is available asphalt concerned. Also, the Nürburgring and the Michelin Test Track available. There is an extensive range of vehicles available, which can be used in different modes, which can be used in Speed, Style Racing and Events. coarsely divided use

Conan: violence and unclothed women

For some it is a game with beheadings, severed arms, flying intestines and naked women enough reason now to run to the store. Keep the money in the bag just yet, because Conan remains shackles after a few hours or must have the violence and unclothed ladies? Only 18 + game

Conan is an action game similar to God of War and Heavenly Sword. The game is not based on the movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but on the books of Robert Ervin Howard. Powerhouse Conan the Barbarian 'is a feature appearance as we expect from him, overly broad and muscular, long hair down to his neck. Postponing games does not happen often, but in the case of Conan. The game was a month ahead of schedule released by THQ. Tweakers.net played the version for Xbox 360, but the game is also available on the PlayStation 3.

Lost armor

The story comes from the pen of Susan O'Connor, she was also responsible for the script of Gears of War and BioShock. Certainly not the least games, but this is obviously not about the story in this game. The player will lead Conan in his quest for his lost armor. A lady called the Warrior Queen will assist him in his quest, all the teacher has to be ultimately saved again by horrible monsters. The story is told by a nice epic sounding voice and using drawn cutscenes, but it means little. Fortunately, there are topless women.


Press the right button

Conan turns to the action and we found plenty in the game. The player must compete against soldiers, pirates, lions and giant creatures, like a mammoth skeleton, an octopus and a snake-like creature. Part of the battle system, the "quick-time events', where the player must press the right button when it is shown in the picture. This provides the advantage that the most spectacular actions are possible while the game is still the director is in control. So Conan should be a serpentine enemy jump through at the right time on the B button. Then we have a fight on top of the head of the creature, and finally a spear to be. Beaten by the mouth of the essence All this spectacular is achieved with the right timing and pressing the A, B, X or Y button.

Better well stolen ...

Conan seems to have taken God of War and Heavenly Sword. The best elements The quick-time events come straight from these games. Designing the environment and enemies seem to arrive from God of War, and the ability to pick up and use can be found in Heavenly Sword. A wide variety of weapons and objects Yet we never had reason to complain, because Conan delivers an addictive gameplay, and even has its own extensive fighting system in store so that gamers will not get bored.

Looking ahead to Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising

Developer Codemasters comes with Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game is a simulation of war and, according to the developer provide the most realistic portrayal of conflict scenarios in times of war.

The first volume appeared in 2001 and was developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio and published by Codemasters. The game remained close to reality, but also received criticism too difficult. Codemasters, owner of the name Operation Flashpoint, decided not to develop the sequel by Bohemia but to convert. Their own development studio on the job Meanwhile Bohemia even sat quietly and created an unofficial sequel called ArmA: Armed Assault. The game was published in 2006 and was again the criticism difficult.

Codemasters official sequel to Operation Flashpoint will be up against the second unofficial sequel of Bohemia called ArmA 2. 2008 at launch This will certainly provide an interesting battle for the best war simulation.


* Dragon Rising

Yet there is a fictional war between Russia and China, where the player must face Russian troops. Relief as U.S. soldier An island, owned by the Russians, is invaded by Chinese forces, the 'Dragon Rising' called. The player's task to prevent this.

AI needs according Codemasters able to make based on the actions of the player. Tactical decisions themselves This should provide that no scenario is the same and different every time responding to the player as a result.


* Graphic

The player will be able to move. Several vehicles in Thus, one can drive a tank or use a helicopter for an air strike. The player can fight as a soldier or soldiers driving in the role of commander. In stealth missions, the player will have to infiltrate hostile locations. In addition, there are missions to be played on the water. Finding missions by day or night place. Codemasters also adds new weapons and expects that there will be available. Around fifty different models The use of weapons should be as close to reality as possible.

Codemasters promises the feel of a contemporary war and his computer, the player will also be able to discover. Grandiose landscapes The island covers about 220 square kilometers, and promises to be a real war location with great attention to detail a simulation. In addition to the single player campaign, the game will also include a multiplayer mode. In this mode, against each other and with each other can be played. Additionally own missions can be created.


Codemasters can unfortunately not show in-game footage. There are only a trailer and some renders available. Often occurs after showing only a screenshot or trailer confusion or images displayed actual game is concerned. Even if the developer claims that it is in-game footage, this sometimes it turns out to be true. The renders shown on this page are entirely of assets that are created for use in the game. There are no detailed models used. Incidentally gives Codemasters, however, that there are special effects are used to completely licked to look like. If engine is Codemasters own developed Neon used to fulfill. Promised realism The engine was first used in Colin McRae: Dirt and is also used in the racing still to come from Race Drive One.

Super Paper Mario: flat humor

In the first Paper Mario games, the player walked with a paper version of the mustachioed plumber in 2D worlds in which 3D backgrounds were processed. With the advent of Super Paper Mario for the first time can be effectively switched to a 3D perspective and can be freely walked herein. Where previously the focus was on the RPG elements, the game is now mainly a platform game. Ensure the bold changes for better gameplay or do they just affect the gameplay?

The Paper Mario series comes from the SNES game 'Super Mario RPG'. The sequel was published as' Paper Mario 'on Nintendo 64 and was four years later, "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door' released on the GameCube. Originally Super Paper Mario would also appear on the GameCube, but it was decided to bring the Wii. The game

Wedding of Princess Peach

For a change, this time it is not the villain Bowser whereabouts. The evil Count Bleck wants to destroy all worlds and dimensions by creating. An interdimensional hole This would be done by Bowser and Princess Peach to connect with each other. In real The logic behind this plot eluded us all, though some do see marriage as the possible end of the world.


Reading and Reading

Although the emphasis is now on the platform element, there are indeed rpg influences to be found. Still, the player gains experience points which the characters are stronger. Even objects that may be used by the player. The turn-based battles, however, disappeared. An enemy is defeated by jumping on them to be old, where the player then to get experience points. On the one hand, the game gets more momentum because there is more of a platformer made, but the RPG elements slow the action again. Talking with characters, sometimes required, and sometimes an option, provides holders with text. Start the player in the game he will have fifteen minutes before reading may be. Actually first played over We are not afraid of a lot of print, and it must be said that there are humorous lyrics in there, but it is too much, so soon tendency arises to texts clicking away too happy something is possible.

Halo 3: Master Chief under fire

Halo is possibly the most hyped game in the history of computer games. Even those who only indirectly followed the game news regularly read about the latest baby from developer Bungie. Undoubtedly the last three years Coupled with an advertising campaign of more than $ 10 million is currently completely impossible to miss. Microsofts golden egg With so much time and money invested in a single game, the main question is not whether Halo 3 is a good game, but whether he can deliver. Skyrocketing expectations


Halo 3 is the conclusion of the trilogy, which Microsoft has been built on consoles. The first two games in the series, the Xbox a full-fledged competitor made in a market where the PlayStation 2 was lonely at the top. Although the Xbox has never come close to the popularity of the PS2, the Halo series is a phenomenon in itself. Halo 2 dominated the Xbox Live multiplayer platform, and was the main incentive for the sales of the console. Now, three years later, owners of the Xbox 360 and Halo fans can finally finish the fight, according to Microsoft's marketing machine.


The single player campaign puts the player directly into the center of the action, at about the point where Halo 2 ended. Master Chief, the super soldier in Mjolnir equipment returns to Earth to find out that the Covenant, the violent alien alliance which he fights, already in full force attack is underway, and the Chief awaits the difficult task it resolve. The story mode follows the same basic formula as its predecessors in the series, with many short but fast action on foot and in various vehicles, story interwoven in the quieter moments in between. Depending on experience, gamers will probably be more than 10 hours with the sweet story, although it can with a group of veterans in Halo Co-op in less than five hours. Given Bungie's Halo games approach that is based on a lot of intense action moments of roughly 30 seconds, the developers have made a surprising choice in story mode. Several times each level, the player is interrupted by a voice from within 'associated with hallucination Cortana or Gravemind. Although they are meant to deepen the plot they appear regularly as misguided and may even appear to slow the progression artificial barriers which slow down. On some levels, these interruptions are very common, and will definitely hardcore action gamers will disturb it.


Elaborating on interfering elements must be Halo. 3's level design also called The game is the story mode, the same tendency as its predecessors to recycle. Levels massively This happens in two ways, namely by the player regularly all levels to traverse to reach its target several times, by identical buildings and decorations too often to come back. This is not new to the franchise, and Halo 3 is just as striking or even disturbing as his predecessors. Once again, we go through an entire level for the second time, one may question what Bungie has done Zoal. The past three years Even the levels which act as a salute to the first Halo always fail to give the appropriate nostalgic feeling and often seem rather cheap imitations.

The levels are not the only part of Halo which is recycled, unfortunately, the soundtracks have the same tendency. Despite the fact that the music is generally certainly good, the majority of the tracks is repeated so much that it is still tedious. In contrast, the amount of speech does more than adequate, and the above average quality definitely helps to put down. Good atmosphere