The Simpsons Game: "Hi, Super Nintendo Chalmers!"

The satirical and socially critical light animated series The Simpsons is since its debut in 1989, nineteen seasons. Meanwhile, the characters of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie worldwide known and loved. Computer games based on the series were obviously inevitable.

A first attempt was made ​​in 1991 with the game Bart vs.. the World, but this game had relatively little success. The titles that appeared over the years, were of varying quality. Was the most successful yet The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2003, developed for the PlayStation 2 by Radical Entertainment. Electronic Arts is now venturing a new opportunity and brings the 3D platformer The Simpsons Game out at less than six platforms: Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Nintendo DS. We looked at the Wii version.

The special powers of Homer
The Simpsons Game starts when Bart finds the manual of the same game on the street. It can be seen that crazy little family has superpowers, properties where the family will make. Later treurens to use Not much later, it is clear that the must-have game Grand Theft Scratchy - a big nod to the hit show RockStar - in stores. Obviously Bart wants a copy, but Marge wants to know anything about violent games.

Besides references to Grand Theft Auto, when going through the story a dozen other famous titles ridiculed. Thus the various Simpson members regularly come up in the game engine, which includes references to Sonic, Madden football, Frogger and Mario, but Medal of Honor, Wolfenstein 3D and Pokémon get there with the typical humor of Matt Groening mercilessly beating. Even the Japanese game publisher Electronic Arts and culture are not. Unpunished

Business in Springfield
Besides mocking various game conventions, known characters also appear at the most unexpected moments from the animated series in the game itself. So include Kang and Kodos from the party and Krusty the Klown nor lacking. In addition, the player is different gaming clichés "against which are described in the form of popups. Thus, the player must smash crates to grab powerups - Homer:'' Ah, the crate. As seen in everything. " - And the inevitable trampolines also not lacking. The conclusion is clear in this respect: the team at EA Redwood Shores and the writers of The Simpsons have a good look at the gaming culture of the last twenty-five years. With the often rake joke is playing games almost ridiculous activity. Incidentally, we have not discovered Jack Thompson, but maybe EA shows that over at Take Two Interactive.

The Witcher: Choices and Consequences

The Witcher is an RPG game loaded with adult themes such as racism, sex, alcohol and violence. The player is often in situations where he has to make in terms of good or bad choices. Around these themes Just like in real life is the dividing line between often difficult to make both. A good choice at first glance may subsequently have nasty consequences.
 delved into the world of the Witcher. In the fantasy world we kept drinking games with dwarves, we fought hellhounds, we visited some prostitutes and we got lost in the grand game world. Our experience with the game to read. In this review

In the books of ...

Creator of The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski is Polish. He wrote three short stories and five novels about The Witcher. In Poland, the series is quite popular and there is even a movie and a television series made. Polish development studio CD Projekt went to work with game version based on the books.

Story

A witcher is a mutant with supernatural abilities who has had special training and preparation. The protagonist, named Geralt and equipped with an overdose of chest hair, is one of the best witchers. When mutant, the professional assassin regularly discriminated against and do not receive any kind by anyone. The player controls the monster killer on various chores, which a lot of money to earn.


Choices and Consequences

At the beginning of the game, the player chooses how he wants to play The Witcher: just with the mouse or with a combination of mouse and keyboard. In the first choice player Geralt leads to clicks through the world, the other option provides a control with the keyboard, where the mouse is used to determine the angle and clicking objects and enemies.

We talked in our intro choices between good and bad, which often border is not clear - the game makers are of the opinion that there are only choices and consequences. One at the moment just looking choice can subsequently extract very different. Choices have consequences not usually directly in the game, sometimes hours go by before the player is confronted. Protect your goods from your client or let them take the poor?


Flaming Sword

The game is somewhat similar to role playing games like Oblivion and Gothic 3. The way in which the player fights, is different: multiple clicks on the mouse does not, there must be a certain timing sit in the attacks. When the player attacks an enemy must be pressed again until the mouse button when the cursor contains a flame. In this way, the player puts a combo that should be used to defeat the enemy. Complete If too fast or slow is clicked, the adversary breaks this combo and the player can expect a counterattack. In this way, the player remains active part in the fighting.

Geralt has three fighting styles: fast, strong and group. The first is useful only against weak enemies. Strong should be used when there is a battle taking place against stronger enemies that have good weapons. Group is useful when the player is required to defend against multiple enemies. Unfortunately, the combat system, where we could find our well also means that the cursor should always hovering, sometimes a fight with the camera can be difficult to continue to follow the enemy. Above the enemy The camera gave us other even more problems: by moving the mouse in the extreme corners of the image, turn the camera this way. The camera pans in our opinion, however, just too slow, even if we set it faster at the options. In addition, the left side of the image contains some skills to click on Geralt, we sometimes unintentionally went over it with the mouse. This camera does not run, but there will be an explanation of the skill displayed.


Bribe or drunk

The player must acquire knowledge at several moments in the game. Thus, there are recipes with the right ingredients needed to brew. Potions The player can spend his hard-earned money on buying books with recipes, but more interesting is to take advantage of the characters in the game. Info The player can do this in several ways. Firstly, by bribing a person where there is a risk that the person outraged by the attempted bribery or even the ridiculously low amount you offer. Greedy people take the amount only too happy to. Another possibility is to carry people drunk, allowing them to be leaky. The player must be careful that he does not knock out yourself go and left with a hangover.

Calls are made through a dialog menu. With the many characters that the player encounters in town homes, castles, forests and inns The player chooses he wants to make. Any question or comment For example, the player can obtain information, make choices, womanizing and someone declare war. It is sometimes unfortunate that figures forget they have you spoken or that the same question can be again. Asked

Super Mario Galaxy

The sun is shining and Mario is on his way to the castle of Princess Peach for the party which is given in honor of the comet that passes the planet once every hundred years. If Mario is almost at the castle, the idyllic atmosphere shattered by Bowser attacking his airships. The inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom are trapped in ice and Bowser sends a UFO to Peach's castle, the castle takes into space. Mario knows at the last minute to get to the castle, but shortly thereafter by the magical Koopa Namek shot into space.


Moments later, Mario awakens on a small planetoid and became acquainted with Tyke, a Luma, and begin the tutorial where three rabbits to be caught. When this happened, we meet Princess Rosalina on her comet observatory annex spaceship and she tells us what's going on: Bowser has all the power stars and seven grand stars stole from Rosalina's ship, now helplessly floating through space. Mario must collect the stars to provide the ship again energy and then to travel to save Peach from Bowser's clutches to the center of the universe and thus the universe.

Super Mario Galaxy: Mario vs Piranha Plant
The typical Mario atmosphere and as a player you can put to work. From Rosalina's ship, you can enter observatories to be launched to different galaxies and achieve. Stars there As the player obtains more stars are new observatories and systems available. In addition to collecting coins and stars should also "star bits are collected. The coins fill the life meter round to Mario, and the star bits can be used to stun enemies and to feed hungry Luma that you then can help you on your adventure.

* Gameplay

Because the game takes place in space and asteroids, there is a whole host of new gameplay possibilities. A circle around a small planet is fast run and Mario can jump from one to the other nearby asteroid. Also, it is possible to defy by walking. Certain walls or ceilings, the gravity The game environments are equipped with all kinds of puzzles, obstacles and other challenges. Further, Mario can use special mushrooms that his outfit and opportunities change, such as a bijenpak which Mario must fly to the giant queen bee and star bits to catch. Off her coat

The moves of the Italian plumber have also expanded from the previous sections. In particular, the Wii Remote plays a major role: if the player shakes it back and forth a star makes Mario spin that enemies can become paralyzed and where certain objects can be capitalized. Furthermore, the controller much like Super Mario 64 and Sunshine: walking around is done with the analog stick on the nunchuck, to jump press A and press B ensures that there is a rigid bit is fired, where you aim at the screen . The player can control the on-screen target in order to collect. Star bits

TimeShift: time too quickly?

The game TimeShift has a long history behind it. Developer Saber Interactive had initially tijdmanipulerende a first person shooter with a steampunk atmosphere for the PC and Xbox developed under the banner of Atari. In this version you played the role of Michael Swift, a typical muscular action hero that a suit can use to travel. Across time and space Under pressure from Atari was, released because of his poor financial situation at the time, a demo that a number of errors in the game revealed.

TimeShift was eventually put on display, so Atari could resolve his debts. Off The new game publisher Sierra, which director Kyle Peschel just before the planned release in 2006, when an extra year gave time to adjust. The game was The new target platforms were the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and the visual style has been updated to modern standards and adapted to bring. A dark atmosphere on stage Furthermore, the story was quite taken by the shovel and is also the main character Michael Swift referred to the history books. In this three-part interview with our colleagues from GameTrailers, you can read more about the developments TimeShift has endured.

A leap through time to the story today: the name and history-less main work in a secret research facility to quantum suits, suits that can be traveled through time. A leading researcher of this project is Dr. Aiden Krone, who at one point decides to run away with the Alpha suit and make a jump. Through time Krone bomb is about to explode and as a player you use the Beta-suit to go after him. As the name implies, it is suit what you have drawn better than that of Krone. One of the new features is auto return, you automatically jump to leave your starting point and time if you end up in a deadly situation. This function is controlled by another beta feature, namely the artificial intelligence called SSAM


But betas are not error-free, the jump fails and auto return falters. You wake up in an alternate timeline where Krone is the head of a dictatorial regime. SSAM informs you that you can not jump through time, but the functionality of your suit is customized and you can slow, stop time now, and even rewind. A dictatorship is nothing without rebels who fight against it, and so the quest to recover from Krone's changes. Timeline begins

Half-Life 2: Episode Two under the microscope

Episode Two is the second game of a series of episodes and is the sequel to Episode One. Together with the first and third this episodic games' form a trilogy and they are considered as the successor of Half-Life 2. This second episode consists of seven chapters and describes the search for the basis of the resistance movement in White Forest.

Developer Valve has the arrival of Episode One indicated that each new episode of Half-Life 2 is accompanied by new features in the Source engine, the engine, Half-Life 2 and Counter-Stike: Source run. Episode One introduced include high dynamic range and improved facial expressions and animations into Source. In addition, the AI of the Combine tweaked, so it now can bend and if it were, the firing line of Freeman to escape. A final new feature in the engine, the 'commentary node system "that allows developers Valve post in the form of comment blocks. Voice notes The high dynamic range and the comment system were first together with support for 64bit processors demonstrated in the tech-demo The Lost Coast, a level that was set for owners of Half-Life 2. available for free

The Source engine with the introduction of Episode Two again with some new features, the most important support multicore processors. In terms of graphics, the engine also has a small leap forward: small foliage, such as grass, is rendered in detail and open spaces have a greater depth-of-field. Using alpha-to-coverage rendering "is applied to the edges of the foliage anti-aliasing. In addition, the physics is also underway. Thus, metal beams break in half and a heavy bomb, a house collapse.

*The Orange Box

Episode Two can be purchased not only via the Steam network and downloaded, but can also be purchased at the store as a bundle for the Xbox 360 and PC. The bundle includes two existing and three new games, focusing on the games, of course, is Episode Two. To existing games include Half-Life 2 and Episode One. The new games are Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2. If you already have Half-Life 2 and Episode One, in possession than Valve allows the games to give to someone as a gift. In this way, a friend can still get Half-Life 2 and Episode One in possession and have buyers of The Orange Box no double games.

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.