Looking ahead to Race Driver Grid

Creating a game often equals 'insularity'. It is as if some developers checklist alongside their game and make the required components off. A genre that seems less the case, is that the racing games. In my opinion, a developer should look to the sense of speed, the pure racing feeling, and only then would first parts as graphics and variation must be addressed. Not every developer will agree with me, but judging by the early version we could play, makes Codemasters Race Driver Grid with the right choices.

The development studio in the tiny town of Southam in England has been producing racing games to rally in their genre at the best games. The Colin McRae series is at the top of the rally genre, and in games that try to be realistic, the Race Driver series is not a bad choice. Race Driver Grid is more or less the next installment in the series, though no longer Codemasers DTM license and the publisher, in view of the U.S. market, opted for a broader approach. This implies that the series takes leave of the 'circuit-only racing and races also took to the streets.

Overall, there is a single player mode, two main modes, which one is more focused on building a career and the other consists of separate parts. It is expected that Grid also will offer online options, but these were not available in the version we were playing. Playable: races from the continents of Europe, Asia and America. In Grid, the types of races divided by continent. Thus races in Europe will often 'normal' circuits, while also drifting around the bend looking. At the races in Japan and the rest of Asia

An experienced DTM Race Driver player does not take long to make the changes to notice. Bluntly: Grid resembles in appearance more like a game like Project Gotham Racing than a pure racing simulation as GTR. This game differs from the previous parts in series, but that is a negative point? Yes and no. Personally I found the DTM Race Driver games is always a relief, it was in my opinion one of the few serious and good racing between all street racing games and other less serious variants. It is true that the choice to handle different race types in the game increasing the variety. This makes the game might be less attractive to die-hard race fans, but eventually Grid will appeal to a wider audience than the Race Driver series so far has done, and that is exactly what Codemasters wants to go.

Grand Theft Auto IV

The past few weeks could not on your internet without tripping. GTA The hype around Rockstars popular free-roaming game took around the release date 29 April unprecedented proportions. Every fart Rockstar was news, every piece of information about the game was placed under a magnifying glass. The online and offline streets of Liberty City are now being infested by thousands of gamers daily. High time to discuss. The biggest game release of all time expanded

* Same concept

The game concept of Grand Theft Auto needs no explanation. Part IV is not revolutionary. Simply put GTA IV offers the same as the previous games: a lowlife criminal who works his way up to the highest echelons of the underworld through various crimes. In addition, to be opened. After a period of time, new parts of the world freely passable Missions slowly increase the wallet fatter and bigger guns. On this rough description of the GTA series also complies Part IV.

However, it goes too far to see as 'just' a new volume in the series. GTA IV The step from GTA III to GTA IV, although not as big as GTA II to III, but nevertheless does this game are easily forgotten predecessors. This is not least because the approach has changed slightly. A good story, all parts, but Rockstar GTA much more attention to the protagonists. Niko Bellic starts down the ladder and is slowly moving. However, this is where the comparison with previous main characters in Grand Theft Auto soon on.

Mario Kart Wii: innovation or more of the same?

What do you expect from a new Mario Kart? Innovation or more of the same? Mario Kart Wii is mostly the same as before racing fun, Nintendo already knew a number of new elements to add. The big question is whether you're waiting for motors in a kart racing game or a plastic wheel.

Since the introduction of the Wii and the new control method that console introduced, I feared for my beloved Mario Kart series. Would the familiar controls to make way for a motion sensitive control completely? Fortunately this is not the case: Nintendo gives the choice to the player and even supports the old-fashioned Gamecube controller.


* Happiness and racing skills

The gameplay of Mario Kart has always appealed to both hardcore gamers and casual players. For the inexperienced players the game was to pick up immediately and for hardcore players had to get more out such as the ability to cut off, to make as many turns and new characters powerslides and unlockable vehicles. Pieces It was that also made the mix of racing skill and a bit of luck, lesser players a chance. It appears in Mario Kart Wii that happiness aspect has increased, but I will elaborate on later.

Outlook for Jumpgate Evolution

Codemasters showed Tweakers.net see a playable version of the new MMO Jumpgate Evolution. The remake of the game Jumpgate 2001 gets off a new graphic engine and improved AI, including additional missions, a redesigned interface and improved economy.

The mmo-game differs from many other mmo games, as the player enters into real-time battles. In your struggle against the many space pirates your skill counts in point and shoot. This also distinguishes the science fiction game from that other space MMO Eve Online. Moreover Jumpgate Evolution accessible. Where to Eve emphasis on strategy, in the end Jumpgate for action. Think of a crossing of the game Freelancer and Wing Commander.


In Jumpgate Evolution you control no elf, orc or hobbit. Your ship is your character. You can choose a ship of each of the three factions in the game, and each faction has of course its own background. You can ship with new weapons, shields and engines during the game and you get direct control over the airship. The game is viewed from first-and third perspective. The ships are to operate. Possibly with a joystick Developer NetDevil apparently found it very important to build. Supports joysticks


As in other mmo's - and the real world - money also plays a role in Jumpgate Evolution. The current economy has knocked out the first part, though it is not yet known exactly how. Money can be earned with the many missions to do, and downed enemies also leave money behind. Found objects can be sold. Do you have some extra pocket money earned from the space missions it is even possible to purchase. Several ships You can control one at a time, while the other (s) temporarily parked in a hangar.

Turning Point: Fall of Liberty - Nazis shoot in New York

TurningPoint is a real "what if" game. Winston Churchill, the statesman that England would enter the Second World War brought in 1931 as a diplomat visiting New York. There he was hit by a taxi and had the rest of his life walking with a cane. But what if ...?

Xbox 360 gameWhat if Churchill had not survived the accident That's the premise of Turning Point: Fall of Liberty. Not that the data also plays a role in the game. It's just a reason to make a seemingly minor event in the past can affect the future. Serious consequences clearly Furthermore tells TurningPoint especially the story of the imaginary German attack on New York in 1953, where you supposed to resist, but you are no more than a construction worker in everyday life. You begin your resistance only, but soon met some supporters as soldiers of the National Guard and some mobsters with guns.


The game begins with a beautiful view of New York from a skyscraper under construction. You stand high above the city on the thick steel beams from which a new flat is raised. As the first German bombs hit the Statue of Liberty and then a wave bombers on New York races, it's time to get the hell to leave you. Shaky workplace Then an adventure where you constantly stumble over the German soldiers who have invaded New York begins. TurningPoint is the type of shooter that scripting hangs together. It starts directly on the steel beams of your workplace. Once you try to find a safe place to drop the first bombs on the building, which, of course, precisely the beam is swept away where you just wanted to put your foot. On Already on your way down you will meet the first German soldiers. If you've strangled, first, you have a gun and begin your resistance. Since then, the shooting at any Nazi who comes into your field of vision. TurningPoint trying to keep, which means that you're pretty vulnerable. Thereby realistic A bullet survive you around and maybe a second, but after that it really light. Fortunately, the game has a lot of built and well-placed checkpoints, so it will not cost a lot of effort to address the wire. Again Also further has shot no drawbacks: you lose any weapons or ammunition.

STALKER - Shadow Of Chernobyl PC Review

I must honestly say that STALKER long gone. Completely past me Sometimes I hear sometimes a friend lament that the game again was postponed, but apart from a few preview I knew nothing about. Even when the game was brought out last year I was busy with more important, life-changing business. You know, other games.
Until last month. I saw STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl for 20 euros in the shops and thought, "What the heck, a bigger waste of money than Stronghold 2 can not be." Moments later the game was in my possession and I can say that I've always been there. Regret Chernobyl? Is not that ...? On April 26, 1986 ran into a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant an experiment out of hand. A large explosion and radioactive dust cloud later abandoned the central and the neighboring town of Pripyat has become a ghost town. Until there is a melt down in 2006 (well) at Chernobyl. Unlike previously, the cause of the Second Disaster completely shrouded in mystery. The army close the place down and the area around the disaster magnet by people called the "Zone." But this was no normal meltdown. In addition to highly radioactive areas of the zone also contains strange phenomena that can not be explained. By science This 'Anomalies' accommodate precious artifacts with bizarre properties. Artifacts that are worth big money to scientists. This fact leads to a veritable gold rush and fortune seekers across the country (and beyond) venture into the zone and trying to make his way to Chernobyl a way.




In that area the game takes place. You are a man who barely a crashed 'Death Truck' is dragged alive. You can not really recall the last time and the only clues that you are the word STALKER tattooed on your arm and a PDA containing the command to kill. Strelok one That's not very much, but the man who is responsible for your salvation, Sidorovich, is willing to find out who that Strelok-bird. Matter to you Obviously he does not want free and he sends you off to find information. That is the beginning of basically two parallel storylines. In the one you are trying to find out who and where the mysterious Strelok and in the other you try to access the power which reportedly masses to find artifacts access. The best part is that there are multiple endings are possible. FPSRPGBBQ STALKER is a first person shooter with role-playing elements. You get assignments that you must perform to proceed. With the somewhat ambiguous story There are also side-quests that earn you a reward. To keep all the commands you can use with a PDA, similar to Doom 3. Besides an overview of all the missions the unit also includes a map, a diary and encyclopedia containing information on just about anything you'll encounter. Within the Zone in STALKER is no use of attributes like Strength and Intelligence. The strength of your character is determined by the type and quality of your equipment, the weapons you uses the ammunition in weapons and artifacts that you wear on your belt. The strange stones are not only a lot of rubles worth, they give you special protection from anything and everything. However, this has a price, because most artifacts are radioactive or make you more vulnerable for example heat.



This protection you will definitely need in the area. You can go wherever you want, but you'll have to be very careful and always keep your eyes open. Of course, there is the radiation, which at the one place is stiffer than the other. The amount of radiation is indicated by the ticking of a Geiger counter. If you have received a very large dose of radiation you can heal yourself by drugs against radiation sickness to take. If you do not have any medications with you, a bottle of vodka store also fine, but that is not so good for your skill at aiming.
danger remains not with radiation. Before you know it you'll be close to an 'anomaly', a very painful experience that can be by observing distortions in the area. Occur only This sounds frustrating, but soon you will recognize the various anomalies and do not you go get yourself killed. Soon as more In case of doubt, you can throw a bolt in a certain direction to see what happens.
If you get hurt, you'll soon be bleeding, but with a push of a button, you can apply bandage to stop the bleeding. Do not forget to take your next connection tours. Some food as well
as have had their impact on local wildlife. All these dangers A lot of species have survived the catastrophe, such as dogs and crows. By the radiation, however, they remained not quite the same. This can be quite harmless mutations are like blind dogs roam the wilderness troops. But it can also lead to, well ... see for yourself.


Mutants are not the only living beings in the zone you are in life. You're not the only treasure hunter in the game and some people do not have much sense to venture into an anomaly to find. Artifact life No, then it is much easier to rob other people. These bandits are best a fatal case of lead poisoning delivery, which brings me to the most important thing in a shooter. The shooting itself.
Especially in the beginning it was for me to get used to shooting. You start with a pistol that will win any awards for accuracy, which you on the first mission like a farm filled must overcome. Criminals Fortunately, you are not alone and you can soon the bodies of dead robbers searching for something to use or sell. Once you find a Kalashnikov is hitting heads, which produces by far the best result, a lot more feasible. A nice addition is the ability to add weapons. Accessories such as silencers or targeting agents In the world of STALKER is any small advantage welcome.
Luckily it's not every man for himself in the area, there are several organizations that survive at odds with each other. I will not call it living, because most have a huge fight with each other. The largest are Duty, who wants to wipe the area and protect the outside world, and Freedom, which is free access to the Zone has in mind. These two can be drinking each other's blood, and actually be at war. You can execute commands for both factions, but you join a group, I did not succeed. Unwelcome far the best performance of STALKER is creating a good atmosphere. As you wander through the area, you will constantly feel that you are not safe here. The immediate vicinity of Chernobyl is not a place where people are supposed to come. The regular ticking of the Geiger counter, the barking of wild dogs in the background, an ominous quiet office, the light of the setting sun through the windows, three appear together on the ground and then suddenly the terrifying roar of an approaching Bloodsucker, as that your heart beat faster, now I declare you officially dead. You will also come across many camps where people sit around a fire. While they each tell a few stories and jokes playing a tune on a guitar. It's a small detail, but it helps to make it seem the world. Alive The engine is capable of impressive graphics. Certainly the exposure is fine. During a storm you should definitely pay attention to the shadows thrown by lightning. Perfect is not all. The animations of the other people are not great and I can get a hilarious piece lip syncing remember where you could speak, before a cheeky jaw. Hardly lips It is not Crysis, but in combination with the setting of the game, it is difficult not to be impressed. same is true for the noise. Firearms sound realistic and powerful, the people speak Russian (or Ukrainian, I do not know the difference), crows are heard suspicious noises and if you sneak provide an experience that you just in remains. Buildings and laboratories The music stays in the background and has a dark tone to set. Scary atmosphere more power in the game incidentally also includes multiplayer. There are three game modes: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Artifact Hunt. In the latter there are two teams with a base. In each level there spawns every round after a few seconds an artifact, then both teams try to pick the thing and bring it to their basics. Just like Counter Strike, you can buy weapons and armor, but you have no direct access to the best stuff. After a few deaths in your name, you have acquired enough experience to rise in rank, and the available range increases. The multiplayer is entertaining, but because there are not a lot of attention has gone it's no competition for games that specifically focus on multiplayer.





BSoD Ahoy!

that the engine is also capable of bad things quickly became clear to me. After the first firefight, I decided if I was a coward, turning down the difficulty. Disbelief, I saw a long flashes bluescreen before booted up my computer. Blue screens are usually an indication that something is not sitting comfortably in driver area, but a BSoD when changing a setting gameplay I find a little extreme. I also got blue screens at random places in the game, something that led me to a lot of frustration. Luckily I found on the forum of the developers that people like me who have a GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB, have the same problems. The solution: take the 162.18 forceware drivers and you only blue looks like it should. This is the speed is not as good, but at least you can play it for longer than 20 minutes. There are also minor bugs found as a single crash to desktop and an annoying bug that example causes a firearm that you have to pick someone simply does not lie on the indicated spot, so you can not finish. Certain side-quests Bugs like this are making me very good, but not great to call this game. Conclusion STALKER is not the most stable game that exists and it's not quite become the game developer GSG Game World envisioned six years ago, but I 've had great fun and enjoyment. Challenging firefights interspersed with terrifying moments in 'abandoned' laboratories provide a strong gameplay. The location combined with a good presentation to create an excellent atmosphere and to make everything that you should not have bump mapping and high dynamic range lightning, but talent. At the very least makes STALKER:. Shadows of Chernobyl waiting for Fallout 3 a lot more bearable This is my first review and I'm looking forward to your reactions. Was it too long? Did I miss something? Are you disagree with something? I can not write? Is gin or whiskey taste better? Comments are welcome.

Assassin's Creed revised for PC

The hype surrounding Assassin's Creed is already long gone. The view of console gamers were divided, but the game was flying over the counter. PC gamers had to watch the game on their noses passed. If only for five months, because in the end it all comes what sells well to the PC.

Tweakers.net evaluated the Playstation 3 version in November with an 8. We were talking about the complete freedom in the game world, the beautiful graphics and innovative controls. We were talking about the missions, which we found to be monotonous and simple. Less It is interesting to see whether the developer Ubisoft five months that have passed have to use these flaws to work away, or that the game was ported to the PC. Right


* What's new?

The PC version is called volluit Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition. This raises two questions: who is actually the director and what has he changed the game? It is Creative Director Patrice Desilets. 'His' PC version includes four new research missions, which are a total of nine missions games. For keyboard gamers the graphics screwed and Jerusalem should look better than ever.


* Story

The story is set in the Middle Ages, during the Third Crusade. Altaïr, the protagonist of the game, is part of a secret group, the assassin's called. Altaïr can do to three places during the game: the historical cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus. Still, the game has a futuristic element, which already appeared in the first demonstrations. Matrix-like disturbances appeared in the picture, which wanted to leave the game appeared in the store. Developer anything loose