Preview: Midnight Club: Los Angeles Multiplayer

The racing genre is so old and so crowded with good games, it's difficult to really add something new. The game concept Midnight Club: Los Angeles also does not, but combines a number of existing issues in a good way.

Tested on: Xbox 360 Also on: PlayStation 3


Let me start by saying that I have something in Los Angeles. I've been there several times and find it a nice town. In 'MC: LA' although the city is not one-to-one copied, but all the major icons of the city are available. The Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive: they all have a digital image. More importantly, the general atmosphere in the city by "MC: LA 'is called, is consistent with reality. I had in my play session really feel that I was on the streets of the City of Angels to the race.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles pushing the player has both single player and multiplayer mode. On the single canned late July we already ahead, and this time we went with the multiplayer to work. It turns out that although different elements of the single return in the multiplayer, as the game environment and the driving style of the car, Rockstar has multiplayer yet a full additional game show almost light.

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway

Who does not know the story of the general who thought D-Day would take place? In the Strait of Dover Or that of the other General who believed in September 1944 or by clicking to advance towards Germany? Despite their fame WWII continues to enthrall us, or the events are now in book, movie or game form presented to us.

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway is set in Brabant 1944. That setting is no coincidence: BiA character Sergeant Matt Baker and his mates survived in earlier episodes of the game after all D-Day and its aftermath, and Hell's Highway sent this time to Eindhoven and surroundings, for there the Germans finally to dislodge from the Netherlands. We know that this was not going to happen now: the Allies were on their falie the "Krauts" and then had to dig into the snowy Ardennes.

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
As Matt Baker and his unit, however, begin their part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944, is all that is still far away: first wait after numerous battles include Son, Veghel and Eindhoven. That area is not displayed completely truthful, but sufficiently realistic: people of the region will undoubtedly recognize their surroundings in the game. Our preview provides a comprehensive look at the realistic elements in Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway.

Pure

Games-related media are at the beginning of the calendar year a habit to turn. Key titles that are arriving at a glance This year, the lists were dominated by titles like Resistance 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, Grand Theft Auto IV. The chance that you've encountered Pure time in the lists is small. Disney announced the game in mid-February, and the game then went rather 'low-profile' through life.



Pure
It was therefore quite surprising that Pure by various websites surprise E3 game show in Los Angeles was called and during the Games Convention in Leipzig, the game received a great deal of praise. And not without reason. Pure appears to have become, which is actually reminiscent of an extreme sports title than a racing game. Longer a first-rate off-road racing game Disney shows that it does not have to be able to put down. Good game so complicated The base of Pure is in fact quite simple. You choose a rider, proposes a quad together and then racing blown. A background story is not there and that is not necessary. You need to ask yourself just races battle their way through a series. In addition, you'll always go into other areas, and you're constantly improve quad, so you can carry. Always more spectacular tricks it out

STALKER - Clear Sky, PC Review

A revised version of my review is here to find (with video review!) have half a year back, I'm very amused by the atmospheric and exciting STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, but developer GSC Game World was not satisfied. It took a long time before their brainchild saw the light and are in a lot of features deleted. It soon became STALKER:. Clear Sky announced the game that should have been the first STALKER No, once promised vehicles are not in there, but Clear Sky still has a lot to offer. Is it enough to buy a ticket to the always radiant Chernobyl again In clear skies Clear Sky NPP takes place a year before "The Marked One" from the previous game reaches. This time the player gets control of the mercenary Scar. Scar is an experienced Stalker, who comes around with escorting scientists. During one of these escort missions, he is against all predictions, overtaken by an emission. An emission is a deadly discharge of all the energy that has accumulated in the center of the Zone. This energy is then a destructive shock wave that sweeps through the area. Bad news for Scar and his family. But it is not end of story for Scar, because he wakes up in the base of Clear Sky. This organization is concerned with the study of the zone and the last issue reveals worry them much. The issue was of an unprecedented scale and no one is waiting for a second. Worse, no one knows what causes it. It is therefore important to avoid their repetition. Even you, although the first managed to survive, will not be able to endure. Such emission The leader of Clear Sky, Lebedev, suspect someone is at the heart of the Zone, the power plant is penetrated. Therefore, you are sent out to find out who did this play ready.




Faction War

that the disastrous issue has had serious consequences for the entire area will soon clear. The incident has ensured that the fragile balance between the various factions in the Zone is in pieces. Before you well and you begin your quest to be because you are asked to help with a problem. Clear Sky friendly yet compelling The organization that normally should have secrecy, is now attacked by a violent mob. Here you will be introduced to the Faction War. This gang can be defeated by taking similar to the Battlefield games. Certain points on the map You do not do this alone, because the AI sends regular small groups to which points to operating it. For the same counterparty is done, so there is always movement in the front line. Because this is completely independent of you, you get the feeling that you are in a dynamic world is you.
During the hunt for those responsible for the issue, you will get acquainted with the most factions and you can choose to get them to close. Through the PDA, which you can organize a lot of information you will get an overview of the war between your faction and the opponent. Also you can see on the map where friend and foe is approximately located. I personally find this a bit of a shame, because you are not so easily more surprises will be in this way.



Why fight all these factions together? Well, the issue was of unprecedented proportions. He was so powerful that parts of the area who first impassable were now free to explore. This means that stalkers with Ruble Signs in the eyes preying on mountains of valuable artifacts and no one is going to share the loot. All those people go a rude awakening, because artifacts are a lot harder to find than in Shadow of Chernobyl. The stones with special properties are visible only when you are almost standing on them. Artifacts can be found by means of detectors, which can be found in different flavors. Tripper? Before STALKER: Clear Sky started playing, I was wondering if the game would not be a repeat exercise. This turns out to be giant. Of course you get into familiar areas, but there are almost as many new environments, which are also beautiful designed. The atmosphere of the game is again the strongest point of the game, something the developers deserve praise for. Especially when you consider that the area and the sites actually exist. There is a submerged in the swamp Orthodox Church, the ghost town Limansk and you may get lost in an unexplored part of the Red Forest. Especially in the woods, I have to suppress screams, while it was not even past sunset. In addition, that at random times can be a new issue. These 'aftershocks' are lethal to all animal life, including humans. Once you get on the radio message that there is one in arriving, you have a few minutes to find shelter. Such emission undulates with great force by the area and it shows. The image is blurred, the air rumbles threateningly. As the shock wave approaches the day can spontaneously change into night and vice versa. At the decisive moment, the blood-red sky and the crows fall dead from the sky. At night you do not already feel safe. The nights are pitch black and because the accompanying sounds make you nervous soon. However, the computer controlled opponents have absolutely no problems with the darkness, as they can find in the dark.'s Easy Not a disaster, but the addition of grenades will come close. In theory, this option good for the gameplay, because it forces you to come out from behind that wall safe and active play. The problem is that the AI consists entirely of professional honkbalpitchers. Five times in succession die because a grenade perfectly timed precisely lands on your head, will soon be frustrating. Another downside is that Clear Sky, just like its big brother, has a tendency to derail. Now the stability improved greatly for me compared to Shadow of Chernobyl, but I ran it against a bug that prevented almost that I could continue playing. A door would not open, and I really had to go in order to continue. If I had not stabbed a fellow Stalker out of desperation - I had already lost my grenades at the door itself - I did not come further than halfway. And there are other small examples to think of glitches that there did not have to sit. In the enhanced stability, however, seems not to be, as there are complaints about crashes and onspeelbaarheid the Clear Sky Forum by many people bitterly for everyone . Hand there are people who say they have encountered virtually no problems while playing. There are as yet no identifiable causes for these crashes.






Many improvements

are quite available in Clear Sky. few improvements The storyline example, I find better put together than its predecessor. There is more variety in the missions you get and the more important characters have more to say. The narration is increased and its quality is solid and believable. The story combined with the Faction War offers players enough content for the price. A plus of the first part was the seven different endings, but in Clear Sky is unfortunately only one possible conclusion. This is understandable, because otherwise the security would be at risk.
For those who hate the constant walking had there is good news. The lack of vehicles is in fact largely offset by guides you to previously visited locations can result. For a sum of money And for those who could not get enough of the pimping of weapons is even better news. In several bases can be found Technicians, who can upgrade weapons and protection and repair. These improvements to the weapons you have at the beginning of the game, a higher survival rate in again challenging firefights.
Shadow of Chernobyl looked all fine and this time there is a little further. The beautiful display new areas I have already mentioned, but on a technical level, there is progress. Thus, the sharp textures and lighting effects are extensive. There are also cool effects that you can admire, which I unfortunately did not have the decision. DirectX10 only The animations I find it a bit wooden. All these extra bells and whistles naturally demand more from the video card, but with a slower card, you can still enjoy fine on lower settings. The screenshots in my review to the quality of a flawless framerate show and I had the graphics options can also be set slightly higher.



Conclusion

Clear Sky may well be some errors on the whole has become. stake a great first person shooter The addition of the Faction War and good storyline, in addition to the lovely atmosphere and challenging confrontations of the original, make that STALKER: Clear Sky a second trip to Chernobyl but certainly worth the effort. Do not forget to pack. Respirator you my fifth review. Do you have any comments or questions? Should I use more white space? Who would win in a duel: Snorks or Bloodsuckers [Edit] Update on disappointing stability for others

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith came in 2005, a temporary end to the series feature films Star Wars. Within not too long did George Lucas, however, known that the last movie did not have to mean that there are no new stories could be in the rich Star Wars universe. Thus, the door was open to put projects like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and LucasArts announced at E3 2006, a new Star Wars game on.

Tested on: Xbox 360
Also available on: Playstation 3
Other (not comparable) versions: PS2, PSP, DS, Wii

The new game from LucasArts went through a long life as' Next-gen Star Wars game "and made its name by the techniques used in the LucasArts game. When the setting of the game once it was announced, many fans responded enthusiastically. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed fill part of the gap between Episode III and IV. The player takes the role of the secret apprentice of Darth Vader. The Secret Apprentice is Father's most important instrument in his hunt for the remaining Jedi in the universe, but at the same Father is working on a larger plot, which his pupil is also involved. The pupil is at first not mentioned by name, but called Galen Marek, and he is the son of two murdered by Darth Vader Jedi.


It's no surprise that this setting, and related the story in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, one of the strongest points of the game. Obviously we would fill pages with plottwists and other items that make the story as strong here, but that would be a shame. The Force Unleashed knows roughly all the basic elements that you've come across it in the movies. Of course, the basis for this is the everlasting battle between good and evil, between Light and Dark, and as a good Star Wars story befits same battle takes place in the mind of the protagonist.

The Force Unleashed course, many familiar names: Except recognizable elements in the story in Star Wars appear. Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Senator Bail Organa, Jedi Master Shaak Ti and The Emperor: all more or less familiar names from previous Star Wars stories. Also planets like Kashyyyk and Nar Shaddaa were already made their appearance in Star Wars games and movies. The development team has to develop largely given a free hand with regard to elements that could be in the game used. The only requirement was that George Lucas, the storyline and the events in the game would not clash with the other stories, and it was obviously fit within the Star Wars universe. A good move: The Force Unleashed this has a full Star Wars story, with everything on and on

Preview: Brothers in Arms - Hell's Highway

After much procrastination really comes soon anyway, a few days will place the release of the third part of the Brothers in Arms series. At least, the console versions, because the release date of the PC version has been postponed to October 3. Fans of the series have a lot to be patient, which was perhaps partly a reason for Ubisoft to further organize. A press event at the last minute from

To Brothers in Arms realism: to emphasize Hell's Highway invited the publisher of the press for a tour around the Brabant Son, under the guidance of ex-Colonel John Antal. In this environment were at the end of 1944, dropped thousands of British, American and Polish paratroopers, whose main task to prevent the Germans would blow up bridges to halt. The Allied advance to Arnhem Hell's Highway, the route from the south to Arnhem, played a crucial role in the plans of the British Field Marshal Montgomery. If the Allies were able to advance towards the German border near Arnhem, by using this route would, as promised, the war is over before the Christmas of 1944. It turned out differently. Operation Market Garden had a dramatic course, the march took countless military life and war lasted half a year longer than planned.


So much for the historical events where the latest Brothers in Arms game derives its name. Ubisoft dropped during the tour in Brabant every opportunity to emphasize. Historical background of the game Fifty actors played, hoisted in authentic uniforms and equipped with Willy's Jeeps, how it 64 years ago must have gone to far. Brabant in the cornfields Tour Leader John Antal, who after thirty years has opted for an advisory role in development studio Gearbox, employment in the U.S. Army hammered enthusiasm that the depicted situations are very recognizable included in the game. "We build with Hell's Highway is actually a time machine," as told Antal. "Spielberg makes films, others write books about World War II, and we make a game about. I think you're a computer reaches people who otherwise would never see or read. Anything about WWII course you can see the game as entertainment but we want gamers something more than just imparting fun. We hope they can instill in particular with historical awareness and to propagate the idea that freedom does not fall from the sky.'s why we try this little game of emotion recall that the soldiers have felt "at the time.


The question is whether gamers out there are waiting. Antal is obsessed with food, full of historical facts and - in his words - "patriotism", but many Brothers in Arms players find it just wonderful to play a good tactical shooter and more. The question is whether the strong focus on historical accuracy in the game is not at the cost of the gameplay is, for example, because the development of Gearbox Based on the history makes choices in aspects where the focus might be on the gameplay can be more focused. Fortunately, it is in practice quite out to be, with that dreaded by some overkill of historical accuracy.

Preview: Fable II

If we then were to believe the words of lead developer Peter Molyneux Fable would be the best RPG of all time, with amazing features that gamers would be amazed. Fable turned out to be a good RPG, but about half of the announced features Molyneux ultimately were not in the game. It is therefore logical that Molyneux initially was taken when the Microsoft X06 event he strok similar language about Fable 2, without being able to see the game. Anything at all serious We are now almost two years later, Fable 2 seems indeed to be the game that the original Fable should have been.

Like the first Fable running part two to the role you play as a hero and how you deal with the choice between good and evil. Every decision you make works in a certain way through the world and your character. Fable 2 is also set in the same world as the original, though fantasy world Albion extended and the decoration of the 'old' pieces changed so that it is only in the distance still looks like Fable. Despite that, the game does a typical Fable ambience, as it was in August during the Games Convention clearly.


The appearance of the original Fable, covered with a fine Charles Dickens sauce, would be about the description of the atmosphere in Fable 2 can read. As The atmosphere is one of the strongest points of the game, but it's hard to explain what's so good about it. The fairytale Albion sucks on tight and do not let go, whether you're standing along a lake or walking around in the bustling town of Bowerstone. That carries the soundtrack, which according to our first impressions seem to be that of Fable, of course also at least as good.

To evaluate the audiovisual part of game we needed, not much time, but if you dive into the game actually have never enough time. Because there is a lot to see in Albion, and also much to listen to. Besides the soundtrack includes the game 38 hours of spoken dialogues, ranging from stories that a narrator in a town around trumpets, to quest-related dialogues. Such an amount of dialogues says nothing about its quality, but it does indicate how much attention is paid to the game.