tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74943699982312266952024-03-20T00:08:53.453-07:00Game and Gadgets newsThis blog is for you who need games and gadgets news and shopUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-29959475070197334662012-01-26T06:23:00.000-08:002012-01-26T06:23:58.344-08:00Zynga Holdem Poker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVaeWxjuOnBkbHaHVNRiBd9yI70so50u4dpbEvcjs2GRrBN4tA9uFDZmh94MpL75KPViaW3lR4fjlxP5J4PWy4SEIUWpu53APLCi-pgVT2PoKcSoeikeeiWBveRfiG38-4e_bo9kPOmd2/s1600/featured-games-380-226-zp-game-board-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img alt="Zynga Holdem Poker" border="0" height="190" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVaeWxjuOnBkbHaHVNRiBd9yI70so50u4dpbEvcjs2GRrBN4tA9uFDZmh94MpL75KPViaW3lR4fjlxP5J4PWy4SEIUWpu53APLCi-pgVT2PoKcSoeikeeiWBveRfiG38-4e_bo9kPOmd2/s320/featured-games-380-226-zp-game-board-01.png" /></a></div><br />
Zynga Poker was first social game and is the largest free-to-play online poker game in the world. Players have the option to play at any table, meet new people from around the world or join friends for a game, choosing from casual Hold ‘Em tables, tournament play or VIP tables. A leader board shows players how they compare in chip ranking to their friends and through the gift shop players can personalize and decorate their seat at the table. Players interact with other players by chatting, completing challenges and sending and receiving gifts, including poker chips. According to AppData, it is the fourth most popular game on Facebook, four years after its launch. Also available on Google Android and Apple iOS, Zynga Poker has been a top 10 grossing game in the Apple App Store.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-60981043455505100912010-06-22T11:21:00.000-07:002012-01-23T06:54:43.910-08:00E3 2010: Ghost Recon Future Soldier Updated Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjwgCqhmJYIGMcmyk2_hKsMYRYoPvGP5Z88xjG7YDY0xSamqgR5hLONh8HNKlVavMnP5REK5dWRg_PhNZmBSnKnXzC6TVvnyISpV5v4OYtYMUnPNhyphenhyphenCzkpDpCFzumK8pQZlMOI-bSdnDT/s320/ghost-recon-3-.jpg" /></div><br />
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</script> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clancys-Ghost-Future-Soldier-Xbox-360/dp/B0037LTTRO?ie=UTF8&tag=gameandgadgne-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Ghost Recon Future Soldier</a><img alt="Ghost Recon Future Soldier" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0037LTTRO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> has some similar features to the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (GRAW) franchise that preceded it, but this is definitely not just a sequel with a slightly <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/06/mario-galaxy-2-review.html">different</a> name. </div><div id="latest-media">With a host of new items at the Ghost's disposal, as well as a new emphasis on four-player coop -- rather than the squad commands from GRAW -- the hope is that this will be the game that <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/06/iron-man-2-review.html">brings</a> the franchise to the next level</div><div id="latest-media"><br />
Future Soldier takes place about ten to fifteen years in the future, giving the Ghosts access to technology that is currently only in the experimental phase. This means that on top of weapons that are far too devastating, the Ghosts will have access to tech like optical camouflage, which <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/god-eater-first-look.html">essentially</a> grants the player limited invisibility. In the demo the camo was used extensively to sneak up on enemies and perform stealth take downs, sometimes at a distance, and sometimes up close and personal (something that would have been suicide in previous Ghost Recon games). </div><div id="latest-media"> </div><div id="latest-media">It dramatically changes up the pacing from the previous games, which generally were only stealth in so much as you didn't make any sound until all hell broke loose. </div><div id="latest-media"></div><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r4NUxeiRKY4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r4NUxeiRKY4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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But, of course, hell still does break loose in Future Soldier, and to get through intense firefights a new cover system has been added to the game. The player generally runs around in a third-person perspective, but when they enter into cover -- or aim down their sights -- the game switches to first person.<br />
This is done to give the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">player</a> more precise aiming, as well as make the game feel more realistic when the player is walking and aiming (real special operations soldiers always walk slowly if they're walking while aiming). Cover is also partially destructible now, forcing players to keep moving rather than just camping in a single spot. Overall the cover system seems to work well enough for the people <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/dawn-of-discovery-venice-review.html">playing</a><br />
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Noticeably absent from the demo is the ability to give orders to your fellow Ghosts -- something GRAW was known for. I'm told that you'll be able to give limited orders such as "attack" or "regroup," but the game is less squad-command based because they're aiming to make it playable for four players cooperatively. That's right, while you won't really be giving your team a hardcore set of commands, the game is being made for four players to work <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/red-dead-redemption-review.html">together</a>. Here in Ghost Recon Future SoldierUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-38261012045740780942010-06-14T07:42:00.000-07:002010-06-14T07:43:17.917-07:00Mario Galaxy 2 Review<div class="body"><div class="deck"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div property="v:summary">Super Mario Galaxy 2<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gameandgadgne-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002BSA388&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> is even more varied, <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/06/iron-man-2-review.html">challenging</a>, and fun than its superb predecessor, making it the new standard for platformers.</div></div></div><div class="module
contain_all" id="video_review"><div class="body no_module_head"><div class="wrap"></div></div></div><div class="module
review_proscons"><div class="head"><div class="wrap"><h3 class="module_title">The Good</h3></div></div><div class="body"><ul><li> Levels have tons of different objectives, all of them fun </li>
<li> New power-ups spice up the action </li>
<li> Later levels offer a sizable challenge </li>
<li> Stunning visuals that are a marvel to look at </li>
<li class="last"> Catchy soundtrack that combines classic Mario songs with new material. </li>
</ul></div></div><div class="story_body ">It may be easy to take one look at Super Mario Galaxy 2, see the same gravity-altering traps and spherical worlds from its predecessor, and dismiss this as a by-the-numbers sequel to the superb <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/god-eater-first-look.html">original</a>. But by assuming you know what to expect from Mario's latest adventure, you would be doing yourself and this game a great disservice. This is not only the new standard against which every 3D platformer must now be judged, but it also seamlessly integrates so many elements from Mario's 2D roots that it stands toe-to-toe with even its genre-defining progenitors. Every aspect of this game is absolutely bursting with joy. The vibrant <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/dawn-of-discovery-venice-review.html">artistic </a>design immediately welcomes you into this colorful world, and the catchy soundtrack deftly mixes classic tunes with new compositions to provide the perfect backdrop for your goomba-stomping, star-snatching fun. But it's the expertly designed levels that will keep you <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/super-street-fighter-iv-review.html">coming back,</a> even after you've seen everything this game has to offer, just to experience it one more time. This is an instant classic that belongs alongside the best games Nintendo has ever created. <br />
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<div class="video_embed" style="width: 480px;"><div class="video_details"><div class="caption"></div></div></div>Things are once again rotten in the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser has taken Princess Peach prisoner for the umpteenth time, forcing Mario to momentarily put his plumbing gig on hold to rescue his fair lady. The best thing that can be said about the story is that it mostly stays in the background. A few lighthearted exchanges between Mario and his foes precede major battles, but there is only a brief break in the action before you get back to flinging fireballs and cracking shells. In fact, Galaxy 2 is much more streamlined than its predecessor. The elaborate hub world that has appeared in each of Mario's previous 3D adventures has been scrapped and replaced by an easy-to-navigate map that lets you hop right into the next level. Galaxy 2 has less downtime than the original, ensuring you're always engaged and entertained. <br />
And you'll be happy to jump right into the action because Galaxy 2 is a long and often challenging adventure. There are lots of different activities to take part in, but everything comes with the same prize: a shining star. It takes 70 of these celestial bodies to make it to the end of the game, but there are many more hidden throughout the universe waiting to be discovered. No matter what you're doing in Galaxy 2, everything feels just right, thanks to the ultraprecise controls. It's a breeze leaping between walls, performing deadly butt-stomps, or jumping across lava-filled pits. There is an unabashed joy in movement that makes even running around the colorful worlds and taking in the uplifting atmosphere feel special. The camera does an admirable job of framing the action, giving you a clear view even when you're dancing on the ceiling in a reverse-gravity room or leaping between floating meteors in space. There are a few times where the angle is less than ideal, making it difficult to line up an exact jump, but for the most part, the camera performs its duty with flying colors.<br />
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<div class="embscreen_large"><div class="embscreen_caption"></div></div>The wealth of <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/pirates-of-caribbean-armada-of-damned.html">different</a> objectives in Galaxy 2 is mind boggling. Just about every star introduces at least one new mechanic, generating a truly stunning degree of variety. Whether you're grabbing onto the talons of a powerful bird, competing in score-based challenges for a monkey that's wearing sunglasses, or slamming into enemies while ice skating, you're constantly presented with a new activity. Even though many of these situations only appear once or twice during the course of the game, they're all fully fleshed out and incredibly fun. It's really interesting how varied objectives can be even within the same level. The first time you enter a level, you may have to zip down a sand slide at breakneck speed, dodging cactuses and nabbing coins all the while. But when you enter the level again to try for a different star, you may have to navigate an underground obstacle course from a side-scrolling perspective. Because your goals are constantly changing and always at a high level, Galaxy 2 never gets stale or predictable. <br />
If the huge variety of goals doesn't sound like a big enough change, there are also power-ups that further mix things up. One of the few weak spots in the original Galaxy was a lack of interesting power-ups to play around with, but that has been rectified here. The most notable addition is Yoshi, the lovable dinosaur with the prehensile tongue. Once on this green fellow's back, you can point at enemies or objects with the remote and swallow them whole. You can snatch up a spiny and then shoot it like a projectile, inhale a pepper to receive a massive speed boost, or chow down a bulb to light up hidden pathways. There's also a power-up that lets Mario roll around like a Goron from the Zelda series, a special suit that gives you the ability to create clouds in midair, and a drill for digging through soft dirt. All of these power-ups build on their most basic functions as you get deeper into the game, forcing you to look beyond your preconceptions to use them in <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">unique</a> ways. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-50955487699356346042010-06-04T18:17:00.000-07:002012-01-23T07:35:57.508-08:00Iron Man 2 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGugvLAqRLDsvlGiVjdIwC2kTMfeuBBjuSF8nQuV6MRwcTD9GDyt7azhwnHFT51tYs4oEQMsQReCrj3xyaY2qgy5xM-3z52asDgU2whKdlpT2VNgvi0-d5LZ9PppRdVcSYbqgP5mLd2QPy/s1600/iron-man-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iron Man 2 Review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGugvLAqRLDsvlGiVjdIwC2kTMfeuBBjuSF8nQuV6MRwcTD9GDyt7azhwnHFT51tYs4oEQMsQReCrj3xyaY2qgy5xM-3z52asDgU2whKdlpT2VNgvi0-d5LZ9PppRdVcSYbqgP5mLd2QPy/s320/iron-man-2.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-2-Playstation-3/dp/B002WDL516?ie=UTF8&tag=gameandgadgne-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Check Price On AMAZON</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002WDL516" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-2-Playstation-3/dp/B002WDL516?ie=UTF8&tag=gameandgadgne-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Iron Man 2</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002WDL516" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
This summer is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T963C?ie=UTF8&tag=gameandgadgne-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">seeing</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0015T963C" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> a surprisingly large amount of <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/god-eater-first-look.html">quality</a> titles on all the major consoles. It's a bumper crop for videogames in a season where I usually play some crappy movie tie-in just because it was the only thing out. And it's this great string of games that makes Iron Man 2 that much more of a let down. It's a mediocre game that you shouldn't waste time on when you could be playing <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/pirates-of-caribbean-armada-of-damned.html">something</a> awesome. <br />
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Iron Man 2 for the Wii and PSP is developed by High Voltage Software, and looks to use the engine for The Conduit. Much like the previous game the story is separate from the film, though it's hard to tell whether it's supposed to take place after the movie, or if it's just an original story. Not that it matter much because the story is told by cardboard cutouts of the film's actors. What makes it funnier is that sometimes they stuck game models in (Did Scarlett Johansson not approve her likeness?) and it clashes with the realistic images of the characters. <br />
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The game is very basic. Iron Man runs through the level shooting down everyone he sees on his way to an objective. Usually this is a computer terminal that he has to hack. Sometimes there's a boss (which is cool because it's often a classic Iron Man villain like the Crimson Dynamo) and ol' Shellhead has to defeat him, too. <br />
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On the Wii, players use the nunchuk to run around, and the Wii remote to aim. The A button fires primary weapons and the B button does secondary (which can be switched between different types of missiles and lasers). The PSP version uses the analog stick to move and the buttons to aim, the classic clunky interface. The difference between the games is night and day. It doesn't make either more difficult because there's a lock on mechanic, but man does the PSP version feel wonky. Plus, I can't change my control scheme, so I couldn't make the analog stick aim and just use the buttons like WASD controls, which would have been way better. <br />
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Iron Man 2 isn't terrible, but it rarely gets <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">exciting</a>. It's fun to blow up tanks and trucks, and Iron Man has all his powers like his repulsor shots, and his unibeam laser. But the whole game feels repetitive. You see the same enemies over and over again, and even though they get bigger guns and more armor as you go, the gameplay stays the same. The PSP version features even fewer guys than the Wii game, so a lot of times areas just seem empty because there aren't artillery trucks rolling up and dumping out bad guys. <br />
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The boss battles are the highlight of the game because they require the player to be more strategic. Though that usually just requires targeting specific points on the boss. They're usually some sort of giant robot though, so the scale of the game increases, making it feel more like a superhero game. <br />
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Ultimately even the boss battles can't save Iron Man 2. And it feels like Iron Man 2 was supposed to have co-op. I can choose to play as <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">War</a> Machine, and upgrade him too, but I never get to experience them teaming up to kick ass like they did in the film. I just get one or the other.(<a href="http://wii.ign.com/articles/109/1092061p1.html">IGN</a>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-76778867070142429852010-05-28T11:00:00.000-07:002010-05-28T11:36:19.395-07:00Sony PSP<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">console</a> industry, Sony decided to tackle the portable system market--one heavily fortified by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and DS. Sony sought to take down Nintendo by adopting the tactic that made the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/ps2.html">PlayStation 2</a> such a runaway success: by offering sophisticated, graphically intensive games and a heavy dose of multimedia functionality. The device is called the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and in addition to playing games of PS2 graphical quality, it can play music and movies (downloaded or via disc) and surf the Web. It may not be the best handheld media product on the market, and the games lack the innovation of ones on Nintendo's portables, but as an all-in-one device, the Sony PSP is king of the hill.<br /><br />From an aesthetic perspective, the Sony PSP is a gorgeous <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">device</a>. It's one of those gadgets you immediately want to get your hands on but vigilantly want to protect once you set it down. Weighing essentially the same as the Nintendo DS (6.2 ounces, including removable battery) and measuring 6.7 by 2.9 by 0.9 inches (WHD), the body feels well built and solid in your hand. Although not a lightweight, it's by no means a brick, nor, we suspect, would it be especially durable in a fall; you'll want to treat the PSP just as gingerly as an iPod or a Palm-style PDA.<br /><br />The centerpiece of the handheld is its especially impressive 4.3-inch wide-screen display (480x272 pixels, 16.77 million colors). The screen is flanked by controls that will be immediately recognizable to <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">fans</a> of past PlayStations: the directional keypad is to the left of the screen, and the familiar square, triangle, circle, and X buttons are to the right. We dug how Sony managed to include an analog "joystick" below the directional keypad. The stick isn't raised like the analog <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">controls</a> on a PS2 or an Xbox, but it conveys that multidirectional element that gives it a joysticklike feel.<br /><br />In lieu of the PS2 controller's four total shoulder buttons, the PSP has two: one per shoulder. Ergonomically, the device is OK but not great; as with most handheld gaming devices, you'll have to do a little finger stretching every 15 minutes or so to keep from cramping up.<br /><br />The PSP uses Sony's <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">recently</a> created "cross media bar" interface. You use the directional keypad to horizontally navigate through Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, and Internet icons, and each section has other icons attached to it on a vertical axis. All in all, it's a simple and elegant way to access the PSP's many features.<br /><br />Games and <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">officially </a>licensed movies come on Sony's proprietary UMD (Universal Media Disc) media, which are housed in protective cartridges. The UMD drive is grafted to the back of the unit; you load it and snap it shut just as you would a camcorder. The top edge also sports infrared and a USB 2.0 port that you can use to link the device to your PC or Mac, though no USB connection cable is included.<br /><br />The headphone jack is at the bottom left of the unit; Sony's official earbud-style headphones sport an in-line remote to control basic playback. The nice thing about the remote is that you can use other headphones with it, not just the provided 'buds. Like Apple, Sony has chosen to go with white headphones. We're not sure why, since the PSP is black (though an iPod-white version is available in Japan).<br /><br />One gripe: Since the device has a glossy finish--and is mostly black--it's a fingerprint magnet. A static-free cloth should always be at the ready when using your PSP, and the Value Pack had one bundled. Sony's official carrying case is a padded soft case, but a variety of third-party versions are also available (see our list of PSP accessories for more information).<br />The folks at Sony tout the PSP as, first and foremost, a gaming device. But in the next breath, they claim that it can do so much more, billing it as "the first truly integrated portable entertainment system." Both statements are, in fact, true, and suffice it to say that as a portable gaming device, particularly from a graphics standpoint, the PSP is unparalleled. You're getting a miniaturized PS2 gaming experience--or close to it, anyway--and Sony has amassed a decent selection of titles from various game developers to show off its handheld's gaming chops.<br /><br />Beyond gaming, the PSP's video prowess may be its most impressive trait. As we previously noted, the display is a 4.3-inch TFT LCD with a 480x272-pixel resolution and 16.77 million colors; by comparison, each of the Nintendo DS's two screens has 256x192 pixels with 260,000 colors. The picture quality from a UMD movie such as Spider-Man 2 is superior to what you'll see on most portable DVD players, though the majority of DVD players have significantly larger screens.<br /><br />The only problem with video playback--and it's a big one--is that it's currently hard to watch anything but UMD videos on the PSP. Unlike Sony's MiniDisc, UMD is not a recordable storage format, so you'll have to store any video or music and images on a Memory Stick Duo card. The lack of affordable and recordable UMDs has put the format in dire straits. Sony is hoping to give the format a boost by bundling UMDs with its DVDs and creating an accessory that can transfer the video to TV, but it remains highly unlikely that the many studios and retailers that have jumped ship will come back.<br /><br />Thankfully, getting media onto a PSP is much less of a hassle than it used to be. The Sony Media Manager software lets you transfer photos, music, and videos from a PC to your PSP with relative ease. It also lets you back up your saved games and manipulate podcast feeds. It's a worthwhile alternative to the bare-bones media management options with which the PSP originally shipped in March 2005, but it will cost you about $25--it's not bundled with the PSP. Fortunately, there are also a wide variety of third-party and freeware software titles available, many of which focus on converting existing video files to PSP-friendly formats (see our "How to put video on your PSP" tutorial for one example). Unfortunately, "home brewed" videos are limited to scaled-down resolutions that fail to completely exploit the PSP's native 480x272 screen. The exception: live, streaming video from Sony's LocationFree TV accessory. This Slingbox-like device lets you watch live TV on your PSP while in range of any Wi-Fi hot spot. Still, it's a shame that the only way to take full advantage of video on your PSP is to buy UMD-format movies or expensive networking accessories.<br /><br />What about music? Well, the good news is the PSP plays many types of audio files without your having to convert them to Sony's proprietary ATRAC format first--a common problem with the company's earlier MP3 devices. You simply drag your audio files into the music folder on your Memory Stick Duo card, and they'll show up on the PSP. Firmware-updated PSPs can play MP3s, ATRACs, WMAs, WAVs, and AAC-encoded song files, though not the copy-protected versions from Apple's iTunes Music Store. The device supports M3U playlists, but if you have your playlists in another format, you'll need to find and download a converter. However, as basic as the PSP's music player is (read: iPod Shuffle with a screen and no autosyncing capabilities), it will be adequate for many people.<br /><br />Those interested in replacing their iPod with the PSP will have to deal with the lack of on-the-go playlist functionality and, most important, the DIY storage. You can get a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo card for about $50, while double the capacity will cost you about three times as much. Sony announced 4GB and 8GB Memory Sticks at E3 2006 but no pricing. Player controls can be initially tricky--the in-line remote is handy--but we like the speedy precision of the fast-forward/rewind functions as well as the undulating background graphics. The PSP can also display album art when it's <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">available.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-41512590534485236092010-05-28T10:53:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:47:07.031-08:00PS2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG5m-I0IHv-JnShNjc3L2ER9tp-7UIjh9dg6mxPu6QRKxIbnkp4cSpfL3kYiAUHu9JRipSN9ITpaaYoafQu6bc8N3kX9Iy3z2fS5GrMrtfCrUBWqyDbXqyyq2rQAxPjfNZcE_kBPb7zIm/s1600/ps2.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG5m-I0IHv-JnShNjc3L2ER9tp-7UIjh9dg6mxPu6QRKxIbnkp4cSpfL3kYiAUHu9JRipSN9ITpaaYoafQu6bc8N3kX9Iy3z2fS5GrMrtfCrUBWqyDbXqyyq2rQAxPjfNZcE_kBPb7zIm/s320/ps2.gif" border="0" alt="PS2"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476381697371615378" /></a><br />
Manufacturer description<br />
If you want the very best in interactive <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">home entertainment</a>, then there really is no other choice than PlayStation 2. Fun, accessible, sociable and inclusive, PlayStation 2 offers an unparalleled range of audio-visual experiences and is an essential addition to your existing home entertainment set up. Bring your living room alive with some of the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">greatest </a>multiplayer games known to man, experience the astonishing picture quality of DVD and more, all on a single, simple, plug-and-play unit. PlayStation 2 plays host to the largest and most varied range of video games ever assembled. No matter what type of game you prefer, from sports to shoot 'em-ups, from driving to role-playing, PlayStation 2 delivers it all. You won't find <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">exclusive</a> titles like Gran Turismo, Grand Theft Auto, Tekken, Ratchet & Clank or The Getaway on any other console, so whether you're a hardcore gamer, or just fancy a quick blast now and then, PlayStation 2 really is the only entertainment system that matters. If you're upgrading from PS one, you'll be pleased to know that the PlayStation 2 will play all of your existing PS one games, so you already have a good headstart on building up your collection. Some of the more recent PS one games even benefit from enhanced visuals and audio when played through the PlayStation 2. But it's not all <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">about games</a>; PlayStation 2 is also a fully-fledged DVD player out of the box. Give all of your favorite films a new lease of life with all the benefits of the format: incredible sound and picture quality, bonus features and special additions. Additionally, you can even listen to all of your audio CDs on the PS2, and if <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">your</a> existing home setup includes Dolby Digital Surround Sound, you've got all of the connections you need to hook your PS2 up straight away. Make PlayStation 2 the center of your home entertainment system and you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.<br />
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Product summary<br />
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The goodThe good: Sleek; lots of good games; DVD movie playback.<br />
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The badThe bad: Still waiting for hard drive peripheral; Xbox's graphic capabilites are superior; only two <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">controller </a>ports.<br />
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The bottom lineThe bottom line: The elder statesman of next generation consoles, the PlayStation 2 has the luxury of a year's head start and many solid games.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-51266905904682872872010-05-28T10:40:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:47:37.689-08:00God Eater First Look<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXtS8wJ-riSMn_8wU6PgeTO-3Vqa2n_SM66pGQmVcXHT4a-N8LAMACQX6-YIIewKjEZX_5qaTnpxDW1QUMi0yJqS85hyphenhyphenrSGfz6dJ5RUVLr2qH5UdoQ4mguLF7DpA2HiM6V60IaGaIWps_/s1600/godeaterfirstlook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXtS8wJ-riSMn_8wU6PgeTO-3Vqa2n_SM66pGQmVcXHT4a-N8LAMACQX6-YIIewKjEZX_5qaTnpxDW1QUMi0yJqS85hyphenhyphenrSGfz6dJ5RUVLr2qH5UdoQ4mguLF7DpA2HiM6V60IaGaIWps_/s320/godeaterfirstlook.jpg" border="0" alt="God Eater First Look"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476377897714324786" /></a><br />
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It's easy to see the similarities between Capcom's massively popular Monster Hunter and Namco Bandai's latest third-person action role-<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">playing game </a>God Eater. Both feature protagonists sent on quests to hunt down huge creatures, with oversized weaponry, real-time combat, and an experience clearly geared towards playing with friends cooperatively. Despite this, God Eater introduces a number of features that set it apart from Monster Hunter, such as a postapocalyptic setting, lock-on targeting, and multiple weapon modes. Is it enough to turn it from a mere clone to a true competitor? We took a first look at the game to <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">find out</a>.<br />
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God Eater is set in a postapocalyptic world where mutant beasts known as the Aragami have destroyed Earth. A company known as the Fenrir Corporation sends you out into the world to destroy the beasts and restore peace to the planet. To accomplish this task, you're armed with a special bio-organic weapon known as a god arc. By <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">default</a>, the god arc has two combat modes: blade mode and gun mode. Blade mode is for close-range combat, allowing you to perform agile dashes and jumps, as well as slashing combos. However, you cannot just wildly slash at your enemies, because launching attacks uses up stamina. If you run out of stamina, you can't jump or dash, which leaves you vulnerable to attacks from an angry Aragami.<br />
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Gun mode turns the god arc into a ranged weapon. It automatically <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">targets</a> the nearest enemy in combat, allowing you to fire off a stream of bullets from afar. Alternatively, you can manually aim the gun using the D pad to target specific areas of an Aragami. You can also customise your bullets to alter their strength, patterns, and elemental types for different levels of attack power. Unlike swords, guns do not use up stamina. Instead, they use a different type of ammunition called "origin physics." Once your OP meter has run dry, you're unable to fire off any more shots. OP does not replenish automatically like stamina, so you must time your shots well in the heat of battle.<br />
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To keep your OP topped, you must use a prey attack. While in blade mode, holding the triangle button transforms your god arc into a fanged <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">creature</a>. You can then take a bite out of an Aragami and eat it, which restores your OP. As well as restoring OP, successful prey attacks boost your character's statistics, enabling moves such as double jumps. You also gain items and special ammunition for your gun, which causes more damage to the enemy. Though prey attacks are extremely beneficial, they take a considerable amount of time to charge up, so you have to time them precisely or you open yourself up to attack. You can use prey attacks after an enemy has been felled, but you are rewarded with less OP and loot.<br />
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In addition to your default god arc loadout, you can craft new weapons and armour--as well as upgrade your existing ones--with rare materials gathered from Aragami in prey attacks. You can boost attributes such as strength and stamina, build new bullet types, or create new attacks. Although the primary way to acquire rare material is <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">from</a> Aragami, you can also purchase it in shops or trade items with other players. Customisation also extends to your character, and you can change many of your character's attributes, such as hairstyle, hair colour, face, skin, clothing, and voice.<br />
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Like Monster Hunter, God Eater is best enjoyed when played with friends. It supports up to four-player co-op via ad hoc connection or via the PlayStation 3's adhocParty mode. Alternatively, you can take on quests in single-player with three AI characters. Visually, the game has a distinctly Japanese look: characters have the requisite spiky hair complete with massively oversized weaponry, attacks fill the screen with bright blasts of energy, and the Aragami loom over you with their sheer size. Burnt-out buildings, destroyed highways, and futuristic-looking platforms make up the postapocalyptic setting, which gives the game a very different look to the foliage-filled levels in Monster Hunter. God Eater is currently available in Japan, but an English-language version is due for release in Europe and North America in 2011 exclusively for the PSP.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-24999422409316893332010-05-25T09:59:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:48:13.987-08:00Dawn of Discovery: Venice Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaHUGknrtBCEIbcnHut64y0nOXDOF1Gt-F4NTaXhNejWpUkbcYBD7di6AozMIro_Y29FkKsJLCAcsdSSrri51UOicf_810oDZdiskrZsQkIGOHYzWURR8g_nXH0lKvkdmZWshP1tZhv6v/s1600/dawn-of-discovery-venice-.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaHUGknrtBCEIbcnHut64y0nOXDOF1Gt-F4NTaXhNejWpUkbcYBD7di6AozMIro_Y29FkKsJLCAcsdSSrri51UOicf_810oDZdiskrZsQkIGOHYzWURR8g_nXH0lKvkdmZWshP1tZhv6v/s320/dawn-of-discovery-venice-.jpg" border="0" alt="Dawn of Discovery: Venice"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475256568039195474" /></a><br />
this is city building game Dawn of Discovery injects new ships, items, environments and scenarios into an elaborate diplomatic, economic, and logistical <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">strategy</a> simulation. Dawn of Discovery is a deep and complex game that offers players a fun and accessible city building experience. While features like intricate city planning, trade route mapping and resource tree management place this game firmly in the simulation genre, its modest combat and quest systems put it on a short list of titles that often receive the strategy label. Related Designs and Blue Byte Software created the Venice update to add new game play and hundreds of new quests to the game, but this expansion appears to exist primarily to assuage players' demands for <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">multiplayer.</a> <br />
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Adding spies to the game does not relieve players from their essential city building responsibilities and resource management tasks; they just offer a new way to attack enemies. Since combat options are limited, the additional choice is a welcome one, but it hardly makes combat diverse. The Base of Operations structure is both the gateway to acquiring access to spies, and the counter to a sabotage attack from an enemy spy. It protects structures within its range just as a Church provides for faith within a certain radius. <br />
watch below <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">video </a>review<br />
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Infiltrating an enemy island is a difficult proposition until the defenses are cleared away a bit. At that point it's anticipated that the player will send in a spy. Soon this routine becomes predictable and players are relegated to a brute force attack or a buy-out. Initially the opportunity to sabotage is one filled with excitement and careful maneuvering, but ultimately it's something that works better when your opponent is already vulnerable. <br />
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Boarding ships also requires the victim to be defenseless. The process <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">works</a> like you might imagine: players can buy a single use item and when within range, attack and board an enemy ship. In moments the ship and its cargo become yours. Piracy is a very fitting addition to the high-seas adventure theme of the game. I found this extremely rewarding, and never tired of acquiring a new ship when the opportunity arose. This optional tactic is not terribly complex or nuanced, but its simplicity is welcome in an already very demanding game. <br />
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Venice introduced another way to win with the City Council Influence system<br />
For those players who want to test their skills, Venice comes with 15 new PVE scenarios. These maps may focus on development, trade, logistics, diplomacy, military buildup, economics, or adventure. These maps are where most of the new quests and items can be found, and are an excellent way to get familiar with the new game play. In one such scenario players are given islands that cannot grow anything. This means no amount of expanding territory will help the player directly acquire the resources, and in order to advance the population beyond the second level players must focus heavily on trade. Another completely different scenario allows players to focus only on ship to ship combat. Players are given one war ship, and must build up a fleet and take over the map. This scenario is all about survival as you have no shipyard with which to construct another ship. This map gives players an opportunity to focus only on combat without having a thousand other decisions to make. This challenge is a fun change of pace from the demanding task of city planning, but it also illustrates how basic the strategic combat system is in Dawn of Discovery. <br />
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With the addition of ship boarding, war ships can now defeat another ship by taking it over instead of just destroying it. Though it is nice to have another option, combat gets repetitive very quickly. A simple formula of attacking with greater numbers works, but many players will find this immature combat system boring. <br />
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While there are features such as a new quest type called "Trade Race" that add to the single player game, most of the changes compliment the new player vs. player and co-op online modes. Players can experience all of the new mechanics in a <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">private</a> game<br />
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Closing Comments<br />
Dawn of Discovery: Venice improves upon the already successful city building simulation game by adding new combat options and online multiplayer. These types of complex games truly shine when the myriad options create flexibility in how a player can adapt to a situation, and in how they allow the player to think creatively to solve problems. Venice’s features compliment the original game and add even more variables to an already deep system. <br />
There is nothing game changing about the new features. In order to employ advanced techniques like boarding vessels or infiltrating a city, players will need to invest a significant amount of time preparing. These new tactics still require a sound strategy focused on acquiring resources and funding defense in order for the player to survive. Venice has content suitable for all types of players, but its main target is advanced players who want to test their mettle in new scenarios, or play online with <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">friends</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-33096311295951740432010-05-21T19:29:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:49:04.679-08:00E3 2010: EA Sports Active 2.0 Details Revealed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6FSRANkXPrnVad6uVYPCFua2c24eQ2hHeWpVB7f7QezD1RgsRkQNsz2LwmLNJAChuIE305Zk61BbPq44eHFY-nOYzsf5qVjT8omRL2BkWbVeVDiYHSPPTGm6PXbFqmHbI2XeC85efin9/s1600/easportactive.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6FSRANkXPrnVad6uVYPCFua2c24eQ2hHeWpVB7f7QezD1RgsRkQNsz2LwmLNJAChuIE305Zk61BbPq44eHFY-nOYzsf5qVjT8omRL2BkWbVeVDiYHSPPTGm6PXbFqmHbI2XeC85efin9/s320/easportactive.jpeg" border="0" alt="EA Sports Active 2.0 Details Revealed"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473920953110972274" /></a><br />
The original EA Sports Active launched a year ago now and has sold 1.8 million copies, so it's no surprise that the series is headed to <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sony-play-station-3.html">PlayStation 3</a>. Over the last few days we've had a couple of opportunities (or 2.0 opportunities to be precise) to <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">check out the PS3</a> version and it's looking really good. Sure, there's a distinct lack of head-shots and high speed powerslides, so it's not our usual area of remit, but for anyone looking to get fit in the comfort of their own home, this is a professional and no nonsense piece of software designed to deliver results.<br />
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wach video review from ign.com<br />
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5rSeTGmfI4g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5rSeTGmfI4g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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The most immediately impressive aspect is the tech – Active 2.0 is completely wireless now, so your hands are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=979455011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&camp=213517&creative=391561&linkCode=ur1&adid=1WTJ7FEPAVE3DV3K9QY3&">free</a> (allowing users to hold weights if they like) and there are no cords restricting movement. The software will come with two motion sensors and a heart-rate monitor. Simply strap one motion sensor to the left forearm, one to the right thigh, and strap the heart-rate monitor on the right forearm.<br />
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The <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">multiple</a> motion sensors do a good job tracking the user's movements accurately, while it's a huge plus being able to watch what your heart-rate is doing from moment to moment, as it helps quantify the result of every exercise, and means you can tailor <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">your</a> routines to hit and maintain a certain heart-rate if you want to, say, work on cardiovascular fitness or to burn fat.<br />
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"Our number one strength is that we actually deliver fitness results," Active 2.0 designer Thomas Singleton told us. "We're less about creating a gimmicky game where people can jump in and balance a <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">little</a> bit… we're actually about creating fitness routines and programs that are designed by certified personal trainers to achieve actual goals and results from a fitness standpoint."<br />
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Active 2.0 will be coming to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">market</a> with 70 exercise and fitness activities. "This year there's a definite blend of upper body meets cardio meets core training meets lower body," said Thomas, so once again you can expect a focus on aerobic exercises and strength training, while yoga has once again missed the cut.<br />
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"We've now got a nine week challenge that's based on a three phase approach that aggressively gets you to the next level with each workout," said Thomas. "Also included this year are mini-programs that are smaller in duration and keeps things fresh along the way. And on the PlayStation 3 consumers have the ability to download new mini-programs post-launch to again keep things even fresher." The <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">personal </a>trainer will also return to help keep users motivated and provide feedback.<br />
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While Active 2.0 is all about results the team has still made an effort to make many of the activities engaging. The motto is "fun meets fitness" and this is reflected in activities like the skating mini-game, where the player ollies over obstacles, does 180 degree ollies between grinds, and even has to pick up the board and run up a slope to get to the next downhill sequence. It's actually pretty good fun and when it's over, you can really feel all that crouching and jumping. The visuals aren't anything to write home about, but they're certainly a step up from Wii and serve the game well.<br />
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Importantly, customisation is a key component. "In a traditional <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">gamer</a> sense, there's definitely an easy, medium and difficult setting, so consumers can go in and choose the setting that works for them for any one of the workouts," said Thomas. "There's also levels of intensity, so if somebody's looking for a more intense workout, they'll select the difficult workout at a high level of intensity and that will get them a higher number of reps and over a longer duration… on top of that consumers also have the ability to go in and create their own customised workouts."<br />
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Perhaps the most significant inclusion for Active 2.0 is the online functionality, which promises to connect players from around the world and create a community with a common purpose. You'll be able to track and share workout data with your friends, set challenges and so on. It may not sound like a big deal but it's a pretty crucial part of modern fitness and a great way to have an entire community that's highly motivated, as exemplified by the success Nike has had with Nike +.<br />
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It will be interesting to see how the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">iPod</a> Touch and iPhone versions of the game sync in with the console software, but as yet no details on the handheld iterations have been unveiledUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-36835935126191904652010-05-20T09:16:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:49:44.241-08:00Super Street Fighter IV Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOE_FIofM8VttD0-4p8HZoXFRRf9_TMhyphenhyphenCsyZnfzij-p0N2uexaUSeyVqa-nRQodkrgSgvqBGlugSv3DtzMgZoG14bhPDKcX0oBvvBoZqVO4x_BYC5pyLzg_6oiYDeA3pynWHqWsfUTtT/s1600/super-street-fighter-iv.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOE_FIofM8VttD0-4p8HZoXFRRf9_TMhyphenhyphenCsyZnfzij-p0N2uexaUSeyVqa-nRQodkrgSgvqBGlugSv3DtzMgZoG14bhPDKcX0oBvvBoZqVO4x_BYC5pyLzg_6oiYDeA3pynWHqWsfUTtT/s320/super-street-fighter-iv.jpg" border="0" alt="Super Street Fighter IV"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473388845202844418" /></a><br />
I recommended to who love fighters games,this is the better version of Street Fighter IV, meaning it's one of the best fighters around.<br />
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why i <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">recommended</a> to try this game out:<br />
Because Street Fighter IV's mechanics are well known at this point, the question of whether or not you really want to pick this up comes down to the new content it offers. There aren't any major changes to the basic fighting system. There's still the Super Combo Gauge that lets you pull off EX moves and supers. The Revenge Gauge lets you smack opponents with Ultras, of which there are now two per character. These give you more of a reason to go back and test out the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">original</a> 25-member cast of Street Fighter IV (all included here), because Abel now has a delayable grapple Ultra and Guile can toss a gigantic Sonic Hurricane.<br />
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<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">check this</a> video review from ign.com<br />
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The appeal of the game is its masterful blending of accessibility with complexity. Anyone can pick up a controller and enter in the charge moves and quarter/half/full circle motions to initiate special moves. The Focus Attack system introduced in Street Fighter IV is still here, and initiated simply by holding down two buttons. Because this is more of an expansion that an entirely <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">new product</a> there aren't many surprises, but it's still some of the best fighting gameplay around.<br />
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Once you get comfortable with the basics and can pull off a character's special moves, you can turn your attention to stringing them together for combos and digging into EX Focus cancels. Because every character's moves are pulled off with similar inputs, it lets you concentrate on how to use them in a fight, minimizing frustration without sacrificing depth. Being prepared is also important, which requires <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">getting</a> familiar with each character's techniques so you know what to look out for. There'll be some learning to do if you decide to pick up Super Street Fighter IV, because the game has 10 new characters to select. Two of these characters, Juri and Hakan, are completely new to Street Fighter and a lot of fun to play around <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html">with.</a><br />
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Juri's a quick <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html">fighter</a> and comes with a few useful abilities like a mid-air diving kick and a fireball that can be stored for later use, letting you launch it into your opponent when they least expect it. Hakan, on the other hand, is more bizarre. A Turkish oil wrestler who can power up by initiating a move that dumps oil all over himself, Hakan's <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/red-dead-redemption-review.html">strength</a> is in his grapple moves -- one at close range and another where he dives from afar. Hakan makes up for his slower speed with a stomach slide that shoots him swiftly across the screen. The other eight new additions, Makoto, Ibuki, Guy, Cody, Adon, T. Hawk, Dee Jay and Dudley, have appeared in previous Street Fighter games and all come along with unique fighting styles that set them apart from the returning cast. Some particular standouts are the rock-tossing Cody and the nimble boxer Dudley, though anything could happen with <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/trauma-team-review.html">character</a> rankings once Street Fighter fans worldwide pick up the game and start experimenting with combos.<br />
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Should you decide to still <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/serious-sam-hd-second-encounter-review.html">check</a> out the Arcade Mode, you can see new animated and often absurd storyline cinematics for the newcomers, take part in Street Fighter II-style Car Crusher and Barrel Buster mini-games, as well as face off against a Seth who seems a lot less cheap than he was previously. You can also turn on the fight request system to get pulled into <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-accessible-arcade-style-soccer.html">matches</a> against others. Because you don't need to unlock characters, there's less emphasis on plowing through Arcade and much more on heading online.<br />
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Most of the online portion of Street Fighter IV has received an overhaul in this new Super version. If you remember, when Street Fighter IV was first <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">released</a>, only Ranked and Player matches were available online. The point system in that game was also problematic, because it encouraged players to only use their best fighters in Ranked contests and punished experimentation. Capcom sidestepped that issue in Super Street Fighter IV by implementing two point systems.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-43448326807722929162010-05-19T09:08:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:50:46.625-08:00Red Dead Redemption Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB66wYp7VVlOc33ZzqApzRFX839MmG-h_XA9RZlzndVcn8KWP_gskuzot6j8qra_wUQ58Dc_uy0JNVM4pDxYOohsJ87ZdMcW1-wlmwBrUyh4uRYHCfyjahv3j1Vi-RpURIpvAyrtLGcbGv/s1600/reddeadredemption.jpg"><img alt="Red Dead Redemption" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB66wYp7VVlOc33ZzqApzRFX839MmG-h_XA9RZlzndVcn8KWP_gskuzot6j8qra_wUQ58Dc_uy0JNVM4pDxYOohsJ87ZdMcW1-wlmwBrUyh4uRYHCfyjahv3j1Vi-RpURIpvAyrtLGcbGv/s320/reddeadredemption.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473017056269408130" /></a><br />
This stunning Wild West epic raises the bar for open world action games, and stakes its claim as one of the most engaging games this year.<br />
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Wacth below video review from IGN<br />
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<br />
The exelences are:<br />
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* Superb cast of memorable characters <br />
* Varied and always-fun story missions <br />
* Loads of optional activities and challenges <br />
* Story does a great job of building up to multiple climaxes <br />
* Good number of enjoyable multiplayer <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">options.<br />
</a><br />
The weaknes are:<br />
<br />
* Infrequent but noticeable bugs <br />
* <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">Limited</a> customization options for persistent multiplayer character.<br />
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As you ride the train west from the northern city of Blackwater, you have no <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">idea</a> what's waiting for you in the frontier town of Armadillo at the end of Red Dead Redemption's intro sequence. Conversations between other passengers clue you in to the state of the nation, and a quick look out of the window tells you that the territories are as untamed as they are beautiful. Those basics, in conjunction with excellent gameplay, a great story, and a sizable multiplayer suite make Red Dead Redemption something very special.<br />
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When you arrive in Armadillo for the first time, you're a small fish in an extremely large pond. None of the townsfolk have ever heard of John Marston, and they're too busy believably going about their business to pay you much attention unless you bump into them. The <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">gameworld</a> stretches for miles in every direction beyond the confines of the modest town, and if it weren't for a number of mandatory missions that deftly familiarize you with the controls and <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">gameplay</a> mechanics early on, the prospect of venturing out into the wilderness could be daunting. <br />
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Whether you're galloping between locations where there are missions available or just trotting around aimlessly, Red Dead Redemption's world is a far easier one to get sidetracked in than most. That's because in addition to the dozens of excellent and varied story missions, there are countless optional undertakings to enjoy--most of which offer some tangible reward in the form of money, weapons, or reputation. While you're in town, you might <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">choose</a> to gamble at card and dice tables or tear a wanted poster from the wall and do some bounty hunting<br />
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Fame is interesting in Red Dead Redemption, because it's measured alongside but independently of your honor. Regardless of whether you're doing good deeds or bad, becoming increasingly famous is inevitable as you progress through the game. How people react when they recognize you is determined by your honor, though, which can be positive or negative. If you spend your time acting dishonorably, townsfolk might be terrified of you, but if you're considered a hero, they'll go out of their way to greet you and might even applaud as you ride into town. Either way, there are pros and cons to becoming something of a public figure. People won't bother to report you when you steal a horse if you're famous, and any bounty hunters or posses that come after you when <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html">there's</a> a price on your head will take twice as long to try again after failing the first time<br />
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In duels, even though speed is a factor, dead eye affords you an opportunity to place your shots precisely. The head is the most obvious target, but occasionally you might be required to (or wish to) win a duel without actually killing your opponent. With practice, you can shoot a gun out of an enemy's hand as he makes his move, which is especially satisfying and makes you more famous than killing someone outright. you can lock on to<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html"> enemies </a>from a great distance with any weapon. Then, once you're locked on, you can tweak your aim to target a specific part of your enemy. Nudge your aim up just a touch, and there's a good chance you'll get a one-hit-kill headshot. (You do that so often that it's likely to become a reflex every time you raise your weapon). However, you don't always want to kill your enemies, because, for example, once you learn to use a lasso, you have the option to bring bounties in alive. It's more challenging, but it also doubles your reward, and it's extremely satisfying to shoot a criminal in the leg so that he falls to ground and can only try to crawl away, hog-tie and slump him over the back of your horse, and then deliver him to the local sheriff.<br />
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You can also use your lasso to rope wild horses, which is a fun way to upgrade or just replace the mount that you spend so much time with. After catching a wild horse, you wait for just the right moment to mount it and then, via a simple minigame in which you maintain your balance as the horse tries to buck you, you break it. Initially, you might want to change your horse just to get a color that you like (there are lots to choose from), but it's also fun to keep a lookout for rare breeds, because they not only look a little more<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html"> impressive</a> but are also noticeably quicker. Regardless of what kind of horse you ride (including those that are pulling carts and wagons), the responsive controls work in the same way and make it easy to adjust your speed from a walk to a trot, canter, or gallop. You also have the option to match your speed with that of any character you're riding alongside, which is incredibly useful.<br />
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As you spend more time with the same horse, it rewards your loyalty by increasing the length of its energy bar, which determines how long it can sprint at full speed. You shouldn't become too attached to your mounts, though, because Red Dead Redemption's world is both a dangerous place and one in which horses occasionally behave unpredictably. There's nothing wrong with a horse walking around a little when you climb off it, but if you leave it close to a deep river, you run the risk of losing it if--as we witnessed on one occasion--it stupidly steps in, because, like you, horses can't swim. Horses also have a habit of not staying put when you tie them to a hitching post, so you then need to whistle for them to come to you from wherever they've ended up or run the risk of inadvertently stealing someone else's identical mount. Other, more avoidable ways to lose a horse include its getting shot by enemies or attacked by wild animals, though the controls for shooting from the saddle are good enough that you really have only yourself to blame if that happens.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-340328621859214602010-05-18T07:40:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:53:27.341-08:00Trauma Team Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QxeRHuHZkBoR6GQR9SEr8RfXL-JzHCSu-3B9u5dVWulLcCgDbWkXWwoigoBIJsTJ77uKaezkvJIsiJqpfWme9KDtq7C5GDHRWU6z-3dfkjh2JM2wi6uPHfuFO5mKqQ92qC7-8B16acry/s1600/traumateam.jpg"><img alt="Trauma Team" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QxeRHuHZkBoR6GQR9SEr8RfXL-JzHCSu-3B9u5dVWulLcCgDbWkXWwoigoBIJsTJ77uKaezkvJIsiJqpfWme9KDtq7C5GDHRWU6z-3dfkjh2JM2wi6uPHfuFO5mKqQ92qC7-8B16acry/s200/traumateam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472620773293784194" /></a><br />
Trauma Team's diverse array of specialists make this lengthy doctor's visit <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/serious-sam-hd-second-encounter-review.html">fun</a>, engaging, and rewarding.<br />
<br />
The Exelence are:<br />
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* Great variety of medical activities <br />
* Sharp controls across the board <br />
* Novel forensics and diagnosis mechanics <br />
* Eclectic cast of characters will win you over.<br />
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The weakness are:<br />
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* Some episodes and cutscenes drag on too long <br />
* Obscure solutions can trip you up.<br />
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Wach below Video Review From Machinima<br />
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Previous Trauma Center games have focused on <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-accessible-arcade-style-soccer.html">virtual</a> surgery, challenging you to hone your operating skills to a scalpel's edge with punishing difficulty. Trauma Team takes a more holistic approach by staffing six different characters, each with a distinct specialty. No two disciplines play the same way, and the resulting variety is refreshing. Still, there is a lot of cleverness to be found in both the gameplay and the writing. Of course, neither is without its flaws, and the game sometimes drags its feet when it should be moving things along. Occasional pacing slowdowns aside, this is a lengthy game that is packed with content and priced affordably. <br />
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The most familiar discipline here is surgery. The <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">controls</a> use the same slick system as before: you select your tool with the analog stick and perform actions with the remote. It is definitely entertaining (even for TC veterans), and there are some new elements to contend with, but surgery is nowhere near as challenging as it was in previous games. There are no supernatural abilities to contend with, only the story of an amnesiac prisoner called on to perform <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gears-of-war-2-review.html">high-risk</a> surgeries in exchange for years off of his sentence. Surgery is more streamlined in Trauma Team because it plays a supporting role instead of being the franchise player. While some may lament the reduced challenge, this old standby ends up filling its niche quite nicely because the other disciplines round out the game so well.<br />
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Orthopedics is similar to surgery in that it deals mainly with cutting on an anesthetized patient, but it plays out a little differently. Rather than selecting your tool on the fly, you use the one you are automatically given. You cut, drill, hammer, and screw in sequence, all the while building up a chain meter for each successful action. This meter offers another layer of instant feedback on top of the neon adjectives displayed after every action, upping the pressure as the procedure continues and your chain grows bigger. Another significant difference is in how the cutting action is presented. Pointing the remote to keep your tool in the designated area is easy at first, but it's not long before the camera starts moving of its own accord, forcing you to keep up with the cut line while staying within the borders of the guide. Soon, the camera starts moving out of sync with the guide, and you have to be even more wary. This is initially aggravating, but once you get the hang of things, it becomes a reasonable, if slightly contrived, challenge. The orthopedic doctor is a muscular specimen named Hank Freebird, a relentless optimist whose extracurricular activities, while almost too goofy, somehow manage to stay within the bounds of sanity.<br />
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Emergency care is the most intense of all the disciplines and is handled by a similarly intense doctor who loves to take charge and yell at people. Controlwise, this mode is similar to surgery, but you have only a few <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">tools</a> at your disposal, and your focus is on stabilizing patients so they can be transported to the hospital. Burns, cuts, and broken limbs are your common foes, but the real challenge is that you have to handle multiple patients at a time, and they are all losing health quickly. Switching between patients and administering treatment is an engagingly hectic challenge, though you can find yourself forced to rely overmuch on the magical health-boosting stabilizer injection. Still, this is the most frantic action in Trauma Team, and successfully saving a bloody parade of accident victims is very satisfying.<br />
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Endoscopy is a much more deliberate specialty, but it's not without its challenges. The trick here is the controls: you have to pinch A and B and move the remote forward or backward, mimicking the motion of pushing or pulling the endoscope through your patient's inner pathways. Steering and tool usage are both relegated to the nunchuk, and learning how to use the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">analog stick</a> to cut after being accustomed to using the remote is definitely tricky. The controls are sharp, but tough to master. This helps mitigate the fact that endoscopy is one of the more repetitive disciplines, because it takes a while before you get the hang of things. Trauma Team's resident endoscopist is Tomoe Tachibana, the daughter of a modern-day samurai lord, who is on a quest to attain honor outside of her <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">homeland</a> and prove her worthUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-6835611203104133512010-05-17T07:31:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:54:14.759-08:00Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyUOP-QGonWZota4ATSPsMCcaOvxdhsKctRP2YGsqORjBeJUMTY9tCcD2MqHVlhz8njgpPosuUwgSxDeURMCPx9_35dAlM4ueafu42K_Y7REI1_hHzHwBms6dhrBGdUtTwGMlI0Z7VmHj/s1600/serioussamhd.jpg"><img alt="Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyUOP-QGonWZota4ATSPsMCcaOvxdhsKctRP2YGsqORjBeJUMTY9tCcD2MqHVlhz8njgpPosuUwgSxDeURMCPx9_35dAlM4ueafu42K_Y7REI1_hHzHwBms6dhrBGdUtTwGMlI0Z7VmHj/s200/serioussamhd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472250854891167602" /></a><br />
here we goooo,<br />
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This is the best <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-accessible-arcade-style-soccer.html">version</a> of one of the best gonzo shooters ever made, although it doesn't stray too far from its seven-year-old inspiration.<br />
The exelences are:<br />
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* Irons out bugs from the initial <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">PC</a> version of The First Encounter <br />
* Spectacular run-and-gun battles with hundreds of monsters <br />
* Great <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">visuals</a> and an outstanding soundtrack <br />
* Loads of new multiplayer modes.<br />
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The weakness are:<br />
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* Remake of a seven-year-old game <br />
* Lengthy battles can get a little monotonous in spots <br />
* Not many people playing online.<br />
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Even though the Serious Sam series has to be near the very top of any list of the best gonzo shooters ever made, the HD remakes of the games did not get off to a <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">great</a> start last fall. Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter landed on Steam with a great big thump in November due to a ton of bugs that made the game impossible for some users to play, let alone enjoy blasting enemies to bits. But the run-and-gun madness is back for real with Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter, a revamped version of the 2002 original that's widely considered the high point of the franchise. This is what we should have gotten six months ago from developers Croteam and Devolver Digital. It's a flawless re-creation of a classic brought into the present with updated graphics and new multiplayer modes.<br />
<br />
here video review from idk<br />
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<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">Action</a> is dialed up to 11 in The Second Encounter, with extra everything. There are a few very useful new weapons, including a chainsaw that cuts baddies into corpse cross sections a la Gray's Anatomy (the book, not the TV show), a flamethrower with the ability to make crispy critters, a sniper rifle that can record one-shot kills, and even a smart bomb-like Serious Bomb that can clear whole battlefields without leaving anything in its wake but smears of blood. New enemies have also been tossed into the mix. Some are variations are made to old friends like alien <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gears-of-war-2-review.html">soldiers</a> who fire sci-fi blasters, while others are insanely inventive freak-show monsters. This includes Cucurbito the Pumpkin, who is a chainsaw-wielding madman in denim overalls with a flaming jack-o'-lantern for a head, and the two-fisted gunslinger Zumb'ul from Planet Ras-Ad-Nyk, who was inspired by Clint Eastwood but resembles an alien Yosemite Sam.<br />
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Levels have also been tweaked. In <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">addition</a> to the standard battle arenas from the first game, where you get locked into a valley outdoors or some sort of indoor death trap and have to murder hundreds of monsters before being allowed to leave, there are all sorts of special chambers that do crazy things with special effects. Winds blow you around as you try to navigate spike pits. Rubbery floors and walls bounce you all over the place while you're being attacked by the franchise's now-iconic headless screaming freaks with bombs for hands. And so on. It can be a little too much at times, with enemies that keep on coming and coming until the repetition drives you to take a break. There does seem to be some padding here, particularly in the South America section, where the body count is excessive in a few spots even for a Serious Sam game. Many levels have also been spiced up with key puzzles, where you <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">collect</a> an item or two, like statues, in order to open a door.<br />
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The same goes for the sound effects and Sam's trademark one-liners. The game looks great in the Serious 3 Engine. You can really see the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/microsoft-xbox-360.html">differences</a> here between old and new visuals, much more so than in the HD version of The First Encounter. This is due to varied level settings, such as the high grass of the Mesoamerican jungle and the medieval snow. Even the sunlight glinting off of gun barrels seems more lifelike, as do the shadow effects as the sun begins to set in the later stages of levels. All of this combines to more effectively draw you into the campaign.<br />
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The new multiplayer is another highlight, as it has been beefed up with a number of new options over the HD First Encounter. Co-op can now be played in Classic, Survival (take on waves of baddies as a team), and Coin-Op (battle with just three lives) modes that range from an utter blast with a handful of pals to sheer chaos with the 16-player maximum. Versus play is now about more than just the plain old Deathmatch of the HD version of The First Encounter, too. Traditional multiplayer games like Capture the Flag and Last Man Standing have been added, along with arcade-ish unique modes. For instance, Beast Hunt sees you competing to earn points for kills, Instant Kill is a sniper rifle free-for-all with single-shot deaths, and My Burden has players scrapping over a weight that grants automatic points on its carrier. But even though there is a lot of exciting<br />
<br />
Still, even though Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter isn't anything more than a relatively unambitious <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html">remake</a> of a nearly decade-old game, it's very different to most modern shooters and certainly offers enough content to justify its $20 price tag. This is a definite improvement on the 2002 shooter classic, and as such, it is a ton of zany fun for anyone who wants to revisit the game, and certainly recommended for shooter fans who didn't get to experience the original back in the day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-58494042783441546032010-05-15T19:09:00.000-07:002010-05-18T08:59:28.238-07:002010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkK8OPLGW5y49Q46QncKaH7HSPzr8EuAzvZ8PiY0FuUBfBlpgRO2Oi75CJ9ElU-EkPxfBq-WL3uHB7qmYKGXJAaCuMYHQsq4L7bgQZOnfkiI97noQhQYJzdq_boMMHhNHMCv7Q9k1iSZJ/s1600/fifaworldcupsouthafrica.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkK8OPLGW5y49Q46QncKaH7HSPzr8EuAzvZ8PiY0FuUBfBlpgRO2Oi75CJ9ElU-EkPxfBq-WL3uHB7qmYKGXJAaCuMYHQsq4L7bgQZOnfkiI97noQhQYJzdq_boMMHhNHMCv7Q9k1iSZJ/s200/fifaworldcupsouthafrica.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471685934394919042" /></a><br />This accessible arcade-style soccer game eschews realism in favor of fast-paced fun and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">features</a> some great multiplayer options.<br />The Excelences are<br /><br /> * Great multiplayer modes <br /> * Assembling your dream team is a lot of fun <br /> * Fast-paced, arcade-style soccer.<br /><br />The weakness are<br /><br /> * Limited online and solo play options <br /> * Remote-and-nunchuk controls make you want to reach for a Classic Controller.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-tg7k90Rlw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-tg7k90Rlw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />When the 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa next month, soccer fans the world over will be glued to their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">televisions</a> regardless of whether or not their country is still in the running. When there are no matches being played, they'll need some other way to satiate their soccer appetites, and that's where 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa comes in. The Wii version of EA Sports' latest offering doesn't play a realistic game of soccer, but it looks and sounds the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCar-Electronics%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1077068%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fgps5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">part</a>, and there's still plenty of fun to be had on the field, particularly if you're with friends.<br /><br />Unlike FIFA games on other platforms, which seemingly strive for realism above all else, 2010 FIFA World Cup on the Wii makes some compromises in the interest of accessibility. Moving the ball around effectively requires some skill because you have to determine both the direction and the strength of every pass, but the controls for almost every other aspect of outfield play have been boiled down to the bare essentials. This includes corners, free kicks, penalties, shots at goal, defending, and even the act of two players competing to get on the end of a goal kick. The controls are uncomplicated, and if you've ever played a FIFA game before--on any platform--you should have no trouble picking them up. With that said, using a Classic <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">Controller</a> is definitely recommended because the remote and nunchuk setups afford you less control and require remote shaking to shoot at goal and perform sliding tackles.<br /><br />Shots at goal are perhaps the least realistic aspect of 2010 FIFA World Cup, though it can still be very satisfying to score great goals. You can hit the shoot button--or shake your remote if you insist--from anywhere on the field, and if you're the right side of the halfway line, there's always a chance that you'll score. That's because every single shot gets launched toward the opposition's goal like a rocket--complete with visual and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">audio effects</a> more befitting a bullet than a ball. You won't score every time, of course, but make no mistake, this is a game in which you score a lot of goals and net-busting bicycle kicks and the like are the norm.<br /><br />How well you fare elsewhere on the field will depend on the speed of your reflexes because a number of different scenarios all get resolved the same way--with a quick, well-timed flick of the right analog stick. For example, if you're trying to get on the end of a goal kick or a corner, you simply wait for the incoming ball to glow for a moment and then flick the right analog stick as quickly as possible to ensure that you win the ball. If you win this minigame of sorts after a goal kick, then you perfectly control the ball as your opponent stumbles to the ground; if you win it after a corner, then you either shoot at goal or make a clearance, depending on whether you're attacking or defending. Direct free kicks work in a similar fashion: As the kick taker, you have to time your tap of the stick with your player striking the ball, and as the goalie, you watch for the glowing ball. It's an overly simplistic system, but it works, and it keeps the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">game moving</a> at a good pace because you're not wasting time trying to line up every set piece perfectly.<br /><br />When the ball glows, that's your cue to make your move.<br /><br />If you're playing against the AI on the medium or hard difficulty setting, set pieces might provide some of your best chances at goal, but if you take the easy option, you can more or less score goals at will. It's unfortunate that there's such a significant difference between the easy and medium difficulty settings because the easy option is unlikely to challenge even the most inexperienced players, while medium might surprise you with some great goals of its own on occasion. Given this game's obvious emphasis on accessibility, an <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">option</a> between the two might have made sense. Regardless, you shouldn't be spending too much time playing with the AI anyway because, like most sports game, 2010 FIFA World Cup is best enjoyed with friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-40666176432466048082010-05-15T11:19:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:54:59.417-08:00GTA: Liberty City Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVU4_EY9xRQgvbsQLy4W3IDInVCeq37-9lTFrcONe7z1BbWp4NCARVa9g11jg3OcyNCMsq4-d3Wgp3IwgTeZALnLSm6p1VaQzIvxVc8h1VwLCvXMNdxPxbV_oAQnDFHsgogw8wNZhwehf/s1600/GTA.jpg"><img alt="GTA: Liberty City" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVU4_EY9xRQgvbsQLy4W3IDInVCeq37-9lTFrcONe7z1BbWp4NCARVa9g11jg3OcyNCMsq4-d3Wgp3IwgTeZALnLSm6p1VaQzIvxVc8h1VwLCvXMNdxPxbV_oAQnDFHsgogw8wNZhwehf/s200/GTA.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471565685947022354" /></a><br />
Best enjoyed after beating Grand Theft Auto IV, this great double-pack of episodic content shows you sides of Liberty City you never knew existed.<br />
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The excelences are:<br />
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* Two great and very different storylines <br />
* New vehicles and weapons freshen up the familiar <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">gameplay</a> <br />
* Checkpoint feature makes failing missions less frustrating <br />
* Lots of amusing references to original game's characters <br />
* Great value for money.<br />
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The weakness are:<br />
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* Visuals are showing their age <br />
* Inconsistent frame rates <br />
* Separate multiplayer lobbies for GTAIV and both episodes.<br />
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Wach below video review from IGN<br />
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If you've already <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">played</a> through 2008's Grand Theft Auto IV, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect in the formerly <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/microsoft-xbox-360.html">Xbox-360</a>-exclusive Episodes from Liberty City. The included episodes--The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony--take place concurrently with the original game's storyline, and while each introduces a handful of new features, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.completely, there's no reason you can't have a great time with new boys Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez. You definitely get more from these episodes if you play GTAIV beforehand though, because nods and winks to that game are scattered liberally throughout.<br />
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For the same reason, you'd do well to hold off on <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gears-of-war-2-review.html">playing</a> The Ballad of Gay Tony until after you've beaten or at least spent a good amount of time with The Lost and Damned. The two episodes have been released simultaneously on the PC, but on the Xbox 360, The Lost and Damned was available as a download some eight months earlier. In that episode, you assume the role of Johnny Klebitz--a high-ranking member of the Lost biker gang who regularly disagrees with its trigger-happy leader, Billy Grey. <br />
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Another neat feature introduced in The Lost and Damned, which also made it into The Ballad of Gay Tony, is a mission checkpoint <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">system</a>. Some of the missions take a long time to beat, and a good number of them involve riding or driving to locations that might be a good distance away before the action really gets under way. In GTAIV it could be frustrating to fail these missions, because doing so meant restarting them from the beginning, but the checkpoint system addresses that problem by giving you the option to restart from the last checkpoint that you made it through successfully. Unlike the more inventive and varied missions in The Ballad of Gay Tony, the missions in The Lost and Damned rarely deviate from the original GTAIV formula. You get to ride alongside your gang brothers occasionally, and you can call for backup from them during certain missions, but playing as Klebitz feels a lot like playing as Bellic for the most part.<br />
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If you've played through a good portion of GTAIV, it should come as no surprise that Klebitz's and Bellic's paths cross occasionally. Sometimes it's as subtle as the pair simply having a mutual acquaintance, but in one mission the two characters briefly work alongside each other, and if you remember said mission from the original game, it's great to see the events unfold from a second perspective. The Ballad of Gay Tony does an even <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sony-play-station-3.html">better</a> job of referencing characters and content from previous Liberty City outings and actually kicks off with a cutscene set during one of Bellic's most memorable missions. Lopez has a very different group of <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">friends</a> and acquaintances than the other two protagonists, but he's a killer-for-hire and he dabbles in drug-dealing, so he inevitably ends up moving in some of the same circles--or at least looking at them down the barrel of a gun. Again, you get to see a handful of missions play out from a second or even third perspective, and given Lopez's penchant for parachutes and the prominence of helicopters in his <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">episode</a>, his view is often very different.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-86820924059493882312010-05-12T21:36:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:56:24.499-08:00Gears of War 2 Review<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcomputer-video-games-hardware-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D468642%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fcvg5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">video games Gadget</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV77Qbvj3uSHVmqP8z2izs6jY3rwy2F_eJEne_WDJgxGlpId317_2Iv20IUgJI6kQq2mIf27Kb3hC1d1EDb40j1Sef9-JYy6ZrouSIxlGZClKV8avA21Zs5mfmzone_LNkc5HIPMIpO-q/s1600/gearofwar2.jpg"><img alt="Gears of War 2 Review" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV77Qbvj3uSHVmqP8z2izs6jY3rwy2F_eJEne_WDJgxGlpId317_2Iv20IUgJI6kQq2mIf27Kb3hC1d1EDb40j1Sef9-JYy6ZrouSIxlGZClKV8avA21Zs5mfmzone_LNkc5HIPMIpO-q/s200/gearofwar2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470611229133496770" /></a><br />
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Hi all,<br />
This posting is for review one of many kind <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">game</a> on the world, this time we have to review "GEAR OF WAR 2"<br />
Here is exelences for this game<br />
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* All-new, great-looking environments <br />
* New weapons, grenades, and melee attacks <br />
* Excellent new multiplayer modes, especially Horde <br />
* Drop-in co-op support with independent difficulty <br />
* Same exciting Gears action you know and love.<br />
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The weakness is<br />
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* Fiddly controls in vehicular sections <br />
* Too many unresolved plot strands.<br />
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After The Fact: Reviews Revisited<br />
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Gears of War 2 picks up the story six months after the end of the first game. The Locust are so powerful that they can sink entire cities from below, whereas the humans are becoming even more desperate thanks to the spread of a disease called rust lung. With fears that the last city of Jacinto might fall, it's down to Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago to take the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/lost-planet-2-review.html">fight</a> to the Locust in a desperate last stand against their alien foes. Survival is at the centre of Gears 2, but there's also personal drama, with themes such as family, death, and even love interwoven into the grand plot. This sheds some light on the characters and the universe, and though it ultimately uncovers more questions than it answers, the game has a much grander premise than its predecessor.<br />
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In terms of <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/halo-3-review.html">gameplay</a>, Gears 2 is fundamentally the same as the original game, but fans of the series should be able to spot some key refinements. The cover system has been honed so that you cling more accurately to surfaces, and the weapons have received subtle alterations to make them even more balanced than before. The revival system has also been tweaked considerably. Not only can your AI teammates heal you if you're injured, but now you can also tap A to crawl toward them more quickly when you're injured. This makes the game a lot fairer in terms of difficulty and allows for some heart-pounding moments as you race to your teammates to avoid a fatal curb-stomping from the opposition.<br />
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Gears of War 2 introduces more <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/lead-and-golds-straight-shooting.html">backstory</a> to the characters and the universe, but it ultimately throws up more questions than answers.<br />
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Although the assault rifle is still the go-to firearm for the duration of the campaign, there are plenty of other weapons to play with. New to the Gears universe is the flamethrower, which doesn't have a <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">great</a> range but is excellent for dealing with groups of enemies that get a little too close for comfort. Then there are the heavy weapons, which stop you from being able to roadie run but make up for this with their immense power. The mulcher is a high-calibre chain gun that can cut through even the biggest enemies in a single burst, whereas the mortar rains down a shower of explosives from afar. Grenades have also seen improvements; you can stick them to surfaces so they become proximity mines, there's a <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/test-drive-unlimited-2-first-look.html">new model</a> that gives off noxious gas, and the smoke grenade delivers a concussive blast that knocks surrounding players off of their feet. All of these new weapons are great fun to use, and crucially, they're well balanced for use in multiplayer.<br />
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The first Gears of War was brutally over-the-top in its violence, and the sequel manages to take this even further. You now have four ways of executing your enemies, all of which are mapped onto the face buttons of the joypad. X performs the standard curb-stomp, B delivers a quicker blow to the back of the head, and Y flips your foe over for repeated punches to the face. Finally, the A button lets you grab the wounded <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/pirates-of-caribbean-armada-of-damned.html">enemy</a> to use as a meat shield, affording you some protection until you decide to finish it off with a neck-break. The signature chainsaw move has been adapted so you cut upward from the crotch if you approach from the rear, and if two players ready their saws, they enter a duel that's won by whoever taps the B button the fastest. These new additions improve on the already gritty and satisfying melee combat of the original Gears of War and make close-quarters <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html">combat</a> even more gruesomely rewarding.<br />
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hope this posting can help youUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-48472307890519525262010-05-12T21:14:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:57:51.156-08:00Halo 3 Review<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcomputer-video-games-hardware-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D468642%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fcvg5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">video games Gadget</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-THY5Xk0DV3vIW6oQk_V1js87RTNWK8jc2Ta-Ix_-GLLB7RzKmyCcWosC7qG4JoGdZBQQ7MZUC_C32bciKRY6ZxpVurMAwX9zfwTM1FnpzH7vSyiT12Mz8JtRAgFzZkoPm1H4bY92spUD/s1600/halo3.jpg"><img alt="Halo 3" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-THY5Xk0DV3vIW6oQk_V1js87RTNWK8jc2Ta-Ix_-GLLB7RzKmyCcWosC7qG4JoGdZBQQ7MZUC_C32bciKRY6ZxpVurMAwX9zfwTM1FnpzH7vSyiT12Mz8JtRAgFzZkoPm1H4bY92spUD/s200/halo3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470605289740491922" /></a><br />
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Lets Start<br />
The excelences are:<br />
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* <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">Satisfying</a> storyline that simultaneously provides closure while making you wonder what will happen next <br />
* Four-player online co-op is a lot of fun <br />
* Forge mode map editor lets you do some extremely crazy and unexpected things <br />
* Web integration makes sharing new maps and custom modes easy.<br />
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The weakness are:<br />
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* Rewinding saved films doesn't work quite like you'd expect it to <br />
* AI-controlled Marines can't drive to save their lives (or yours) <br />
* Inevitable flood of prepubescent online <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">players</a> sure to hamper your enjoyment of the online modes.<br />
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Halo 3 manages to feel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">familiar</a> while also packing in a good amount of new material.<br />
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Halo 3 is an interesting mix of established protocol and intriguing new stuff. For example, the gameplay doesn't stray too far from Halo 2, which, in turn, didn't exactly reinvent the original Halo. Don't take that as a negative, because it means that Halo 3 plays extremely well, with the same types of light tactical considerations that have made the series stand apart from other, faster-paced shooters. The balance between your guns, your grenades, and your melee attack has always given Halo a unique feel in the genre, and those same considerations apply today, both in the campaign mode and in multiplayer. You'll also have new weapons and items to consider, such as a host of Brute weapons. One example is the spiker, which is an exciting automatic pistol that fires quickly and decimates opponents, especially if you're holding a pair of them. Another is the mauler, which is a one-handed shotgun that can level enemies up close. You'll even find weapons so huge that your movement speed slows when you carry them. <br />
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The campaign is structured in much the same way as past Halo games, with multiple chapters and effective streaming that ensures you'll see load times only between chapters. There are also lengthy vehicle sequences to break up the on-foot action. You'll pilot the classic Halo vehicles, such as the Ghost, a hovering one-person craft that's fast and deadly, and the Warthog, a dune buggy with a turret mounted in the back. You'll also see new vehicles, such as the Brute Prowler, which is a two-person vehicle with turrets. Like in previous games, the vehicles are fun to use. Also similar to previous games, the artificial <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">intelligence</a> can't drive very well, so if you're playing alone, you'll usually want to grab the steering wheel rather than the weapons.<br />
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The concept of "equipment" is new to the series. These deployable special items have a variety of effects. The most obvious example is the bubble shield: You (and your enemies) can walk through it, but bullets and explosions bounce right off. It's especially entertaining when your enemies use it, given that you can just walk through and bash them with the butt of your gun. You'll also find items that make your shields regenerate more quickly, and others that drain enemy shields and stop their vehicles dead in their tracks. These items also show up in multiplayer, where they're a little more interesting.<br />
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Halo 3's story doesn't suffer from that problem at all. It opens immediately following the events of Halo 2: The Covenant is on its way to Earth, continuing its religious zealotry and attempting to activate the floating space weapons known as Halos, which could destroy civilization as we know it. The Master Chief and the other Earth forces of the UNSC are in hot pursuit to stop them, with newfound allies such as the Arbiter coming along for the ride. We'll spare you the specifics because they're quite compelling and should be seen firsthand. All you really need to know if you're on the fence about Halo 3's <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">campaign</a> is that it's a delicate balancing act that manages to provide satisfying closure for the trilogyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-72911848102278195552010-05-12T12:17:00.000-07:002012-01-25T23:58:50.871-08:00Lost Planet 2 Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVcke_Xmtb-_SEMMe7tpkAHhVly4G_uTeGsVedEz2_HBjkkTCL6XbBv2Z9Jn7GOwa8uA4b3a_-WF3W_G9CMmdXKHb-KVfPRoRwbg8AbOia2rFTtbsmc6vktnzjzHjtOlJvHkVDOUdnkwR/s1600/lost-planet.jpg"><img alt="Lost Planet 2" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVcke_Xmtb-_SEMMe7tpkAHhVly4G_uTeGsVedEz2_HBjkkTCL6XbBv2Z9Jn7GOwa8uA4b3a_-WF3W_G9CMmdXKHb-KVfPRoRwbg8AbOia2rFTtbsmc6vktnzjzHjtOlJvHkVDOUdnkwR/s320/lost-planet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470465420737051106" /></a><br />
Capcom's epic action sequel gets left out of the refrigerator. <br />
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Here is <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">review</a>: Lost Planet 2 is with few exceptions a beautiful game that always seems to have something new to show the player. From familiar ice fields to jungles and cities and deserts, the world of EDN III is often a sight to behold. There seems to be a bit less variety in the kinds of alien akrid enemies on display, but this is made up for by the variety of enemy factions you encounter - and play as. The music is also excellent, with sweeping, epic orchestration punctuating major moments of the game, though it would have been nice to hear it more often. The bulk of many levels lack any musical accompaniment at all, leading to an often quiet <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html">monster hunting </a>experience.<br />
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It will kill you. Over and over.<br />
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The story is, remarkably, even less coherent than the previous <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">game's</a> focus on amnesiac Wayne and his quest for identity. Lost Planet 2 takes place ten years later, as the formerly frozen EDN III has begun to thaw, and even more pirate factions are fighting for territory. Meanwhile, military organization NEVEC has plans to exploit the massive Cat-G Akrid that have begun to appear for their valuable thermal energy, even if their goals destroy the planet in the process. The game's six episodes take place from several perspectives - including an extended and ill-advised jaunt through some semi-offensive ethnic stereotypes toward the end - though the focus sits mainly on a squad of NEVEC commandos that quickly realize, to quote the cliche, that they're in for more than they signed up for. As this squad and everyone else realize what NEVEC is up to, they... well, they pretty much all make their way in a prescribed direction without talking or communicating with each other, and only one group of pirates actually does anything meaningful. While each episode manages to show something different, the game feels disjointed and hard to follow, and eventually bogs down in anime and old-school <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">video game</a> cliches.<br />
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Another problematic area is the game's level design. Lost Planet 2 is split into 6 episodes of multiple chapters each, and each chapter has several missions. There are no checkpoints between missions, meaning you'll need to complete a full chapter to save your progress in Lost Planet 2, which can often take more than an hour to play through. This means that should you die near the end of a chapter trying to figure out what the game wants you to do, which it never really tells you, you'll have to play the whole thing over again. There's also no jump-in co-op, as new players will be forced to wait in a lobby until the other players in the game reach the next mission in a chapter before they can join the session. Campaign <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcell-phones-service-plans-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D301185%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fwi5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">levels</a> feel like multiplayer maps populated by enemy soldiers and akrid, and little attention to balance difficulty or fairness is apparent. Expect to die over and over at certain points as enemy akrid or vital suits camp your spawn points. The giant akrid bosses and mini-bosses return, as does their tendency to knock you down and never let you back up. There is some satisfaction to be found from conquering these enormous monsters, but it's always grim, the kind of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">satisfaction</a> that comes from an end to frustration rather than a sense of accomplishment.<br />
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At Last:<br />
Lost Planet 2 <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/test-drive-unlimited-2-first-look.html">plays</a> like it was never put in front of a member of its intended audience at some point during its development, someone who might have asked "why?": "Why can't I pause the game unless I make my game unjoinable?" "Why can't I join a co-op game in progress?" "Why can this monster kill me in two hits?" A little "why?" may have taken this game in a different, more compelling direction. If you've burned through other multiplayer or co-op options, then there might be something for you in Lost Planet 2. The single player campaign is lengthy at around 14 hours with full co-op support and the multiplayer has plenty of maps and modes. Just do yourself a favor: buy some insurance for the controller you'll invariably throw across the room at one of Lost Planet 2's seemingly endless design and <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">interface </a>issues.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-81380002012894981162010-05-12T11:04:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:00:33.489-08:00Sony Play Station 3<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcomputer-video-games-hardware-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D468642%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fcvg5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">video games Gadget</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
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Sony introduced Netflix to the PlayStation 3 home console. Netflix subscribers can order a free PS3 Netflix Blu-ray Disc online from the site and must use it every time in order to stream a movie. Users can manage their queue and watch any film that's available (including some HD content) for instant viewing. Please see our hands-on review of the Netflix PS3 service.<br />
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Photo gallery: Sony <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">PlayStation</a> 3 Slim<br />
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Sony PlayStation 3 Slim<br />
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Back in 2004, four years after first launching the PlayStation 2, Sony brought out a new, much more compact PS2. Timed to come out just as <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">Grand Theft Auto</a>: San Andreas was hitting stores, the redesigned console helped breath new life into the PS2 franchise. It remains on <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">store</a> shelves today--you can pick one up for just $99.<br />
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Needless to say, Sony hopes that a trimmed down--and less expensive--PS3 Slim will similarly invigorate sales of the PlayStation 3, which has lagged behind the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">Nintendo Wii</a> and the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/microsoft-xbox-360.html">Microsoft Xbox 360</a> and has taken some of the luster off the PlayStation brand (even as earlier versions of the PS3 received high marks from this publication). To many industry observers, the Slim PS3 represents a moment of reckoning for the PS3--a chance at redemption if you will--and clearly some serious engineering has gone into the creation of Sony's latest black gaming box and media player.<br />
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If you're a fan of the PS3 or have been sitting on the fence, waiting for its price to drop to $299, the good news is that from a features standpoint, the 120GB Slim PS3 is nearly identical to the 80GB and the 160GB "fat" PS3 models that Sony's in the process of phasing out. Aside from losing the capability to install another OS (Linux) on your PS3, nothing much else has changed. You still get built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (the Xbox 360 Wi-Fi adapter is a $100 add-on accessory), two USB ports for plugging in external storage devices and charging the PS3's Bluetooth wireless controller (one DualShock 3 controller comes with the Slim), and the same built-in Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player with BD-Live capabilities.<br />
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Like its predecessor, the Slim also supports playback of MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4/h.264 video files from USB or disc-based media, as well as JPEG image viewing (the slideshow functionality is quite impressive). Like the Xbox 360, the PS3 can act as a digital media hub, with the ability to stream content from any DLNA-compatible network device, including PCs and network attached hard drives. And you also get a built-in Web browser (optional Bluetooth keyboards are available), which is serviceable, though not as good as any of the major browsers available for PCs.<br />
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Around back, you'll find an Ethernet jack, an HDMI output (no cable included), an optical digital audio output (SPDIF), and the proprietary PlayStation AV output for analog audio and video. A composite AV cable ships with the unit, and because it uses the same connector as the PlayStation 2, that system's S-Video and component cables should work with it, as well (to get HD video, you'll need component or HDMI).<br />
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The bad news is that Sony didn't add new features to the Slim. Alas, while we didn't think the company would be nice enough to throw in an IR receiver so you could control the PS3 with a standard IR universal remote, Sony has eschewed IR again. Also, if you're pining to play your collection of PS2 games on Slim, you'll be disappointed to note that backward capability remains a thing of the past (the option only existed only on some of the earlier PS3 systems Sony released).<br />
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The story here, then, is all about design, and it's generally a good one. For starters, the Slim is 33 percent smaller and 36 percent lighter than its predecessors, and it really does look significantly more compact when you put it up against the "fat" PS3. Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the beholder, and many people, including this reviewer, think the Slim's new frame is fairly fetching.<br />
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Yet, we've also heard people say that the new "textured," or matte, finish gives the system a cheaper look. Maybe so, but pick the Slim up and it feels quite substantial. And while we're sure Sony doesn't want people referring to the Slim using adjectives like cheap (except when it comes to the price tag), the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCar-Electronics%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1077068%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fgps5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">company </a>does want this PS3 to appear more "casual" and appeal to a wider audience (read: casual gamers).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-37721922334021970062010-05-12T10:57:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:01:49.412-08:00Microsoft Xbox 360<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcomputer-video-games-hardware-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D468642%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fcvg5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">video games Gadget</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf1uH6HAufqtdTIZ4cJMamRSHeD9uN7S9VelM_AjvSnFc-dvPyvLCWqhC6mofFwTzDvKfu4P1JXJrjN40yVyEgtYxyeEoAZ54FdwGTh9QEpLHWPnG9MLCVZ9UxUY8qJPUMMBDfrVfF8VF/s1600/microsoftxbox360.gif"><img alt="Xbox 360" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf1uH6HAufqtdTIZ4cJMamRSHeD9uN7S9VelM_AjvSnFc-dvPyvLCWqhC6mofFwTzDvKfu4P1JXJrjN40yVyEgtYxyeEoAZ54FdwGTh9QEpLHWPnG9MLCVZ9UxUY8qJPUMMBDfrVfF8VF/s200/microsoftxbox360.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470445328647583554" /></a><br />
the Xbox 360http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Elite has replaced the Xbox 360 Pro 60GB console. It will also be sold at the lowered price of $300. Please check out our Xbox 360 resource page for all your Xbox 360 questions and needs.<br />
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The 300 Xbox 360 Elite is now sold in a white box (opposed to the old gray one) and also removes the once-included HDMI cable.<br />
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The Xbox 360 was the first of the "next-gen" <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/wii-review.html">videogame</a> consoles to hit the market in the fall of 2005. By the time the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sony-play-station-3.html">PlayStation 3</a> and the Nintendo Wii hit stores--a full year later--the 360 had not only established itself as a top-tier game console, it was well on its way to becoming a full-service digital entertainment media hub for the living room, with built-in support for high-def TV and movie downloads as well as Vista-friendly media streaming. While Sony and Nintendo struggled with their respective launch issues--just as Microsoft had toiled 12 months earlier--the Xbox 360 has cruised to the No. 1 spot on the home console charts, with more than 10 million units <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">sold</a> worldwide.<br />
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So what does Microsoft do for an encore? Release a slightly upgraded Xbox 360, of course. The $300 Xbox 360 Elite is black instead of white, includes a 120GB hard drive (six times as capacious as the previous 360's, twice as big as the PS3's), and sports an HDMI output for easier hookups to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">HDTVs.</a><br />
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The question for current and prospective <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">gamers</a>: Is the Elite worth the extra $80? For anyone who owns the existing Xbox 360, the answer is probably no--the HDMI connector is more a convenience than a necessity, and the larger snap-on hard drive will be available to existing 360 users as a standalone $180 accessory. Moreover, there's certainly a tinge of disappointment that the Elite's higher price tag doesn't deliver a few more bundled features in the box--the Wi-Fi adapter and the HD DVD drive still need to be purchased separately, for instance. In other words, the Xbox 360 Elite is just a warmed-over version of the previous model that doesn't deliver any groundbreaking, PS3-killing features.<br />
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That said, the Xbox 360 currently has a larger and more impressive library of games, and until the PS3 can offer some compelling alternatives--and I have no doubt that eventually, it will--the Xbox 360 remains the better option. And if you're going with the 360 for the first time, you might as well spend that extra $80 and get the Elite.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">The hardware</a><br />
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Except for its black finish and HDMI port, the Xbox 360 Elite is cosmetically identical to the Xbox 360 Premium. When laid horizontally, the 8.8-pound console is 12.15 inches wide, 3.27 inches high, and 10.15 inches deep. Like the PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360 can also be propped up in a vertical position and can be customized with interchangeable faceplates that cost as much as $20. The 360 is neither as slick as the glossy PS3 nor as cute as the diminutive Wii, but the Elite's matte-black finish is certainly a big step up from the "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">iPod white</a>" color scheme of the earlier Xbox 360s. While the Elite blends in with the other black components in your A/V rack, however, it may not match all your accessories--you may need to mix and match some white 360 accessories, as not all accoutrements will immediately be available in black.<br />
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Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite (120GB)<br />
The Elite's HDMI connector isn't found on earlier Xbox 360 models.<br />
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The back panel of the 360 Elite includes an HDMI port (one of the big selling points), an A/V connector, a single USB port, and an Ethernet jack. Normally, we'd complain about a proprietary connection such as the Xbox A/V jack, but Microsoft includes an adapter breakout cable with both component (high-def) and composite (standard-def) connectors, plus analog stereo audio and an optical audio jack for surround sound output. An alternate audio-only adapter (RCA stereo or optical audio) is included just in case your TV or home theater system can't accept audio via HDMI. The bottom line is that the Xbox 360 Elite can be connected to virtually any TV or home theater system in a variety of configurations, without the need for <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">purchasing </a>any additional accessories.<br />
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The HDMI output is a welcome addition, as it provides a single cable solution--digital audio and high-def video--for connecting to HDTVs and A/V receivers. Whereas the previous Xbox 360 could output HD video up to 1080p resolution via component (or optional VGA adapter), far more HDTVs actually accept that highest of resolutions via the HDMI input. The downside is that Microsoft seems to have opted for something less than the HDMI version 1.3 found on the PlayStation 3. That means that any movies played on the optional HD DVD add-on will be limited to standard Dolby Digital soundtracks, not the higher resolution Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, or DTS-HD Master <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Audio.</a><br />
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Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite (120GB)<br />
The Xbox 360 Elite comes with all the cables and accessories you'll need to connect to any TV--but it lacks some extras found on the PS3.<br />
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Whereas the Nintendo and Sony game consoles have built-in Wi-Fi support, the older Xbox 360 was limited to a wired network connection. Sadly, that hasn't changed on the Xbox 360 Elite--Ethernet remains the only built-in option. Yes, you can get the optional wireless networking adapter, which conveniently clips on to the back of 360--but it monopolizes the solitary USB port on the console's backside.<br />
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On the front of the unit, you'll find two more USB ports hidden behind hinged doors in the faceplate, as well as two memory-card slots. Unlike the standard flash memory formats accepted by the Wii and the PS3, however, Microsoft opted for proprietary memory cards--but you'll never need them unless you need to swap saved games or other small files between two 360s. The USB ports provide connectivity to any wired controllers and other USB accessories (such as the Xbox Live Vision Camera); alternately, they allow for quick hookups to a variety of media devices, including digital cameras, MP3 players, or even your iPod or Sony PSP. Many USB keyboards are compatible, but for the most part, they are strictly relegated to communication and data entry functions, not <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/games-news.html">gameplay</a>. Another small design gripe: You won't be able to connect some thumbdrive-style MP3 players, such as the original Apple iPod Shuffle, to some or all of the 360's recessed USB ports. You'll need a USB extension cable to connect them because the entryway to the port is too narrow.<br />
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The 360 Elite also includes on its front panel an infrared (IR) port, which lets you use a wide variety of compatible remote controls--both 360 specialty models and generic universal remotes--without the need for an external dongle. By contrast, the PS3 has no IR port, forcing you to use a Bluetooth remote.<br />
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The Xbox 360 Elite's hard drive is located in the proprietary detachable module that snaps onto the side of the console. Since the 20GB hard disk on the original Xbox 360 filled up very quickly--download a 1GB game demo here, a 4GB HD movie there, and toss in a handful of TV episodes, and things get tight fast--so the 120GB of space on the Elite is essentially a necessity for anyone wishing to take full advantage of the Xbox 360's media functionality. The same 120GB drive module will be available as a separate $180 accessory for existing 360 owners who wish to upgrade; likewise, a transfer kit accessory (a special USB cable/dongle and software) will allow existing settings and files to be moved from old hard drives to new ones.<br />
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As part of the $300 Elite bundle, you'll also get a single wireless controller and an Xbox Live Headset, which connects to the controller. They're identical to previous models except for the black color scheme--the Elite controllers don't add any new functionality, such as the tilt sensitivity in the PS3 or the motion control of the Wiimote. They accept two AA batteries, or you can opt for a snap-on rechargeable model (available separately). Each 360 console can support as many as four wireless controllers. A green LED on both the 360 itself and the controller indicates exactly which controllers (numbers 1 through 4) are connected. This is also true if you are playing with a mixture of wireless and wired controllers; you know who has which controller. All in all, we really like the design of the Xbox 360 controllers, with the possible exception of the four-way D-pad, which occasionally slips axes when tapped (mistaking horizontal input for vertical, or vice versa).<br />
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Two other less-than-stellar aspects of the Xbox 360 that have been carried over to the Elite are the absolutely massive external power supply and the console's noise. While the giant power brick can be hidden away behind the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">entertainment</a> center, the exhaust fan and especially the DVD drive remain noisy to the point of distraction.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-22578228010580846442010-05-12T10:48:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:03:10.703-08:00WII Review<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcomputer-video-games-hardware-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D468642%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fcvg5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">video games Gadget</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=gameandgadgne-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Nintendo is releasing updated Wii bundles</a> in white and black. These new bundles will include the games Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, as well as the MotionPlus accessory. As such, we highly recommend this new bundle to anyone considering a Wii, as you are getting an additional $50 to $70 worth of software and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">hardware</a> at no additional cost.<br />
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Be sure to visit our <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">Wii resource</a> page for your Wii news and accessory needs.<br />
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Nintendo has ventured off the beaten path with its newest system, and the company knows it. While the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sony-play-station-3.html">Sony PlayStation 3</a> and the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/microsoft-xbox-360.html">Microsoft Xbox 360</a> both emphasize their impressive graphical capabilities, Nintendo downplays the importance of graphics on its new console. While the Sony and Microsoft consoles keep the branding of their respective predecessors, the oddly named Wii is a semantic departure from Nintendo's more literally named 2001 console, the GameCube. And while the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both use conventional gamepads bristling with buttons, control sticks, and directional pads, the Wii uses a device that looks more like a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">TV remote</a> than a gamepad to control its games.<br />
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These strange choices could have spelled failure for Nintendo's newest endeavor. Underplaying processing power, using a strange new controller setup, and giving the whole package an odd name could have been major mistakes for Nintendo. (Consider some of the company's earlier attempts to go against the grain: the Power Glove and the Virtual Boy.) But the gamble paid off: since its November 2006 release, the Wii has become a runaway hit, so popular that it remained tough to find two years after its initial release. It's strange, it's different, and it's not as powerful as its competitors, but the Nintendo Wii succeeds in its primary mission: it's fun to play.<br />
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Opening the box<br />
The Wii box includes everything you need to hook the system up to a standard television: the Wii console, a wireless controller with nunchuk adapter, the sensor bar, a cradle (for mounting the console vertically), the Wii's modestly sized power adapter, and a set of composite AV cables. Unfortunately, composite cables don't support the Wii's top resolution of 480p, so <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">HDTV</a> owners will want to also purchase a set of Wii component cables (sold separately).<br />
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The console itself is downright tiny--easily the smallest and lightest of the new generation of game machines. At 1.75 inches high by 6.25 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep (when oriented horizontally), it is--as Nintendo promised--about the size of three DVD cases. The initial model is available only in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">iPod</a>-white, but it's a safe bet that we'll see plenty of other colors become available as the months and years progress. Like with the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, you can lay the Wii horizontally or stand it vertically (either by itself or, for added stability, in the included plastic cradle). Like the PS3, the Wii uses a slot-loading mechanism; it accepts the Wii discs (full-size 12cm) and older GameCube discs (mini 8cm), without the need for an adapter.<br />
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The Wii includes 512MB of internal memory for storing saved games, downloaded Virtual Console titles, and other data. If that half-gigabyte of onboard storage isn't enough for you, the system has a standard Secure Digital card slot for additional storage. SD cards are cheap and plentiful, and the Wii's support of them is a refreshing change of pace from the proprietary memory cards used by older game consoles.<br />
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In October 2008, Nintendo released an update for the Wii that allows WiiWare and Virtual Console games to be played directly off an SD card, thus essentially eliminating the console's dreaded lack-of-storage issue. There is one catch, though: as of this writing, the console can only support up to 2GB SD cards.<br />
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While it doesn't come with a memory card or component-video cables, the Wii does include one pleasant surprise in the box. The system comes with Wii Sports, a simple but infectious sports game that lets users get a feel for the Wii's capabilities without investing in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fcell-phones-service-plans-accessories%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D301185%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fwi5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">additional games</a>. Wii Sports uses the system's wireless controller as erstwhile sporting equipment, letting users swing and mock-throw it to play baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, and boxing. The different games can support up to four players at a time, but most modes require more than the system's single controller for multiplayer options. Players can swap the remote back and forth for golf and bowling, but players who would like to box or face each other in a tennis match or a baseball game will need to purchase at least one more controller. Wii Sports feels more like a collection of five minigames than a fully fleshed-out title, but it lets users have fun right out of the box while simultaneously showcasing the system's potential.<br />
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Starting in May 2010, all Wiis--both black and white--come bundled with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and Wii MotionPlus in addition to the standard Wii remote and nunchuk controllers.<br />
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Setup<br />
The Wii's simple design makes it very easy to hook up. The back panel of the console has only five ports: one for the power adapter, one for the proprietary AV cable, one for the sensor bar, and two USB ports for future accessories. Just plug in the sensor bar and put it either on top of or under your television, plug the video cable into your TV, and plug the power cable into the wall, and you're ready to go.<br />
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Once <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/">everything</a> is hooked together, just turn on the Wii to go through the software setup. Settings such as time and user name can be easily selected with the remote control's pointer. The only remotely technical setting most users will have to deal with is the network connection, and the menu system practically walks users through the setup. The Wii's Wi-Fi connection can work with secure WEP and WPA encrypted Wi-Fi networks, so you don't have to make your network vulnerable just to play online. We had no problem connecting to our open wireless router, though we couldn't test the network connection beyond that. If you don't have Wi-Fi at all, Nintendo is said to be offering an Ethernet adapter that interfaces with one of the USB ports.<br />
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Once the Wii's network settings are set up, the system is designed to be constantly online through Nintendo's WiiConnect24 service. The Wii can use WiiConnect24 to automatically download system updates, additional game content, and even weather and news. When a message or system update arrives on your Wii, the disc slot glows a bright blue, even when it's not in use--unless you disable that notification feature in the preferences menu.<br />
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Wii Channels: Media and online capabilities<br />
The Wii's navigation is done through a series of pages called Wii Channels that take advantage of the WiiConnect24's always-on design. Among the Wii's default channels are a weather forecast channel, a news channel, a message channel, a photo channel, and the cute avatar-generating Mii channel. The channel home page is the system's default gateway, which also provides access to the disc-based Wii/GameCube games and Virtual Console titles.<br />
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The Mii Channel lets users create and modify Miis, cute little avatars for use online and in certain games. The Miis are cartoony and extremely simple, but the Mii Channel includes enough customization features for users to create Miis that look like themselves, their friends, or even celebrities. (Our Wii is currently populated with characters from "The Big Lebowski.") Miis don't seem that useful, but they can be used as characters in games such as Wii <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/test-drive-unlimited-2-first-look.html">Sports</a>, and as avatars in the Wii's Message Channel. Since Miis are so simple, players can use their Wiimotes' 6KB of storage to carry around as many as 10 Miis and use them on their friends' Wiis.<br />
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The Photo Channel was a pleasantly useful surprise, though a bit of a misnomer. The channel can display and edit photos. Nintendo claims that the Wii can also play MP3 music files and QuickTime videos, but these features feel like afterthoughts; MP3s can be played only in a photo slide show, and we were unable to load a QuickTime movie on our Wii. Fortunately, the Photo Channel's emphasis is clearly on image viewing and editing. Once up to 1,000 of your photos are loaded through the SD card slot, you can view them individually, browse them in an album view, or watch a slide show of them. The Photo Channel also includes a basic image editor, though it's clearly built more for fun than serious editing. With its upbeat background <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fmusical-instruments-accessories-sound-recording%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D11091801%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmi5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">music </a>and some very cute image options, the editor feels a lot like the old Super Nintendo classic Mario Paint.<br />
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While on the subject of media, it's worth noting that the Wii does not play audio CDs or video DVDs, which is something of a disappointment. Yes, everybody already has a DVD player, but with DVD playback capability being standard-issue since the last generation of game consoles, its omission here is something of a conundrum. Nintendo claims it was to keep the price down, and the company's last-generation console, the GameCube, also lacked DVD playback. Nintendo also hasn't indicated that it's going to launch any sort of downloadable video or music store, and--with the Wii's lack of a built-in spacious hard drive--that doesn't seem like it would be on the docket anytime soon.<br />
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The Wii's online capabilities are a mixed bag. A series of online "Channels" offers a decent alternative to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">PC-based</a> Web browsing, but the system's online gaming and community features leave a lot to be desired. That's largely because each Wii has its own unique "friend code," a series of numbers you can find in the system's configuration menu. To become friends with another Wii owner, you need to send them your friend code (through e-mail, instant messaging, or a phone call--any non-Wii form of communication). Then they must give you their own Wii's friend code, and you must enter it into your own Wii. When that's all done, you two have become friends and can finally send messages to each other via the Wii's "Message Channel." If that weren't bad enough, you have to essentially repeat the process for every Wii game you want to play online (each title has its own separate friend code, above and beyond the system's main code). Compared to Xbox Live's incredibly easy system of entering your friend's Gamertag and them accepting you as a friend, the Wii system is entirely too byzantine. (That said, parents may appreciate the fact that the convoluted system makes it all but impossible for online strangers to interface with their kids.)<br />
Beyond messaging, the various online channels offer some handy and entertaining features. The Forecast, News, and Internet Channels form the Wii's trinity of nongaming services. They're not quite as impressive as the Xbox Live or PS3's online media systems, but they're still fun and are occasionally useful to have around.<br />
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The Forecast Channel turns your Wii into your own personal weather report. It displays the local weather, a five-day forecast, and even UV reports. If you want to know more than what the weather's going to be like in your town, you can zoom out to a global view, complete with recognizable weather icons for nearly every major city. A quick drag with the Wiimote can get a weather report for anywhere from San Francisco to Tokyo. It won't replace the Weather Channel or more in-depth online weather services, but for a quick glance at the forecast in between games, the Forecast Channel is pretty neat.<br />
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The News Channel functions similarly to the Forecast Channel, only with news instead of weather. It downloads stories from the AP wire service, which are displayed in text that can be resized and zoomed in for easier reading on large screens. The stories come with either some form of accompanying photos, or a map indicating where the news is taking place. By default, the News Channel organizes the different stories in the manner of a newspaper into sections such as national, international, regional, and sports news. Besides the newspaperlike format, stories can also be browsed through a slide show or a globelike interface similar to the Forecast Channel's. Much like the Forecast Channel, the News Channel offers a nifty service that doesn't replace dedicated television or online news sources.<br />
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The Internet Channel is an Opera-based Web browser for the Wii. New URLs are entered with the Wiimote via the Wii's onscreen keyboard, and favorite Web pages can be <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">store</a>d in the browser's bookmarks. The browser is surprisingly full featured, and can even load complex, Flash-heavy Web pages such as YouTube and our own CNET.com. Much like the News Channel, the pages can be zoomed in and out for comfortable reading on larger screens. It occasionally chokes on some sites, but this might be more due to the sites' browser-sensing scripts that automatically assume the Internet Channel won't be compatible.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-17942315750421799192010-05-12T10:30:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:04:20.631-08:00Lead and Gold's straight-shooting multiplayer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtLFlfLjL7T6woY6fqt77Zw07uQOu-C7u8ueq489jIJnzgZA6orxBo4vdq5HaAdvPXsZbucn8ERPUIbpFmTqVYHalzqQyLZcnvSjL9C-bZjH4dFX0Gy-7DfQ760J1WrqtyaNCcCXUJQUh/s1600/leadandgoldgangdoftthewildwest.jpg"><img alt="Lead and Gold's straight-shooting" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtLFlfLjL7T6woY6fqt77Zw07uQOu-C7u8ueq489jIJnzgZA6orxBo4vdq5HaAdvPXsZbucn8ERPUIbpFmTqVYHalzqQyLZcnvSjL9C-bZjH4dFX0Gy-7DfQ760J1WrqtyaNCcCXUJQUh/s200/leadandgoldgangdoftthewildwest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470438862609231506" /></a><br />
Lead and Gold's straight-shooting multiplayer <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gears-of-war-2-review.html">action</a> is good fun, despite a few drawbacks that tarnish its appeal.<br />
The Good<br />
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* Good character class variety <br />
* Crisp shooting and movement mechanics <br />
* Attractive visuals.<br />
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The Bad<br />
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* Semi-regular connection drops <br />
* Flawed team balancing.<br />
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If the phrase "Wild West" conjures images of rootin'-tootin' cowboys and no-good varmints shooting each other full of holes at the O.K. Corral, then Lead and Gold might be the game for you. This multiplayer-only shooter pits two <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/gta-liberty-city-review.html">gangs</a> of up to five players against each other in familiar game types like Team Deathmatch, Territory Control, and Capture the Flag (or sack of gold, as the case may be). There are no weapon unlocks or persistent ranks to earn here; each game is a stand-alone affair. The crisp action is fast and well tuned, and the levels provide plenty of ways to flank your enemies, gain high ground, or go for a direct assault. The only significant twist is that you play as one of four character classes, each with its own unique gun and special ability. This creates some interesting tactical variation that can lead to exciting and satisfying matches. Unfortunately, the server system has some flaws, and many games end abruptly in lost connections. But once the bullets start flying, Lead and Gold proves its mettle.<br />
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While the actual Wild West was home to a veritable smorgasbord of bandits, desperadoes, lawmen, pistoleros, brigands, and stickup kids, Lead and Gold features only four distinct varieties. Every class <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/test-drive-unlimited-2-first-look.html">sports</a> a unique weapon, a sidearm revolver, and a special ability with a cooldown period. The gruff, tin-helmeted Blaster carries a double-barreled shotgun and slings dynamite, while the coonskin-capped Trapper has a high-powered scoped rifle and can lay bear traps to ensnare her foes. The masked Gunslinger packs a heavy revolver and has the ability to fire rapidly while sacrificing some accuracy, and the dapper Deputy wields a repeater rifle while boasting the ability to tag an opponent, placing a skull mark over him that the Deputy's entire team can see no matter where the tagged enemy goes.<br />
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All characters have unlimited ammunition, so your only concerns when firing on a foe are your gun's effective range and how long it takes you to reload. When you hit an opponent, there's a satisfying thwack, and a number pops up registering the damage you did. If you land enough shots, your target falls down and pulls out his sidearm in a desperate last stand. Nearby teammates can pick up their downed comrade if you don't finish him off, and if you're close enough, the fallen cowboy might even get lucky and take you out. But if you do enough damage with your initial barrage, he won't even get a second chance.<br />
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Killing enemies and accomplishing objectives earns you experience points, which in turn gain you ranks. Ranks are tracked only within matches and are reset once a new match begins, but while they last, they earn you a slight boost to your synergy effect (in addition to bragging rights). Each character radiates a synergy effect to nearby teammates that gives him or her buffs to damage, armor, accuracy, or critical hits. These effects register with a pleasing "ding!" and reward teams that stick together, as well as teams with diverse character choices (three Gunslingers does not mean three times the accuracy buff). You can switch your character every time you spawn, though there is no way to know what initial spawn choices your teammates have made. This can hamper your starting strategy, and there's no way to change your spawn choice once you've made it. These strategic kinks are a bit bothersome, but they aren't real impediments to <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">enjoyment.</a><br />
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Just think of how many bowler hats that gold will buy!<br />
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The game modes are fairly standard, though the maps offer a good amount of variety. There are variations on standard Team Deathmatch, Territory Control, Capture the Flag, and Destroy the Objective. The latter two require you to carry bulky sacks of gold and kegs of gunpowder respectively, slowing you down and making you vulnerable. Keg-heavy matches feature yellow-colored destructible objects, including bridges and doors that can be destroyed to help your team or hinder the enemy, and sheds that, once blown open, create a new source of the powerful explosives. These strategic wrinkles add some welcome variety to your gameplay objectives, which are otherwise very straightforward. The different map locations include a mine, a homestead, and a wagon camp (to name a few), and they are generally complex enough to support a few different strategies. The bright colors and realistically styled environments make attractive locations for <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/medal-of-honor-leave-message.html">shoot-outs</a>, and the sharp character models animate smoothly and look good.<br />
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When the action begins to heat up, Lead and Gold can be pretty darn exciting. Deputies cover alleys and streets, giving gunslingers a chance to advance while trappers pick out perches with long sightlines. The six-shooters light up at the first encounter, and the defenders hold their line until a flanking blaster scatters their ranks with some well-thrown dynamite. Having blown open the forward keg spawn, the attackers harry the defenders with explosives until finally the safe is cracked. The first prospective gold stealers are rudely met with bear traps and quickly dispatched, but the trapper gives long-range cover as the team begins the slow, gruesome trek back to their base with their illicit gains. All the while, teams are targeting the one individual who carries their enemies' mobile spawn point, hoping to kill him and send it back to their base, temporarily staunching the flow of enemies. <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/monster-hunter-tri-review.html">Bullets</a> fly and blood spills in these hectic struggles, and to the victor goes the glory.<br />
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The Buffalo Rifle: Not just for shooting buffalo anymore.<br />
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Unfortunately, your good times can be cut short by a dropped connection to the server. This doesn't happen often enough to make play sessions frustrating, but drops are frequent enough to be a nuisance. You can hop into a random match by selecting Quick Match from the menu, but this often lands you in underpopulated or lopsided games. Also, perhaps because the tutorial is listed as "practice," many players seem to lack a good understanding of how the game works, so expect to have some teammates cruise right by you instead of reviving you or to find yourself alone in pursuing the actual objective. Lead and Gold does support voice chat, thankfully, and a few words of wisdom and encouragement are usually enough to bring your teammates up to speed.<br />
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Even with the bothersome connection issues, Lead and Gold provides enjoyable, straightforward, fast-paced shooter action. Exploring the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">different</a> classes is fun, and finding your groove with one during a heated match is immensely satisfying. The few nuisances aren't enough to derail the exciting, lag-free action, and at $14.99, Lead and Gold is a reasonably priced way to romp around an attractively styled Wild West.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-14375932140301010742010-05-12T10:24:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:05:06.659-08:00Medal of Honor Leave a Message<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLObGnPStCQXgsxlr6WvTzJ4uXlm-UsjVIVm0uCHwMd83v89aaEUf36Wkfn7MJIINUjJ4T17eoVL0leKG5HVQjiSRka4_9F-AOSGwsM3202vqjxDXMDnITaWmi3WFgAoWsT6CsfD74w5X/s1600/medalofhonor.jpg"><img alt="Medal of Honor " style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLObGnPStCQXgsxlr6WvTzJ4uXlm-UsjVIVm0uCHwMd83v89aaEUf36Wkfn7MJIINUjJ4T17eoVL0leKG5HVQjiSRka4_9F-AOSGwsM3202vqjxDXMDnITaWmi3WFgAoWsT6CsfD74w5X/s200/medalofhonor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470436903047623106" /></a><br />
A soldier leaves a touching <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">message</a> to a loved one in this teaser for Medal of Honor.<br />
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<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/03T82FRzTy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/03T82FRzTy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-15012334699514328702010-05-12T10:13:00.001-07:002012-01-26T00:05:39.616-08:00Test Drive Unlimited 2 First Look<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5Z5VHx0mEKaYIBoVclp6ZnVfniIQg88lVZ-cFHZw6NdHWhf6_EXG4wLScGgzIZbLN29G0ru00q3Kh63MkO8EX79GWWrUUJnm4_z2U0kdc7FMF_7gmaXzj5YEo8TMNluXjkeVNWUbh4_/s1600/testdriveunlimited202.jpg"><img alt="Test Drive Unlimited 2" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5Z5VHx0mEKaYIBoVclp6ZnVfniIQg88lVZ-cFHZw6NdHWhf6_EXG4wLScGgzIZbLN29G0ru00q3Kh63MkO8EX79GWWrUUJnm4_z2U0kdc7FMF_7gmaXzj5YEo8TMNluXjkeVNWUbh4_/s200/testdriveunlimited202.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470434057668957074" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADGgvuRvuCL_S1RaWxUGM_evCjJz4e9Hdwfp8A4dojIppUpBIauvfAkldCv9yt27i4SC7uwjbAJ7Qb737QQLeItSmWAyBxq-uvRE5OelyKRt7G1mZPMenhxvpUfpWabFyFDoUOJ-v-Zvi/s1600/testdriveunlimited2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADGgvuRvuCL_S1RaWxUGM_evCjJz4e9Hdwfp8A4dojIppUpBIauvfAkldCv9yt27i4SC7uwjbAJ7Qb737QQLeItSmWAyBxq-uvRE5OelyKRt7G1mZPMenhxvpUfpWabFyFDoUOJ-v-Zvi/s200/testdriveunlimited2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470433716150373794" /></a><br />
This racing sequel includes some of the <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/other-gadgets.html">greatest</a> pleasures in life: a beautiful island paradise, breathtaking sunsets, luxurious beach homes, and sexy cars.<br />
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<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qft4fmt85nQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qft4fmt85nQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494369998231226695.post-44914700909214116932010-05-12T10:04:00.000-07:002012-01-26T00:06:21.840-08:00Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned First Look<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHItEq1pcsWr6pJ0OtSIcoaDnOTXgF9vm1xNb2g8HXJVqMbHPO34bZC_8sCNo24sZi8khyphenhyphenPk08pLSxwBuhDsnO9o5gIfb3HgOpybVQDDVlHY4iTHzj1v-4_-RncmxNnxPOQfuleJeUctI/s1600/pirates+of+the+caribbean.jpg"><img alt="Pirates of the Caribbean" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHItEq1pcsWr6pJ0OtSIcoaDnOTXgF9vm1xNb2g8HXJVqMbHPO34bZC_8sCNo24sZi8khyphenhyphenPk08pLSxwBuhDsnO9o5gIfb3HgOpybVQDDVlHY4iTHzj1v-4_-RncmxNnxPOQfuleJeUctI/s200/pirates+of+the+caribbean.jpg" border="0" alt="Pirates of the Caribbean"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470431313385047186" /></a><br />
It's a pirate's life for us as we get a behind-the-scenes look at Propaganda's upcoming pirate action role-<a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/p/gadget.html">playing game</a>--yo ho!<br />
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It's no secret that movie-based <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&site-redirect=&node=667846011&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">video games</a> are generally a letdown, so we should point out that Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned is a game that is set in the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTelevisions-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1266092011%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Ftv5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">movies</a>--which were based on the theme-park ride--but it has no ties to the movies themselves. The events actually take place before the trilogy, and the backstory is amazingly rich, considering the idea came from a theme-park attraction where animatronics show pirates sacking a seaport. Propaganda Games, the studio behind Turok and the upcoming Tron, gave us a tour of its studio to show us its progress and vision for Armada of the Damned.<br />
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Welcome to Tortuga.<br />
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ch-tgyJ4Vj8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ch-tgyJ4Vj8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Propaganda is Disney's action role-playing game team, so it is focused on making this an authentic, open-world experience for pirate fans, as well as RPG fans. The Caribbean is yours to explore as you play as Captain Sterling, a young pirate who is given a second chance at life to seek revenge, along with fame and fortune. We were given an outline of the story, so if you're worried about spoilers then you should skip ahead to the next paragraph. It's a character-driven story that centers on Sterling, a man who spent his childhood dreaming about taking part in many heroic <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/lead-and-golds-straight-shooting.html">adventures</a> at sea. When he is old enough to set off into the world, he is sorely disappointed by the fact that pirates are not the brotherhood that he dreamed of but a band of brigands and desperate thieves who only look out for themselves. On his maiden voyage, his ship is attacked by the ruthless Spanish Admiral Maldonado and Sterling is tossed overboard to head toward Davey Jones's locker. Without giving too much of the overarching story away, he is saved and wakes up on a beach with newfound powers.<br />
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At some point in the game, you must make an important choice where you decide whether or not you want to take the legendary route to fulfill your destiny or the dreaded route. Alex Peters, the game director, emphasized that choice is a key element to the RPG experience; you can play how you want and your actions come with consequences. As a legendary pirate, you'll play the role of a dashing, womanizing swashbuckler, like Jack Sparrow from the movies where women will swoon and men will want to have a drink with you. If you prefer to take the dreaded route, the tone of the game will be darker and heavier where people tremble at the sight of you. Similar to games like Fable and Fallout, how you approach quests will determine how people will react to you and affect what quests are made available. If you decide to follow the legendary route, you don't have to play <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMP3-Players-Audio-Video%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D172630%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fmp35&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">nice</a> either. On the flip side, you could be a dreaded pirate with a heart of gold. Regardless of whom you play as, the story will remain the same, but how it unfolds will be quite different. We were told that everything you do will have an impact on the world, as well as your appearance and combat technique.<br />
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To illustrate the difference between the two paths, we were shown two video clips that consisted of storyboards and dialogue to get an idea of what to expect. The example was a scene where Sterling must steel a wheel from the Spanish admiral who is hosting a party at his fortress. As a dreaded pirate, Sterling overhears the admiral speaking with another lord, asking for a donation. When the two leave the admiral's chambers, Sterling crashes the party, burns the place down, and walks out with the wheel. However, as the legendary Sterling, you enter the party disguised as a lord and get summoned into Maldonado's chambers. There's more dialogue and playful banter so that it's much more lighthearted and funny. Your exit is just as dramatic, but instead of <a href="http://gamers-sy.blogspot.com/2010/05/lost-planet-2-review.html">destroying</a> the entire place, you deftly steal the wheel, humiliate the Spanish admiral, and make a grand escape while the crowd looks on in awe. The outcome is still the same, but the approach is very different.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNotebooks-Laptop-Computers%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D565108%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Flapnet4&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Explore</a> the many islands that you'll come across in the Caribbean.<br />
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Your appearance, as well as your combat skills, will also vary depending on what path you choose. We were shown a little bit of gameplay to highlight the differences between a legendary and dreaded Sterling. As a legendary pirate, you'll move more quickly, execute some fancy footwork, and slash fluidly with your dual swords. You also have a pistol that you can whip out for a ranged attack and special abilities like burning pitch, where you toss a bottle of rum in the air and fire at it to do splash damage. Because you're quick, you'll propel yourself toward enemies, but if you're playing as a dreaded pirate, you'll draw the enemies toward you. Not only do you move a bit more slowly and deliberately as a dreaded pirate, but you're also much more intimidating because you're armed with a giant anchor that you can twirl around with deadly ease to stab and take out anyone within range. Your supernatural <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCar-Electronics%2Fb%3Fie%3DUTF8%26node%3D1077068%26ref_%3Dsa%5Fmenu%5Fgps5&tag=gameandgadgne-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">powers</a> come into play more here because you can use water to hurl your enemies into the air.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0