Treyarch has set an industry standard for downloadable content (DLC) in the past with Call of Duty: World at War. They have continued that tradition for their hugely successful follow-up Call of Duty: Black Ops initially with First Strike and now their newest map pack titled Escalation, which released on June 10th 2011 for the PlayStation 3.

Like their previous iterations Escalation features four new multiplayer maps – Stockpile, Convoy, Hotel, and Zoo – along with yet another zombie map/mode called Call of The Dead.

Similar to First Strike Escalation features a wide array of interesting locales which are meant to cater to the varying styles of multiplayer gamers. However it seems Treyarch had decided to focus more on medium to long range skirmishes this time around as all of the maps are large. For instance there is no map like First Strike’s Stadium or even Nuketown where the action is much more focused and hectic.

But what Escalation does provide over First Strike is the level of detail present in the game and their environments. I previously felt the team was getting lethargic with their map design and ideas but it is noticeably better in Escalation in my opinion. This wave of maps have much more detail and the level design is more complex not to mention the interactivity that is present such as the working elevators in Hotel or the storage doors in Stockpile. These elements allow additional tactics to be used in the various game modes resulting in much more variety prolonging your map fatigue.

Of the four Hotel and Zoo will probably take precedence as the fan favorites because of the variety in both design and visuals as well as tons of opportunities for a mixture of long to short range combat. Zoo has striking visual similarities to Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence pack’s Carnival but yet again the overall flow and level layout is superior. If Zoo is comparable to Carnival then Hotel probably closely resembles another Modern Warfare 2 map, Highrise. This is not to say that either Convoy or Stockpile are less interesting, they just feel like the many maps that we have seen before.

All of the different maps provide their own challenges and strengths. However once a player gets use to these maps they can develop their own tactics and easily learn how to play to the maps strengths while overcoming the challenges. Even though these maps may be focused on larger range combat each map presents a multitude of opportunities for every type of player from the sniper to the run and gunner. These new maps also visually look better than previous maps and besides Stockpile are not just the dingy gray and browns we are use to but actually have a lot of bright visuals that again add to the appeal.

But that’s not all Treyarch also released a map for the ever popular zombie mode yet this time with a unique twist. The player controls one of four actors – Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert Englund, Danny Trejo, or Michael Rooker – who are on the set of George Romero’s latest movie that is being filmed near an ominous shipwreck in the snowy wastelands of Siberia. Of course a real undead outbreak occurs infesting George Romero forcing the all-star cast to band together and drive back wave upon wave of zombies while an angry undead Romero follows them around.

Call of The Dead uses this unique twist in the same vain as the bonus presidential map that is unlocked in the main game. Besides this Call of The Dead introduces new perks and guns as well as loads of extras and unlocks that the Call of Duty zombie faithful crave. But at it’s base it is the same core gameplay we all have come to enjoy.

Let’s be frank, these maps don’t bring with them any new mechanics only interesting changes of scenery meant to prolong an already enjoyable experience. Not to sell these maps short, they are visually pleasing and well constructed with a variety of terrain that offers the player multiple options during a firefight. Much less the zombie map is one of if not the best the series has to offer and capable of stealing countless hours. But if you have already moved past Black Ops then this most likely will not rekindle your dwindling flame.

However if you are one of the millions upon millions of fans who helped contribute to Black Ops extraordinary sales numbers and still crave more then Escalation; including the time sink that is Call of The Dead, is well worth the experience.

Are you going to pick up the Escalation map pack? Maybe you already have, if so what are your thoughts?

Introduction

For the past few years the MLB The Show franchise has been regarded by most sports fans as the diamond performer of the baseball simulation games. Despite battling repetition, like all sports games, the developer over at Sony San Diego have consistently put out a stellar product each and every year. They hope to duplicate that success this year with numerous upgrades and revisions. the most notable being the addition of analog stick controls to the series.

With that said can MLB 11 The Show continue its current dynasty run at baseball supremacy or will this years installment simply strike out? Continue reading to find.

Single Player

Although I haven’t played a baseball game since Bases Loaded on the NES I am a huge fan of sports in general. The fact that my T.V. is almost exclusively tuned to ESPN and that my SMS tone is the SportsCenter theme should be proof of that. I mention those facts to reiterate that despite being a sports fan I have found that most sports games have become unplayable to the casual fan due to the level of detail and control the player must posses.

While MLB 11 The Show has that minute level of detail and management sports fans enjoy it does not over complicate how it is carried out. For example the new analog pitching gives you much more precision which is vital for success but is also more fluid and immersive than the traditional face button controls. These new analog controls are challenging and realistic but can be mastered with some experience. The pitching controls aren’t the only thing being converted, all of the controls now have an emphasis on analog controls.

While it did personally have a steeper learning curve than pitching I have similar praise for the analog hitting as well. Simply pressing back on the analog stick to transfer your weight back then pressing the stick forward to time your swing with the pitch again just feels more natural than simply pressing a face button. These motions let you feel the pace of the game more intimately resulting in a greater engagement of the game. I did not however enjoy the analog controls for fielding as I found it much easier to keep jumping and diving mapped to the right stick and use the face buttons to control which base to throw to.

That said because each player will have different preferences and strengths you can easily mix and match your analog and button control scheme to fit your play style which is a huge plus. Better yet this customized control scheme will carry over to all game modes including online.

Speaking of game modes The Show is packed full of options and all of the traditional sports game modes are present including exhibition, franchise and season modes. These modes are fairly self explanatory for instance in exhibition you choose your team and play against another player or the CPU whereas in franchise mode you pick an organization and control everything from ticket prices to concession prices. Then obviously in season mode you again choose a team and play through the grueling 162 game season with hopes of playing into October.

The mode this series is best know for however is The Road to the Show which is basically a create a player mode. As you start up you create a player to man any position on the diamond. Once you manually adjust some sliders regarding the type of player you want its off to double A. Here is where you will develop your player through training modes and in-game performance in hopes of making the transition through the minor leagues to one day playing in the big show under the bright lights. The way The Show has chosen to develop a pro seems more sensible and accurate than previous games. As an example instead of just rewarding specific milestones in-game like RBI’s or homeruns you instead get training points based on each at bat. Let’s say you strike out but it took 10 pitches to do so instead of not getting any points like you would before you know will be granted a small amount under the new system since you made the pitcher work. The training modes also seem more purposeful in developing a useful talent. All of this adds up to a much more realistic and enjoyable way to have your player progress than I have previously seen.

A problem I’ve had with other sports titles was establishing a sense of place and time. The stadium or sports complex never felt lively or changed with the flow of the game. The Show was able to fulfill this illusion in multiple ways. First off graphically the game looks amazing but the small details like all 30 stadiums having their real life jumbotrons realistically placed and represented and the stadium specific chants adds an authenticity while also allowing each individual stadium to have a personality all their own. This attention to detail really adds to the level of engagement and realism and is what further sets this game apart from its competition.

Multiplayer

Due to the amount of skill and dedication to play sports games I was never a huge fan of playing competitively online. Unfortunately MLB 11 The Show provides no incentive to change that. While it technically works besides a few occasions were I ran into lag issues I would have just rather played against a computer or buddy sitting on the couch next to me.

The one bright spot in my eyes for multiplayer was the addition of the unique Challenge of the Week. It’s an interesting incentive to not only perfecting your skills but to compete with friends in a controlled arcade style fashion via online leaderboards. In this mode you are given one free try a week to score as many points as possible in a scenario based event such as Joe Mauer hitting against CC Sabathia. Each week winners are awarded real-life prizes like authentic signed jerseys. If your not happy with your first score you can play an unlimited amount of times at a cost of $0.25 per attempt. Hopefully this mode can breathe some life in an otherwise stale online mode.

Overall

The baseball game genre has taken some big strides since Bases Loaded and MLB 11 The Show appears to be the pinnacle so far in that aspect. The new analog controls provide precision and depth but are not impossible to use for the newcomer. The Show also provides an abundance of different modes that can please each type of fan with a compelling, engrossing and custom fit baseball fantasy that is unmatched in any sports game to date.

The MLB season doesn’t officially start until March 31st but don’t tell Sony San Diego that as MLB 11 The Show is the closest replication to Americas favorite past time as you can buy. If your a fan of baseball or sports games altogether then I believe The Show is a game you should definitely pick up even if you have been away from the genre for awhile like myself. Play Ball!

MLB 11 The Show for the PlayStation 3 was provided to me for reviewing purposes by Sony Computer Entertainment. I played through an entire 162 game season as the Texas Rangers and ended up making the playoffs. I also subsequently played a handful of games online and competed in the Challenge of the Week while obtaining 8 of the available 36 trophies. MLB 11 The Show was developed by SCE San Diego and published by Sony Computer Entertainment and was released on March 8th 2011 exclusively for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 systems.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Introduction

Black Ops is Treyarch’s third installment (seventh overall) in the Call of Duty franchise and is a sequel to their previous title World at War. Although Black Ops is still a first person shooter running at a crisp sixty frames per second Treyarch has changed the traditional Call of Duty campaign, although you still control multiple characters in several different exotic locations such as Russia, Cuba, Laos and Vietnam the story is focused around one main character and one main plot progression unlike previous Call of Duty games. Staying true to its name the missions revolve around many black operations carried out behind enemy lines while attempting to gain more information about an experimental Soviet chemical weapon codenamed Nova-6. Call of Duty Black Ops was released worldwide on November 9th 2010 for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS systems.

Can Black Ops help Treyarch close the perceived gap between them and Infinity Ward and end up being a critically well received game, or is this proof that Infinity Ward is the better Call of Duty developer? Continue Reading to find out.

Single Player

The constant comparison between Treyarch and Infinity Ward is inevitable whether either team deserves it. After each iteration both teams attempt to take the positive points from the previous game and add in their own wrinkles in an attempt to make a successful game which neither team has had a hard time doing thus far. However in the past single player was not the traditional avenue to distinguish themselves as both studios followed the same path. Yet in this installment Treyarch has decided to branch off of that thinking and take the single player campaign into a different direction. While the staples of a Call of Duty single player campaign like on screen objectives, stellar graphics, multiple locations around the globe and exceptional audio stay the same Treyarch has made some tweaks that pay huge dividends.

One of the major and most notable differences was that the story was centered and revolved around one main character and one topic. But since much of the story is told in flash backs through the characters eyes it still allows the game to cover a wide range of time while also allowing the game to flow at an excellent pace. Even during the times when you do play as a different character the story is still focused around the main character. This cohesion allowed me to have an attachment to my character that I have never had in previous Call of Duty titles. This cohesive story also made the story much easier to follow and much more rewarding to follow as well.

Treyarch also grounded the story in some truth this time around instead of the completely ridiculous story of Modern Warfare 2. Even with this unity and truth based story Black Ops still showcased stellar larger than life scripted events with nonstop action but was more believable due to the way the story fit together. For those that played Treyarch’s previous title World at War you will see some familiar faces that come back to play an important role in Black Ops however knowledge of the previous story is not needed to understand or appreciate the current story.

All of this praise does not mean Black Ops doesn’t suffer from some of the same faults that Modern Warfare and other Call of Duty titles suffered from as well. Specifically the enemy and friendly AI or more importantly the lack of enemy or friendly AI. On more than one occasion the enemy AI was completely clueless leaving me to fend for myself in an onslaught of never ending enemies due to the return of endless enemy respawns. The enemy AI wasn’t much better as they would walk right up to a friendly AI player or myself showing just how scripted there movements are. Overall the game is very well directed except in one particular part of the game where most of these errors reared their ugly heads resulting in me having to break the game in order to pass it.

Overall I found the 6.5 hour single player campaign to be much better than that of Modern Warfare 2. The story was ambitious and provided a variety of gameplay keeping the game fresh and fun to play. Add that to the effortless controls that are now a genre standard as well as crisp smooth graphics and stellar sound that we expect from every Call of Duty title. This makes Black Ops definitely worth picking up and experiencing just on the single player campaign alone without even mentioning the multiplayer.

Multiplayer

Speaking of Multiplayer Treyarch followed the same successful plan as it did with single player; employ some modifications that again pay huge dividends allowing the game to feel fresh. Again much of the successful framework is still intact like gaining experience based on kills and in game objectives to gain levels and eventually prestige.

Some of the guns from the previous titles make a return like the M-16, Skorpion and AK-47 to name a few but Treyarch also added a few new ones as well like the Galil, Commando  and Spectre. Perks were also slightly altered the biggest exclusion being Stopping Power and Death Streaks instead adding others like Ghost and Hacker.

However the biggest change is most likely the addition of COD points which takes the place of the tier unlocking system of the past. COD Points are earned in-game like experience points and are used to purchase all aspects of your load out including gun, attachments, perks, equipment, killstreaks and character customization. Some of the guns are still locked until a certain level however once you reach that level you can immediately unlock and attach any reticule you choose instead of having to get a certain amount of kills to unlock.

I personally like this change as it allows me to choose the perks, equipment and gun combination I want from the very beginning instead of wasting time with those I don’t. To help players maximize their earnings Black Ops also adds contracts which are specific objectives or challenges beyond that of winning the overall game you can purchase and if you successfully complete these objectives can earn additional COD points and/or bonus experience points.

As if that was not enough Treyarch chose to add stat tracking that is so in-depth it easily rivals any multi-platform game to date. From your combat record you can replay your last 20 matches from any person’s view in the game or from a free flowing camera as well. You can then choose to record a snippet of any game and easily upload it to share with the community. If you find yourself dying on a certain map too much you can see exactly where you and every person has died in a match or get comprehensive statistics on all of the guns and equipment you have used as well.

This freedom is also expanded to your character where you can customize your character’s face paint, gun reticule, clan tag or his overall appearance by selecting different perks. The options available are extensive so much so that I am sure I have even missed a few here. But Treyarch didn’t stop there as they also followed up with the extremely popular Zombie mode as well. I find the co-op zombie mode to one of the most fun and addicting activities to engage in with friends. This mode has been further fleshed out and honed with minor adjustments that make this mode even more enjoyable.

Overall

The allure of all the Call of Duty single player campaigns is the feeling of being in a huge summer blockbuster action flick. Not only did Black Ops retain this feeling I believe Black Ops did better in that aspect than any previous Call of Duty title. Treyarch captured this feeling while still having the game be ambitious, diverse and unlike previous titles which says a lot.

I definitely think Treyarch took a leap forward with Black Ops especially considering the array of options they have included. However at times they seemed so focused on adding options they lost some of the polish we have been accustomed to in the past. Those slight imperfections in my eyes are a small price to pay for the countless additions and revisions that positively affect the replayability and ultimate make this title refreshing and fun to play.

It is difficult to say who the better Call of Duty developer is since by now they share so many fundamental ideas and core beliefs. But what I can say is Black Ops is definitely not an inferior product to Modern Warfare 2 and unquestionably should be experienced for the thrill ride that is the single player along with the highly addictive and in-depth multiplayer whether or not you are a fan of either Infinity Ward or Treyarch. In simpler words, go get it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops for the PlayStation 3 was purchased for full price on the release day. The games single player campaign was completed on the default setting in 6.5 hours. I subsequently spent a multitude of hours playing the multiplayer while obtaining 24 of the available 51 trophies. Call of Duty: Black Ops was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision and is available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC systems.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Introduction

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a gory and violent sequel to the 3^rd person shooter Kane & Lynch. Like its predecessor Kane & Lynch 2 is developed by Square Enix owned Danish developer IO Interactive who is also known for their popular Hitman series. In Kane & Lynch 2 which was released on August 17^th 2010 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC you control Lynch a psychopathic war criminal who along with Kane have the entire Shanghai underworld looking to kill them after a simple deal goes wrong. Your only bet is to escape China but not before you stop for a few revenge visits along the way.

Most gamers will agree that Kane & Lynch had many fundamental problems that plagued the title, can Kane & Lynch 2 diagnose and solve those problems or is the series still in critical condition? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

It’s apparent from the moment you start the game the goal of Kane & Lynch 2 is to showcase its raw visual style instead of providing a magnitude of content. The entire game from the loading screens to the cut scenes and even the gameplay look and function as if it were shot from a hand held camera and you were watching online. Its intent is to provide an added layer of intensity and realism and fundamentally it works but is inconsistent. At times the graphics look superb yet other times it appears as if all of the visual effects like lens flare, frame rate dips, shaky cam and wild camera angles are present only to hide the real unfinished product.

This visual theme adds grit to an already violent, explicit and gory visual. While this didn’t necessary bother me I did find the language and content to be excessive since it was thrown in my face however that is reminisce of the Hitman series. I also would have bought into the effect a lot more if there were a reason story related or not to explain the visual style.

Now speaking of content and depth of content Kane & Lynch 2 severely lacks in multiple areas as well. For instance game length, I don’t want to debate the price versus game length argument here but I think most can agree that 4 hours for a full retail game is not enough despite the inclusion of multiplayer. Not to mention the lack of depth doesn’t stop there the story also lacks any considerable immersion or encouragement to progress. Take Kane & Lynch as an example, the two main characters of the game had little to no interaction despite their history.

Even though the story was only 4 hours long I constantly repeated the same monotonous tasks to the point where it felt the game carried on way too long only to abruptly end. Not to mention the bland environments that existed to simply funnel the player to the next room of enemies didn’t help that feeling.

As far as gameplay goes Kane & Lynch 2 is a traditional 3^rd person cover based shooter with a heavy emphasis on cover. Your actions throughout the entire game is simple, press a button to take cover, lean out to kill enemies who are also in cover then rinse and repeat for 4 hours. Wait, the occasional propane tank or fire extinguisher can be thrown and exploded by you which is actually done quite well. But move out of cover at your own peril as you will be quickly gunned down by enemies with militia trained aim. If you choose to fire back you will struggle due to the inaccurate controls and on the rare occasion you do strike your opponent they simply soak up bullets before dying. Thus making what could be a mindless and visually distinctive shooter into a laborious task.

Not all can be considered negative the entire single player campaign can be played cooperatively which is the much better way to play considering the lack of intelligent AI. Also despite the lack of depth I did feel a connection with Lynch and his actions throughout the game. The story was so basic that it felt more believable than other more grandiose stories. Ultimately Kane & Lynch were attempting to escape instead of standing and fighting against the odds which a lot more people can relate to.

Due to the realism IO Interactive wanted to portray there are no collectibles in the game, nor is there any reason to attempt a higher difficulty setting since IO Interactive’s solution is to just throw more enemies at you. Therefore the campaign doesn’t offer any sort of replayability which is unfortunate.  In addition the trophies for Kane & Lynch 2 are just as lackluster and generic as the overall game again leaving you under whelmed.

Multiplayer

The multiplayer has four different game modes; arcade which is basically a practice mode for Fragile Alliance with computer AI, Fragile Alliance which is like the mode in the original Kane & Lynch where you attempt a heist with others online against computer AI however if you die you respawn as a cop and attempt to stop the traitor. The other two modes are a variation of Fragile Alliance, Undercover Cop is set up like Fragile Alliance except at the beginning of the match one person is notified they are the undercover cop and must stop the others from completing the heist. Lastly there is Cop and Robbers, again it is like traditional Fragile Alliance yet everyone is player controlled and is the closest to the conventional team deathmatch. Based on your performance in these modes you can level up and buy new guns as well as earn a label based on your actions if you are a traitor, faithful, travel with the pack, or like to be a lone dog.

In general I had a lot of fun with the multiplayer yet again the depth of content was just not present as it only had these 4 similar modes and cycled through just six maps. In addition there was no variation within those limited maps, for instance the AI placement was static making some of the modes tedious. But multiplayer was definitely a step above the single player campaign however my only concern is that the multiplayer is contingent on others not only purchasing this title but also sticking with what is ultimately a team based online feature when there are others who do that much better. My general consensus is that the multiplayer feature has refreshing game modes mixed with interesting concepts but is constrained by the same awful shooting mechanics as the single player.

Overall

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a traditional generic third person cover based shooter with bad shooting mechanics and no other interesting component to pull you through or engage you with an otherwise lackluster story. While it does have a unique visual style that adds some realism to the title along with a multiplayer feature that can be fun as well as introduces some interesting concepts despite being slightly team dependent the simple lack of content both in the amount of gameplay and depth of gameplay severely hinders this title. IO Interactive establishes some great building blocks that if refined may eventually develop into a successful title, but so did the original Kane & Lynch.

Due to these issues I can not recommend purchasing Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days at full retail price. However due to the summer let-up in releases and since you can easily complete this game in one sitting or more casually over a weekend I suggest renting this title to experience the distinctive visuals, raw story and innovative multiplayer for your self.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days for the PlayStation 3 was provided to me for reviewing purposes by IO Interactive. The games single player campaign was completed on the medium setting in 4.25 hours. I subsequently spent another 5 hours playing the multiplayer while obtaining 19 of the available 52 trophies. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days was developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive and is available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC systems.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Introduction

Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third person action adventure game that was recently released on June 22, 2010 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 and developed by High Moon Studios; who previously developed The Bourne Conspiracy and Darkwatch. In this title you can control a multitude of Transformers from either the Autobot or Decepticon factions through out ten chapters which are broken up in two distinct but related campaigns. In the single player campaign which is set years before the actions of the animated cartoon, these factions are waging war on one another over the control of their home planet Cybertron.

Can this title be a success and live up to the standards put forth by fans of the animated cartoon or will it simply fall under the radar to never be seen again? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

High Moon Studios had a lot going against them when making this title, for instance not much success has been established by developers using a licensed property. Not to mention the nostalgia most feel in my age demographic regarding the animated cartoon. Put all of that together with their relatively lack of experience and most would say High Moon Studios was destined to fail. Transformers: War for Cybertron just goes to show that a developer without huge previous success can take a licensed product that is revered so highly and make a high quality game while still staying true to the old fans and simultaneously introducing new ones.

This quality wasn’t apparent from the beginning however, upon inserting the disk I was tasked with a very lengthy mandatory install and the first chapter was one of if not the worst chapter in the game. Not much was explained and I found myself fumbling around the terrain while I familiarized myself with the controls. Luckily I didn’t have to familiarize myself with the terrain too much considering much of the first half of the campaign was repetitive and reused. However the interesting story and the fulfilling combat was enough to carry me through and good thing since the rest of the Decepticon campaign and the entire Autobot campaign was fresh and fun.

Speaking of the two campaigns I enjoyed how the two were functional when they stood alone but connected to each other. In other words you were able to play as the “bad guys” during the Decepticon campaign along with the “good guys” in the Autobot campaign but successfully win during both opportunities. The entire 10 chapter campaign didn’t feel rushed as it took me roughly 12 hours to complete on medium difficulty. Each campaign had interesting yet challenging boss battles along with nods to hardcore fans but not too much that would make a newcomer feel out of the loop. The campaigns story was interesting and intriguing but ultimately boiled down to Megatron’s quest for the energy source Dark Energon and the resulting destruction and eventual rise to power of Optimus Prime that caused these two factions to fight over the fate of Cybertron.

Transformers: War for Cybertron is fundamentally a good as well, the graphics while they won’t make you gasp are detailed enough to enable you to vividly see all the detailed moving parts of each Transformer. The audio while also not a stand out does play well within the game. Also I found the voice acting to be authentic as the characters banter between each other during the missions further assured you of their character and the attention to detail put forth. The combat appears to be specifically tailored as you can transform at will allowing for almost limitless possibilities during combat which the game certainly expects and encourages you to do. The later levels promote these possibilities of combat that is unique for each Transformer making for fantastic and fun gameplay.

While it’s a solid title it’s certainly not perfect. Even though the 25 minute mandatory install at the beginning is becoming more normal in today’s game it is still a major inconvenience. Not to mention even with this install the game still had a significant amount of loading during the game. Other issues were the occasional dip in frame rate, mainly while loading, along with the inconsistent play of both the enemy and friendly AI. At times the friendly AI was helpful and actually shot at the enemy while you posed as a distraction while other times they proved to be completely inept. This same inconsistency seemed to be apparent in the enemy AI as well — again at times enemies would tactfully try to attack you while other times they ONLY focused their shots at you no matter how hard you tried to hide, since there is no cover mechanic, or where your allies where. This caused certain difficulty spikes throughout the game that again were frustrating.

In most games there is not much reason to replay the single player campaign as most of the replayability comes from the presence of or the lack there of a multiplayer, Transformers: War for Cybertron is different. The entire campaign can be played cooperatively with up to three people online and with different characters to choose from each with a different fighting style I found the campaign can be satisfying to replay multiple times. During these multiple play throughs you can try out the challenging difficulty settings or try to obtain all of the trophies which help promote the game by challenging you to play using different strategies. Overall I was surprised at the amount of replayability that existed just in the single player campaign before I even delved into the multiplayer.

Multiplayer

After completion of the single player I was excited to jump into the multiplayer which is rich with features, plus who of us hasn’t dreamed of a multiplayer shooter with Transformers and thought it would be rad. The first mode I tried out was High Moons Nazi-zombie mode called Escalation; it’s a four person co-operative mode where you select a specific Transformer and try to survive waves of other Transformers while simultaneously purchasing health, ammo, weapons and unlocking new areas of the level by using the points you earned from kills. This mode was both hectic and rewarding – I found I easily grasped the concept considering the gross amount of time I have spent playing the Nazi-zombie mode in Call of Duty: World at War. The fundamentals are similar, you frantically run around while continuously fighting progressively more difficult masses of Transformers. Team work is mandatory if you expect to get to a higher wave but if you die you only have to wait until the next wave, if your team survives, to respawn.

The other aspect of the multiplayer was the traditional 10 person online customizable class based shooter with all of the conventional game types including team deathmatch, free for all, capture the flag and headquarters. I was eager to try out this mode but whether or not I over sold myself I was under whelmed with the overall experience. First off even when I tried playing during prime hours the multiplayer was barren this is not the games fault but it took several minutes to even find a game. Upon finding a game I had hopes of picking one of the several iconic characters from either the Autobot or Decepticon faction only to find out I had to choose from a bunch of nameless Transformers under four different classes, Soldier, Leader, Scientist and Scout. These certain classes can be customized with certain weapons and abilities that unlock based on your level however each class is leveled up individually.

Upon entering the match I found the combat was no fun at all. The combat was chaotic, frustrating and unbalanced with no real direction or tactics involved but relied more on luck. The player is never rewarded for being tactical but more importantly all that appears to matter is having the better class setup which requires a higher level. The shooting felt inaccurate and took way too many bullets to kill an enemy leaving me frustrated when I would tactfully move around the symmetrical map to a better position to only unload an entire clip and die.

Granted I may just be bad at this particular type of multiplayer option but these are not my only complaints. I was often times disconnected from the online games or the host would leave either way I would have to restart from the lobby in an attempt to locate other players in a desolate online mode. Lastly more of a personal opinion I was let down by the amount of customization that was available, while there was some High Moon could have taken it a lot deeper than they did. For the most part the multiplayer feature had all of the pieces to be a successful component but in my eyes these pieces just didn’t fit together properly. This doesn’t make it a bad option but rather an option that’s not for me.

Overall

Overall I think Transformers: War for Cybertron does a fantastic job at creating an origins story that old fans can applaud and newcomers can enjoy. But when contrasted against other 3rd person shooters in its genre it’s rather generic and has quite a few growing pains despite the historic rivalry that is presents. While certainly not a bad title I do believe its thought of more highly, by me included, because the Transformer named is so revered by fans and the names of these Transformers are so nostalgic not to mention the complete lack of even a competent Transformers game in the past. Don’t get me wrong there is truly some shinning moments in this title and I believe High Moon Studio has built a solid foundation and should be applauded for their effort and respect of the subject matter when developing this ultimately enjoyable game.I just think when it’s all said and done Transformers: War for Cybertron is just a good short term diversion and nothing more.

During the summer lull of releases its difficult to find any game to play let along a quality game therefore if you’re a Transformers fan or just looking for a quality game to play during this down time then no doubt I think Transformers: War for Cybertron presents enough of a value to purchase and play through. However if on the other hand you don’t have the same fond memories of Transformers or have a healthy backlog to play then I suggest you don’t purchase this title but feel its at least worth a rental at some point in time.

Transformers: War for Cybertron for the PlayStation 3 was provided to me for reviewing purposes by Activision. The games single player campaign was completed on the medium setting in 11.5 hours. I subsequently spent another 8 hours playing the multiplayer and co-operative features while obtaining 24 of the available 51 trophies. Transformers: War for Cybertron was developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision and is available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC systems.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

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Introduction

Santa Monica Studios latest installment to the action adventure God of War franchise, God of War 3, was released on March 16, 2010 exclusively for the PlayStation 3 system. God of War 3 picks up immediately where God of War 2 left off, with Kratos riding on Gaia’s back as she ascends Mount Olympus in an attempt to assault the gods. As like all of the previous installments you control Kratos in a third person view as he unleashes his fury upon the world with combos and gory impalement’s and dismemberment’s.

Can God of War 3 be revered and have the sort of impact on the PlayStation 3 that the previous games had on the PlayStation 2, or has the series lost its luster over the years? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

If you are worried that Santa Monica Studios changed the formula for God of War 3 this generation then don’t. I am here to say that God of War 3 hits all of the desired bullet points: satisfying combat, check – familiar controls, check – puzzle solving platform sections, check – quick time event boss battles, check – angry Spartan looking for revenge, check. To some leaving much of the basics unchanged may seem like a monumental failure but as a fan of the series I am happy that the development team is confident enough in their skills to realize while many games have tried to copy the God of War formula but nobody quite fulfills that promise like Santa Monica Studios. Granted while most of the core aspects have remained the same enough additions and revisions were introduced in God of War 3 to definitely make the experience feel entirely different and new.

These additions and revisions vary from subtle new weapons or items to use like the Bow of Apollo or the Head of Helios to the much more noticeable and over the top gruesome combat or innovative camera angles. The developers certainly didn’t stop there either as they apparently revamped the entire feel of the game to a much grander scale and much darker tone. As a player now more than ever you begin to feel the sense of scale that the game portrays and realize just how big these obstacles are that stand in your way. If you thought Kratos was a vengeful blood thirsty killing machine before then you are in for a surprise as the combat is much more gory and gruesome than in the previous games.

Just as in the previous installments God of War 3 truly presents itself in amazing fashion. For instance the environments are meticulously laid out with a surprisingly amount of detail that is showcased by the stunning graphics and smooth framerate. Even the pace of the game and the careful mixture of combat, exploration, platforming and puzzle solving is perfectly balanced never making the game feel redundant. These aspects all come together to present a fun and fluid gameplay, this fluidity in turn makes you feel like you are actually accomplishing these momentous tasks and performing these stunning acts. The story while it does not play an integral part in the allure of this type of title also isn’t as throw away as some other titles. However I believe the story has enough substance to keep you invested in the progression and eager to see it unfold.

Despite this apparent love affair God of War 3 did in my opinion a have a few faults. Although they are small complaints I personally felt the game gradually lost momentum over the course of playing. I still found the entire game to be enjoyable and satisfying but think because the opening sequence was so epic and memorable that the rest of the game gradually lost that momentum that was captured at the beginning. This may have been due to the fact that its difficult for any game to continue on from such an impressive first 15-30 minute opening that cements such a lastly feeling throughout the game. My only other problem were occasional issues with traversing the world that could have just as well been my fault as the games however those sections could have been more clear.

If you remember I discounted Dante’s Inferno on its replayability because the only option was the single player campaign and even though God of War also only has this one option I don’t feel the same way. My problem with Dante’s Inferno was not that it only had one mode but that the single player was not memorable enough that I wanted to play through it again, God of War 3 in my eyes doesn’t have that same problem. However since its still only just a single player campaign the replayability is slightly hindered but with the thoughtful inclusion of different difficulty modes, collectibles, and unlockable challenges as well as attainable yet rewarding trophies there is plenty to do if you so desire.

Overall

God of War 3 had just enough similarities that while it felt familiar it also felt completely new and adventurous. The presentation was amazing and while you were recovering from the fast paced yet rewarding combat you were continually wowed by the gigantic set pieces that all culminated into momentous events and puzzles. God of War 3 allows you to participate in a heroic clash and journey of remarkable proportions that I didn’t want to end but was satisfied when it did.

I believe this current installment will have the type of lasting effects and will be looked back upon in a positive manner like the two previous titles on PlayStation 2. If you haven’t yet picked this game up its totally worth your purchase and I whole-heartedly recommend that you do, you won’t be disappointed.

The Wife’s Take: God of War 3 in my eyes is overly gory and gruesome and the pristine graphics help illustrate that message more effectively. Therefore as a mother and due to those reasons listed above this is not a game that I would want my younger children playing without first speaking with them or some adult supervision.

God of War 3 for the PlayStation 3 was purchased for full price on the release date. The games single player campaign was completed on the default setting in 9 hours. God of War 3 was developed by Santa Monica Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment and is available exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Intro

Dante’s Inferno which is loosely based on the poem ‘The Divine Comedy’ was released on February 9^th 2010 for PS3, Xbox 360 and the PSP systems. The game which was developed by Visceral Games, known more for the critically acclaimed Dead Space series, is a third person action adventure game in the spirit of the God of War series. You play as Dante who attempts to tract down and free the soul of his beloved wife Beatrice. During this journey Dante must ultimately face his own sins and family past as he descends into the depths of the Nine Circles of Hell.

Can this title break free from its stigmatism and ultimately be a success or is it simply condemned from the start? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

If you think you have seen this game before it’s because you have, many reviewers have compared Dante’s Inferno with the God of War series and rightfully so. Dante’s Inferno is remarkably similar to the God of War franchise and make no mistake about it Dante’s Inferno is unapologetic in its clone status. I wouldn’t be so compelled to bring this up if the similarities weren’t so startling. The controls, use of light and heavy attacks, quick time boss battles along with the savage and grotesque gameplay are all completely the same. Luckily they also share one main similarity, the fun factor, like the God of War games Dante’s Inferno is extremely fun and satisfying to play. Although this makes it even more unfortunate that the Visceral team was unable to complete the entire package.

They did however get a few of the major aspects right and as they did with Dead Space the Visceral team once again establishes a unique setting. But unfortunately the world doesn’t appear to be as flushed out or portrayed as well as the Dead Space world. I believe this is partly due to the bland and darker theme that is present. While over all the graphics are uninspiring they also don’t present a problem or negatively stand out.

Another aspect that must be done correctly and stand out in a hack n’ slash game is the combat and Dante’s Inferno stacks up nicely. The combat which consists of only two basic weapons, a close combat scythe that was taken from the cold ridden hands of death himself as well as a holy cross used to fire long range projectiles, was satisfying to perform and while it may have initially been rather simple it was effective and deliberate. Nevertheless upon further investigation the combat actually has a bit more depth to it than I initially believed, for instance you have the ability to perform either holy or unholy attacks that do vary. Each holy or unholy act grants experience that further unlocks attacks pertaining to that action. You may also choose to ‘level up’ each individual attack to further customize how you choose to dismantle your enemies. You can add to that customization by finding and equipping relics that drastically alter your play style.

My one complaint regarding the combat was that much of the combat took place in small controlled areas instead of revealing the vast unique world that the team so meticulously put together. Not to mention the difficulty in the game only existed due to bad design and not smart gameplay resulting in most of my deaths to occur during the tedious platforming sections. Yet even with these tacked on puzzles the campaign is short clocking in at less than seven hours to complete. This wouldn’t be so bad if there were another mode to look forward to but that doesn’t exist – no co-op, no multiplayer, no other playable mode besides replaying the same lifeless story I just completed. This severely affects the replayability in my opinion especially since the platinum trophy can also be easily had with little effort.

Due to the Visceral team’s previous work I had high hopes that the story would play an intricate role and would disregard the perception that story does not traditionally matter in the hack n slash genre. But as I stated earlier I had no interest what so ever in the story or the progression of the story. Personally I am not sure if it was because the story was too complex, difficult to follow or if the story was just too cliché for my liking. Whatever the cause I don’t find the story to be one of the catalyst reasons why most gamers choose to play this genre of game. However with that being said that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have been a nice change and I still find that to be a major flaw in the game.

Ultimately even with all of its promise Dante’s Inferno loses momentum after the first few hours of the game, the once fresh and unique enemies become reused, the previously enjoyable environments become bland and uninspiring, the puzzles only seem to exist to artificially slow your progress and distract you from the story, the strong start and momentous transition instead turns into a monotonous and repetitive ending arena that barely conceals its role as a filler. Dante’s Inferno has so much potential but squanders that all away by attempting to copy another series. Still even with all of that the frantic and gratifying combat is just barely enough to pull you through making it a semi-delightful experience.

Overall

Dante’s Inferno does not break any new ground or tread any uncharted waters instead it merely refines an already proven system into its own unique mold. As an original IP I think Dante’s Inferno is a competent God of War clone with distinct characters and a plot that could be polished into a solid title for Visceral Games and Electronic Arts. However in its current state it just does not represent the same caliber of title as a God of War game.

Therefore due to the uninteresting story along with the lack of replayability and relatively short campaign I can not recommend you purchase this title at full retail price. But I do believe if you are a fan of the genre then you will undoubtedly enjoy Dante’s Inferno which is why I believe it is a solid rental and worth a try. This game can easily be completed over a weekend and presents a perfect change of pace. So put it in your GameFly queue or pick it up at your local rental store it’s definitely worth at least that.

Dante’s Inferno for the PlayStation 3 was  rented at my local video store. The games single player campaign was completed on the default setting in 7 hours. I subsequently played through again and obtained all of the 43 available trophies. Dante’s Inferno was developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts and is available  for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable systems.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Intro

PURE was released on September 16, 2008 and developed by Black Rock Studio formerly Climax Racing who were previously behind the Moto GP and ATV Offroad Fury franchises. The roots of those franchises can clearly be seen in PURE; like ATV Offroad Fury PURE is an off-road quad-bike racing game that also incorporates insane tricks into the game. The player races customizable ATV’s in picture perfect destinations across the world in an attempt to be atop the world ranks all while pulling of incredible stunts at gravity defying heights.

Can this title be a launching point of success for Black Rock Studio or has this title simply crashed and burned? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

PURE is the definition of what a classic arcade racer should encompass its controls are smooth and the gameplay is fast. The overall basic concept like any racer is to finish in first place but the process to achieve those results are refined yet simple: keep doing tricks and keep being rewarded with boost. As you land these series of wild and over the top tricks you fill up your thrill bar thus allowing you to gain more boost and subsequently unlock more absurd and crazy tricks. Therefore to truly do well the game forces you to be both a great rider and an accomplished aerialist.

In the single player campaign you compete as one of six riders and although there is no functional difference between them they do each have their own special trick that they perform. The single player campaign or World Tour has ten stages of increased difficulty and requirements, as you compete each individual race in the stage you move that much closer to the top rank. These different stages consist of three different race types; the classic race which consists of three laps with a heavy mixture of turns and vertigo inducing jumps, Sprint which are shorter races consisting of 5 laps that usually only have one or two jumps and many hard turns and lastly Freestyle which is a mode to perform and combo as many tricks to display your high score.

These races can be played on any one of the twelve breathtaking and pristine environments that are rich with subtle but rewarding detail. Although that might not sound like enough each track has multiple branching paths and shortcuts that can boost you onto remote cliff sides or drop you into muddy gulches making it feel as if the environments are free roaming. Each level appears meticulously laid out in a way that showcases its beautiful and expansive environment thus making it hard to realize this title was released well over a year ago.

But truthfully what really stands out is the absurd and over the top tricks that you can perform. These wild and physically impossible tricks while on the surface appear shallow at further investigation have a much deeper process to them. For instance you are rewarded by performing a variety of different tricks and won’t be rewarded as much with tricks that you have previously landed during that race which forces you to try different combinations and in turn keeps the game fresh. The controls for these movements are a breeze allowing the game to be easy to pick up but harder to master. However the accomplishment you feel when you flawlessly string together a series of crazy tricks invokes such a sense of joy that it makes you want to keep playing.

As you win events you will unlock more events along with additional parts and accessories to customize your ATV right down to the color of the grips on the handle bars. However that whole garage experience feels overly cumbersome and complex especially if you are only adding new parts. If you don’t feel like taking the time to customize every single aspect of your ATV then you can simply hold down a build button to quickly put together a more than capable ride. However the single player is not much deeper than that, no local multiplayer despite the World Tour being fairly short.

Multiplayer

The online features mirrored the modes that were available offline with the inclusion of tournaments. In multiplayer you race against 15 other people and despite only the hardcore fans still participating I found it relatively easy to stay competitive due to the broad appeal and skill of the game. Although the multiplayer was semi-vacated, which I expected due to the age of the game, I still had no trouble at all finding and participating in a game which is a testament to the quality of this title.

While the multiplayer was no deeper than the single player it still ran just as smooth and just as fast even while racing against multiple opponents. However don’t think of trying to go online before you have unlocked the higher engines classes as you will be at a serious disadvantage. You will still have to unlock everything in single player in order for it to be used in multiplayer matches. The replayability will vary depending on the gamer as you possibly have an infinite amount of opportunities to replay this title and continue to challenge yourself online. However once you beat the “World Tour” and dabbled in the rest of the modes you can still challenge yourself to the track specific time trials or the trophies both of which were challenging and fun.

Overall

PURE doesn’t take much skill to master and the totally outrageous stunts and tricks that you can perform were fun from the very start. The game was very accessible and grabbed my attention early on while still being fun to play. It’s a game that is easy to get in and out of meaning you don’t have to worry about remembering a story plot but instead play a few races then if you decide can move out with worry which is a welcomed change.The game may lack depth but for me has the perfect amount of depth in what I want in an arcade racer. Despite its relatively simplicity the game has a surprisingly amount of strategy involved in deciding which jumps to launch off of and the risk versus reward of performing tricks off of those jumps.

Since it’s an older game I am sure you can find this title for a reduced price, if so and if you like these types of racers then I would have no problem recommending this title. It’s a great change of pace game that would be perfect to have in your collection giving you the opportunity to return to it as you wish. If on the other hand you have little reason to either play a racing game online or replay the single player after you already complete the game then I recommend you just rent this title for a little mindless change plus the chance to get a look at what to expect from their new title Split/Second.

PURE doesn’t blaze any new trails but is certainly a ride worth taking. The game doesn’t let up from start to finish

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Intro

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is a first person shooter that was recently released worldwide on November 10, 2009. This title is the sixth installment of the Call of Duty franchise but Infinity Wards first work since Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare which was universally praised and basically put Infinity Ward on the map of top tier developers. In traditional Call of Duty fashion you assume the role of multiple characters as you progress through the single player campaign. This installment picks up five years after Call of Duty 4 and ventures to many different settings like Afghanistan, Siberia, Washington D.C. and Rio de Janeiro while trying to counter a new Russian ultranationalist terrorist organization set to invade the United States.

Can this new title build on the success of Infinity Ward’s previous title or are we set up for a disappointment? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

In the eyes of most gamers not much needed to be done in order for Modern Warfare 2 to be successful and it appears Infinity Ward as followed that model. Most of the change was done by way of small yet effective revisions. The core aspects you would expect from a Call of Duty title are all intact and return. For instance the controls which have now become the default controls for most first person shooters make them feel natural and just as effective and fluid as before. The graphics remain top notch presenting you with the same immersion into the environment as you have in the past. The attention to detail put forth in making every environment appear tangible was done with great success. The overall classic Call of Duty mission structure remains the same as well. You progress through the story from multiple points of view and complete various on screen objectives to fulfill that particular mission.

While some of the revisions did obviously positively affect the game others seemed to highlight some negative consequences. For example the enemy and friendly artificial intelligence, or AI, has been vastly improved but still is not perfect. On a positive note the friendly AI actually seems to help you progress through some sections instead of being completely useless as it was in the past. However when a lot of enemies were on screen the majority of the enemies found it necessary to shoot at your character rather than your team mate who may have been an easier target. Another welcomed revision was the exclusion of endless enemy re-spawns but even with that I still had trouble determining if I was to advance or sit back and fight. The game at times had to artificially tell you what to do instead of you gathering that information through gameplay. In my eyes none of these are fatal flaws just something I noticed, especially after playing such a brilliantly crafted single player experience like Uncharted 2.

The sound and voice acting while not a stand out also didn’t seem to hinder the game in any way either. The overall difficulty did seem to be refined by the exclusion of invisible barriers and endless enemy re-spawns however all it took was one level, Rio de Janeiro, to change that. Although that level was the exception and not the rule the utter confusion and frustration that level caused forces me to include that here. The checkpoints while overall were non issues again in that particular mission were thought provoking as they were in awkward areas with enemies still attacking. Therefore if you die, which I did often in that level, restarting at that position made it difficult to progress. As if that wasn’t enough the blood effects when shot made it difficult to see and even more difficult to determine which direction you were being shot from thus adding to my confusion.

The story was intense I will give it that but at times it felt as if Infinity Ward was doing things to simply out do themselves and provide shocking moments. Let’s take the ‘No Russian’ level as an example, while I appreciate the fact they are willing to tackle that type of thought provoking content it had little effect on me. This was due to the fact that because the story progresses the way it does you have no emotional attachment with your character and are often times confused who you are actually playing.

The story may be cliché and over the top and at times confusing to follow with the abrupt plot twist amplified by the lack of a back story and immediately being thrown into the next mission. But none of the Call of Duty games have been about story but simply the full immersion of the gun fights, frantic pace and constant struggle to survive and push forward; in this aspect Modern Warfare 2 excels.

Multiplayer

The reason most, including myself, will decide to purchase this title is the fast paced addicting multiplayer feature. Infinity Ward made what most would say is the de facto multiplayer in Call of Duty 4. If that’s the case then nothing has changed in my eyes. Infinity Ward once again stepped up to the plate and delivered an impressively strategic and intense multiplayer along with being expansive and detailed. Like the Single Player the fundamentals of the multiplayer have not changed, the controls, overall feel and leveling aspect all return but have been tweaked to perfection.

However those small tweaks pay out huge dividends; for instance you know have the ability to customize your kill streaks which can range from something as simple as calling in a counter UAV or a harrier strike to something more complex like controlling an AC130 or calling in a tactical nuke and ending the game. Along with various new weapons like the ACR, SCAR-H and TAR to name a few you also have new ways of outfitting your weapon and or load out. For instance all of the perks and attachments have been reworked adding new perks like commando and cold blooded and resorting some of the less popular perks like martyrdom to a death streak instead. Also some of the older perks like Deep Impact are no longer perks at all and are instead an attachment, full metal jacket, yet have the same effect. The level of customization is unprecedented as you even have the ability to customize your call sign and emblem which will be shown after you kill an enemy or successfully complete the multitude of challenges presented to you. While the learning curve may seem steep its actually quite friendly to newcomers as even the preset classes are useful and include features that aren’t unlocked until higher levels which presents an even playing field for all of the players.

If the vast competitive multiplayer isn’t your thing then don’t worry, your covered. Infinity Ward as also included a cooperative multiplayer feature called “Spec-Ops”. These brief missions which borrow scenarios from the single player have varying objectives ranging from silently sniping incoming enemies to providing cover fire from an AC130 to help your partner reach an extraction point all of which present different challenges. As you complete these missions on 1 of 3 difficulty settings you gain stars which are then used to unlock more missions. There are a total of 23 missions each ranging in pace, objectives and gameplay. These missions can be completed either locally via split screen or online with a friend. While most can be completed solo the real fun and enjoyment come when you are playing and communicating with a friend. In my eyes “Spec-Ops’ is a great break and change of pace from the regular multiplayer grind the gameplay never seems stale or repetitive yet still contains that classic Call of Duty feel.

I have already and will continue to sink a lot of time into this multiplayer, the competitive multiplayer is challenging yet fun and very addicting. The “Spec-Ops” mode lets you play bite sized segments that remain intense throughout the mission and are satisfying to play with a friend. This gives Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 in my eyes one of the most expansive and full featured multiplayers to date and definitely not a mode to be taken lightly or ignored.

Overall

Overall the single player campaign was a good exhausting 6-8 hour tutorial for the multiplayer. The enemy AI and Friendly AI was much improved actually helping you progress through certain sections. The gameplay and graphics are on par with what you would expect from a Call of Duty game with major set pieces coming to a rest with such a dramatic twist it will always keep you guessing. While the actual plot may be difficult to follow and progressing through the missions can cause some confusion the single player campaign was delicately crafted and ultimately fun to play.

However the true reason this title shines is obviously the multiplayer. While the revisions may be small if looking from the outside the effects are significant. The ability to customize almost every aspect is a welcomed change along with the opportunity to be rewarded with almost everything you do. The multiplayer is a perfect blend of ease ability and accessibility for the new comers but has all of the components for the hardcore players as well. Both options serve different purposes and are addictive and fun which is the ultimate goal. Infinity Ward took what was an already great multiplayer experience and refined it to make it better in almost every aspect.

By now we all know the answer to the question presented above, at least from Infinity Wards point of view. Modern Warfare 2 was one of the biggest entertainment releases in history and easily shattered the previous game release record. The game has sold a ton and will only sell more as the holiday shopping ensues. Therefore if you are one of the eight individuals who haven’t gotten your copy then by all means do whatever it takes and go pick yourself up a copy. Modern Warfare 2 undoubtedly will be on many game of the year list and one you don’t want to pass up. I can easily say that this title is worth a pick up even if you are not a huge fan of the genre. I can not stress enough – go get it.

To read about our stance on the review process click here for more answers. Find all of other reviews here; better yet bookmark that section so you won’t miss any of our future reviews as well. If you would like other information to be included in the reviews give us some feedback and let us know, or if you would like us to review a specific title drop us a line we welcome and encourage your feedback. Enjoy!

Introduction

DiRT 2, Codemasters sequel to Colin McRae DiRT, was released on September 8^th 2009. While it is a direct sequel much as changed since its predecessor including a completely new game engine and an overhaul of the multiplayer just to name a few. The basics however have stayed the same which consist of players competing in a roster of off-road events that spans four different continents in many diverse challenging real-world environments. Along with new race types you can also race alongside or team up with such stars as Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Tanner Foust, or Dave Mirra.

Can the latest version of DiRT pass by its predecessor or will it be left in the dust? Continue reading to find out.

Single Player

Upon starting the game one of the first things I noticed was the unique first-person menu screen rather than a traditional list-based menu. This engaging interface is set around your personal R.V. which is used for various tasks such as selecting an event, entering multiplayer, checking your statistics or even to watch instructional videos. Step outside your personal R.V. and you enter your racing headquarters complete with festival type surroundings where you can select or purchase vehicles along with other functions. This immersion and polish set an early precedent that continues to build throughout the entire game.

Dirt 2’s career mode spans many exotic and distinct locales on four different continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. While for the most part the terrain, dirt and different variants of dirt, never changes each area has a variety of events including Rally, Rally Cross, Trailblazer, Raid and Land Rush. Along with these standard race types there are also three special variants in the World Tour mode: Gatecrasher, Domination and Last Man Standing. This variation of race type along with track and array of locations keeps the game fresh throughout the entire in-depth single player campaign.

One of my favorite additions and biggest changes in the series is the inclusion of Flashbacks. This gives the racer the ability to rewind time and replay a certain section of the track because there is nothing worse than making a near-perfect pass then losing because of one miss-step. I initially thought this would handicap the game and completely prevent crashes but it turned out to be quite the opposite. I found this feature helped me learn to be a better driver thus using it less and less. The few times, okay many times, I did use this feature it was only to recover from debilitating accidents or occurrences that would have previously required a complete restart.

That turned out to be a good thing since as the difficulty level is ratcheted up you are given less Flashbacks not to mention the AI is less forgiving. Overall I found the difficulty level to be challenging yet rewarding however if the difficulty is too high you can turn vehicle damage off and lower the difficulty setting before each race with little consequence.

You unlock new races like the 3 X-Games by way of a leveling system. You acquire experience points in two ways, first is based on your performance in events which take into account the difficulty level and your finish position. Secondly, you gain experience by completing certain in game missions which keeps track of your statistics like drift distance, time on two wheels, jump distance and so on. As you gain levels you unlock different sections of the maps from the villages of Morocco or serene hillsides of China to the streets of London with each new location presenting a different challenge. As you gain experience you will also be rewarded with cash which is used to purchase any one of the 35 different vehicles.

It may be silly to others but I really enjoyed the fact that the other competitors actually say your name. While that may not be true of all players I believe this feature should be adopted by other games as its not only satisfying but added another layer of immersion. Also because they mention your name it makes the friendly banter between characters while participating in an event all that more believable and fun.

Even with all these bells and whistles the part of Dirt 2 that really shines is the racing which in my eyes is a testament to the quality of the game. The accurate physics and attention to detail allow the racing to feel authentic even while doing a barrel roll after unsuccessfully maneuvering a tight hairpin turn. Not to mention the controls are responsive and simple allowing me to focus on the task at hand and not try to overcome clunky or cumbersome controls. The graphics are impeccable and surprisingly detailed even while zooming along at 100+ mph. The sound was also a highlight whether it was the distinct mechanical sound for each vehicle or the subtle environmental sounds while racing all were done with great precision and care. Even the soundtrack of the game was enjoyable and never seemed to get redundant or out of place.

Despite the game being fantastic one of the few things I wish could have been added was more of a day and night cycle and/or a weather cycle. It would be awesome if as I was tearing through the mountains of Utah clouds would roll in thus changing the brightness and overall feel of the track or even if during some of the longer events to gradually see the sun set. These small additions would allow some of the tracks to be reused but would feel completely different. Also while I was generally content with the amount of cars it would have been nice to have the ability to customize your vehicle more both visually and mechanically. Granted you can customize your ride to an extent by adding liveries which are basically predetermined decals or by adding dashboard and rear-view mirror decorations that are awarded to you. Plus mechanically you can tinker with some pre-race setting that do noticeable affect the cars behavior however having the ability to go one step further would have been a great addition in my eyes.

The in-depth World Tour is longer than your average racing single player campaign as it took me upwards of 20+ hours to complete. On top of that robust single player the game also provides an almost endless amount of replayability in the surprisingly populated multiplayer. If that’s not enough then Dirt 2 also provides challenging yet rewarding trophies that encourages your progression thus forcing you to keep striving for that elusive platinum.

Multiplayer

The online multiplayer is similar to the single player meaning you level up by gaining experience through your performance on the track. However multiplayer features its very own experience system labeled Fame Points and is strictly used to boast to your friends. You can compete with up to 7 different players in ranked, pro-tour, or un-ranked, Jam Session, matches. Ranked matches are more restrictive by only allowing certain prescribed cars on specific tracks however in Jam Session you can use any class of vehicle on any track although that may not be advisable.

You can setup a race using any vehicle on any track regardless if you have it unlocked in the single player allowing you to instantly become competitive even if you have yet to finish the career mode. You can also participate in community tournaments which are basically objectives to complete during the week and based on your performance versus other racers you gain a certain amount of Fame points. The few times I did play online I had little trouble finding an actual game and when I did they were generally lag free and always a blast to play. Multiplayer also features its very own set of trophies and missions to complete.

Overall

Since I hadn’t played the previous version I came in not having any expectations and boy was I blown away. Dirt 2 was impressive from the very start and didn’t let up until the very end. Dirt 2 is the complete package, it’s accessible, visually stunning, addictive, demanding but not impossible, varied and well paced and is a perfect mixture of arcade style fun with the precision of a simulation racer. The sometimes tedious task of consistently racing has been transformed into something I really enjoy doing. But most of all its fun to play, did I mention it was fun? In my eyes Dirt 2 is everything you would want or expect in a quality racing game.

Dirt 2 hasn’t been on too many peoples radar and personally I think that’s a shame, if you are a fan of the racing genre then I suggest you pick yourself up a copy. Honestly even if you aren’t a fan of the genre I can see how this game could still appeal to you. Dirt 2 is not just the best racing game I have played all year it very well may be one of the best games I have played all year. Try it out for yourself.

For the purpose of full disclosure I did receive a copy of DiRT 2 for the PS3 from Codemasters for review

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