Source: Giant Bomb / Kotaku

The effects of the experiments have taken their toll on Katorga 12 and its inhabitants. They’re now horrible creatures, mutated by the power of E99, and they’re coming for you. Singularity’s first impression is striking, taking influence from games such as Bioshock and Metro 2033, the world of Katorga 12 is detailed, haunting, and rich with character. Art-deco elements mixed with Red Army propaganda give Singularity a distinct look and sense of place. It’s just a shame the early environments later give way to some generic industrial warehouses. At times, the world can feel a bit contrived. Backwards R’s and N’s on your objectives give the game a “Russiany” look, I suppose, but it’s forgivable when you realize it’s all in good fun. Singularity isn’t trying to be Tolstoy, more like a Hollywood blockbuster’s Russian counterpart. Jerry Bruckheimervich, if you will. Somewhere along the way, history is altered. An evil man has seized power and taken over the world. It’s now up to Renko to travel through time to set things right.

Singularity sits on a foundation of solid first-person shooting mechanics. The ubiquitous pistol, shotgun, and assault rifle are naturally part of your arsenal but weapons which tie into the game’s time-travel motif are the standouts. The Seeker, a rifle that fires bullets you control as they travel through the air is pure masochistic fun. Other weapons like the sniper rifle have the ability to slow down time so pesky headshots are a thing of the past. In addition to the fun weaponry, Singularity relies heavily on a time mechanic afforded by the TMD or Time Manipulation Device.

Those mad Russian scientists managed to wield the power of E99 and create a handy (and portable, no less) weapon that can either turn back the wheels of time or move them forward. Use the TMD to age locks into dust allowing doors to open, turn enemies into ash, and restore broken staircases to their former selves. The time mechanics are, unfortunately, limited. It would have been nice to see more freedom in who or what you can move through time but, as it is, the game has a set library of objects that are susceptible to time manipulation. Mild puzzles are also sprinkled in for good measure but don’t go beyond simply figuring out how to traverse the environment. I felt like the time mechanics had so much potential, I wished the game had more of an emphasis on these puzzles. As the game progresses, upgrades to the TMD keep the action fresh and the game incredibly well paced. In another nod to Bioshock, the world is littered with upgrade stations which allow you to trade in currency for enhancements to yourself, your weapons, or the TMD itself. While Singularity doesn’t offer the dual-wielding of TMD and guns as Bioshock 2 did for plasmids and weapons, the action doesn’t suffer. The steady upgrades ensure that, even though you’re fighting the same enemy types throughout, the methods are constantly evolving and keep things feeling new.

As Renko leaps between the 1950s and the present, you’ll dispatch plenty of Russian soldiers along the way. The occasional boss battle against a gigantic monster keeps things leaning back into the realm of sci-fi. While these encounters offer some of the game’s more dramatic set pieces, it’s a shame they fall prey to the same “shoot-the-giant-glowing-spot” syndrome.

As a whole, Singularity isn’t a particularly long game. Most will get through it in a little under eight hours. It’s right in the sweet spot between offering just enough and overstaying its welcome. Fans of story-driven games will have a hard time putting it down. Bioshock-esque audio logs, notes, messages from the past which are rendered legible by the TMD, and a headache-inducing time twist really flesh out the narrative. In the end, a moral choice offers a variety of endings depending on which route you take. While the ending itself is interesting regardless of your choice, it was another area where the story felt contrived. None of your choices throughout the game up until that moment factor in to which ending you receive. It felt forced that suddenly the game introduced a moral choice when, all the while, you’d been doing what you thought was right.

Despite being a single-player focused game, Singularity does offer a decent multiplayer offering. While the standard deathmatch pitting human soldiers against the monsters of Katorga 12 is a fun, class-based distraction, it’s not likely to pull you away from your current online game of choice. Extermination is another game mode that, once again, pits humans versus creatures but is more objective-based. As the soldiers, it’s your duty to restore beacon points and protect them while they charge. As the monsters, it’s your job to stop them. If a team works well together, Extermination can actually get quite addictive. Soldier classes range from the typical medic, spec-op, and heavy units while the creatures offer a little more variety. The multiplayer isn’t the main draw of the game but it’s worth putting in for a weekend and seeing what it has to offer.

Singularity isn’t the most original game but it still manages to do a few things very well. The world of Katorga 12 is not the next Rapture but it’s damn close. Added to that, a time-travel mechanic, great shooting, and mind-bending story all work to shape a rich experience that’s worth seeing through to the end.

Fallout New Vegas Trailer – Frank Sinatra & Ron Perlman?!

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Pictures courtesy of Play3.de

Many of us have probably seen the Mass Effect 2 advertisements popping up all over our TV, our internet browsers, and our e-mails as BioWare wen’t pretty heavy on the advertising for the game. Mass Effect 2 has also been a very popular topic of discussion on forums and boards across the internet, clearly portraying it’s following by hundreds of thousands of fellow gamers. In a world filled with dozens of races, planets, political alliances and rivalries, it will most definitely be hard to put down the controller at times. The world of Mass Effect sucks you in and there is no other video game like it.

An interesting feature, Mass Effect 2 lets you continue your save from the original Mass Effect, granted that your game saves are on the same hard-drive (Xbox 360 or PC). Choices and decisions that players made during the original run of Mass Effect will have clear implications on the world in Mass Effect 2. When transferring your game, you are given the ability to choose which save you want to use, and the consequences of using it. For those who are new to the world of Mass Effect, you can of course just start a new game and customize your character accordingly. The beginning gameplay will bring you up to speed, and let you know what you missed in the prequel. Mass Effect 2 is so customizable, you can choose everything from your characters facial features, to their combat style. An event early in the game will help explain all of this in some logical context so that you will not feel confused or let down.

As aforementioned, most if not all of the quirks in the original Mass Effect were corrected in the release of the sequel. Thank you BioWare for listening to us gamers! It often boggles us that the video game manufacturers do not often read critics and gamers reviews to help to fix and make the appropriate corrections. BioWare has, and events such as never-ending elevator rides, the receiving and hoarding of dozens of useless weapons and armor, and the uncontrollable driving of the Mako (your terrain exploration/combat vehicle) have all been corrected in some way, shape or form. We don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the inventory management system, planetary exploration systems, and elevator rides are a bit different than the original Mass Effect gamers may be used to. Definitely all for the better, as these were most notably the biggest three complaints from the previous game. On another note, we were also a little disappointed to the fact that Mass Effect 2 is simply a one-player game. It would have been nice if some sort of multi-player gameplay mode or battle mode was entrenched within the game.

Mass Effect was strongly built around the relationships of the world it was set in. From love triangles, to political alliances, to earth-shattering enemies, Mass Effect had it all. As with the prequel, you will be spending a lot of your time in dialogue with your crew members and other members of the Mass Effect world. We must stress that it is pretty imperative within the game to ensure that you have comforting relationships with your crew members. We know that sometimes it can get pretty extensive, but you really should spend the time to talk to each character and person especially in between game missions. This game may not be for those who just like to battle it out and shoot ‘em up, please remember that this is a Role-Playing Game, and you must spend a good amount of your time talking to other characters, exploring other worlds, and hunting around for secrets and easter eggs – not just shooting up the bad guys. Each of the in-game characters and NPC’s have their own distinct backgrounds, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. It is truly interesting to explore each one, and see the pros and cons that come along with each. Certain characters may not talk to you or give you different responses depending on whom is in your party. Sometimes your own teammates may quarrel, and as the leading Commander, you are going to have to step in and do what’s right (or wrong).

Mass Effect 2 isn’t for the light-hearted and for the younger aged children. The content has been rated mature by the ESRB. There is plenty of graphic violence in combat, drug references, sexual content, and strong language used. With that said, the average teenager gamer and above will probably enjoy this game immensely due to its galactic realness. Any and all Stars Wars and especially Star Trek fans will love this game, as it is strongly reminiscent in many ways of the Star Trek legacy.

With the enhancements made in the release of Mass Effect 2, the gameplay modes have strongly adapted towards a ‘shooter’ game, instead of strictly being an RPG. Yes, Mass Effect 2 is classified as an RPG game, but the slightly enhanced gameplay mode does make you feel like you are playing an FPS game. When you shoot an enemy with one of your many weapons, body parts may fly off, blood may spatter, but after some time, the bodies do disappear such as they did in the first Mass Effect. As with most RPG games, you will be able to pause the game anytime mid-battle to make inventory, weapon and ability changes. Shot accuracy also plays an important role as it does in most games, with head shots inflicting the greatest damage while body parts will inflict less damage. Cut scenes also often depict important events within the beginning, end or middle of a mission, overall adding to the cinematic effects of the game which are truly outstanding.

In conclusion, the Mass Effect world is nothing but ordinary, and with the launch of the sequel, Mass Effect 2, gamers will be undoubtedly happy with almost every element of the game. The graphics are nothing but incredible, the soundtrack nothing but enthralling, and the combat and gameplay mode have been enhanced enormously to add not only more realism, but more dramatic and coercive elements to the gameplay. The following for Mass Effect has been so huge that comics and novels are even now in production which will further iterate stories and scenarios that will go beyond the video game. One thing is for sure is that the dynamics of Mass Effect combine for an outstanding gameplay experience for all. Make sure you pick up a copy of Mass Effect as soon as humanly (no pun intended) possible. Your friends and family may not see you for the next few weeks, but hey, its definitely worth the $59.

If you really consider yourself a gamer, you must have either bought, played, owned, rented or at the very least tried the games below. Five 5 represents the five best games on the 5 best systems. From action, to role-playing, to puzzle and first-person shooters, here is the Crème de la Crop

Xbox 360

1. Grand Theft Auto IV
2. Halo 3
3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
4. Gears of War
5. Fallout 3

Playstation 3

1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
2. Grand Theft Auto IV
3. inFamous
4. Resistance: Fall of Man
5. Killzone 2

Nintendo Wii

1. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
5. WarioWare: Smooth Moves

PC

1. The Orange Box
2. Crysis
3. World of Warcraft
4. Command & Conquer: Red Alert
5. Diablo

PSP & Nintendo DS

1. Tekken: Dark Ressurection (PSP)
2. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
3. Dexter (PSP)
4. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)
5. Mario Kart (DS)

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1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
3. Wii Sports Resort
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum
5. Super Mario Bros. Wii
6. Left 4 Dead 2
7. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 (Wii)
8. Assassin’s Creed II
9. DJ Hero
10. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

DiRT 2 Demo (PC)

Call of Duty4: Modern Warfare Demo (PC)

Medal of Honor: Airborne Demo (PC)

Spiderman Demo (PC)

SWAT 4 Demo (PC)

Greed Demo (PC)

Age of Empires III: WarChiefs Demo (PC)

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Demo (PC)

Sniper Elite Demo (PC)

Need for Speed Most Wanted Demo (PC)

]]> http://gameshack.com/downloads/2009/12/holiday-game-demos/feed/ 0 http://gameshack.com/reviews/2009/11/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2 http://gameshack.com/reviews/2009/11/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:14:48 +0000 shloomz http://gameshack.com/?p=1043 By already becoming the best selling launch title of all time, breaking every record for let alone a video game release, but any form of entertainment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has left a profound impact on the video game industry. As the highest and best selling franchise in video game history, Modern Warfare 2 marks the sixth installment in the lineage of the best FPS and online multiplayer games our beloved video game industry has to offer. While it’s obvious that Modern Warfare 2 has probably been the most highly anticipated game of the season, it has truly lived up to most of its’ expectations. There were however a few slight downfalls in its production, but its nothing to stop us gamers for becoming quick addicts to this new hot game release.

We of course had to purchase the Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, complete with lots of cool extras, most notably the limited edition Night Vision goggles. We must say these were pretty cool looking goggles, which took us about 20 minutes to pear out of its box. While they can only see up to 50 feet, they are definitely a cool little memento for the Call of Duty series. Also included in the Prestige Edition is a hard cover metal case, with a limited edition art book and of course the game itself.

Upon inserting the game, the first thing we were asked to do was fine tune the picture on our screen. We’ve never seen this on any other video game before; We are sure that this was part of Infinity Ward’s plan to make sure the Call of Duty experience was as perfect as possible on everyone’s television screen. Besides adjusting the brightness, you are also asked to set the height and width of the screen to make sure to maximize your gameplay experience.

As with all Call of Duty games, basic training promptly stars to get you used to the controls and any changes in the game. You are first instructed to show the new army cadets how to fire your gun, and how to use grenades – pretty simple if you have played any other games in the series. Once completed, you are asked to run across the base camp you are located in, disturbing your fellow soldiers in a basketball game, as you then end up at the training course. The course is decently fun, and worth a couple tries as you may need to unlock the Hardened difficulty if that’s your cup of tea. For beginners of this came, we strongly recommend the normal game mode as the Hardened difficulty is much more challenging. Once you get up to Veteran mode, you best know the game in and out. This is probably as realistic as any shooter game gets – one shot one kill.

During initial setup, you are also asked if you want to skip several missions that be disturbing to some viewers. Maybe the developers were trying to stir up some controversy here, as some of these optional missions will truly be disturbing to any lighthearted individuals. The game clearly states that there are no achievements and trophies for these missions, so feel free to skip them if you are the anti-violence type. The first of these missions includes you joining the villains, in an attempt to swell into their organization for some information as you gain their trust. The initial missions opens you up in a mall setting, in which you are instructed to slay down slews of innocent civilians. By acting as a terrorist, you may feel uncomfortable at first, but please remember this is only a video game. In any case you will be open for a big surprise at the end of this chapter that we don’t want to spoil.

Graphically and visually, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is nothing but superb. The gameplay gunfights, sceneries and mission strategies are probably the best we’ve seen on any realistic FPS to date. It’s easy to tell that Infinity Ward and Activision aimed to take the best elements of all the Call of Duty series to collaborate into the best game of the franchise. While we loved the older Call of Duty series that took us back to the lines of battle in the past wars of our world, we find the Modern Warfare series much more appealing for several reasons, mainly due to the lack of limitations. While the other games in the series sought to emulate past wars, weaponry and mission gameplay, the Modern Warfare series has looked towards the future of combat. With tons of weapons to chose from, a plethora of combat missions, special modes, and the use of advanced technology, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 truly puts you on the front line of Modern Warfare.

The storyline and game setting is probably the weakest point of this game. If you are truly a die-hard fan of the Call of Duty series, you will probably easily enjoy the games storyline. For those not accustomed to Call of Duty’s gameplay and stories, you may find yourself completely lost. The campaigns and missions seem to jump around a little bit, and a lot is left unexplained. Between each mission, you will find yourself jumping around from one European nation to another, with short stints of radio sessions from your commanders. Even more so, we also felt that the campaign mode was relatively on the short side. Each mission will only take about 20-30 minutes to complete, while the entire campaign mode will only last around 5 hours or so. While this is decently sufficient, we would have loved to see the campaign reach 10 hours of gameplay.

The missions themselves are filled with lots of surprises and fun gameplay. The storyline will definitely take some twists and turns as you run through the missions. You may find yourself running from house to house avoiding sniper fire, and in the next mission be snowmobiling down a terraneous mountain while trying to shoot down cohorts on your treacherous ride. Of course you will also experience those ever-fun assault missions as well as those stealthy sniper missions. The array of combat and vehicular gameplay in this new installment of Call of Duty makes for some incredible fun and realism into the face of battle.

Besides the campaign modes, Modern Warfare 2 offers several fun new extras that add incredible replay value to the game. Special Ops mode is comprised of 5 different sets of short missions, each with different death-defying objectives. Comprised of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo, each set of missions includes 5 missions for a total of 25 Special Ops missions. You must achieve stars on each mission to unlock the next set of missions. Completing them on Hardened and Veteran difficulty will earn you more stars to help you expedite the unlocking process, although in reality it make actually take you longer due to the difficulty. The Special Ops missions are especially fun with a partner, so be sure to grab a relative or friend to experience the fun together.

Lastly, the final and probably most notable element of the game is the Online Multiplayer mode. This is where Modern Warfare’s replay value goes through the roof, as it has quickly become the most popular and most played online FPS there is. As popular as Halo was back in the day, as aforementioned, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 offers the realism that is unrivaled in many other FPS games. With probably the most enormous gun and weapon selection we’ve seen on any game, and with a strong collection of stages and modes to battle it out on, Modern Warfare 2 takes it to the next level with online play. As with all other online games, a strong ranking system is involved which helps match you up to players of similar skill and abilities. As stated in our previous post a few weeks ago, there was a debacle over the use of Infinity Ward’s servers as players themselves are unable to host their own LAN parties over the net. While this has been downplayed somewhat, the new system seems to be working just fine for the moment. Regardless, gamers and Call of Duty addicts alike will continue playing to achieve higher rankings to boast their talents and skills. You can unlock a cool array of abilities, guns, skins and skills as you increase your rank from game to game. Even if you die a lot, you will gain some experience which will allow you to advance the ranks ever-slowly. For example, once you accomplish 200 headshots (which is sure to take a while), you will receive a cool skin to attach to your gun. This should surely intimidate any ‘Call of Dutier’ who is in your way.

In conclusion this game is nothing but superb. Although the campaign may have some slight downfalls in it’s production, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is well worth the purchase. While the campaign mode will provide tons of fun and action, the replay value remains really high with the addition of the Special Ops mode and the extraordinary online play. While the Xbox360 and Playstation3 versions are excellent, you will definitely notice better graphics on a PC if you have a high-end graphics card that supports any absurd resolutions and anti-aliasing. Although the Xbox360 and Playstation3 both offer 1080p output, PC’s still have the edge here in regards to the visuals. We observed the difference closely, and while it definitely wont ‘Wow’ you, there is a noticeable difference. Many true hardcore PC games also prefer mouse/keyboard combo over the console controllers. While the efficiency of the console controllers have improved dramatically over the years, many still feel that aiming with the mouse/keyboard offer for a much better experience. Of course whichever console or computer you are using to play on, all others have the same advantage/disadvantage playing with you, as there is no cross platform for the multiplayer sessions.