Mass Effect is a universe unto itself, with a continuity that transcends its fictional confines. Whereas every other sequel is content to forget its previous entries, or nicely summarise them in a brief introductory sequence, the idea behind Bioware’s epic space opera is that it’ll integrate the choices of your very own Commander Shepard from title to title and create a sense of progression previously unseen in videogames. The gambit has paid off. Never have I seen so many people, myself included, scramble to complete the first title in the weeks leading up to the release of a sequel. Read the full story »
Getting masses of people together in one place can be a great thing – fill a stadium, house party or music festival and a good time is guaranteed for all (assuming that the sport/music/booze is up scratch, obviously!). There are times however when a crowd can simply be a royal pain in the proverbials – a crammed train, a long queue, a packed lift stuffed with sweaty commuters; at times like these it’s easy to start hankering for some alone-time. And so we arrive at Sony and Zipper Interactive’s MAG; a title that wants to be the music festival of the first person shooter world; a Glastonbury to Modern Warfare 2’s more intimate (and, dare we say it, more purposeful) arena gig. Read the full story »
Much like any other entertainment medium, videogame genres have grown exponentially in recent years to include every conceivable activity for today’s users. With the Nintendo DS alone, one can perform open-heart surgery, shout “OBJECTION!” on public transport and solve maths puzzles at the behest of an egomaniacal, disembodied Dr. Kawashima. However videogames multitude of formats, genre skill requirements, average length and relatively expensive cost of entry assure that it is considerably much more difficult to sample the best the medium has to offer. Read the full story »
Growing up on a generation of buddy-cop movies has its advantages. From a young age you’ll learn that, in life, miserable, boot-faced grumble merchants are generally followed around by wisecracking ladies-men who risk the lives of others just to feed their own ego. You’ll learn that tapered mullets are the cut of choice for gun-toting anti-heroes and that three chord power rock has the uncanny ability to transform the most mundane of tasks into action-packed showdowns. You’ll also learn the true value of gut-wrenching moral choices: Buddy Cop A heroically dives in front of a hail of bullets to save a small child, Buddy Cop B swears revenge, conveniently intelligent small child helps save the day etc. The sacrifice of one to save the many. And this is exactly where frat-boy-cum-Duke-Nukem sequel , Army of Two: 40th Day, takes its inspiration. Read the full story »
Despite the universal panning of its Hollywood efforts, the concept of Aliens Vs Predator remains a popular one. After all, with blockbuster epics such as James Cameron’s Aliens and the Schwarzenegger vehicle Predator still considered among the best in the genre, a grudge-match between these horrific characters inevitably plays on the imagination. Read the full story »
