The universe of Amalur has been around for a while now and with the release of the demo for the new game; Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning, there has been an even larger interest in the work put into it's world. As a massive fan of RPG's I thought that this would be the best place for me to start.

The first thing you notice about a game when you start it up is the menu. It's design and interactivity are the beginning and in this demo I was pleased. The colours blended well and even though it is only a demo I could see what was what.

The demo began with a somewhat lengthy cutscense with you playing a dead character. After a few sections of dialogue you create your character and name them. Your dead body is dumped on top of a pile of other dead guys and then you awake, restored by the Well of Souls. As soon as I took control of my character I looked around the cave that I was in and was impressed with the graphics and feel of the character. The environment is of a cartoon style but still vibrant and full of life. Think of a cross between Fable and Dragon Age. The character itself moves in a decent way, it's easy to control and you get where you want to go. Read More  »

After avenging the death of most of his family, driving the Borgia out of Rome what was really left for Ezio Auditore da Firenze to do? Find out where Altair left his keys! Is Revelations really a Revelation? Read on to find out.

Poor old Desmond, dragged out of Abstergo and made to get in another Animus to live out another past life. It was only a matter of time before his brain snapped. Now trapped in the Animus he must once again relive the lives of his ancestors Ezio and Altair, whilst finding his way out of the Animus, oh and if possible patch his mind up.

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After the success of Arkham Asylum, a game that proved that you could make a superhero based game good. Being true to the tone of the original comic book source it’s a surprise that people were surprised that it was be a hit. Now with the release of Arkham City everyone is expecting it to be a massive hit. So, does it deliver? Read on to find out.

Players control Enoch an angel sent to earth, to capture and bind the souls of fallen angels. They've all created their own worlds within a tower, forming the basis for the levels, accompanied by a unique art direction. El Shaddai combines 2D platforming, 3D exploration and hack n slash/ hand to hand combat like you've never seen before. With engrossing visuals and combat rivalling most games in its genre, it would be illogical not to embark on this adventure.

As you progress through the game the next level is more beautiful than the last. The art direction has a very artistic flare to it, cycling through a combination of stylized forms such as impressionism, cell shading and kaleidoscope. Utilizing these art forms has created distinctive environments, with a unique atmosphere and experience every level.

Generally you'll find yourself battling the same type of enemies every level, holding weapons you can obtain. Instead of having an inventory of weapons to cycle through, you have to steal weapons from enemies. You have to be sure of your choice, as that will be your weapon until you fight again. Whenever your unarmed Enoch can use his handy martial art skills, sufficient enough for a 2 on 1 battle. Read More  »

Bodycount was built with an enjoyable experience in mind, avoiding the modern combat scenario. Through implementing ragdoll physics, firepower and durability power ups, Codemasters has achieved their vision. However overlooking many aspects of the game, Bodycount plays like a prototype rather than a finished product.

Every game has a story or at least a concept which makes sense. In Bodycount the story was formed as an excuse, to kill anything in sight. Every level your briefed by a woman working for your employer, the Network. An organization taking it upon themselves, to end a conflict which doesn't concern them.

You'd be lucky to find any cutscenes at all, giving an explanation of your motives or goals. Within the first hour of the game I was lost and confused. One minute I was scanning an object for intel, then the mission had ended.

The open exploration of levels, is a distraction for players. As there's nothing to do other than mow down your enemies. I was quite disappointed by the absence of actual objectives.

The enemies are quite cumbersome at times, watching you approach them. Only acknowledging you as a threat, once you shoot. Many of the levels are lacklustre and linear. The scripted mini boss battles, are as good as it gets. Read More  »

With the drought of new game releases finally abating, we can put behind us once again the mediocre and pointless excuses for games that are also known more commonly as “movie tie ins.” All summer we have been crying out for something better, something good and above all something worth playing. Finally after months of waiting Deus Ex Human Revolution has arrived to shake us out of our comatose states.

Deus Ex Human Revolution is a prequel to the Deus Ex series, so you won’t be lost as to what is going on, unless you’re not paying attention. Set in the year 2027 you play Adam Jenson, the head security guard for a company that deals in robotic enhancements for humans. At the start you are completely human, but when the proverbial hits the fan Adam is left for dead. The only thing that can save his life is to get “augmented.” Played with a backdrop of human “purists” blowing up clinics and robotics factories and the arguments for and against implants raging across the media, Adam has to come to terms with augmentations which he had no choice in receiving. From there the story starts to get complicated because no one is what they appear to be. Read More  »

Wet is an over the top third person shooter, slash ‘em up acrobatic affair, in the guise of a grindhouse movie,  complete with cinema ads of yester year at points. You take the roll of Rubi, a hard drinking  female gun for hire with an attitude. In this game it’s not just how many you kill, its how much of an acrobatic spectacle you can make as you’re doing it. Not only do you have guns but a sword strapped to your back that you can use when assailants get too close. You are encouraged to make any straight forward kills either flying through the air or sliding along the ground whilst looking around 360 degrees for the next bad guy. Read More  »

Red Dead Redemption is a good game but that’s all it is. You play the role of John Marston, who has been forced into bringing in his old gang. After a spectacularly stupid move at the start of the game John is left of dead. Cue a good samaritan to pick him up and nurse him back to health. Upon awakening John finds himself on a struggling ranch with a dept to owe, no sooner are his eyes open is instantly put to work as a ranch hand. The ranch acts like a training ground to get used to the controls. Once you have the basics down like in GTA you are introduced to other characters that will have jobs to do.

There are some interesting features in Red Dead Redemption like the Dead Eye. Basically it slows down time so you can aim a tricky shot; once it’s upgraded you can then start to experience faster shooting. What happens then is whilst everything is slowed down you can pick targets, be it three places to shoot someone or five people to shoot. Once the targets are set just press the fire button once and a very quick suggestion of shots will kill whatever targets are picked. The horses have stamina, if involved in a race and you keep trying to push your horse beyond its limit it will throw you off, keeping a horse at maximum speed without overexerting it is a skill in itself. The longer you keep a horse the more used to you it becomes, but if it gets attacked by wolves or whatever you have to start again. Read More  »

Before this game was released I was almost salivating at what the trailers were showing. I never played the original but came in at the start of Ezio’s story. I loved Assassin’s Creed 2 and was wondering where the improvements could be made. First the combat has been tweaked a tad. In the second you could just counter your way through all the fights, almost. After a while that just gets boring, now you can take out a whole group surrounding you if you’re quick enough. Another change is the ability to ride horses around the town now. In the second you were not allowed to ride you horse right into the town, they’d not move any further than the gate to the towns. Now you can, fight on horseback; even hijack other horses like GTA! But for me is the ability to stand on your horse and assassinate the guards, either by jumping off your horse to the ground or onto their horse killing them and then riding off on theirs. Read More  »

Ubisoft's wild west series returns, with a new setting and plot. Revolving around three characters taking on the Cartel. In a modern twist on the wild west, the Cartel are today's outlaws and our protagonists are the law. With no demand for a present day western, how will this direction fair with the fans?

Firing up the campaign, your presented with the option to play as either Kim (FBI), Ben (LAPD) or Eddie (DEA). Each character has their own agenda (side objective) and will get a call from a friend or colleague. Requesting you to collect illegal guns from a scene or steal a surveillance tape for example.

You gain points for obtaining a secret item, which leads to unlocking new guns. While doing this you mustn't be seen by one of your partners. Getting caught sets you back and your partner, gets rewarded for catching you out. Only when your playing with a friend is this feature most effective. Sadly your A.I teams are blunt and won't bother, to carry out this objective.

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Mafia 2 is an epic story of friendship, money , betrayal and risks. Whilst climbing the ranks of the Mafia, in 1940/50's America. Life hasn't treated Vito very well, our protagonist arrived in America living in poverty. In search of a better life, he turns to crime with childhood freind Joe. After a botched attempt at robbing a jewellery store, he serves the US Army as punishment.

The first mission takes place in Italy, where a battle is taking place. This is where you experience a taste of firepower and cover based action. Weapons your presented with  here, are military bolt rifles and pistols. All with realistic sounds and configurations, replicating their weight and power in reality. Throughout the game you will be presented with a selection of pistols, machine guns, rifles, projectiles and a shotgun. In most shootouts the infamous Tommy Gun, is the weapon of choice.

After getting shot in the war, Vito is sent home temporarily. However with Joe's contacts, our war hero is discharged. From here on out he embarks on a journey to gain the respect, money and women, being a wise guy in the Mafia. Read More  »

The creators of Resident Evil and No More Heroes collaborate once again, delivering their most ambitious title yet; Shadows of the Damned. Players step into the shoes of Garcia Hotspur, a demon hunter who's girlfriend (Paula) is kidnapped by Fleming (King of the underworld/hell). On a rescue mission to save Paula, Garcia must dismantle the underworld in search of Flemings Castle.

By his side at all times is a former demon named Johnson, who can transform, into a pistol, shotgun, machine gun and torch. Those who played Resident Evil 4 or 5 will be familiar, with the games third person over the shoulder shooting mechanics.
As you tread along the underworld the background music entails you to walk slowly, pondering what's around the corner. Credit goes to legendary video game composer Akira Yamaoka, known for creating Silent Hill's score. Shadows of the Damned feeds off 70/80s horror, giving an intentional b movie vibe. Inspiration for the sound and general theme of the game, derives from Quentin Tarantino's work ethics.

What differentiates this game from others, is the gameplay mechanic known as the darkness. Once you enter it your health depletes and Garcia must  shoot a mounted goats head, to escape darkness. The wrath of darkness sometimes works in your favour, to highlight enemy weaknesses and create puzzle sequences. Such as shooting highlighted items to open doors and collecting health pickups, while looking for a exit. Read More  »

No More Heroes revolves around Travis Touchdown, a loser who lives in a motel in Santa Destroy. After meeting a girl in a bar, he takes on a job to earn some cash. Using a weapon identical to Star War's lightsaber, he's in pursuit to become No.1 assassin in the UAA (United Assassin Association).

After killing your first target Travis becomes no. 10 and discovers, it's kill or be killed in this profession. From here on out it's more than about money and an obsession to become No.1.
When your not killing ranked assassins, Travis can roam Santa Destroy to gather his entry fee for the next fight. The cities not designed to be sophisticated, as other sandbox worlds but instead  a diversion from combat.

Money can earned by mowing lawn, completing fight challenges, and opening dumpsters with money to name a few. With your budget you can purchase new clothes, upgrade your weapon and train at the gym to inflict more damage.

Scattered around Santa Destroy are collectibles called  lovikov balls, which are easy to find in the most obvious places. Another object to find is dumpsters, with either lots of money or a new t-shirt for Travis. You can ride around the city in a custom motorcycle, which has nitrous installed.

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Yakuza 4 is a sandbox, combat based RPG, revolving around Tokyo's underworld. The First thing western audiences will be struck by is the language barrier but gracefully there's subtitles. Although your eyes are forcefully glued to the subtitles, Yakuza 4 unveils an enticing mob story.

At a glance you'll notice cutscenes are superior, to graphics and presentation in game. One of the vaster differences is after cutscenes finish. Voiceless boxes of text carry out conversations. Unnecessary use of pauses are present in the dialogue and gets tedious to skip through.

The game features four playable characters with different fighting styles and stories to tell. There role is unclear at first but eventually, they all interlink a lot later in the story. Whenever your on route to objectives you'll always be sucked into random brawls. Usually resulting in you getting money after humiliating them.

Most fun is to be had with the games core gameplay mechanic; combat. Moves are easily stringed together with a devastating blow and use of a weapon (Bike, gun, pipe etc.). As you win more fights upgrades become available, such as a finisher with a violent strike. Read More  »