Resistance 3 Review

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Publisher: Sony

MPAA Rating: Mature

Having very few friends, I hadn't really been impressed with the recent rash of video games boasting cooperative play or multiplayer features. If I were more popular, I thought, maybe I'd like them. But for all the multiplayer action I usually get I might as well have just one PS3 controller. Twenty-five years ago I might have been able to get by with grabbing two Atari joysticks and playing by myself, but games like Pong don't quite match today's offerings in terms of challenge or complexity. Also, I was in diapers and didn't exactly know what my feet were.

My opinion changed, however, when I picked up a copy of Resistance 3, which was released late last year. Being a fan of the first one, I finally made my way around to buying this newest entry into the alternate-history series. The co-op aspect didn't even enter my mind at first, as I was completely taken in by the stunning graphics and the engaging gameplay. One of the strongest aspects of the Resistance series has been the melding of historical elements (namely World War II) with science-fiction (aliens that will rip your head off if you get too close, for example), and this one was no different. From fighting aliens under a barely-standing St. Louis Arch to an intense battle in the middle of a war-torn Times Square, Resistance 3 uses real life locales to push the feeling of high stakes, like you could look out your window and see the buildings around you bursting with explosions.

After finishing the campaign, I immediately started on a second play-through, but on the main menu the co-op option somehow caught my eye, and I wondered just how much different it would be to play with a partner. The prospect of saving the world again seemed much more inviting with someone to cover me. So, I dusted off my second controller and invited a friend over to play.

The co-op mode is, story wise, exactly the same as the single player. But what a world of difference. Together, my friend and I were shouting at one another to take down alien snipers, whimpering our way through abandoned railway stations infested with creatures that looked like they'd just dressed themselves for display in a butcher shop, and then awed into silence (for me a second time) when the game's stellar graphics would show us just how intense the PlayStation 3 can get. One particular scene involving floating up the Mississippi river and getting trapped under a falling bridge was particularly impressive, and by the time the thing collapsed, both of us looked like we'd just sat through a summer blockbuster.

Resistance 3 is from Insomniac Games, the same studio that produces the Ratchet & Clank series, and their influence can be seen especially in the weapons the game makes available. Several guns (like the Bullseye and Auger) from the previous two games make return appearances, but they're complemented by new guns like the Mutator, which grows explosive green pustules on enemies and turns them into walking time bombs. Also, the Cryogun gives a nice little inverse to the often played-out flamethrower by shooting a jet of ice at enemies and allowing you to smash them to pieces with either a melee hit or the weapon's alternate firing mode, a concussive blast that shatters frozen enemies to pieces.

Overall, the game itself is very impressive. It's a great title to add to your PS3 collection, especially if you're a first-person shooter or sci-fi/horror fan. But even action gamers in general will probably find something here to enjoy. And, although I was skeptical of co-op games beforehand, the multiplayer aspect of Resistance 3 turned out to be pretty fun. I'm looking forward to trying out more games with a cooperative element. Now all I need is for Slackers to sell people to come play video games with me.

Spec Ops: The Line-Third-Person Shooter Action With A Locational Twist

The third-person shooter paradigm isn't exactly new, but Spec Ops: The Line shows that there is still some potential in the massively popular gaming format. While there is little in the basic gameplay that will surprise longtime gamers, the placement of the action in a Dubai city setting during an ongoing sandstorm is definitely a novel touch.

First ambush
The game begins six months after the sandstorm first hit, and your mission is to lead a squad of three soldiers into the city in search of other soldiers left behind in the chaos. Things take a sudden turn for the worse when the city's myriad refugees mistake your team for the bad guys and set up an ambush. From this point on, the action gets pretty intense, and you have to fight your way through the storm and various other obstacles in your path to hopefully rescue the other soldiers, who may or may not even be alive!

Right from the start of the action, Spec Ops: The Line exhibits a familiar feel. Players have the ability to duck, gain more health points, and even command other soldiers to shoot at different enemies. Even the button layout is a lot like the controls in other shooting games.

The novel desert setting
What really sets Spec Ops: The Line apart from all the other shooters is the uniqueness of the setting. The initial ambush take place on a highway littered with broken cars and dead bodies, with sand dunes and the scorching sun overhead giving the game a startlingly vivid look, which stands in marked contrast to the often grimy and dark environments of the typical shooters. Players will also occasionally have to shoot it out atop towering skyscrapers, and this again gives an interesting and unique twist to the familiar shootout action. When the sandstorm starts acting up again, the game becomes even more challenging, with visibility severely impaired by the billowing clouds of sand.

Unfortunately, the action in the other settings is pretty typical, and there isn't a lot that separates Spec Ops: The Line from all the other shooters when you aren't battling it out on a skyscraper or in the midst of a sandstorm. In these settings, Spec Ops: The Line is pretty much like any other shooing styled game, although it does have enough features to make it one of the better representatives of the gaming category.

True to life gaming action
Thankfully, there are a few other details that give the game a more unique feel. One interesting aspect in particular is the inclusion of stages wherein you will be given the choice between the standard weapons or a weapon that will brutally wipe out your opponents. Choosing the latter will reveal to you the consequences of your decision and subsequent action, giving the game a more true-to-life feel. With this aspect of the game, you will have to weight the merits of a quick finish to the battle versus the cost in human life. Pretty heavy stuff for a shooter, but it is touches such as these that make Spec Ops: The Line stand out from the pack.

One other detail that adds to the realism is the fact that players start out with just as much firepower and capability as the other players. This gives even new players the chance to rack up a few kills instead of mercilessly being wiped out before they are able to earn weapons.

Spec Ops: The Line is a familiar but enjoyable enough take on the classic shoot' em up. With all the added touches and the striking setting, this should be enjoyable to new players and veteran gamers alike.

Kid Icarus: Uprising - Review of the Nintendo 3DS Game

Out of all the great games I play each and every year, it seems there is one title per year that becomes an absolute obsessive/borderline frightening time sink, one that I can't seem to put down until it gets naturally lost in the shuffle of other games, and gradually fades from memory. One that I look forward to every evening, much like a hot cooked meal or a smooth glass of wine. In all honesty, I really, really didn't expect the reemergence of Nintendo's long lost hero Kid Icarus to be that game.

Kid Icarus: Uprising is a polished, wonderful revival of this long dormant franchise. Playing through it once provides a rock solid journey of considerable length, but beyond that initial playthrough, this game reveals itself to be completionist heaven. The entire game is designed to encourage replay, and there are so many goals and so much content in this game, it's overwhelming at first glance. I have been playing well over 100 hours and my completion rate is still only around 93%. And the content isn't pathetic filler; in fact, it all feels very Smash Bros, which is no surprise given the game was designed by Masahiro Sakurai.

In Kid Icarus: Uprising, you play as the plucky hero Pit, who is once again tasked with taking down the evil Medusa and her underworld minions. Though it's not Shakespeare, it is an interesting enough story, and comes off like a children's cartoon mashed up with Greek myth - that is to say, a wonderful idea. But the story is really elevated by genuine smart writing, occasional dramatic moments and very humorous voice acting, not to mention a carefully constructed musical score, complete with reoccurring themes that tie in to the different characters. The production values are high here.

And that level of care and love can be seen in every inch of this product. No detail was spared. Nothing feels lazy. Even one particular stretch of the game (in which I felt things got off the narrative course and dragged a bit) was still designed and executed to a high standard of quality, when compared to many other games. The final battle is absolutely epic, something that many games stumble with. KI: Uprising might have been hard to have found fault in, were it not for the controls.

Ah, the controls. Glaring as they may be, they are not a deal breaker. While the controls are weird and problematic (and yes, they hurt for extended play sessions) you will grow accustomed to them. You move Pit with the analog stick and use the stylus to aim your weapon, shooting with the L trigger, all while support the weight of the 3DS. It's an unusual set-up, but the game is otherwise excellent, and worth adjusting to the controls. "The Claw" technique used by Monster Hunter fans on PSP never stopped them from logging hundreds of hours, and the same should be said for this game.

Aside from the lack of Circle Pad Pro support for dual analog control (arguably a grand oversight), I don't really see how they could have implemented much better controls, given the design of KI: Uprising. And the extensive option menus allow for a deep level of customization and optimization, so don't hesitate to get in there and fix things to what works best for your hands.

Included with every copy of KI: Uprising is a little plastic stand, and I'm shocked anyone gave it the greenlight, for fear of sheer embarrassment. But ridiculousness aside, it actually works - it takes away the portability of your 3DS, but it also takes away the need to awkwardly support your DS while controlling the game. I honestly prefer lying down in bed or on my couch when I play my 3DS, so I ultimately tossed it aside, but if you are willing to sit at your kitchen table or desk, you will have an easier time when using the stand.

So, it all comes down to this: if you think you can deal with the controls, then buy this game. Like now. Or tomorrow. Because this game is an awesome time sink, with a ton of heart and soul.

And multiplayer. Not that the game needed it for longevity, but it's there and it works admirably, given the limitations. It's nothing special, a Kid Icarus take on simple deathmatch with a twist, or free for all. But it's there, to complete what is a beautiful package, that if not for the undeniable control issues, I would have absolutely no problem giving a solid shining ten out of ten, as it is one of the best games (my favorite) to have been released for the 3DS. But nothing in the world is perfect, so take Kid Icarus: Uprising with all of its flaws, and love it for all that it achieves.

Pro Flight Simulator - The Game Or The Real Thing?

To understand what's going on in the minds of flight fans and enthusiasts, first we have to learn what a flying simulation truly is. Flying simulators can be classified as software applications used to reproduce and simulate real airplane flying experience with all its features and characteristics.

There are many different flying simulation software packages available on the market today and we will look into Pro Flight Simulator, which has been considered one of the best options in terms of price and quality. It is relatively inexpensive and offers lots of great features, planes and aircraft, including helicopters, military and commercial planes.

The quality of simulation software is generally measured by its ability to recreate the flying experience as realistic and true-to-life as possible. Pro Flight Simulator fits perfectly into that model and with its abilities to recreate different weather conditions it makes you practice various emergency scenarios and potential disasters. In such situations the software will automatically detect your nearest airport and give you all instructions necessary to land safely; based on weather conditions, amount of pressure, wind, temperatures and other key factors.

The game could also be helpful to potential and aspiring pilots who would like to learn more about different flying conditions in different parts of the world during different seasons of the year. This is especially useful for those people interested in military aircraft and war situations.

Another cool feature of Pro Flight Simulator is the "hour of day display" with its ability to adjust universal time to your own computer's time. That's very helpful if you want to experience realistic flying in night or day settings. It will also adjust to different geographical and climate conditions as you fly through different locations and to different airports around the world.

It would be unfair to review a product and not to mention its competitors and other similar packages on the market. Popular flying simulation software also available on the market today is "RC Flight Simulator" but, in my experience, it is no true match to the "Pro Flight Simulator". It is made more like a computer game and no true, professional training software. On the other hand, I really like what "The Virtual Procedure Trainer" has to offer. It is a great piece of software and many pilots and flight crew are using it as a part of their training program, but with the price tag approaching $1000 I think I will stick with "Pro Flight Simulator" for another while.

It's really hard to tell which one from previously mentioned software packages is the best, as they are made for different profile of people, have different features and price tags. In my experience as an aircraft enthusiast and a fan of flying, Pro Flight Simulator seems to be the best choice, with its numerous features, training potential and reasonable price.

Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon Review

The Spyro series is one of the most successful series on the original Playstation. The trilogy sold more than 20 million games, and had simple gameplay with a fun story that made the game extremely fun. After the first two games, the bar was set high for the third game. Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon not only delivered, but it surpassed the first two games in many ways.

Graphics, Sound, and Setting:

Spyro 3 follows Spyro, a young purple dragon, who is celebrating the "year of the dragon" with his fellow dragons. During the celebration, a young sorceress named Bianca leads an army of creatures named Rhynocs and steals the dragon eggs from the dragon realms. Spyro chases Bianca and ends up in an ancient world that is ruled by an evil sorceress. The game's plot involves Spyro freeing the dragon eggs, and fighting the Sorceress's army in various worlds. The game's story is very simple and interesting, and you do not need to play the second game to enjoy the third game. The world is divided into four realms, and each realm has portals leading to many different areas.

The world's look incredible, with a rich blend of light colors and great detail in each level. The enemies look fierce and intimidating. Spyro looks very good, and moves fluidly through the world. The only major problem with the graphics are some blocky textures in some of the worlds. However, overall the graphics and story both mix wonderfully and the game creates an immerse environment. The music in Spyro is amazing, each world has a unique track of music and this leads to the game having a very diverse and beautiful sound to it.

Graphics: 9/10

Sound/Music: 10/10

Story/Setting: 9/10

Controls and Gameplay:

The controls are for the most part the same as the old Spyro games. You move with the directional pad, and unlike other PlayStation games during that time, you can also move with the analog stick. Pressing the square button makes Spyro charge with his horns, and it's useful when you need to get places fast. The circle button allows Spyro to breathe fire, and the X button allows Spyro to jump and pressing it twice makes him glide. The game does a great job making the controls very easy to learn, but having a variety of ways to use them.

Along with these basic controls, Spyro can perform a variety of other abilities including swimming, hovering, and climbing. The game also has a plethora of minigames, that allow Spyro to do things such as ride a skateboard and pilot a submarine.

The gameplay is very much like Mario, and other platformers where you control Spyro and take him through portals into different worlds where you help the local creatures there and collect gems. These gems have different values and can be obtained by exploring and also defeating creatures. The gems can be used to buy things in the game from a man named Moneybags. Beating the levels releases dragon eggs and it progresses the story. The game's levels are very vast and enjoyable, and are all different. There is a lot of unique and challenging content in the game, and it's a blast to play through.

Controls: 8/10

Gameplay: 10/10

Rent or Buy? Final Thoughts:

Spyro 3 is definitely a game you should buy. This is the best game out of the whole trilogy, and has incredible gameplay combined with a rich and fantastic story and solid graphics. This is a underrated gem on the original Playstation, and if you're looking for a great platformer, this game fits the bill perfectly.

Breakdown

Graphics: 9/10

Sound/Music: 10/10

Story/Setting: 9/10

Controls: 8/10

Gameplay: 10/10

Overall: 10/10.

The Best Shooters of 2012 - 2013

Borderlands 2

Trying to pick the best out of a list of best Xbox 360 shooters really is hard. I mean pretty much every area is covered; realistic, sci-fi heck there is even one where you have to shoot dinosaurs. One game that I must admit took me by surprise and became one of my most played games on the system was Borderlands. So you could imagine just how excited that I was when Borderlands 2 was announced.

What I loved about the first Borderlands game was how it took first person shooters which is one of my favorite genres, and sprinkled it with a bunch of role playing game elements. It was like two of my favorite genres had been thrown together. I was sceptical that it would work, but I was pleasantly surprised by the great end result.

Borderlands 2 looks to build upon everything that was in the first game. The look of the game is very similar with its awesome cell shaded graphics making a return. I was so glad to see this, as the overall presentation of Borderlands was a breath of fresh air in the shooter genre. The character building elements are going to be expanded also which is even more great news.

The best news I have heard about Borderlands 2, and one that may make it the best of the best Xbox 360 shooters is that the enemy AI has been given a good working over. The AI will now work a lot smarter, and really make you think before you go in all guns blazing.

If you missed out on the first Borderlands you really must give this a try. Borderlands is a great game and if you are a fan of first person shooters I am sure you will love Borderlands 2.

Halo 4

Master Chief is back!

When it comes to icons on the Xbox 360 there is one guy that probably comes to most gamers' minds, and that guy is John-117 better know as Master Chief. Halo really kicked the Xbox off when it was first released, and each release has been met with great excitement from the fans. Halo 3 was a fitting end to that part of the Halo story, and Halo 4 is going to be the start of something new.

Halo Reach for many is considered one of the best Xbox 360 shooters, but it was also the last time that Bungie would have control of the Halo franchise. Halo 4 has been developed by the good people at 343 industries. These guys also gave us the Halo anniversary remake, and while it was just a remake they did a fantastic job.

Halo is the prefect blend of offering a fanatic's shooter experience, but it also gives you a great sci-fi story. Playing Halo is like you are involved in your own sci-fi movie. Very little has been given away as far as the story goes. We have seen that Master Chief will be going up against a new foe, and also that Cortana is going to have a very interesting part to play.

One really exciting thing about Halo 4 is that the story of this game is going to encourage the player to really get into the levels and explore. It is going to be very cool to discover some of the secrets of this Forerunner planet. One thing that is going to really go in this games favor is that the story has been written with two sequels already in mind.

Halo has always offered a very solid shooter experience, and this game looks no different. There are some gamers who are perhaps a little worried that Bungie is no longer running things, but 343 industries did a great job with the Halo anniversary, and the footage shown at E3 really does look like these guys know what they are doing.

This may very well be the last time we get to play as Master Chief this generation of consoles, but so far Halo 4 is looking like it could be one of the best games of the year.

Medal of Honor: War Fighter

Prepare for war!

It is crazy to think that this will be the 14th game in the Medal of Honor franchise. When it was rebooted in 2010 many saw it as a great return to form for the long running franchise, So it was with much excitement that War Fighter was received.

Medal of Honor: War Fighter is a direct sequel to 2010's reboot. It will follow on from events in the first game. You are still controlling Tier 1 operators through various missions. There are a great variety of different missions for you, and they will all be connected with a single story line. Many of the guys from the first game such as Preacher, Voodoo and Mother will be making a welcome return.

One thing that has gotten players really pumped up for this sequel is that the multi player is going to be powered by the Frostbite 2 engine. This is the same engine that powers Battlefield 3 which is considered one of the best Xbox 360 shooters out there. Multi player in this game is going to be fantastic. Even if you are not into the single player campaign Medal of Honor: War Fighter's multiplayer is sure to blow you away.

One very interesting thing is that along side the standard PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, there is also going to be a version for the PlayStation Vita and the new Nintendo Wii U.

In all the reboot of Medal of Honor was great fun, and with this sequel they look like they are trying to improve on every aspect of the first game. If you loved the first game you will really want to give this a try. If you are one of the gamers that the Medal of Honor series lost over the years, there has never been a better time to give it another chance.

Call of Duty Black Ops 2

One of the things that has made the Call of Duty series one of the best Xbox 360 shooter series is the versatility. Many people may think that versatility and Call of Duty do not go hand in hand, but I am talking about how they are set in World War 2, Cold War and so on. The different settings bring some diversity and fresh air. The basic formula is the same but why fix it if it ain't broke. What makes Black Ops 2 so exciting is the fact that this is the first Call of Duty game to be set in the future. Now we're talking!

The story of the Black Ops series is an interesting one, set in three time periods, the 70's to the 80's and then the future of 2025. In the future a new Cold War has broken out. This time, however, it is between China and the US. The story does sound like a great deal of effort and time has been put into it so even from a single player point of view Black Ops 2 is going to be a lot of fun.

Of course one of the reasons so many gamers rush out to buy a new Call of Duty game is because of the multi player. You could argue that in a list of best Xbox 360 shooters, the Call of Duty franchise would be on top for the best multi player game list. On a different note, Treyarch has revealed that the much loved Zombies mode from the first Black Ops game will be making a welcome return.

In all, Black Ops 2 is another Call of Duty mark of excellence. If you love the series then there is no doubt you will love this. If you've been disappointed by the Call of Duty formula and saturation of games, Blacks Ops 2 will surely win you over. It's evident that this Call of Duty release has had the most effort put into it. Out of all the Call of Duty games, Black Ops II will be one for the books.

What Are The Best Video Game Jobs?

If you are a zealous gamer who loves everything to do with video tournaments then you have no doubt considered obtaining a gaming career. There are certain jobs obtainable in the gaming industry and there are more of them than you might think. A few of the several types of employment you could seek would include graphic game tester, game designer, producer, programmer, animator, sound designer and public relations manager. These gaming professions are essentially in two different groups. One group of jobs is directly responsible for creating the games while the other group focuses on running the business.

Many of the people looking for video and animation game careers are doing so for the reason that they may be enthusiastic video players and want to have a career which interests them. They are well-informed about video games and additionally they know very well what a good game looks and feels like as well as understanding what makes a game pleasurable to play and popular. A job as a video game tester can be an entry level position that can let people enter the video game industry. This can be an interesting career that pays people to experiment with all of the newest games so as to test their capabilities.

The job of a video game tester is to ensure that any new game functions properly and that its content makes sense. The game must run seamlessly and the whole thing must be in context and work together. In doing this occupation you would also inspect all of the technical components to make sure that they were working the way that they should. You will need a passion for gaming to follow this job but because testing video games is such a popular career, you must also have an educational qualification something like a video play offs degree or anything similar.

Another career that is available in the field of video games that needs educational and also technical training is that of the computer programmer. Programmers are a necessary part of the gaming process because they write down all the computer language codes which are required in order for video games to operate correctly. Without computer programming video games would not be able to work. Programming is quite different from testing games and it needs a mind which is mathematical and can generate complex algorithms. Being a programmer is a fantastic career for individuals who like computers and writing software programs.

Creative persons can get into the video tournament field as an animator, the folks who bring the graphics within the game to life in a realistic fashion. People with musical expertise might have an interest in becoming the sound designer that is responsible for creating the sound effects as well as the music used within a video game. Individuals with good management skills might decide to be a producer, the one who holds the entire project together and ensures that everybody is meeting deadlines and cooperating. Game designers create the overall concept of the game and PR managers promote games to the public.