As with the original Bad Company, BC2 is a great looking game, and the latest version of DICE’s Frostbite game engine seems fill the screen with more action and to throw more particles around than any other at the moment. Combined with amazingly atmospheric battle sounds (the echoing cracks of gunshot, booming explosions, the yells of the enemy) this makes BC2 one of the most thrilling FPS experiences yet. But, if you played Bad Company 1, you’ll soon realize that the maps that were absolutely sprawling wide open sandboxes have been trimmed down to narrow corridors, and although there are a couple of wide open locations and vehicles feature a lot more than in say, Modern Warfare 2, the gameplay seems to have been modified to be much closer to Infinity Ward’s game. This means that even on some of the bigger maps if you stray off the beaten track by more than a few yards you’ll get an intensely annoying “Turn back! You are leaving the Combat Area!” and a 10-second countdown for you to return to the set path. It feels like you’re getting a slapped wrist for daring to explore and weakens the game’s appeal considerably, although there are still plenty of collectable weapons to hunt for as well as hidden M-Com stations. There are some vehicles to drive (most notably a mission in which you get to control an M1 Abrams main battle tank) but these are few and far between and the narrower maps mean there’s little need for the extensive exploration that the first game required. A couple of vehicle levels play more like races or Call of Duty-style ‘ride-along-and-shoot’ set pieces than actual combat arenas (there’s even a quad bike level that plays just like the skidoo level in MW2). You don’t even get to pilot a helicopter this time, just ride along in a Black Hawk gunship and use the side-mounted mini gun, a mission that could literally have been an add-on for EA’s Modern Warfare 2.


The mostly-unpopular health injector from BC1 has gone in favour of the Call of Duty-style ‘take cover if damaged to recover health’ system. Unlike many I didn’t mind jabbing myself with a hypo to regain health but the new system works better, and the threat and damage indicator (red splatters the screen) is much more effective than MW2’s weird somebody’s sprayed cherryade on the screen-looking effort.

There are a few visual glitches, shadows sometimes de-resolve into a steppy mess, and the horizontal tearing, although significantly improved from Bad Company 1, still rears its ugly head from time to time. There are also a few poor instances of enemies clipping through walls, but they die in a seemingly unlimited number of different ways, take cover when put under fire and are usually fairly accurate when shooting at you, without ever resorting to cheap tricks like CoD4’s “grenade rain” even on the toughest ‘Hardened’ difficulty setting.

Bad Company 2 is a highly impressive game, at times throwing so many particles around that you literally can’t see what’s going on or where you’re going. I initially thought DICE had even managed to lock the horizontal tearing (that Bad Company 1 exhibited so badly) off but it still rears its ugly head from time to time when the on-screen action gets really hectic, or the game engine struggles to draw everything the massive draw distances require. The sound is simply amazing, quite the best in-game sound effects yet produced for a war game, and adds immeasurably to the experience. The multiplayer is where DICE obviously spent a lot of time though, and it shows; a slightly disappointing campaign is made up for by an addictive, progressive, rewarding (and most of all) fun online mode that is better than just about anything out there right now—even if you’ve previously shied away from online multiplayer games I urge you to try it. If you don’t play online games then the solo game probably only ranks as about a 7 out of 10, but the online game sets a new benchmark. It’s no coincidence that EA have made DICE responsible for the forthcoming Medal of Honor’s multiplayer component, it’s sure to be a massive, spectacular hit.

Initially, it appeared as if the second version was sort of an extension of the original version, but it was amazing for gamers to find out a totally new game. Though, still the same cover system is present as known by Gears of Wars fans. The cover as well as the shoot system is excessively addictive integrating a whole new dimension within the game. Following this, is the striking visual characteristic of the game, where every small details is designed spotlessly, labeling Gears Of War 2 as the most graphically eye-catching game that ever came into existence.

However, unless and until you don’t indulge deeper into the game it’s not possible to learn about its actual potential. Whereas, majority of the shooter games happen to avoid the campaign with the intention of formulating an enhanced multiplayer environment, it is a treat for Xbox gamers to have both of features present in Gears Of War 2. Moreover, the campaign is intensified as well as enjoyable all through out the gaming session. As it provides credulous backdrops, unforgettable showdowns together with an appealing storyline, doubtlessly it keeps you clutching until the games concludes.

Next, it is the multiplayer of the Gears Of War 2 that takes to the upgraded level. The inclusion of numerous newly designed guns, bots, maps and obviously the Horde mode makes the new multiplayer exceptionally adventurous and unique. Needlessly to say, the original version of Gears of Wars has attained enormous popularity, with million of gamers across the globe playing it regularly online. Now, it seems the Gears Of War 2 is all set to beat the upsurge of popularity!

Well, to start with there are loads of adventurous phases associated with Saint’s Row. The game comprises with two immediate advantages. The first one is the obvious next-generation and well-established graphics, along with the physics engine that efficiently integrates a brand new dimension to the game play. Moreover, it is the combination of these aspects that actually makes Saint’s Row more like a next-generation title. The second benefit is that the Saint’s Row trails the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which eventually makes it capable for gamers to study the ability of the Grad theft’s shortcomings to improve on the drawbacks.

Next to that, these are several portions in which Saint’s Row can be titled as an enhanced game for Xbox 360 gamers. More accurately, the character models as well as the surrounding environments are improvised and coupled with reflective surfaces on automobiles. The scenario that comprises the games feels so practical that the gamers feel as if everything is truly alive. Want to extend firing and envelope into a more adventurous experience? Then look no further, as the Saint’s Row has it preserved for you. It offers the players to fire more excessively than just the Uzis from a running automobile, and also you gain the power to shoot in any direction while you are in a car.

There are four modes organized with the Saint Row’s multiplayer, which includes, Blinged Out Rides, Big Ass Chains, Deathmatch, together with Protect the Pimp. Doubtlessly, Saint’s Row contains a truly entertaining multiplayer for gamers. Join the crowd and discover a completely new gaming experience with a practical open environment surrounding!

Suddenly you are surrounded by helicopters. “It’s ok!” you shout waving your hands. “I have a fishing license!” In response, the helicopters shudder slightly, then swing sideways to reveal two 30 caliber machine guns that immediately open fire on your boat. Leaping for cover, you look up to find your boat in flames. With nowhere else to go, you leap off your burning vessel and into the shark-infested waters and begin swimming to the half-mile distance to shore. You are completely and utterly screwed.

…And that’s just the intro movie.

Continuing from the first Far Cry on the PC, the Xbox exclusive, Far Cry Instincts, places you once again in the role of Jack Carver, a water vessel operator and tourist guide contracted to transport an energetic female journalist to a tropical island to shoot photographs.

Shortly into the game, Carver finds himself injected with the same experimental serum that is being injected into laboratory animals granting him feral abilities. With these powers, Carver is gifted with the use of night vision, increased sprinting abilities, and powerful melee attacks that will send enemies careening into the sky.

It’s important to note that the feral abilities don’t make for an unfulfilling cop-out of the original gaming experience, especially during the second portion of the game where dark atmospheres are prevalent, requiring intelligent use of night vision. Large environments with little cover also require careful use of the sprinting ability. The game is an enjoyable experience due to the intelligent level design that capitalized on the best of your new-found abilities.

Though maps are more linear than it’s PC prequel, multiple options are always present in Far Fry Instincts giving the “illusion” of a world that is larger then it is. If you encounter a river, you can either run across the bridge guns blazing, throw rocks to distract and lure away enemies allowing you to sneak across, take a hang glider across the chasm, a boat…

The multiplayer potion of the game is extremely solid, allowing for split screen and online play. The inclusion of a map-editor adds to the overall value of the game. Maps can be created and uploaded to Xbox Live for others to download.

Xbox’s Far Cry Instincts is a complete gaming experience. A solid single player game with new game mechanics makes for a unique gaming experience. In addition, the inclusion of a robust multiplayer mode and map editor makes Xbox’s Far Cry Instincts an instant winner.

Xbox’s Far Cry Instincts is a complete gaming experience. A solid single player game with new game mechanics makes for a unique gaming experience. In addition, the inclusion of a robust multiplayer mode and map editor makes Xbox’s Far Cry Instincts an instant winner.

Call of Duty: World at War is World War II with a twist: the game changes the rules by thrusting players into weary, merciless battles against a fresh fierce enemy in the most hazardous and thrilling battle ever seen in World War II. In other words the game is fast and fluid; you fight for a minute and then you die. You fight for another few minutes and then you die%u2026etc.

Call of Duty: World at War is a worthy to part of the Call of Duty saga.

The Sound

The sound was great most of the time, there were just that very few glitches that bothered me. Like when someone shoots off a “Banzai” it sound like they’re right next to you even though they’re across the map.

The Graphics

The graphics were not exceptionally good but they were the best yet of the collection.

The Gameplay

The game is very unique in the way that when you pick up a different gun the whole game changes. You could be doing really well and then you run out of ammo so you pick another gun and you start failing. Just like every other game, your teammates are not very good and you pretty much have to fight the whole war by yourself.

Overall

The one thing that stood out was the fact that there were no immature little kids screaming at you and being annoying. That is a deal breaker when I am trying decide what game to play.