Animation Improvements to NCAA Football 12

NCAA Football 12 offers quite a few improvements to last year’s NCAA Football 11. The first improvement that is noticed is the animation in some aspects. They finally have a more realistic field; it has much more textured surfaces, as is seen in Madden games. The stadium fans in NCAA Football 12 are also much better than last year’s NCAA Football 11; they are more realistic in appearance and movement. In addition to the field and fans, the fluidity of the players has greatly improved. Hits and tackles are a lot more smooth and believable. In general NCAA Football 12, as far as animation goes, has showed great improvement since last year’s model.

New Aspects and Details

NCAA Football 12 has added some great new aspects, details and modes that were not present or not as enjoyable as last year’s model. There are now very realistic pre-game team specific festivities that were not in last year’s model and improve the enjoyment of the game greatly. There has been all over revamping of NCAA Football 12. “Road to Glory” is a mode that many player find very fun and have a long term goal process. The player chooses a character that is in high school and they have to work their way up to college scout material. This is another more realistic aspect added to NCAA Football 12 that was missing from last year’s model. “Dynasty” mode is another addition and entails a player choosing a team, playing multiple seasons, with the goal being to win a national championship. Finally, if power is what the player desires then there is the “Coach Carousel”, which has a player start as a school coordinator and work their way up to college coach through various activities. These are all wonderful improvements to NCAA Football 12 but the coolest part is that a player can now import their character to the Madden NFL 12 game. This makes it possible for their career to span from high school, through college and all the way to the pros. This makes the life span of the character longer and the game more realistic.

Outshining Madden?

NCAA Football 12 is Madden’s little brother, but could it be outshining its predecessor? Let’s do a compare and contrast with the new editions to the game family tree. NCAA Football 12 has the new, extremely authentic pre-game entrances that Madden 12 is lacking. Those pre-game entrances get the players amped up for their impending games, it adds to the excitement of the game. Also, NCAA Football 12 has the new “Road to Glory” mode, which is a big hit among devoted game fans. The “Road to Glory” mode allows a player to pick a character and stick with their character through its college career. During the high school period the character must work their way up from new team member to college recruit status. This is a realistic process and then the character gets offers from modest colleges. As the character gets better, the colleges get better. These few aspects might the “little brother” the winner, NCAA Football 12.

The driving in Dirt 3 feels tight and responsive, and the six tuning options return to balance out any terrain type. Driving through Finland, Michigan, Norway, LA, Kenya, and Monaco feels superb. Cars respond effectively to the slightest control touches and the need for tight braking stands out. Every slide from gravel onto tarmac or snow feels significant and the variations require extreme concentration. When competitors kick a spray of snow onto the windshield, the effect is appropriately chaotic. The addition of rain, snow, and nighttime driving is not simply cosmetic – headlights are required, wipers stay busy, and tires are tested.

On the event side, Dirt 3′s choices keep coming. Not only has rally returned to the forefront in event selection, entire disciplines can be minimized if they don’t hold your interest. Don’t get me wrong, every discipline has been expanded, but rally keeps the highest event count. The main tour is split into four seasons, but as the podiums add up, six discipline-specific tours emerge, pushing the total race count to even higher numbers. The locations, track variations, and event types make this a ride that lasts a long time. And with so many time-specific events, repeating races is a surefire path to longevity.

Codemasters made an odd choice with car collections. Money’s been thrown out the window and cars are automatically sent over by teams and sponsors through leveling up. It feels as though nothing’s been accomplished when the garage is full of random new cars I didn’t specifically choose. Also, the newest cars provide the greatest driving bonuses, so choosing anything less will lead to earning fewer points. My favorite cars gathered cobwebs for this very reason.

Regardless of their organization, the full set of cars is impressive. Dirt 3 reaches across all decades of rally racing giving the option to pull vehicles dating back to the sixties. Driving older cars, like the Fiat 131 Abarth, is a stark contrast to the feel of souped-up Trailblazer cars.

Dirt 3 is the best looking Dirt game to date. Watching sunsets and sliding through puddles in the rain is stunning, at both high and low speeds. Details like background fireworks and pedestrians scrambling out of the way are a nice touch in a world that feels alive, even in the remotest locations. Car bodies collect dust and snow buildup, and the shiny gleam of rain on the windshield sets the tone of a muddy race.

Dirt 3′s sound stands out. Not just in the roar of engines, but also in the details. From the trackside fan shout-outs to the crunch of packing snow, the details are what make the soundscape superb throughout. The impact of a bad drift or a head-on collision smacks you in the gut.

In Dirt 3, triangles are the design center of the menu presentation. These unfolding shapes reveal events, seasons, tours and freeplay options. Animated cars spit out bundles of triangles from the tires, and the look is spot-on, keeping in tradition with the unique, beautiful menu aesthetic the series is known for.

There’s no longer an RV that travels around the world stopping at different events as in Dirt 2. Instead, you begin as a professional driver just signed by an agent. This disembodied agent’s voice provides advice and direction through the game’s insane number of events. A mechanic and fan manager also help discuss car setups and how to make the most out of the community. Unfortunately these voices are bland and ultimately forgettable. The false positivity they provide through thick and thin is grating, when it’s really just the racing that matters. The fan manager constantly suggests uploading clips to YouTube, even when the footage isn’t compelling.

Race replays are lacking in Dirt 3. While I mentioned YouTube uploads, the clips are limited to thirty seconds, meaning one can’t show the world their flawless, five-mile Kenya run. Replays also can’t be saved, so unless you upload a small clip online, all records are lost. It’d be nice to get a second shot at seeing old footage, and not just in tiny increments.

Taking the race online opens up additional options that aren’t found in single player. The new Jam Session Party Modes provide capture the flag and tag-style events that are great in short bursts, but grow tiresome after too many rounds. Serious racers can tackle time trials and leaderboards, force cockpit views in hardcore mode, and even compete with up to eight people in Gymkhana as ghosts sliding through each other. These options are robust, so long after season four concludes, online keeps players racing.

Shift 2 Unleashed is the second generation of Need for Speed, and the developers have worked on creating a different environment from NFS. The previous version of Need for Speed was titled as Shift, but this time round, EA has attempted to make Shift 2: Unleashed seem like a completely new game, and have tried their best to distance itself from the original Need for Speed but similarities still remain.

There have been several improvements from the last series of Shift. Slightly Mad Studios has given many touches of realism in the game this time round, as compared with Need for Speed: Shift, which looked more like an arcade game then like other games of the same category. Like the previous version, Shift 2 also allows you to test your driving skills through which you can adjust the settings to enhance your gaming experience.

The developers through the Driver’s View feature, have created a new level of realism. Now you will be able to steer your racing vehicle while driving it from the perspective of the driver himself, rather then observing it from above or sideways. Driving is more realistic, and so are the accident environments. Night races are of particular interest, since your view is just limited to a maximum of 4 meters, making the game even more adventurous.

The graphics are the most crucial aspect of any game, and Shift 2’s graphics are amazing. The graphics are what makes the entire game environment look very real. A negative point in Shift 2 is that it does not contain the turn back time option, through which you can view your collisions etc.

While Electronic Arts has maintained the several old features that were the dominating characteristics of the Need for Speed series, but at the same time, EA is very ambitious about the game. Overall the game is a great experience, and one should give it a try.

You have 20 real life tennis stars who you can use as players to play the game with in the Exhibition Matches. The real star feature in Top Spin 4 is the Career, where you will have to create your own special character together with his outfit. But rest assured, clothing and equipment do not effect your player’s performance.

You start of as an anonymous player before you can actually select a name for yourself after winning a number of matches in the game. You will also be given a coach once you fulfill all the requirements, and he will provide you with skill advises and bonuses, which will help to increase your points.

Your entire tennis match win-lose streaks will be available and presented neatly on a calendar, while future matches that are scheduled to take place being available too. You will have to fulfill the requirements before you can actually participate in any of these scheduled games, unless you would want to wait till the next coming year.

While you will receive increasing stats through the coach, you can actually spend these stats on XP after you start winning more matches, which can later be utilized to strengthen your reflexes and serves and give your performance a positive turn around.

The control scheme is the most simple option of the entire game. While you might consider timing as the most crucial factor in producing a remarkable shot, but then this is not the only factor which will make your shot perfect.

Top Spin 4’s graphics are amazing, and the characters actually look like real life characters playing. A lot of realistic touches have been given in the entire game including the referee’s chair and the water bottle lying at the corner in the court. But some aspects in the graphics do lag, the most annoying feature being where the ball actually passing through the linesman’s body when it has been missed.

Overall the game is a great experience, and you will love it especially if you are a tennis fan.

Criterion is known for the Burnout series, which was known for the breath taking speeding and drifting, and most cars were able to handle speeds which were well above the speed limits. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit has been developed in a very different environment. Unlike many of the illegal street racing genres, which are depicted in urban settings, Hot Pursuit has been set in a rural county by the name of Sea Crest which is set in a beautiful
landscape containing a vast network of highways and bypasses. This is where you can test your speeding and driving skills fully. This is where you get drive your Italian sports car or any other racing vehicle at speeds of up to 400 km/hr. Also, the police of Sea Crest county is extremely diligent and does not spare anyone violating the speed limits in the county. The game is overall quite challenging, and you can easily unlock new cars. You can also deploy roadblocks and spike strips on your own. Also, you can always replay your campaigns in order to reach higher rankings. The multiplayer option further enhances the experience.

Hot Pursuit is the 16th game in the Need for Speed series, and gets it name from the first Hot Pursuit version which was released in 1998, and for the first time introduced the police chase in the NFS series. Developers have done a great job, and experts regard it as one of the best car racing games to have been released in 2010.

NBA 2K11 follows the same basketball gameplay. Choose a team, customize and sort things out on court—the basketball court that is. This year, 2K11 does a special tribute to the iconic Michael Jordan with its series of MJ-themed game modes. The Jordan Challenge is a series of ten games that allows players to relieve MJ’s finest moments such as the 1991 NBA Finals. Each game has its own goals, but thinking its Michael Jordan were talking about here, expect for these games to be a bit above average level of difficulty. Or more.

In MJ: Creating a Legend, players will get Michael Jordan as a rookie on their teams and catapult him to NBA Excellency.

There’s a lot to praise in NBA 2K11. Aside from the MJ features, NBA 2K11 allows players to play with classic NBA teams, and even relive historic moments by selecting old versions of stadiums.

The My Player section in NBA 2K11 also got an upgrade compared to its 2k10 predecessor. You’ll actually get to see your player drafted in teams, sign contracts and participate in press conferences. Now that’s what you call living large. Plus you can never go wrong with the music that goes around with you all throughout the game.

The controls are a lot better and easier to manage in NBA 2K11, too. It allows players to do freer moves on the offensive.  The AI interface is versatile, too, with quick and proper response to stimuli on court.

The only possible drawback with NBA 2K11 is all the hype they put on Michael. Some players might think it’s a little too much, and the themed games and their difficulty level isn’t that much fun at all. It seems like one of those games that have really low success rates in terms of gamers actually winning.

In NBA2K11 you might also find playing online a bit of a hassle, with it very slow and lagging.

NBA2K11 did not disappoint in terms of development since last year’s offering. The finely tuned graphics, easier to maneuver controls, fresh soundtrack plus all the love for the great Michael Jordan makes this game worth every bit.

Features like the ability of blocking lineman and tight ends have been introduced with the NCAA 2011. Having a great lineman and have a good number of players in that area of the field, then you will be able to control the game very simply and at ease. Many players really enjoy the part where the football guards run for a pitch out, where they kick their man while creating a huge hole very professionally.

The way the players handle the situation and themselves is one of the best features in the NCAA 2011. In the previous NCAA series, the ball was not really challenged by the players, making the entire game quite boring. But in NCAA 2011, the game becomes quite critical since the players would unleash a major battle to possess the ball from their opponents. This way, when you are about to reach your first touch down, you can actually depend on your receivers.

The above are two of the major features to have been introduced in NCAA Football 2011, which makes it a very lively game. The game is available with XBox 360, and the other features would definitely enhance your entire experience, and make you an even bigger fan of college football.

For quite a time Burnout: Paradise was creating so much hype all around to be the most awesome game ever. Whether it is pure anticipation, or instinct of the fans, however since the moment gamers had their hands-on the demo it was really impressive to unveil the great strides the gameplay enveloped.

The expansion of the overall gaming session together with the integration of an entirely open-world system, adds up to the positive aspect of this newest revelation of the Burnout series. The open-world system introduced in Burnout: Paradise has taken a toll to a complete new and enhanced gaming experience. Players will be able to drive around and face new challenges periodically all through out the game. Moreover, all the events in the gameplay will occur on a single map, thus it will immensely help to drive a bit around and get the real feel for the area. The map gives you the opportunity to drive around and monitor your surroundings.

Despite of the fantastically designed gameplay, it is also worthwhile to notice the graphics involved in the game is pretty much awe-inspiring. The vehicles, as well as locales, with vivid details appear like life-sized objects. The surrounding appears to be very much clear and smooth.

There is much to explore and experience in the Burnout: Paradise with huge portion of challenges to confront blended with plenty of fun. Watch out this awe-inspiring series of Burnout to cherish an unforgettable gaming experience.

The new Fight Night Round 4 has lived more than the awaited expectations of the fans. Not only are the graphics improvised, but the gameplay is also enhanced in terms of realism as well as the career mode. These three issues missing in the FNR3 had many gamers disappointed. Luckily, the Fight Night Round 4 has intensively focused on these three areas, dragging the gameplay to the position of the perfect boxing game.

The graphics of the Fight Night Round 4 are vastly improved making the boxers look far more realistic- their body motion is accurate, blood and sweat accumulates most naturally when punched. Players no doubt will be over-satisfied with the realism introduced in the gameplay. Furthermore, there is also an incredible touch of realistic expressions, as the boxers observantly alter expressions with the events.

The Fight Night Round 4 unveiled a mind-boggling experience to the Xbox gamers with dynamic gameplay engine that preserves the fast-paced action inside the ring, delivering implausible speed, accurate timing, together with power witnessed never before. Nevertheless, the FNR4 features an in-depth and exhilarating line-up of dynamic boxers, letting you to play above 40 licensed boxers.

I must say in case you are a big fan of any of the Fight Night titles or generic boxing, then you can’t afford to miss the real fun offered by Fight Night Round 4. Doubtlessly, while playing you will be mesmerized to such an extent with the realistic surroundings that you will hardly consider it as a “game”.

Honestly speaking, there are a lot of things which are truly incredible about Need for Speed Undercover. You can really get the feel during the gaming session which can’t be expressed in words, but when being the queen or king, you will exactly feel it that way. In addition to that, the music is so smooth, that it makes you have the feeling that you are flying and not driving. Moreover, there is great emphasize integrated to the music when the gamer is stepping on the gas or simply starting off with the drive, and as the gamer slows down the music also slows down, which eventually invites a relaxing feeling about the invigorating drive. In one word, the fusion of speed with music is “fascinating”.

The next great thing about Need for Speed Undercover is the inclusion of live action conversations scattered all throughout the game. The display of people conversing with each other truly invites a pleasant mood to the game, and allows you to play in reality. Being a bit a different from the previous versions, it is always not racing which will keep you busy- you will be chasing people, hiding from the cops, and even stealing vehicles.

All in all, the mind-boggling playability unveiled by Need for Speed Undercover together with fascinating music has attracted many gamers towards it. It delivers what it promises and that is the nerve-pumping car racing.