Recently in Gaming Category

The top girlie games in the world of gaming

By
Beth Kay (Wolfstar)
on May 16, 2008 4:57 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

41GRLVCixjL__AA280_ The computer gaming industry is undoubtedly male dominated with stereotypical ‘boy games’, consisting of gore and fighting, or involves competing with other gamers from across the globe via high speed broadband but where does that leave us girls? We want pink and sparkly things and thanks to the likes of the Nintendo Wii and DS there are more and more games on the market to satisfy our girlie taste buds. Here I will review my top four games at the minute:

1) Wii Fit. Chris previously posted about this but I thought I would tell it from a ladies point of view. Ok so it’s not a technically a game but it’s a gaming console and it’s fun. This new gadget which has just been launched consists of a plastic board with sensors to detect the pressure exerted. There are four different categories of exercise to choose from: yoga, balance, aerobics and strength training. This handy device means you can exercise in a fun way without leaving the comfort of your living room. Admittedly, you could get just as good a work out from a usual exercise video but this virtual reality version is a lot more fun.

2) The Sims 2. The last time I played on The Sims was when the first edition came out in 2000 but after some research I’m amazed at how the game has evolved and developed. This strategic life simulation game lets you create and control the lives of your Sims, finding them jobs and relationships and it is sure to have you addicted to your computers for hours.

3) SingStar. This is a game for PS2/3 which is like a karaoke system, allowing you to sing to your favourite artists along to their actual videos, giving you an overall singing score at the end of great of awful. This would be a great game for a party or just for those budding pop stars out there. There is even a High School Musical version where you can sing along to all the songs from the film, which is my personal favourite.

4) Nintendo DS Big Brain academy. This game tests your memory, quick thinking, analysis and identification skills whist also being fun. Not exactly gripping excitement, but definitely a fun chill out acitvitity when you’ve used all your energy on the WiiFit and sang your heart out on the SingStar. This game would be beneficial to any age of audience not just the young and this can be put to test by competitions with friends in the academy, Granny vs Grandson perhaps?

Grand Theft Auto IV hits the internet

By
Seb Mysko (Wolfstar)
on May 7, 2008 12:59 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This month sees the long awaited launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, a game unlike any other that has defied the laws of controversy. This time players will assume the role of illegal immigrant Niko Bellic - who's only known trade is assassination. The word on the street is that in single player mode this game can be completed in 30 hours. However, with a plethora of Niko Bellic arrives in Liberty Cityadded features and hidden missions, that time can easily be doubled.

gameTM magazine says: "The world will never be the same once GTA goes online".

The game's developers at Rockstar Games think: "We've pushed ourselves to make something incredible and hope the game sets a new benchmark for interactive entertainment."

Well, based on the reviews so far,  it seems Rockstar has achieved its goal. MultiplayerWhilst the single-player story mode has gone down a storm, the online multi-player function is stealing all the headlines. Going interactive allows up to sixteen players to engage 12 different modes of game play. From gang turf wars to modern day cops vs robbers, this has it all.

 

In terms of scores we looked at Gamespot UK for advice:

GameSpot score                                    10/10

Critic score (based on 24 reviews)     9.9/10

User score (based on 8,159 voters)   9.3/10

Here's the last Trailer Rockstar Games has released:

The Docking Station

I personally love the in-game radio station 'Electrochoc' - track list was created by DJ Francois K and includes beats from Justice, Deadmou5 and Simian Mobile Disco. A full list of tunes can be found here.

 

Nintendo combines gaming and fitness with its latest craze the Wii Fit

By
Chris Norton (Wolfstar)
on April 25, 2008 2:56 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

wiifit_sslg1I know we recently posted on the huge comeback of Mario Kart and as we all expected it has flown to the top of the gaming charts as people everywhere take each other on in duals across the Internet. However, Nintendo has launched a new game which it's hoping to become the latest gaming and fitness craze.

It's called Wii Fit and as the name implies it combines gaming with a certain degree of fitness. I know what you're thinking, is this really a game? More importantly is it really fitness? Intrigued? Yes well I was too!

Nintendo's active style gaming started with the Wii and it's now spreading to the whole body due to its new pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board, which comes included in the package. The white board (see left) is used for a variety of different "fun and dynamic" activities which include: aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games.

The theory Nintendo uses, is that you are actually working your "core" during these type of workouts. For more details check out this amusing video review which has been provided by Susi from Tech Digest - I have also attached the official Nintendo's demo video for more info. I would watch Susi's though as she takes you through the different games available from Ski-jumping to hula-hooping and she seems to genuinely enjoy it.

To be honest, I don't think this one is for me. I will stick to my shoot-em ups, football and driving games and just make that long horrible journey to the gym instead. Don't get me wrong, I do think it's a good idea to do fitness at home and building on the recent dance mat craze is very clever. However, whether I believe this is actually a good substitute for normal exercise remains to be seen.

It's out on Monday priced at £70 and I am sure by the end of next month we will all know if this really is going to be the next big thing...

The Aliens are coming to a computer near you.....

By
Chris Norton (Wolfstar)
on April 23, 2008 9:47 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Aliens_-_Colonial_MarinesDo you know Xenomorph's from your Martian's? Well dust off your pulse rifles, grab your grenade launcher and make sure all your air locks are shut tightly. Yes, Aliens is back. The best of the many Alien movies has a new follow-up in the form of a shoot-em-up game which is due out in early 2009.

Aliens: Colonial Marines follows the second movie and involves a search and rescue team investigating the lost space ship U.S.S. Sulaco, searching for Ripley, Corporal Dwayne Hicks, Private William Hudson, Private Jenette Vasquez, and the rest of the unlucky marines.

The plot sounds very exciting with Wikipedia describing the gameplay like so:

"The player controls four colonial marines, each with their own unique personality. Each marine is represented by a different class; one marine, for instance, mans the M56 smart gun as Pvt. Vasquez did in Aliens; the other primary weapons include the M240 flamethrower and the M41A pulse rifle. Each marine carries four weapons: their primary weapon, which they are defined by, their secondary weapon, grenades, and a sidearm. The player may brandish the sidearm while using the motion tracker. The player controls one marine at a time, and issues orders to the others using context-sensitive commands; the player may control any marine at any given time."

The game includes a mission to the lost space ship and I think you can be assured that it's likely to have more bugs than your average bed. Even better for those of you that enjoy gaming together you will be pleased to know that there will be a four man operation option too.

For more details check out the page on Wikipedia or get further details from the official Aliens Website.

Let's hope it's better than the rubbish Alien Vs Predator movies, but if you are like me and you loved James Cameron's second Aliens movie - it looks like this is could be the game for

Alienscolonialmarines1

you.

 

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed out on September 16th 2008

By
Chris Norton (Wolfstar)
on April 7, 2008 2:55 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

star warsAs an avid Star Wars fan, I had to highlight this new game which I think might be about to eat into my disposable income. It looks amazing and is going to be accessible across most gaming platforms. I will leave it up to you to argue whether your system will run it better than your mates.

Our friends at Joystiq describe this game in their post as: "Developed internally for the Xbox 360 and PS3, The Force Unleashed has players becoming Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and, as the title vaguely alludes to, unleashing the force. Other "equally enthralling" versions of the game releasing on the same date include the Krome Studios-developed Wii, PS2 and PSP titles, as well as a DS game from n-Space."

If your mouth isn't watering at the prospect of that, check out the official demo below - this looks like it's going to be special. Roll on September...

Online gaming is creating widows across the world

By
Shelley Wilson
on March 31, 2008 12:13 PM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (1)

I found myself amused the other day when I was considering writing this post for our blog, as I decided to do some research to see if there were any others out there who have a member of their family so wrapped up in online gaming that they feel like a "widow" and I came across this on Wikipedia. It reads as follows:

"A gamer widow is a term for those who have a relationship with a gamer (one who plays video games, be it on a console or on the computer) who pays more attention to the game than to their partner. It is similar in concept to the football widow."

I found this amusing because it didn't even cross my mind that there was an entire network of people out there feeling just like me!

Well, I am a gaming widow mother! My 17 year old son Luke is an online gamer (funny I feel like I am in a self-help group!) and I hardly ever see him. However, I hear him, oh yes, for all you parents out there who have children who play computer games you will know what I mean!

Sometimes I wish he was playing some loud obtrusive music at 100 decibels instead of shouting at the top of his voice into his headset "fire in the hole", "sniper to the left" and "behind you", sound familiar? Yes? Well then you probably know that is a game called counter-strike and if you have heard your child shouting these terms randomly and continuously every evening you may feel the same as me?

What ever happened to playing out on your bike? Or going to the local youth club? Or playing cards or monopoly with the family?

Oh god I'm getting old aren't I? Well anyway, old or not, my son knows what he wants and how he wants it when it comes to online gaming - his clan is dedicated to their clan matches and competitions. They are always trying to improve, ping times, latency, lagging, registration speeds etc and optimising everything to get the best possible game.

So as the sales director of EFH Broadband I decided to take my son's experience and design a product specifically aimed at gamers to give them a quality of service which prioritises their traffic above everything else and give them reduced hops etc, we hope to launch this product very shortly so gamers everywhere watch out for it, with your help we will make this the best product in the market for you!

If you wish to share your experience or thoughts about this or provide feedback on how you would like to see this service working please feel free to leave your comments about what services are most important to you.

All the very best until the next time!

Shelley

Wii Virtual Console releases

By
Seb Mysko (Wolfstar)
on March 28, 2008 5:02 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hot off the 'games press', Wii owners can now transport themselves back to 1982 and enjoy some of the games associated with the world's biggest selling computer of all time! This week sees the 200th title hit Virtual Console as it again expands its catalogue with the return of the Commodore 64.

The games added to the already available 197 experiences include:

1) Uridium - solar system invasions by the Super-Dreadnoughts - can you defend all fifteen planets and stop the dark side from pillaging the system's natural resources? (500 Wii points)

2) International Karate - originally released in 1986, this one on one fighting game allows players to compete around the globe, ultimately seeking a black belt and the international karate champion title. (500 Wii points)

3) The game to bring up the 200 mark is Cruis’n USA™, the classic American arcade game - made available for home use in 1998 when it was released for the Nintendo 64. Although this last one comes in a little pricier at 1000 Wii points, the 14-stage, solo or head-to-head game will no doubt bring  memories racing back for many a gamer.

Here's a video to get you back in the mood - not only do I love the old school and uncomplicated graphics, but the sounds too (almost like a piece by Kraftwerk)... I don't think it can get much more retro than this!

Hello and look out for Battlefield Heroes

By
Stuart Bruce (Wolfstar)
on March 27, 2008 6:18 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Battlefield Heroes cut scene I've been somewhat tardy in creating my first post on the Enlightening Broadband blog, mainly because the rest of the team have been doing such a good job in publishing some interesting stories.

One subject that they haven't touched on much yet is the potential for online gaming if you've got a good broadband connection. If you've never played an online multiplayer game then you might be loath to shell out to buy both a game and the ongoing subscription. That's where the rise of free-to-play online multiplayer games is to be welcomed.

There's a great preview in this month's PC Gamer of Battlefield Heroes, which is due out in June. Battlefield Heroes is a kind of cartoon conflict where your character is modelled like a plastic toy soldier. It sounds great fun and is well worth checking out when it launches.

Nintendo to launch Mario Kart Wii on Sunday 27th!

By
Seb Mysko (Wolfstar)
on March 19, 2008 2:16 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only 40 days to go! I'm a little late on picking this up, but after reading a post by Tom Magrino at GameSpot it seems that this excellent series is very nearly on our shelves. I'm not the biggest gamer, in fact until the recent purchase of my Wii, I admittedly hadn't so much as looked at the games Mario and Yoshi neck and necksection in HMV... probably since my mid teens. However Mario Kart is another story altogether. I'm sure I speak for many part time gamers when I say it holds a special place in my heart. Now with the Wii firmly positioned in its rightful place next to the TV, it seems to have added a whole new dimension to house parties. My only word of warning is USE THE SAFETY WRIST BANDS! I'm having to look at repainting a whole wall due to an over enthused friend bowling a strike (simultaneously chipping a glass of red wine 3m into the air!)

Anyway, the reason I wanted to flag this up is because of its promising online features:

"When you're online in the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection-powered multiplayer mode, you'll be able to race with 11 other players for a total of 12 online. A nice feature of the online mode is the option to have two people play online from the same Wii for some proper team-based action."

For those of you who are boarder-line obsessed with your Mario Kart credibility - you'll also be able to check out worldwide player rankings for each course.

So far reviews have been very positive, but here's a look for yourself...

 

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