TMNT (2007, Third-Person Action Movie Game) – 4/10 review

Producer: Benoit Galarneau Associate Producer: Dominic Laroche Lead Programmer: Julien Bouvrais Lead Artist: Frédéric Ressaire Level Designer: Yannick Blanchot Sound: Nicholas Duveau

TMNT TMNT (2007) The turtles tell Splinter about the time when they had to rediscover how important family and trusting in your brothers really is. 4/10 This isn’t a game that gets tired fast, it gets tired instantly. Each of the levels is needlessly long and drawn out with interminable and interchangeable platforming sections punctuated only by quickly wearisome wise-cracks, the surprisingly bizarre notion of having your progress narrated (each level is you relating a past event to someone else) and a bit of button-mashing baddie-bashing. Technically, it’s rather deficient with a variable frame-rate (despite the simplistic geometry) and a poor battle camera (that usually keeps a pile of enemies off-screen). There are worthwhile lessons (the family that kills together, stays together; er, or something like that) and it’s a good game for quick, big gamerscore but it doesn’t have any of the fun and love that the movie had. This TMNT game contains violence. Classified 12+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 12 or over. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

Forza Motorsport 3 (2009, Driving Simulator) – 7/10 360 exclusive game review

Game Designer: Dan Greenawalt

Forza Motorsport 3 (2009) Race online or offline against up to seven opponents in most of the world’s most desirable cars from dozens of car manufacturers on scores of tracks set in twenty-one international locations (including new to the series Amalfi Coast, Benchmark High Speed Ring, Camino Viejo de Montserrat, Sedona Raceway Park, and returning favourite Fujimi Kaido). Customise them mechanically and visually and buy, share or sell tuning setups and designs on the new Forza Storefront. 7/10 Despite suspiciously glowing contemporary reviews and brazenly making eyes at casual gamers (you can complete the game and get a lot of the achievements almost without driving a single lap), FM3 is more hardcore than ever because only they will be able to extract any satisfaction from it. The casual gamer will give up before even a single lap is through thanks to AI that clearly doesn’t obey the same laws of physics you do, the fact that you can’t touch anything other than tarmac, wheels still seem to spin or lock with traction control and anti-lock brakes turned on, and an extremely uninvolving, if fluid, default driving experience. It is instantly dull and even more so in the uncommunicative cockpit view (no head movement at all). However, if you learn to drive with your assists off and spend time tuning your cars and avoid the cockpit view, you will be rewarded with a very good driving model and reasonable driving experience and you will appreciate the wealth of cars and superb original tracks presented with beautiful, crisp graphics at a marvellous sixty frames-per-second. Once here, it is, as before, bafflingly addictive but, even with that, you’re unlikely to play the game through to it’s 125-hour conclusion. Told you it was hardcore. Classified 3+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 3 or over. Links Previous game: Forza Motorsport 2

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Assassin’s Creed II

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Assassin’s Creed II

Xbox 360 vs PS3 vs PC Head-to-Head Face Off: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Hard Evidence (2007, Point-and-Click Mystery Game, 360) – 4/10 review

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Hard Evidence (2007) 4/10 This should be a fascinating, informative, wonderfully polished game but a clunky interface (for example, you cannot select menu items using the left stick), genre limitations (you are sometimes expected to see something you need a flashlight to see before you are allowed to use a flashlight) and ugly presentation (no CSI theme, either) make playing this without a walkthrough a chore. Oddly, character’s eyes are surprisingly well animated (as nothing else is), the stories are pretty nifty with some agreeably salacious motives and twists and there is definite potential for this licence in this genre. This CSI: Crime Scene Investigation game contains adult dialogue and themes, mild swear words and strong violence, extremely unpleasant scenes and sex scene. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Prince of Persia (2008, Third-Person Platform Game, 360) – 6/10 review

Senior Producer: Bertrand Helias Producer: Ben Mattes Creative Director: Jean-Christophe Guyot Art Director: Mickael Labat Lead Programmer: Charles Jacob Lead Programmer Gameplay: Cyril Meynier Director Narrative: Andrew Walsh Lead Game Designer: Thomas Delbuguet Lead Game Designer: Kevin Guillemette Level Design Director: Francois Emery Nolan North: The Prince Kari Wahlgren: Elika Music: Stuart Chatwood Music: Inon Zur

Prince of Persia (2008) Some dude wandering the desert thanks to a sand storm and a wayward donkey carrying his treasure runs into Elika, a princess. He’s just in time to see her father release Ahriman, a dark god, who plummets the land into corruption and only Elika, who has mysterious light powers, can stop him. With the dude’s help, of course. Sorry, nearly forgot that; I’m sure he’s vital. 6/10 Unusually and impressively looking like incredible concept art rendered directly onto your screen, this Prince of Persia has the odd feeling of a project completely redesigned late into it’s life. While tiny heads on all our characters, super-human feats performed by our human hero (who appears to be not needed by the story though a spectacular climax does interestingly justify his presence SPOILER because he is needed to resurrect Elika; he takes exactly the same course of action as the father, for the same reason and note how both Gods keep saying the same thing; the gameplay didn’t need him but the climax of the story did), an inconsistent tone that doesn’t fit the genre or seriousness of each situation and a making-tosh-up-as-we-see-fit story can be overlooked, the game completely misses the mark with unresponsive and uncertain controls that never quite consistently coalescence into fluent awesomeness. This problem becomes critical during the occasional combat sequences as the controls become even more unresponsive and unpredictable. Music’s good, though. This game contains mild adult dialogue and blade violence, fantasy violence, unpleasant fantasy scenes. Links Lens of Truth Head-to-Head: PS3 Eurogamer Head-to-Head: 360 / PS3 IGN Head-to-Head: 360 / PS3

Xbox 360 vs PS3 vs PC Head-to-Head Face Off: Borderlands

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Borderlands

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009, Third-Person Action Adventure, PS3 exclusive) – 10/10 review

Game Director: Bruce Straley Creative Director: Amy Hennig Lead Programmer: Pål-Kristian Engstad Lead Programmer: Travis McIntosh Lead Programmer: Dan Liebgold Music: Greg Edmonson Nolan North: Nathan Drake Emily Rose: Elena Fisher Claudia Black: Chloe Frazer Richard McGonagle: Sully Steve Valentine: Harry Flynn Rene Auberjonois: Karl Schafer

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009) Drake joins up with former colleague Harry Flynn to try and find the lost treasure of Marco Polo but when you’re among thieves, you really can trust no-one. 10/10 While Drake’s still got completely broken ankles, this is a fun, highly thrilling action game that you just want to play through in one sitting. There are some moments that are absolutely staggering such as battles being played on the floor of a collapsing building, on a speeding train, the chapter with Jeff and post-Jeff and a Tibetan truck chase. There are sequences here that would be awesome if they were in a movie or cut-scene but in a game, with you playing it, it’s awesome on toast. Additionally, there are lots of lovely touches including Drake being highly personable in swimming pools, petting yaks and introducing himself to Tibetan villagers and it’s even actually funny ("There’s a guy below you, there’s a guy below you.") and genuinely charming. Then you’ve got the goodness that is one of the best multiplayer co-op experiences available. This is one of those games that people always start to describe by saying "it’s not perfect, but…" Of course, nothing is, but Uncharted 2 is the PS3’s best game and one of the all-time greats. This game contains frequent mild swear words, mild adult dialogue and gory scenes, frequent gun violence, frequent melee violence, knife violence and sensuality. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links 1920×1080 and 1920×1200 HD widescreen wallpapers Previous: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Round 22

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Bayonetta
•   Borderlands
•   Brutal Legend
•   Colin McRae: Dirt 2
•   IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
•   Need for Speed: Shift
•   Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
•   Tekken 6

Superman Returns (2006, Third-Person Action Movie Game) – 5/10 review

Brandon Routh: Clark Kent / Superman Kevin Spacey: Lex Luthor Writer (Screenplay): Flint Dille Writer (Story): Marv Wolfman Composer: Colin O’Malley

Superman Returns (2006) Returning to Metropolis after a five year journey to Krypton and back (confirming that it, indeed, had been destroyed), Superman settles back into his day job of protecting the people of Earth from nefarious super-villains and super-henchmen. Well, one city on Earth anyway. 5/10 There is a remarkably nice feeling about flying above the city with the wind adding its own chorus to Colin O’Malley’s rather lovely music. The feeling of flying is really well nailed. Sadly, it’s the only gameplay element that is good. The remainder of the game is spent attacking and it’s mushy and imprecise and Supes regularly doesn’t do as he’s told. You don’t feel like Superman in the action segments. You don’t fell invulnerable or super-strong. Five for the flying, nothing for everything else. Classified 12+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 12 or over. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

Iron Man (2008, Third-Person Action Movie Game, 360) – 3/10 review

Iron Man Iron Man (2008) Weapons-inventing genius Tony Stark has a change of heart and decides to rid the world of weapons he believes are in the wrong hands by not telling anyone he’s invented a perfect AI, building the most brilliant and destructive battle suit (i.e., weapon) of all time and going on a genocidal rampage across the world. No, hang on, that didn’t come out right. 3/10 Well, at least it’s easy to determine what’s wrong with this movie game: the flying controls are near unusable. Remarkably, the camera, aiming and movement controls are different when doing just about anything. Therefore, the only people who will ever play this game and get something out of it are those after a big lump of gamerscore. Add to that the unspeakable ugliness of the game and "movies," and the lazy difficulty and you have a legitimately worthless entertainment product. That sold nearly three million copies worldwide. This Iron Man game contains violence. Classified 16+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 16 or over.. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

Supercar Challenge – Pagani Zonda F custom livery: Pixar’s Cars

Supercar Challenge – Bugatti EB16-4 Veyron custom livery: Ladybird

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari F333 SP custom livery: Not Fusion Custom

Xbox 360 vs PS3 Head-to-Head Face Off: Ninja Gaiden 2 vs Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

Every so often, Eurogamer run a series of technical comparison reviews for games released on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is the latest update to the full list.

•   Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 1920×1080 and 1920×1200 HD widescreen wallpapers

1920×1080	1920×1200

Surf’s Up (2007, Surfing Game, 360) – 7/10 review

Surf’s Up (2007) 7/10 This is a legitimately good game; a simple but playable surfing game with just about none of the usual problems associated with movie games. It provides single-minded gameplay, lots of achievable goals, straight-forward controls and clean graphics. I had trouble performing tricks inside a wave tube (I was pressing the buttons simultaneously or too quickly!) but, aside from that, everything was clear and highly playable. This game contains mild aggression. Classified 3+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 3 or over.

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari California custom livery: Daytona USA

 

Supercar Challenge – Aston Martin DBR9 custom livery: Gulf Oil

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari 365 GTB4 Competizione custom livery: Batman

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari F430 GT2 custom livery: Dragon

 

Supercar Challenge – McLaren F1 custom livery: F1 Calendar 2009

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari 360 Modena custom livery: Black and White Spray

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari F365 GTS/4 Spider custom livery: Pac-Man

 

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari GTO custom livery: Space Invaders

 

Supercar Challenge (2009, Racing Simulation Game, PS3 exclusive) – 8/10 review

Executive Producer: Mark Cale Consultant Car Handling & Race: Bruno Senna Tiff Needell: Game Designer: Mark Cale Game Designer: Dave Thompson Game Designer: Gareth Wright

Supercar Challenge (2009) 8/10 The main problem with Supercar Challenge is clear; it’s the full-price charge for DLC-size additional content for Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli (two new tracks, three additional track layouts, about a dozen new cars). However, this is to overlook the improvements that have been delivered in every area (especially the sixteen-player online racing) and the sweet driving simulation experience that has been carried over intact from the previous game. The most important change gameplay-wise is the ability to choose your own car for the central Challenge mode allowing you to form a relationship with and intimate understanding of your chosen steed (because, unlike almost all other racing games, each car feels different). While the game can be a challenge at times, the driving experience is so satisfying (in a car you like) that battling around in any position is rewarding and overtaking or pressuring the AI into convincing mistakes, especially (grrr) Lorenz Gerber, is absolutely wonderful. Classified 3+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 3 or over. Links Ferrari F430 Spider custom livery: Motorola Ferrari 512 S custom livery: System 3 Elf Ferrari 512 S custom livery: System 3 Elf Ferrari F430 Spider custom livery: Motorola Aston Martin DBR9 custom livery: Pirelli Stirling Moss McLaren custom livery: Force India Formula One Aston Martin DBR9 custom livery: Top Gear Stig Helmet Chevrolet Corvette C6-R custom livery: inFamous Ferrari 599XX custom livery: Portal’s Aperture Laboratories Enzo Ferrari custom livery: Prawn GP Ferrari GTO custom livery: Space Invaders Ferrari F365 GTS/4 Spider custom livery: Pac-Man Ferrari 360 Modena custom livery: Black and White Spray McLaren F1 custom livery: F1 Calendar 2009 Ferrari F430 GT2 custom livery: Dragon Ferrari 365 GTB4 Competizione custom livery: Batman Aston Martin DBR9 custom livery: Gulf Oil Ferrari California custom livery: Daytona USA Ferrari F333 SP custom livery: Not Fusion Custom Bugatti EB16-4 Veyron custom livery: Ladybird Pagani Zonda F custom livery: Pixar’s Cars

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari 512 S custom livery: System 3 Elf

Supercar Challenge – Ferrari F430 Spider custom livery: Motorola

 

Supercar Challenge – Aston Martin DBR9 custom livery: Pirelli

inFamous (2009, Third-Person Open-World Super-Hero Action Game, PS3 exclusive) – 8/10 review

inFamous (2009) Cole is at the epicentre of an enormous explosion when the package he is carrying goes off. Somehow he not just survives but emerges with ability to regenerate his health and fire electricity from his finger-tips. The rest of the now-quarantined Empire City hasn’t been so lucky with the city gangs fighting over territory now that there’s no law. 8/10 inFamous is just so much fun; it wants to be played and enjoyed and it makes it easy for you to do so. This is because game balance is very well done: you are very strong and well-equipped offensively (I didn’t realise I had homing lightning bolts until the third play through!) but very weak defensively meaning that skill and accuracy are rewarded and that battles are never dull or one-sided in your favour. Additionally, there is a very forgiving checkpoint system (there are even checkpoints for the middle of boss battles). Amazingly, even escort missions are fun because the escorted runs and hides at the first sign of trouble, simple! Disappointingly, the good evil choices are a bit too give-away-all-your-money-and-both-kidneys or beat-an-orphan-with-this-kitten-in-front-of-Jesus. The final boss battle is also much harder than anything else in the game and requires some patience and tactics. These are just about the only weaknesses but, back on the positive side, you can accidentally electrocute people by running through puddles. Which is oddly brilliant. This game contains mild swear words and mild unpleasant scenes, electricity violence, melee violence. Classified 16+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 16 or over.. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.