The game has a deep combat system that can be played either in turn-based fashion or in real time. You can also take up to three other party members into combat and use skills or spells to gain an edge in battle.

Dragon Age places players in the hot seat as decisions players make will inevitably affect direction. So if you’re looking for an epic role-playing game to sink your teeth into Dragon Age: Origins is the one to look out for.

This game is available in PC, Xbox360 and also Playstation 3.

Product Features

• Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
• 6 possible playable preludes known as ‘Origin Stories’ which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
• Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
• Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
• At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.

What’s good:

Bioware RPG’s always have great stories with deep background and entertaining character interactions. This one does not disappoint. New for this game are multiple character opening stories– hence the “origins” in the title. Depending on your class and race, you experience an extended opening that really sets the stage for your character and gives you something to think about. The opening for the mage included two quests to play through and a several difficult decisions to make before it merged with the main story line.

Voice acting is excellent, graphics are good and 1080p (though nothing like Metal Gear Solid or GTA4). Combat is fast, furious, and just a little out of control– and exciting.

What’s bad:

I had hoped to see the next generation of RPG, but the game’s architecture feels like reused modules from other Bioware games. Character gen is from Mass Effect, 3rd person view and movement from KOTOR, inventory mechanics and interface much like Baldur’s Gate. It’s all competently designed, but feels a little worn. But maybe Bioware is suffering from Pixar Syndrome – if it doesn’t outdo itself with each new release it seems plain.

My only real complaint is that character attributes and abilities are not sufficiently explained. The small paper manual says things are explained in detail in the in-game help but that is not the case.

Lastly:

Be aware that this game isn’t suitable for kids. It’s a mature game with some disturbing subject matter– that’s why Bioware calls it a “dark fantasy.” Kudos to Bioware for aiming for a serious game, but know what you’re buying before putting it on the holiday gift list for your little ones. (Wait until after they’re in bed and have an epic time playing it yourself!)

As adventurer and all around rogue Nathan Drake, you are in for another adventure – this time in search for Marco Polo’s treasure. Your journey will take across many locales from the jungles of Borneo to the snowy peaks of Tiber. Featuring some truly magnificent set pieces set that you simply have to see, Uncharted 2 also has you be exploring ancient temples and engage in thrilling fun battles on moving trains.

The game comes with a decent online competitive multiplayer mode plus co-op mode so you can tackle missions together with friends. Without a doubt, Uncharted 2 is one helluva rollercoaster ride for your Playstation 3 that you definitely won’t want to miss.

Game features

• New functionality including the ability to remain with your friends while matchmaking; map customization and the pooling funds gathered in different modes for use in unlocking content and upgrades.
• An game world layout that allows players to take an aggressive or new stealth approach to combat.
• Free-flowing “traversal gunplay” that adds a unique vertical element to standard 3rd-person shooting mechanics.
• Award-winning cinematic storytelling, incorporating new and familiar characters, as well as all new and varied play environments.
• A wide array of gameplay modes including a robust single player campaign and a franchise first online multiplayer modes including competitive and cooperative play options.

Gameplay

Although gameplay in Among Thieves is similar to that of the previous game, there are several major differences. The most important of these is the addition of several online multiplayer options. Unfortunately, no offline multiplayer could be included in the game due to the impact local split-screening has on the game’s graphical quality. Thankfully though, the online modes included cover both co-op and competitive play. See the feature list below for details on these. In addition to play modes players can also expect a wealth of new gameplay features including a new stealth gameplay mechanic and altered climbing mechanic–both of which are extended to the AI of enemies; the ability to create cover by flipping over certain found items; the use of riot shields for defense and offense; and a complete lack of loading screens.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the game has a very cinematic feel. The cutscenes are a bit lengthy and drive the story very well. The voice acting is pretty good and the lip syncing is almost spot on. Graphically the game is stunnning. The first Assassians creed looked very pretty but this one seems a notch above it. There is no denying the beauty of it all.

The gameplay has a very GTA style feel to it. You go from place to place to do a variety of different things. Unlike the last game where the gameplay was very reptitive where each section of the game required you to gather information in order to assassinate your victim (which only consisted of 3 or 4 different ways). Ubisoft have completely revamped that flawed style into a more enjoyable experience. Basically, think GTA but in the 15th century.

The freestyle movement is well done and easy to use. Although sometimes it had difficulty jumping up walls, Pressing the X button sometimes makes Ezio jump outwards rather than up. Having said that, its still an enjoyable experience, very much like the last game. Its also quite easy to navigate around your map.

The combat system hasn’t changed that much. There are a few minor modifications. Ezio can do a few different things this time round like snatch enemy weopons while fighting and thrusting them down there body. The combat is a lot of fun and quite easy to learn. Also Ubisoft have added a currency system in the game. You can steal money from passing citizens or search enemies for money or earn money by doing errands and missions. The money can be spent on buying weopons and armor or upgrading current items. It makes the game much more enjoyable and interactive.

One thing of note is that this game is not for kids. There is a lot of sexuality in this game. Ezio can hire whores to distract gaurds and there is a bit of dirty talk. Its fun but some might feel it to be offensive. The ESRB does rate it at 17+, young children should stay away from this game.

There are a few minor glitches in the game but nothing major. I had a problem picking up boxes in the beginning of the game but nothing major so far. Hopefully these issues will be fixed with a patch.

Overall this game is a lot of fun. Its way better than the previous game. Anyone who enjoyed Assassins Creed should pick this one up. They will not be disappointed.

Games Key Features

The original PS3 was often criticized for being bulky beast than ran hot, noisy and cost more than any other console in the market, the PS3 Slim fixes all those shortcomings – it’s 33% smaller, runs quieter, cooler and goes for only USD299.

Indeed the lower price point puts the PS3 back in the race as the ultimate gaming console. It’s also one of the cheapest Blu-ray players in the market, especially when you consider that it comes with all the features that only more expensive Blu-ray players have, such as BD-Live connectivity and picture-in-picture, amongst others.

Product Features

From the strength and power to the gadgets to the stealth and surprise you can bring toward your enemy, it is quite a marvel that a game developer finally got it right.

The Joker has taken total control over Arkham island and Batman needs to hunt him down to stop him, but not without going through many of Batman’s familiar villians in the process.

Batman’s gadgets come in handy often, most of the time you will be using his ‘detective mode’ which is built into the cowl and gives you the ability to see important items in the room and clues to lead you in the right direction.

There will be some moments where you find yourself just playing with all of Batman’ gadgets for 10-15 minutes because there are so many of them to play with. (It feeds your inner dork so it’s okay!)

Gameplay mechanics are solid and I have yet to find a defect in them or any glitches. Fighting is very enjoyable, because you can be surrounded by 6-10 enemies and everytime an enemy is about to attack you hit the counter-attack button and continue to fight off all of them at once. Very fun.

The graphics are amazing and highly detailed like you would expect from a PS3.

Voice-over work is superb and Mark Hamill, as The Joker, really steals the show. If they gave out Oscars for Best Video Game Voice-Over Performance then Hamill would easily win it for this game!

All in all, Batman games have been so poor for so long, it is exciting to see a Batman game done right and this is worthy of a $60 purchase.

Go and get it and play it with the lights off in the dark with the sound blasting.

Key Features

• Utilize the unique FreeFlow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with huge groups of The Joker’s henchmen in brutal melee brawls.
• Investigate as Batman, the world’s greatest detective, by solving intricate puzzles with the help of cutting edge forensic tools including x-ray scanning, fingerprint scans, ‘Amido Black’ spray and a pheromone tracker.
• Face off against Gotham’s greatest villains including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and Killer Croc.
• Become the Invisible Predator with Batman’s fear takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen and hunt enemies.
• Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls, and use the predator camera get a closer look at the action.
• Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic entirety.
• Experience what it’s like to be Batman using batarangs, explosive gel aerosol, the Batclaw, sonar resonator and the line launcher.
• Unlock more secrets by completing hidden challenges in the world and develop and customize equipment by earning experience points.
• Enjoy complete superhero freedom in the environment with the use of Batman’s grapple to get to any place you can see, jump from any height and glide in any direction.
• PlayStation 3 exclusive Joker Challenge Map DLC.

This game also available in Xbox360 and PC. Let’s enjoy the trailer, you will feel the vicious Joker.

The wait is finally over for this year’s most hyped up game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This is just a brief review about this game. The following review divided into sections, based on the type of gameplay from Modern Warfare 2.

Single-Player Campaign:

Pros:
1) Action: The single-player campaign from Modern Warfare 2 is one of the most intense, white-knuckle, action-packed campaigns of any video game I have played EVER. The story is relatively good, and, except for one or two points (mentioned in cons), flows reasonably well. The missions themselves are adventures that will blow your mind. I don’t want to spoil anything for prospective players, but as seen in the multiple trailers that preceded the game itself, snowmobiles, silenced snipers, heartbeat sensors, and steering television-guided missiles are among the many amazing things that come in this package. I have played the entire campaign through twice since the game’s release midnight on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 – the first time on regular difficulty and a second time on veteran difficulty – and it definitely did not get old in between. Imagine a blockbuster action cinematic – but you’re the hero.

2) Challenge: The single-player campaign from Modern Warfare 2 is very challenging, more so than that from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Some might see this as a con, but I deem it otherwise. I would say that playing the campaign on regular is approximately equivalent to playing COD4′s campaign on hardened. Regular to hardened represents a reasonable level of difficulty; veteran, however (and speaking from experience for the entire campaign) is, at some points, nigh impossible, and I’m NOT exaggerating. On two or three missions there were certain points where I died probably about two dozen times before managing to fight past the enemies or figure out a way to evade them. This, however frustrating, makes for all-the-greater amount of satisfaction when you beat the level, though.

Cons:
1) Storyline: Although the storyline flows reasonably well for the most part, there are one or two crucial turning points in the campaign that, simply put, just don’t make too much sense to me. This is kind of jarring to a player who places emphasis on believability and cohesiveness. However, the fun of the campaign is damaged only slightly by this.

Campaign Overall Rankings:
Story: 3.5 stars
Action: 5 stars
Variety: 5 stars
Challenge: 5 stars
Replay Value: 4 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars

Special Ops Missions
Background Info:
The special ops missions are additional content missions that, for the most part, resemble campaign missions from either Modern Warfare 2′s single-player campaign or, on occasion, from that of Call of Duty 4. You can play the missions solo or with a friend on split screen or over Xbox Live, etc. The ops are divided into 5 categories of difficulty, Alpha through Echo. You unlock the higher levels by earning certain amounts of “stars” in the spec-ops missions. For most missions, the number of stars you earn (1-3) depends on the difficulty of the mission that you set (Regular-Veteran). There are 69 possible stars total, which means there are 23 spec-ops missions. I have unlocked all levels through Delta so far, and each has 5 missions, which presumably means that Echo category has only 3, albeit they are surely very challenging.

Pros:
1) Action: Spec-ops missions have several different determinants when determining how much action is in a given mission. Among these determinants are the mission type (more on that in just a second), difficulty, and playstyle. Some missions are definitely run-and-gun, others you will need to rely on stealth, and some the choice is really up to you. Personally, I like the ability to determine how to play a mission to some degree.

2) Variety: The Modern Warfare 2 Spec-ops missions have a lot to offer in terms of different playstyles and objectives. Each mission is categorized based on how it plays in general. Examples of categories include stealth, wave defense, race, assault, and timed assault. The environments also vary a lot, just like that in the campaign, which many of the environments are based off of. So, if you love sniping Ultranationalist dog patrols in the snow, there’s something for you; same story if you want to run-and-gun through a marketplace in Rio de Janeiro defusing bombs before the clock runs out.

3) Challenge: Once again, Modern Warfare 2 comes up challenging, and once again I state this as a pro. Although there are slight variations based on the individual missions, the difficulty you set can make a huge difference. I have played through all of the Alpha and Bravo missions on veteran difficulty and the decisions a player makes, as well as how you work with your teammate in split-screen or online co-op, can make a huge difference. Players will also be forced to use good judgment, such as in the stealth missions when they decide whether they should engage or try to sneak past.

Cons:
I really can’t think of anything I would genuinely change about the Spec-ops mode. The only thing I can think of that frustrates me is that I definitely pay for my mistakes on the harder difficulties – but that’s to be expected, right?

Special Ops Overall Rankings:
Story: N/A
Action: 5 stars
Variety: 5 stars
Challenge: 5 stars
Replay Value: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars

Multiplayer
Pros:
1) Maps: For the most part, the maps in Modern Warfare 2′s multiplayer mode are very well-done. Most of them are larger than those in Call of Duty 4, although there are still some nice small ones like Rust that can be fun with as few as 2-6 people. The main thing I notice about the maps is the vast increase in dynamics. Nearly all the maps have many routes from point A to point B, whether that be across a street, along some back alleys, underneath in a tunnel, or over the rooftops. The environments themselves are quite interesting, and the graphics are, of course, exemplary. All the gametypes I have played (mainly Team Deathmatch, Sabotage, and Capture the Flag) work well in terms of where players start, where they spawn, and how they can approach the game.

2) Equipment: The sheer amount of STUFF you can acquire in Modern Warfare 2′s leveling-up system will blow your mind. While the number of weapons is increased about a third to a half again that of Call of Duty 4 – with additions of new firearms, some of which replace others that have been removed, as well as a number of new equipment and sidearm options – the number of ways to customize said weapons has at least doubled. Whereas in COD4 one could only put one of three equipment attachments on a given weapon (four if you count the grenade launcher, the others being silencer, red-dot sight, and ACOG scope), there are at least 6 for pretty much every gun in Modern Warfare 2. Examples of new attachments include the heartbeat sensor, extended magazines, full-metal jacketed bullets, underslung shotgun, and holographic sight. This variety provides tons of fun when unlocking new attachments by completing challenges and experimenting with different customizations. On top of this, with the bling perk, one can put two attachments on the same weapon, allowing even greater possibilities when building your loadout with the class customization tool.

3) Other Variety: Some other aspects of multiplayer have also been expanded on in Modern Warfare 2 from Call of Duty 4. Some that bear particular mention include the killstreak bonuses, perks, and game modes.

A) Killstreaks: Whereas in COD4 there were three killstreak bonuses (UAV radar, Airstrike, and Attack Helicopter, given at 3, 5, and 7 kill streaks respectively), there are 15 in Modern Warfare 2. Some examples of new ones are predator missile strike, stealth bomber run, AC130, EMP, and (the one that scares me the most) Tactical Nuke, the description for which simply says “End the game with a bang.” However, you don’t gain them all at once (that would turn games into ridiculous streak-fests). Instead, at certain levels you are able to unlock another killstreak bonus, having started out with UAV, a new bonus called Care Package, and Predator Missile strike. Once a player has more than three bonuses unlocked, the player can choose, at any time prior to any game, which three to have active.

B) Perks: Perks, for those not familiar, are selected bonuses or abilities that a player selects as part of their class when playing multiplayer. There are several new perks in the game that confer interesting and useful, but not overpowered, abilities. Additionally, prolonged use of a perk now eventually allows the achievement and use of a “pro” version of the perk, that gives an additional bonus. A few examples of this are the Bling and Stopping Power perks. Bling “Pro” allows a player to extend the bonus of Bling (two attachments on primary weapon) to the player’s secondary weapon or sidearm. Stopping Power “Pro” gives the player an additional damage bonus against vehicles.

C) Game Modes: I am very happy that there are a few new game modes in Modern Warfare 2, particularly with the inclusion of an all-time favorite, Capture the Flag. Other new additions include a gametype called demolition and several traditional game types that are played in third-person mode, similar to Gears of War.

4) Volume: Whereas Call of Duty 4 had 55 levels in any given progression, Modern Warfare 2 has 70. Add that to 14 different online playlists and 16 starting maps (and Activision has announced at least 2 DLC map packs will be on the way), there is a great deal of replay value in Modern Warfare 2′s multiplayer.

Cons:
1) Party Chat: It’s in practically every review, I know, but I should include it anyways: most playlists in Modern Warfare 2 (all except Mercenary Team Deathmatch, Free-for-All, Ground War, 3rd Person Teams, and 3rd Person Cage Match) require you to be in game chat mode – no talking to friends who aren’t in the game over a separate party. This isn’t an extremely big problem in my opinion, but it can be slightly annoying, especially if there is someone else in the game who is being annoying. However, you always have the option of muting particular players. If you really wanted to, you could just mute everyone in the playlist except your friends, unless they’re not playing with you.

2) Particular Maps: This is a purely subjective con, but I’ll throw it in here anyway. One or two (and only one or two) of the multiplayer maps are not very well built for gameplay, in my opinion. If you buy the game, I personally would advise trying to avoid Wasteland, but maybe that’s just me. For the most part, nearly all the maps are quite fun.

Neutral Comments:
This is a section where I’ll mention just a few of the differences between Call of Duty 4 and Modern Warfare 2 that don’t fall into pro or con in my opinion.

1) Death: Simply put, you die easier in Modern Warfare 2. Whether this is a move to reflect realism, a “consequence” of more advanced firearms, or just a change Infinity Ward happened to make, it is a reality. It took me an hour or so to get used to it, but it’s just part of the game, and it’s the same for everybody playing. I don’t think this is a positive or negative change.

Multiplayer Overall Rankings:
Story: N/A
Action: 4.5 stars
Variety: 5 stars
Challenge: N/A (depends on other players)
Replay Value: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

Total Game Overall Rankings:
Story: 3.5 stars
Action: 4.8 stars
Variety: 5 stars
Challenge: 5 stars
Replay Value: 4.3 stars
Overall: 4.8 stars

Would I recommend this game to a friend?: YES

Although October sales of Nintendo’s Wii console dropped 36 percent compared with the same period last year, company executives expect robust sales in the holiday season.

“We’ll have a very strong November and December,” Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president, predicted.

Mr. Fils-Aime said in a telephone interview that Wii sales are in line with expectations at this point in the product’s life cycle. (It was introduced in November 2006.) Nintendo’s sales were particularly strong in October 2008, when it sold 803,000 units. He said, “The third year is always the strongest.” Mr. Fils-Aime said he was encouraged by an 80 percent increase in weekly sales since the price of the console was lowered in September to $200, from $250.

Nintendo remained the leading console maker in October, with 506,900 Wii units sold in the United States, the NPD Group, a market research firm, said Thursday. Sony’s PlayStation 3 was the second-biggest seller, with 320,600 units, while Xbox 360 sales were 249,700.

“You just can’t sniff at 500,000 units,” said Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities in Los Angeles. “They’re doing fine.” Nintendo has sold 22 million Wii units in the United States.

Still, there is little question the current game machines are reaching the end of their life cycle.

“There’s such a thing as market saturation,” said Richard Doherty, an analyst with the Envisioneering Group. “One or more of the competitors’ consoles is in 60 percent of Wii households.”

At this stage, Nintendo is concentrating on “adding value for the late adopter,” Mr. Fils-Aime said. He pointed to the eight million units sold in the United States of the Wii Fit gaming exercise board as evidence that the strategy is working. “This has given us the unparalleled ability to bring in new consumers, especially females.”

Mr. Fils-Aime acknowledged that the current console game titles needed freshening, and said this will happen Sunday with the release of a new version of the Mario Brothers franchise, Super Mario Brothers Wii. It will compete for the gamer’s dollar with the just-released Activision sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PCs, the title sold 4.7 million units on its first day of release in North America and Britain.

The combined sales of Nintendo’s portable game devices, the DS Lite (for dual screen) and DSi, were 457,600 units in October, putting the game platform in second place. Sony’s PlayStationPortable and PSPgo sold 174,600.

While some analysts have expressed doubts that Nintendo can continue to prosper in the hand-held market now that inexpensive games have proved popular for the owners of Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, Mr. Fils-Aime expects no impact on the company’s portable business.