BEST XBOX GAMES OF ALL TIME
Hear the call of duty once again with this seventh entry in this blockbuster first-person shooter franchise. Call of Duty: Black Ops takes you deep behind enemy lines into the world of deniable operations as a member of an elite special forces unit engaging in covert warfare, classified operations, and explosive conflicts across the globe. With access to a variety of exclusive weaponry and equipment, your actions will tip the balance during the most dangerous time period mankind has ever known.Here are some great lesser-known features that Call of Duty: Black Ops will have. The list below applies to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Multiplayer Online Split-Screen Support
Let’s get started with what I believe is the most unknown, yet confirmed, aspect to Call of Duty: Black Ops Multiplayer — the online split-screen support we’ve re-introduced to the franchise! This applies to both the Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3.
The Facts:
- You can connect a 2nd controller and bring a Guest online.
- Guests can rank up, earn unlocks, etc — all Guest progress goes away once signed out.
- (Xbox 360 only) You can bring a 2nd, Gold Xbox LIVE account online!
- (Xbox 360 only) Both players with full online accounts can rank-up while playing split-screen, as if on two separate consoles.
Mass Effect 2
The second installment of this planned trilogy, Mass Effect 2 continues to follow the evolution of Commander Shepard’s character as he embarks on a suicide mission in order to once again save humanity along with the rest of the universe. This time around Shepard will set out to recruit some of the galaxy’s most dangerous operatives while uncovering several secret missions along the way. Saren and his army of Geth were challenging enough, but the struggle Shepard will face in Mass Effect 2 will make his original adventure seem like a walk in the park.
Why it will rule:
We haven’t been this excited for a game release in quite some time. The first Mass Effect changed the way we looked at the Action/RPG genre and proved that the folks at BioWare have enough creativity to keep themselves in business for years to come. Building upon everything that made Mass Effect our 2007 Game of the Year, BioWare has also responded to the gamer feedback to not only improve upon their original release but send it light years ahead of its predecessor. Everything from the game’s visuals, to the beefed up combat system, to the new characters we’ll meet and new worlds we’ll explore have us chomping at the bit to finally get our hands on Mass Effect 2. A likely contender for 2010’s Game of the Year is just around the corner. January 26th can’t come soon enough!
Why it might not:
We’re hard pressed to come up with a single reason that BioWare’s sequel will fall short of its mark. I suppose by some stretch of the imagination, the game’s developers could have suffered from some kind of memory loss and forgotten how to tell an amazing story. Or perhaps they really haven’t gotten rid of the elevators which are probably the slowest in the universe. Maybe we’ll have to spend hours collecting mineral samples everywhere we go by repeating simplistic button combinations. I suppose if Seth Green’s character Joker ends up having a twenty minute long stand up routine in the middle of the game it could take some of the wind from its sails, but we’re more than confident his comic jabs will be kept in check.
Red Dead Undead Nightmare
A game as successful as Red Dead Redemption can’t just trot out of our lives and into the sunset – it should go out with a bang.
While Red Dead DLC in the past has offered up some nice additions to its online portion – Tomahawks, horse racing, poker – none of them have really been game changers.
But the Undead Nightmare Pack comes with a brand new single-player segment as well as a new multiplayer mode.
Oh, and it turns everyone into zombies, which changes everything. How’s that for a bang?
Sure, it’s been done before. In fact at the moment it seems zombies are to games what vampires are to films and TV – you can throw them into anything and people are going to go at least a little bit nuts.
Rockstar’s got on the zombie train while the fever’s still spiking, but the Red Dead western zombie combo actually works really well in its own right.
You take control of John Marston after his wife and son, Jack, have been bitten by scabby old Uncle (scabby because he’s somehow become zombified). With them safely hog-tied, spitting and writhing behind a locked door, Marston goes out in search of answers and a cure.
First of all, the stuff you know. Undead Nightmare is set in the same sprawling environment of sparsely scattered little towns as the main Red Dead game. Except this time its that little bit bleaker because, you know, everyone’s dead and all that.
There’s a constant fog hanging over the land and heavy rain showers the most infected areas. The thick cloud allows for plenty of opportunity for that low sun that was so impressive the first time around to break through every now and then though.
You can also expect the same great voice acting and sharp dialogue from old friends (kind of) like Nigel West Dickens, Seth the grimy grave robber and his mate Moses – although he doesn’t say much any more.
The structure and flow of the DLC is the same as the main game as well. As you frantically dash from town-to-town, person-to-person, between clusters of flesh-eaters to find out what exactly is going on.
You’ll also run into side-missions in the form of missing people, random zombie attacks on loners out in the wilderness and overrun towns that could do with a helping hand.
Like the main game then there’s loads to be going at, hours in fact, although it’s hard to put a number on it because how involved you get is up to you. No time to save those few survivors standing on roofs shooting down at their once living friends and relatives? Just plough through the town and ride on cowboy.
If you do stop to help though you’ll be rewarded with some extra ammo (which runs out fast if you don’t loot bodies and crack open chests) and a safe place to sleep and save.
If you do decide to take on the horde (and we use the word “decide” lightly) your approach needs to be completely different to what it was in classic Red Dead.
You don’t need to be doctor to know that zombies aren’t going to hide behind cover popping their head up every now and then as an easy target, they just don’t have the balance. Instead you’ll find yourself dealing with the typical zombie swarm, getting all up in your space, clawing and gnawing at your face.
You’ll spend more time running and gunning than ducking and hiding then, in what’s a nice turn of pace in comparison to the main game.
We also found it efficient to get in close with the zombies every now and then, making use of that quick, execution shot Marston pulls off so well. A shotgun under the chin is predictably final.
Be warned though, you’ll soon find yourself overwhelmed and as the undead engulf you the increasing rumble of meaty footsteps is actually quite frightening.
Red Dead Redemption
The American West has made actors famous and writers rich. It has inspired children on the playground and grizzled country singers alike. Its stories of heroes and bandits, gold rushes and simple homesteaders have been fictionalized and romanticized to the point that they’re known the world over. And yet, videogame makers have either ignored the setting or attempted to squeeze it into existing game conventions with limited success. That has all changed now that Rockstar, the group made famous for its Grand Theft Auto series, turned its eye towards the Wild West. No game maker has approached the period with as much passion and power as Red Dead Redemption. This is the new bar that all Westerns must strive to reach.
It’s tempting to say that Red Dead Redemption is ahead of its time, but the reality is that this is a game of and for the times. Rockstar shows an uncanny ability to hold a mirror up to society and remind us that present day hot button issues like racism, immigration, federal government power and personal freedoms are not only nothing new, they are deeply ingrained in American society. They are forces that helped to shape America into what it is, and their inclusion in Red Dead Redemption gives it a sense of authenticity that videogames in general lack.
But rather than preaching politics at you, Red Dead Redemption puts you in the shoes of the relatively neutral John Marston. This former outlaw gone straight has found that history has a way of catching up with you. Those who were once his friends have now become enemies, leaving Marston alone and fighting for his future in a lawless land. It’s a setup that is almost cliche, but this is only the beginning of your adventure.
The storyline of Red Dead Redemption will take you all over a vast swath of countryside that straddles the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Along the way you’ll meet, assist, and spill blood with a fantastic cast of supporting characters as Marston attempts to set things straight. The characters are wonderful with top notch dialogue and voice acting — all good enough to make you feel a part of the world.
If there is any criticism I could level at the story, it’s that Marston occasionally feels divorced from the action, his motivations muddled as he is all too willing to help anybody that asks for it despite his own pressing matters. A simple, “I’m being made to do this,” from Marston is all you’ll get out of the protagonist for much of the game while secondary characters drive the tale along, which was a bit of a disappointment for me. This all changes towards the end, however, as Red Dead Redemption builds towards a shattering climax that is amongst the best I’ve ever seen in a videogame.
Halo: Reach’s Huge Forge World
This past Bungie Day, the makers of Halo gave us a look at the new version of Blood Gulch. At the end of that video we were teased about the level being much bigger than the original map, but it was impossible to get a solid understanding of just how big that area is. I recently got a chance to explore the space, dubbed Forge World.
It’s huge. Bigger than huge even. Forge World is incredibly big.
The new iteration of Blood Gulch is called Hemorrhage. It’s a marriage of the classic Blood Gulch layout with a bit of Coagulation inspiration tossed in for good measure. And it takes up just a small fraction of Forge World.
That’s Hemorrhage way back in the distance.
Outside of Hemorrhage’s walls you can find a beach area leading to an ocean where an island juts out. Further out to sea is a huge rock spire jutting up into the sky. Just a short hop away from this outcropping is a cliff wall that has a handy cave carved out that is just about perfect for Griffball. A massive cliff with little flat areas runs all along this ocean shore. Forge World is essentially pieced together from five different areas, dubbed Canyon, Island, “The Rock,” Quarry, and Coliseum.
All of Forge World can be used at once. All of it can be made into one massive stage should you want such a huge multiplayer battle. Nothing is stopping you from creating a Forge level that dwarfs everything that has come before Halo: Reach.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the B company fight their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy anything that gets in their way.
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.
Left 4 Dead 2
This co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns. You’ll play as one of four new survivors armed with a wide and devastating array of classic and upgraded weapons. In addition to firearms, you’ll also get a chance to take out some aggression on infected with a variety of carnage-creating melee weapons, from chainsaws to axes and even the deadly frying pan. You’ll be putting these weapons to the test against (or playing as in Versus) three horrific and formidable new Special Infected. You’ll also encounter five new “uncommon” common infected, including the terrifying Mudmen. Helping to take L4D’s frantic, action-packed gameplay to the next level is AI Director 2.0. This improved Director has the ability to procedurally change the weather you’ll fight through and the pathways you’ll take, in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match your performance. L4D2 promises a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience every time the game is played, custom-fitted to your style of play.
A Glance At Xbox Burnout: Paradise
From the time of its introduction in 2001, Burnout has taken the position of one of the most successful vehicular franchises. Over the years the exciting series of Burnout has been improving steadily keeping itself updated and interesting. Now, the Burnout Franchise makes a return to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with the brand new and interesting gameplay titled as “Burnout: Paradise”.
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.
An Honest Fable 2 Review- Know What is Behind the Curtain
Of course by now you have read many technical reviews regarding the hype-creating Fable 2, but here what I’m going to unveil is an honest review out of my own personal experience.
To explain in one word, this new game for the Xbox gaming console is simply “amazing”, and this game is extremely intensified and vigorous as there is lot more in stock for gamers than just completing the main quest line. Once you are done with the main quest line, the choices you make in the gaming session will determine the outcome of each and every phase. Moreover, the association of a faithful dog companion in the Fable 2 is truly an incredible part of artificial intelligence that will assist you to fight and locate treasures throughout the game.
Next, the customization is also a plus point, and significantly the option to swap into female in the gaming session might appeal to a few female gamers, who for so long craved for such customization. Furthermore, the female gamers will doubtlessly love the collection of diverse clothes and hair styles which is in store for them to choose from. Initially, you will find the graphics breathlessly amazing along with fascinating decals given to indoor as well as outdoor landscapes. One of the drawbacks of the Fable 2 game is the slow-paced loading speed. It might take up to 30 to 40 seconds extra, but it’s somewhat acceptable as the huge game that is fitted into such a small disk explains on behalf of the speed.
Nevertheless, the one button combat system offered by Fable 2 is indeed an incredible idea that fully assists the gamers to rapidly pull out a weapon and attack instantaneously. In my opinion, the Fable 2 actually outruns the original version of Fable, and I highly recommend this game for any occasion. Try it out!
A Review Of Gears of War 2
It seems like Gears Of War 2- the sequel to the brutal action- has potentially proved to be worthy of the huge hype.
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!
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