Friday, May 17, 2013

Darksiders 2 Review

Darksiders 2, like its predecessor, is a grab bag of tried and true game play components. Like a good plate at Thanksgiving dinner, there's a little bit of everything in there. Some combat a la God of War? Check. Climbing/free running a la Prince of Persia? It's in there. Open world exploration, coupled with a multitude of dungeons to explore, reminiscent of theZelda series? There's that too. You can even see bits of Diablo and Portal seasoning the mix. The original used a similar recipe to become one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2010, setting the bar high for the sequel.

In Darksiders, you play as War, one of the Four Horseman, who is manipulated into starting the apocalypse prematurely, effectively wiping out all of humanity before its time. As the first game comes to a close, it is evident that War will be forced to stand trial in the judgment of the Charred Council, a collective tasked with keeping a balance in the never ending war between Heaven and Hell, who have the power to call for War's death as punishment for his crimes. In a last ditch effort to possibly redeem himself, War breaks the seventh seal to call his fellow Horsemen, Death, Strife and Fury. Darksiders 2 follows the story of Death as he seeks a way to redeem his brother.

We open on Death searching for a figure known as the Crowfather, whom Death believes holds the ability to suss out the means to atone for War's sin. After a violent confrontation, Death is hurtled to another plane of existence sick with Corruption, a cancer-like substance intent on the obliteration of all worlds. It soon becomes clear that the key to destroying the Corruption, and the means to restore humanity, effectively erasing War's crime, both lie in the Tree of Life. However, several obstacles lie in his way, and when Death finally lays eyes on the Tree he discovers that it is not the end of his path, but simply the doorway to another beginning.

The combo-based combat is suitably violent and destructive for a game based on the figure of Death, that is dual wielding scythes as big as a horse. Throw in all manner of secondary weapons from axes to arm blades, and the body count rises rapidly. Similar to other hack n' slash action games, different combinations of the X and Y buttons result in one brutally over the top combo after another, and there are several special abilities Death can unleash to significantly increase the damage done.

When not dismembering enemies, Death is usually trying to figure out how to get from here to there, which usually requires some Prince of Persia or Assassin's Creed style acrobatics. Often even that's not enough however, requiring Death to put to use special tools and abilities earned along the way, such as a 'hookshot' style gauntlet that grabs onto iron rings and enemies alike, or the 'Voidwalker', which allows Death to open portals on specific surfaces. In the harder dungeons, using these skills in concert with each other will be key if you want to get to the next area.

RPG elements take form in the distribution of skill points, and managing a Diablo-esque loot table, filled with tons of junk to sell, as well as the occasional upgrade. This game also has an alternative method of eliminating the chaff from your inventory by introducing 'possessed' weapons. You can sacrifice your other loot to one of these possessed weapons to raise its stats and add different buffs and effects, bringing in a unique element to the management of all those blue and purple item drops.

For a game that borrows mechanics liberally from other games, it still doesn't get everything right. The camera is not always easy to work with, and can get downright aggravating at times, and some have voiced complaints about the autosave system. Also, while the story itself is suitably epic for a tale that parallels the apocalypse, it's sometimes difficult to get truly invested in it as the characters featured in the tale occasionally fall flat.

Still, there's more to love about Darksiders 2 than there is to hate. Fans of the original should be pleased, and there's enough compelling game play here to hook new gamers to the franchise. If you like delving into Zelda-like dungeons and stabbing bad guys, this game should definitely be on your radar.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Learn How to Win at Roulette With Simple Strategies

Before risking any money at the roulette table, you should know and understand the rules of the roulette game and the odds of the different roulette bets. Every roulette strategy's main goal is to decrease the casino edge over the player and to make luck a less important factor during the game.

Here Are Some Great Roulette Tips; You can insert these tips into Playing Strategies

I recommend the European Roulette Wheel: On the European roulette table there are 36 different numbers and a single zero. The zero represents the casinos long term profit at the roulette tables. This is important because it will increase your odds of winning. Almost every bet on the table offers even odds - when you don't take the zero into calculation. For European roulette, the possible number of outcomes is 37 making the probability of a straight up bet 1/37. The house's edge is decreased to only 2.7% advantage in the European wheel compared to 5.26% advantage in the American roulette wheel.

If you are new to the game select small bet tables first.

Make many small bets instead of one big one.

Be careful at the upper table limit.

Plan Your Bankroll: I recommend to set yourself an amount that you want to win and stick to it. Also set yourself a stop loss limit and stick to that as well.

There are Good Bets and Bad Bets: Good bet is bet that has a payoff that reflects the real odds, meaning the real probability of it turning up. The payout of the 1:1 bets - Red/Black, Low/High and Even/Odd - is very close to the probability of it occurring (1.01:1 on a European Roulette and 1.05:1 on American roulette), which makes them the best bets on the table. So I recommend to bet on outside. Betting on groups is always safer than betting on single number. Similarly, in a bad bet there is a relatively big spread between the payout and the odds.

Online Roulette Play from Online Casinos: Avoid casino bonuses when playing in online casinos. This is because bonuses come with terms and conditions and you won't be able to cash out the money you win. Always play with reputed casinos which publish their payout percentages. Search from internet the reputation and reviews of Casino.

Play only for the amount of money you can afford to lose.

Be patient and do not get greedy in case of winning! Control your betting and don't get carried away if you are on a winning streak.

The most popular casino game in the Casino is Roulette game and it is not surprising that it makes people want to find a way to raise their chances to win while they are playing and having fun.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Medal of Honor Warfighter: Review

Medal of Honor Warfighter is a sequel not a lot of people wanted. But, we got it anyway. To be honest, I was really looking forward to this game, after loving MOH from 2010. MOH is now running on the Frostbite 2 engine and looks better than ever, with graphics on par with Battlefield 3. This is one of the better looking modern shooters out now. But is a new look enough to make you get this? Even when there is a wave of triple A games coming in the next weeks? The answer is a solid yes!

To start off, Im going to get the comparing out of the way. This is a perfect blend between Call of Duty and Battlefield 3 (Multiplayer wise). If your looking for a more realistic fast paced shooter thats very tactical, but played on medium sized maps, look no further. This game feels a lot like Battlefield 3 (and looks like it), which is a good thing!

This is a surprisingly tactical game. I would go as far as saying its more tactical then Battlefield. With the medium sized maps and clear objectives to follow, the game has some great moments. For example the game mode Hotspot is sort of a search and destroy mode. The team defending stays around the base scattered around guarding most points where the enemy can come. If you are attacking, the best way is too split your platoon into two groups and each group try to infitrate a flanking spot. The close quarter spaces and higher player count, call for some truly awesome moments!

If your a fan of killstreaks your in luck. While this isn't tallying up your kills to reward you, it does count up your points. After getting so many points your presented with your kill streak. When you get a streak you have the option to choose from Offensive or Defensive. I really enjoy the option and each of them really help out the team. For example the first streak you earn is the option for a mortar attack (offensive), or a smoke screen(defensive). Both are very useful.

There are a few modes (way more than the last MOH). There are a bunch of guns, with a lot of customizaton options. There are six different classes to chose from, each one having a new look, different kill streaks and stuff like that. I do not know how many ranks there are, but I know there's a ton load.

The campaign seems very fun so far. I enjoyed the hell out of the last MOH campaign. This one seems to be following the same footsteps, giving an emotional journey. This is a highlight for a first person shooter, because most campaigns are horrible. This one is actually worth the play through.

If Medal of Honor Warfighter can have steady updates that fix bugs and other issues, that would be great. Also release a few map packs or other DLC that offers new guns, game modes, or customization options. Things like that keep the community still interested in the game and also brings new players to the game as well. They already have an update right when you start the game, it fixes a lot of things. They also already have a DLC releasing in December, to go along with the new film Zero Dark Thirty. So the next few months look good for the multiplayer aspect of the game.

Medal of Honor is now back in the first person shooter arena and its great. I feel like it has its own identity now and can stand toe to toe with the other big releases this year. I think if your into these kinds of games, you should definitely give it a shot. If not, just skip it. MOH Warfighter doesn't re-invent the wheel, but it sure does add some nice rims to it!

Final Score: 8.4

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Halo Reach Winter Contingency Walkthrough on Legendary, Alone

Part 1: Noble Team
You begin this level with a 600 ammo assault rifle and a 70 ammo magnum. You are riding in a falcon with Carter and Jun and land on top of a hill to investigate a distress beacon below. This distress beacon is fake, created by covenant forces as a trap. If you sprint down the hill, you will find an invisible Elite spec ops escaping the scene, most likely the one who created the trap. It will not attack you even if shot at, and will disappear after crossing the bridge. If you kill this Elite, it will drop a data pad which contains information about covenant glassing.

After reaching the distress beacon and possibly killing the Elite spec ops, move forward down the path to the right. Follow the path through a building, where you will come to another building with three farmers. Jorge will talk to these farmers, and they will warn you of "something in the fields." Continue following the path to the right, where you will eventually come to a farming building with covenant outside. This area is the "Outlook" firefight mission. You will find a Skirmisher major with a needle rifle on top of the building to the left. As soon as it sees you, the Skirmisher calls for backup. This triggers seven normal Grunts, one Grunt ultra, and three Skirmisher minors with needlers to move in and attack. The three Skirmisher minors run into the basement underneath you, but the Grunts and the lookout stay outside. Kill the Skirmisher major and the Grunts through the window with your magnum while using the wall next to the windows as cover. Next, move down the stairs into the basement to finish off the Skirmishers. As soon as you exit the building, two banshees will attack Jun's falcon, but they do not pose a threat to you. Swap your assault rifle for one of the Grunt's plasma pistols before leaving.

Move forward into the farm and out the gates, where you will find a Grunt minor and a Grunt ultra whom you should kill with magnum headshots. Once you reach the bridge, a phantom will drop six normal Grunts, one Grunt ultra, and three Skirmisher majors in the rocks on the other side of the bridge. Wait for the phantom to leave, then cross the bridge and use one of the large rocks as cover. Kill all of the enemies with magnum headshots, moving up to new rocks as cover if necessary.

Once you kill these enemies and cross the river, you will find four Grunts, and Elite major, three Elite ultras, and an Elite general with a concussion rifle. First kill the Grunts with your magnum by using the large rock in front of the tree as cover. Then, move backwards and into the building to your left. This building will provide you good cover from the Elites. While most of the Elites are focusing on the other Spartans, walk out of the building and remove one of the Elite's shields with an overcharged plasma pistol shot. Quickly kill them with a magnum headshot before their allies injure you, then immediately step back into the building to avoid enemy fire. Repeat this tactic to kill all of the Elites, including the general. After killing the last Elite, grab a fresh plasma pistol from one of the Grunts bodies, move forward towards the small cliff to your left, and jump down to enter the next rally point.

Part 2: Rebels don't leave plasma burns
At the bottom of the cliff, you will find a truck and health kit. Restock on health if necessary. If you enter the truck, carter will ride in the passenger's seat and Jorge will ride on the back. Because Jorge carries a turret, this provides the truck with the equivalent firepower of a standard warthog. However, there is an achievement for completing this level without entering any vehicles, so utilize sprint instead if you do not have this achievement yet.

Partway down the path, you will find two Skirmisher majors, one with a needle rifle. Whether you are in a truck or on foot, kill these Skirmishers and swap your magnum for the needle rifle. The path will then take you across a small bridge to a fork in the road. The right path will lead you into a small settlement filled with covenant. However, clearing this settlement is not part of your objective, so I suggest taking the left path to bypass it.

If you take the right path: You will almost immediately come to a courtyard surrounded by buildings where you will find four Grunts and an Elite minor. Move into the building too your left and kill the Grunts, then the Elite. Exit through the large garage door in the middle of the building. If you have the truck, you can drive right by this fight without killing the enemies. Inside the buildings, you will find an assault rifle, a 16 ammo magnum, a grenade, and two health kits.

Both of the paths combine at a large open area with a covenant antenna off to the left. If you came here quickly, you will find two Skirmishers, one with a needle rifle. Kill them both and add the needle rifle ammo to your needle rifle. Continue down the path, where you will come to a river. Depending on how quickly you got here, you will find a variety of enemies. There are usually at least five Grunts in the river, but there can also be more Grunts, Skirmishers, and even a spirit. Use the rocks on your side of the river as cover to kill all of the light infantry you can see with needle rifle headshots. Cross the river to the buildings on the other side. Here you will find three or four more Grunts and an Elite major. Kill the Grunts first, then the Elite, which triggers a distress signal from Corporal Travis. He and a group of marines are attempting to defend themselves from covenant in another settlement, so Carter instructs you to rescue them.

Exit the settlement you are currently in and take the left path up the hill. Take the second right into the building with the marines. On the lower story of the left building, there is a 30 ammo DMR in the center of the garage, marked with the ordinance symbol. Swap your needle rifle for the DMR and move outside the garage. If you did not kill the two Skirmishers at the crossroads earlier, you will find them here outside of the garage. Kill them if you see the, then take cover behind the stack of four barrels. A spirit will arrive to drop seven Grunts. Kill them with your DMR from your cover.

As soon as you kill these Grunts, run forward and then turn left onto the dirt path. Move behind the hill with the tree on top for cover. To use this hill as cover, hug the cliff wall to your right and walk to the top of the hill to shoot the enemies while they are focused on Jorge and the other marines. If you become hurt or see a threat heading towards you, walk back down the hill, where you will be safe from enemy fire. About twenty seconds after you kill the last Grunts from the previous drop ship, another spirit will drop seven more Grunts and an Elite major. Pick off the Grunts from your position with your DMR, and wait for the Elite to come to you. If it starts moving towards you, back down the cliff while charging your plasma pistol. Therefore, you can remove its shields and kill it as soon as it walks over the crest of the hill. Soon after the first spirit leaves, another drop ship will deliver four Grunt majors, three Grunt ultras, and an Elite ultra with a needle rifle. Use the strategy described above kill them.

After you have completely cleared the area, the UNSC pilot can safely land his falcon. Get into the falcon so the pilot can transport you, Carter, and Jorge to the relay outpost. You will land in the courtyard of outpost. Noble team is trying to enter the facility, but the door has been locked by the covenant inside. Kat is currently cutting through the door, and you must survive while she does this. When you first land, you will find Emile engaging four Grunts and five Jackals. Kill them all with DMR headshots while using any of the larger items in the courtyard as cover, then swap your plasma pistol for a fresh one from the dead Grunts or Jackals. Restock on DMR ammo and health from the case inside the room in which Kat is cutting open the door.

The covenant will now send many drop ships in order to stop Noble Team from entering the facility. The other Spartans will move into the room to protect Kat, but you should move to the area off to the left. From this position, you can pick off the Grunts, Skirmishers, and Jackals that will arrive with your DMR while taking cover behind the large storage block to your left. Wait for any Elites to come to you, and hide behind the storage block when the start charging. Remove their shields with your plasma pistol once they come around the block and follow through with a headshot before they injure you.

A spirit will soon arrive to deploy the first wave of enemies, consisting of seven Grunt majors and an Elite major. Peek around the storage box to pick off the Grunts as soon as possible. The Elite usually attacks the rest of Nobel team, so only engage him if he approaches your position. As soon as the first spirit leaves, the second will arrive, dropping seven Grunt majors, four Jackals, three Skirmisher majors with needle rifles, and an Elite major. Continue to pick off all of the light infantry from this position. You do not need to watch your back because the covenant infantry are not intelligent enough to sneak behind you. The second spirit will continue to stay and provide air support, so step back behind the storage block when you see concussion projectiles flying towards you.

After a little while, the third and final spirit will deploy four Grunt majors, four Jackals, three Skirmishers, three Elite spec ops, and an Elite general with an energy sword. At this time, two banshees will also arrive, but they will not attack you if you stay in your position. Kat will finish opening the door soon after this spirit leaves, so you will not need to fight this entire group of enemies. Sprint into the safety of the room to join the rest of noble team once Carter instructs you to. Shoot any enemies that try to enter through the door, though the constant stream of bullets from Emile and Jorge usually keep back the covenant forces.

Kat will soon close the first door and open the second, allowing you to travel inside the relay station. Here you will find a health kit, but you will soon gain full health anyways. You will come to a dead civilian face down on the floor, which will trigger a cut scene in which Noble Team is attacked by two Elite Zealots and an Elite Field Marshall. One of these Elites takes a civilian as a hostage, the Field Marshall escapes, and Carter sends you to peruse the Zealots, ending this rally point of Winter Contingency.

Part 3: Skeleton crew
At the end of the cut scene, your loadout is automatically reset. Therefore, you will always begin this rally point with full health, sprint, two grenades, a 27 ammo magnum, and a 288 ammo assault rifle. Directly to your right of where you start is a DMR crate. Swap your magnum for a DMR and turn on your night vision by pressing left on the D-pad.

In front of you is a hallway with three Grunts and three Jackals. In addition, an Elite Zealot with a concussion rifle will stand at the end of the hallway and shoot a few shots at you before retreating. Jorge will slowly walk up the center of the hallway, constantly firing at the Grunts and Jackals. To the left of Jorge is a raised hallway that will provide you better cover than moving up with Jorge. Walk part of the way down this hallway and kill all of the Grunts and Jackals with your DMR, but allow the Elite Zealot to retreat.

Move the rest of the way up the hallway, and you will see a second hallway filled with four Grunts and two Jackals to your right. Kill them all with your DMR, using the last bit of wall from the hallway you are in as cover. After killing most of them, four more Grunts will spawn around the corner. Wait for them to come to you so you can kill them from the same cover. Swap your assault rifle for one of their plasma pistols.

Follow the hallway onto a platform overlooking the computer database. Inside the computer database, there are four Grunt majors and the two Elite Zealots seen in the cut scene, one with an energy sword and one with a concussion rifle. Move down the hallway to the right and try to spot the energy sword Zealot as soon as possible. Once you have spotted him, begin DMR sniping the Grunts while using the wall as cover, but keep a close eye on the Elite Zealot. As soon as it begins to charge, switch to your plasma pistol and begin charging it. Simultaneously begin backing down the hallway, and once you lock-on to the Zealot, stun him with your plasma pistol. This will temporarily cause him to stop charging, providing you the time required to switch to your DMR and kill him with a headshot.

DMR snipe the remaining Grunts, then swap to your plasma pistol. The last Zealot will be in the computer terminal attempting to hack it, but will come out to kill you once you come near. Begin charging your plasma pistol as you approach the room and stun the Zealot just as it comes out of the door, then finish him with a headshot. Carter will order you to reset the computer, so walk over to the green square and hold x. This will trigger a cut scene, concluding the mission Winter Contingency.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Practical Advice When Improving Your Skyrim Skills

From the beginning you should try to raise your Skyrim skills in short steady bursts and level up naturally. You should not try and attempt to cheat or exploit easy to get skills such as making iron daggers at the Blacksmith to increase your Smithing quickly. Just because its easy and very tempting to level up quickly, doesn't necessarily mean you should.

The fact is rapidly increasing skills and levelling up in Skyrim too quickly has a negative effect overall in your Skyrim game-play. Imagine meeting level 20 beasts with rubbish leather armour and a sword with minimum hits points, you will constantly lose and be reloading from a previously saved game which isn't a practical idea.

Levelling in the Skyrim game does not have an upper limit for example level 50, so you can continue upping levels as long as you are increasing Skyrim skills. Gaining those higher levels however gets increasingly difficult as your Skyrim skill levels increase and the amount of experience points to level up gets higher.

If you were to raise all your Skyrim skills to their maximum levels of 100, you would be a relatively invincible adventurer at level 81. You will also notice each time you level up you have the ability to choose one perk from each of the different Skyrim skill attributes. As there are well over 200 skill perks, you should not waste your time trying to obtain every one and should instead concentrate on selecting perks which are valuable to your own individual game-play.

Skill Books Can Help In Raising Skyrim Skills

There are a large collection of Skyrim skill books spread across the Skyrim landscape to buy, find, win or steal. You should try to save all these skill books until the higher levels of the game, when either the cost of gold for training increases or the amount of experience points to level increases.

This sound advice cannot always be followed since you read books you pick up automatically, without necessarily knowing the book contains a vital Skyrim skill. There is no real need to worry on this though, due to the fact that most skill books are obtained from merchants often with a high price tag and any books found and read with skills do aid in raising levels.

Paying Gold For Training Increases Skyrim Skills

Another good tip for levelling especially when you're near to gaining the next level, is to pay gold and use the various trainers around Skyrim for training. You will find three levels of trainers to aid in rising a particular Skyrim skill, these are journeyman, expert and master which correspond to training dependent on current level in that skill.

If you find yourself short of gold coins then it is best to try and locate a trainer and train skills that you have not used as much. This does save quite a bit in gold coins but does have its limits when applying the method in higher levels, due to lower skills not contributing as much experience points towards levelling.

Improve Skyrim Skills checklist for lower levels:

Do you have skill books you haven't read?

Are there flowers, plants, or other ingredients you haven't sampled?

Do you have a lot of ingredients that you can mix into potions?

Do you have ore or ingots than can be used in smithing weapons or armour?

Friday, March 15, 2013

Do Any Games Come With the New Wii U Games System?

The new Wii U games system is released a full six years after the original Wii hit the market, but many say it was worth the wait. There are two different versions of the Wii U. The basic set comes in white and features 8 GB of internal memory for storage. It will be available for $249.99. The deluxe set comes in black and features 32 GB of internal memory for storage and will sell for $349.99. The basic set does not come with any games but the deluxe set does include a copy of Nintendo Land.

The basic set will include the following:

  • 8 GB internal memory for storage
  • Wii U Console in White
  • Wii U GamePad in White
  • Wii U AC Adapter
  • Wii U GamePad AC Adapter
  • High Speed HDMI Cable
  • Sensor Bar

The deluxe set will include:

  • 32 GB internal memory for storage
  • Wii U Console in Black
  • Wii U GamePad in Black
  • Wii U AC Adapter
  • Wii U GamePad AC Adapter
  • High Speed HDMI Cable
  • Sensor Bar
  • Wii U GamePad Cradle
  • Wii U GamePad Stand
  • Wii U Console Stand
  • A copy of Nintendo Land

What is Nintendo Land all about? Nintendo Land is a game that is set in a theme park/carnival type atmosphere and will allow gamers to play 12 different mini games that are based on some of the most popular games that Nintendo has released over the years Mario, Luigi, Metroid, Pikmin, F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, and more. Many of the mini games in Nintendo Land support up to five players by utilizing 4 Wii remotes, the Nunchucks, and the game pad.

Playing these mini games will effectively demonstrate the functionality of the Wii U system, remote, and accessories and will also introduce people who have not played Nintendo games to some of the more popular game franchises Nintendo has in its collection. Nintendo Land can also be purchased separately.

For people who are familiar with Nintendo games and people who have the original Wii system, both versions of the Wii U game system will be compatible with all of your original Wii games. Both the basic set and the deluxe version will also be compatible with most of the accessories for the original Wii console.

Third party support has also been strong for the introduction of the new Wii U and many of your favorites and a few new ones will be part of the Wii U games arsenal.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Accelerate Your Way Through Online Car Games

Screeching tyres, breakneck speed, honking of horns, crisscrossing across the roads in a bid to win the race; all this seems to be as real as if you were actually driving the car. Yet it is only an online car game that you are playing. These car games online are not only addictive they give the player a rush of adrenaline which he rarely gets to experience in real life.

Car games available online have a lot of challenges incorporated in them and are hence able to hold the attention of the player from starting to the end. These challenges not only stimulate the mind of the player, they also increase alertness of mind and enable them to take quick decisions in real life. The basic concept of these games is to overcome all obstacles and challenges faced by the player on his way towards the ultimate goal of winning the game by defeating all other opponents.

Games online reward winners by displaying their names among the toppers of the games. This acts as an incentive for the players who keep playing these games constantly in an effort to improve their ranking and see their names among the top 10 players or achievers. This achievement gives rise to a triumphant feeling which stays with the player for days on end.

In fact the biggest advantage of these online car games is that the player has no need to either have a license or a vehicle nor does he have to be 18 years old. The only requirement is an internet connection and a computer and you can simply zoom your way through a selection of racing cars, bikes, bicycles, 18 wheelers, trucks and many more such vehicles. This appeals to young and old alike thereby creating a fan following across all ages for these games.

The fact that all these games have to be played online and there is no need to download the same onto your personal computer or laptop, enables you to play them with a clear conscience since it not only alleviates the threat of a virus attack on your system, it also does not block space in your hard disk. With numerous games of different kinds available as well as with new games being added online occasionally, you will never be bored playing the same game. The thrill of discovering new games that have been recently added and the need to master it quickly will invariable guide you towards your computer for a session of incredible thrills, passionate driving and mind boggling challenges which will keep you occupied for a long time to come.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Advantages Of Free-To-Play Strategy Games

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) have taken over the internet. From the wild terrain, to the open seas, to outer space, players will satisfy their craving for conquest and adventure through strategy games.

These types of games offer players a platform to experience challenging, in-depth, user-friendly games with long-term playability. Some free-to-play strategy games requires download while others require no download and allow the gamer to play in the convenience of their browser. This interaction has allowed players to connect with other gamers around the globe.

There are many advantages of playing free-to-play strategy games. What could be more appealing than the strategy games being free-to-use and offering the same advantages as store bought games? Nothing comes to mind!

Check out the different types of strategy games below:

Music, Rhythm, and Dance: These games involve music, rhythm, and dance for the musical art lovers.

First-person shooter: Emphasizing tactic skills, first-person shooter games typical consist of team-based combat in a persistent world. The player's tactic skills will enhance the gamer in combat.

Real-time: Gamers conquer lands and sky as leaders in historical, fantasy, or sci-fi themed worlds. The worlds continue to develop in a persistent world setting.

Turn-based: Players take turns making plays to reach a battle resolution. The clock is ticking as the gamers race to conquer over other players.
Bulletin board role-playing strategy games: These games include a large amount of text, descriptions, and occasionally images.

Simulations: These games are geared towards making the player's experience resemble real life. Whether it's behind the wheel of a battle tank during war or in a spaceship as it prepares for takeoff, the player feels enthralled.

Social: Hence the name "social strategy games", the games main focus is socialization. Gamers are able to connect from around the globe and connect on a social level via the gaming platform. These games typically resemble real life scenarios.

Casual: These games are appealing to a wide range of players due to their lack of time commitment and ease of use. These games are usual include table-game elements.

Example of games:

Travian is one of the first free online browser games that appeared on the internet. It offers a fun to play environment set in Roman times. It includes city building, controlling economics, map based war fare and team based play.

DarkAgeWars is one of the newer games to play online. It is set in medieval Europe where kings can build mighty kingdoms and wage war with their enemy. You can build your city, build your economy and secure a mighty empire.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Hidden Object Games - Why Hidden Is So Interesting?

We, human beings can't help but love looking for hidden objects and uncovering their secrets. Searching for hidden things is deeply etched within our DNA, from the ancient times when our ancestors had to travel great distances in search for food in order to survive. We all also probably remember at least one story from our childhood involving the hunt for a buried treasure full of gold, many of us secretly hoping that it would turn up in our garden if we just dug deep enough.

Well, thanks to hidden object games you can now experience the great feeling of treasure hunting without getting your hands dirty! So what are hidden object games? As their name suggests, these games challenge the player to find a small object on a static image which is usually cluttered with all sorts of other items to make the quest harder. In most cases, there is a time limit so the player has to race against the clock, making the challenge even harder. The items are usually hidden in various mystical and intriguing places, which are sure to arouse the curiosity of the player. The typical settings include; haunted houses, castles, ancient Egyptian sites but also peaceful natural locations such as jungles and forests.

These games are suitable for players of all ages and are guaranteed to entertain everyone, especially the adventurous types. However, besides being great fun, hidden object games are actually very beneficial for developing and improving real-life skills. These include valuable skills such as logic and concentration. By playing the time-limited version of the game which requires a great deal of concentration and agility while staying calm, the player can also learn to improve his performance under stressful conditions.

Worth mentioning are also other variations of the hidden object games. These include for example the "hidden alphabet" or "hidden numbers" games, where the goal is to find random letters or numbers scattered on the picture. This variation of the game might be particularly useful for children in pre-school age, who are just learning to recognize individual numbers and letters. Another very popular variation is the "find-the-difference" game, where the player is presented with two pictures and has to find several small differences between them. The game can be played in two ways. The easier way is to look at both pictures side-by-side and identify the differences. The second, harder variation of this game involves seeing the original picture for a limited amount of time, after which it disappears and is replaced by the altered version. The player is then asked to point out what changed compared to the original picture. This can be very tricky but it's a fantastic way to improve your visual memory skills.

In conclusion, hidden object games are a great form of entertainment which satisfies our inner desire to search for hidden things. Although the reward might not be a trunk full of gold, the satisfaction and skills that you gain by playing these games are well worth it!

Friday, February 22, 2013

FIFA 13 Ultimate Team Formations

The Importance Of Understanding ALL FIFA Formations

A basic knowledge of all formations and their strength's and weaknesses should be the foundation of how we proceed through the team building process. We cannot depend on having only expertise in the formations we use and are good at it.

Reasons that we must become astute in every FUT formations are:

  1. Its much easier to gameplan against your opponents when you know the theories involved with THEIR formations.
  2. Knowing the strengths of different formations allows you to adapt and change strategies to fit changes on your teams roster, if need be.
  3. This will give you real flexibility when building your FIFA 13 Teams.
  4. You will ultimately become a much better trader at the Market Place.
  5. Knowledge of ALL formations will undoubtedly increase your understanding of EACH and EVERY formation by itself.
  6. The more you know about the game the more you will appreciate it.

Complete List Of FIFA Ultimate Team Formations

5-2-2-1

This formation, as is any formation with 4 or more in the backfield, is a strong defensive formation. Very useful for quick forwards and teams that utilize counter-attacks often.

5-2-1-2

Of all the '5' formations, this one is used least. Another formation that requires a better than average center forward - mostly because the majority of play is going to come through the middle. Basically your center forward is backed by 2 CM's, while he supports the 2 strikers. When using this formation, build your team with counter attacking in mind.

5-3-2

This is a favorite among many players. As it is a defensive formation that allows for a lot of attack opportunities. You will need talented wing-backs that can quickly make space and create instant opportunities for the midfielders to advance the ball through the middle. This should also create nice options as there are 3 midfielders that can distribute to the strikers from almost any part of the field.

3-4-1-2

A well rounded formation -the3-4-1-2 hinges on your center forward. Spare very little to find yourself a dominate player at this position, as he will be your main set-up man for the strikers. What you will lack in defense you will make up for when advancing the ball up field.

3-4-2-1

Here we have just 1 striker - supported by the left and right forwards. The forwards must be able to create wider shape on the offensive side of the field, making room for solid scoring opportunities for the lone striker. You must have above average center backs to prevent your opponents from creating too much space around YOUR corner flags.

3-4-3

Designed for players that find success in crossing the ball from side to side, looking for opportunities near the opponents flags. Keep solid players in your backfield - with only 3 defenders, they must be able to handle many tough situations.

3-5-2

2 CDM's will help create better support for your defense, which will be much needed with this slightly altered midfield scenario. In this formation, the CAM, who plays forward in the midfield, should be an outstanding ball handler. He will likely carry much of the workload. Your 2 midfielders will also double as wingbacks, meaning that they will have to be young and in outstanding physical condition.

4-1-2-1-2

With a diamond shaped midfield, this is a more balanced formation widely used by many players. This standard formation has many players that like to use it -therefor player cards will ultimately cost you more. Keep this in mind when building your team and when heading to the player marketplace.

4-2-3-1

Used for ball possession near your opponents box - there are no midfielder or wingers. Instead, you will use CAM's on either side of the field, providing balance and flexibility for moving up and down the field. And because there will be only 1 striker - you must pay for a top-notch player. When he gets an opportunity, he must be able to make the most of it.

4-2-2-2

Similar to the 4-2-3-1, this formation uses two strikers and no center forward in the hole. With it, you will use two defensive midfielders and two ATTACKING midfielders. This is more suited to leagues with an abundance of CDM's and CAM's on opposing teams.

4-3-1-2

This formation is about ball advancement through the center of the field. You will use 3 midfielders and 2 forward's - and the center forward who will be the 'go-to' guy for advancing the ball between the 2 set's of position's. Use this formation is you are more comfortable moving the ball in a straight line up the field instead of side to side.

4-3-2-1

Using forwards to assist a single striker, the 4-3-2-1 formation is built for putting pressure on your opponents. This is the formation that high level FIFA Ultimate Team players prefer - and should be used only after gaining experience with straight up the middle gameplay.

4-3-3

Known for it's abnormal style, the 4-3-3 take's a lot of getting used to. The timing and ball movement can also hinder your opponent's if you get a good handle on your player's and there spacing. With 3 CM's that must be excellent ball handler's, you must make sure that all 3 are above average at their position's. They will be the glue that hold this formation together - as they will have to be able to buy time for setting up center midfielder's.

4-4-1-1

There is one difference in this formation set-up compared to the 4-3-3, and that is that one of the striker's will move into the hole. This is so that the center forward can hold the ball and create even better opportunities for the lone striker. Used by the best team's in the World, you must be able to pass the ball efficiently to make this work.

4-4-2

If you are just starting out on the FUT game's, this would be a great way to become accustomed to playing. It's very safe and offer's the type of balanced needed as not to find yourself in a lot of tough situation's. Great for building a good, all-around team.

4-5-1

This formation uses 5 player's in the midfield area. A possession based scheme, mainly for controlling the ball in and around the center of the field. With 1 striker and 2 CAM's to support him, the striker will be better suited as someone who can breakdown defense's with his skill's. Because of the number of players bunched up at the center of the field, you must wait for the right opportunities before trying to advance the ball.

Putting Your Formations To Work

Once you have given the different formation's a look, go ahead and practice trying each one out. Get a feel for what is needed to utilize them to their full potential. Try to create a correlation between what you have read and what is happening during games.

This is a great way to become more confident on the field - and off the field when trading player's and building team's.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Most Popular Genres of Video Games

Video games have been increasing in their mass popularity with the coming of every new generation. The international gaming industry is surely keeping pace with this market demand by developing more genres which are surpassing their predecessors by a long shot. Today, we can find the widest genre and type of video games in the market and this industry has become so dynamic and technologically advanced that gamers have never had such a great choice of quality products to choose from up till now!

As every person has his or her own favorite list of video games, it is all the more important to choose the most suitable and enjoyable type for the perfect gaming experience. So here is a brief introduction on the various types of today's most popular video games that have been sorted out into different genres on the basics of their game-play and interactive features:

FPS - FPS which stands for First Person Shooter, is mainly based around the player and is played through his perspective alone. FPS games usually involve various types of firearms and projectile weapons but there are off beat games as well including samurai and other combat styles which make the use of knives and swords. The concentration level required for this genre is moderate which is why FPS games are popular among both experienced as well as amateur gamers.

Role Playing - RPG's or Role Playing Games have developed into one of the most popular genres in today's gaming industry. These games basically require players to virtually get into a role playing mode which is backed up by an interesting story board with various quests and levels to achieve throughout the whole game. The Final Fantasy Series of RPGs is one such popular example which is extremely popular among gamers from all across the globe.

Real Time Strategy - If you love a mentally challenging game, then you are sure to get hooked onto RTS games if you are not already a fan! Real Time Strategy games challenge the reasoning and logical aptitude of players and offer a great variety of options to choose from including one of the top RTS games of today's times, the Star Craft II which is a gripping war battle based in the 26th Century.

MMOG's - Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) are the rage with today's internet savvy generation and works on the basis of multiplayer online interaction. MMOG's can be based on First Person Shooter games, Role Playing Games or Real Time Strategy games to name a few but involve a group of players who are online at the same time. Nowadays the best quality MMOGs are the ones that are available in 3D mode which makes them a really exhilarating and real life experience for gamers.

Apart from the four popular genres that have been mentioned above, video games are also available under the labels of action, adventure and racing genres. A great way to explore the exciting world of gaming is to work through the various types of genres so that you are well aware of the latest and the most technologically advanced video games that are being released regularly and we assure you that you are sure to find your own personal favorites amongst them!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Best Basketball Game Ever

My love and passion for basketball cannot be described with one word. What a great sport! Only the fittest athletes can compete at the highest levels. Fortunately, 2k13 allows me to express my love for basketball beyond my physical limitations. The 2k Franchise has been the best selling basketball game in recent years. No other game on the market compares. There are some so many things that make it different from any game out there.

This game has official licensing which sets it apart. Players are designed with the latest uniforms and shoes. Imagine playing with your favorite player wearing the latest pair of Nike. Everything is realistic about this game. The interactive features allow the user to change everything from the players shoes to the tape that is used to support an injury. The players actually develop sweat that you can easily see as the game progresses. Be cautious not to overly use any player because they will tire. If you are not cautious the player can get injured.

The flow of the game is fantastic. Running a fast break can lead to some of the most exciting alley-oops. 2k13 does not give you the arcade experience that you may see in other video games. The player movement is natural and fluid. The fans in the seats actually look realistic and react to what is going in the game. The graphics for this game are amazing. They are such high quality that you can see reflections off the court. The resolution is so high that you can even see if a player has skin issues.

The online features are what make this game different from any other game out there. As long as you have service the game provides real time information. Everything from the latest schedules to injuries is updated via the net. The announcers even give current scores of real games that took place that day. The attributes will adjust to the real life performance of the players. So if your favorite player is going through a shooting slump, the game will adjust accordingly. The best feature is the ability to compete online. You can challenge anyone in the world with an internet connection.

This game has become so popular that their biggest competitor has not released a game in three seasons. At one point I swore my loyalty the competition, but once I played 2k I never looked back. If you are looking for the most realistic game for sale, give this one a try.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Top 10 Wii U Games

The Nintendo Wii U has recently been released and I have previewed all the Wii u games and here are the top 10 Wii U games I would recommend, in alphabetical order.

Assassin's Creed III, this is set against the backdrop of the American Revolution in the late 18th century, Assassin's Creed III introduces a new hero, Ratohnhaké:ton, of Native American and English heritage. Adopting the name Connor, he becomes the new voice for justice in the ancient war between the Assassins and Templars.

Batman- Arkham City: you get to search the city of Gotham with some of the most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze and others, with this game you genuinely experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight delivering justice on the streets of Gotham City.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies features three different ways to survive the zombie apocalypse. Set in the year 2025 the weapons and cities are futuristic. This is game is for Mature players only, the Wii U have a large selection of shooting games, but this is the one most of you have been waiting for.

Injustice Gods Among Us looks to be so much fun, you get to play your superhero, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Nightwing, Cyborg and others. Set in a world where the lines between good and evil; you will experience heroes and villains engaging in lots of different battles on a very large scale.

Nintendo have so many good dance games so I am sure the Just Dance 4 has the best music with over 40 tracks from a variety of top artists, popular genres and hot billboard songs like "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida, and "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera. Also features legendary artists such as Barry White and The B-52's to get the whole family up and moving.

Mario Bros. U is the symbol of Nintendo gaming and Mario, Luigi, Toads, Yoshi, Mills, Browser, Browser Jr, Koopalings and Boom-Boom explore the Mushroom Kingdom. Then coming up later in 2013 is Super Mario -Galaxy Tam Project.

Nintendo Land is a very special place for your kids to play and have fun; there are 12 very popular theme parks for them to play in Mario Chase, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Pikmin Adventure, Ninja Castle, Balloon Trip Breeze just to name some of the more popular ones.

Then we have Pikmin 3, this is awesome on the Wii U HD console, you become a colorful Pikmin ant and take on the world from a whole new prospectus. You can be a red, yellow, blue, pink Pikmin or the latest to join the forces is Rock Pikmin which has some new features.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 is the best Wii U fitness games with 125 different workouts and 215 moves, giving you a massive array of activities to choose from. Best of all, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 can create a personalized fitness program lasting up to four weeks tailored to your current fitness level and preferences.

Finally the 10th game to make it into the top 10 is Zombi U, anyone that enjoys a good action game this is pretty cool on the Wii U, featured in London the disease ridden city has been taken over by Zombie and it is your job to get rid of the Zombies and return London back to its normal existence.

That is my highly recommend Wii U games, but make sure you check out all the reviews and videos of the Top 10 Wii U Games

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Top Reasons Why Real-Life Simulation Games Have Become Popular

Do you also play online games? A lot of people are so into them these days. As the internet becomes more advanced, so do the kinds of online games you can play. Some of them can be quite difficult, especially if you're not experienced. Take the case of massively multi-player online role-playing games. However, there are also those with really simple platforms. Perhaps the easiest ones to play are those that simulate real-life activities, like building a house, running a restaurant, or taking care of a pet. These kinds of games have been incorporated into social networking sites, too.

So what is the appeal of these types of online games? Basically, there are three major reasons why more people prefer them to highly technical ones that depend much on skill. First of all, you don't even need skill to play them. You simply have to have a stable internet connection in order to run the scripts on each page. Then, you just have to set up an account and username to start playing. Usually, you will be made to choose your character or pet and customize it. This is one of the features that people love because they can make their character or pets really unique.

Second, you get to let your imagination work with these kinds of games. For example, if you play one wherein you have to take care of a pet, you will definitely enjoy the various activities. You will get to dress your pet up, build its house and decorate the same, go shopping, and so much more. You can also let your pet visit interesting places on that virtual world and discover new items and abilities. All these you can accomplish with the click of your mouse button. There's no need for a controller like the ones in gaming consoles.

Third, you can get actual items from these games! Once you have accumulated a certain number of points when buying stuff in the game, you can exchange these for actual items. Most of these kinds of online games have great sponsors and they give away awesome freebies. If you play a pet game, for example, you can exchange your points for real food coupons or vouchers. You can even get customized keychains, shirts, plushies, and so much more. It's no wonder more and more people have become really addicted to these fun hobbies. Last but not the least, it's a very wholesome pastime you and your family can enjoy!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Online Rummy Versus Physical Rummy - Is It Different?

Those of you who have played Indian rummy will agree that the game holds your interest more than you expected initially. Most people when they start playing rummy expect the game to arouse marginal interest, but find themselves unexpectedly and continuously enthralled by the game. Now the game has donned an Internet attire making it very convenient. The game is pretty simple to play and lends itself easily to being converted onto an online game.

Again the remarkable thing about online rummy games is that you may not expect to find the game as much fun as the physical game, but you will find that good sites can really produce a lifelike simulation of the game online making it equally appealing. The sounds and sights of rummy that holds us captive continue to captivate us in the online version.

In spite of the similarities between the online game of rummy versus the physical game, there are some differences that you may have to consider. Given here are few differences between the online rummy game and the physical game:

A bigger choice of players: One of the main points that you have to consider while playing your favorite 13 cards rummy game online is that you have much wider and more varied choice of players to play with. In the physical version you are likely to be playing with the same set of players making the game predictable.

More variants: Online rummy definitely offers you much more in terms of variety You can enjoy innovative and intriguing formats of rummy at the touch of a key, with a wider audience.

Better control and regulation: Since the onus of shuffling cards, dealing and picking of joker is on the hosting site, most sites ensure the most ethical and safest of procedures. This results in better control and regulation.

Diverse rewards: The game of rummy has move online making the sites compete with each other and come up with great and varied rewards for the participants. The competition always results in better rewards for the end players.

Lesser hassles: The game online is leaves you with lesser hassles of organizing the game and all other aspects that go with it. This means all you need to do is click on a button to login and get started.

Both the physical and online versions of rummy have their own pros and cons. One cannot say that one is better than the other. However given the times today, our lifestyles and our focus on the Internet, online rummy is a more viable and fun option.

The best part of online rummy games is the fact that anybody can play and they can play the game whenever they want. The game offers an amazing array of offers that let you play the game free and still win cash. You can start playing cash rummy games with the most minimum of amounts making it viable. The rewards are huge and keep on varying according to the changing seasons and festivities.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Free Girl Games Found Online

There are some people that are surprised that girls like to play games too. There are millions of girls that like to play games online because it's something that is readily available to them. As they look through the free girl games that are available, many find the games that appeal to them. These are the games they play the most.

As girls go online to find a game, they are often surprised to find there are thousands of free girl games available for them to play. As more girls began to play games online, game developers saw the trend. Instead of ignoring it, they decided to develop games based on what girls liked to do. The games that resulted are filled with things that girls like to do on an everyday basis.

Some girls like to shop. They enjoy picking different clothes and other accessories. They are thrilled to find there is a multitude of free games online that will allow them to shop for their avatar. As they shop, they can put the clothing on those avatars and attend different events. There are even games that allow the player to design clothing of their own for their avatar.

When girls are focused on multitasking, they are surprised at the adventures they can have online. There are many different free girl games that allow them to multitask. There are some games that will force the gamer to quickly serve people in a restaurant or help customers in another way. The better their skills, the faster the game goes.

When girls play the games online, they don't realize they are building different skill sets. They don't understand that what they are doing online will help them get through life with more ease. As they focus on multitasking, they are able to do it better in reality than those that don't use that skill in a game. As they continue to play their different games, their skills continue to build.

Some people are surprised to find that playing games helps to increase a crucial life skill. As these girls play their favorite game, they are building their hand eye coordination. This is a skill that builds when they are focusing on their screen and moving their hands to respond to the stimuli they see. The girls that don't have much hand eye coordination find they are able to improve their skills with their favorite free girl games and they don't realize they are building those skills.

There are some parents that don't like the thought of their daughters spending so much time playing on their computers. Many of these parents begin to investigate the free girl games they are playing. As they discover the games, they don't worry about them playing online. They see these games are focused on things that are age appropriate and building skills their daughters will need as they go through life.

When girls begin to see there are games available for them, they start to actively look for those games online. When they begin to see the variety of free girl games online, they are happy to explore their different interests. The variety of games that are available is large enough to have something for every interest. Parents are more indulgent when it comes to their girls playing these games because they see the benefits.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Halo 4 Tips - The DMR VS The BR

The two main mid and long range weapons in Halo 4 are the Designated Marksman Rifle and the Battle Rifle.

One of these weapons was obviously favored by 343 industries in making the game. We ran a series of tests on each weapon to determine which was better.

The old favorite the Battle Rifle was first introduced in Halo 2. The BR quickly became a favorite of Halo players across the world. The gun provided effective firepower at short, medium and long range when in the hands of a skilled user. This single gun arguably propelled the Halo franchise to heights never seen by another game.

The BR made its return in Halo 3 and was equally popular. Major League Gaming had the gun as the default weapon in all of their tournaments. This made the BR the most important video game gun for the competitive gamer ever.

The DMR first came out in Halo Reach. The gun was not widely accepted by Halo players who still favored the BR to a large degree. The BR was taken out of Halo and replaced by the DMR in Halo Reach.

The newest game Halo 4 offers both the DMR and the BR in online gaming. This means you can now choose which gun you prefer.

This article is here to help you make that choice and draw some comparisons. Let us start with the old favorite the Battle Rifle.

The BR fires a three round burst and takes five head shots to kill. The effect is also the same if you fire four head shots and one shot to the body. The gun has a upward bullet spread and therefore it is best to aim slightly below the head to ensure all three rounds are on target. This also ensures that at least one round will strike the head. The BR takes 1.8 seconds to fire five shots and this is it's optimal kill time. The battle rifle still has a great feel to it and is very effective at medium range.

The DMR fires a single bullet with each trigger pull and takes five shots to the head to kill. The same can also be said of firing four shots to the body and one to the head. There is almost no bullet spread even when fired at maximum speed. This means this gun is very accurate. The DMR is king at long range. For novice users the best method is firing body shots first and firing at the head for the kill shot. The gun fires five shots in 1.68 seconds and this is the quicker of the two in kill time.

In conclusion The DMR is a little harder to aim but is clearly the superior gun in firepower. For those who prefer the BR the gun is still great. The BR in the hands of a skilled user at medium range is still the most lethal gun due to ease of aiming. The DMR however is likely to become the new gold standard for Halo players.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Has Halo Changed for Better or for Worse?

As the release date of Halo 4 draws nearer, the players who anxiously await its release begin to question whether or not Halo 4 will live up to its predecessors. Halo 1, 2, and 3 were some of the highest selling games of all time, and for good reason. Halo focuses on equality. Everyone starts the game with the same weapons, movement speed, etc.

When Halo: Reach was released, Bungie decided to change these core values and see how their audience would react. The results were not well accepted. Players found the game to be too slow, and the armor abilities to be almost game-breaking in the manner they were implemented. 343 Industries has seen what its audience does not like, and are attempting to fix where Reach went wrong. For instance, the jetpack no longer keeps its players flying in the air for a very long amount of time. Now, when a player uses the jetpack, he or she can fly almost in a burst, and will fall back before really being able to "hover" like they could in Reach. Another ability was armor lock. 343 is not even going to include armor lock into Halo 4. They feel it to be too slow for Halo 4.

Their reasoning is that if someone were to armor lock, than everyone around that player has to stop and wait for him or her to pop out of it. This caused too much of a halt in the flow of the game, and was removed. Instead, the Hardlight shield has been implemented in Halo 4. The Hardlight shield is similar to armor lock, but the player using it is only protected from the front, and they can move while using it. This fixes the halting of the flow of the game, while giving players a similar opportunity to get that same armor lock feel to the game.

343 Industries insists that in Halo 4, with the introduction to customizable classes, players will not feel that one primary weapon completely dominates all the others. This was the case in Halo 1, where the magnum was the go-to weapon for any player. In Halo 2 and Halo 3, the Battle Rifle was the player's weapon of choice. In Reach, the DMR was similar in power and range that it became the instant starting weapon for the professional circuit. However, in Halo 4, players will get to choose their own primary weapon. There are many to choose from, such as the Battle Rifle, the DMR, and the Light Rifle. 343 feels that these weapons are all balanced with each other, and that the choice made by players on which weapon to choose will be purely on personal preference, and not because one is better than the other.

It will be interesting to see in the coming months if these weapons and perks are truly balanced as 343 Industries claims. Generally, it takes a few weeks before most players find that there is in fact one starting weapon that dominates over the rest, but 343 may have changed that in Halo 4.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Zip Zap Zoom Your Way Through Online Racing Games

For people who are generally high on adrenalin, nothing can be more thrilling than a successful session of a fast-paced game of racing. Bikes, cars, trucks and skis-all of these games provide a lot of speed and unique action on the tracks. Playing these racing games in 3D adds an extra dimension by giving the player a 360-degree view of the track. This allows the player to get a real life-like experience wherein he can react instinctively to situations he encounters in the same way he does in real life. It is almost as good as being there in person.

Racing games are divided into categories like dirt racing, death racing, motoracing, dirt and burn racing, bike championships, skiing competitions etc. People addicted to these games get excited the moment they see tracks and highways. Even if it is only a simulation, driving on these roads and tracks at a very high speed gives the player a sense of freedom and thrill. This feeling stays with them for a long time, even after they have logged out.

Not only are these games entertaining, they also help the players to be become more alert and teach them how to react favorably to situations in everyday life. This makes them better drivers on the roads in real life. Of all the ones currently available, car games, especially on 3D, have the most appeal. They make the player feel every bump, every curve and all the ups and downs of the road. They might even have obstacles placed on the tracks, which can cause the player to take a diversion at a very high speed.

Some of these 3D games make the player drive a vehicle at extreme speed so that he is able to go to a safe place within a specific time. Others make the driver learn to drive and park an 18-wheeler to get the license. In some, the player has to drive and control a car without brakes while other versions let the player enjoy an extremely high speed ride and tests the player's control of the vehicle.

The only way to succeed in these car games, and to move from one level to another is to successfully control the car while at the same time maintaining a speed high enough to get to the first position. It takes skill and a lot of practice, thereby giving the players reason to continue playing these games virtually non-stop.