Madden NFL 11 - Xbox 360

American Football.

Either you’re one of the cultists who stay up till ridiculous times in the morning to watch the games on Sky Sports, or, like me, you think it’s rugby for armoured sissies.

If you’re in the second group, you’d be wrong.

Yes, the players wear armour, but rather than the game playing like a cross between rugby and Gears of War, Madden NFL 11 manages to bring the high-octane action of American Football – and its strategic depth – to the Xbox 360 in true grandstanding form.

Unfortunately if you have no idea how to play American Football, expect a learning curve so steep that you’ll need an ice axe and pitons to climb it.

As the latest in a long-running series of Madden titles, the game is the official spin-off of the hugely popular sport and sponsored by the chubby broadcaster himself, no less.

The game has an in-depth career mode, which allows you to take your team of choice (I went for the Kansas City Chiefs) all the way from the start of the season to the Superbowl, when Madden himself will happily yell himself hoarse watching the action.

Plus, if you win the playoff – which will be the hardest match you play in-game – you even get to visit the White House, where a badly-rendered President Obama is waiting to have his photo taken with your coach and quarterback.
The game itself is a highly tactical experience reliant on a series of different ‘plays’ – formations that deploy your team in a certain way.

These include the ‘wildcat’ which can quickly turn into a crazed melee of limbs, and are centred around the different aspects of your team: the offensive line, running backs, the quarterback (the key player), receivers, guards and ‘ends’.

This aspect of the game is quite easy to get used to, with Madden’s patented ‘gameflow’ system bringing up a selection of plays for you, if you want it, and a simulated coach barking sage advice.

The gameplay itself is fast and furious. Each game takes about 20-30 minutes, which is of course shorter than the real thing, and this makes the player need to constantly push for possession, position and of course that much-needed touchdown.

It’s in this situation that ‘gameflow’ comes into its own, allowing you to plan your strategy quickly, pull off that perfect pass and dodge the opposition all the way to the end zone.

The controls are easy to master – good thing too, judging by the poor quality of the game’s tutorial – and the actions you can take as you hurtle up the field are made clear through simple button pushes.

The AI is also pretty astute, and will often match your offensive formation with one of its own, and just loves to intercept the ball and seize possession, forcing you to adapt your play on the fly.

It does occasionally make a play that makes no sense, but whether that’s a deliberate choice by the developers, I can’t tell.

The game features all the major teams, the latest player rosters and just about every stadium in the mainland US.

There’s an in-depth team-building mode for those of you who love to tweak your team to the nth degree, and a decent transfer market for when you just need that top player at the opposite team’s stadium.

As well as the league mode, the game also features a simple exhibition mode, which is ideal for learning how to play the game (trust me, it’s essential), a series of historical matches to try, a separate league using older player rosters and, more intriguingly, a set of ‘famous moments’ from NFL history.

This interesting little mode puts you on the crossroads of some of the biggest moments in NFL of the past few years, and offers you the chance to rewrite them. While most of the moments didn’t mean a lot to me, the game does a good job of explaining what actually happened, and it’s satisfying to outplay the opposition and listen to the commentators’ surprised debate in the aftermath.

The game also has an intensive multiplayer portion, which suffers only a little slowdown and lag from playing opponents who are mostly in the US – and undoubtedly know more about the sport than you do.

Be warned, however, that this game is one of the first I’ve seen on consoles which has a code for multiplayer access, so if you’re thinking about buying this game pre-owned, you may have to pay to play.

Graphically the game is pretty well rendered, with the usual problems one sees in sports games, especially those from EA – poorly rendered crowds in the stands, the occasional graphical bug, angular faces and joined-up fingers, but these are minor at best.

The animation on the players is well rendered and accurate, with some of the tackles looking particularly brutal when seen up close.

The action between games is a little more jerky, however, with the players looking awkward as they stand around, chumming it up with a bottle of branded energy drink.

Oh, and the less said about the blatant in-game advertising the better.

If I see one more advert for Verizon Mobile, Doritos, Old Spice or McDonalds I may have to punt the game’s case for a field goal.

The sound is far more interesting however. The game has a pretty cool score, great crowd noises and chants, commentators who don’t drive you crazy within two minutes and of course Madden himself, who brings his considerable vocal talent to the game for the big playoffs.

All in all, Madden NFL 11 is a great little simulation of the crazy world of American Football. If you’re a die-hard fan of the sport, you’re sure to love it. If you’re a Gridiron newbie, expect a game that pulls no punches but which can become an incredibly rewarding experience if you learn the ropes, fast.

Score: 8/10

Good Stuff:
All the teams, all the plays
‘Gameflow’ keeps the action racing along
Great league play, plenty of team-building

Not So Good Stuff:
Steep learning curve
Blatant in-game advertising is annoying
Multiplayer coded
Occasional bad AI

Aside from announcing all the new tech that will be released this side of Christmas, Steve Jobs brought on Mike Capps and Donald Mustard from Epic Games to demonstrate an upcoming RPG, simply known as Project Sword.

So, what was special about the Project Sword? Well, it’s the first iPod game to make use of the unreal engine and upon first glance, it’s clear that it is a milestone for Apple gaming.

Exploring a colourful and vibrant medieval world, Mustard used the opportunity to showcase the power and detail that can be achieved with the unreal engine on the iPod.

Steve Jobs also announced that Apple will be releasing Game Center. Essentially Apple’s answer to Microsofts Xbox Live, the Game Center platform will offer Apple users matchmaking capabilities, leaderboards and achievements.

Later on, Epic Citadel was released on the app store for free, giving users the opportunity to explore the detailed environment as showcased at the event.

We’ve downloaded it on the iPad and we have to say we are quite excited about it. If you haven’t downloaded Epic Citadel yet, we highly recommend that you do.

Check out the screen shots below.

Enjoy:

PS, sorry for the sound quality, we are working on it so stick with us!

Shadows of the Empire - Nintendo 64

Released back in the days before Jar Jar, before midichlorians and before Han shot first, the release of Shadows of the Empire on the Nintendo 64 represented an exciting time for Star Wars fans.

With the special editions around the corner and George Lucas announcing his intention to film the prequels, it was a time when it was exciting to like Star Wars.

The game starts off with the battle of Hoth and from there, tells the story of the events that take place between the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game explores the story of Dash Rendar, a smuggler that helps the rebels in their search for Han Solo.

Along the way, Dash has to face off against a bunch of familiar faces, including a scout walker, IG88 and everyone’s favourite bad ass bounty hunter, Boba Fett.

Looking back the game hasn’t dated too well. The graphics are foggy and the controls are as clunky as the various plot holes in the prequel trilogy.

The fact that the Nintendo 64 controller only had the one analog stick didn’t do the game any favours, this is really noticeable during the 3rd person shooter segments, especially when the camera decides to put itself in the most difficult angle possible.

The game does give you the option to change the angle, but rarely does this bring any benefit to the overall experience. In fact, most of the time, it just comes off as another chore to do.

Despite the clunky controls and the dated visuals, there is a good story in the game and it’s variety of levels is to be commended.

The final space battle, in which Dash and the rebels are taking out Xizors Skyhook is suitably epic stuff and very entertaining, however, the less said about the speeder level on Tatooine the better.

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of the Star Wars series, however, even I would find it hard to recommend digging this one out. Having said, if Lucasarts were to announce a HD makeover of Shadows of the Empire, I would lap it up, as there is clearly the potential for a great game here.

Retro verdict: 6 out of 10.

One for the fans and completists only.

A lot has changed since then.

Firstly, the obvious – this is not a Tomb Raider game, it’s a Lara Croft game. Why Square Enix have decided to drop the Tomb Raider brand for this game is a mystery, but it’s safe to say that Lara Croft’s name and reputation in the gaming world is solid enough for it to be included in a title, without the need of the words “Tomb Raider”.

Secondly, the presentation and style of the game is a first in the series – gone is the 3rd person action adventure. What has replaced it, is an isometric view that gives the game a nice retro feeling.

So what is it all about?

Well, two thousand years ago, a battle began between Totec, the Guardian of Light and Xolotl, a dark spirit. Ultimately, Totec defeats Xolotl and banishes him and himself in the Temple of Light, along with the magical Mirror of Smoke. Skip forward to modern day and Lara Croft finds the temple and Mirror. Typically, a bunch of mercenaries follow her and steal the Mirror. Xolotl and Totec wake up, Xolotl kills the mercenaries, takes the Mirror and makes a run for it. After some initial bickering, Totec and Lara team up in an effort to prevent Xolotl.

The isometric view serves the game well and despite the fact that it is completely different to anything else we’ve seen Lara in, the game still feels familiar. This is in doubt helped by the fact that Keeley Hawes has once again returned to vocal duties.

The game flows along quite nicely, mixing things up with a bit of action and then following it up with a bit puzzle solving.

Lara comes equipped with several weapons, first and foremost is a never ending supply of golden spears. Quite handy when in combat, these spears also serve Lara well when working her way around the various tombs. Lara can throw a spear into a wall and then jump on it, giving her an extra platform to navigate round.

When in combat, the spears are usually the most effective, however, Lara also has her two trusty pistols.

Another piece of kit that Lara has is the grappling hook – simply hold down the LB button and Lara will sling the grappling hook in the hope that it will grab onto something, enabling Lara to climb up a wall or sling to that pesky platform.

Aside from the single player campaign, developers Square Enix have included a co-op mode that puts a good level of emphasis on teamwork. Taking control of the character of Totec, the second player can assist Lara in a manner of different ways.

Like the single player campaign, Lara will be able to jump up on the spears that Totec has thrown into walls. Totec’s sheild also acts as a portable platform for Lara to jump up on.

Graphically, the game is quite strong. The lighting effects are nicely rendered and the cut scenes look the part too.

All in all, Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light is a superbly paced isometric action adventure. It’s asking price of 1200 may be a little steep, but the level of production is of a very high standard and definitely worth checking out.

Score: 8 out of 10

The Good:
Nicely paced action
Good co-op mode

The Bad:
a bit repetitive at times

Despite its brutal nature the gameplay was shallow, the story was weak and the visual design had all the subtlety of a brick through a chip shop window. So it’s something of a surprise that the gritty pair somehow got themselves a sequel (as well as a movie deal – how did that happen!).

It’s even more surprising that the sequel is actually reasonably good.

Set a few years after the events of Kane and Lynch: Dead Men, Dog Days sees the criminal pair reunite in Shanghai to pull off an arms deal and make enough money to finally retire – hopefully.

Before long you’re going to find yourself knee-deep in bodies, drugs, hookers and piles of dirty cash, chased by a brutal Shanghai drug lord and once again on the run from the police.

All in a day’s work for gaming’s grittiest anti-heroes.

The game is built around a sort of home video or youTube vibe, relying heavily on grainy, wobbly visuals and enough shaky cam to make even Paul Greengrass think twice.

While at first the effect is quite charming, making the brutal, close-range firefights intense, after a while the novelty wears off and I wanted to be able to run from cover to cover without the camera lurching about like a punch-drunk boxer on speed.

Thankfully the game includes the option to turn the shaky cam off, but it doesn’t seem to do much other than lighten the effects a little.

Turning it off also exposes one of the main flaws of the game – it looks rubbish.

While I can understand the home video style, using grainy filters to hide poor textures and dodgy animation is hardly professional, and just serves to cheapen the game.

The singleplayer campaign is a blood-drenched adventure that sees career criminals James Seth Lynch and Adam “Kane” Marcus blast their way through a ream of bad guys to escape Shanghai, blowing up anything that gets in their way and generally causing trouble.

The player assumes the role of medicated psychopath Lynch for the majority of the game, with Kane either computer-controlled or being manipulated by another player through online co-op.

The co-op makes the game a fair bit more enjoyable, as teaming up with another psychopathic killer makes everything more fun, as well as making the game easier to play – even on the default settings, the enemy can soak up a hell of a lot of punishment.

Indeed, it’s pretty telling how quickly Kane and Lynch can be downed by enemy fire, yet their enemies can take two magazines to the chest and keep on coming.

The variety of weapons on offer is quite spectacular, ranging from pistols to rocket launchers and back again, but you may find the early levels to be a total drag, as Kane and Lynch can’t hit the broad side of a barn door.

Even pinpoint shots – using the slightly dodgy aiming system – often totally miss, resulting in a pray-and-spray gun-fest which fails to deliver – although I do wonder if the reduced accuracy was a deliberate choice on the part of the developers, to render the game like a bad take-off of HEAT.

Multiplayer-wise, Dog Days sees the return of seminal criminal-it-up mode Fragile Alliance – which features a team of crooks pulling off a heist, fending off cops and turncoats for a share of the booty.

Also along for the ride are two new modes – Cops and Robbers, which is a basic squad deathmatch, with cops trying to stop the daring robbers at any cost, and my personal favourite, Undercover Cop.

This clever mode puts one player in the role of a stool pigeon, working with the crooks as an inside man.

The cops have to stop the heist, but avoid killing the turncoat – without making it obvious who he is. This makes the game unbearably tense, as the crooks all watch each other closely, the cops try not to give the game away and the insider tries off the crooks without blowing his cover – it’s an inspired addition, and by far the highlight of the game for me.

Graphically, as mentioned earlier, the game is far from pretty.

Rough textures mar the experience, the animation is shoddy, the characters often walk through cover and the game’s shaky cam filter is an irritation after a while.

Combine this with a control scheme which takes some getting used to, awful weapon accuracy and a cover system which is just as likely to make Lynch stick to thin air as he is to stick to a wall, and you get a game that, while a positive step for the series, still falls flat on its rear over some simple issues.

Dog Days could have been a great game, but it takes two steps forward for its predecessor’s failings, and three back with its own issues. The characters are intriguing, the plot is reasonable and the action intense, but the game is let down by its poor controls, shoddy textures and that damn hyperactive shaky cam. It has a charm of its own, but whether one multiplayer mode can redeem the whole game remains to be seen.

Score: 5/10

Good Stuff:
Undercover Cop is inspired
Intense, gritty combat

Not So Good Stuff
Too much shaky cam
Poor graphics
Repetitive missions

The original game – an isometric shooter born of the Alien-mania of the late 80s – was a big hit for the Amiga, full to the brim with all the alien blasting a Cameron fanboy could want.

This version – an updated, bulkier shooter along the same line of its predecessor – is aptly named. It makes quite an impact straight away, and is an excellent evolution of the original game, but rather than evolving into some new, exciting form, instead it seems to have merely grown a few pointless, shiny spines.

Ok, enough of the Darwinian rubbish. To put it simply, Alien Breed: Impact is a slightly more streamlined version of Alien Breed: Evolution (the first re-release of the game), which is a more modern version of Alien Breed (the Amiga classic).

That’s not to say it’s a bad game – far from it. It’s just all been done before.

Though Team 17 – the creative minds behind the seminal blast-em-up Worms – are behind this iteration of the legendary title, the game itself is a pretty standard corridor shooter.

The game centres around the starship Leopold and the adventures of feckless engineer Theodore J. Conrad. The ship, which gets rammed by a mysterious ‘ghost ship’ in the prologue, is quickly infested by aliens of all colours, forcing Conrad to take arms against these invaders and fight to save his life. He is assisted by an android, Mia, who provides advice and navigation.

That’s about as far as the game’s plot goes, but as the rest of the game revolves around shooting neverending tides of aliens in the corridors of the Leopold, that’s no bad thing.

The action is fast-paced and intense and plays a little like Contra, but from an isometric perspective.

The camera is under player control, which is pretty useful at times when enemies are swarming you from all directions, and the game does a good job of leading you through the various simple tasks assigned to Conrad.

The weapons on offer include the usual variety off assault rifles, shotguns, grenades and alien weapons, and it’s immensely satisfying to mow down the enemy with bolts of green energy.

The aliens creep and crawl from every vent and grate, and though hardly a survival horror, the game throws up the occasional scare at points, especially when the game’s reasonable graphics takes you into an area of the Leopold which has lost all power – forcing Conrad to use his torch to get from bulkhead A to airlock B.

Graphically the game is very bright and vibrant, and the action paints the scenery in glow-in-the-dark alien blood at pace. This is backed up by an intuitive and clever control system – it’s similar to the original’s arcade style, and is easy to get to grips with.

The game also includes a co-op story mode, and a Gears of War-style Horde-alike mode, but they’re pretty badly implemented and don’t bring a lot to the experience.

All in all, Alien Breed: Impact is a decent shooter, if a little derivative and repetitive. The visuals are bright and vibrant and the action has a cracking pace, but the weak plot and the lack of variety scuppers it a little. If you’re an old-school Alien Breed fan, it’s probably worth a look.

Score: 7/10

Good Stuff:
Old-school blasting action
Pick-up-and-play simplicity

Not So Good Stuff:
Repetitive objectives
Dull story

Focusing purely on the multiplayer aspects of the game, the trailer reveals a number of new features, including what appears to be a portable night vision CCTV unit and explosive remote controlled cars.

You can view the trailer below:

Call of Duty: Black Ops is due out 9th November 2010.