Category: Video Games

Older Top 10 Best Games

Top 10 older Best Games

What are some of the older best games from a few years back?  If you are asking yourself this because you are trying to decide which one to buy as a gift, join the millions of other confused people wondering the same thing everyday of the year!

1. Halo: Reach – This was a top-pick for Xbox Christmas past.  Players take to the skies using new weapons and jet packs in attempt to defend Reach, the alien world, from the evil covenant soldiers.  This is a first person shooter, fast-paced game with multiplayer option.  Diehard fans should opt for the Legendary Edition with plenty of extras.

2. God of War 3 – PlayStation 3 players put this at the top of the list for best games for  2010.  Players take a heart-pounding path through mythology.  Kratos is quite irritated with the gods and decides to stir up a little trouble.

3. Kinect – This new accessory and assortment of dance, sports and adventure is expected to be the next big thing as players move around by using their body, not a controller.

4. Final Fantasy XIII – This role playing game has not lost its popularity.  Every release seems to draw more and more fans.  Skye and her crew battle villains, monsters and gods.  This game is complex so a strategy guide is highly recommended.

5. La Noire –  La Noire features a setting and graphics that are truly unparalleled.  It is set in Los Angeles in the 1950s where players role play as detectives to solve challenging crimes.

6. Heavy Rain – If you are looking for a really different gaming experience, this is it!  The storyline can be emotional and main characters can die and you have to deal with it.  Heavy Rain is for gamers who are really looking for an experience unlike any other.

7. Madden 11 – The best games for 2010 list wouldn’t be complete without a new edition to the Madden collection.  It features team rankings, rosters and updated graphics.  This is a great game for all age groups.

8. Rock Band 3 – In addition to new instrumentation, the previous titles are compatible.  An unbelievable 83 songs are being added to the list.  They aren’t changing much, just adding a whole lot more fun.

9. Call of Duty: Black Ops – This game picks up where Modern Warfare 2 left off.  Black Ops take you through secret missions where vehicles are now a requirement, not an option.

10. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood –  Ezio has become a master assassin, exterminating some well-known historical figures.  He has moved to Rome and gives you the ability to pick your assassins to complete tasks. find more at Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews.

Lego Halos

Why Aren’t There Any Lego Halos?

While there are not any official Lego Halos, that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from finding a way to create figures, weapons, warthogs and flamethrowers out of basic Lego building blocks.  Gamers who have enjoyed the Halo video game series can bring their favorite elements to life using the same toys that they played with when they were young.

Sources suggest that Lego Halos have never been created because Lego feels the story line and characters are just to violent for kids however, that seems to raise confusion on why they have a Star Wars and Indiana Jones series.  There were rumors several years ago about a Lego Halo video game for Xbox but nothing ever came from it.

Lego Halos Imports

Since Lego did not answer the requests for Lego Halos, Medicom, a Japanese company certainly did.  This imported rare collection can be found in small quantities at Amazon and Ebay.  It is a box set of four Master Chiefs from the Halo 3 video game.  This package includes white, steel, gold and green versions of Spartan Master Chief, with every figure standing less than three inches tall.

Make Your Own

Of course, this small imported box set of Lego Halos is not enough to keep fans happy.  The trilogy has been made into numerous comic books and novels and continues to inspire illustrators and writers who love the game.  You can use these print forms as a guide to create your own collection of Lego Halos.

Build your own battle unit, create customized scenes and design action figures with the vehicles, weapons and equipment you choose.  You can even construct your own Mega Structure to complete you Lego Halos set.

You can find step by step instructions and videos online, helping you create Lego Halos or you can simply figure it out yourself.  All you need to do is get yourself your own set of Lego and start building!

Mega Bloks Halo Wars

Since the world’s favorite brand hasn’t given in to the endless demands for Lego Halos, you may be interested in Mega Bloks Halo Wars that was released by a Canadian toy company.

They are quite similar to Lego and have an extremely large Halo line that exploded in popularity in 2009.  Their line includes a multitude of Halo characters and props including UNSC Turret, Spartan mini figures, Covenant Ghost Assault Vehicle. Warthog, M68 Gauss Canno. Find more great deals at Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews.

Warcraft Cataclysm

Release of Warcraft Cataclysm

The third expansion set for World of Warcraft, an online role-playing game has been developed with a ton of new surprises.  This expansion will be made available as a Collector’s Edition, Standard Edition or as a download from Blizzard’s online store.

The Story Behind Warcraft Cataclysm

There is an ancient evil lying dormant in the Elemental Plane of the Earth.  Deathwing, a corrupted dragon, has been hidden away there in a very secluded sanctuary, slowly recovering from this battle wounds, previously inflicted in Azeroth.  Here he sits with his hatred growing for those who infest the surface realm, waiting patiently until he can cover the world in molten fire.

Deathwing is planning his return to Azeroth and as Horde and Alliance charge to Cataclysm’s epicenter, Azeroth’s kingdoms will feel a shift in power.  Players will have the opportunity to re-experience zones that they have become familiar with such as the Eastern Kingdoms, finding new adventures.

Why the Revisit?

The Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor have always been important to the World of Warcraft and so they shall remain hosting lands to Warcraft Cataclysm.  Although players may recognize the area, the gameplay is completely unique.  You may revisit a familiar zone that the Cataclysm has destroyed to find new development, yet you will still know you have previously been to the area before.

New Features of Warcraft Cataclysm

• Level Cap at 85 – Tap into new talents and learn new abilities.  The raised level allows players to improve their characters.

• High-Level Zones – There are new parts of the world to explore including Grim Batol, Uldum and Sunken City beneath the Sea.

• New Races – Two new races are available in Warcraft Cataclysm.

• Raid Content – This expansion has the highest level of raid content with more challenging encounters as add options.

• Guild Advancement – Earn guild levels and achievements.

• Flying Mounts – Explore the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor like never before.

• Archaeological – In Warcraft Cataclysm you have the opportunity to master a secondary profession to earn unique rewards and find valuable artifacts.

• Seven New Dungeons – Grim Batol, the Halls of Origination, the Lost City, the Vortex Pinnacle, the Stonecore, Throne of the Tides and Blackrock Caverns are the seven new dungeons waiting to be explored.

• New Towns – There are an abundance of new towns and roughly 3,500 new quests that will be found in Warcraft Cataclysm. See more in Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews.

Benefits of Using Strategy Guides

The Benefits of Using Strategy Guides

While playing a video game through the first time blind is exciting and challenging, you simply have to agree that using strategy guides is the only way to unlock a game’s full potential.  Of course, you may choose to use them the first time that you approach the game to finish before all of your friends too!

Using strategy guides empowers you with all of the hints for every solution to unlock every level, weapon, prize and character.  Quite often, it is like playing a game over for the first time because so much can be missed on the initial run.

Strategy Guides vs Walkthroughs

There seems to be a little confusion on using strategy guides vs walkthroughs.  While a walkthrough can be helpful in assisting you through that screen you can’t get past, they are not official and do not contain everything that you need to know about the game.  They are simply written by helpful, advanced gamers who have cleared the game and can offer a bit of guidance to others.

On the other hand, using strategy guides that are marketed as official are created by the game distributor who knows every detail of the game.  After all, isn’t playing video games all about comparing your game with your friends and bragging about accomplishments?  There is no way your friends can know how to unlock and find certain things unless they are using strategy guides as well.  Therefore, there is a good chance that you could be the only person who knows all of the secrets of the game!

Contents

While using strategy guides may vary from game to game, there are some typical contents that most will provide.

• A map of the entire game that displays where every item is found, even the hidden ones.

• Very detailed game-play information.  You will usually find maneuvers or combination moves that you probably would not figure out if you weren’t using strategy guides.

• Instruction in great detail for how to address every location.

• Puzzle explanations and how to solve them.

• Enemy details including their weapons, powers, tricks, maneuvers and how to beat them.

• A checklist of all of the collectable items.  Of course, the more you collect, the more interesting the game becomes.

• Thorough walkthroughs of every level.  If you memorize these you can really show off to your friends!

• Strategy advice for multi-player function.

Using strategy guides just takes any game to a whole new level.  They are also a great idea to pick up if you have an older game that you’re already cleared, it’s almost like playing a whole new game again when you unlock all of the secrets! See more in Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews

Toy Story 3 Video Game

Toy Story 3:  The Best Video Game Yet

Released on June 15, 2010, the Toy Story 3 video game is full of adventure to satisfy any age player.  If you are a fan of the movie Toy Story 3, you will enjoy playing this game in story mode but don’t overlook the opportunity to check the game out in toy box mode as well for a sandbox full of surprises to play with.

While the first Toy Story game was limited with its available platforms, Toy Story 3 is found on Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii, Sony PSP and Windows Vista/XP.  Developed by Avalanche Software, enthusiasts have certainly welcomed the impressive graphics in the game.

Should you choose to start the game in story mode, you have the ability to play as Buzz, Woody or Jesse with each character offering their own playing style.  In this mode, there are eight platform levels with every one bringing a fresh set of graphics.  Each level is very distinct from the others with a generous amount of achievements to be awarded and collectibles to find.

While the Toy Story 3 video game is not exactly like the movie, you do have the chance to visit many of the same places as well as meet quite a few of the characters.  Most have reported that a few of these scenes in story mode may be a bit challenging for some of the younger players so parents should be prepared to help a bit.

Toy box is the other play mode of the game that opens the way to a new world and allows your imagination to soar free.  This mode does not at all follow the story line of the movie but rather is based around the intriguing idea of how an environment is perceived by toys while someone is playing with them.

There are an abundance of activities to participate in while you play toy box mode such as finding hundreds of collectibles, complete different missions for various characters, customize buildings and people, race in an assortment of vehicles and more.

As long as you’re not in a hurry to complete a mission, you are always able to customize and decorate the town however you please as well as alter costumes worn by the townspeople.  If you are a fan of the Toy Story 3 movie, you’ll be  pleasantly surprised with the many familiar faces you’ll encounter.

Toy Story 3 is an ideal game for the family.  It is basically an open world playground beginning in the Wild West Town.  Choose who you want to be sheriff and then watch for characters like Hamm the Piggybank and Slinky Dog to give you missions.  Complete missions earn you plenty of rewards and when you’ve cleared the game, you can start over as a different character. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews

Starcraft 2 Review

Starcraft 2 – The Battle of Reviews

While there are always expected mixed reviews over video games, Starcraft 2 has created quite a battle of opposing feelings.  Many people seem to be rating the game on what they feel should have been included since only one-third of the game is fully released.  The problem with these reviews is that you basically know what you are getting when you buy the game and reviews should address the game, not your personal opinion of feeling ripped off.

This is a long game.  Even if technically there are four less missions than the original Starcraft, they are lengthy, original and detailed.  In fact, ever single mission has at least one unit or one trick to introduce to its player which reduces the repetitive and formulaic approach offered in most games.

There are plenty of gimmicks to encounter such as stealing your enemy’s weapon and using it against them, dealing with nighttime zombie creatures, attacking trains while avoiding death and staying out of the lava.  These missions on Starcraft 2 are creative and involved.

Played on normal difficulty most missions take about a half hour or so to complete.  However, every mission actually has a few added goals because its really doubtful you will do everything you need to do on your first attempt through.  Of course, you then can play the game on higher difficulty levels which forces you to try out different strategies if you want to be successful.

Starcraft also shows quite a few similarities with Wing Commander and Mass Effect, offering a substantial amount of content in flavor text, conversation, research options, upgrade choices and TV news reports.  If you rush through these features between missions, you really cheat yourself out of a good amount of the game.

You can also practice your strategies against the Al before you begin your journey online.  This gives you a safe place to learn tricks and higher level tactics at your own pace.  You’ll be required to kill some enemies by using your hot keys.  These are challenging experiences but they enable you to connect with the game on a deeper level.  There are nine of these additional challenge missions on Starcraft 2 which also adds to even more playtime.

Complaints about the length of Starcraft 2 are clearly coming from novice players who simply want to rush through the game from beginning to end without appreciating the whole experience.  Starcraft 2 has a lot to offer to those who take the time to really connect with the game and tryout all of the available extras. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews.

Lego Batman Video Game

A Helpful Review of the Lego Batman Video Game

Lego Batman video game brings to life the beloved superhero in a unique and completely original storyline.  As a player, you are able to control the famous duo, Batman and Robin, along with Nightwing, a bonus hero, to protect Gotham City.  Through your journey you’ll encounter and have to fight against The Joker, Catwoman, The Penguin, Killer Croc, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Two Face, The Riddler, Poison Ivy, Clayface, Harley Quinn, Killer Moth and Mad Hatter, just to name a few.

In the Lego Batman video game, there has been some sort of disruption at Arkham Asylum and all of the criminals have broken free and are ready to wreak havoc on Gotham City.  It is your job to save it using your favorite caped hero.  In this game, you not only have the opportunity to fight for justice, you can also choose to create chaos instead as some of your favorite villains including The Joker and Catwoman.

Playing as the caped crusader you will rocket through sewers and leap from rooftop to rooftop to arrive at your favorite locations in Gotham City.  You have the opportunity to use the rocket-powered Batmobile, stealthy Batwing or sleek Batboat to fight in the air, on land or at sea.

By unlocking the sonic and glide suits, Batman’s demolition and Robin’s magnetic, gravity and dive force, you can enhance the fighting and traveling abilities of this dynamic duo.  You can play the Lego Batman video game from start to finish from hero and villain sides.

Also, you have the opportunity to replay any level that you choose with characters you’ve unloaded in free-play mode.  Additionally, when you do this, be sure to access any areas that may have been previously hidden to find bonus content and additional awards.

Throughout the Lego Batman video game collect special Lego bricks and Lego studs to unlock plenty of extra features such as bonus levels and special power-ups.

Because you are able to play through the plot from different perspectives, you have the opportunity to introduce a substantial amount of playable characters.  From Mr. Freeze’s ice maker to the Joker’s shocking handshake, you’ll enjoy a generous amount of rooftop battles with refreshing architecture. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews

Iron Man 2 Video Game

Refreshing Improvements to the Iron Man 2 Video Game

While the first Iron Man video game received far from favorable reviews, Iron Man 2 seems to have broke free from that reputation and made itself quite a few fans.  Many Marvel movie enthusiasts anxiously waited to see if the Iron Man 2 video game would be a success.  Of course, with the game being launched just before the movie hit the big screen, fans thought they could get a sneak peak at the movie.  No such luck!  This video game was made the right way and revealed none of the surprises that were to come shortly after in the movie.

While Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson hand to voice characters they play in the movie, surprisingly, Tony Stark is voiced by Eric Loomis, not Robert Downey Jr.  Other characters from the movie such as the Black Widow and Crimson Dynamo do make an appearance in the game as well.

Iron Man 2 video game offers eight colorful and large levels.  The graphics are fairly impressive and the voice talent really hits a home run since Samuel L. Jackson provides a few one-liners in the cut scene.  The controls are really fabulous and you can launch into the air effortlessly with a quick tap of a button.

Whenever you want Iron Man to fly, he will but be aware that some scenes take place inside buildings so don’t get lost in air and lose where you need to be.  Getting around on foot is about as comfortable as flying and if you get close enough to your enemies, you can even melee with them.

The enemies are easily beaten one on one but they do get challenging enough in numbers.  They vary from smaller drones to giant walking tanks.  As time progresses, you are able to unlock new and exciting equipment and fighting styles.  Also, if you like to utilize a range attack, you can rise, hover, dodge and fall as your please.  With one of your four weapons, you can auto-target your enemies.  This is a tricky feature to get use to but forget about hitting your target without it.

Overall, there has been a significant improvement since the first Iron Man with a lot less frustrating features.  The various Iron Man suits that are unlocked are a nice touch too.  Anyone who is a diehard Iron Man fan will enjoy this game much more than the first one that was so disappointing.  According to rumor, Iron Man 3 may be in the works and will hopefully “iron” out any lingering kinks. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews

Indiana Jones Video Game

Indiana Jones:  A Video Game of Great Value

Like cookies and milk, Lucasfilm and Lego pair up together to make the Indian Jones video game that is really something pretty spectacular.  Lego Indian Jones encompasses the initial three Indiana Jones movies where it borrows a lot of its structure and play mechanics from.

The game itself is divided into three separate adventures and then each one of them is further divided into chapters.  Every chapter has a generous supply of secret areas and collectibles that can only be obtained and accessed by specific characters being played in different modes.  This allows for a substantial amount of replay without getting bored or feeling overly repetitive.

Between levels in the Lego Indiana Jones game, the home base is Burnett college.  This is where you can go to save your progress, create characters, enter cheats, buy unlockables and view your personal assortment of collected artifacts.  The environment of the college is destroyable so you can break plenty of items which is always good for aggression.

The Indiana Jones video game is pretty addicting and if you need to leave the room for a minute, you can allow the computer to take over for you.  However, you should know not to assume that if you leave it running, it will get you past that tough spot because it doesn’t always succeed and it is not necessarily any better of a player than you.

There are plenty of enemies and they come at you in large hordes.  Indy has some remarkable combat moves including the body slam, full nelson and many other grappling techniques.  You don’t receive any weapons but you can pick up rocket launchers and guns that are dropped by your enemies and use them until they run out of ammunition.

Of course, an Indiana Jones video game would not be complete without some wicked acrobatics.  Indy packs a whip that he uses for many moves such as collecting treasure, swinging across gaps and even capturing his female partner to lay a big kiss on her.  For children, this is a perfect game because Indy doesn’t kill his opponents but rather smashes them into tiny Lego pieces to be put back in the bucket so although violence is present, it’s more amusing than anything and nothing dies.  Also, the sounds are definitely movie inspired and fit the game like a glove.

A real welcome feature in the game is that there are a least 60 characters to be unlocked which can really prolong the life of it so it certainly gives you your money’s worth.  Oh, and some of the characters are from Star Wars universe.  What could possibly be better than Star Wars and Indiana Jones together in your game and on your television screen? Dublin Dun Laoghaire Reviews