Top Spin 4 Review

Tennis games are a fickle thing because they are really hard to get right. Sure, you have some stellar arcade ones like Mario Tennis and Virtua Tennis but for the most part there hasn't really been a truly AMAZING tennis game. I think the closest we'll get to that is 2K Sport's Top Spin 4. It's by no means a perfect game but it's the closest thing out there to a realistic tennis match.

For starters, we have the career mode. Which is nice and dandy- the customization that you can give your character is great, though it may offer too many options. I've spent numerous hours trying to perfect how my pro looks to only have him look like a deformed horse compared to the professional tennis in-game models. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal considering you'll be looking at the back of their head for the majority of your playing time.

Once you've finished making your pro tennis player, you have to edit his skills. You can also have a coach that can add attributes to your character. I found this feature really neat because you had objectives to complete in your matches to unlock these perks. Think of it as challenges like you would do in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer. My personal character that I've spent the most time on is a speedy Rafael Nadal-like clone with a lot of power and stamina, but who is terrible at volleying at net and serving.

Speaking of pro tennis players, the game has a lot of them. There are legends like Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi and more recent pros like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. There are some female tennis players here, too, but the roster is quite disappointing. Also, the rest of the filler cast is lacking. If you know anything about tennis, you'll be slightly disappointed. Where's Del Potro, or David Ferrer?

If you played Top Spin 3, you were probably extremely frustrated with that title. The controls and genuine feel of tennis was off. The crowds were lame and quiet, and it was almost TOO realistic. It was incredibly punishing. Thankfully, 2K overhauled that completely. In Top Spin 4, they made it accessible to new players but it's also extremely hard to master for veterans. With a slight press of a button, you can have a more accurate shot that's easier to control and put your opponent out of position. If you hold the button you'll have an extremely powerful shot but it's extremely inaccurate. Power shots are more risk and reward. All in all, the gameplay feels tight and responsive.

In terms of gameplay modes, we have your standard Quick Match, Career mode, Multiplayer, and training. Again, the career mode is pretty fleshed out. As you progress through the lower tournaments you'll eventually play in the big time Grand Slams. Once you're in the quarterfinals and above, you'll notice the opponent's AI is on some kind of steroids. After breezing through the draw, the later matches hit you like a brick wall. It makes sense considering that you're playing in big tournaments and the competition should only get harder, but at times it seems a bit unfair.

The multiplayer is quite fun as well. You can take your pro from career mode on here and actually compete in tournaments against other players across the world. It's really cool how it works out, but as of late the online mode has been pretty empty. Most players have presumably jumped ship to EA's Grand Slam Tennis 2 (which is a shame since this game has more realistic gameplay). The majority of your potential opponents will be across the big pond in Europe or beyond so lag might be an issue, though most of the time it's pretty smooth if you can find a match. One big feature that's lacking is doubles online. If you want to play a doubles match, you have to have a guest at your house and a guest at your opponent's house. It's incredibly lame how that works out, but the singles is fun enough to make up for it.

All in all, the tennis genre is hard to get right, especially if you want to play a realistic version. Top Spin 4 is as close to that as you can get. There are some issues but if you can look past the minor ones, you're sure to have a great time. At the end, Top Spin 4 gets pretty darn close to match point but ends up giving up the lead.

Call or visit your local Slackers to see if they have a copy of Top Spin 4!

Visit http://www.slackers.com/ for more great reviews!

View the original article here

Read More

Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Reviewed

New to the Mass Effect series starting with Mass Effect 3 is multiplayer. The multiplayer for Mass Effect 3 consists of Horde Mode Ala Gears of War. If you never heard or read about Horde Mode its a simple Wave Mode where where you and your team cooperatively must destroy waves of attacking enemies. Mass Effect 3's multiplayer is a mash-up of wave mode, snatch and grab, hacking terminals and hold the extraction point all within a ten wave match. Its not that bad really. But its also not going to be the reason why you purchase Mass Effect 3. You bought Mass Effect 3 for its single campaign (I shouldn't have to remind you all of that). The multiplayer is simply a sideshow to the main attraction. Its fun, challenging and diverse enough to definitely warrant some of your time when you decide to take a break from the story campaign.

Classes: When you first log into Mass Effect 3's multiplayer you are immediately enlisted as a N7 Special Ops Team member. Regarding classes much like the single-player campaign you have 6 classes to choose from including: Adept, Soldier, Engineer, Sentinal, Infiltrator and Vanguard. For my class I chose the Vanguard since i already beaten Mass Effect 2 on its most challenging difficulty as a Vanguard. I like the up close and personal approach even if I get killed a few times. Not only that but I anticipated everybody else would either be Adept, Soldier and or a Engineer which ended up being the case. Every match I played nobody choose Vanguard which made my decision more important since classes on teams should have variety since this is strictly a cooperative multiplayer.

Characters in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer are spread out between classes. Each class has a Human (Male) and (Female) who have the exact same default biotics and weapons for each class. There are also two Aliens per class assigned who come equip with different biotics and weapons for default. Unlocking Aliens take XP or can be bought with in-game credits via special Packs in the Store (if you're lucky). Alien characters like i said differ per class and include: Krogan, Quarian, Drell, Tourian, Salarian and Asari. For my character I stuck with my custom Human Male (Vanguard). I had unlocked some of the Alien characters already. It shouldn't take the average gamer that long to do so.

Customizing your character for matches comes next after you choose your class and character. You can change your Primary Color, Highlight Color, Secondary Color, Pattern, Pattern Color and Lights. Some of those options above are locked when you first start playing and become unlocked as you level up. The customization is deep enough so that you can make sure your character doesn't look exactly like everybody else's. My Vanguard turned into some gold colored greenish guy. It looked pretty good actually. I was basically mixing and matching my suit's colors.

Character: This menu breaks down into Powers, Weapons, Appearance, Equipment and Store. You already know what the Appearance section is all about. The Weapon section lets you add mods and set your preferred guns to slots. The guns you have depends on the class and whether or not you unlocked them. The Equipment section of the Character section keeps tracks of all of your perks and equipment. They are called Supplies and my Vanguard had after two matches: Cobra Missile Launcher, Thermal Clip Pack, Ops Survival Pack and Medi-Gel. There are also Bonus slots for the following: Ammo Bonus, Weapon Bonus and Armor Bonus. Consider the latter perks you can activate once in a match.

Maps: Ontaram: Firebase Dagger, Benning: Firebase Chost Tuchanko, Firebase Grant, Cyone: Firebase Reactor, Sanctum: Firebase Glacier, Novevia: Firebase White. And just like with any multiplayer some maps are good and some are not. I'm sure DLC was made before Mass Effect 3 released so we will get new DLC maps over the next few months most likely. The maps are of a base configuration and don't differ that much in design but more in settings.

Make sure you visit the store first so you can get your Starter Pack (free). They also sell Recruit Pack (5000 credits), Veteran Pack (20,000 credits) and Spectre Pack (60,000 credits). You can make at least 10,000 credits each match (I did). The packs are completely random regarding items, perks and weapon mods you receive. The more expensive the pack the better swag you will get no matter what. The Free Pack gave me Thermal Clip Pack (pistol), Medi-Gel, Ops Survival Pack, Sniper Rifle Spare Thermal Clip and a (unlocked) Asari Vanguard. Keep in mind all of the packs are random and you never know what you'll receive but 9 times out of 10 its something you and your team will benefit from while playing. The items and perks you receive can be mapped to your D-pad (Dual Shock 3).

To sum up my matches they have been fun, challenging and diverse. The diversity in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer comes in the form of different objectives WHILE facing waves of enemies. At this point I will say the objectives are randomized to my knowledge for the most part. Objectives that the 4 man/woman team must complete range from hacking terminals (4) and they are scattered around the base. Holding extraction points (usually wave 10). Your team must fend off either Geth, Reaper or Cerburus attack till extraction comes. Regular waves are the bread and butter though and where you rank your XP up. Make sure you stay with your team the entire match and revive them as needed. Stay near ammo crates that are scattered around each base. Know where they are at the beginning of each match.

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer suppose to effect the ending of the single player story campaign. I'm expecting it to be a small impact if anything but I have no real idea since I'm still playing the campaign. The presentation is good for this game's multiplayer. However there are some connection and stuttering problems but no disconnects or freezes to report. Mass Effect 3's multiplayer is a third person over the shoulder shooter. Using your biotics and guns while roll strafing is fun. I am still surprised bioware added multiplayer to a RPG like Mass Effect 3. With that said the multiplayer is decent. It's not the reason you buy Mass Effect 3. It's a sideshow to the main attraction and that's all it is. The main attraction being the single-player story campaign. Thanks for reading.

View the original article here

Read More

Ghost Towns: The Cats of Ulthar Review

Ghost Towns: The Cats of Ulthar is a hidden object adventure game about a girl, a boy named Menes, and lots and lots of cats. As a matter of fact, if you are tired of the same old hidden object stories about ghosts and monsters lurking in dark scenes, this game provides a cuter but still as sinister alternative - cats. Well, I have to say upfront that I am not a big fan of cats as they annoy the hell out of me, but in the name of professionalism, I will try to be less biased in this review.

You play as a long black haired girl in this game as you stumbled across a town named Ulthar. For some unknown reason, you soon discover that the townspeople are preparing to kill a boy named Menes. The nature of his crime eludes you but you are asked by his sister, Atala to save her brother, so it is now your burden to carry. In any case, the whole curiosity built in this scenario grips the player to find out more regarding this weird execution. And thus, starts the game with you finding clues and evidence to save Menes and find out why the townspeople's grudge is so great against him.

I did a bit of research about Ghost Towns: The Cats of Ulthar and it seems that Ulthar is actually a name of a fictional town in H. P. Lovecraft's Dream Cycle. Oh well, so much for originality, but I soon found out that there is good basis on why this game opt to copy the same name. That is because in Dream Cycle, the town of Ulthar has a most significant law that "no man may kill a cat". Now, I have a clue on why Menes is sentenced to death, but this is just my hunch as the game can also lead to twists with all the clues you find.

In terms of game play, Ghost Towns: The Cats of Ulthar follows a typical hidden object style. I liked the scenes as they are not as messy as other games but this also means that the game is not that challenging too. Graphics are well done. I liked how most of the scenes are made cartoon like and how they fused this with 3D generated moving elements. Music is pleasant but as I said earlier, I really dislike the cats meowing all throughout the game.

In conclusion, this is really a well made game that is worth your try. Plus points too if you like cats.

View the original article here

Read More

Mother Nature Review

Mother Nature just arrived from Big Fish Game's arsenal of strategy games so I thought I would go at it with a review of my own. And if you do not know Mother Nature yet, basically it is just a strategy game featuring a fairy with a green thumb. You plant stuff, you pull out the weeds and if there is garbage, you get to clean it too. In other words, all the excitement you can get from gardening. And in case you did feel true enthusiasm from that last sentence, I suggest you read on with the rest of this review.

You play as Autumn, a fairy with fairy friends that need rescuing. Of course, being the sole fairy spared by the Spirit of Gloom, you are tasked to kill all the plants that the evil spirit has left. Let us call these plants evil weeds from now on. And the way to kill evil weeds is by planting good seeds close to them. The flowers that grow from the planted seeds will eventually kill the evil weeds so that you are free to pull them off the ground. Keep watering your flowers and cleaning garbage and you already have a grip on all of the game's mechanics.

If you read the last paragraph above, you may already have guessed my verdict on Mother Nature. Game play is too repetitive and there is not much challenge on each level even though it is tagged as a "strategy" game. There is very little to no strategy involved at all. This is more of a child's game, but I am afraid even seasoned children players might find this game as too boring to play. Coupled that with the annoying background sound and you are left with a game that you would not enjoy for long.

On a positive note though, Mother Nature do have cute and colorful characters and graphics. Click response is good enough and the mechanics are very easy to follow and guess as you go along the game, mainly due to the failure of a guide they call a tutorial.

In summary, I suggest you skip downloading this game or download only for trial purposes since it is free anyway. There are plenty more strategy games that is worth your time and money since they do have "strategy" involved, because in my honest opinion, this game is not it.

View the original article here

Read More

EPOCH Game Review

If you're a fan of cover-based shooting games, you'll want to check out the iOS game EPOCH by Uppercut Games.

In EPOCH, you play a robot in a gorgeous 3D post-apocalyptic world. You have only one goal in mind, which is to save the princess. To do so, you'll battle your way through ten different levels against enemy robots.

Each level consists of three battles, one after another. When you clear one area, you move on to the next. In each area, you have three positions that you can switch between. In order to move from one position to another, you swipe the screen left or right. There is also a super move that will make your robot jump back and forth between the two outer positions. This jump is crucial against certain enemies like the Slicer, so you'll want to get used to using it. You take cover behind an object by swiping down, and swipe up to attack. You need to select a target in order for your robot to shoot. In addition to your main gun, you have a counter weapon, missiles, and even a booster that can accelerate your robot or even heal him.

The enemy robots include Grenadiers, Slicers, and Blasters, who each have their own special attack. In order avoid getting destroyed by them, you'll have to keep your eyes and ears open and your fingers moving fast.

EPOCH is a fast-paced game that is easy to learn, but takes some practice to master. Luckily, you can replay each level to earn more credits and buy better fear if you're having trouble progressing. But ultimately, your skill will enable you to survive.

EPOCH doesn't only shine for its gameplay. It was designed with the Unreal Engine, which was used to make the award-winning Infinity Blade. If you were looking for a futuristic robot version of Infinity Blade, this comes pretty close. It is on-rails, so you can't walk around and explore. Most of the scenery is shown through cutscenes. But while you're playing, you get to experience satisfying explosions and impressive backflips. Everything is simply breathtaking. I never imagined a post-apocalyptic world could be so inviting.

EPOCH is an all-around superb game with highly-addictive gameplay and gorgeous graphics. It is fairly short, but comes with three difficulty levels for those who breeze through Easy kode too quickly. I would definitely recommend the game to anyone who likes fast-paced shooters and stunning 3D graphics. It's a game you may have trouble putting down.

If you'd like to read more about EPOCH and see some screen caps, check out my website: http://www.appunwrapper.com/2011/12/09/epoch-review/.

-AppUnwrapper
In-Depth iPhone Game Reviews and Walkthroughs
http://www.appunwrapper.com/
Twitter: AppUnwrapper

View the original article here

Read More

Planet Cazmo Review

Planet Cazmo is a virtual world for kids that was launched in November, 2007. The site began as a beta test site for a year until the official public launch in December 2008. The site is aimed at children from age 8 to 14. This virtual world exists on an alien planet where players socialize with each other, play games and generally exist with much more freedom than they do in their normal lives.

The vast appeal of Planet Cazmo is the social interaction between the members. Memberships begin at $5.95 for one month; $29.95 for six months; and $54.95 for 12 months. There is a free membership for children; however; their movement within the virtual world is limited. Members gain access to exclusive portions of Planet Cazmo and are able to acquire goods and services by obtaining the virtual world's currency. Players earn this money by successfully winning generic games, completing tasks and taking surveys.

Features

Members create an avatar to use as their virtual personality. This avatar can be customized to look any way the member wants - glasses, hair, eyes, skin, clothing and accessories can all be personalized. In order to properly survive in this virtual world, players must earn money (known as Cazmo Coins) to pay for their life. Although all players automatically earn a monthly allowance, they can also get extra money by playing space-related games and successfully completing quests. Once players become members, they can get their own house and also become pet owners. Members simply purchase an egg and wait for it to hatch. Players can also earn the right to buy a spaceship for space travel or buy a car. Car owners automatically receive a driver's license. Players can also obtain a cell phone and text other members.

There is a hierarchy among players based on how long the player has been a member on Planet Cazmo. Each avatar wears a badge that identifies them as being new or experienced. Members who have been with Planet Cazmo for a long time have the opportunity to become Ambassadors (people who act as big brothers or sisters and help moderators in the chat rooms). Like many other MMORPG websites, Planet Cazmo allows chatting and interacting with other players. Making friends, sending messages and chatting in social chat rooms are the strength of this virtual world. A unique aspect of Planet Cazmo is Cazmo Concerts. These concerts feature the real recording artist's music and their corresponding avatar. Members go to the concerts as a group, listen to the music and watch the musician's avatar perform on stage.

What's Good

Planet Cazmo is a social website that will appeal mainly to tween boys and girls who are interested in making friends online. Players learn to socialize and talk to each other with the proper etiquette, respecting each other in the process. There are no adult themes in the games or on the website. There is no violence, drinking, smoking, drug use, sex or offensive language.

What's Bad

Planet Cazmo is a social chat room - period. Younger children out and just inside of the range of the demographic will find the chat rooms overly populated with tweens and will feel out of place. The graphics and games may appeal to them, but the website's primary function (chatting) will be out of their league. Younger members may not understand the concept of ignoring others, blocking, taunting and other hurtful actions.

Although the design and the graphics are well done, some older teens may find them a bit juvenile. The online games, quests and surveys seem like they have been tacked on just to entice more children to the website. There is no educational value to this website. The games are not stimulating, nor are they beneficial to the child's growth.

Online Safety

Planet Cazmo's chat feature needs to be held accountable for the inappropriate language and content that makes its way into open chat areas. The website does offer a safe chat mode where children can only use predetermined phrases, images and emoticons. Open chat poses a bit more of a challenge; however, more moderators dealing with troublemakers would help. It would also help if Ambassadors could have more power to deal with problems. Parents need to be vigilant about their child's online activity and report any inappropriate messages and situations to the moderators.

This review was written by a responsible parent and media professional who runs a virtual worlds for kids review website. Click on the links for more useful reviews on cool kids games.

View the original article here

Read More

Maestro: Notes of Life Review

Maestro: Notes of Life is a hidden object and adventure creation of ERS Games. For those who know ERS Games, they are the developers of some of the best hidden object games available in the market today. Maestro: Notes of Life is no exception to being a great game as this sequel after Maestro: Music of Death takes the player to another dark musical ride with a new story, new scenarios, and creative puzzles that is certified to be loved by many.

The story of the game opens up with a nicely produced cut scene of a young girl kidnapped by some magical music. Your task in the game is of course to save the girl, but it will not be easy as magic and puzzles hinder your path. The magical music came from a young and talented musician, but is he the mastermind behind all of what is happening? Or is he another pawn to a much more evil entity?

As for the graphics of Maestro: Notes of Life, I can say that ERS Games once again did a great job in this installment's development. The introduction cut scene is already gripping and amazing to watch that you will be sure to get hooked to playing from start to finish. Game play is very good. Hidden object scenes are nicely done with little to no pixel finding involved, even with most of these scenes piled with so much junk.

The atmosphere of the game is eerie which is to be expected of the Maestro series and ERS Games in general. As a matter of fact, ERS Games is so much known for making dark themed adventure games that I am currently wondering if they have the ability to expand further in more unique hidden object game themes. I say more unique since most of the hidden object games being developed nowadays are those with dark themes, making you scurry and find items in purposely scary places. I am not against these kind of games but it can get really standard sometimes that I stop getting surprised on supposedly new gaming experiences.

Do not get me wrong though, I still loved playing Maestro: Notes of Life and would recommend it for everyone to try, new and old casual gamers alike. Being a seasoned adventure and hidden object gamer, it works against me sometimes when I come across another eerie game, but that does not mean that Maestro: Notes of Life would not have anything new to offer that sets it apart from other games on the same genre.

View the original article here

Read More

Hard Reset Reviewed (PC)

Hard Reset is a throw back to over the top twitch shooters that features tons of enemies and wild explosions. You won't find any of the new stuff in Hard Reset like cover and regenerating health. This cyber-punk themed shooter paints a captivating world with its stellar visuals but falls flat regarding story and game length. Hard Reset is a single player only first-person shooter but don't expect any kind of multiplayer, its not happening. When I analyze Hard Reset's presentation it doesn't have many faults actually. It has more to do with the fact that this is an old school type shooter. This game plays like old school Unreal, Serious Sam and Painkiller games.

Hard Reset's story is a afterthought, it makes no sense and at times gets in the way of Hard Reset's gameplay. I'll give you a brief synopsis as to what this story is about. The protagonist of Hard Reset is Fletcher, proud soldier of the corporation as he calls himself. Fletcher (CLN -16) is a hard drinking and hard cussing cheesy protagonist that gets hurdled into a battle against rogue AI man killing robots. Early in Hard Reset Flecther learns about a robot invasion in his sector of the Sanctuary that he protects. After killing a few robots and investigating he learns about Dr. Percival Novak. Novak released the man killing robots into the city for whatever reason.

Music was fast paced rock and techno that cranked up when action did. Some of the weapon's sounds were interesting. The voice acting was pretty cheesy. For the most part the best aspect about the sound design was the city. The rain, the sounds of the holograph dispensors, sirens etc. The city itself presented a great atmophere due to its sound design.

The most unique aspect of Hard Reset is its reticle system. You have two primary weapons throughout the entire game, NRG Weapon and CLN Firearm. The retical changes as you change the gun's modes. Gameplay is pure quick twitch. You do not have cover or health regen so your skills will be put to the test no matter the difficulty. Enemies are robots, big, small and medium. Some charge at you while some shoot mortors. Bi-pod bots and small rolling bots can swarm you very fast in Hard Reset. Gameplay takes a hit due to level design and the charging bots. The game at times places way too many small quick bots and huge charging bots in cramped areas making it easy for them to kill you.

To take out rogue AI bots in Hard Reset you need guns. This game has you covered with a few imaginative weapons that you can perform combos with. NRG Weapons = Plasma Weapon: Plasma Rifle, Shock Blaster, Railgun, Smart Gun and Electric Mortor. Each gun has secondary and third firing elements that altars each gun. CLN Firearm: Assault Rifle, Combat Shotgun, Grenade Launcher, RPG and Proximity Mines. You can upgrade all weapons and Gear with N.A.N.O.. N.A.N.O. is Hard Reset's currency and is acquired when you kill bots and discover secret rooms. Green, Yellow, Blue and Red orbs fill Fletcher's health, shields. NRG ammo and CLN ammo. Using the environment not only looks cool but is a very effective way with dealing with bots.

After you beat the 5 hour campaign (its a short game) you can play EX Mode. EX Mode lets you play the game on NG+ with all of your upgraded weapons. Personally I don't think this game has adequate replay value since its so short to begin with. One incentive is to unlock all of the guns upgrades which cannot be doen in one playthrough. So if you want to see all of the gun's abilities you have to play the game on EX Mode.

Hard Reset has a great cyber punk new age setting with old school gameplay. The story is non existent and the campaign is way too short. However I do see some really promising aspects with Flying Wild Hog's first-person shooter.

7.5/10

View the original article here

Read More