Games

GAME ON – END OF YEAR SPECIAL: NBA BASKETBALL FEATURE

NBA LIVE vs NBA 2K10 LIKE in the two-part special across the November and December editions of ESP, I dissected all the major games in the run-up to Christmas – and when it comes to one of America’s most-famous sports on your home console, this is a tough call . . . JUST like most sports, there’s always ... Full story

GAME ON – END OF YEAR SPECIAL: FOOTIE FEATURE – FIFA VS PES

FIFA vs PES LIKE in the two-part special across the November and December editions of ESP, I dissected all the major games in the run-up to Christmas – and nothing is more intense than the console footie prize between two of gaming’s greatest franchises . . . FOR years gaming football fans opted for fast-arcade style of Konami’s Pro ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES (PS3)

UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES (PS3) Sony BBFC Rating: 15 Out Now FORGET about Modern Warfare 2 – this is the one PS3 fans have been waiting for. And for good reason, as this sequel to Drake’s Fortune is without doubt one of the best games of the year. It won’t win any awards for originality, but what it does, it does so extremely ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: OPERATION FLASHPOINT: DRAGON RISING (X360/PS3/PC)

OPERATION FLASHPOINT: DRAGON RISING (X360/PS3/PC) Codemasters BBFC Rating: 15 Out Now TO compare this to Modern Warfare 2 would be unfair – as this is an exceptional nerve-jangling alternative in its own right. This visceral war-based strategic shooter – set against Chinese troops on an island battlefield – offers a more realistic war experience with solid solo, multiplayer and co-op modes that ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 (PS3/X360/WII/DS/PSP)

MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 (PS3/X360/WII/DS/PSP) Activision PEGI Rating: 12+ Out Now THIS series is in need of a Batman: Arkham Asylum-style revamp – despite offering fans plenty of reasons to celebrate. Based on recent ‘Civil War’ storylines, this sequel is still ultimately the same linear button-masher – albeit with new ‘Fusion’ superhero combining powers – as you take Spidey, Hulk and ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: STAR WARS – THE CLONE WARS: REPUBLIC HEROES (PS3/X360/WII/DS/PSP/PC)

STAR WARS – THE CLONE WARS: REPUBLIC HEROES (PS3/X360/WII/DS/PSP/PC) LucasArts PEGI Rating: 12+ Out Now THERE was a new hope for this Star Wars game – but unfortunately it has taken a turn to the dark side. Early promise has proved unfounded as ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: UP (X360/PS3/WII/DS/PSP/PC)

UP (X360/PS3/WII/DS/PSP/PC) Disney/Pixar PEGI Rating: 3+ Out Now THIS uplifting experience shows how a kids’ game should be done. Disney games are steadily improving, and this extends the Up experience to children who loved the movie, with humorous dialogue, decent platforming and engaging environmental puzzles. The gameplay is expectedly simplistic, but the cut-scenes – despite a bizarre opening battle that actually took ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: KING OF FIGHTERS XII (PS3/X360)

KING OF FIGHTERS XII (PS3/X360) Ignition Entertainment/SNK Playmore PEGI Rating: 12+ Out Now A MEATY burger just isn’t the same without the bun, cheese, salad, relish and side of fries, right? Well that’s the perfect analogy for this infuriating beat ‘em-up which gets the basics right – but pretty much forgets about everything else. First and foremost, King of Fighters XII – ... Full story

GAME REVIEW: FALLOUT 3 – POINT LOOKOUT (X360-XBOX LIVE)

FALLOUT 3: POINT LOOKOUT (X360-XBOX LIVE) Bethesda Softworks PEGI Rating: 18+ Xbox Live: Out Now Expansion Pack: August 31 (TBC) JUST when you thought the outstanding downloadable content of ‘Broken Steel’ couldn’t be surpassed – a bunch of hick inbreds take the ‘Fallout 3’ universe to a new stratosphere. I managed to stretch more than ten hours of further gameplay from the ... Full story

LET’S TAP (WII)

LET’S TAP (WII) SEGA/Prope PEGI Rating: 3+ Out Now WITH the MotionPlus getting so much attention, one new control system that has slipped in under the radar is a worthwhile addition to the Wii party scene. This aesthetically pleasing – if initially bizarre-sounding – control mechanism of two boxes that register the strength of your Wii remote-tapping actually works extremely well ... Full story