Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

SI
Source: Country Games № February 2010	05.02.2010

GENERAL APPEARANCE Bloodlines - mediocre attempt at making PSP-version of the first part of Assassin's Creed, latecomers at least a year, and then all two. After a great second part of the faded original recall did not want to, but Griptonite Games makes: and sounds the same, and the interface "animus" (despite the fact that it generally does not fit into the canonical storyline Desmond), and the ability of the hero. And the right would be if the plot was interesting, but no: ignoring Bloodlines, an amateur license parts of the series will not miss anything.

The Rumble Fish

Authors: Natalia Odintsova
Source: Country Games № 24 2005	15.12.2005

Siamese Fighting Fish flaunt bright color, unpretentious and extremely aggressive. It is worth two of them end up in one aquarium, as immediately begins to fight a life and death. Down with the compromise and diplomacy - in a jar of water can be only one boss!

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Winter Assault

Author: Matthew «hate008» Bulohov
Source: Country Games № 21 2005	01.11.2005

"The forces of Chaos, our enemies since time began, breaking planetary protection and entrenched in the capital, terrorizing the civilian population. To restore power to the Emperor on this ice ball, we must seize the ancient weapons are from Mars, Titan Dominatus. Even at the cost of living. "

Ridge Racer DS

Author: Spriggan
Source: Country Games № 23 2005	01.12.2005

The two thousandth year. Sony Dreamcast vengeance smears on the wall, each cut off a piece of the calendar brings to the PlayStation 2 and GameCube is not Dolphin. The American branch of a large N »gives Ridge Racer for the Nintendo 64. Cold adopted ardent fans of the show, RR64 was a far from perfect race - which, nevertheless, played.

Bioshock (review of the localized version of Gameland. Ru)

Authors: Vadim Bobrov
	17.10.2007

If we rated this game solely "on points" could be a good reason to shoot at polballa here and there, and as a result of the final figure would have been a fairly modest. But Bioshock does not recover, literally from the first minutes of sending a player into a knockout. The more immersed in the "Rapture", the less want to pick holes in, without which, unfortunately, has not done.

Shadowrun

Authors: Igor Sonin
Source: Country Games № 22 2007	15.11.2007

My eyes are not deceiving you. This is an overview of the Shadowrun, which was released in Europe first of June this year. Outside, cold and November, and the delay of five months was not associated with the fact that we could not tear myself away from Shadowrun. Could, and how. After the release of the game developer studio, FASA Interactive, was closed without explanation. Official announcement of the closure was made after the fact, late last working day of employees FASA. The official reason for such secrecy - "the reluctance to divert people who expected the latest game studios. The informal, we would add - that no one thought Shadowrun was sent to print raw in order to release all at least something. And it was Shadowrun - the first game where the multiplayer can fight among themselves the owners of the Xbox 360 and PCs with Windows Vista. But the exclusive debut on Vista is not a success: shortly after the game hacking group Razor 1911 has released a cracked set of files that can be used to run the game on Windows XP with DirectX 9 standard. The question is: because of what all the fuss?

Sonic Advance

Real
	19.02.2002

Title: Sonic Advance Platform: GameBoy Advance Genre: platform Developer: Sonic Team Publisher: Sega Website: http://www.sega.com "Sonic" on a portable system ... The last time this happened peacefully reposed SNK'ovskoy typewriter NeoGeo Pocket. And now - again: "Sonic" on GameBoy Advance. What to expect? To hope for? Why worry? Initially, the phrase "(c) Sega, Licensed by Nintendo" is a shock ... so, for old time's sake. However, great colorful screensaver, sustained in the fact that neither has a classic style, with representations of characters and face Dr. Robotnik on nearly half of the screen, accompanied by interesting lighting effects and pretty good music, inspires confidence that the toy is probably not bad. And, in general, it is true. "Sonic Advance" - a real Sonic. And no "advanced". Classic flat platformer filled with action, fast, beautiful and somewhat rustic - just like what "Sonic" and should be ... No, I simply must! Probably not discovered America, if not claim that the "Sonic" important - gameplay. The net effect, when the hero with insane speed sweeps through the levels, full of jumps, loops, and various means overclocking the Hedgehog and co., Studded with golden ringlets and a few, but petty zlodeychikami - mechanized arthropods, fish, mammals and other wildlife unfriendly; levels that end in the advent of the Good Doctor R. robotoshtukovinoy with another, designed for the most effective at the moment the abolition of urchins, Lisov yes every Echidna. This is the magic of the game. The levels just nice to run around collecting rings and nail them credit. It's nice when the speed is breathtaking, when the design of levels and enemies - the stylish and correct, when the design is playing areas - literacy, diverse and even has some finesse. Great to see change "mood" when moving to another level ... Yes I'm telling you! Played in the "gold" game series "Sonic" on the MegaDrive person already understands where I'm going. Everything! And there in the same quantity and quality. Is that the GBA resolution imposes some restrictions on the drawing and sprite design, but on the small GBA screen is all very "in the subject, moreover, have a feeling that more can not be achieved. Music except that slightly podkachala. Those tunes that were written specifically for "Sonic Advance", is very good. But attempts to reproduce the native melodies with MegaDrive (Boss themes of "Sonic 1" and "Sonic 2" when a boss of the) somehow failed not. Likely to affect a different number of audio channels from the MD and GBA. But everything else - well. Colors, by the way, even better than the MegaDrive, that, in general, is not surprising. And the effects that migrated to the GBA as a legacy of technological power SNES, too, the gift is not lost: "SA", decorated by them (though very modest, and always out of place), strongly wins in visual terms.Level design and the dynamics of the game is most similar to the "Sonic 2" and ways to draw anything and everything - on "Sonic & Knuckles". Also the main characters strongly resemble the characters in "Sonic" c DreamCast. Rattlesnake mix! It is time, perhaps, to do a description of how to use this mixture to use. Work will be one of four characters. Options: Sonic, Miles, Knuckles and Amy. At first three fellows in general, any unexpected talents and none at all. Sonic traditionally runs, but rolled into a ball, has the competent "rolled" and in the air, perekuvyrnuvshis, attack is quite capable. Miles, along with the standard movements, can fly on propeller-tail. Knuckles flies forward with exposed fists on the walls and climbs, but can still fist onymi quite like a martial swing ... and even a combo of the three hits with an uppercut to do! Swim, by the way, also it can. Amy is ... we say: the game for Amy - unorthodox. She can not cuddle, which greatly affects her, if I may say so, "mobility". However, the young lady has a very rather big hammer that can break through the wall (those that are not impossible to break), make enemies and break the boxes with prizes - all sorts of boards out there, heaps of rings, etc. Also with a hammer Amy has the ability to bounce high ... ie _deystvitelno_ high. However, this concept is quite right to exist. Yes, this is another point: in contrast to the "Sonic 2" and "Sonic 3" selected character runs through the levels alone. And rightly so: when the second "Sonic" Hedgehog was running behind by Fox, it was possible to cool "moonlight" in the battle with the boss: put Miles on the brain Eggman a such a special way to the way he pecked poor doctor, and myself to sit in a safe place . However, bosses are not nearly as severe except for a couple of samples: after returning from the "Sonic 2" drilling machine in an underwater incarnation, but the last Dr. Robotnik ... Horizons for accomplishment traditionally privolnye. Six high levels of two zones each. Meticulous levels of transfers from other parts of the series, thankfully, no. But the conceptual level, is quite familiar with, there are free improvisations, inspired by the "Casino Night", "Ice Cap" and "Aquatic ruin", as well as a hybrid of "Metropolis" and "Chemical Plant" from that same Sonic 2. With the passage of any particular levels of "plugging" that occurred at times in the third "Sonic". For the classical passing game is recommended, of course, Sonic, and the most effective "prohodtsami" are perhaps the Miles and Knuckles. For Amy, I play a human could not. In the special "secret locations" on the levels there are such things catapult, throw them inadvertently wandered into a hero "Special Stages", where by skating and collecting an incredible amount of mined gold rings Chaos Emeralds. Being gathered together (seven pieces), they allow Sonic (and only him) to turn into SuperSonika traditionally ultra-fast and invulnerable, but spends its "superstvo" collected by the ring. Incidentally, for SuperSonika there is a special ending and special as the boss. Only the passing game for SuperSonika, you can see the real ending, so ...go to the bonus, collect the emeralds! Boss, by the way, very evil, and victory over him - a serious test, not running any comparison with, in general, the complexity of the child the rest of the game. From other utilities, there are alternative modes of play - the traditional "Versus Game" and "Time Attack". The rest of the nice buns are due to the portability devaysa. For example, AutoSave happens after leaving the area, and there you can go back to the same character at next start the game. And not only there, but on any level, traversed before. What is the scope for searching the secrets! Among the useful gizmos of the same kind - is not mentioned as a default, but still there is in the play "Tiny Chao Garden". Here we are engaged in cultivation Chao - edakii analogues Tamagotchi. Hatch their eggs, feed vserazlichnymi fruit, play minigames. For feeding little obscure animals, by the way, spent the golden ring, that player collects the passing rates in a normal game modes. What else to say? In any case, to conclude this story, certainly, should be strongly recommended to all fans of "Sonic" to the unfailing purchase this game. "Sonic Advance" - a real "Sonic". Without any discounts on a portable system and non-native "for the Sega architecture. Very worthwhile thing, conceptually extremely common, "collected" is correct, but at the same time beautiful.

Serious Sam: Second Encounter

Tarnum
	20.02.2002

Serious Sam: Second Encounter Platform: PC Developer: Croteam Publisher: God Games Genre: FPS Requirements: Pentium II, 64MB RAM, Open GL I do not know how you and me for the first Serious Sam just stunned. "Well, it's not serious," - you might say. And what is here, to hell, seriously? Who told you that a "strong" shooter must always be serious, laid-back, gray in color, like everyone else, finally? "Serious Sam" really stood out from the crowd coming along, previously released, or maybe even the projects that will appear after it. On the background of gray, cold landscapes Quake, Unreal and Half-Life World Serious Sam was a bright, warm colors Pestryaev spot. Spot initially clumsy, but soon we saw in him a work of gaming art, perhaps less popular than the more "serious" FPS, but it is extremely attractive and fun. So the schedule. Perhaps, in this case, this factor is far from determining the quality of the whole game. Year-old engine of the first "Sam" has reached a sufficiently high level, and generally does not need "remaking", yet the developers have presented us a gift in the form of new cosmetic improvements. As a result of "Serious Sam: Second Encounter" in graphic terms rose to the occasion. The huge space has become "great", how would ugly it sounds. Nature has become richer, tropical jungles in the first mission the game look, perhaps more realistic than the Venom. Codename: Outbreak. And there too GSS showed us real beauty, coupled with their Vital Engine'om. Send all feeling after the first few minutes of the game from the brilliance, brightness of the screen can not be creative, you should see for yourself. Gameplay has retained its hurricanes. High speed frenzied rhythm of the group, the crowd of hundreds, legions of enemies of the sea, railway car with weapons stockpiles - the main difference from other games of the genre. Gameplay "Hardball Sam 2" is still a little different from the first part thereof, but the innovations we need and were not. Clemens remains the same steep. Only now somewhere gone his sunglasses, while its mountains are even more muscle, his face became serious, and clever jokes:) Apparently, not for nothing were traveling in Egypt .... So, after a Serious Sam finished his zoological studies in Egypt, ending with the closest accomplice Mental'a, he again wanted to "swim" in the old days. But there it was: the capture of the spacecraft and taking the right course, he continues to fly in the hope of success, but ... him added a group of developers from Croteam on a space jalopy, which suddenly cut into the "cool plate (the plate Hardball Sam), than cause a crash. Sam falls to the Andes - a mountain range in South America, which falls into the seemingly hopeless situation.No luck! But now Sam has a new chance to prove their toughness and finally get to the ill-fated Mental'a. Action game this time is not confined to one area: we'll go to South America, Babylon and medieval Europe. One of the hallmarks of the first part was an abundance of open spaces, "Serious Sam: The Second Encounter" they persist and become more beautiful and detalizovannye. All the weapons and monsters from the first part will be presented in the second, plus we add a few more brand new. From Monster - Zorg Mercenary, Zorg Commander, Fiendian Reptiloid Demon, Cucubito the Pumpkin and Zamb'ul the planet Ras-ad-Nyk. Most notable here has seemed to me Cucubito - this is something similar to a human-lumberjack with a chainsaw. A bunch of other new monsters just monsters and they look like and, perhaps, the least forced me to pay attention to them. By the way of new weapons is most interesting, and strangely enough, efficient - a chainsaw, in addition she had seen: Raptor 16mm Sniper, XOP Flamethrower, M1-A2 Thompson ... Chainsaw same thing at all remarkable. Despite its frenzied power, it is a perennial type of weapon, and acts on everything: on the bodies themselves enemies, and, most interestingly, the shells produced by them. Automatic Thomson, of course, does not pretend to complete his resemblance with the real prototype, as, in general, and all the cool Sam. Another very original "Fennec" in a Serious Sam: The Second Encounter - a seven-league boots, a kind of bonus, which for some time increases five times the speed of Sam. It is also worth noting that in the second episode appears much more puzzles, which were at the level of intelligent and logical, but not easier. Increasingly, developers will have our sniper skills. It's not just because they typed shestnadtsatimillimetrovy Raptor ... Multiplayer mode deserves special attention. Above all, the game turned Serious Warped Deathmath, as well as five other types of online battles, including the beloved Cooperative Mode. For all this wealth given to the wolves as much 20 levels. Well, everything seems to be the most important second part of the Serious Sam'a in my Review, I told him. It turns out that the Second Encounter - an almost perfect game for its genre. She is not in no way inferior to competitors, and in many ways surpasses them.

Luigi's Mansion

Dark Wren
	16.10.2001

Platform: GameCube Genre: Action Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo How to start a successful platforms from Nintendo? Well, of course, the games about the mustachioed plumber named Mario. However, his universe since the 8-bit consoles grew not only by increasing the monotonous series of adventures, and except for always abducted princess and the evil enemies appeared there and the brother of our hero. Personally, I first got acquainted with Luigi in one of the NES-ovsky puzzles, where the hero played a ceremonial role. But you will agree that it is better to have a major role in the inferior view, than to remain the eternal understudy a famous actor. Indeed, for most gamers Luigi for many years was simply a "green option for Mario" without any hint of the existence of individuality. Well, Nintendo has decided to correct this obvious injustice and start a game for the GameCube made a solo project under the name of Luigi Luigi's Mansion.

Project Sylpheed

Author: Red Cat
Source: Country Games № 18 2007	24.09.2007

Incredible, but true: the developers and publishers of video games, conspired, not willing to let us at the helm starships, by hook or crook to give up making a career space pilot. Fly from planet to planet as passengers - please, but to manage anything in a vacuum - no, no! However, there are still people who are expensive education. And they showed up in famous studios Game Arts, a short time to create and release (with support from Square Enix and Microsoft) is very, very curious Project Sylpheed.

Serious Sam II

Author: Roman «ShaD» Yepishin
Source: Country Games № 22 2005	15.11.2005

Big game space were replaced by huge, big monsters turned into giant monsters and villains instead of the hordes of assorted rolls hordes of enemies. Serious Sam II is replete with quantitative rather than qualitative changes. Good or bad, everyone decides for himself. We are just stating a fact ...

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse

Author: Spriggan
Source: Country Games № 22 2005	15.11.2005

To implacable enemies of ripe, found common ground and began to fight side by side, should something happen. Something out of the ordinary. Mutants, fed by Marvel, had the return of the Apocalypse - stubborn bully, who managed to "light up" in the comics, animated series and X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse for Game Boy Advance. Might Likhodeev so great that the team of Professor X and the Brotherhood led by Magneto to overcome mutual hostility and unite for the sake of eliminating a deadly threat. Danger naistrashneyshaya: one of the toughest villains in the history not only captured the four mutants and Genoshu turned into hell, but planned to deprive all the heroes of their super-powers and remains the most powerful and frightening in the county. The "peremagnichennogo" as the master and the nerves did no good, after all, among the abductees - the native son. The one "of mercury and blood."

Gunstar Future Heroes

Authors: Alane
Source: Country Games № 24 2005	15.12.2005

Somehow does not fit in my head that the younger generation of gamers may have never heard of the console Mega Drive, for which the mid-90's came the first part of Gunstar Heroes. And who will enlighten the dense peers console PlayStation? Parents are forced to learn by rote the multiplication table, and older brothers and sisters to their ears are mired in the morass of The Sims and all kinds of network RPG. On the other hand, fans of shooters, whether child or old man with a cane, is not necessarily a thorough knowledge of the history of the genre to have a great time with a new game from Treasure. All that is needed - it's flexible fingers so the iron self-control, and Gunstar Future Heroes give any connoisseur of a few hours of pure adrenaline.

Hooligans: Storm Over Europe

Kiria
	12.03.2002

Hooligans: Storm Over Europe. Platform: PC Genre: RTS Developer: Thirteenth Production Publisher: DarkXabre Requirements: P2 - 350, 64RAM, 3d-acc. http://www.hooligans-thegame.com/ It makes no sense to retell the inveterate football fan, sometimes a mess going on home ground. Long gone are the days when you could come watch the game with your child or girlfriend, do not risk running into a drunken squabble, or get from somewhere above a beer bottle. Clearly, the stadium - not the theater, and a lively discussion about sexual orientation, the judges were and will always be, but still sometimes frankly surprised absolutely bestial behavior of certain groups of "fans". Under the guise of loyalty to the club, such scumbags with cruelty and thoughtlessness wolves spills out unbridled aggression. Moreover, if the restore pogromlennye sector in the stadium can always be - would be money, then rehabilitate the good name of the club in the eyes of normal football fans is oh, how hard ... Agree, subject fairly sharp and rather strange that she still has not been raised within the computer games. Draft Hooligans: Storm over Europe, telling of a difficult and dangerous fate okolosportivnyh brawlers, is intended to correct this injustice. It's unclear, however, for whatever reason, "the storm" decided to hold over Europe - if not mistaken where bloodthirsty in this regard, South Americans (in the last 60 years in Argentina alone has killed nearly one hundred and fifty people.) With regard to genre affiliation, the engineers decided the most appropriate strategy in real time, and in fact, so to speak, a virgin pure. Almost complete absence of any planning acts of violence we are asked to compensate the bloody fights and "realistic" behavior of the wards. All sorts of plans for the delivery of the bricks, fireworks and piercing-cutting of scrap metal behind the scenes as well as the financial side, playing in the organization of turmoil is not the most important role. On the most gusto - rioting in the streets, breaking through police lines and beating someone else's fans team ... Now the bad news. More precisely, on the implementation of the already small obchekryzhennoy ideas. The first thing catches the eye more than the wretched graphics. The reviewed area is not heavily pampered look pretty facades and lawns, pleased only way the image of our Caudle - a kind of little something to think Nerds with debility facial expressions. Just like in life! Plus, the conduct in question - who do not hesitate to relieve themselves on the street, and who snagged a passerby without provocation. Rather, the occasion is and discover it may be in the characteristics of the ward. Several of them and partly they are noticeably affect his mood and desire to substitute your own forehead under the crowbar. Recruited similar types, oddly enough, in the nearest pub. The main thing - to go out there and do not mean, all compacted-present brothers at their own expense.In the game it usually translates into several hundred euros! Ask where they are to take these hundreds? And in the shop - steal all you like, because the police did not pay for it little attention. However, such absurdities are found throughout the game. Just think how much more must be loyal to the club, not to flee at the sight of Orava, at times exceeding your band! So the game often happens - the crowd bigger with a clang on the smaller rides, and so a few times before meeting with a worthy opponent. Stoned? It does not matter - the shops and pivnushek with people a lot ... It's only opponents reinforcements arrive. Alas, to find something worthy of your attention, dear readers, I failed. The game is definitely not used until the end of a very promising and interesting idea, did not cope with the re-creation of interesting and exciting street fighting, graphics, impersonal, maybe you remember the music as well ... Perhaps out of this game is really only interested in Belgian Football Association, which took the initiative to ban "hooligans."

MotoGP

Author: VP
Source: Country Games № August 2007	29.04.2007

Unlikely for someone to become a revelation that it was a portable console, Sony gave the opportunity to enjoy the real car simulator, not only at home, because until the PSP genre was limited to arcade racing. Now the road you can easily play the same Colin McRae Rally 2005, TOCA Race Driver 2 or World Championship Rally. But with all motorcycle simulators are not so rosy. Or rather, was - until recently, now we have MotoGP. And with it the opportunity to participate in these competitions, where, in addition, each driver (Valentino Rossi, Marco Melandri, Nicky Hayden!), Every track and every one of dozens of motorcycles - licensed.

Mind Quiz

Author: Sergey Tsilyurik
Source: Country Games № November 2007	25.06.2007

Two of the Brain Training is not the first year are among the top sellers in Japan, and it is thanks to them all on hearing the name of Professor Kawashima Ryuty. Professor this game to the very relevant very indirect: it examines the work of the human brain, and only advised the developers of the Nintendo, adorned his ideas into a finished product. After participating in the work of the two best sellers, certainly podstegnuvshimi DS sales in Japan, Kawashima's suddenly turned away from Nintendo and moved into the camp, Ubisoft, taking up the project Mind Quiz for the PSP. And the adherents of two screen wonder from Nintendo fit to sprinkle ashes on his head, for "mozgotrening" with a rival console, jump on all of its predecessors.

Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico

Author: Igor Sonin
Source: Country Games № 22 2005	15.11.2005

Many development teams are now in a frenzy cloned GTA. Number of upcoming games based on the stellar series from Rockstar bad is incalculable, and one only the Xbox 360 is prepared just two of the project "in explanation." Budding Danish team Deadline Games throwing my two cents worth - is Total Overdose, «GTA shooting in Mexico." Is it good game?

Soul Calibur 3

Serge
	07.01.2006

Platform: PS2 Genre: Fighting Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Project website: http://soulcalibur3.namco.com Describing the new creation, Namco, it would be a crime not to mention the age-old Soul Blade (known as Soul Edge), appeared on the first PlayStation. That was a great fighting game with weapons, vivid characters, stunning music and a strong storyline and a number of interesting pieces. It is not surprising that such high-quality creation very quickly attracted a lot of fans. Continued came much later and is on a different platform. Soulcalibur absolutely deservedly gained the status of an unqualified hit for the Dreamcast (peace be upon her and the rest) due to excellent (especially by the standards of the time) graphics, addictive gameplay and most importantly, furious mode for two players. Moreover, Soulcalibur has become one of the few fighting games, which in Russia have been held championships. Since then a lot of water has flowed - Dreamcast gone forever, and the second part of the game came out for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. Will not prevaricate: Soulcalibur 2 differed little from the original. Same graphics, same gameplay, practically the same ones ... The twin brothers? Perhaps ... And now, just recently released the third part. Another "Dolly" the family "Soulkaliburov? Not at all! A Tale of Souls and Swords In the third part Soulcalibur plenty of new features. Lots of new (or long ago forgotten) persons, modes, capacities and so on. Soulcalibur 3, we can rightly be called one of the greatest modern fighting games. In order for a 100% to examine it, you'll need more than one or two weeks, a few months - so time-consuming comparable except that with the development of Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. Especially since, Soulcalibur 3 where the duration of any Tekken and Mortal Kombat. The plot of the game is very intriguing. As before, it revolves around two swords - the "evil» Soul Edge and the "good» Soul Calibur. This story could even serve as a basis for a good role-playing game. Almost all the characters are extremely charismatic, interesting and cause a storm of a variety of emotions - the dullness is gone! Heroes can be clearly divided into positive, negative and certain average. We will meet both familiar and new faces. But, alas, their biographies are not prescribed in great detail. Yes, and get to know them as close as you want, unfortunately, will not succeed. Still, we are dealing with a fighting game, not the "epic» RPG, so the blame Namco for certain "superficiality" not worth it. Cornucopia The perennial question of gamers when meeting with a sequel - "What's new?" Is it worth the game to be called the third part in full? Yes, definitely. Let's start in order - with different modes of play, because they are really a lot. Standard "plot" the passage has undergone some changes. Now do not you just fought the enemy at a time. You still walk around the map, choose the path and read about what happened to your hero on the road.Somewhere can turn right somewhere left ... Though actually choice itself no - Apparent freedom illusory. Anyway necessary very often fight enemies. Just sometimes fights can be greater sometimes less. Somewhere mid your of fight wanderings you will evade flying on you huge pinion using keypress "LEFT. Similar inserts nowadays fashionable in modern games (a went then all from Shenmue, if anyone forgot) as passage you yet encounter not times. Seemingly this should diversify gameplay however virtually all heroes they identical ... And if first acquaintance so or otherwise script yet can experience indescribable delight then times edak on 20 he already will cause only stream swearing addressed Namco . Another new mode called Chronicles of the Sword (incidentally ages ago on PlayStation existed eponymous quest; wondering asked whether Namco permit usage franchise y rightholders? ..) And represents minigame in genre you not believe strategy! You will create army and destroy enemy fortress. Tactics extremely simple: equips your yunitov and go along to strengthening where dwelt opponent. Toot then game and switches habitual mode fighting game. Confess play such "Fighting strategy" very boring. This even worse action games Devil Inside from Tekken 5. Incomprehensible what purpose Namco with enviable perseverance keeps shove into their fighting games absurd minigames. Surely from them someone really gets pleasure? True, those wishes open in Soulcalibur 3 all possible bonuses have devote this "fun" sufficiently many hours. Others regimes not worth separate mention. Various tournaments league championships only called differently but actually represent already known us time-attack, survival etc.. «Choose your destiny» Probably one most interesting innovations Soulcalibur 3 is opportunity create own fighter. Devote this process can weeks recollecting constructor Lego from your childhood. This parallel nonrandom because strongest personages succeed create only after you open (or buy in store) miscellaneous ... You liberty customize absolutely everything - from boots and shirts until eye color and hair. Nobody hampers do eg Japanese with brightly blue skin in straw uppers and ryase archbishop. Do, imagination - piece unpredictable ... Nonetheless no "homemade" not compare with heroes whom created professional designers Namco. So longstanding admirers serial will glad learn that practically all known how on Soul Blade, so and both Soulcalibur'am heroes just represented third part. This favorite us samurai Heishiro Mitsurugi, and knight Siegfried, and chief villain itself first part Cervantes De Leon, and cruel Nightmare, and strange Voldo, and powerful Astaroth many other. Appeared new personages about which worth telling details. Total their five: this defied gods ancient warrior Olcadan; 17 summer girl Tira (last hackney murderer); wishing avenge Mitsurugi for death teacher Setsuka, armed umbrella into which hidden lethal blade; Zasalamel - former member tribe defended saint sword , nowadays immortal and seeker sedation; Abyss - boss games appeared resulting compound swords Soul Calibur and Soul Edge with Zasalamel.All in all, Soulcalibur 3 typed more than 20 characters (if it does not take another chance computer-generated characters). All of them - the owners of a variety of styles. Someone relying on brute force, someone on the power of their weapons, and someone wins at the expense of speed. Frankly weak heroes here. Balance of the game, traditionally, remained on top. Although it still would be worth little to weaken Siegfried'a. Soulcalibur has always been famous for an excellent set of characters. Did not disappoint in this regard and the third part. Loyalty to the traditions As for the gameplay, there are no drastic changes in it were noted. Good or bad, everyone decides for himself. But still, add some new touches Namco is not stingy. Another thing is that not all of them were successful. For example, no longer the freedom of movement around the arena. Remember how you could play with your friend to catch a few hours at a time? Remember! In Soulcalibur 3 Battle gained more contact in nature. To evade enemy attack - is now an easy task. The game began to resemble a series of Tekken, and this, ladies and gentlemen, it is not good. When you play in the mode of Tales of Souls, you begin to understand that the Soulcalibur 3 was much more difficult their predecessors. Even passing on the Easy difficulty level does not seem like a simple. Can not say that the enemy AI in height, but that he will not allow you to relax, that's for sure. Remember how you were Soulcalibur 2, while not receiving from your computer or a single blow. Get ready for what will have to play much more often. Otherwise, everything remains unchanged: the lightning-fast combination of punches, superb balance, spectacular duels, speed - all that for which millions of players around the world fell in love with this series. Dislike Graphics ... Unfortunately, compared to its predecessor in visual terms of any "prodvizhek" did not happen. PlayStation 2 technology is already outdated unconditionally - Soulcalibur 3 for the PS2 looks like an order of magnitude worse than the second part for the GameCube or Xbox. Moreover, Tekken 5 by Namco for the same looks much more modern. However, you can only find fault with the level of special effects and a low of detail the characters. But in something Soulcalibur 3, and beautiful. Arena in which there are fights, really fascinating. Beautiful castles, waterfalls, temples, can not fail to please even the person with the most demanding taste. Music also has not undergone any changes. The best soundtrack of "series of sword" is still the Soul Blade. A composition of all three parts of Soulcalibur sound the same to the obscene. It is still fun, but next time can be sad Is it better to Soulcalibur 3 of its predecessors? Hardly. It is practically the same. But we must not forget that the first part came out about 5 years ago, and then we do not mind would put this game and nine, even ten points. Nevertheless, the third part deserves a solid eight, because, despite all its homeliness, the new "Soulkalibur" remains one of the best fighting games. Gameplay: 8 Graphics: 7 Sound and Music: 8 Design: 9 Score Author: 8 Outcome: 80%

Soul Calibur III

Author: Konstantin «Wren» Govorun
Source: Country Games № 22 2005	15.11.2005

In the next issue we will tell a lot about the team, "SI" and how we're doing a number. Beautifully and candidly measure. Just remember one simple thing. Fighting Soul Calibur - the main thing that binds us together, gives the opportunity to understand each other perfectly, negates all the difficulties. These games will never allow us to regret the choice of place of work. Any other motivation - including financial incentives - is secondary and not universal. "This is a joke?" - You ask. Yes, of course. Almost.

The Sword of Etheria

Author: Natalia Odintsova
Source: Country Games № October 2006	17.05.2006

Once the gods have sent emissaries to distant villages. The divine order was brief: children steal, with adults to understand the circumstances. The boy Fiel (Fiel) decided not to sit in the bushes while his sister Dorothy steal unknown Frighteners, and summoned to the battle commander of the envoys, the benefit of a sudden came to hand a magical sword. Defeated by the messenger, contrary to the canons of the genre, not the guy promised to come back in a couple of missions that slapped him in the neck, and realized the injustice of the order of the gods. So at Fielya appeared first ally in the quest still stolen under cover of his sister.

Jak X

Author: Red Cat
Source: Country Games № January 2006	26.12.2005

Almost everyone in life has a dream. For example, make a million. Or become a master of the world. Or even what nonsense. But the dream always hovering in the air, fat Cru (Krew) was much more modest: he just wanted to put up for competition in the Kras City a strong team and a little bask in its glory. However, that's bad luck - because of the restless couple, Jack and Dexter Crew seemed to have lost the possibility of the dream a reality. For, suddenly flew off into another world. However, it soon became clear, the death appeared to fatted criminal bigwigs temporary obstacle. With the help of some tricks he had poisoned potential racers and advanced (through its holographic image), the condition - an antidote in exchange for victory. Without the right to bargain.

Far Cry Instincts

Serge
	14.11.2005

Platform: Xbox Genre: FPS Developer: Ubisoft Montreal and Crytek Studios Publisher: Ubisoft Project website: http://www.farcrygame.com/uk/farcryinstincts Excellent creation of Crytek Studios team deservedly became one of the three best action game of 2004, amounting to compete in such a promoted FPS, like Doom 3 and Half-Life 2. Excellent graphics, good design and thoughtful gameplay coupled with a complex plot - all this in Far Cry was present. But even this was not the most important. The game takes place against a background of fabulous tropical island. Blue sky, crystal clear waters, exquisite natural beauty - the landscape was so bright, vivid and saturated, that there are insurmountable desire to return to this paradise on earth again and again ... Lucky for Xbox owners only The game has gained wide popularity, and the publisher of the project, a little reflection, decided to release a special version of "paradise shooter" exclusively for consoles. Development was called Far Cry Instincts, and its creation of trust Canadian studio Ubisoft Montreal. Initially it was assumed that the game will be released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, but later the decision was made for the PS2 version to cancel due to insufficient capacity of the system from Sony. Employees Ubisoft Montreal is not just a PC-ported version of Far Cry, fit it under the possibility of Xbox. They went the other way, creating a new project almost from scratch. " And, frankly, they failed to do the impossible: Far Cry Instincsts turned out even better than the original version for the PC. Quite another Far Cry Despite the fact that the possibilities of Xbox much more modest than srednestaticheskogo PC, developers managed to squeeze out of the picture boxes are not inferior to (and sometimes even superior) to that can only be seen on the computer high-end configuration. In Far Cry Instincts have additional locations, and the plot is overgrown with new details and unexpected twists. Have not been forgotten a map editor and full multiplayer mode. As a result, we got probably the best representative of the genre on Xbox (though there is still Serious Sam 2, but this is a different type of FPS). So, will introduce you to the main character - a former military Jack Carver. A certain journalist hires him as a guide to a distant tropical island. But when the destination of their separates a couple of hundred meters, Jack in the boat for no apparent reason attacked almost the entire army of heavily armed individuals. "What is it? What's going on here? And where did this damned journalist? Why are all trying to kill me? "- Jack asks himself. But ask the council has no one to have to figure out everything myself ... Here, indeed, begins an adventure itself. Further, we are waiting for government conspiracies, monstrous experiments, mad scientists and the sea, not even a whole ocean of hurricane action games.Tourist Walk will turn bloodier Massacre, and paradise "island of the Bounty" will turn into a real hell. Not just action Far Cry Instincts can not be called "traditional" representative of the genre of FPS. It includes elements and stealth-action games, and even horror - sometimes it will be really scary. And not because of some sort of monsters, zombies and other evil spirits. Insecurity and vulnerability - that's what scares the most. Here, you will not feel like Superman (well, almost did not succeed), which is mown legions of enemies in a few minutes (as in the same Serious Sam). Each enemy - the owner of a well-developed artificial intelligence, each in its own way is dangerous. Breakneck speed, with a gun at the ready - with such tactics in Far Cry Instincts will stretch out very long. Each step must be carefully planned. As is known, Far Cry for PC differed in that the paths to the goal was a great set. Freedom of action, lack of clear limits and targets. There is a goal, well, how you would go to her (crawl, fly, ride, roll ...) - your own business. In this regard, Far Cry Instincts - almost an exact copy of its "elder brother". But, unfortunately, was not without some limitations. Walking around the island have not come out so freely, as in the PC version. Although visually levels remained equally huge to fit the entire island entirely in a small RAM Xbox, alas, failed. Far Cry Instincts was more linear, and there's nothing you can do. Modern Rimbaud Compared with PC-version has seen some major changes in gameplay. The most notable innovation - an opportunity to set the trap. Now you can set traps around the perimeter of the jungle and methodically to lure them as enemies. Plenty of room for tactical maneuvers huge. At the beginning of the game pressing need in this, but closer to the final location of the literate minutes becomes almost the only guarantee of survival - the rounds at all is simply not enough. Important - most do not own popastcya in the same trap. The basic rule of conduct on the island - try as little as possible in making his opponent. There are all conditions are met: you can hide possible for the trees, behind rocks, in bushes, in the grass, etc., thanks to lack of vegetation in the game are observed. To facilitate orientation in the terrain in Far Cry Instincts present a special radar (like the one that was Metal Gear Solid), which shows the location of enemies and their level of alertness. As with any stealth-action, Jack can strike from behind (stunned or immediately sending adversary to the forefathers), thus eliminating themselves from a long firefight with the enemy. As for weapons, the main character can carry only three weapon at a time. Arsenal are pretty standard: knives, pistols, rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers and so on. Weapons can not only find, but also to select from the corpses of enemies, which is quite logical.Also, Jack is able to shoot with two hands (akimbo mode) in the manner of Max Payne. The Beast Within, or primitive instincts As you go, the Carver will appear superhuman abilities. Superforce, increased speed, night vision, improved several times reflexes - tremble, enemies - Superdzhek coming! True, the use of these abilities is limited. For the regeneration of adrenaline used. What modern FPS do without the use of various means of transportation? That's right, decent homes lack this features is mauvais ton. Jack is able to operate both water and land transport modes. However, the call driving one of the best chips Far Cry Instincts language is not rotated. Too inconvenient to control. So that you will use the car mainly in order to overcome the vast distances in those moments when just too lazy to walk. Far Cry Instincts are difficult game. And it's not in an advanced enemy AI and a lack of weapons. As for the PC, the Xbox system remained annoying checkpoints. Sometimes they are quite competently. But you do not just curse the developers will be passing the same place again, a kind of five or six. But such episodes in the Far Cry Instincts, believe me, plenty. Look and listen On the appearance of the Far Cry Instincts I have already said a lot of flattering words. This is truly one of the most beautiful games on the Xbox. Worked on the character models, a high degree of detail, sharpness and excellent special effects. Add to this the sensitive use of light and shadow, and you get an idea of ​​how should look like a modern FPS on Xbox. Despite the fact that the game has huge levels, a slowdown was observed. With regard to audioryada, everything on the level. Not bad music, high-quality voice - and thanks for that. Special attention is given only the fact that the main character speaks the voice of Hollywood actor Stephen Dorf (vampire "Blade"). Secret around the world Those who will be single-user mode (and it will take a maximum of two weeks) suggest that pay attention to the multiplayer. It presents three modes: standard and team deathmatch'a (Chaos and Team Chaos), the traditional capture-the-flag (Steal the Sample) and original mode Predator (one player with superpowers against all). The use of transport, tactical maneuvers (traps, mines, traps) and the hunt for "otozhrannym bunny" make a multiplayer mode is extremely fun. Despite some shortcomings (which, fortunately very few), Far Cry Instincts claims the title of the best console shooter of 2005. Excellent game that combines excellent graphics and exciting gameplay. Another reason to envy the owners of Xbox. Gameplay: 9 Graphics: 9 Sound and Music: 8 Design: 9 Score Author: 9 Outcome: 93%

Serious Sam 2

Andrew Chaplyuk
	27.12.2005

Platform: PC, Xbox Genre: FPS Developer: Croteam Publisher: 2K Games Publisher in Russia: 1C Project website: http://www.serioussam2.com Requirements: P-April 2, 512Mb RAM, 64Mb Video It is hard to find amateur action, which would not be familiar with a steep Sam. At one time, the brainchild of Croteam has made a real revolution in the genre, proving that the plot shooter, contrary to the predictions, and have not managed to bury the "meat" genre. Just to gamers have regained the love of the primitive, but a dynamic fighter, you need to intelligently approach the matter. The experiment was a young team has been extremely successful, as clearly indicated a very respectable sales. Building on the success, the developers have released add-The Second Encounter, which has made a favorite game more interesting and varied. But the fans and it was not enough. They waited a full second part. Expectation was full of anxious thoughts. Will the game to preserve the dignity of old? Do not lose the brand of drive? Fuel to the fire and poured a very unfortunate demo version, released by developers for a few days before release. Boring urban living, ridiculous opponents and the absence of truly large-scale battles plunged fans in shock. All worried about only one question - is it the whole game will be just as dull and monotonous? But for a long time did not have to worry about. The first episode of Serious Sam 2 makes it clear - in front of us is still the same beloved Sam, however, substantially changed since the last meeting. Meat and minced The plot is traditionally simple and unassuming. And if he needed to do this project? There is a goal - Mental. There is a vast arsenal and an impressive army of enemies. It is not hard to guess that we need to. Well, if you do somehow miraculously get into the plot, a dead end, a nice voice girl Coordinator will give the necessary clue. The essence of the game still boils down to processing hundreds of opponents in the minced meat with the help of various weapons. It is worth noting that the developers kept their promise, the world is really filled with giant creatures. First encounter with a huge mechanical spider or robot Tirex remember you for a long time. But fear not worth it. Monsters Serious Sam 2 fully confirm the famous saying that "the more rack, the louder it falls." Cracking down on them is much easier than with the crowds smaller, but more numerous creatures. For every big game in the game there own gun. Arsenal Serious Sam 2 is almost completely moved from The Second Encounter. Shotgun, rocket launcher, sniper rifle, a grenade launcher and even a mortar - all this remained in place. It's a shame that we cheated a flamethrower, because it was so fun to roast enemies. For some reason the developers decided to ignore this wonderful trunk, instead of providing homing a parrot with a bomb - utterly insane thing. But the appearance of hand grenades that Sam is always ready zashvyrnut into a crowd of opponents, making the game a hefty portion of new techniques. Diversify the extermination of adversaries is also designed equipment, which occurs during the passage of indecent lot. War, sitting in some flyers, more fun than shoot peshkodrapom. Moreover, many villains can not just shoot, and to crush. Particularly well suited for this business spiked bubble, climbing into that, Sam becomes a sort of semblance of a deadly bowling ball. The only pity is that this device meets only twice per game. Such a shortcoming is inherent and other military equipment. From an extensive fleet will fall mostly small boats on antigravity pad. A cute green dinosaur, a catalyst for us back in the second mission, never for more travel time and no-show. If, however, became quite ill, you can use the stationary turrets that are carefully placed by developers in areas of maximum accumulation of opponents. But sometimes they do not save. After all enemies are such tight formation that the breach in their ranks are sometimes beyond the power of even a machine gun. Bosses. More precisely, boss. Since the time of The Second Encounter are substantially transformed, becoming not only larger in size, but also more diverse. It is noteworthy that beat leaders "ahead" will not work. For each opponent will have to pick individual tactics, finding his weaknesses. The most vivid impression on a fun pink dragon, which you want to shoot from stationary ballista, gathered with the help of pre-boot to spring a huge boom. Serious Humor It is gratifying that Serious Sam 2 is not trying to pretend to be a serious thriller. First and foremost this game - banter and ridicule as on numerous colleagues in the genre, as well as over by the genre. What to say skeleton Dukas Nyukema tied to a post on one level. Yes, and links to other toys are found almost everywhere. Even the names of the levels here speak for themselves - Doomed Canyon, Unreal Wasteland, Area 5100 ... Himself the protagonist regularly gives Crown frazochki, wondering who it is scattered in the surroundings as valuable "trunks", or giving comments on the intelligence of enemies. Especially funny sounds utterance climbing into the sewer Sam that the toys without the sewer level just does not exist. Banter, and only. Visiting Fairy Tales Appearance Serious Sam 2 in the first minutes of the game is literally shocking. Pestryaev colors, funny models, as though he had just descended from the pages of comic books. Really after the realistic models of Doom 3, Far Cry, Half-Life 2 and the mass of the recently published hits IS possible to play? Even as much as possible. You just need to schedule Serious Sam 2 for what it is and try to find it its zest. And as raisins in the Serious Engine 2 - excited and a little cart. The engine is still copes with open spaces. And although such giant fields as in the first part, Serious Sam 2 we did not find the place to give battle to a hundred or so minions of Mental, enough with interest. Opponents in the game is not just a lot, but a lot.On average level accounts for about 500-700 opponents. The undisputed champion in this respect - the final level, where Sam in total will have to send to the country of eternal hunt about six thousand enemies. And the number is in no way has no effect on quality. All models boast an impressive number of polygons, high-quality "skins" and good animation. But most importantly, the game engine is surprisingly unpretentious. Even when the screen is accumulated hundreds of opponents, Serious Sam 2 on medium settings and not very advanced "prostate" continues to honestly give 40-50 fps, which is enough for a comfortable game. Landscapes will not get bored for a minute. Just fought in the jungle? Get ready for the journey into the world of giants, where every abandoned calf is comparable in size with a huge log. The plot throws us into the most bizarre places. Here we are at the ramshackle flying platform traveled around the island, hung in the air, and after a few minutes later storm an alien base. Designers to work can put a solid "five". Come up with so many original decorations can be done only truly outstanding artists. The only disappointment for the whole game is probably the last level. Toward the close of the action the creativity of developers began to dry up and we got a simple and monotonous maze, around every corner is waiting for hundreds of monsters. The glory succeed and voice. In the midst of battle, when you climb on all sides by a crowd of snarling monsters, from the horizon leave tens of disgusting giggling clowns, a gun pops never ceased for a moment diminish slightly better sound. And then the deaf for long. But the music is frankly disappointing. After divine Tracks The Second Encounter, I was expecting based on the full minimum quality tunes and the second part. However, during the whole game just came across two more or less decent composition. The rest are nothing special. So if you want to get maximum enjoyment from the game, turn on in the background WinAmp and enjoy shooting villains your favorite music. Don't get serious! Around Serious Sam 2 vengeance hotly disputes. Some argue that the game has lost all of the best pieces of the first part and turned into a simple children's arcade. Others assert that the Serious Sam 2 - it's just that Sam, that we all dreamed of. In fact, such disputes - a waste of time. Treat Serious Sam 2 does not need a sequel, as well as a separate game. Moreover, apart from glavgeroya, the main idea and the crowd of opponents, the first and second parts of the offspring of Croteam did not bind. Even the game atmosphere changed so much that the extermination of foes are totally different feeling. Yes, Sam became more bright and cheerful, we finally got rid of the raid "maturity". The game has openly stated that it, in spite of the name, do not take seriously, look deeper meaning or counting polygons into the enemy. You just need to relax and have fun.What can be better than after a hard day to come home, and sitting at the computer, race around the colorful cards, wiping out hundreds of opponents is not terrible? Gameplay: 9 Graphics: 8.5 Sound and Music: 8 Design: 9 Score Author: 9 Outcome: 87%