| Source: Country Games № January 2006 |
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Jak X
Far Cry Instincts
| 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 ...
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The basic rule of conduct on the island - try as little as possible in making his opponent.
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.
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).
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
| 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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gameplay: 9 Graphics: 8.5 Sound and Music: 8 Design: 9 Score Author: 9 Outcome: 87% |
Final Fight: Streetwise
| Source: Country Games № December 2006 |
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Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic
| Source: PC GAMES № April 2010 |
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Michigan: Report from Hell
| Source: Country Games № January 2006 |
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New Super Mario Bros. Wii
| Source: Country Games № February 2010 |
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