"Too Human" Review - Xbox 360

By Nicholas Raquet

Too Human could very well be the poster child for the negative effects of over-hyping a video game. Too often we gamers and the people who supply us with information become so obsessed with the possibilities a game represents that we lose sight of reality. An exciting and eagerly awaited game is built up to impossibly high standards that only a few games in a hundred manage to meet. We want so badly for a game to be everything we hoped that we lose sight of what it is, which in this case is a very decent title with its share of issues; nothing more, nothing less.

The unusually long game development time for Too Human has created its share of difficulties concerning both the over-hyping of the title as well as the core of the game itself. Originally scheduled for release on the original Playstation, the title found its way to the GameCube following a partnership between Silicon Knights and Nintendo, and finally ended its long journey on Microsoft's Xbox 360. The time allotted to the development of an average game is typically more than enough to allow for the over-hyping of said game, but in this case I believe the incredibly long development time as well as the multiple platform changes for the title attributed to this game's hyper-hyping. The game simply sat too long in the imaginations of gamers worldwide.

I personally cannot blame those who wanted this title to be great; the game has some really interesting concepts. The dual-analog melee combat has incredible potential for those willing to take time to learn its particulars. Once well-equipped and versed in the particulars of the game's combat system, a player can truly begin to feel godly while facing his foes. Though at first unsure of the depth of combat I found in the game's opening, this gamer was soon sliding gracefully from enemy to enemy swords-a-blur. Few things about this title are as satisfying as wading confidently into a group of twenty enemies and emerging practically untouched with some cool new items to check out.

The game offers some reasonably fun character progression featuring a wealth of class and spec combinations which lead to many different play styles. The loot drops are frequent and satisfying, and despite the fact that you will pick up some items that you cannot use on your character, they can always be traded to a friend for something you want in the game's online co-op multiplayer. Furthermore, you are given the option of breaking down items that you do not need anywhere in the game into hard currency which you will then use to buy or craft new items. The gear is really quite satisfying to collect and craft, and this is one of the game's strong points.

The game is, of course, not without its problems. As earlier stated, the game was originally planned for development on the Playstation, and in some ways it shows. The character models are somewhat blocky-looking (especially the faces), and some of the game's environments are somewhat bland. The story attempts an interesting mixture of futuristic technology (including cybernetics), and Norse mythology. While this may sound cool to some, the theme seems somewhat forced. While the story itself is thankfully fairly simple, some of the ideas and statements made me cringe, such as AI-controlled human allies saying things like "where in the Helheim are we?" The game is also sadly somewhat short, but despite playing through the main story twice in my four days with the game, I was eager to play again.

There are a few other small compliments and gripes which could be bestowed upon this title, but I think we all get the picture: What we have here is a fun game that is more than adequate entertainment. It has issues, yes, but what game doesn't? My recommendation is to give this game a fair shake. Even the most remote areas of the country have access to game rentals these days, so you need not invest a full $60 just to find out if the game suits you. Who knows? You may really enjoy it.

My score: 7.5/10

How to Play Bejeweled and Bejeweled 2 Absolutely Free

By Kevin Scott Smith

Why Free Bejeweled 2 Online is so much FUN...

A lot of people are in need of a "simple break" in their normal routines while sitting at the computer and working on their daily tasks and jobs. Let me introduce you to a wonderful online game that many people don't realize you can play for free, it's Free Bejeweled 2 Online. Yes, Bejeweled 2, one of the most popular games ever is now available online and you can play it for free. Continue reading this article and I will tell you a little about this little jewel of a game, and why people are finding it to be a lot of fun and a valuable "dead time filler".

Gone are the days of sitting at work in front of the computer and running into "dead time" with nothing to do but watch as your computer completes a boring 10 minute task. Now it's possible to fill that time with an enjoyable and "mind distracting" game of bejeweled 2. Many people find the game relaxing and almost mesmerizing all at the same time. Here are some of the basics of this games and a little bit of the history...

Options for playing Bejeweled 2

There are a couple of options that you can choose from while playing Bejeweled online. First, you need to decide if you want to play for free or if you want to try some of the new tournament style bejeweled games that are now available and allow you to win real money and prizes if you choose to compete against others. This option has gotten very popular in the last year or two as a result of the gains in technology experienced over the internet, as well as the gain in consumer confidence in secure online transactions and tracking capabilities.

Or of course you can just play for free. This is the option many choose if they are in a hurry or time is a factor. Many people, when asked, seem to just want to sit and play without having to compete against someone, or they just want to fill some down time with a great game that not only fills the dead time but is relaxing and fulfilling at the same time. Playing bejeweled 2 online for free has proven to accomplish all of these responses and more...

Bejeweled 2 Free Online Game Play Basics

When you play the game of Bejeweled 2, you will first move various adjoining gems of the same color to create groupings of three or more similar patterns. Once these are in alignment and grouped in threes and you click on the groupings, they will break away from the game board and your points are accumulated accordingly. This opens up the area for more gems to appear and fall into the place of the ones that were removed. This will create and endless amount of new patterns and groups of three or more to connect and remove as well. And to top it all off, everything is being timed. High scores and continuous play is only accomplished if the player can do this before the time runs out, otherwise the game will end.

You can increase your score by bringing into play the games strategy and foreseeing patterns and connections that will develop after one has removed a set of gems. For example, if you can guess where the new groups of gems will assemble and fall, while the former gems are breaking away as well as the type of new pattern being made, you may be able to win and accumulate more points. You get more points if you can form pattern of 4 or 5, as well.. Keep in mind that the faster you can cause the groupings to break away and fall the higher your points will become and you scores will of course be higher as well.

The Building of Free Bejeweled 2 Online Communities

There are many huge communities of Bejeweled 2 online and gamers who gather at various websites. There are new social internet communities throughout the world wide web popping up everyday. These websites provide free games of Bejeweled 2 to encourage other gamers to join in and play. You can also chat with other Bejeweled 2 game players on a lot of these sites while playing online.

Thousands and thousands of gamers log on to these community websites daily to play for free, or play for cash. The growth is astounding to watch. Many of these new social gamers enjoy playing in tournament style games as well, which creates even more excitement. Tournament style games of bejeweled 2 can involve thousands of players and the chance to win significant amounts of money or prizes.

If a gamer thinks he or she is talented and skilled enough, they can come into one of these many websites to play Bejeweled 2 for free but may choose to graduate to playing for cash. Playing for cash seems to be the next logical step in a progression of online Bejeweled 2 games.

Free Bejeweled - A Powerful Incentive

Being able to play free online Bejeweled 2 has been a powerful incentive for the designing and creation of other similar skill games for online play and for mobile units. You can go just about anywhere online and explore the newest free online games among the top internet game sites. Gaming Sites are increasing in popularity daily and the growth is expected to rise tremendously over the next few years. Creative gaming software companies and talented programmers are designing online games similar to Bejeweled 2 in hopes of matching some of success that the original makers of Bejeweled has had.

Summary of Free Bejeweled 2 Online!

Everyday, thousands upon thousands of individual game players are logging in to play Bejeweled 2 Online. This enjoyable little game has seemed to grasp the online community, and provide a needed relief in daily routines and tasks. Many gamers are finding the ability to play bejeweled online for free to be very satisfying and a pleasurable way to fulfill dead times that we encounter everyday.

For more information on Playing Free Bejeweled 2 Online:

Free Games Bejeweled My name is Scott Smith and I like playing Bejeweled 2 for free. I like it so much that I blog about it and I also create articles that I hope you will find informative and creative enough to entice you to come join me in playing at: Free Bejeweled 2 Online Hope to see ya there. Take a look at my site and we'll have some fun for free.

Star Wars The Force Unleashed - Xbox 360 Review

By Julie A Gray

Star Wars has probably become one of the most successful Sci-Fi franchises ever. And as far as video game franchises go, LucasArts seems to be heading in the right direction. With their latest release Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, we finally get to taste what it's like living on the other side of existence - as the Sith Apprentice of Darth Vader himself, no less.

The beginning segments of the game aren't that great and you'll probably be wondering why you're starting out as Darth Vader when this is a game focused on his apprentice. Well, the apprentice has to come from somewhere and that's why you play as Darth.

As you progress in the game you will immediately begin to enjoy using your Sith powers. The further on you progress in the missions, the more powerful your powers become. You will eventually be able to upgrade everything including force powers, abilities and even your light sabre.

On a visual level the game looks extremely good - detail is exceptional and the various environments you encounter (everything from the junkyard home world of 'Raxus Prime' to the lush and exotic foliage of 'Felucia') are all brilliantly presented. The only thing that really didn't appeal to me was the movement of various characters in cut-scenes. It didn't at all look natural.

The game mechanics however are a different story. Movement in the game is fluid and fast-paced (very much like Prince of Persia or Assassins' Creed) and you'll find yourself hopping and jumping all over the place with ease. Coupled with an extremely well structured control system, anyone could easily master the 'Power of the Dark Side'. Basic movements such as jump (A button), Force Push (B button), Force Lightning (Y button), Attack (X button) and Force Grip (Right trigger) will have you controlling the game after about half an hour.

There's a difficulty level for everyone although I find that action games seem a lot more enjoyable when the challenges are set slightly higher than your own skill level would dictate. The storyline in Star Wars The Force Unleashed is interesting and engaging. The character dialogue is also top-notch with The Apprentice voiced by Battlestar Galactica's Sam Witwer, Juno Eclipse is voiced by Nathalie Cox, Culley Fredricksen is General Kota and Maris Brood voiced by Adrienne Wilkinson.

If you've enjoyed the puzzle-like challenges in games like God of War and the expansive fighting combinations of Soul Calibur, you'll probably find Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is exactly your type of game. With a storyline that's one of the best I've seen in a Star Wars game, you'll be hard pressed to find another game that packs in so much content and variety.

Digital Otaku - Pop Culture Fanatics Pop Culture reviewed - movies, video games, manga, anime, books, TV, music http://www.digitalotaku.net

Civilization Revolution

By Chris Ingram

Civilization has always been one of the greatest RTS series on the PC. Over the years it's become a trend to port PC titles to console titles to try to replicate their success. This usually fails horribly, cough cough sputter sputter...Supreme Commander.

This is due usually to design issues; pc titles are often hand crafted for the pc. So Sid Meier the creator of Civilization, being the genius he is decided to rebuild his baby for the console loving generation. Thus Civilization Revolution was born. Civilization Revolution plays the normal Civilization card; you pick a civilization headed by a historical figure. The Egyptians have Cleopatra; the French have Napoleon, the good old Americans have Honest Abe, and so on and so forth. All the civilizations have their own perks. They're all extremely stereotypical; the Chinese come booming with technology as the Egyptians come stuffed full of culture. The object of the game is to complete one of the 4 conditions of victory. These conditions include an economic victory in which you amass more wealth than everyone; a technological victory is when your civilization goes into outer space first, a cultural victory is when your civilization produces enough culture to convert a number of cities or luring the maximum number of Great Persons, and lastly and least likely is total domination, in which you can probably guess what happens here, the capture of every capitol city. The down side to this variety of victories is that you're subject to all of them every round. There's no way to select a specific match type, which would have been an obvious choice if this was play tested enough but apparently it wasn't, so good luck. All areas of study, whether it be cultural or technological have their own advantages and disadvantages. A very cultural society can convert uncivilized societies to join their nation but typically your armies would be rather weak.

Your play style will usually decide right from the start what kind of nation you will be. Another great portion of the game is the super powers of a Great Person. A great person is attracted by culture. They come with two options a settlement, in which they will add some sort of perk to the city such as plus 50% percent gold production. The second option is a here and now activation such as completing the study of a technology or adding $400 to your treasury. The option is left to you. The heavy duty portion of the game which is combat, is decided depending on the unit, defense, attack, and home field advantage. A lot of the match ups are obvious, in a rifleman vs archer battle the archer would not stand a chance. They also have specialized units for taking over cities. Since cities defenses are held by how many and what types of units are stationed. You can't just ride in there with a couple of archers or knights and have your way. In medieval times a catapult is a better attack on the city where as in modern times, a tank would suffice. They also have ways to create mischief without war. A spy unit can sneak in a city and capture a Great Person, steal gold, or even disrupt defenses without causing war. Proxy wars can be caused often because the resource squares surrounding the cities can't be walked on by another nation.

This can make a smaller nation who is blocked in or a larger nation just looking to explore a little heated. When starting the game one of the first things you notice are the cartoon like characters. This is typically seen the most with your advisers. Advisers let you know about happenings and world events. Their interruptions are a breathe of fresh air as most of the time you may be concentrating diligently on not being massacred. A very entertaining aspect of the game is when the advisers and nations leaders interact with each other. If they come on screen at the same time a leader may pull a knife in caution or be startled and walk off screen. The only bad part of this deal is sometimes the advisers or leaders block the words and you can't quite make out what's in the text. Luckily if you let them sit there they will move, but this is still a nuisance. The A.I. seems to be completely prejudiced towards the player. There is a constant beating you to take no matter how nice or mean you are as a ruler. The computer always seems as if they're gunning for you and you only. At any given time you're not at war with just one civilization but all 4 or 5 at the same time. If your defense is solid enough they will back off after they're attempts result in enough stalemates but for the most part you will always be at war. This is both a gift and a curse. You want the match to be action packed but you also don't want to spend 2 thousand years at war for your people to hardly progress and for another civilization to have so much technology they go to outer space and win the match. This happens a lot. You have to have a very good strategy even when playing on the easiest level of difficulty in order to compete and maintain life in your cities.

Civilization Revolution is a great game, the uniqueness of all the nations makes for an interesting battle each time you play and allows for a ton of replay ability. There are certain aspects of the game that you may scratch your head over, such as not being able to choose a win condition or why the computer picks on you and you only. But these small problems don't hinder the great experience that is Civilization Revolution.

8.5 out 10.0

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