Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008 Review

By Sayed Islam

Tiger Woods seems to have the perfect lifestyle. A drop dead gorgeous Swedish supermodel wife, an enormous mansion, fame, money, on Forbes list of celebrities, an adorable daughter, close friends with Charles Barkley, thirteen major championships under his belt, and his very own video game.

Tiger Woods 2008 is the next iteration in the fairly long series of Tiger Woods video games. If you are an avid fan of the Tiger Wood games, you will feel very much at home with the latest installment. Electronic Arts have been notorious for making arcade Tiger Woods golf video games to appeal to the casual gamers, but his year seems different. Unrealistic scores (like 50 under par) are virtually impossible to achieve this time around. The gameplay is similar to the previous games in that it keeps the player immersed in the golf course. One new feature is a revamped putting system which allows you to anticipate the line of trajectory that your golf ball will travel on the green. Even though it is not as useful as Tiger Vision, (which was introduced in Tiger Woods 2005) it still helps to line up the putt. There is a limit to how many times you can utilize this feature, so players should not expect to abuse other players with their putting. Your skill level and difficulty will determine how many times you can use the putt preview.

Another element of the game that might turn a few players off is the golf swing mechanic. The analog sticks are no longer used to hit the golf ball; however, the buttons are used. This alteration may have been because of the lack of challenge with hitting the golf ball with the analog stick. The new way to make contact with the ball is to press the button three times (ala Madden kicking field goals). Once to start your swing, twice to start your downswing, and a third time for accuracy. If it seems too intricate, it really is fairly intuitive. Madden fans can easily make a smooth transition with this gameplay mechanic. Photo face is yet another new feature of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008. It gives gamers the opportunity to generate their own face and put it in the game. This feature appears to be exclusive to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Electronics Arts has not corroborated a Photo face feature for the Nintendo Wii. Sorry Nintendo Wii owners. The create a golfer aspect is back, and it has the usual things you would expect. You can create a golfer as skeleton-like as Nicole Richie, or as putrid as Rosie O'Donnell. It is all up to the gamer. All of the mini-games remain intact in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008. The visuals in the game are brilliant. Everything from the beautiful golf courses to Tiger Woods' millions dollar smile will appease anyone. Shot Confidence is another original aspect of the game. In a nutshell, playing well gives you confidence. Playing poorly lowers your confidence. Many will be dissatisfied with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008, but other will be elated. Overall, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008 is a solid improvement over Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007.

Final verdict 8 out of 10

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The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Review

By Sayed Islam

When The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was released for the Xbox 360 in 2006, it was considered by many to be the best role playing game of the year. Fortunately, PlayStation 3 owners will now be able to delve into the world of Tamriel. Oblivion is based on a user created character that is immersed in a world of tyranny. The gamers role is to find an heir to the throne because the previous heir was murdered. As a result, the gates to the Oblivion open. Consequently, nefarious demons come from these gates and attack innocent civilians. Players must find a way to find the heir and prevent the destruction of Tamriel. The game starts by customizing your character from the ground up. This entails race, gender, class, and attributes (ala Jade Empire). A few of the classes include thieves, warriors, and wizards. Each class has their own pros and cons. For instance, a thief will be proficient in pilfering items. A warrior will be an amazing fighter, and a wizard will be a brilliant spell caster.

The gameplay is where Oblivion really shines. It is more than a linear role playing game. One element of the game that sticks out like a sore thumb is the exploration. There are a plethora of video games that give you an objective, and you have to see it through until the end. That is not the case with Oblivion. Players are in control of when they want to further the main storyline. In regards to the main storyline, you will be encountering a myriad of malicious monsters that want to crush Tamriel. Gamers can follow the main plot, or they can fool around with the seemingly endless character interactions. What would a role playing game be without side-quests? Nothing. Luckily, Oblivion does a remarkable job of giving you a laundry list of optional missions to complete. One of the optional missions can be to retrieve an item. But it is not as rudimentary as that. While recovering the item, you might be ambushed by some thugs or creatures. I would spend so much time away from the main storyline that I forgot all about it. Secret caves and dungeons are places that are scattered throughout the world of Oblivion.

The combat in Oblivion feels more like a first person shooter than a true role playing game. You can attack with various magic spells, swords, arrows, and so much more. For example, gamers can assail a foe from afar with magic or arrows. After that, they can close in on their opponent with a sword attack. Having versatile combat like that is unprecedented for a role playing game. Sometimes you do not even have to fight. Stealth can be utilized in order to circumvent your way through the next stage in the game. The audio in the game is not bad. The sounds of weapons hitting against each other do sound realistic.

All of the dialogue in the game is spoken. In contrast to the lifeless reading of text in role playing games like Zelda and Final Fantasy. Conversely, many of the same voices are used for multiple characters. The visuals in Oblivion on the PlayStation 3 are marginally better than on the Xbox 360. Frame rate flaws on the PlayStation 3 edition are slim when compared to the Xbox 360 iteration. Loading screens are no longer a concern with the release of the game on the PlayStation 3. If anyone came across a loading screen in the Xbox 360 adaptation of the game, he or she could have more than enough time to make a sandwich and eat it. Unlike the Xbox 360 version, there is minimal load times throughout the duration of Oblivion on the PlayStation 3. Overall, Oblivion is an epic role playing game from beginning to end. Over forty hours of gameplay is well worth anyone's time.

final verdict 9 out of 10

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The Darkness Review - It is Heart Stopping

By Sayed Islam

The Darkness is a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 exclusive first person shooter video game that fell under radar. It was one of those game that was completely lost due to all the BioShock madness and based on the comic book the Top Cow. Ironically enough, 2K games (the same game company responsible for The Darkness) made both The Chronicles of Riddick and BioShock. The storyline of The Darkness transpires in New York, and it is about a youthful 21 year old Mafia gang member named Jackie Estacado. He ascertains that his own Mafia (led by Uncle Paulie) is attempting to murder him; moreover, Uncle Paulie sends out a hit on Jackie and his girlfriend Jenny because Uncle Paulie believes that Jackie has stabbed him in the back. Jackie evades death and begins his journey for vengeance. Deceitful plot twists will no doubt keep players interested in the storyline from start to finish.

The gameplay in the Darkness is a first person shooter with a twist. The twist being that the protagonist is possessed with this malicious voice named The Darkness. It is not merely a voice; furthermore, The Darkness is capable of controlling over Jackie's body. These demonic capabilities will give him the chance to accomplish extraordinary feats that a mundane human could not perform. Gamers will see two demonic figures coming from each shoulder as they play. They look like menacing creatures that make eradicating humans straightforward. One of a bevy of things that players can do is set one of your two dragon-like creatures on the ground and see it annihilate a foe. You can also utilize the Darkness to stab straight through an enemy. This will result in you ripping the heart straight out of one of your countless foes; consequently, your darkness creature will ultimately eat the heart.

The most powerful Darkness attack is the ability to open up a black hole. This black hole eradicates all opponents on screen at once (ala Tequila Bomb from Stranglehold). The Darkness can also act as a shield and provide you with better vision in the dark. Speaking of the dark, staying in the dark would be wise. When you use a darkness power, you exhaust darkness energy at an alarming rate. An intriguing gameplay mechanic is that being in the dark will enhance your attributes and regenerate your health. This is pivotal because shooting out the lights will always put Jackie in an advantageous position. Fortunately, all of the Darkness maneuvers are mapped to the directional pad. The uncanny powers are brilliant, but there are a usual selection of weapons ranging from handguns to machine guns as well. It is nothing too spectacular.

The game is not arduous at all. Every foe you will encounter can be easily killed with a headshot. You can literally cruise through the entire game without even touching any machine guns or shotguns. To make matters worse, the artificial intelligence is not necessarily cream of the crop. The enemies make a dreadful attempt to elude incoming fire. Even the civilians do not realistically react accordingly when you approach them. There are a few side missions sprinkled in here and there, but they are more of an afterthought than anything else. A map is given to you, so you will always know where to go. Any video game with a map will appease those (like me) with no sense of direction. The multiplayer is present but is not as engrossing as the single player campaign. Graphically, The Darkness is remarkable. I really felt like I was in New York when as I was playing the game.

The little things like graffiti and street lights give The Big Apple an authentic feel. Unfortunately, you cannot really explore every part of New York. You are coerced into following a linear pathway during the game. What really sells The Darkness is the presentation entailing the music and the voice acting. Although the animations are not as phenomenal as Heavenly Sword, I enjoyed watching the dialogue between characters.

The game has a nice and steady frame rate throughout the duration of the game without any flaws. Ten hours of gameplay will be the amount of time on The Darkness; it is not bad but not fantastic. Overall, The Darkness is a unique game as soon as the opening scenes begins. It is no where near on the same level as The Chronicle of Riddick or BioShock, but avid fans of the first person shooter genre will enjoy eating hearts in no time.

final verdict 8 out of 10

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Stranglehold Review

By Sayed Islam

This is a video game sequel to John Woo's blockbuster hit movie Hard Boiled. The game transpires after the events of Hard Boiled and has everything you would expect from John Woo. Stranglehold is a PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC exclusive. Gamers will be in control of protagonist inspector Tequila, and Chow Yun Fat reprises his role as the stylish hero. The plot in Stranglehold is about a little girl being used as ransom; consequently, Tequila is sent to rescue her.

The storyline seems impertinent and takes a backseat to the slow motion and fast action. The gameplay is a swift action packed adventure from start to finish. Players will be immersed in a world that entails bullets flying, cinematic deaths, and plenty of weapons. Virtually the entire environment can be utilized to a certain extent.

If you cannot destroy a pillar, you can probably use it as cover or various other ways during a firefight. In a nutshell, the paramount goal in Stranglehold is to eradicate anything and everything that moves. Players will have a usual arsenal of weapons that include handguns, assault rifles, shotguns, a rocket launcher, and machine guns. In addition, inspector Tequila will be able to utilize four abilities known as Tequila Bombs. These abilities are mapped to the D-pad for easy access, and they all fit the game nicely. In Stranglehold, a visible meter will be at the top of the screen. You have to fill this meter in order to execute a Tequila bomb maneuver. Killing foes is the only way to charge up your meter, so do not be afraid to pull the trigger.

The first Tequila Bomb is a rudimentary health increase. The second Tequila Bomb is precision aiming. Precision aiming gives you a chance to slow down time and accurately target your adversaries. Firing at a particular body part will cause your opponents to act accordingly.

For instance, shooting at his head will cause him to die. Likewise, shooting him in the groin will coerce him to grab his private part and die (my personal favorite place to shoot). The camera will actually zoom in on the bullet in precision aiming mode. The third Tequila Bomb enable you to enter barrage mode. This is very similar to Scarface which gives you a "balls" mode rampage of destruction. It works the same way. You have a limited amount of time where your attributes are enhanced, and you are invincible. The fourth and final Tequila Bomb is a smart bomb. When used, it cause you to pulverize all opponents on screen instantaneously via a cinematic scene. The inspector will spin, (ala Max Payne 2) and only he will remain standing. Another gameplay aspect that will appease Max Payne fans is the aforementioned slow motion bullet time. There is a separate meter for this, and it fills up in the same manner as the Tequila Bomb meter. Slow motion can be initiated when running, walking, diving, and interacting with the environment.

Some of the things you will be able to do are running up and down railings and slide across counters while spraying your rivals with bullets (ala Hard Boiled movie). There is no doubt that many players will enjoy the standoffs in Stranglehold, but I found it to be rather arduous. The standoffs play drastically differently from the actual gameplay. Your objective is to evade and fire simultaneously, but this part of the game is cumbersome. The audio is amazing as you will hear gunfire and people soaring through the air. The graphics are somewhat hit or miss. Chow Yun Fat looks exactly like his real life counterpart, and the setting do look like Hong Kong. However, a good chunk of the enemies appear insipid. There is multiplayer in Stranglehold, but it is not as engrossing as the single player campaign. Stranglehold does have its flaws which are its short length, and the plot is a disaster.

If anyone is intrigued to get their next Max Payne fix, then answer is Stranglehold. The comparisons between Max Payne and Stranglehold are uncanny. From the slow motion bullet time effects to the surprisingly short game, Stranglehold is about as close to Max Payne as you can get. Even though avid gamers will cruise through Stranglehold in one day, that should not deter anyone from playing the game.

final verdict 8 out of 10

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Star Wars Battlefront - Renegade Squadron Review

By Sayed Islam

Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron is a PSP exclusive video game that delves further in a galaxy far, far away. The storyline in the game revolves around Han Solo and the Renegade Squadron. In terms of the plot, it is told from the perspective of commander Col Serra. A comic style (ala Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops and Max Payne) was used to divulge the storyline in the game.

The game begins with a customizable character select screen. Gamers can pick the race, gender, and various other traits that can be assigned to a character. The gameplay is about a capture the base mode or a retrieve an item mode. Avid fans of the Star Wars Battlefront series will feel right at home when they acquire bases. It is done in the same exact manner. All you do to capture a command post is stand near a bright light and wait for the light to change colors. After you have captured a base, you can use it to alter gear, weapons, and attributes. The characters in the game have eight designations that can be given to them. This is a checks and balance system that works well.

In addition to the land battles, there are space aircraft fights. Each space battle starts with your character in a hanger that is adjacent to a spacecraft such as an X-Wing or TIE Bomber. Gamers will be shooting lasers and proton rockets in no time. You can even do the same things you were able to do in previous iteration of Star Wars Battlefront. This includes flying your aircraft into an opponents base, and destroying anything that moves. Count Dooku, Mace Windu, Luke Skywalker, and the most nefarious Darth Vader are all playable characters in the game. All of those men are proficient in the force and can really pulverize foes (only when you are controlling them).

The multiplayer in the game is definitely the selling point of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. Up to sixteen players can duke it out against each other; that is grandiose for PSP standards. Unfortunately, the controls in the game are mildly disorganized. I never felt like I was in complete control of my character's actions. For instance, I was only able to fire at adversaries that were directly in front of me. There is no manual aiming in the game, so you have to be facing right at your target to damage them. Furthermore, there is a locking on feature that works poorly. Fortunately, the lack of difficulty somewhat compensates for the disastrous controls but not completely.

The game is not arduous even in the slightest. Eradicating the most menacing of foes (like Darth Vader) can be done is an immensely straightforward technique. I was not sure if this was asinine artificial intelligence or merely a gameplay glitch. For whatever reason, I was not elated about the combat in the game. All of the enemies in the game are about lining them up with your targeting reticule and unleashing a barrage of attacks. The exact same principle can be applied to the space action sequences. I have lost track of the plethora of times where all I did was literally fly around like a maniac for a lock on. There are several flaws with the camera angles that I am not even going to begin to discuss here. Moving around the battlefield is time-consuming and vexing.

In regards to the audio, the weapons sounded exactly like I expected it to be. Lasers will have a Star Wars ambiance to them, and the traditional whizzing of the lightsabers is present. The graphics are absolutely abysmal for a PSP video game. Do not expect to see stunning visuals like the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 in this game. I had high hopes for this game, and I really wanted to love it. But I just cannot do that. If you are a Star Wars addict, then you might get some enjoyment from this game. Otherwise, I would advocate waiting for the release of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in 2008. Overall, Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade is a game that will displease the audience more than Natalie Portman's portrayal of Queen Amidala. Can anyone tell me why Chewbacca did a much better job of acting that her? My point exactly.

final verdict 6.5 out of 10

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Spider Man - Friend Or Foe Review

By Sayed Islam

The Spider-Man franchise has legions of fans, (including me) and it is fairly obvious that Spider-Man is Marvel Comics' most notorious superhero. Everyone's favorite web-slinger is back in another Spider-Man game titled Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is a video game that is available for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PSP, PC, and Xbox 360.

The storyline in the game is something about a meteor and monsters. In a nutshell, there is not much of a logical plot. But that is perfectly fine. The game is intended to be facetious and not solemn. All anyone needs to know about the storyline in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is that Spider-Man is facing adversity, and he defers to his most nefarious enemies for assistance. Spider-Man will form an unlikely alliance with a bevy of characters such as Silver Sable, Goblin, Doctor Otto Octavius, Scorpion, and many others.

The gameplay is all about fighting several opponents. The game does add some variety to the gameplay by sprinkling a boss every now and then. For the most part, it is a prototypical game that lacks any originality. As redundant as this may seem, I still had a great time pummeling adversaries with Spider-Man. The combat system is intuitive and engrossing. There are the fundamental attacks and the extravagant web attacks that give the game some much needed style. Spider-Man can utilize his webs to swing an enemy from one side of an area to a completely different place. In addition, he can shoot his webs to swarm foes with webbing (leaving them immobile). As Spider-Man uses more web attacks, he earns more and more experience. Performing combination attacks are done without any trouble, and the controls are user-friendly. Clearing out a room without multiple opponents are straightforward. Players can have human controlled ally or an ally controlled by the artificial intelligence to follow Spider-Man. You can switch on the fly between Spider-Man and the other characters, but the other characters are not as agile as Spider-Man. Spider-Man is the only character in the game that has the dexterity to accomplish maneuvers in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, there is no Xbox Live support with the game. There is only a two player cooperative mode.

The most disappointing aspect of the game is the web swinging; there is no web swinging across the enormous skyscrapers of New York City. Devoted Spider-Man admirers (such as myself) were somewhat perturbed by this. I would have appreciated the game more if I could take in the scenery. Since the Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is for the six to thirteen age demographic, it is a rudimentary game with no challenge.

An avid gamer can cruise through this game from start to finish without any difficulty. Now that I think about it, there is actually no real consequence for dying in this game. If you die, then you merely start over from the same place because of a token system (ala Lego Star Wars). Gamers will probably have a much more laborious time singing that absurd Spider-Man song, than they will have playing this game. How does that song go again? I think it is something like "Spiderman, Spiderman, Does whatever a spider can." Oh, the hell with the song. Whatever. I do not care about something as frivolous as the catchy Spider-Man tune. Honestly, I only know the first two lines. But I digress.

The graphics in the game are nothing spectacular. Even for the Xbox 360 iteration, the visuals were not anything like Marvel Ultimate Alliance. There are also some minor platform jumping elements in the game, but they are few and far between. The audio in the game has its moments with adequate voice acting. The animations in the game are greatly exaggerated, but I thought that was done intentionally to accentuate the humor in Spider-Man. No one will find a particularly long and arduous game with Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. The game is approximately five hours long. I know; that is shorter than Heavenly Sword and Stranglehold. Overall, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is only for the immensely dedicated Spider-Man enthusiasts. Furthermore, casual gamers of Spider-Man might want to web swing away from this game and wait for Spider-Man 4 in 2009.

final verdict 7 out of 10

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma Review - Slick Ninja Action

By Sayed Islam

When Ninja Gaiden was released on the Xbox in 2004, it was considered to be one of the greatest Xbox video games of all time. Later on, Ninja Gaiden Black was released as an enhanced adaptation of the original Xbox game. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a PlayStation 3 exclusive video game that is a remake of the Xbox iterations. The storyline in Ninja Gaiden revolves around youthful Ninja Ryu Hayabusa and the Vigoor Empire. Ryu's people (the Hayabusa Clan) was assailed by the malicious Vigoor Empire, and they pilfered the Dark Dragon Sword. Unfortunately, Ryu's friend (Kureha) was murdered during the attack. Consequently, Ryu is striving to seek vengeance and retrieve the Dark Dragon Sword. How many times am I going to have to suffer through this redundant plot? Fortunately, gamers are not playing Ninja Gaiden Sigma for the storyline. Avid fans of the Xbox version of Ninja Gaiden will enjoy Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

The gameplay is an action adventure riot from start to finish. Skillful attacks are the name of the game, so do not expect to eradicate all enemies with one hit. Ryu Hayabusa is an acrobatic ninja that is as swift and agile as any ninja. The subtle things in Ninja Gaiden Sigma's gameplay (running on water and attacking from different angles) make you really appreciate the game. Grappling throws, using walls, ninja throwing stars, incendiary shurekins, magic, sword attacks, and a combination of everything can be used to pulverize your foes. Special attacks (like charging up) will no doubt unleash devastation on all your opponents.

If all these maneuvers sound intricate, do not be intimidated. Ninja Gaiden Sigma does a remarkable job with the intuitive controls. The enemies are significantly challenging in their own right. They will try to flank you and outsmart you with every move. One completely original feature in the game is the capability to play as Rachel. For those who are unaware, she was the woman with the eccentrically enormous breasts in Ninja Gaiden. She was not a playable character in the Xbox version, but she is playable in the PlayStation 3 revision.

Personally, I felt like the addition to have Rachel as a playable character was gratuitous. She is significantly sluggish and lacks the dexterity of Ninja Ryu Hayabusa. A majority of the gameplay with Rachel involves blocking. That is not exactly my idea of engrossing gameplay. There are also some new adversaries in the game for Ninja Gaiden veterans. These opponents that Ryu will encounter will be just as lethal in the PlayStation 3 game as they were in the Xbox games. A plethora of weapons will be available in Ninja Gaiden that include swords and magic. My favorite has to be the brand new Tiger's Fang and Dragon's Claw. It is a two sword combination that is utilized for dual wielding (ala Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic lightsabers). The visuals in Ninja Gaiden Sigma are stunning.

Everything from the environments to the clothing is brilliant; moreover, character models and trees will cast their own realistic shadows. The exemplary graphics truly make Ninja Gaiden Sigma feel like a next generation console video game. All of the animations are authentic; attacking an enemy will cause it to act accordingly. The audio is right on par with its Xbox counterpart. You hear everything from the sounds of bullets ricocheting off Ryu's weapons when he blocks to blood spilling on the ground. In addition, the sound of your swords cutting open a foe is more than satisfying. The drawbacks of Ninja Gaiden Sigma are that the plot is convoluted, and the game is immensely arduous. Even if you know absolutely nothing about martial arts, everyone is enamored with ninjas. What is there not to like about a ninja? Not much.

If anyone was a fan of Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox, they will have a fantastic time with Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Once players learn the steep learning curve, Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a fairly entertaining experience.

final verdict 8 out of 10

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NBA 2K8 Review - 2K Sports Has Done It Again

By Sayed Islam

NBA 2K8 is video game that is available exclusively for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360. Two years ago, marked 2K Sports' first foray into the next generation of consoles. They made an adequate first impression. This year is different, and NBA 2K 8 improves from last year again. All of the things you see an NBA player do in real life is done well in the game. The stylish passes by Baron Davis and Steve Nash are as mundane as Tracy McGrady choking in the playoffs. Sorry Houston Rockets fans, but it is true. When LeBron James throws it down with an incredible dunk, the crowd will get up from their seats and give a standing ovation. The game is a phenomenal basketball simulation, and gamers will see everything they would see if they were watching a real NBA game.

For instance, the Phoenix Suns will attempt to speed the game up by playing a fast break offense. Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs will try to slow it down and utilize the shot clock. Players like Ray Allen, will have a quick release and drain the long range three point shot. The gameplay is the most authentic I have seen in any NBA game. Even the seemingly incongruous things can be greatly admired. These things include diving for loose balls and throwing the basketball off a defender's body in order to salvage the possession. Every player in the game can have their appearance tweaked to look anyway they want. Even their basketball mannerisms can be altered such as how they dribble the basketball. NBA 2K 8 is not only for avid NBA fans; the game can be enjoyed by novice gamers as well.

For example, calling a play will have arrows and designations on the basketball court that make the game intuitive. Team chemistry actually has an impact on a team's performance this year. For example, putting a team together with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant will have disastrous consequences. Players with expressive feelings (like Rasheed Wallace) can shatter team chemistry if they are not properly accommodated. The post-game show is definitely a sight to behold. Gamers can view the best plays of the game and the player of the game. You can even save the replays and add them to your own personal collection. Plus, all of the usual statistics can be seen after the game. There are the rudimentary free agency and trade options, so acquiring a role player can put you well on your way to the NBA championship. The visuals in the game are stunning. Players look exactly like their real life counterparts. Allen Iverson has his corn rolls, Ben Wallace has his afro hair style, and Rasheed Wallace has an absurd bald spot on his head. Two original features in the game is known as foot planting and head tracking. Instead of stopping on a dime, players will plant their feet and turn. This gives a much more realistic feel to the game. The second thing is head tracking, and it works very similar to Madden. Rather than looking away from the basketball, players will look at the ball when they catch it.

The only gripe I had with this game is the audio. Commentary needs to be bolstered. Occasionally, the commentating is convoluted. The color commentator (Kenny Smith) will say something and just stop talking for a prolonged period of time (ala Madden 2006). I thought the commentary in the game was somewhat robotic. The street mode is back, but it is not as engrossing as the season gameplay. There is even a Tim Donaghy gambling training mode where you can gamble your life away. Moreover, the Isaiah Thomas sexual harassment gameplay element is excellent. I am obviously being facetious, but I would not be surprised if something like that could be playable in the game.

In all seriousness, NBA 2K 8 does a fantastic job of appeasing NBA aficionados. Clearly, the NBA 2K franchise has always been several dunks ahead of the NBA Live series and NBA 2008. This season is no exception to that rule. If anyone is looking for a pure basketball simulation, then NBA 2 K8 is the answer.

final verdict 8.8 out of 10

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Medal of Honor - Airborne Review

By Sayed Islam

Medal of Honor: Airborne is a PC, Xbox 360, and Sony PlayStation 3 exclusive centered around the World War II timeframe. The World War II premise has been done countless times. Since the World War II genre has been done a plethora of times, I am not going to go into too much detail about the storyline. The gameplay works like this: each mission begins with the gamer jumping out of an airplane and maneuvering his parachute to a specific location. This prevents the usual linear aspect of first person shooters. Players can control the parachute any way they see fit, but this might alter the experience. Landing at a dangerous area will almost guarantee an uphill battle; however, landing at a perfect place could give you an advantageous position. The parachuting part of the game is engrossing, and it works really well. I am sorry to say that it is all downhill after that. I am not sure if this was a glitch in the game, but I noticed that opponents re-spawn all the time. There was one particular moment in the game where I pummeled at least fifty enemies from afar, nevertheless they kept on coming in waves. It was an endless stream of adversaries. The artificial intelligence in Medal of Honor: Airborne is lackluster. All of the foes that you will encounter in vehicles drive around like they are drunk. Do not even get me started on your allies.The teammates that you have will act like absurd clowns. I lost track of the amount of occurrences where I shot my own men because they walked right in front of my line of fire. To make matters worse, they intentionally run towards grenades. If my teammates see a grenade, they will say something like "fire in the hole" and sprint towards the grenade. I have not seen artificial intelligence this dismal since I played Black. Your opponents and teammates have the same IQ as George Bush.

The majority of the gameplay is redundant: jump out of an airplane, run, point, shoot, rinse and repeat. Unrealistic physics really decreases the enjoyment in the game. I must have thrown three or four grenades at a building; regrettably, the building never exploded. No roof or ceiling catching on fire. Not even a scratch or a single dent on the building. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was immaculate and almost as if I had never even thrown grenades at the structure. This makes eradicating your rivals gratuitously difficult. The dreadful physics do not stop there. No, no, no. There is more. I remember raining grenades on enemies, and they were protected by a significantly thin piece of wood. How the hell does a small piece of wood provide cover for an enormous explosion? That is not my way of defining a realistic game.

All I was doing in Medal of Honor: Airborne was going from point A to point B and killing an immensely asinine number of foes. Medal of Honor: Airborne does not have a bevy of bright spots. There are a few positives here and there (audio). For the most part, it is a rudimentary first person shooter. Nothing flabbergasting about the multiplayer at all (only 12 players online). Fortunately, gamers will only have to endure approximately seven hours of gameplay from start to finish. Falling down through the air with a parachute is not exactly death from above. Unfortunately, the parachute gameplay twist does not merit a real reason to buy this game.

The parachuting element of Medal of Honor: Airborne is more of a gimmick than an actual innovation. It does not really add much originality to the game. The game is definitely not on the same level as Call of Duty. Medal of Honor: Airborne does not even come close to the same gaming experience as Call of Duty. Overall, it is an average game but not as amazing as Medal of Honor Frontline. I am being fairly generous when I even consider Medal of Honor: Airborne as being an average video game.

final verdict 7 out 10

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Madden 2008 Review

By Sayed Islam

The most notorious sports video game of the year is available. Many critics and even devoted Madden fans have been perturbed with Madden recently because they have been the same old Madden. Some would even go as far as to say that there has not been many innovative features after Madden 2005 (which introduced the hit stick). Others believe that Electronic Arts is not striving to make the best NFL game because there is no competition. Since EA bought the exclusive NFL rights, they have been making the same old Madden video games. Madden 2008 is an exception to that rule because it is brilliant.

After an average three iterations of Madden that have disappointed fans, Madden 2008 will definitely please fans. The visuals are amazing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but they are dreadful on the Nintendo Wii. Players will notice is that the somewhat vexing Tony Bruno is no longer doing his absurd radio show, and the gratuitous newspaper information is nowhere to be seen. The gameplay is more fluid than previous iterations of Madden. Gamers will realize that the players do not arbitrarily run around the field like Bobby Brown addicted to crack cocaine anymore. There have been some minor alterations to the hit stick; moreover, high and low tackles can be executed. The pass rush is more realistic in Madden 2008 than in Madden 2007.

You cannot expect to pick up the blitz with only five offensive linemen; you ned to alter your protection and blocking schemes. Quarterbacks will be more precocious because high IQ quarterbacks like Peyton Manning will be able to see what play the defense is running. To counter this, defenders with high IQ will be able to view what play the offense is running. Players with low intelligence like Michael Vick (dog killer) will not be able to read defenses. This feature is only available if the defense or offense runs the same three of four plays every time, but it is still a nice touch and prevents any team from running the same plays every time. Offensively, the highlight stick has been revamped; more maneuvers can be performed on your way to scoring a touchdown. This is incredible because it reduces contemplating what to do next on the field. Wide receivers have some brand new things to do as well.

Spectacular catches and possession catches can be utilized in Madden 2008. Many expert Madden fans will realize that each receiver plays differently. For instance, Hines Ward will attempt a conservative catch because he is a possession receiver. Conversely, Torry Holt will attempt an aggressive catch because he is a spectacular receiver. Another element about receivers is the chess match with defenses. For example, Terrell Owens (the guy who sabotaged the Eagles 2005-2006 year and helped the New York Giants win their division) will be much easier to play bump and run coverage than a swift receiver like Steve Smith.

This is because Terrell Owens is an easier player to press at the line of scrimmage. The same rule applies for Randy Moss. Substitutions are more of a factor in Madden 2008 than last season. Teams like the New Orleans Saints will run a two back system, and Reggie Bush will share the load with Deuce Mcallister. Superstar mode has been overhauled in Madden 2008.

Players will have more control on the rating of their created Superstar. He will compete in 40 yard dashes, lift weight, and various other drills to bolster his attributes. This is much more proficient than the asinine DNA mode which was random. Subtle icons are shown under each player to accentuate their field of expertise. For example, Brett Favre has a rocket under his name because he has "rocket arm." Overall, Madden 2008 has given even the most novice NFL fans something to be elated about. It seems that the Madden franchise is finally heading in the right direction.

Final verdict: 8.5 out of 10

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