Rise of Nations - Great Gameplay For a Great Price

By Scott J Meyer

Looking for a great bargain Real-Time Strategy game that still plays like new? Then I suggest you check out Big Huge Games' Rise of Nations. In fact, you can get Rise of Nations (RoN) and its expansion pack (Thrones and Patriots) together for a great price now, so I'll be talking about both in this review. RoN combines elements from Turn-Based Strategy games into an excellent RTS engine. Though it is beginning to age, RoN still looks and plays great.

RoN gives great RTS gameplay. Your empire-building is centered around cities. Cities expand your national borders, allow you to build resource-collecting and research buildings, and even Wonders of the World, historical structures that boost your performance. Resources are spread throughout the map, and are not depleted. Rare resources can also be found, which give increased production and added bonuses. Technology is also key, unlocking new units and buildings, and allowing you to progress through eight "ages," from Ancient to Information. Most technology is researched at the library, but nearly every building has some of its own. Combat follows the rock-paper-scissors concept, in that one unit easily defeats another, but is easily destroyed by a third, making well-balanced armies and navies the best choice.

Replayability is unlimited, with different map types that can be randomly generated time and again. There are 24 different "races" available, from British to Nubian to Mongol, each with its own unique units and national bonuses. Quick Battles offer custom fights between you and up to seven computer opponents, on a variety of different map types, with many customizable options. When (or if) you tire of unlimited Quick Battle play, there are five "Conquer the World Campaigns" to choose from. These range from Alexander the Great, Napoleon, the New World (following the colonization of the Americas), the Cold War between the USA and USSR, and "The Entire World," a Risk type map where each nation starts small and must expand its empire. Multiplayer is still highly active, and many player-made scenarios are available. RoN does not bore easily.

Even though it has been out for several years, RoN is still worth getting. It offers unlimited play with a very innovative design. Even graphics wise, RoN still holds up to more modern strategy games. Choose your nation, choose your gametype, and play in your own style. Rise of Nations is a great game that is easily found for a bargain price.

Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more reviews, info, and screenshots.

Wii Rock Band - The Greatest Video Game Ever

By Johnny Moon

Worth The Money

I recently bought Rock Band for my Nintendo Wii gaming system. I'm not actually a huge video game player so I thought it may be a mistake considering the very high cost of the system (over $180 including tax.) But I am a huge music lover and it looked like fun, so I splurged on it. I'm glad I did. It is easily the best video game ever.

Forget Guitar Hero

I already had Guitar Hero for my Wii. I had played it quite a bit at first but quickly grew bored of it as while it can be fun at first - after awhile it seems pointless as it doesn't have anything to do with playing a real guitar.

Drumming & Singing

For me what makes Wii Rock Band so awesome is the drumming and singing portions. Sure the guitar part can be amusing. But it's the drumming and singing that make it awesome. Why? Because when you become a good drummer on Wii Rock Band you actually improve your real life drumming abilities! That's because it's such a lifelike representation of what it's like to play real drums. Sure it's not exactly the same, but it's close enough for Government work (as the old saying goes.)

Similarly with the singing part of the game. If you can learn to sing a song on Rock Band at a very high level on the expert setting then you are not merely beating a video game, you are becoming a much better singer who has greatly improved their ability to sing in key. How cool is that?

CLICK HERE for more information on Wii Rock Band. Consumer Reviews.

An Introduction to the Nintendo Wii Fit

By John Milligan

The Wii Fit is a video game developed by Nintendo for the Wii console and was released in Japan on December 1, 2007, and then later in other regions in April and May 2008. Here we take a brief look at this new product which has, and still is taking the world by storm.

Health and fitness: getting a Wii bit fitter. Sorry about the pun but this really is the case. Wii Fit is the popular fitness phenomenon for the Nintendo Wii and you are sure to want to buy one if you haven't got one already that is.

It is believed that fitness video games that have the user perform lower-body balance and weight-shifting activities could help patients with weight-bearing rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. In addition, games that focus on upper body movement patterns could be helpful in a rehabilitation centre as well.

The game tracks a user's "Wii Fitness Age" through a body test basing the result on the user's current age, weight, and balance. Furthermore, Wii Fit allows its players to compare their fitness by using it's own channel on the Wii Menu. The focus of these activities is towards providing a "core" workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions, but it's the fun approach to fitness of Wii Fit that will keep players hooked on fitness for years to come.

You will be guided through the stages with the help of your own virtual personal trainer, while the balance games will offer you variety and fun to help keep you engaged and excited about your fitness goals. This console certainly turns your living room into a fitness centre for the whole family.

The Wii Fit has opened a large door that allows many more medically challenged people a way to exercise safely and of course is also designed to be enjoyed by the whole family.

John Milligan. http://www.computer-games-store.co.uk For your Nintendo Wii Fit please visit the above site on it's homepage and also feel free to scroll to the bottom and visit the superb Amazon Store for the Wii Fit and lots of other goodies. An excellent resource for all those consoles and games you've ever wanted, including the Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit, ps3, xbox 360 and Ipod Nano 8GB and lots more. No searching all over the web for different bargains. There's loads of choice here with all the top sellers and best prices. You certainly will not be disappointed. So, if you're hungry for that bargain console, game or accessory, then go to the website, have a good browse and enjoy your shopping experience.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Torrent - The Most Popular Video Game on the Planet

By John Escribar

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 torrent is the most popular sport video game available in the market. This game is very popular in Japan, Korea and Europe. This video game was created by Konami which is one of the most acclaimed and sold millions of copies in different countries. This video game simulates the real professional tournaments in World Soccer. Real teams and leagues are used all through out the game.

The Pro Evolution Soccer 6 was officially released on October 27, 2006 in the United Kingdom. The released versions are for PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360 and for PC platforms. The Nintendo DS version was released on February 2007.

This video game series is renowned because of close to reality graphics. The PES 6 introduces new game play add on compared to its previous series. The Artificial Intelligence has greatly improved. In addition, the game play has been developed with more realistic moves of the players. Players immediately react upon dangerous situations and protect the ball at all cost. They know how to counter attack difficult situations and look on the opposing team's weakness and use it as an advantage. Players are more responsive allowing a more realistic game play experience.

With this development, video gamers will have a lot of challenges and will enjoy the outstanding experience this game has to offer. Gamers can also edit their players which they can customize according to their liking. With a more improved graphics and interface, there are good reasons that gamers will love to play the most favorite video game on earth.

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Spoilers For Neverwinter Nights

By Christopher Paul West

I play games. lots of games. Neverwinter Nights is probably one of my favourite even though I have never finished the first one nor its expansions.

I managed to get hold of Neverwinter Nights 2 and upgraded it all the to just before mask of the betrayor expansion I believe.

I would just like to introduce some tips and even some hints and cheats, if you dont mind.

Firstly, the MOST POWERFUL CHARACTER IN THE GAME IS A FIGHTER.

Why? Simple. You get loads of feats. you take power attack and a double handed weapon and then deal somewhere upwards of 100 points of damage on a critical. No other class can do this, not even that super intelligent mage with his fireball spell that peaks out at 10d6 (big thrill there)

No. Fighter definitely most powerful. Don't even need to prestige class, but some worth considering is the Weapon Master and the Frenzied Bezerker. That's what I'm playing, with a scythe as my favourite weapon.

Ok. Enough class talk, what about race?
Me, Human. Always. Elves can make surprisingly good rogues (don't need to walk slowly to spot traps) or a halfling - tall fellow (free feat)
And i almost always play a female - just better to look at.

Now the Dos and Dont's:

DON'T TRY AND MAKE ANY MAGIC ITEMS, pointless sin my opinion. Too hard to find the ingredients and too hard to build, but that's just me. I have a 15 ranks in weapon smith and cant make adimantiam weapons. go figure.

DONT PLAY EVIL: you actually gain xp for playing good guys and doing good things. Nice hey, give the good guys a cookie and scr*w the bad guys

Tips(spoiler here)

If you an archer, when you buy arrows etc always by 1 less (I but 98 arrows for 1 gp where 99 costs me 5gp??? sort of works with magic ones too, lot cheaper)

Oh, the less party members you have the faster you will level (more xp) party should contain a rogue, druid or ranger (for talking to beasties). That's actually all you need, but a fighter is good too (esp if only druid and rogue).

k cheers for now. more to come westcp@gmail.com

The Best RPG of All Time

By Brendan Durkin

When Baldur's Gate came out in 1998, I a middle school kid introduced to it by watching my dad play it. Baldur's Gate, for me, is the epitome of what a medieval fantasy role-playing game should be. I personally enjoy when a game, such as Baldur's Gate, starts the player out with little more than a stick and a few gold coins. Nothing is more fun than running around an area and picking up everything imaginable just so when I sell all the junk I found I can afford a decent piece of chain mail.

One of the best parts about the game is the sheer freedom allowed for the player to explore the areas of the game and detour from the main story. It also gave you choices in what kind of character you wanted to be, whether good, evil, or somewhere in between. Seldom games prior to Baldur's Gate that had this level of freedom; most were very linear, which limited the player in terms of choice and exploration.

Baldur's Gate also introduced new players to the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing system by taking those same core rules and putting them in a game. Players could experience what a pen and paper D&D game was like but in a much more user friendly way. I personally never got into the old D&D game because 1) I wasn't born in 1975 and 2) I don't have the attention span to play pen and paper games. So BG allowed younger gamers to experience the old system with a lot less work.

But it wasn't just revolutionizing role-playing games that put Baldur's Gate on the top of my list, it's because BG excels in every category: beautifully pre-rendered settings makes exploration a treat, an engaging storyline that creates the need to find out what happens next, and again, the sheer number of things you can do and how what choices you make can effect the outcome of every situation.

When I say Baldur's Gate I mean the entire series: BG1, BG2, and Throne of Bhaal. If you are going to play one, you need to play them all to experience the story in its entirety. Places like Amazon and Ebay are good places to find copies in good condition, mainstream stores won't carry them.

As I write this I wonder if there will ever be another game that so beautifully captures the essence of the medieval fantasy genre like Baldur's Gate, with complex characters, exciting battles, engaging quests, all amid gorgeous scenery. Of course I know realize that the answer is yes, and that game will be Baldur's Gate 3.

My name is Brendan and I grew up playing video games, so whether I like it or not, they are a part of my life and many other people's as well. It is very fun for me to discuss the topic of video games so check out my blog to see more articles that talk about the gaming industry http://brendanigan.blogspot.com/

Super Smash Bros Brawl is a Blast! - Review

By Eric Ha

Super Smash Bros. Brawl has been out for a few days and after having played it plenty of times, I'd have to say this is the best Super Smash Bros. yet. However, that doesn't mean everything feels improved over previous versions but almost everything is. I'm referring to the characters especially. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way about the characters they like to use. There is always some kind of change to your favorite character going from one installment to the next. It may be better and it may be worse.

One of my favorite characters from previous installments is Donkey Kong. He seems slower now and less effective than before. On the other hand, his charged up power punch can be released sooner like how it was in N64. Mario's water spraying fludd pack also seems useless to me for now until I figure out how to use it better. Bowser is now faster than in Melee and is actually fun to use. I'm sure there are a lot of character changes that you like or dislike, but I think we just have to get used to them again and we'll discover the new advantages that were added to each character.

A gameplay change that affected me in a major way is the lack of the ability to easily drop down from a platform while running. I enjoyed using this ability to drop down real quick to deceive the opponent into believing that I'm actually going down, but then I'll jump back up and attack. Throws are not as strong as before, so the focus wouldn't be on trying to grab all the time like I did with Melee. These changes may be to balance gameplay, but I sure do miss them.

There are now tons of items you can use to your advantage. We all know about the final smash ball that gives you a tremendous advantage over your opponents. Depending on who you use, the final smash can be fatal. Link can take care of you quickly if you get caught in his triforce attack. The fun part is when everyone is fighting for the ball and you are the one that gets it. If someone else gets it though, it's cheating and not so fun. There is also a clock that slows down time, an assist trophy that spawns a helper to fight for you and a whole lot more items to affect gameplay.

Characters are abundant now so you can always find someone you like to play as. There are many to choose from in the beginning and many to unlock. The new characters are balanced and fit well into the game and the veteran fighters went through some changes for better or worse like I mentioned. Each character is different and have their ups and downs. You'll have to get used to the characters' moves and find out the advantages and disadvantages of each move so you'll know when to execute and when and what your opponent will execute.

The graphics are better of course, but not by much. Sometimes the game will even remind you of Melee especially if you play in a Melee level. The stages and the characters are more detailed and you'll see cool effects that's not possible in Gamecube during a final smash. Super Smash Bros. Brawl will definitely remind you of Melee, but there are enough changes and enhancements in graphics and gameplay that you'll know you're playing Brawl.

Multiplayer is a feature that wasn't available in previous Smash Bros versions and is a blast to play in Brawl. You can now test your skills against the world and see how good you really are. There are plenty of good players out there that can humble you. You can easily find friend codes on the internet if you don't have many friends. Lag can sometimes be a problem when someone has a slow connection and that's when you're not able to play at your best. The positive is that if you lose, you can blame the lag.

Besides playing with your friends through friend codes, you can also let the system search out a match for you. This is great for people with no friends or for older folks who are too embarrassed to ask friends for friend codes. One feature I wish they would have added is online tournaments. This feature would make it easier for friends to set up tournaments without leaving their homes. Tournament is available in offline mode however, but who goes out these days when you can easily communicate over the internet? I'm joking, but tournament on Nintendo WFC would be icing on the cake.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a great game and one of the best on the Wii. It can be a great party game or even to play alone with all the unlockables and Nintendo WFC. It's not a dramatic upgrade over Melee but it's enough to warrant a purchase. The Nintendo WiFi mode alone automatically makes this game a must have. Add in all the cool new characters, levels and items, plus enhanced graphics and this game will be a solid fighter that will last for several years just like the previous Super Smash Bros. games. Melee was already great and you can't go wrong building on that and you can't go wrong buying Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

By Eric Ha at nHotspot.net, a Nintendo WiFi Games Site Get Super Smash Bros. Brawl Friend Codes

Xbox 360 Live Call of Duty 4 Builds Relationships

By David W Miller

This past Christmas my son's purchased me an Xbox 360 and the Call of Duty game as a gift. My son's are all older and living across the country and this has been a great way for us to spend quality time together on Xbox live. I am really amazed at how we are able to play people from around the world and build friendships. I enjoy meeting and making new friends and this has been a great opportunity to meet people.

There is no visual contact with the persons you are playing, only speech. This really breaks down any barriers and you are able to see the person for what he is and not what he looks like. These guys could be people you would see in line at the grocery store and not give the time of day too. I enjoy playing with a person from El Salvador whom speaks very good English. I play daily with a soldier in the army whom was wounded in Iraq and is now recuperating in Germany. I have met numerous guys in the UK and we have become great friends.

As I am older (in my 50's) I enjoy playing with guy's from all walks of life. I play daily with two guy's from Wisconsin who live on dairy farms and in the process have learned much about the dairy industry. It has been a great way to build relationships and continue to learn. I would encourage you to checkout the fun and comrades across the world.

More Info on Xbox Live Friendships More Info on Xbox Live Pedophiles

How Guitar Hero For Wii Changed Family Friday Nights

By Chris Copeland

For almost three whole months, all I ever heard was "can we get a Wii, please?" You see I have a family of three kids and the oldest even had the little one begging for it. I hesitated for a long time as I didn't want them simply laying around a TV all day with a little controller in there hand when they could be outside having real fun instead. Before long, Christmas rolled around and that's when we decided to go ahead and get a Wii console for the kids as it would still let them be somewhat active as it seemed more interactive than simply pushing a few buttons and besides, we would make it a family game instead of someones personal entertainment console.

The first game we had actually came with the Wii console itself and was the sports package. This game turned out to be a real blast at family time as we could make some hot dogs and pop some popcorn and have our own little bowling tournaments and such. My middle child that has an age difference of about 5 years to her older sibling actually got so good at it, that she started beating him. It was really exciting to see how they interacted and was relating to each other. It actually started bringing them closer together with the friendly and sometimes not so friendly competition.

We soon found out though, that as with most sports (either real or virtual) you either like it and it sticks with you or it becomes old and boring and soon forgotten or never to be played again. Thus, Wii Sports went by the wayside into that unplayed bin of games that never fails to accumulate. I still like it though so it does see some action still these days. We started looking around some more for different games that we might all still enjoy together and that's when we stumbled onto Guitar Hero.

This game has truly revolutionized our Friday nights as we now know it. It took a little getting used to but soon my son and I were playing on the more difficult levels and actually trading secrets on how to hit those notes that seem to be flying at you. Now, instead of taking the family to the movies or heading out to dinner and spending close to a hundred dollars every Friday, we hold our own little mini-concerts in the comfort of our own home and only end up denting the budget for about twenty dollars with a much needed and aligned Friday nights together and some simple fast food. Besides, who has time to cook when you can be heating up the guitar instead.

Chris is a Guitar Hero For Wii fanatic who's family has turned into a bunch of Guitar Hero 3 Wii junkies.

Futurama Playstation 2 (PS2) Game Review

By Y Stapleton

Based on the TV series, the Futurama video game has all your favorite characters, Bender, Fry, Lela, Professor Zoidberg and more, with voice overs from the original cast.

Gameplay:

The game starts out in the hangar at Planet Express as you play as Fry, on the look out for missing tools for Professor Zoidberg. Search the hangar, offices, corridors, avoiding electrical wires, perform some platform jumping, collecting cash and filling up on extra health from the "Slurm" vending machines, and find the hidden key card to unlock doors. Fry starts out with a hammer on this level, but works up to some cooler, more powerful guns throughout the game.

Head underground into the Sewers, where as Fry you have to kill mutants, underwater snakes with one eye, and pipe tentacles with your laser gun and avoid the deadly sewer canals whilst jumping over crates to cross to other areas. Shoot crates for cash and ammo.

Go through the Mine Facility as Bender, defending yourself against robots with his twirl attack, sliding lunge, collecting power-up crystals and avoiding the heat blades on the conveyor belt. In Run Bender Run, head into the mine shaft and run for your life to avoid a giant boulder coming up behind you, whilst jumping over caverns, collecting your crystals, and dodging barrels.

Or as "one-eyed" Leela in Market Square, you get to fight with your punch and kick attacks against skeletons, avoid the crazy bombers which will try and blow you up, solve codes in the puzzle rooms, by stepping on the correct tiled squares in sequence on the floor. Collect gold bars by destroying objects.

There are plenty more levels to explore, and when you reach the last level in Fry Fight's Back, you battle against the "Destructor", the big boss robot with his one arm missile launcher. Before you meet Destructor, you have to search through various corridors for the last lot of keycards. Dodge some spinning blades and gas vents, hide in the crevices as you dodge a couple of huge laser machine guns, destroy some half-bodied robots and work out some numbered codes to unlock your master laser weapon. You then meet the Destructor for the final showdown. He shoots missiles, lasers and then stands still while his stomach opens and you are attacked by flies. Avoid his firepower and get him in the belly where it hurts enough times and "yay", you've saved the planet and get to watch the final movie scene.

All up the game has 21 levels, there are heaps of items to collect throughout, find switches and credit cards to unlock doors, solve an array of puzzles, but more importantly, destroy the bad guys! Each character has their own weapon/attacks/health power-ups and you get to travel through some other amazing levels, from Red Rock Creek, Old New York, the Junkyard, Temple Courtyard, Red Light District and more. Other baddies include rock monsters, swordsmen, weasels, lava monsters, evil cactus, and sentry's to name a few. There's also plenty of slick Futurama-style humor to keep you laughing.

Extras: If you collect all nibblers (creatures in cages) in each level you also get to unlock movies, music and characters. There's a total of 20 minutes worth of unlocked movie footage never seen. You can also switch from first to third person view anytime during the game, and there are cameras for viewing other areas in each level.

Summary:

Number of Players: 1

Graphics:

Animated and resembles same as in the TV show. Good colour, with darker areas that set the scene.

Controls:

The controls are okay, but the side view movement can be a bit tight during the game when turning around.

Fun-factor:

9/10 - Overall, really enjoyed this game and there's a good variety of action and puzzle solving to get through. I would recommend this video game for kids and adults if you enjoy the Futurama TV show, as you'll definitely get some value out of it.

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