Author: Jessica Thompson

Last generation, the Xbox 360 was clearly the console king when it came to online features and multiplayer innovations… but these days, Microsoft is definitely lagging behind in the console war. After Microsoft’s CEO left in 2013, many people started to speculate if the technology giant would leave the console game behind for good. After all, One sales are low when compared with the PlayStation 4, and many gamers agree that the glory days of Halo and Gears of War are behind us… so if the Xbox One isn’t selling so well and doesn’t have a lot to offer gamers in…

Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls are both a different kind of gameplay experience when compared with titles like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto. There is action, yes, but it’s handled in a different way, and gameplay ultimately takes a back seat to story. For instance, when shooting a bad guy, instead of aiming with the thumbsticks and firing with the triggers, you’ll be hitting buttons when prompted while the camera shows you a dramatic view of the action… instead of listening to static dialogue, you’ll be able to choose what you want to say… and when you…

The Xbox One did fairly well during the holiday 2015 season, but it’s no secret that Microsoft is still lagging behind Sony in the modern day console war. With that being said, Microsoft isn’t giving up just yet. The future holds plenty of promise for the Xbox One, and if the timeline of last-gen consoles taught us anything, we know that it still has another six years to deliver before next-gen consoles start to roll out. So, if the Xbox is to return to the throne of console king, what needs to happen? And more importantly- what is going to…

More screenshots were today released by Atari for their upcoming PC game, Rollercoaster Tycoon World.

If you have already played through the PS4 games you got for Christmas, you’re probably looking for your next escape from humdrum reality. Lucky for you, new PS4 titles roll out almost every month, promising more hours of fun. Let’s take a look at some of the releases coming to PS4 next month. Heavy Rain This adventure game comes from Sony Computer Entertainment and is slated to hit the PS4 on March 1, 2016. It’s a thriller, rated M for complex adult themes. The concept of “bending storylines” throughout the game enables you to shape the course of the plot…

Get ready to check out some of the strangest gaming accessories ever invented! From modern mods to old-school treasures, these accessories are totally off the wall. Some of them will make you laugh, some may make you want to cry in frustration, and others— well, we’re still scratching our heads. The Resident Evil Chainsaw Left for Dead 2 might jump into your mind, but no— this baby is designed for the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4. Play the game with it or set it out as artwork. Nuby includes realistic blood splatters all other the device for extra effect.…

Gone are the days of SNES vs. Sega Genesis; gone are the days of N64 vs. PlayStation… In today’s console wars, neither of the “big two” names are Nintendo, and it’s hurting the company dearly. But Nintendo has a new president at the helm, and after the abysmal sales of the Wii U (10 million compared to the original Wii’s 100 million), their next-gen console NX is going to have to be good, and they know that.The Wii U didn’t do anything revolutionary, and President Tatsumi Kmishima wants to make sure that the NX will… but he’s not spilling any…

The Console Wars… while not talked about as much anymore they still haven’t ended, though it’s clear that there are really only two contenders left- the XBOX One and the PlayStation 4. While the PS4 has arguably been dominating the field since the consoles were released, another year has passed, so what’s in store for the console titans? In order to determine who wins this year, I’ve looked at four categories- sequels, new IPs, peripherals, and sales trends- in order to come up with a victor. Sequels Microsoft pulled out the big guns last year with Halo 5, while Sony…

PSVR is almost here, which is a very exciting prospect. Thanks to the Oculus Rift and PSVR itself, VR gaming is truly about to be mainstream, which means there will soon be more virtual reality games than we know what to do with. Sony has already released some details about a few of the big titles that will be releasing alongside PSVR (in addition to a few titles that will be coming out shortly after), and the following look to deliver exactly what you expect when it comes to VR. Ace Combat 7 Is there not a better platform for dogfighting than virtual…

As we have just entered 2016, it’s worth remembering that this is the year when virtual reality tech is expected to truly take off. After all, we have the Oculus Rift and Sony’s PS VR both launching soon. But the bigger question at play here is – which will offer the best experience for gamers? After all, both are designed for gamers. Of course, if you’re one of the many people who own a PS4, then you’ll be instantly swayed towards getting Sony’s PS VR. However, that will, of course, depend on what price tag PS VR comes with along…

It’s the latest and most exciting technology to get your hands on, or should I say head, but with a variety of options opening up, which VR headset should you go for? With many factors at hand, it’s important to discover which headset, if any, will be right for you. Let’s take a look at all of the necessary information to do with the Oculus Rift, all of which should help you to make that critical decision. What is Oculus Rift? As I’m sure you are probably aware, Oculus Rift if a virtual reality headset. It will allow the user…

This year has seen many great game releases and even new genres opened, it doesn’t matter which platform you own, you are to feel relatively satisfied either way. Now, 2015 may have been a banner year for some amazing games, but 2016 promises more. And, if you are fascinated, here are some 5 games that helped to define 2015 within their own right… Fallout 4 For those looking for approachable, easy-to-use game, Fallout 4 may not be your good match. But, if you are looking for a game that gives players a rich, fascinating world to explore, then Fallout 4…

This year has seen some fantastic releases and next year is expected to be even better. With an already jam-packed line-up, here’s a few games that are sure to be some of the highlights of 2016. GT Sport (PS4) The PS4 has a huge amount of games to fit nearly every genre, however, racing games is one area that variety lacks. But this is all about to change with Sony’s elite car racing sim, which is set for release in 2016. Named GT Sport, it will look to provide the most realistic racing sim available on any console. Weather effects…

The FIFA franchise has been so strong for so long, one could be forgiven for thinking that there’s very little left to review each time the latest version is released. As soon as it comes out, it rocks its way up to the top of the charts and peers down at any rivals from afar without feeling in any way threatened by what they have to offer. Is it the same this year? Well, developers EA Sports are arguably facing their stiffest competition yet in the form of PES 16 and so what, if anything, have they done in their…

Pro Evolution Soccer and its makers, Konami, have had a bit of a rough ride in recent years, always having to play second fiddle to the bigger, bolder, brassier EA’s FIFA offerings.  The lesser developer may well just concede defeat but Konami aren’t like that – every year’s FA Cup sees so-called giant slayers reign supreme and Konami have clearly set their sights on that title.  So, how well have they done with PES 16 when comparing against FIFA 16?  Do either of them deserve to be, ahem, relegated? The early word from the critics about PES 16 is that…

If you’re a fan of the Metal Gear franchise, then you’ll be familiar with the complex plots; the latest instalment, the fifth, Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain, unsurprisingly, doesn’t veer from this tradition. There may be people and previous events you thought you understood based on previous instalments, but there are further twists and revelations here which will test your understanding and your mettle. You don’t need to be familiar with the franchise in order to enjoy this one, but it’s fair to say that it will help. Anyway, bring it on, I say. The graphics, nay cinematography, voice-acting…

You could have colored me surprised this morning when I read that adult women represent the largest gaming demographic. Oh stop it, not because of any sexist thoughts on my part, but maybe because of some clichéd ones. At first I guessed the study that came up with the results was from some unrepeatable source, but nope I was wrong on that front too. This study came from The Entertainment Software Association, which is (in case you didn’t know) the trade association for the video game industry and the body that organizes E3, the biggest expo in the industry. So…

The XBOX 360 was, and is, iconic for so many reasons. It’s the first console, in my opinion, that gave us true multiplayer and online functionalities. It became the obvious choice for those who wanted the best ‘connected’ experience. Then came along the beginning of 8th gen gaming… Then came the big question: XBOX One or PS4? As an XBOX 360 gamer, I thought that it would become an easy choice, after all, both consoles would be evenly placed, right? Wrong! The choice became somewhat harder after seeing the 2013 announcements. After all, the PS4 looked better in more ways…

We all have our preferred gaming platforms and while consoles were busy stepping up their game (no pun intended) PC’s and laptops were doing the exact same thing. Companies like Xidax and Alienware have taken PC gaming to the next level. It’s not just about the PC you own, however. You need the right tools in your tool box and the right accessories to enhance your gaming experience. There’s a slew of accessories out there and sometimes they don’t always hit the mark. That’s why I’ve developed this list that includes some of the best accessories for laptop and PC…

It is hard to put a price on your childhood. All those times spent happily whiling away the hours with your favourite toy is worth more than money, right? Well, a couple of decades on, and you might look at it with a different perspective. Those retro games and toys that gave you so much joy in the past are now worth a fortune. Some of them are going for thousands of dollars. Seriously, the toys that cost you about a pocket full of change fifteen years ago are now that in demand. Furbies were incredibly strange creatures. They spoke…

If you’ve been into games for any amount of time you’ve probably heard statements like, “Video Games Cause Violence” and if you’re anything like me statements like that really get your blood boiling.  This is brought up almost as often as the debate over guns and though that topic is a discussion of its own I do want to look at what sort of impact video games do have on people.  Let it be noted this is, for the most part, an opinion piece.  Everything written is based on experiences I’ve either had myself or seen others go through.  This…

Papo & Yo is a game by the independent studio Minority Media. The story follows a boy named Quico who hides away from his drunk and abusive father in an imaginary puzzle world in which he tries to guide both himself and his friend monster to a better place. Using Quico’s imagination you must solve puzzles with the aide of his friends including a giant monster and a robot toy. The Core Gameplay Papo & Yo is a 3D puzzle game and as such a lot of the puzzles are solved by grabbing and dragging objects around but more often…

There’s been a lot of commotion regarding anything Konami has touched recently.  From stripping Hideo Kojima of his title and team, to canceling Silent Hills, and even an ex member of Konami, Koji Igarashi, becoming a massive success on his own with a genre Konami deemed “dead”.  Konami seems to be digging a deeper and deeper hole in the console gaming world but they may not be bothered by that fact since they seem to want to leave consoles behind.  But what they do have going for them is perhaps one of the most anticipated games of the year, Metal…

A survival horror game where you are trapped on an island with mutant cannibals after a horrible plane crash that separated you from your son.  A beautiful game filled with suspense and scares abundant, at least that’s what was promised to us over a year ago when the game first went into Early Access.  What Endnight Games has done with The Forest since it’s initial release is a matter of opinion and critique, in which I’ll be giving you my thoughts below. The Horror One of the key aspects of this game is the “fear factor” and to that I…

China is the most populous nation on Earth and it is also one that is seeing a lot of middle class growth, meaning it can become a huge money spinner for companies. However, console manufacturers have been left out as for the last 15 years all gaming consoles have been banned in the censor heavy country. That has all changed now though, with China making the historic decision to allow consoles to be sold within the nation. That of course paves the way for the Sony PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox One, and Nintendo Wii U to find their way to…

If the conclusion of the Open is leaving you pining for putters and pars, you could do worse than swing your eye over the latest offering from EA Sports – Rory McIlroy PGA Tour. Commiserations Rory, get well soon, and well done, obviously, to Zach Johnson. The series returns following a two year break, and has replaced the previous cover-incumbent, Tiger Woods. Let’s channel Zach in this game, then, rather than Rory. You’ve got 8 real-life courses to choose from, with an additional 4 fantasy courses. Some may feel that this is a little sparse, but when playing in the…

If you’re familiar with the premise of this game then please bear with me while I explain it to the rest. So, in a nutshell, Rocket League is football with cars. That’s it, we’re all on the same page now. It was released free of charge, I repeat free of charge, on Sony’s PS Plus during the month of July and is currently taking the gaming world by storm. There are reportedly over 4 million downloads so far, so it will be interesting to see if developers Psyonix can maintain the interest and momentum when gamers are eventually asked to…

Taste is subjective, but I think it is rather obvious that movie adaptations of famed video games have for the most part been poor. Who can forget the car crash that was the Super Mario Bros. Movie (interdimensional dinosaur people!), the confused mess of the Street Fighter adaptation, or the myriad of flicks that have just missed the general point (Doom, Hitman, Silent Hill, Prince of Persia etc.) I actually think there has not been an outstanding movie that took its source material from a video game. Sure, some have been passable, but that’s as good as it gets, which…

I find myself in the unusual position here in the UK of writing this humble review in the midst of humidity surely equal to the level of New Orleans at the height of summer.  Nearly.  Anyway, the thought of lifting a pinkie even to type never mind steer a character round the gruelling requirements of the Tour De France (never mind the thought of actually getting on a bike myself) currently fills me with utter dread.  This review must be written, however, and you perhaps feel like that about getting your characters through the challenges brought by this game –…

Westwood Studios helped to define the strategic war genre, it’s how the Command and Conquer series began. The franchise started way back in 1995, allowing you to take command of an army and strategically deploy and arrange units, with the main aim of defeating the opponent. Once Generals 2 was announced, it got many fans excited, however, it became another title that was cancelled. Let’s face it, Act of Aggression looks like a modern day version of a C&C title, and then some. Act of Aggression will use the same recipe that made the C&C series so successful, it will…

There’s one thing that’s clear, the PS4 is out-selling the XBOX One, that’s by a massive margin. E3 was a great opportunity for Microsoft to totally change the destiny of the XBOX One. However, the PS4 will remain the slimmest and most powerful 8th gen console – a clear selling point for most gamers. With that said, Microsoft needed to have an incredible amount of new game announcements, however, it was Sony who impressed the most on this front. The result? Another easy win for Sony and the PS4. It should be noted that a 1TB HDD edition of the…