Author: Jessica Thompson

Sony have enjoyed a year of success for many reasons, however, if we’re talking about sale figures, month after month the PS4 has come out trumps with sales over the XBOX One, that was until this November.  Many could question what happened in November for Sony, although you don’t need to look far to realise that the USA pre-Christmas shopping day, known as Black Friday, played the main role in gaining XBOX One the first sniff of sales success, all thanks to ultra-low discounts on the American made machine. The XBOX One has plenty to offer, however, when it comes…

As we venture further into the 2024 tech landscape, 2K and 4K monitors have become standard fixtures on desks around the globe. The technology’s increased affordability has made it accessible to a wider audience. Yet, many users are contemplating the next leap in display resolution: should you opt for an Ultra HD monitor for your desktop PC? Your decision hinges on your primary uses and budget. Notably, 8K monitors are now more than just an imminent arrival—they’re here, albeit with a hefty price tag for the cutting-edge experience they offer. For those of you considering this upgrade path, the image…

Ask yourself this one simple question – how long has it been since you played a really good recently released video game devoted to billiards? Strangely enough, the modern era has been a bit of a wasteland for those with a penchant for pool, with very few offerings emerging at all (and those that do are usually on PC or some mobile device, etc.) Pure Pool is quite different of course. For starters, this game is both an excellent complete simulator as well as a stylish send up that’s meant to place you in an actual pool hall experience of…

There are plenty of games out there that let you assume the role of the brave human hero or the wise and valiant elf, but how many let you get the full RPG experience from the point of view of a goblin? Therein lies an interesting built-in mechanic though, one that (by nature of the very situation) sees you really sneaking around and not wanting to get caught. Think of it as a bit of a return to more “pure” stealth gameplay, if you will, and it’s really a shame that a title like this might go unnoticed or even…

Just over a year ago Sony released the PlayStation 4, in its opening week a phenomenal 1 million units were sold in the US alone. Since its debut 13 million PS4’s have found their place in the lounge rooms of gamers worldwide. These numbers are even more impressive when compared to its principal rival the Xbox One, which has struggled to sell half the number of consoles in the same period. There is now little debate that the PS4 is the best console available, boasting immersive gameplay, high definition graphics, next generation social media capabilities and revolutionary second-screen features. The…

It’s no secret that the Xbox One has not been the massive success Microsoft was hoping for. Since its launch it has been plagued by poor sales and has struggled to attract the blockbuster titles that the PlayStation 4 has been able to deliver in its opening year. Many gamers were hoping that 2014 would be the year that Microsoft delivered titles that would help the Xbox One overcome its poor start and begin a serious challenge to the PS4’s domination of the console gaming world. Unfortunately in addition to lacking the blockbuster releases of the PS4, many of the…

If you’re a parent then you’re probably wondering which route to take when it comes to buying the perfect gaming related presents this Christmas. First you need to decide what you’re actually after. Are you on the lookout for a new game console? Some games? Or perhaps some accessories? This article will help you to decide what’s hot and what’s not. Of course, price will also be a major factor for many, simply click on the bold links to see the prices of the discussed products. Purchasing holiday electronics used to be fairly easy; you’d just make a choice between…

When we think about Christmas / holiday entertainment we are often immediately drawn to movies and tv shows. After all, this is where the bulk of the experience lies, isn’t it? Of course, there are also specific video games which also do an excellent job of putting you in the spirit of the season. Each one of the titles on this list does this in its own way of course, some perhaps better than others. Look, no one is trying to say that these are the most fantastic or awe-inspiring tiles here, only that they do a great job of…

(Mostly a rant about how awesome first-person mode is). From the moment they first announced that there was going to be a Grand Theft Auto V it was obvious that it would be making its way onto every capable platform…eventually. The timing between the release of Rockstar’s newest sandbox and that of the PS4 / Xbox One was a bit off, of course, but it worked out in the end, didn’t it? Oh, and was the wait ever worth it – this iteration of the fabled franchise is really nothing short of a complete revelation. Really, don’t go off thinking…

At some point the video game industry diverged in a pretty major way, throwing developers apart and seemingly moving in different directions altogether. For example, you had people creating titles for largely stationary hardware, like PC’s and video game consoles (which tend to be more powerful, obviously) and those that saw the rise of handheld gaming as the next step forward. Now, everything’s starting to merge back together, where games that were once only found on immoble consumer machines making the jump to mobile platforms, one port at a time. Sometimes it even seems as if we’re headed for a…

Any time you label something as “the official” game you know that it’s going to come under a lot of scrutiny, especially when it is supposed to represent an international sporting event. The critics have wasted no time in tearing the game in question here (MXGP) completely apart, but does it really deserve that?   The truth is, this title is a fine example of solid racing action which blends realistic simulator mechanics / physics with some occasional arcade-like mechanics. In the end we’re left with a title that does exactly what it says it does and more. Even though the…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21fkIhnL06c

Nowadays, games that let you run virtual businesses are certainly nothing new.   There are lots of different options out there, allowing you to manage all sorts of different things, from amusement parks to zoos and even railroad industries. If you’re currently a fan of business sims or suspect that you might like the sort of gameplay they provide, the most recent hot news on your radar probably pertains to the upcoming release of Rollercoaster Tycoon 4. However, many might not realize that the man behind the rise of the genre itself, Chris Sawyer, has stated that he’s not going to…

It’s all been said before, of course, but the Call of Duty franchise has really transformed what people expect out of mainstream first-person shooters. Just when you think they’ve gone as far as they can, finalized gameplay in such a way as to have completely explored all the fundamental methods of creating and maintaining action, they shift and take things in a completely new direction. While it might sound like hyperbole, the truth is that Advanced Warfare is an amazing game with so many great refinements and polished touches that it’s almost revolutionary. Notice the word “almost” there…clearly, other games…

Looking at the recently revealed sales figures of current 8th generation consoles, it’s clear that the PlayStation 4 is the most popular choice out there with 10 million units sold vs. Xbox One’s 5 million. However, does this really mean we can so easily dismiss the One altogether?! Of course not, the truth is the One is an amazing machine in its own right, replete with all sorts of perks which add to its overall appeal. In fact, it’s sort of foolish to think that only one type or brand of console could totally satisfy every gamer out there. In…

Certainly the wheel has played an integral role in the formation of modern society; maybe it could do the same thing for your video game driving experience, no? Let’s get this straight – if you want to further immerse yourself in a video game driving experience then there’s really no better way to do so than to use a steering wheel. Sure, keyboard controls or even a controller is fine, heck, it might even work out better for SOME, but most will agree that an actual control wheel can’t be beaten, if you’re really into racing games, that is. Of…

If you’re too young to have experienced Nintendo’s great N64 console and you have a thing for retro gaming, then you most definitely need to check out what it has to offer. It burst onto the scene in a big way when it was first released, with titles like Super Mario 64 basically expanding the Nintendo brand outward into 3D realms. Similarly, runaway hits like Goldeneye: 007 helped it to sell quite well while creating new legions of FPS fans in its wake. However, there were a ton of OTHER games released for this historic machine which even the astute…

Quite recently, many so-called “MetroidVania” –style games have been made, due largely in part to the ongoing trends in gaming which have seen many turning toward 2D and/or “retro” titles. It makes sense of course on multiple levels, of course. Artistically, economically and entertainment-wise, there were never any “rules” dictating how games should be made, it all depends on what people want in the end. Ok, so why are we discussing indie game market theory here instead of immediately jumping into the review, you ask? Well, Facepalm Games’ and Curve Studios’ “The Swapper” is a shining example of everything that’s…

When it comes to boosting console sales, no amount of promises or trickery will ultimately raise figures like the release of some good quality exclusives. Down throughout the history of gaming, each successful console (take the PS2 for instance) has often employed this strategy to further enhance its appeal. Of course, these days, exclusives seem to be largely falling by the wayside in favor of titles which are ported over to anything and everything. Yes, this ultimately helps the average gamer, thus allowing them to play more top-tier games but from a business standpoint there is little to gain. In…

It seems like there’s no end to the number of exciting open world titles which are apt to come our way these days. Even if you’re completely burnt-out on these types of offerings you should definitely give Insomniac Games’ “Sunset Overdrive” a shot. It really is a one-of-a-kind experience that’s as exciting and brash as it is colorful and massively dynamic. Ok, that’s probably enough hyperbole, right? Wrong. Sunset Overdrive is arguably one of the most exhilarating sandbox titles that many are likely to play this year. It basically plays like a mish-mash of various games, borrowing a bit from…

There’s no point in mincing words here, the purpose of this list is simple – to provide you with an inventory of no less than 10 great headset choices to go along with your Xbox One. Each one of these entries will perfectly compliment your gaming / online experience in various ways, and as always, be sure to choose among those that best suit your style and needs… Turtle Beach Ear Force XO Four High Performance Headset Shoring up the difference between the higher end models and more budget-based offerings, Turtle Beach is long known as one of the…

That’s right, kids…the word on the street is that Nintendo is actually working on a NEW CONSOLE. Moreover, this isn’t going to be some mere throwback or another handheld, but an actual, fully-fledged Next Generation machine that’s able to handle more advanced graphics and so forth. Needless to say, the prospect of being able to tap into some brand new Nintendo titles utilizing said visual enhancements is also very exciting to say the least. One can’t help but speculate about new Mario releases either, especially those that might challenge the current crop of top tier titles on other consoles. The…

Surely it is often said, that most racing games are “fun” or manage to “bring together” two or more elements in a successful way, where gameplay is concerned.  But with MX vs. ATV – we’re really talking about a multifaceted racer that achieves quite a lot on multiple fronts without fully dedicating itself to any of them.  Don’t get the wrong idea, of course, this is a title which does what it does in the context of some gritty, exciting action.  You’ll blast around the track vying for position as others wisk around you and try to throw you off…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SH_05jfCOM

You can think of “Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments” as being something of an epic mash-up.  On its face it is a rather direct investigation game based on the adventures of Sherlock Holms, however, upon closer inspection you discover that there’s much more to this mystery than meets the eye.  For example, its subtitle “Crimes and Punishments” also echoes the Dostoyevsky novel of nearly the same name and it eloquently introduces a fresh but classic sort of gameplay at the same time.  For anyone that’s an avid video gamer and a fan of Watson and Holmes’ exploits, this is definitely…

Let’s face it, each year brings with it a new FIFA outing (or two).  Heck, it isn’t even like Déjà vu at this point, more like a fix for hungry masses of football fans.  Don’t let the negative connotation color your judgment of FIFA 15 though, because it definitely meets or exceeds desires.  Yes, it basically holds the torch that’s been passed down by FIFA 14, with a number of key additions further enhancing what was already a splendid formula, as you’ve probably already guessed by this point… Gameplay The heart of any solid football / soccer title is its…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zES9JClJKkY&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9VdnxL2wQs&feature=youtu.be

If you’re sitting there wondering when the next great FPS is slated to hit the PC, consider the following soon-to-be-released titles.  Each and every one of the following games is slated for a 2014 release (ahead of the Christmas holiday too…maybe), so get ready to add some new items to your preorder list if you haven’t done so already.  Let’s jump right in, shall we? Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Fans of the Borderlands series should be pretty ecstatic right now because yet another fine installment is about to drop.  Dubbed “Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel”, you can expect nearly the same sort of…

While it may not be quite as visible as many other simulation titles, 2004’s “Transport Giant” (developed by JoWood) is certainly unique.  Somewhat inexplicably and suddenly, a new comprehensive version of the game was released in 2012 (Transport Giant Gold Edition), which includes the original content plus Transport Giant Down Under.  The game itself is set in the year of 1850, where railroads are all the rage.  Instead of managing manufacturing centers, as is seemingly the standard with titles of this genre, you are starting up your own shipping company, initially choosing your scenario (Europe or the US).  Needless to…