Blast from the past

A COUPLE of weeks ago I was given a boxed Commodore 64 from the 1980s from a pal who was clearing his loft.
I was immediately filled with excitement thinking back to my childhood, and all the fun I had playing games on my Spectrum 128k computer.
When I think back to those times I’m filled with a warm glow.
Back then I’d spend hour upon hour playing games like Jet Set Willy, Crazy Golf and Out Run until my parents would shout at me to go to bed.
I’d rush to bed knowing that when sleep eventually found me, I’d soon be awake again to continue playing.
How good were those games?!
But soon enough last week I was reminded of how these games were in fact, crap.Sure, for the time they were awesome.
The screen often boasted no more than two colours, the music was incredibly annoying and, while the gameplay was pretty good, the games were pants.
Oh, that is if you could actually get them to load.
After picking up the C64 and excitedly setting it up at home, I was reminded of exactly how awful the whole experience was – and still is.
The C64 was (obviously) half as good as the Spectrum 128K (given that it had half as much memory).
And plugging it all in and setting it up I was instantly reminded of how archaic the system was – even though it was ‘amazing’ at the time.
Sure, that flashing cursor and seeing ‘Ready’ on the screen brought back some memories but god, how did we ever think that these games were ‘great’?!
After my burst of nostalgia I decided to have a look on YouTube at some videos of ‘classic’ games.
Remember Chase HQ?
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onhV55pUejk&feature=youtube_gdata_player.
Or Ghostbusters?
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNg8hrGsP6M&feature=youtube_gdata_player.
How about Robocop?
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqEBj2JEaxk.Or even more retro... Jet Set Willy?
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zYv2c5SyCg.
Or Golden Axe?
Try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0nEH9NkY5Y.
Man, times have changed.
Oh and look at this gem I’ve found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=udPpPDih1Qo.
Fast forward 25+ years and I look at the graphics of games on my PS3 and I’m staggered.
I mean, technology has moved on leaps and bounds.
And how good is that? But what’s next?
In my next blog I’ll be looking at the future of gaming.

In the meantime here are the latest releases:


Title: Final Fantasy XIII-2
Platform: PS3
Genre: RPG
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 87%

Final Fantasy XIII had its fair share of critics, even within the camp of previously staunch Japanese-RPG fans.
An unnecessary digression to linear storyline progression and levelling up restrictions were just two of the 'features’ that didn’t cut the mustard, but Lightning and her cast of fantasy friends and foes are back to set the record straight.
That’s arguably a punchier story than XIII-2’s narrative, which, despite the standard quota of stunning animated cut-scenes, falls a little short of earlier FF titles.
More open-world options return and the leash is off the levelling, as the series makes a swift return to form.
It’s true that a previous play-through of FF XIII will enhance the experience on Part 2, but overall this is an RPG for a niche gamer audience who love their convoluted storylines, cinematic entertainment and, ultimately, a game that they must commit their life to for a week or two in order to reap the biggest rewards.


Title: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action
Price: £29.99
Hit count: 89%

Crikey, in these times of austerity, who isn’t looking for top quality gaming at bargain prices?
So let’s extend some recessionary-inspired thanks to Konami, who are treating every console gamer to a trio of top titles featuring the infamous Solid Snake.
Bundling Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is no mean feat in itself, but they’ve also been updated with HD visuals to boot.
Of course, if you haven’t played through these truly incredible adventures already, you have an immense gaming session lying in wait, while seasoned fans of the series should take this graphical update and bargain bundling opportunity to relive the hundreds of brilliant moments that defined the last decade of gaming.
Still a genius showcase for how stealth gaming should be designed, this disc is simply unmissable.


Title: Soul Calibur V
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Fighting
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 84%

Three years in real life, 17 in the game world, and one of the finest fighters around is back.
With new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil, Soul Calibur V recounts the tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, whose family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords.
The series’ revolutionary eight-way run system returns, allowing for true 3D movement during matches, while the overall battle system has also been classily refined.
There’s even a guest appearance from master assassin Ezio Auditore de Firenze from the hugely successful Assassin’s Creed series to pull in the punters who haven’t had the pleasure of playing through the series since its Dreamcast debut in 1999.
Anyone looking for a knock-down, drop-dead gorgeous fight should call off the search, but prepare to be panned online – this franchise has a ferocious following!


Title: Cave Story 3D
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Adventure/Puzzle
Price: £32.99
Hit count: 90%

Cave Story has popped up on Wii and DS in the past 12 months, but this three-dimensional appearance on Nintendo’s latest handheld system is definitely the title’s finest hour to date.
Combining reassuringly retro platformer gameplay with cutting-edge glasses-free 3D technology, Cave Story 3D forms a potent combination of pick-up-and-play action with wonderful characters, entertaining game environments and the kind of accompanying music that will have you harking back to your earliest Eighties platformer experiences.
With strong Metroid-inspired undertones, the game’s core operations remain largely untouched - disappointing when a little retouch here and there would certainly have eradicated frustrations from first time round, such as backtracking and a couple of over-devilish boss battles.
A bit of fresh content wouldn’t have gone amiss either, but overall it’s a cracking little underground adventure.


Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Platform: PC
Genre: RPG
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 92%

It’s the kind of gaming experience that most Star Wars fans will have been praying for for years. A living, breathing MMORPG intergalactic gameplay world, where you can forge your own unique George Lucas-inspired experience.
Here, you explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader, choosing to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force.
Whether engaging in incredible space battles or teaming up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat, The Old Republic succeeds in delivering the ultimate engrossing Star Wars experience.
It looks as good as anything on the market right now, and the fact that you can fulfil all your Star Wars fantasies with like-minded Lucas film fans around the world makes it a potent RPG playground.


Title: Resident Evil: Revelations
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Survival Horror
Price: £32.99
Hit count: 90%

The Evil has been lurking in the corners of most consoles in recent years, and now it takes up residence on Nintendo 3DS to deliver a brilliant survival horror story on the small screen.
With a new storyline, locations and characters, plus old favourites Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, Revelations showcases the classic tense gameplay within the dark confined spaces of a cruise ship and treacherous snow-covered mountains.
The 3DS touchscreen is also used intuitively to solve puzzles and switch weapons as you tackle the all-new T-Abyss enemy, and the enhanced graphical capabilities prove to add an additional layer of immediacy to the evil threat that lurks round every corner.
As a triple-A adult title, it’s an essential purchase for 3DS owners, and if you’ve long been hooked on the horror from this enduring franchise, you’ll absolutely love this latest instalment.

Shop til you drop

IN the last two weeks I’ve managed to perfect a new dance move on the streets of Plymouth.
It’s the sort of move which sees you walk a few steps forward, then a few steps back, side-to-side and then repeat (in no particular order).
And bizarrely you don’t need music.
All you need are a handful of young families – complete with obscenely huge prams, a few doddling old dears, a couple of charity workers or survey gatherers, oh and large ‘sale’ signs.You see I popped into the city centre on Boxing Day, and in the days after, and it was hell.
Pure hell.
After perfecting my new ‘move’, I escaped the madness, went home and switched on my shiny new iMac (yes my G5 Powermac which featured in my previous blog update died).
And from now on every year I will be sales shopping online.
It’s a). much easier; b). much quicker; and c). much less stressful.
No queues, no weirdos and probably cheaper.Anyone who’s got a few quid left over should visit websites like Amazon.co.uk or eBay.co.uk for general bits and bobs.
For CDs and DVDs you’d be hard-pressed to find better deals than on cdwow.co.uk or play.com.
For clothes try M&S’ website, or even Debenhams which launched its sales stock before they did so in store.Moneysavingexpert.com is also worth a look for a wide view of how to save money on high street prices.
If you know specifically what you’re after then try Kelkoo.co.uk to compare prices on a variety of other websites.
Also try googling ‘January sales UK’.


Here are the latest games reviews:

Title: Grand Theft Auto 3: 10th Anniversary Edition
Platform: iPad
Genre: Action
Price: £2.99
Hit count: 92%

Cranking up this app will bring mixed emotions.
Firstly a combination of nostalgia and sheer excitement at being able to once again play through one of the best sandbox games ever.
Secondly, amazement at how far the GTA series has developed in terms of graphical and gameplay achievements in just a few years (around seven since GTA 4).
Nonetheless, this port to the iPad plays out incredibly well, despite replacing the multi-button control method of the old PS2 pad with a streamlined touchscreen.
Every car-jack, cop chase and explosive mission plays out perfectly, with the story of Liberty City just as engaging as it was a decade ago.
Some occasional camera quirks during combat may frustrate, but that’s a small price to pay for a portable piece of gaming history.
GTA V may only be a few months away, and if it can stand the test of time 10 years down the line like this, we’ll have yet another Rockstar classic on our hands.

Title: Infinity Blade II
Platform: iPad
Genre: Action/Adventure
Price: £4.99
Hit count: 91%

Infinity Blade has held ultimate bragging rights in the iOS gaming world for a long time, but now its big brother has finally entered the fray.
Delivering another uber-polished 3D adventure, the sequel further refines the combat experience with three new styles of combat allowing you to choose from multiple classes of weapons, armour and spells.
Removing the ability to dodge your way through battles, too, proves to be a revelation as you progress through the stunningly robust and dynamic 3D world and delve deeper into the world of the Deathless tyrants and their legion of Titans.
Combat feels more varied, tactically more challenging, with your enemies just as breathtaking as those that have been conquered before.
This was undoubtedly one of the best (and last) app releases for your iPad in 2011 and, needless to say, it’s an essential purchase.

Title: Bike Baron
Platform: iPad
Genre: Action
Price: 69p
Hit count: 87%

When you spot that the only controls in Bike Baron are to lean left and right and hit stop and go on the throttle, you may get the impression that this is simplistic, pretty, yet disposable gaming.
Don’t be fooled – once you’ve tackled the first couple of learner levels, you’ll realise that this 3D side-scrolling stunt-biking showcase requires precision, patience and some serious dedication to complete the dozens of levels on offer.
Stars are awarded for finishing courses, beating target times and collecting all coins available, but you’ll also find your own amusement in trying to dish out the most destructive ending to your biker by falling on explosive oil drums or simply flying over your handlebars when a back-flip goes pear-shaped.
Ridiculously good rag-doll physics make every tumble a joy to behold, but behind the frivolous fun, there’s a serious two-wheeled challenge for you to conquer here.

Title: W.E.L.D.E.R
Platform: iPad
Genre: Word puzzle
Price: £1.49
Hit count: 89%

No, this isn’t a game that’ll teach you how to carry out minor metal repairs around the home.
But it will restore your vocabulary to tip-top condition by fusing traditional Scrabble-board gameplay with some interesting tile-shifting twists.
In its fullest form, W.E.L.D.E.R. (or Word Examination Laboratory for Dynamic Extraction and Reassessment) is a fantastic puzzle game that affords you the time to consider each move strategically, as tile swaps, reverses, grouping and jumps slip away from you all too quickly as you try to hit the word target on each level.
Only by cleverly maximising the use of multiplier tiles and other powered up letters will you make serious progress in the game, and it’s a fantastic example of how a bit of love and attention to an existing genre can create something fresh and unique for everyone to enjoy.

Checking-in procedure is worth checking out

SOON enough the phrase ‘talk to the machine cos the face ain’t listening’ will be in wide use.
Believe me.
That was very nearly the response I got this week when I went to check-in to a Travelodge hotel in London’s Covent Garden.
I waited patiently for a few minutes while the receptionist dealt with an upset customer and then I stepped forward handing her my reservation number.
She then looked at me and said: “Sorry we don’t check people in any more, you’ll have to do it on the computer over there.”
I asked if she was joking.
I mean, you check-in at a hotel. Right?
You always speak to a receptionist, you get asked if your bags need carrying, whether you have a credit card to scan, or whatever.
Ultimately you always have that personal greeting or connection.
Wrong.
So off I went to the computer, tapped in the reservation number and confirmed my details – despite the fact I was listed as ‘Miss Nichols’.
The machine – yes the MACHINE – then gave me my key card.
Computer check-in is the future it seems.
Much like at airports, and being your own supermarket till operator when you go shopping, it is the way things are headed. And personally I think it’s wrong.
I know the banking, financial, housing, family, (and world) situation is in disarray but hey, now we’re becoming even more distant from one another and talking to machines?
Does it really have to go that way?
I agree that it’s far easier to book gig tickets, hotel rooms, and even buy Christmas presents online but hey... does everything now have to be so impersonal?Anyway, rant over
.Oh while I’ve got you, have you seen the ‘Siri Argument’ video regarding the iPhone 4s’ new feature on Youtube?
It’s had me in stitches for the past two weeks.
Check it out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tedPRkMjGFo.

Here are the latest game reviews:

Title: The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Platform: Wii
Genre: Action/Adventure
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 97%

The Legend Of Zelda series will no doubt hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers, some who've grown up with its earliest NES outings to those who first dabbled in the Ocarina Of Time or those with only fond handheld memories to look back on.
Skyward Sword demands that any gamer with a desire for a top five gaming experience ever should buy a Wii, MotionPlus accessory and lock themselves in a room with a telly for a fortnight.
Beautifully realised from every angle - storyline, swordsmanship controls, musical score, graphical detail - this is the ultimate Zelda adventure that will unite those nostalgic memories, place them gently to one side, and allow your mind to lose itself to Skyward Sword.
The perfect balance between motion-sensing innovation and familiar Zelda gameplay, this is likely to go down as the Wii's finest hour, as the clock starts counting down...


Title: Saints Row: The Third
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action
Price: £44.99
Hit count: 90%

In a turf war with Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row knows deep down that it would be running down a dark alley with its metaphorical tail between its legs.
However, that hasn't stopped the series evolving to this third instalment, which picks up the story years after the Third Street Saints have taken Stilwater for their own.
They have evolved from street gang to household brand name, with Saints sneakers, Saints energy drinks and Johnny Gat bobble head dolls all available at a store near you.
Their celebrity status has not gone unnoticed, engaging you in a criminal stand-off with The Syndicate, a legendary fraternity with pawns in play all over the globe.
Refusing to kneel to them, you get to take the fight to a new city, playing out the most outlandish gameplay scenarios ever seen, which really give Saints Row its unique differentiator from GTA.
It never takes itself too seriously, delivering incredibly over-the-top sandbox scenarios for you to play out as you see fit.
And yes, while frequently lewd and juvenile, it reminds us all that games should, at their heart, always aim to be darn good fun.


Title: WWE 12
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Wrestling
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 87%

The WWE franchise has delivered for console wrestling fans with fantastic consistency over the years, and this 2012 edition continues the trend with the most fluid, dynamic and realistic WWE simulation to date.
The addition of the new Predatory Technology gameplay system provides a major boost, helping to create the highest benchmark yet for authentic combat within the gaming ring.
Other new and improved gaming features such as the Breaking Point submission system, new character attributes, control layout, momentum and stamina further enhance the experience, and all give gamers the confidence that the developers won’t rest on their laurels when it comes to game-engine innovation.
That leaves you free to drool over the impeccable character models of your favourite stars, the new animations and lighting and the improved rendering.
And with more game modes than you can possibly imagine, the replay value in the WWE ring has never been higher.


Title: Super Mario 3D Land
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Action/Adventure
Price: £34.99
Hit count: 91%

Get ready for a new spin on a familiar tail.
The loveable gaming ingredients that have elevated the Mario franchise to god-like status are reinvented in the third dimension with the first platforming environment in true 3D.
Here, you can revel in the depth, distance and speed while running, jumping and stomping on enemies throughout the levels, plus make the most of the fan's favourite Tanooki suit and tail attack.
New enemies include Goombas with tails, tall stacks of Goombas and a Piranha Plant that spits ink to obscure your view, but none of them will cloud the overall sense of sensational platforming that gives the 3DS a much-needed shot in the arm ahead of Christmas in a similar way to Zelda's new lease of life on Wii.
It's pure, unadulterated classic gameplay, which still feels fresh despite the moustachioed plumber's already burgeoning legacy.

Return of the Mac (problems)

SO I walked into my house the other day, booted up the Mac, and began reading the paper.
A few minutes later I began to wonder who exactly had crept into my home and begun using the hairdryer I don’t own.
Confused? Yes, so was I.
I went from room to room – ear first – trying to ascertain exactly where the noise was coming from.

And as I approached my bedroom, which also plays host to the house office, I realised the noise – which by now resembled that of a small aircraft taking off – was coming from my usually trustworthy G5 Power Mac.
It’s never made this noise before and usually these sort of noises mean bad things. I turned it off, and on again, and off, and on again, and the fans started up each and every time.
Why? I don’t know. And to be honest three days on, I’m still not sure.
In the last three days I must have booted and re-booted 30 or 40 times. And it has gone through and logged in successfully once.
I took off the side panel and looked at the art-like set up and – in my mind – I was back in the garage workshop looking bewildered at my car engine.

You see I know how to change a car wheel, and how to insert a DVD into a Mac, but everything else is lost on me.
I immediately grabbed the nearest thing I could find which I figured (albeit stupidly) would help fix the problem – a duster.
‘Maybe it’s upset because it’s all grubby?’ I thought.
You see I bought the unit from a mate who ran his entire recording studio using it.
I use it for accessing the internet. And that’s it.
Anyway, the next day I took it into the Herald’s IT department gurus and they immediately laughed at my predicament.

“Macs always do this,” one of the guys said.
“They just like to throw a wobbly for no apparent reason just to show you who’s boss.”
I turned it on in front of the fast-growing audience, who by now looked like people queuing up to watch a comedy show, and the Mac huffed and puffed like it was impersonating a hurricane.

Cue laughter.
The chaps disassembled as much as they could, gave it a clean, ran a diagnostics disk – which came up with nothing of note – and left it running like that for a while.
It was powered off overnight and... you guessed it, the next morning it turned on without so much as a breath.

No noise and no drama.
Typical.

Never known a computer like it.
Anyone else experienced the same problem?
For the past three days I have been freaking out thinking I had lost, not only all my digital photos saved on the Mac, but also my entire iTunes library and other saved files.
I, like countless other people, save their lives and treasured possessions on their home computers without thought of something going wrong.
So guess who’s off to buy an external hard drive after work to back-up his bits and pieces?

UPDATE: Friday 18th November - It seems my hopes have been dashed. My Mac has booted up and connected once since IT looked at it.

Gutted.com

Oh, apologies for the huge delay in updating the blog.
Three months in Afghanistan plus other bits and pieces going on.
I’ll try and make this weekly from now on.
Here are the most recent games reviews – and there have been some absolute belters released in the last few weeks:


Title: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 97%

BATMAN raised the bar to incredible levels last week when it comes to console action adventures, but the PS3-exclusive Uncharted 3 has arguably come along and effortlessly hurdled that bar.
The first two titles gave gamers a pretty good indication that the conclusion of this trilogy would be something special, but few could have hoped for this pinnacle of production values.
From the finest graphics on the system to the unavoidably addictive multiplayer mode, Drake’s latest outing is every inch the cinematic experience, jam-packed with jaw-dropping set pieces, a much refined melee combat system and brilliant characters you believe in and care about.
There’s not a lot more you can ask for from any game, and its rivals are going to have to come up with something pretty special to knock Drake’s Deception off the top of PS3 owners’ Christmas list this year.


Title: Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Shooter
Price: £54.99
Hit count: 92%

CALL Of Duty publisher Activision has claimed that up to 30 million people are playing a Call Of Duty game.
A mammoth figure in itself, but it's one that’s set to swell hugely as the sequel to the one billion dollar-grossing shooter Modern Warfare 2 hits the shelves.
Following on directly from the MW2 storyline, the action picks up amid the continuing struggle of US forces against an invasion by the Russian Federation following the framing of an undercover US agent in a terrorist attack on Moscow.
Cue the now obligatory jaw-dropping combat set pieces in single player mode, which features the cities of Washington, New York and Paris under siege, to name but three, all of which are beautifully rendered and suitably shocking and surprising in content to keep your finger firmly on the trigger throughout.
Along with classic Call Of Duty multi-character control, MW3 offers deep multiplayer support, including two-player Co-op Survival mode, plus all-new Kill Streak categories and customisable strike packages that deliver even more options for player combat styles and strategies.
When the scripted single player campaign battling transgresses into the ultra-competitive and hugely satisfying online multiplayer war-zone, you’ll be treated to another exemplary, explosive shooter.


Title: Battlefield 3
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 91%

IN A tough shooter crowd, the Battlefield series has emerged as one of the finest multiplayer experiences on the market right now.
Wrestling the single player crown from the likes of Call Of Duty is a tougher challenge, yet this explosive third outing still has more than enough for gamers to easily lose weeks of their lives to.
As bullets whizz by, walls crumble and explosions throw you to the ground, there's no doubt that here the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before.
Tackling diverse locations from around the globe including Europe, the Middle East and North America, the differing terrain, troops transportation and multiplayer maps for each region present an incredibly rich and tactical playing experience.Graphically stunning, there are very few games that do war in such an unashamedly exciting and addictive manner.
It may fall a couple of shots short of the impeccable PC version, but still, no Xbox 360 is complete without a blast on Battlefield 3 this winter.


Title: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 91%

A STAGGERING 30 million units in just four years suggests that the Assassin’s Creed series is fully deserving of a place on the most popular franchise podium alongside the likes of Elder Scrolls, Modern Warfare and Uncharted.
That will probably come as no, ahem... revelation to fans who have followed Altair and Ezio’s adventures to this point, yet this final instalment will bring enough plot twists and turns to satisfy even the harshest gaming critic.
Here, Ezio’s perilous path takes him to Constantinople, the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilise the region.And, in addition to Ezio’s award-winning story, the acclaimed online multiplayer experience returns, refined and expanded, with more modes, more maps and more characters that allow players to test their assassin skills against others from around the world.
It’s uber-polished, ultra-slick, sensational action gameplay from start to finish, and yet another triple-A title that you shouldn't be without this winter.


Title: GoldenEye Reloaded
Platform: PS3
Genre: Shooter
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 82%

FOR any gamer who had the pleasure of dropping the original GoldenEye into their N64 and simply being blown away for the addicted few months that followed, the prospect of the game getting a revamp for the more powerful PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles will be enough get their trigger finger involuntarily twitching.
Built on a new engine that delivers striking HD visuals, blistering fast gameplay and the ability to play using the PlayStation Move with Sharp Shooter peripheral, too, Reloaded is a brilliant shot in the arm for the famous title.
This is further boosted by the addition of new, distinct ‘Mi6 Ops Missions’ that open up a whole host of new environments and game objectives, not to mention providing the perfect playground for the all-important online multiplayer modes.
Overall, it’s a great standalone shooter, further enhanced by the legendary status the original still enjoys.

Title: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Platform: Xbox 360

Genre: RPG

Price: £49.99

Hit count: 95%

YOU’RE probably tired of hearing the words ‘eagerly anticipated’ such as been the frequency of top notch titles hitting the game store shelves over the past few weeks.

But RPG fans have been waiting five years for this fella, and who'd refuse them a little over-excitement when this title totally reimagines and revolutionises the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore in any way you choose.

The now legendary freedom of character choice and storytelling truly knows no bounds here, all played out in a new game engine that effortlessly offers up rolling clouds, rugged mountains, bustling cities, lush fields and ancient dungeons for you to explore.

And, by the way, the dragons are back, like you’ve never seen. This is gaming escapism on an unprecedented scale, so dive in and enjoy.

Celebrity spawns news

WE were obsessed with the celebrity. It now seems we’re obsessed with the celebrity pregnancy and future celebrities (namely present celebrity’s unborn kids).


Is it me or does every link you click on lead to some mention of another film/sports/pop star, musician, artist or general more-money-than-sense z-list so-called celebrity falling pregnant?

In the last few weeks alone we’ve discovered Victoria Beckham’s pregnant, Kate Hudson too, oh and Natalie Portman, Emma Bunton, Danielle Lloyd, Jessica Alba, Holly Willoughby and Kym Marsh.

Whoopee! Great! Who really cares?

Who really should care outside of the immediate family and friends?

Do you care? I know I don’t.

And you know the very second you hear/read/view the news you’re going to be faced with months and months of coverage about what it’s like to be pregnant, what pregnant celebrities are eating, and what they’re wearing.

And then we also have the continued ‘joys of motherhood’ stories from birth, and then the pictures and videos after.

Joy oh joy oh joy.

Why promote something which should ultimately be private?

It’s like Facebook. I swear we get to a certain age (around 30 or 31) when every other person’s FB picture is a cute picture of their kid.

Oh, and then we get the status updates such as ‘little timmy did his first poo today’.

I. Am. Sorry. But.... why would anyone want to know that?

Does that small snippet of information better my life? Would it ever???

It’s a weird weird world we’re living in.

And it’s a weird weird future we’re heading towards where kids are thrust into the limelight, be it celebrity or parents-who-want-their-kids-to-be-celebrities.

Yes, be proud. But what happened to wanting to be private with family matters?

Here are the latest games releases:

Title: Test Drive Unlimited 2
Platform: PS3
Genre: Racing
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 88%
Test Drive Unlimited 2 promises gamers a Massively Open Online Racing (M.O.O.R.) experience and, on the islands of Ibiza and Oahu, Hawaii, it certainly delivers.

So vast and varied are the challenges across these nuggets of paradise it’ll take you months to conquer everything in single and multiplayer modes, with your online XP gauge gradually increasing and encouraging you all the while.

From car-wreck discoveries to traditional competitive races, a thriving online community scene to the countless properties, clothes and cars you can collect, a challenge lies round every corner.

It’s a shame that the core racing events aren’t particularly enthralling or difficult, but this is a minor gripe in an open world gaming experience that offers so much.

Free exploration is a joy, in whatever cars you choose to collect, and when a game focused on racing even offers the option for customising your in-house coffee table, you know it’s a beast of a game, crying out to be conquered.

Title: Mario Vs Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Action
Price: £34.99
Hit count: 86%
Mario has created an amazing theme park called Super Mini-Mario World and he wants the first 100 guest to receive a free mini-Pauline doll.

Donkey Kong subsequently gets wind of this and comes storming in, arriving too late and, in his rage, he steals the real Pauline, leaving Mario no option but to send in this trusty wind-up minis to go and save the day.

And so begins a fantastic puzzle adventure that offers up an incredible amount of content to conquer and unlock, as you guide the mini-characters around each level to achieve your goal, reach your exit door, or batter the big boss levels.

As most Mario games go, it’s incredibly ingenious, infuriatingly addictive, with a brilliant soundtrack to accompany the game play.

Nintendo’s done it again, and prove that even when mini, Mario still packs a stonking puzzling punch.

Title: Bop It!
Platform: iPhone
Genre: Party game
Price: £1.79
Hit count: 72%
Hasbro hit on a fantastic handheld party game with the original Bop It! and the iPhone translation works just as well, making full use of different finger commands on the touchscreen and the device’s accelerometer to provide an interactive and challenging party puzzle experience.

The microphone even comes into play as one of the Bopjects available to unlock, as you work through the eight single and multiplayer modes that will see you bopping, pulling, twisting and flicking your way towards higher and higher scores. The ability to challenge friends on Facebook will no doubt spark a spate of ’Bop It!-wars’, and when you’ve got pals around you the fun takes on another dimension as you pass the phone around like a hot potato.

Slick, colourfully presented and just as addictive, Bop It! is one iPhone experience you have to sample.

Entertainment is written in the stars

IN my 32 years I’ve often been accused of needlessly ‘staring into outer space’ daydreaming.

And with one of the natural world’s most awe-inspiring light shows set for tonight (Dec 14th) I have every excuse to repeat the act with a purpose.

Tonight’s night sky will provide the backdrop to one of the best meteor showers show of the year.

The Geminids shower is usually considered the best opportunity for younger viewers because the show gets going around 9pm or 10pm.

Despite the optimal viewing time is around 2am there will be plenty of scope for the spectacular.

According to Nasa there will be approximately 50 meteors per hour.

And while tonight’s show is said to be the best, the show will continue until Thursday (Dec 16th) night.

Earlier this year my girlfriend and I tried to get a glimpse of the Perseids meteor shower by driving up onto the moors near Cadover Bridge.

Somehow the sky was clear in the centre of Plymouth, but when we reached our pitch the sky had almost completely clouded over.

However between the few broken cloud formations we did see about five shooting stars, including one which left an incredible green trail in the night sky.

With the current cold snap hitting the UK, most night skies are particularly clear meaning that now is almost the perfect time to see a truly spectacular natural light show.

This week’s show is the last real chance is seeing shooting stars this year.

However visitors to Nasa’s Asteroid Watch website (www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch/newsfeatures.cfm?release=2010-385) will be able to get key advice on when is best to catch them in the New Year.

The website offers tips and guidance on the best places, dates and times to view the meteor showers.

As well as gazing skywards this week I’ve also been laughing out loud at former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighters front man, Dave Grohl.

That guy is possibly one of the funniest guys in rock.

And here’s the evidence to prove it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eOR6b6TAZw&feature=related.

If you check out the clip starting at 30 seconds you will discover the reason why people in Derriford may have heard uncontrollable laughter from Herald HQ in recent days.

He’s a legend. ‘Wirwee?’ For sure.

Here’s the best of the latest games releases and the latest charts:
Title: TRON: Evolution
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 73%
It’s amazing that it’s taken 28 years for TRON to be revitalised on the big screen – the 1982 original movie is certainly showing its age these days, but the thought of a person getting sucked into a computer world and battling it out in games for real is one you’d have thought developers would have jumped on countless times.
Evolution does an effective job of bridging the old and new movies in terms of content and offering up an above average licence tie-in from a pure gameplay perspective.
A mixture of futuristic wall running, disc-throwing combat and vehicle racing is executed well, making for enjoyable action fare, but there’s no standout differentiation from the melange of movies-turned-games currently on the shelves.
What made the original movie such a cult classic was true innovation, and it seems that the game could do with a healthier dose of that, too.

Title: Def Jam Rapstar
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Music
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 79%
The karaoke revolution has transformed the way we interact with our consoles, as USB microphones grant gamers young and old access to the musical career they could never have imagined (or deserved in most vocal cases).
And it’s now gone a step further as the dedicated world of rap is laid out for you to get stuck into on Xbox 360.
From Beastie Boys classics to more current beats from Busta Rhymes, the vocal challenge won’t be lost on anyone who’s tried it – timing is everything and some of these tracks are too darn quick for anyone but professional rappers to master.
But you’ll have a hell of a time trying, and you can upload your most polished performances for all to see through the Xbox Live community set-up for the game, which impressively also allows you to edit down your video recordings and add bling-bling after effects.
It’s unlikely to produce the next Eminem, but is a cool interactive rap music collection nonetheless.


Title: Gran Turismo 5
Platform: PS3
Genre: Racing
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 90%
Six years in the making, the wait is finally over.
And for gamers keen to pore over every pristine detail of the hundreds of vehicles on offer and the exquisite track environments, it’s the moment they’ve all been waiting for.
Gran Turismo 5 does deliver in pretty much every respect, but perhaps a feeling of over-production lingers throughout.
This is almost to the point where, unless you’re a motoring perfectionist happy to tinker and tweak your engine for hours on end, you might find the overall gaming experience akin to that of handling expensive bone china – handle with care.
You rarely feel free to throw your car around like a good old ’arcade racer’, but then this has never been the objective with GT5.
It’s the thinking man’s racer with a true connoisseur’s car collection.
And for that reason alone, it’s worth parking up in your gaming garage.


Title: Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
Platform: iPhone
Genre: Racing
Price: £2.99
Hit count: 80%
Hot Pursuit delivers what pretty much all Need For Speed fans crave – instant racing gratification. Whether you’re trying to take down a perpetrator, outmanoeuvre another cop or beat the clock, you’ll struggle to put your iPhone down as you get behind the wheel for one mission after another.
With more than 20 challenges to conquer in the career mode, the simple premise of putting your foot down and steering is enhanced by different race objectives, and a selection of weapons such as tyre-puncturing spikes and road blocks can be employed at strategic points in races to give you a competitive edge.
What Hot Pursuit lacks in depth, it makes up for in cheap racing thrills. And what’s wrong with wanting a bit of that on your iPhone?



GAME CHART ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE
1. Call Of Duty: Black Ops
2. FIFA 11
3. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
4. Gran Turismo 5
5. Just Dance 2
6. Michael Jackson: The Experience
7. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
8. Wii Party
9. Wii Fit Plus
10. Professor Layton And The Lost Future

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (c) 2010 UKIE Ltd

Hackers go online to wage war

WITH much of the focus on the ongoing battles in Afghanistan and recent skirmishes between North and South Korea, a smaller - but possibly just as explosive - war has been largely overlooked.
Those troublesome types behind the WikiLeaks website have been under attack - and not just by just about every government across the world.
'Unknown' hackers tried to prevent the release of hundreds of thousands of classified US State Department documents by attacking the WikiLeaks website.
Earlier this week on Twitter the online whistleblower said its website was "under a mass distributed denial of service attack".
However to ensure the impact of its sensational disclosures it released some of the documents to leading national newspapers in Spain, France, Germany, England and New York.

The website later returned to normal service and published the documents leading to mass political denials and speeches.

The documents included 'harsh' criticism by US embassy staff of their host governments, including Russia and China, and unflattering pen portraits of world leaders.

They also disclose how last year Arab rulers urged the Americans to take military action to halt Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a typical denial-of-service attack, remote computers commandeered by rogue programmes bombard a website with so many data packets that it becomes overwhelmed and unavailable to visitors.

Pinpointing the culprits was impossible because the internet’s structure does not allow for the tracing back of the data packets used in such attacks, computer security expert Bruce Schneier said.
Hackers have used denial-of-service attacks over the years to target corporate and government websites.
Last month political bloggers in Vietnam said they were victimised by cyberattacks designed to block their websites to stifle government dissent. Other targets have included US and South Korean government websites in 2009 and computer networks in Estonia, which were crippled for nearly three weeks in 2007 by what were believed to be Russian hackers.
In the weeks leading up to the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, Georgian government and corporate websites were hit with denial-of-service attacks. The Kremlin denied involvement.
James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and a senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said it was unlikely the US or some other government would use denial-of-service attacks against WikiLeaks.
His best guess was "a bunch of geeks who’ve decided they’re annoyed with WikiLeaks".
For many it's a difficult subject to be drawn on. Do you choose to side with the free-speech promoting WikiLeaks chaps? Or do you side with the guys who'd rather not see these documents released for fear of a 'reaction' from upset states?
Surely if a minister, leader or state is prepared to propose something with a means to an end, why should it be secret? If something is discussed in private then it's easy to understand, but if it is freely discussed by an open democratic state why hide?
Anyway, winding my neck in here are the latest games reviews and games charts:


Title: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action
Price: £24.99
Hit count: 92%
Red Dead Redemption was another smash hit for Rockstar in its own right and, mirroring its successful strategy in releasing additional content for Grand Theft Auto 4, the developer brings us Undead Nightmare.
The new offering gives the wild-west title a much needed shot in the arm for gamers who may have already completed the original single-player story.
This time around, Marston’s out to combat a fever plaguing the town – which essentially is zombifying everyone (and everything).
And so begins a brilliant series of missions, played out in much the same way as the main game, but with a few interesting twists.
Not only are the people not what they seem anymore, but zombie horses with unlimited stamina, mad bad bears and a whole lot more bring a creepy vibe to the game.
Once the eight-hour, single-player quest has been completed, a couple of new multiplayer modes should also be explored – Undead Overrun proving to be particularly enjoyable – as you and online pals team up against wave after wave of spooky enemies.
As always, this is top quality free-roaming fun.


Title: Football Manager 2011
Platform: PSP
Genre: Football Management
Price: £29.99
Hit count: 88%
Let’s do the time-warp: And no, I’m not talking about dressing up a bit weird and putting your hands on your hips.
Much less energetic, but significantly more engrossing, is slipping the Football Manager 2011 disc into your PSP and losing yourself in the time-warp that is the virtual world of football management.
It’s the epitome of long-term, on-the-go gaming, as you turn the club of your choice into Champions League challengers.
And the options are endless: A staggeringly huge database of players to pick from with all the transfers included from the summer transfer window, improved positions tactics screen and much better graphics in the 2D game engine all take the already polished experience to another level.
Plus, the game ’skin’ has also been updated for a fresh new feel.
It’ll give you a headache trying to think about how so much data has been packed onto one little disc, but save your grey matter – you’ll need it to secure world football domination...


Title: Need For Speed Hot Pursuit
Platform: PS3
Genre: Racing
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 91%
Console racer fans have had plenty to get their teeth into in 2010 and Need For Speed Hot Pursuit has made a late winter burst to grab the top spot on the podium going into the lucrative Christmas period: And it blows the competition away.
Not only does it benefit from the same super-tight controls and jaw-dropping visuals that developers Criterion constantly delivered in the Burnout series, but it also offers up a cops and robbers-style career mode that sets it apart from the host of similar titles on the shelves right now.
Blasting through this mode from both sides of the law will show you just how differently the same stretch of road can play out, depending on your driver objectives.
Also, it's surprising just how much strategy you'll need to deploy to reach the later stages, where the cream of the souped-up motors come out to play.
Add to that an incredibly satisfying online experience, and you have a game that's sure to hit the spot in stockings around the UK this Christmas.

 

Title: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Platform: Xbox 360

Genre: Action Adventure

Price: £49.99

Hit count: 90%

The critically acclaimed Assassin's Creed experience is back and better than ever, as Ezio returns in an epic struggle against the powerful Templar Order.

Now a legendary Master Assassin, Ezio must journey into Rome to strike at the heart of the enemy.
And this time, defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there requires not only strength, but leadership, as you (Ezio) must command an entire Brotherhood that will rally to your side.

This team-attacking capability is one of the major new developments for the stunning series – which is also enhanced by a host of new Renaissance-era gadgets and gizmos to help you in your epic quest.

Yet again, the graphics are stunning and the story is as engaging as ever.

When also considering the full-blown multiplayer mode added to the Brotherhood offering, gamers will find an embarrassment of action riches at their disposal here: All of which should see Ezio-mania live on for some time yet.

 

Title: EA Sports Active 2 - Kinect Compatible

Platform: Xbox 360

Genre: Fitness
Price: £79.99
Hit count: 85%

Clear a space in the lounge and transfer all fragile valuables into another room, as EA Sports Active 2 – the home-based workout in a box – comes to Xbox 360.

Making full use of the Kinect hardware’s motion sensing capabilities, this title comes complete with new leg and arm straps as well as a heart monitor, which can track every press up and sparring session you complete.

And it’s the community element of the title that really adds a new dimension to the experience – with users able to track their fitness data through automatic uploads and then compare with the progress of friends.

And the sheer scale of exercises to tackle is enough to make you exhausted, with more than 70 different tasks available to mould into your perfect personal fitness program.

Alternatively, you can try out the ones designed by professional personal trailers.

All in all, Sports Active 2 is a fab way of showing what motion sensing gaming can bring to the party, so get your shorts and sweatbands sharpish.

 

GAME CHART: ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE

1. Call Of Duty: Black Ops

2. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

3. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

4. FIFA 11

5. Just Dance 2

6. Wii Party

7. Wii Sports Resort

8. Professor Layton And The Lost Future

9. Kinect Sports

10. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (c) 2010 UKIE Ltd