Stranger than fiction?

EVERYONE loves a good conspiracy theory right? Well this week I’ve been sticking my head into the real X-Files.
Last month the Ministry of Defence released its UFO files onto the National Archives website (http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/).
The files contain a wide range of UFO-related documents covering the years 1994 to 2000.
They offer the viewer to find out more about close encounters, strange illnesses, flying ‘Toblerones’ and unidentified objects tracked on radar.
Files range in size from 2MB to about 195MB and contain an absolute shedload of information.
Sifting through the pages is actually quite eerie as the files contain letters to and from the Government denying reports.
In one report it states: “It is clear from the reports we receive that there are many strange things to be seen in the sky.
“However, we believe that explanations could be found for most of them.”
Freaky huh?
Random seems to be the theme of this week for me as I’ve been looking at some seriously ‘left at the traffic lights’ sort of stuff.
Like for instance a little search engine site which tells you which song was number one on the day you were born.(www.everyhit.com/dates).
There’s also a strange ‘statastic’ website which tells you heaps of random facts you’ll never really need to know.
Saying that though it is quite fascinating to look at a figure – increasing every single second – relating to births in the world at that one time.
The nifty web page also has stats on how much oil is being pumped around the world at any one time, how many people have died of malaria this year (morbid I know), and the amount of forest the earth is losing every single second.
Check it out at www.poodwaddle.com/clocks2.htm.
Here are the latest game releases and games chart:

Title: God of War III
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 5/5

With so much emphasis placed on multiplayer gaming experiences online, it’s sometimes nice to settle down with a single-player only title and think: "This is just for me to enjoy."
And God of War III is about as good a gaming gift you could give yourself right now.
As its first and probably final outing on the PS3, this is an all-action mythological encounter that combines as equally engaging a storyline as the first title with the ramped-up combat prowess of the sequel.
Bundle in the PS3’s beefy graphics capability and you have one of the punchiest packages around.
Epic boss battles, clever puzzles for you to ponder on, and the kind of over-the-top gore and brutality you’d expect from this fantasy world, all add up to one gaming experience you wouldn’t want to share with anyone, even if there was an online option!


Title: Metro 2033
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Shooter
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 5/5

Bleak is not the word. Set in the shattered subway of a post-apocalyptic Moscow, Metro 2033 is another one of those stories where the fate of mankind rests in your hands.
After 20 years spent underground, with human civilization in a new Dark Age, you must now venture beyond the Metro Station-City limits, from the forgotten catacombs beneath to the desolate wastelands above, where your actions could save the world – or what’s left of it.
But what a wonderful, atmospheric world to explore, putting this shooter up there with the likes of Bioshock and Half-Life 2.
In fact, it’s probably better than Bioshock 2, simply because this is a unique world that will make your jaw drop – we’d already seen Rapture once before.
Yes, the shooter action itself could have done with another wee bit of polish, don’t let that stop you immersing yourself in yet another incredible shooter to land on the 360.


Title: Superstar V8 Racing – Next Challenge
Platform: PS3
Genre: Racing
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 3/5

Hmmmm, there’s been a glut of outstanding racing titles in recent years, and carving your way up into pole position within the genre is not easy.
And with Gran Turismo 5 on the horizon, staying there will be even harder. Here, Superstar V8 Racing – Next Challenge sets its target audience squarely at the more serious racing gamer.
If you’re expecting to pick this up and screech away with the reckless abandon of DiRT 2 or the Need For Speed series, you might be a little disappointed.
However, if you’re prepared to tweak your suspension, master the racing lines and devote the time this title requires, you’ll unearth a racer that handles supremely well and looks pretty darn good, too.
Computer opponents love to take you on with aggressive AI and the online mode is perfectly playable as well.
All in all, Next Challenge may never reach the peak of the podium, but it’s a solid challenger.


Title: How To Train Your Dragon
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 4/5

It’s one of the hot new films doing the rounds for families right now, and when the kids return from the cinema desperate for a pet dragon of their own, pulling out this disc could prove a winning move.
Set after the film, you take the role of either lead character Hiccup or Astrid, exploring the island of Berk and preparing your dragon for battle.
A host of well-considered mini-games act as the training material for your dragon. Once trained, you send your dragon into battle tournaments, where kid-friendly combat controls do a cracking job. The level of dragon customisation is pretty impressive, too.
Also, the full cast lend their vocal talents to this 360 production – making it a really seamless continuation from the big screen, and one most little dragon lovers will be crying out for this Easter.


GAMES CHART ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE

1. Just Cause 2
2. Pokemon SoulSilver
3. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
4. Pokemon HeartGold
5. Just Dance
6. Wii Fit Plus
7. God Of War III
8. Final Fantasy XIII
9. Wii Sports Resort
10. Wii Fit Plus

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (c) ELSPA (UK) Ltd
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