WWE is a massive business – for many years now have THQ and Activision produced an annual rendition of the latest Wrestling game featuring the many names of the sport. From Smackdown to Raw, from Superstars to Diva’s – spandex to Suplex – over the many years we have seen all the things from TV appear in consoles with mixed reactions.
This time, however, WWE All Stars seems to have taken a slightly different standpoint on the mechanics of how the game will be played. Rather than the tried and tested ‘grapple’ system that so many other Wrestling games have used and allowed for technical moves to be strung together, All Stars is using a more Arcade-y system that wouldn’t look out of place in a Street Fighter game.
The big feature of All Stars is the older Superstars in the same game as the more recent ones. This means old faces like Ricky The Dragon Steamboat and Andre the Giant can team up with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to fight against The Undertaker, John Cena and Rey Mysterio. For fans of WWE this is heaven sent as those what-if dream matches of old-school versus new can now take place. Its a lot like the Fight Night Champions premise (where Tyson could fight Ali).
Graphics & Sound
The first thing that will strike you when you see the game is how chunky the characters are – they are overly exaggerated, presumably to emphasise their real-life counterparts. The whole look and feel of the Wrestlers and the camera angles makes the atmosphere seem as close to the TV shows with decent entrances and music. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but its a drastic turn around from motion capture.
Gameplay
In the demo version of WWE All Stars you can tell that the Wrestling aspect of earlier games is pushed to one side and THQ have gone for a more fun and entertaining approach. One thing to be wary of – this is not a typical Wrestling game – it is a decent fighting game though.
After selecting the match type and Superstar to play as, the action begins with the usual entrances and gesturing to the crowd and each other but when the bell rings, don’t expect to be put into a headlock and worked around the ring like a pro – instead you’ll be throwing punches and special moves (all of which are accurate to the individual wrestler and the way they move in real life) and knocking people out of the ring in no time.
And its here that we’re torn – PlayEject makes no bones about it – we like a good Wrestle every now and again and as exciting as it is to be able to play as our favourite Superstar Legends against the modern wrestlers is exciting – finally we can see Andre the Giant take on the Big Show! But its the way the game delivers itself that bothers us. We were hoping for a more traditional style game but instead been thrown a few curveballs with over-exaggerated finishing moves and animations. Having said that, what is the point in bringing out the same game with new faces – its been done before so bravo to THQ for trying something brave and new.
Its definitely a fun game to play and Wrestling fans old and young will enjoy it – we did and will no doubt be laying the smack down on all the Candy asses…!
To read the full review of WWE All Stars visit PlayEject.com - movies and games reviews
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
WWE All stars - on the road to Wrestlemania?Knockout or Knockdown?
WWE is a massive business – for many years now have THQ and Activision produced an annual rendition of the latest Wrestling game featuring the many names of the sport. From Smackdown to Raw, from Superstars to Diva’s – spandex to Suplex – over the many years we have seen all the things from TV appear in consoles with mixed reactions.
This time, however, WWE All Stars seems to have taken a slightly different standpoint on the mechanics of how the game will be played. Rather than the tried and tested ‘grapple’ system that so many other Wrestling games have used and allowed for technical moves to be strung together, All Stars is using a more Arcade-y system that wouldn’t look out of place in a Street Fighter game.
The big feature of All Stars is the older Superstars in the same game as the more recent ones. This means old faces like Ricky The Dragon Steamboat and Andre the Giant can team up with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to fight against The Undertaker, John Cena and Rey Mysterio. For fans of WWE this is heaven sent as those what-if dream matches of old-school versus new can now take place. Its a lot like the Fight Night Champions premise (where Tyson could fight Ali).
Graphics & Sound
The first thing that will strike you when you see the game is how chunky the characters are – they are overly exaggerated, presumably to emphasise their real-life counterparts. The whole look and feel of the Wrestlers and the camera angles makes the atmosphere seem as close to the TV shows with decent entrances and music. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but its a drastic turn around from motion capture.
Gameplay
In the demo version of WWE All Stars you can tell that the Wrestling aspect of earlier games is pushed to one side and THQ have gone for a more fun and entertaining approach. One thing to be wary of – this is not a typical Wrestling game – it is a decent fighting game though.
After selecting the match type and Superstar to play as, the action begins with the usual entrances and gesturing to the crowd and each other but when the bell rings, don’t expect to be put into a headlock and worked around the ring like a pro – instead you’ll be throwing punches and special moves (all of which are accurate to the individual wrestler and the way they move in real life) and knocking people out of the ring in no time.
And its here that we’re torn – PlayEject makes no bones about it – we like a good Wrestle every now and again and as exciting as it is to be able to play as our favourite Superstar Legends against the modern wrestlers is exciting – finally we can see Andre the Giant take on the Big Show! But its the way the game delivers itself that bothers us. We were hoping for a more traditional style game but instead been thrown a few curveballs with over-exaggerated finishing moves and animations. Having said that, what is the point in bringing out the same game with new faces – its been done before so bravo to THQ for trying something brave and new.
Its definitely a fun game to play and Wrestling fans old and young will enjoy it – we did and will no doubt be laying the smack down on all the Candy asses…!
To read the full review of WWE All Stars visit PlayEject.com - movies and games reviews
This time, however, WWE All Stars seems to have taken a slightly different standpoint on the mechanics of how the game will be played. Rather than the tried and tested ‘grapple’ system that so many other Wrestling games have used and allowed for technical moves to be strung together, All Stars is using a more Arcade-y system that wouldn’t look out of place in a Street Fighter game.
The big feature of All Stars is the older Superstars in the same game as the more recent ones. This means old faces like Ricky The Dragon Steamboat and Andre the Giant can team up with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to fight against The Undertaker, John Cena and Rey Mysterio. For fans of WWE this is heaven sent as those what-if dream matches of old-school versus new can now take place. Its a lot like the Fight Night Champions premise (where Tyson could fight Ali).
Graphics & Sound
The first thing that will strike you when you see the game is how chunky the characters are – they are overly exaggerated, presumably to emphasise their real-life counterparts. The whole look and feel of the Wrestlers and the camera angles makes the atmosphere seem as close to the TV shows with decent entrances and music. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but its a drastic turn around from motion capture.
Gameplay
In the demo version of WWE All Stars you can tell that the Wrestling aspect of earlier games is pushed to one side and THQ have gone for a more fun and entertaining approach. One thing to be wary of – this is not a typical Wrestling game – it is a decent fighting game though.
After selecting the match type and Superstar to play as, the action begins with the usual entrances and gesturing to the crowd and each other but when the bell rings, don’t expect to be put into a headlock and worked around the ring like a pro – instead you’ll be throwing punches and special moves (all of which are accurate to the individual wrestler and the way they move in real life) and knocking people out of the ring in no time.
And its here that we’re torn – PlayEject makes no bones about it – we like a good Wrestle every now and again and as exciting as it is to be able to play as our favourite Superstar Legends against the modern wrestlers is exciting – finally we can see Andre the Giant take on the Big Show! But its the way the game delivers itself that bothers us. We were hoping for a more traditional style game but instead been thrown a few curveballs with over-exaggerated finishing moves and animations. Having said that, what is the point in bringing out the same game with new faces – its been done before so bravo to THQ for trying something brave and new.
Its definitely a fun game to play and Wrestling fans old and young will enjoy it – we did and will no doubt be laying the smack down on all the Candy asses…!
To read the full review of WWE All Stars visit PlayEject.com - movies and games reviews
Is there still a growl in the Tiger? Tiger Woods Masters 2012
Tiger Woods has been a very busy chap over the last few years – not only on the Golf Course if the news is correct! But also being the face of EA Sports’ Golf series – what else did you think we meant?
So another year and another EA Sports title is hitting the shelves with the improved gameplay and tweaked graphics that cause the same arguments each year: Why should I buy Tiger Woods 12 if I have Tiger Woods PGA 2011?
The biggest reason to Golf Fans (apart from Tiger not being featured on the front cover of the game!) is the addition of the Augusta National Golf Course for the first time ever. We’re not massive golfers at PlayEject but this is a big deal and so is the inclusion of being able to play a Masters tournament.
So what else? Well there’s the new Caddie option which helps players chose between 2 types of shot – a conservative effort which will keep you safe from hazards but not help reach the Birdies and Eagles – and the more ‘attacking’ approach of driving down the course but with added risks to consider such as cross winds and bunkers, etc.
The Caddie tips won’t be to everyone’s taste and thankfully can be turned off. In fact we think most people, especially hardened Tiger Woods gamers will opt to switch this off permanently as it does seem to take a bit of the skill out of the shots – as selecting a preset Caddie shot is much easier than going through a club selection and lining up the shot. It is an excellent way for anybody new to the Fairways to get to grips with the game though.
The graphics look excellent – some of the shots we’ve seen look picture-perfect as the sun is behind a tree with the light shining through as the golfer takes a swing – its a masterpiece to watch.
The PS3 Move version of the game will apparently feature Tiger Woods on the cover as ‘Special Edition’ but not much has been said about this so don’t hold your breath but is it a sign from EA that they no longer think they need Tiger to brand their successful games??
Maybe next year will reveal more…
Read the full Preview for Tiger Woods PGA Masters 2012 at PlayEject - movies and games reviews.
So another year and another EA Sports title is hitting the shelves with the improved gameplay and tweaked graphics that cause the same arguments each year: Why should I buy Tiger Woods 12 if I have Tiger Woods PGA 2011?
The biggest reason to Golf Fans (apart from Tiger not being featured on the front cover of the game!) is the addition of the Augusta National Golf Course for the first time ever. We’re not massive golfers at PlayEject but this is a big deal and so is the inclusion of being able to play a Masters tournament.
So what else? Well there’s the new Caddie option which helps players chose between 2 types of shot – a conservative effort which will keep you safe from hazards but not help reach the Birdies and Eagles – and the more ‘attacking’ approach of driving down the course but with added risks to consider such as cross winds and bunkers, etc.
The Caddie tips won’t be to everyone’s taste and thankfully can be turned off. In fact we think most people, especially hardened Tiger Woods gamers will opt to switch this off permanently as it does seem to take a bit of the skill out of the shots – as selecting a preset Caddie shot is much easier than going through a club selection and lining up the shot. It is an excellent way for anybody new to the Fairways to get to grips with the game though.
The graphics look excellent – some of the shots we’ve seen look picture-perfect as the sun is behind a tree with the light shining through as the golfer takes a swing – its a masterpiece to watch.
The PS3 Move version of the game will apparently feature Tiger Woods on the cover as ‘Special Edition’ but not much has been said about this so don’t hold your breath but is it a sign from EA that they no longer think they need Tiger to brand their successful games??
Maybe next year will reveal more…
Read the full Preview for Tiger Woods PGA Masters 2012 at PlayEject - movies and games reviews.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Saw: Is this the end for Jigsaw?
Rarely in recent years has a series of films divided audiences in the way the Saw franchise has managed. To some, the films are cult classics that have helped define the modern horror genre, to others, the seemingly endless run of sequels have tried but ultimately failed to recreate the brilliance that was the first, and widely regarded, best Saw instalment. Billed as ‘the final chapter’, we were intrigued to discover if this would indeed prove to be the final piece of the jigsaw.
As a teaser of the new series of torture devices to come, the films’ two key storylines are briefly held back whilst for the first time, a ‘moral test’ is played out in front of the public. Following the inevitable bloodshed, the film is poised to release onto its audience more traps than ever before seen in one Saw instalment. Herein however lies our first issue. Having seemingly challenged themselves to cram as many traps as possible into a 90 minute window, the time needed to develop both the storyline and the characters is lost.
Picking up from the end of Saw XI, The Final Chapter finds Jigsaw’s Widow Jill running to the police to save herself from her husband’s former partner, Detective Hoffman. In exchange for immunity, Jill is willing to share all she knows of the Jigsaw murders. Sensing the police to be closing in on him, Hoffman appears intent on seeking revenge on Jill, a character many will feel saddened to see reduced to the role of a seemingly weak and frightened individual, having previously been portrayed as the strength behind Jigsaw.
If you'd like to read more on Saw: The Final Chapter then visit PlayEject.com
A brief introduction to Gaming!
The gaming industry is massive - a multi million dollar industry that has grown at a tremendous rate over the last 10 years and continued to do so despite a global recession! So how has this happened and what makes gaming so popular?
Well to find that out we need to go back a few years to the days when Arcade consoles were much more popular and had the graphical power and unique selling points of steering wheels, flight sticks and vibration feedback chairs. Basically, the stuff that we now take for granted in all our games and consoles. During the Arcade years, people would plough money into a machine at 50p or £1 a time for a few minutes of enjoyment where they try to beat a score or a level. And therein lies the key. We are competitive by nature - we want to beat something, whether thats a score, level or a friend. And thats where it started...
So a few years and a few million $'s of investment and research later we have seen a number of companies hold the crown of being a power house in the gaming market from Sega to Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft (the big 3) who now have consoles which provide all the thrills of the Arcade games, each without taking up the space of a vending machine per game!
But how we play games has also changed. The very first home consoles had the multiplayer options (pong!) on a simple scale as the manufacturers realise that its the competitive streak in us all that keep us coming back for more. But that isn't enough - playing the guy sat next to you or the girl next door is not always possible so along came the ability to play online and the boom of Xbox Live and the Playstation network (other online services are available!) which allows us to connect to users all over the world and chat while playing the games we love. Its as close as we can get to having friends in the room with us when playing and works extremely well.
Its not just investment into the technology that has been massive either - its now just as common to see an advert or trailer on TV for the latest game as it is for a movie. Think about that for a moment - 10 years ago a cinema blockbuster was raking in the money by tens of millions and had the budget to do so. Nowadays, Homefront, Call of Duty or the latest FIFA soccer game will advertise massively on TV before and after their launch and still turn over a huge profit. That is one example of how big the gaming industry has become.
The introduction of Gamer Points/Trophies and Achievements was simply genius though - this was the most natural and obvious progression for competitive spirit to drive gamers to the next level. No longer is beating a level good enough - we are now all used to beating a section of a game to get an Achievement point and boost our profile to show off to friends. Think about it - what do we use our gamer cards for? They don't grant access to any special part of a game. They don't allow us to purchase anything. We don't get a congratualtory email from Mr Gates' team when we get 1000gp on a game. But still we play and still we collect points (sometimes as a natural progression but sometimes because we play to get them) - why? Because we are competitive and the big 3 know this.
So where now? The Kinect? Wii motion plus? Sony Move? These are tipped to be the next big thing for the consoles (especially as there's no new console in the pipeline at the moment) but are they enough to keep gamers coming back for more? Will they feed our Competitive spirit enough? Or are we happy with gaming as it is?
Check out my website PlayEject.com for reviews and news on games and movies.
Well to find that out we need to go back a few years to the days when Arcade consoles were much more popular and had the graphical power and unique selling points of steering wheels, flight sticks and vibration feedback chairs. Basically, the stuff that we now take for granted in all our games and consoles. During the Arcade years, people would plough money into a machine at 50p or £1 a time for a few minutes of enjoyment where they try to beat a score or a level. And therein lies the key. We are competitive by nature - we want to beat something, whether thats a score, level or a friend. And thats where it started...
So a few years and a few million $'s of investment and research later we have seen a number of companies hold the crown of being a power house in the gaming market from Sega to Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft (the big 3) who now have consoles which provide all the thrills of the Arcade games, each without taking up the space of a vending machine per game!
But how we play games has also changed. The very first home consoles had the multiplayer options (pong!) on a simple scale as the manufacturers realise that its the competitive streak in us all that keep us coming back for more. But that isn't enough - playing the guy sat next to you or the girl next door is not always possible so along came the ability to play online and the boom of Xbox Live and the Playstation network (other online services are available!) which allows us to connect to users all over the world and chat while playing the games we love. Its as close as we can get to having friends in the room with us when playing and works extremely well.
Its not just investment into the technology that has been massive either - its now just as common to see an advert or trailer on TV for the latest game as it is for a movie. Think about that for a moment - 10 years ago a cinema blockbuster was raking in the money by tens of millions and had the budget to do so. Nowadays, Homefront, Call of Duty or the latest FIFA soccer game will advertise massively on TV before and after their launch and still turn over a huge profit. That is one example of how big the gaming industry has become.
The introduction of Gamer Points/Trophies and Achievements was simply genius though - this was the most natural and obvious progression for competitive spirit to drive gamers to the next level. No longer is beating a level good enough - we are now all used to beating a section of a game to get an Achievement point and boost our profile to show off to friends. Think about it - what do we use our gamer cards for? They don't grant access to any special part of a game. They don't allow us to purchase anything. We don't get a congratualtory email from Mr Gates' team when we get 1000gp on a game. But still we play and still we collect points (sometimes as a natural progression but sometimes because we play to get them) - why? Because we are competitive and the big 3 know this.
So where now? The Kinect? Wii motion plus? Sony Move? These are tipped to be the next big thing for the consoles (especially as there's no new console in the pipeline at the moment) but are they enough to keep gamers coming back for more? Will they feed our Competitive spirit enough? Or are we happy with gaming as it is?
Check out my website PlayEject.com for reviews and news on games and movies.
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