World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Blizzard's multi-billion dollar franchise is releasing another mind-numbingly addictive expansion just in time to engulf players' upcoming winter break.
Aliens versus Predator is one of the most classic disputes in all of sci-fi lore. Some side with the terrifying aliens for their swarming abilities, and others favor the predators for their advanced technology. Regardless, both seem to overwhelm the human race. This series has finally produced a game that is relatively bearable, yet sadly this FPS hybrid will sometimes have you 'running for da choppa.' AVP is really almost four games mashed into one, and not in the most eloquent of ways. This game attempts to do what no others have been able to: make a great movie game. The three campaign modes take the player from the worst race in the universe, humans, to the best, the aliens. Predators strangely fall in the middle because of human weaponry, their one weakness. The human campaign is short, but it can still be a frustrating few hours, as nearly anything that moves can wipe out a marine. But for humanity, there is salvation in the form of the shotgun. This double-barreled, BFG incarnate can inexplicably devastate anything and everything. Other than the shotgun, the only perk to being a homosapien is the radar, which when paired with AVP's rapid turning can be a devastating combination. Predator plays like a juggernaut. That is until the marines actually shoot back. Of all the technology the Predator race posseses, the shield is strangely absent. However, the ability to leap higher than Rey Mysterio on steroids can have its advantages. The ability to become invisible is a nice feature, but marines can't be fooled by such jedi mind tricks. Aliens are everything they should be and more. Stealth, speed, and deadly attacks make alien the most fun to play. The alien's ability to climb walls can make players feel either very empowered or incredibly nauseous, depending on the amount of game fuel in their stomach. With regenerating health and vicious stealth kills, Alien claims this round of AVP. Both aliens and predators have gruesome fatalities. The easiest way to achieve them is to either sneak up behind the opponent, or knock them to the ground in melee combat. However, while melee combat is fun, it is more like a fast paced game of Rock-Paper-Scissors: the light attacks are blocked by guards and leave the player vulnerable, heavy attacks break the guard and light attacks beat the heavy attacks. The fourth mode, and by far the best, is the online multiplayer. It certainly won't bring down the pantheon of shooters (like, Halo, Call of Duty or Left 4 Dead) but it can make for some very interesting online matches. Each of the three possible characters has pros and cons, serving to make the online mode very enjoyable. The last mode worth mentioning is human survival, in which the player fights in standard horde mode. As you play, the room progressively opens up to more areas, the enemies get tougher and the quantity of the aliens increases. This is all well and good, but this is slowly becoming an industry standard, and AVP does nothing to really change the formula. In truth, Aliens vs. Predator doesn't make any phenomenal leaps forward, but does provide a fun arena for all the fans of the movies. For fans of the series, or those looking for another fun FPS to add to their collection, AVP is entirely recommended; but lack-luster game-play in some of the campaigns and limited appeal make this game another good, but not great movie based game. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
Bioshock is back and this time it's packing more plasmid-pumping, gene-splicing, over-the-top action than ever before – all of it served from the prototype ‘Big Daddy' himself. The in-house development crew at 2K studios worked internationally to make this game as dark, or even darker, than the first. But like all metal juggernauts, this game has a few exploitable weaknesses. For those new to the franchise, this game may not appear to be anything special. Yet, delve into the city of Rapture for a few hours and the difference between this game and other shooters will become noticeable. The biggest feature of this game is the use of the super-substance ADAM to wield plasmids. These plasmids are bio-enhancements meant to give the user superhuman powers, like telekinesis or the ability to shoot lightening. For returning players, the best news about the sequel is the ability to have both a weapon and a plasmid out at the same time. Sadly, these plasmids don't become powerful until about mid-game, which makes for much more difficult gameplay. However, players will get a chance to use Subject Delta's drill, which dishes out quite a beating. Whether it's directed at another hopped-up gene-splicer or the new Big Sisters, the drill is the bread and butter of the player's arsenal. The game developers made the use of this weapon more difficult by making it run on drill fuel, a sparse commodity in the submerged apocalyptic Mecca that is Rapture. Thankfully, every gun in the game comes with its own unique melee move, similar to a Left 4 Dead push back. The melee doesn't inflict an incredible amount of damage, but can give the player a bit of space to work with. The game's plot is enthralling from the moment the player picks up the controller until the credits; Bioshock 2 isn't lacking in story department. Focusing on retrieving Delta's little sister, the story begins by showing the game's antagonist Sofia Lamb, a psychotic psychologist with dreams of total control. Without giving away too much of the game's artfully crafted plot, Sofia Lamb wants Subject Delta dead, and she succeeds. The game begins with Subject Delta's forced suicide, as Lamb attempts to take back her daughter, Eleanor. Resurrected eight years after the events in Bioshock, Delta sees that Sophia Lamb has become the new leader of Rapture after the death of Andrew Ryan. Let's just say that Lamb has a pretty deadly sense of the word 'community' as she rallies the inhabitants of Rapture to hunt Delta. The game is polished, yet it lacks a certain dynamic to help new players get into the franchise without getting incredibly lost. The game can be overwhelming at times, as it throws the player into the action. Hordes of splicers will attempt to kill your little sister while she tries to harvest the all-important ADAM from seemingly random corpses. Multiplayer is the real standout addition in this game. Players will take on the role of a splicer endorsed by Sinclair Solutions, the famed plasmid manufacturer. Chaos ensues as the player can either play a capture-the-flag type game involving little sisters, or the standard variation of a death match. The game is great for the fans of the franchise, since they can explore more of the Bioshock universe and enjoy every facet of the incredibly deep plot. But for those new to the franchise, Bioshock 2 may not be the droid you are looking for. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
Solutions by The State News
