Emirates Holidays Opens Second Holiday World

DUBAI, U.A.E., 17th March 2009 - Emirates Holidays, the tour-operating arm of Dubai-based Emirates airline, reinforces its service commitment to the market by opening its second Holiday World outlet in Dubai Media City.

Building on the success of the flagship Holiday World located within the Emirates Holidays building on Sheikh Zayed Road, the Media City facility will be an additional one-stop information and booking shop for travellers. It specialises in assisting those requiring expert holiday consultancy on any of the Emirates Holidays’ destinations and tailor-made, quality and affordable holiday options.

Dubai Media City was chosen as the location for Emirates’ second Holiday World given its strategic positioning within new Dubai and the large number of people who live and work in the area. Holiday World is conveniently located in the Souk at Arjaan Dubai on Level P2 with easy access and plenty of parking.

Emirates to launch A380 service to Bangkok and Toronto

DUBAI, 18 March 2009 - Emirates Airline today announced it will introduce its double decker A380 aircraft on its Bangkok and Toronto routes. Effective 1st June 2009, the aircraft will debut in Canada while the new Thai route extends the aircraft's presence in Asia after the successful launch of the A380 on Sydney and Auckland in February.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the introduction of the A380 for our Toronto and Bangkok services. Our Toronto route has had consistently high demand since the thrice weekly service was launched two years ago. The A380 will allow Emirates to address some of the unmet need in Toronto while on Bangkok, the A380 will help support the Thai government 's new tourism initiatives, ” said Emirates President Tim Clark.

The change on both services will provide a capacity increase of about 30% for each route.

The new aircraft routes also offer strengthened support for popular transit markets- with the A380 now servicing London Heathrow, UK tourists travelling to/from Thailand can enjoy a seamless A380 experience while for Canada, the change means increased access to Dubai and the Gulf region.

Emirates A380’s ground-breaking in-flight product include onboard shower spas in the First Class cabin featuring signature products by the airline’s premium spa brand, Timeless Spa. The onboard lounge for First and Business class customers mirrors the ambience of an executive club and includes a bar with a wide range of beverages and canapés.

With flat-bed massage-equipped private suites in First Class, a new generation of intelligent seating and flat-beds in Business Class, mood-lighting, and a second-to-none in-flight entertainment system featuring over 1000 channels of on-demand entertainment, the Emirates’ A380 introduces a new level of comfort and luxury. It is set in a three-class configuration (14 First, 76 Business and 399 Economy Class seats) and spread over two levels with the upper deck dedicated to First and Business class passengers.

Services to Toronto on EK 241 depart Dubai at 09:55 hours, arriving in Toronto at 15:45 hours. EK 242 departs Toronto at 21:40 hours arriving in Dubai at 18:35 hours on the next day. Services are offered on EK 241 and 242 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Services to Bangkok on EK 372 depart Dubai at 09:40 hours, arriving in Bangkok at 19:00 hours. It turns around as EK 373 departing Bangkok at 21:25 hours, arriving in Dubai at 00:30 hours the next day. The Bangkok service operates daily.

Effective 1st June 2009 Emirates will operate five A380's on the following routes: Dubai-London Heathrow (daily), Dubai-Sydney/Auckland (daily), Dubai Toronto (three times weekly) and Bangkok (daily).

Staying Connected

Keep in touch from 40,000 feet.
Emirates makes it easy to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues on the ground with a wide range of communications options. Be sure to use the Services by Flight tool on the right to see what you can expect on a specific flight.

In-seat telephone
Use the satellite telephone in every seat to call any phone in the world at only US$5 per minute. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as pre-paid telephone cards (available onboard). You can also use the phone to speak to someone seated elsewhere on board.

SMS and email
You can send and receive SMS and email messages to any mobile phone or email address in the world for US$1 per message



Up to the minute information
Follow the progress of your flight on our moving map channel, Airshow; or enjoy a bird’s eye view from one of the external cameras.. Or perhaps you’d like to read up on Dubai, Emirates, or our frequent flyer programme, Skywards. You can also see live BBC news headlines, refreshed regularly during the flight. You won’t have to miss a thing while you’re in the air.

A wider choice of entertainment on a wider screen

information: Follow the progress of your flight, or take in the view from the aircraft’s external cameras. Keep in touch with live business, news and sport headlines from BBC News, and read up on Dubai and the Emirates.

communications: Phone, SMS and email from your seat, or call friends and family seated elsewhere on the aircraft.

entertainment: Over 1000 channels of premium entertainment to keep you busy during the flight. The latest and best movies, television, audio and games from around the world.

Greater comfort, improved legroom and more features mean a more relaxing flight.

Emirates now offers a new generation of ergonomically designed Economy Class seating on selected aircraft. With extra recline and more space under every seat, Emirates economy now means more comfort for every passenger.

The new generation seats also feature over 900 channels of ice movies, audio and TV on a 10.6" screen. An in-seat power supply and a USB connection allow passengers to view videos and pictures from their laptops or portable devices.

More space and a completely flat bed provide a truly restful journey.

Emirates now offers a new generation of lie-flat seating in Business Class on selected aircraft. With ample room for all passengers at 78" long when reclined, the new minipod seats include personal storage, massage features and a privacy divider.

An in-seat power supply, dual port USB and extra-large table provide a comfortable workspace, while hundreds of channels of entertainment are available on a 17" widescreen TV.

Our award-winning, multilingual cabin crew is on hand to provide everything you need throughout the flight.

Enjoy total comfort and privacy in First Class on long-haul flights.

Emirates now offers enhanced private suites in First Class on selected aircraft*.

The new private suite is fully equipped with individual storage, a coat closet, vanity desk and personal mini bar. The extra-large seat reclines to become a fully flat bed, and the 23" wide-screen LCD screen features over 600 channels of ice entertainment.

Our award winning, multilingual cabin crew provide an unprecedented level of personal service, including a la carte gourmet cuisine and an extensive wine list.

Our Economy Class is among the best in the industry, and we’re working constantly to make it even better.

Emirates Economy Class is designed to give you more room, more comfort and better service, for an all-round better flight. Thoughtfully designed cabins mean more space for each passenger.

Complimentary beverages and superb multi-course meals are provided, as well as personal seatback monitors to enjoy our outstanding inflight entertainment, whether it’s over 600 channels of on-demand programming on ice or the superb selection of film, TV and audio on tv&radio.

Economy passengers can stay in touch with SMS, phone and email at their seats, and of course, every passenger will enjoy the same high standard of service from our multi-lingual crew that is offered in all cabins.

Emirates Business Class provides the ideal environment, whether you choose to work, relax, or rest.

The experience starts with our award winning service—our cabin crew will see that you have everything you need throughout the flight.

With laptop charging, SMS, phone and email from your seat on all aircraft, and wi-fi on some aircraft, you won’t have to miss out on a second of work.

And when it’s time to relax, sleeper seats and lie-flat seats on selected routes provide plenty of room to spread out and get comfortable, and recline to a lie-flat position on many of our aircraft.

We endeavour to provide all of the services and amenities you need to arrive refreshed and ready for the rest of your journey.

Emirates First Class offers exceptional standards of luxury and service.

Wide aisles and an airy, expansive environment mean more room for each passenger. And supremely comfortable sleeper seats mean that you should arrive at your destination refreshed, even on long journeys.

An advanced hand-held controller lets you personalise your experience, from adjusting your seat to selecting a movie. And seven course meals on longhaul flights, a selection of fine wines, and award winning inflight entertainment add up to a stylish, refreshing flight.

Meanwhile, our multi-lingual cabin crew will make you feel at home, and are renowned for providing thoughtful and discreet service throughout your time with us.

Lockheed Receives F-35 LRIP 4 Funds

This is an advanced acquisition contract with an estimated value of $265 million for long lead materials and effort associated with the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This will be for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot IV procurement of 12 Air Force Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) F-35A, 14 Marine Corps Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) F-35B, one Navy Carrier Variant F-35C, and one Netherlands CTOL air system F-35A.

In addition, this contract provides for associated ancillary mission equipment, sustainment support, special to

F-16

F-16/CCV

The first YF-16 (#72-1567) was rebuilt in December 1975 to become the USAF Flight Dynamics Laboratory's Control Configured Vehicle (CCV). CCV aircraft have independent or "decoupled" flight control surfaces, which make it possible to maneuver in one plane without movement in another -- for example, turning without having to bank.

The CCV YF-16 was fitted with twin vertical canards added underneath the air intake, and flight controls were modified to permit use of wing trailing edge flaperons acting in combination with the all moving stabilator. The fuel system was adapted, so that by transferring fuel from one tank to another, the position of the aircraft center of gravity could be adjusted.

The YF-16/CCV flew for the first time on March 16, 1976, piloted by David J. Thigpen. On June 24, 1976, it was seriously damaged in a crash landing. While still more than half a mile out, the engine suffered from a loss of power and in the resulting crash landing the landing gear collapsed. Repairs took over 6 months, and its flight test program was resumed in the spring of 1977. The last flight of the YF-16/CCV was on June 31st, 1977, after 87 sorties and 125 air hours had been logged.

A few years later, the F-16/AFTI program would capitalize on the experience gained from this CCV program.

YF-16 selected as the winner of the ACF contest

On January 13, 1975, Air Force Secretary John McLucas announced that the YF-16 had been selected as the winner of the ACF contest. The Air Force placed a contract for fifteen FSD (Full-Scale Development) airframes. Both single- and two-seat versions would be built, with the single-seater being designated F-16A and the two-seater F-16B. The reason given by the Secretary for the decision was the lower operating cost, longer range, and better transient maneuverability of the YF-16. Another advantage of the YF-16 over the YF-17 as far as the Air Force was concerned was the fact that the F100 turbofan of the YF-16 was the same powerplant as that of the F-15, and it was felt that buying more of these engines would advance the cause of the fighter that it REALLY wanted, the F-15. Political considerations also played a role, since with the F-111 program coming to an end, General Dynamics of Fort Worth needed the F-16 order to stay in business.

In the meantime, the F-16 still remained one of the contenders for the NACF order. One proposal from General Dynamics was for a single-seat naval fighter based on the two-seat F-16B but with the space ordinarily occupied by the rear seat being used for increased avionics or fuel. On May 2nd, 1975, the Navy announced that they had decided not to buy the navalized F-16, but opted instead for an aircraft developed from the YF-17, which was eventually to emerge as the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

In February of 1975, the NATO consortium was offered the F-16 at a unit flyaway cost of 5.16 million dollars, based on a total production run of 2,000 planes for the USAF, NATO, and other countries. At the same time, the US government announced that it had cleared F100 engine technology transfer to these countries.

Watchmen: The End is Nigh

Description

A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen will take us to the brink of destruction. In alternate 1985 America – in which costumed superheroes are not only real but have ultimately been outlawed – one former hero goes looking for the truth behind the murder of one of his own, but uncovers a devastating conspiracy to drag the world implacably closer to its own end.

The videogame based on WATCHMEN will go beyond the film and delve into the characters, rivalries and challenges in a mature action-brawler. The game provides gamers with visceral superhero combat as urban vigilantes Rorschach and Nite Owl.

SBK Superbike World Championship

Description

In development by the Milestone, makers of renowned motorcycle racing titles, SBK Superbike World Championship” offers something for both arcade and simulation-focused players. SBK's fast-paced arcade mode allows casual players to jump straight in and challenge the WSBK official teams and riders in a range of weather conditions and on some of the most famous tracks around the world - including Phillip Island (Australia), Monza (Italy), Silverstone (UK) and for the first time in the series, Miller Motorsports Park (Salt Lake City, USA). Players may also jump online to enjoy eight-player races on all the game's professional circuits and tracks.

Grand Ages: Rome

Description

Raise massive armies, embark on epic campaigns to expand the Empire, and take control of the known world! Engage in grand-scale city building and create magnificent cities with creativity and control like never before. Intuitive controls make it easy to launch bone-crushing combat missions and manage every aspect of your thriving civilization.

After decades in exile, your family name has been all but forgotten in Rome. But, the departure of the tyrant Sulla has changed everything, and Rome stands on the brink of a new era. Sides must be chosen as Caesar and Pompey battle for control of the Republic. The stage is set for you to gain power and influence over one of the greatest civilizations in history.

Features

• Detailed citybuilding alongside RTS combat dramatically widens audience.
• Competitively priced within the genre.
• Extensive online and LAN multiplayer connectivity – play competitively or cooperatively.
• Game’s scale is far beyond the city of Rome, allowing players to experience all areas of the Roman Empire by land and sea.

Hardware Requirements

Windows Vista/ XP, 2.5 GHz Single Core processor, 1GB RAM, 128 MB 3D Vdeo Card (GeForce 6600/Radeon 9600 or better).

Codename Panzers: Cold War

Description

Codename Panzers: Cold War is the latest PC real-time strategy title in the acclaimed ‘Codename Panzers’ series from developers StormRegion and InnoGlow. During the Cold War conflict, the status quo between the occupying Allied and Soviet forces rests on a knife edge, when an aircraft accident over Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Blockade threatens to tip the scales towards full-blown conflict. The tragic collision of an American cargo plane with a Russian fighter costs not only the lives of both crews, but proves to be all the encouragement Stalin and his Red Army needs to wage bloody war against the NATO forces.

Features

• Unique historical setting: the Cold War period provides the chilling backdrop for full-scale fighting and all out war;
• Point of Interest system: teams must occupy structures on the map to gain additional Prestige Points. Depending on the location and type of structures occupied, Prestige Points can then be used to call in special attacks like napalm or helicopter support, or to produce additional units;
• Ultimate Cold War: represents the pinnacle of Cold War era conventional warfare including realistic battles between heavy tanks like the American M103 and the Russian T-10.
• Urban warfare tactics: infantry can employ special urban warfare tactics like building and taking cover, constructing fortifications or tunneling;
• Dynamic weather conditions: the real-time weather conditions affect unit behaviour and limit sight range during combat;
• Free roaming: Immersive environments with free roaming create even more tactical gameplay depth.

GTR 2

There are numerous simulation games out in the world. These games allow people to participate in various activities that they normally wouldn’t get to try. For instance there are tons of flight, train, ship, and even car simulators. Last year the developers at Simbin released a game entitled GTR FIA Racing and it was one of the better simulation racing games on the PC. This year they have pulled out all of the stops with their latest game GTR 2 to create on of the best racing games on any system. Read on to find out more.

There are a lot of modes for you to participate in this game that will keep you entertained for months on end. The first thing that I highly suggest you go to is the driving school, which lets you get acquainted with driving the cars. There are four sections in this mode that help you out. The first is theory, which shows you how the school works and gives you the knowledge to master the art of racing. Next up is the tradework that gives you specific lessons on how to win golden gears, which give you access to various custom championships later in the game. This is the real training mode as it shows you how to do various skills and try them out yourself. Then there is FIA GT which gives you information about the various racing series and how to prepare for them. Last up is the assists, which explain the functions and effects of driving aids in the game. It is in your best interest, especially if you are new to this series, to check out this mode first.

The next mode you will spend some time in is the open practice, which helps you learn each of the tracks' little quirks so you will be prepared when you are actually racing on them. You can adjust many things before you race on here such as the eater controls, circuit, and car type. Next up is the time trails which allow you to improve on your lap times in order to get the best time possible. Race Weekend allows you to compete in stand-alone races against the game’s AI.

If you think you have what it takes you can participate in the 24 Hour Races. Each event spans four days and totals up to equal 24 hours. You can use time scale in this game, which means you can choose how long you want the race to be in real time and the game will scale the race into 24 hours into race time. In this mode you will see real day and night changes as well as various weather changes, all of which affect your driving.

The real meat of this game is in the championship mode, which allows you to race in the official 2003 or 2004 season of FIA-GT. In there you will race on the very tracks in the same order as the real drivers did during those seasons. This mode right here will really tests your skill as a driver to see if you have what it takes to become the top dog during these races.

The main area where this game really shines on is the physics engine. I have not played a racing game before that shows this much dedication to making sure the physics engine is as close to perfect as you can get it. For instance, if you cream into the wall you will watch your hood pop off your car and see the damage your front end will do. Then you can ride behind another racer and bash into him hard enough you can get him to do a 360 and fly off the track. It is a real treat to see a developer that is that dedicated to making sure the game is as close to real as it can be, yet still remains fun to play.

Then you have the weather conditions that make your car behave differently than if it was a normal sunny day. The weather will make you drive differently just like it would in real life. You wouldn’t want to take a turn as fast in the rain as you would if it was dry outside due to a higher risk of hydroplaning and having a head-on collision with the wall.

The graphics for this game are pretty good and like I said earlier the physics engine really helps make them stand out even more. The developers of this game spent a lot of time making sure that every little detail was covered. Seeing the driver in the car is also a blast. He will act realistically to what is going on, from steering the car to shifting. The developers did a great job with the motion capture to make sure it is all there. The day and night settings also make the game a blast to see in action.

Just like everything else in this game the developers made sure that GTR 2 would have some of the best sounds heard from a racing game of this caliber. All of the cars sound differently as you are stomping on the gas pedals as if your life were depending on it. If you pay close attention you will hear the gears change and you will get this surreal feeling as if you were actually racing in the game. I also like the different sounds of the various track surfaces.

GTR 2 is rated for everyone.

Gameplay: 9.0
The thing about this game is that there are so many options for you to tweak that it might seem overwhelming, but don’t give up just yet. Once you get the hang of the game you will love racing against other cars on the various tracks. Playing the game with pedals and steering wheel will give you a lot more enjoyment than just playing with the keyboard.

Graphics: 9.0
The actual graphics to the game are good, but not great. What really makes this stand out is the wonderful physics engine to this game that makes the game so fun. Seeing the various collisions and how it affects your car is a blast.

Sound: 8.9
The music to this game is very fitting and keeps you coming back for more. The various engine noises are really authentic and they all sound like they are coming out of the real cars. Also hearing the tires squealing on the payment, the suped-up engine as the gears are changing, and everything else will have you so pumped up to get in your car to race around your neighborhood.

Difficulty: Hard
GTR 2 will be very hard for you to master, but that is a good thing since it keeps you coming back for more.

Concept: 9.3
Simbin has gone above and beyond my expectations on creating a game that sticks to real life as much as possible yet still remains fun to play.

Multiplayer: 8.8
With the ability to play with up to 28 players in one race will create a lot of tension yet you will have a lot of fun at the same time. You can also run your own dedicated server which means you can create your own custom leagues and what not.

Overall: 9.2
If you are a racing fan, there is no reason why GTR 2 should not be in your game library. You will get many months of enjoyment out of racing in the various races and if you ever get bored with that then you can take the game online and prove your driving skills to the rest of the world.

Crazy Machines 2

Description

Crazy Machines 2 also offers connection to an extensive online community of Crazy Machines 2 gamers. Players can post the machines they’ve created and download puzzles created by others. Trophies and high ratings will keep players coming back for more, as special achievements and clever solutions are rewarded.

Features

• World Tour – travel with the professor to exotic locations such as the Caribbean, Alaska, and China
• Multiple solutions to every puzzle!
• Free-style mode – create, destroy, and publish your own crazy machines
• Upload and download player laboratories and rate the best of the best online!
• All-age appeal – the whole family can enjoy this title
• Exciting bonus levels
• Pristine 3D graphics
• Electrifying sound effects
• 
  

Hardware Requirements

• Win Vista/98/ME/2000 XP
• 800 MHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, DirectX 9 compatible graphics card with 32 MB RAM*, DirectX compatible sound card, DirectX 9.0c 100 MB available fixed disk storage, 2X CD ROM
• *Phys X Aegia Card recommended

Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45

Description

Red Orchestra lets players choose from 28 infantry weapons or crew one of 14 different fully-realised vehicles on the Russian Front between 1941-45. The combination of roles across more than one dozen maps, based on real-world locations and battles, allows Red Orchestra to finally achieve its goal of delivering a full first-person, WWII combat simulation.

Hardware Requirements

Minimum: CPU: 1.2 GHZ or Equivalent, 512 MB RAM, Video Card: 64 MB DX9 Compliant, 2 GB free hard drive space, DX 8.1 Compatible Audio, Windows 2000/XP

Recommended: CPU: 2.4 GHZ, Video Card: 128 MB DX9 Compliant with PS 2.0 support, Sound Card: Eax Compatible

King's Bounty: The Legend

Description

King's Bounty: The Legend is an adventure game with tactical turn-based battles and role-playing elements. In a fairy tale fantasy world of fearless knights, evil mages, wise kings and beautiful princesses the player controls a hero. Leading their character through the game world, exploring it, commanding armies in battle and accomplishing various quests can mean great reward or huge defeats.

Gameplay is divided into two major sections: adventure mode and battle mode. While playing in adventure mode the gamer controls their character in real-time. With several classes available at the start of a new game, the player moves through the adventure map seeking various treasures, fighting monsters and accomplishing quests tasked to him by the local stewards. Once in battle mode the gamer assumes the role of a war chief, leading his troops in tactical turn-based combat. Battles take place on land or sea, in dungeons or castles or even in some items! The hero himself doesn't participate in the combat, but can assist his troops by casting spells or summoning different creatures.

Features

• Classic real-time (adventure) meets turn-based (battles) gameplay
• Rich fantasy setting, storyline with a lot of twists and an unexpected ending
• Three types of characters to choose from – Warrior, Paladin and Mage. Each of them with unique characteristics and abilities
• Huge game world with dozens locations and battlefields – both on the surface and in the dungeons
• The game world isn't static - enemies don't just sit and wait for the hero to arrive, they pursue their own aims and try to get into the player's way

Hardware Requirements

• Processor Pentium IV 3000 MHz or analogous AMD
• RAM 1Gb
• Videocard Nvidia GF7800 with 256Mb or analogous by ATI

Gothic II Gold

Description

Gothic II Gold includes the original game plus its expansion pack, Gothic II Night of the Raven. In this popular RPG of action and adventure, players experience a storyline of intrigue and mystery as they wander through massive fully 3D lush environments, where players may encounter more than 500 characters. With more than 50 magical artifacts, such as rings, amulets and belts; 50 magic spells to cast; and 150 powerful weapons to wield, players will have more than enough power to take on Evil.

Hardware Requirements

Operating System: Windows 98/ME/2k/XP Processor: 700 MHz or faster RAM: 256 MB or higher Hard Drive: 4.5 GB free disk space Video Card: 3D graphic card 32 MB or higher CD-ROM: CD-ROM

X-Blades

While good “hack and slash” titles are hard to come by these days, occasionally a developer will come by and try to put a new twist on a classic genre. X-Blades makes no apologies for itself, from the mindless hordes of enemies right down to the nearly-naked female protagonist. The player takes on the role of Ayumi, a violent young lady bent on – you guessed it – destroying monsters in search of treasure. The game features two different endings, but the minimalist storyline is not likely to propel players any further into smashing their way through demons. Drawn up in a cutesy-anime style, her character design is the main standout in the game. The quality of her animation is something of a mixed-bag, with her full-speed run looking like many of the hovering and skating animations that plagued characters seen before in games of this style.

At the heart of the X-Blades combat system is three primary attack types, which consists of magic, melee, and ranged attacks. Her “gun-blades” combine the melee and ranged components into a single weapon (or, more accurately, dual weapons since she wields both of them). Carving through groups of baddies loses its appeal rather quickly, as very little tactical ability is required and the foes tend to be extraordinarily dumb, anyway. The magical attacks are your classic, elemental-based sorcery, ranging from powerful earthquakes to sizzling blasts of flame. Some of the animalistic beasties you’ll face are more vulnerable to certain “classes” of magic than others, not unlike the magical “houses” from Otogi of yesteryear. The magic itself is accumulated through combat, as are the various upgrades that will improve Ayumi’s combat abilities. Battles force Ayumi to remain ensconced in a designated zone until the enemies have all been destroyed, lending combat a forced intensity that feels a bit artificial at times. The ability to collect objects and navigate environmental hazards helps to break up the pace of the combat, but falls just short of what most players would likely consider “a good time.”

Much of the fighting, particularly where magic selection is concerned, feels rather unnatural in the heat of battle. Even players willing to tolerate the cumbersome controls will likely find fault with the gameplay itself where both the enemies and the environments become repetitive early on. The music and sound effects are all in working order, adequate but nothing terribly memorable. The game’s thespian performances are almost laughable at times, as Ayumi’s valley-girlish whining loses its charm almost as quickly as the combat itself. The biggest highpoint of X-Blades is probably its visual style, with the distinctive-looking heroine and almost blinding color palette lending a near comic book-like quality to the game. On the whole, however, there’s very little here that hasn’t already been done elsewhere, and with greater success. Since the game is already planned to be extended into a trilogy, one can only hope that the controls are streamlined and the gameplay given a hefty overhaul before Ayumi’s second outing.

Gameplay: 6.0
Clumsy, repetitive, and frequently dull combat leeches most of the fun out of an essentially simple game.

Graphics: 8.0
Not mind blowing, but some striking effects here and the character design is rather unique.

Sound: 7.0
Decent effects and music, but the voice acting is fair, at best.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Players will find the game ranges from mind-numbingly easy to inexplicably frustrating.

Concept: 7.0
Interesting character design and varied combat mechanics, but there’s very little truly inspired about it.

Overall: 6.5
X-Blades may prove a pleasant enough distraction for hack-and-slash gamers thirsty for something new. Repetitive gameplay and bland design keep it from becoming anything outstandingly great.

Tom Clancy's EndWar

Tom Clancy’s EndWar is the first title in the Tom Clancy franchise to take the form of an RTS. In the vein of other titles in the franchise, it attempts to blend realistic storytelling with strategic action, all for the pleasure of military game geeks across the world. The game recounts a not-so-distant future, where dwindling oil supplies have driven major world powers toward heavy militarization. In EndWar, the three primary factions include the United States, the European Federation, and those classic Clancy baddies, the Russians. Interestingly, the “universe” of EndWar is built around the same world where all those other Clancy games took place. That means you’ll find former Rainbow Six operatives planning strikes against groups led by former Rainbow Six team members. If the general leading the U.S. Joint Strike Force sounds familiar to longtime Clancy fans, they might want to consider breaking out the latest Ghost Recon game to get reacquainted with Scott Mitchell.

The underlying story is surprisingly thin after the game begins, however. The player is tasked with capturing satellite uplinks in major cities, which are essentially control points, in locations all over the globe. As you progress, new abilities and upgrades can be earned; nothing says “successful strategist” like the unleashing of air strikes or a WMD upon one’s foes, the very prospect of which will likely attract casual players to the RTS genre. Hardcore RTS gamers might be a bit stymied when first approaching EndWar, however. For one thing, the game focuses more heavily on fighting than resource management. This can be partly attributed to the previous release of the game on consoles, where players are presumably more interested in loud noises than thoughtful tactics. Some may find this “dumbing down” to be an annoyance, but in truth, the game is still quite fun to play. Another distinctive feature – and certainly EndWar’s most touted one – is the voice command system. Find yourself a good headset, and you’ll be able to control just about every element on the battlefield with words alone. Barking commands at your forces and seeing the units blast enemies at your bidding is probably the most rewarding experience EndWar has to offer. Granted, no voice recognition software works perfectly all the time, but EndWar does it better than any other game I’ve experienced thus far. An onscreen command menu also branches out as you speak, guiding you through all possible commands so you can learn the voice mechanics in a quick and fluid manner.

Each faction offers the same basic unit organization, though some players might find themselves attracted to factions based on differences in their individual characteristics. The Russians typically have the bulk of heavily armored vehicles, while the European units have the best speed, leaving the US as a fairly “balanced” bunch. The arsenal contains a nice mixture of futuristic goodies from robotic drones to high-energy lasers, lending a slick, sci-fi appeal to the game. The gameplay modes themselves offer some nice variety, as well. One moment you’ll be leading a tactical assault on JFK Space Center, the next you’ll be scrambling to defend Paris from invading armies. The online play even offers persistent battlefields to some extent, where players will no doubt be eager to pit themselves against each other in a bid for world domination. The possibilities for skirmishes in each game mode are fairly wide, although it would have been nice to see greater focus on storytelling. With Call Of Duty ames offering a strong narrative from multiple factions in a war, it seems like something similar could have been implemented in EndWar, at least on a broad scale if not on a personal level.

While most Tom Clancy games deliver excellent aesthetics, EndWar is an inexplicably disappointing standout. The aural landscape is rather drab, and lacks much of the solid sounds players have come to expect from other Clancy titles. The camera keeps the player close enough to the action that some sense of the battle’s scale should be present, yet there is very little beyond the chattering of soldiers that stimulates the ears. Like its simplified gameplay, PC RTS fans will likely blame the console roots of the game for its bland visuals. There is no reason the draw distance should be so deeply affected on modern hardware, yet distant geometry is extremely prone to pop-in. The animation’s weaknesses show easily at the close camera distance, and there is little detail to admire on the units themselves. Granted, the RTS was meant to draw players to the game based on its mechanics rather than its visuals, and EndWar manages to at least offer up some enjoyable gameplay.

Gameplay: 8.0
EndWar handles itself nicely, and using the voice commands is certainly a pleasure.

Graphics: 7.0
Things are pretty simple at the visual level, but at least it’s easy to tell what’s going on.

Sound: 7.0
Lots of dialogue, but where’s the thunderous battlezone we wanted?

Difficulty: Medium
The mechanics are pretty easy to pick up, and the game provides some decent challenges.

Concept: 8.0
Voice commands provide the obvious distinction in EndWar, but there is still a pervasive feeling that the title didn’t quite live up to its full potential.

Multiplayer: 8.0
There’s certainly some fun to be had in the online Theater of War modes.

Overall: 7.8
Tom Clancy’s EndWar is certainly not a crowning achievement for the franchise, but it works well as an RTS and may help to draw new players to the genre. Hardcore RTS fans will likely be disappointed by the game’s lack of depth, however.

Penumbra

If your long-lost father sent you a note telling you not to search for him in an abandoned mine, what would you do? Well, I suppose it would depend on how you felt about your father. In Penumbra: Overture, we can safely assume Philip was close to his dad, or at least has an interest in his fate. So great is his determination, Philip travels to a creepy old mine in Greenland where he combats monsters, madness, darkness, and puzzles all in an effort to learn the fate of his missing parent. Sounds like a typical Hallmark scenario.

The Penumbra Collection contains three games, beginning with Overture. The majority of the gameplay can be split into two elements. The first mechanic you’ll be using is that of puzzle-solving. This is actually quite fun, particularly in the pitch-black, what-the-hell-will-I-see-next environments of Overture. What makes this particularly immersive is that the mouse mimics the hand, so if I want to push a door open, I must literally push forward on the mouse. I realize it doesn’t sound like much on paper, but it really does make the puzzles feel more fluid and natural. The bad news is that the second game mechanic, combat, uses the same elements. Taking a swipe with a melee weapon using the mouse may sound fun, but the weapons (whether intentionally or not) feel heavy and sluggish. For this reason, players will likely favor stealth tactics whenever possible. Mysterious voices and scrawled documents help to keep the story going, if you don’t mind a bit of reading to complement your puzzle-solving. Of course you won’t mind that; you’re a PC gamer, and that makes you an indisputable genius. The soundtrack keeps the hairs standing on end, but the graphical power of the game is a bit underwhelming. Overture might not be a very old game, but it’s important to remember that this was the product of a small, independent development studio. It is not Crysis in the dark. Overture’s ending will leave players wanting more; fortunately, the Collection allows the next chapter to be just a few clicks away.
The Collection’s second offering is Penumbra: Black Plague. Rather than finding a way to repair the clumsy combat of the first game, the developers seem to have decided to remove most of the combat situations entirely. I suppose this is preferable to extending the combat, so you won’t have to worry about enemies nearly as frequently in this follow up. This is probably Black Plague’s strongest point, as it allows greater focus on puzzle solving and navigating the haunting caverns throughout the game. This means greater use of the physics system, and an overall improved experience for the player. Again, there is just something about rummaging through drawers that is more enjoyable when you are physically pushing and pulling them around. While the first title might help to flesh out the storyline a bit, it isn’t a necessary prerequisite for enjoying Black Plague. Audio is once again far superior to the visuals, with drab geometry and low resolution surfaces feeling very much out of place in such a genuinely frightening game.

The third and final game in Penumbra Collection is Requiem. Here lies something which can certainly be considered an excellent puzzle-based adventure game, although its place within the collection makes it feel a bit awkward. The game settings also serve to reinforce this bizarre title within the series (even the voices are different). Story elements appear to have taken a backseat, and that’s a real shame, because it was a major draw and incentive for player progress. With characters seemingly loses their minds, there should have been greater potential for storytelling. Gameplay is largely the same, but playing around with the physics and puzzles has become the primary activity. Players annoyed with frequent attacks from dogs and zombies will find Requiem to be much more to their liking. There is little to speak of in terms of graphical developments. This game, like the others, sounds much better than it looks. Still, Requiem functions for what it is at the core: a pleasant, puzzle-solving spookfest. The game is still on the easy side, but noticeably shorter than the previous installments.

All combined, the Penumbra Collection won’t quite get you to the twenty hour mark that some players arbitrarily seek. It doesn’t have much depth to speak of, but the accessibility and fun of the puzzle-solving is something even non-adventure gamers can enjoy. Having a good sound setup and a dark room to yourself are definitely going to make this game a memorable experience. Admittedly, many of the game’s thrills are of the cheap, startling variety. Interesting mechanics and an eerie atmosphere create a distinction for the Penumbra Collection that makes it a good buy, even if the experience is a brief one.

Gameplay: 8.0
The interactive physics really enhance gameplay, rather than simply making things look good. If only the combat could be fixed.

Graphics: 6.0
This is not “cutting -edge”, but it gets the job done.

Sound: 8.0
An impressively spooky aural experience.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
This is a generally quick and easy set of games, but satisfying nonetheless.

Concept: 7.0
The puzzles are very nicely executed, though the story could be better. Any game that lets you throw ketchup earns respect in my book.

Overall: 7.5
Simple, scary, and satisfying. Aside from object collection, there’s little in the way of replay value, but Penumbra Collection is an enjoyable romp while it lasts.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Vol II, Book 7

March 12, 2009 - Later this month, the team over at Turbine will be releasing Leaves of Lorien, Book 7 in their current volume of The Lord of the Rings Online. After braving the depths of Moria, players will finally have a chance to catch their breath and reunite with the Fellowship in the tranquil glades of Lorien. Of course, it's not all lounging about under the mallorn trees; there are orcs (and creatures worse than orcs) who have been stirred up by the Fellowship's passage through Moria and are now threatening the security of The Golden Wood. We recently had the opportunity to tour the new areas, from Nimrodel all the way to the banks of the Anduin.

As with many aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online, creating compelling MMO gameplay while staying faithful to the details and mood of the books presented a challenge to the designers at Turbine. Lorien is, in the books, a very peaceful area of great security and hope. Just throwing random conflicts in there for the sake of player interest and advancement wouldn't quite work. So, while there's still a fair bit of combat found here in fighting back the orcs along the borders, a lot of the content in Lorien is more focused on exploring the history and culture of the elves and interacting with the Fellowship.

In fact, the arc of Lorien isn't about toppling some powerful enemy or claiming some ancient treasure. The story here focuses on rebuilding the trust between elves and dwarves, and it uses Legolas and Gimli as a focal point. In fact, players who enter Lorien without having completed the Volume 2, Book 6 quest in Moria will be able to pick up the threads in Nimrodel. There they will meet Legolas and Gimli and journey with them as they go orc hunting in a solo-friendly epic quest.

Whether you do it in Moria or Nimrodel, you'll need to complete Book 6 in order to gain enough favor to enter Lothlorien proper. The entire area is closed to players who haven't earned sufficient reputation with the elves, which means if you want to explore the beauty of Caras Galadhon, you'll need to make sure you're helping the Galadhrim as much as possible. And since the elves of Lorien don't use money, you'll need the tokens earned through quests if you want to barter for goods while you're here.

Once in Lorien, you'll be in a world of soft light, golden leaves and treetop platforms known as flets. The whole area has a sort of gauzy filter over it that softens the visuals and contributes to the peaceful, quiet mood of the place. The beauty of the natural world really shines through in Lorien, and even the bits of architecture that the elves have constructed -- fountains, docks, flets, and such -- are in harmony with the natural world around them. Some of the best views of The Golden Wood, of course, are found at the higher flets, accessible by ladders reaching down to the ground.

After climbing up and surveying the world around us from the flets, we dropped back down to the ground to survey the Imlad Lalaith, or Banquet Lawn. This broad bit of land sits in the angle where the Celebrant joins the Anduin and is the site of many elven feasts. Just down at the river's edge is the Hythe, the docks of the Lorien elves and the transition to the next part of the Fellowship's voyage. Players can stop here to get a look at the ornate swan boat, or even swim across the river to visit the vineyards on the opposite bank.

And you're not likely to be the only one swimming the waters of the Celebrant. We were joined by a pair of moose, who, like many of the other animals in Lorien, enjoyed protective status under the supervision of the elves. If you hunt these animals, you'll lose reputation with the elves, but there are some compelling reasons to be tempted. There's a dwarf poacher nearby who's offering tremendous rewards to players who are willing to hunt a bit in the woods. Of course, you can turn him in and claim favored status among the elves, but the decision is up to you.

The ultimate destination in Lorien is Caras Galadhon, the sublime treetop city of the elves. This is the first real working hub east of the Twenty-First Hall. You can find banks and trainers, crafting stations and even travel routes back to the other locations you've visited. This large multi-leveled city will offer many of the same routing challenges of Moria, as you try to determine how to get from A to B. There are even some fun, timed quests that offer rewards to players who can negotiate the treetop flets quickly. Caras Galadhon offers much to see as well, from the home of Celeborn and Galadriel to the Fellowship's pavilion where Aragorn broods and Pippin naps.

The Hunter

The Hunter is looking to be, by far, the most accurate hunting game ever made. I know, a pretty bold statement to be made for a game that isn't fully made yet, but I have to tell you, the preview game I have been playing is incredibly accurate. Now this may be off putting to some, specifically those gamers who want lots of things to happen and lots of different animals to hunt and kill. No, in The Hunter, you will need to learn the nuances of stalking prey once tracks have been found. Moving quietly through the forest and even setting up for looonnnggg periods of time just to get that one shot.

Now before I get all crazy about the things I found in this early version of the game, you should know that you actually select your hunter avatar and then begin the process of emailing Doc, the senior game specialist in charge of basically everything and the game begins with Doc issuing you some hunting style missions, which are more like tasks. Pretty soon you find yourself trying to track an animal, spot it, and then take it down. This is longer then you may expect. In fact, like real hunting, you can potentially walk around for hours without seeing a darn thing. And just like in real life, you have to be aware of your walking direction in tandem with the wind because your scent will scare animals off long before you ever see them.

Sins of a Solar Empire

Sins of a Solar Empire successfully did what other games have tried for years to do. The developers were able to merge the strategy of 4X games with the instant gratification of RTS games. Sins of a Solar Empire became a huge hit with its vast gameplay options and its highly addictive nature. It was only a matter of time before an expansion pack was released, which is entitled Entrenchment. Unlike most expansions, Entrenchment only comes with a couple of additional units for each race, which the developers call a "Micro-Expansion."

The only real additions to Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment is defense-oriented improvements. Each of these additions will help fight off the feared pirates as well as enemy capital ships. The new inclusions are mines, new platform upgrades, and the addition of a star base. Mines are the cheapest of the new additions. Players will be able to lay mines down in hopes of slowing down the enemies from getting too close to their planets. As with all of the new upgrades, each mine really reflects the personality/play style of the faction. For instance, one has mines that slow enemies from coming close to the planet, while others have mines that go all out for destruction of the invading ships.

The next update is the new platform upgrades, which were the major defensive platform in the original game. The Advent platforms boost the shields of other platforms which make it harder to bust through. The Vasari platforms are very expensive but do a lot of damage to any enemy ship. The TEC cannons how do a short-range attack that shred through enemy armor like butter on a hot piece of toast. These new additions will really help out in the defense of the planets, and is made even better due to the relatively low cost they incur.

The biggest and most talked about upgrade is the new star bases. These new bases will make players quake in fear if they run into them by accident. What makes the bases so powerful are players have the ability to place them anywhere in the game, from planets, stars, worm holes, and even the enemy planets. The only issue is the amount of resources it takes to actually get one fully operational. Another good thing about star bases is that players can build as many as they want, or as their tactical slots allow.

Each star base can only accept a handful of upgrades that players will have to choose upon, such as trade wells, armor, weapons, repair docks, and more. This means that players can have many star bases depending on the circumstances that they need. As with the platforms and mines, each of the game's factions has their own unique type of bases. The TEC can use their bases to build new ships and have a special dock that will repair their ships. The Advent bases that spread their culture to nearby worlds which makes them easier to take over. The Vasari bases are extremely tough to take out and will dish out tons of pain to any incoming enemy ship.

These three items are not the only upgrades in this game, but the most prominent ones. There are also various new technologies to research that will help boost the effectiveness of player's trade income, defense, or offensive for the structures. In actuality this is not a full "expansion pack" as players are used to. Instead the developers opted to create several "micro-expansions" for players to pick and choose what upgrades are most important to them. Hopefully they will bundle all the future upgrades into one for a full expansion pack that most players are used to purchasing.

The graphics for Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment are still good looking. The new star bases are very impressive and scary depending on who owns the star base. What will continue to amaze players is how stable the framerate is; especially with all of the zooming in and out players will do during the course of one game. The framerate stays extremely stable even with all of the intense action going on.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment is rated Teen and requires Sins of a Solar Empire to be installed on the computer. The cost for this "micro-expansion" is $9.99

Gameplay: 9.0
This game will still keep players from sleeping for months to come. The newest additions are great and will really make games even more intense.

Graphics: 9.1
The graphics for the new star bases are really impressive, and a site to behold. This game still has stable performance and great framerate during the entire course of the game.

Sound: 9.3
The music and sound effects are really still wonderful and help immerse players while they are playing the game.

Difficulty: Medium
Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment still has a deep learning curve. The thing is that most people that will pay for this update already play the game and have a deep understanding of how the game is played.

Concept: 8.8
Players will really love the star bases as well as the other defense oriented items.

Multiplayer 8.9
The multiplayer for this game is still very tight, and players love the fact that they can save a game session and come back at any time to complete it, instead of trying to complete it in one sitting.

Overall: 8.7
Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment is a pretty good, and any die-hard Sins of a Solar Empire will definitely obtain. The only thing that might shun players away is the $9.95 price point for only a couple new upgrades and units. Although playing with the new star bases makes this purchase well worth it.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Several years ago, THQ and developer Relic dropped Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, an intense and fun strategy game set within the Warhammer 40K universe, offering up some of the most compelling RTS gameplay in recent years. Even after three different expansion packs, the game is still quite fresh, holding up well against other titles in the genre even today.

Now, THQ and Relic have released a full-on sequel, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. The game goes beyond safe, low-risk sequel territory and makes some pretty fundamental changes, namely the excising of base-building and in its place some RPG-type leveling features for your units. Luckily, this gamble pays off quite well, making Dawn of War II not only successful in carrying on the legacy of its predecessor and the universe in which it is set, but also bringing something new and engaging to the RTS genre.

Dawn of War II features a campaign that takes place in the middle of the war between the forces of Order and Chaos. The campaign is strictly Space Marine, as you’ll play as a new Force Commander from the Blood Ravens as you’ll fight against the Orkish, Eldar and Tyranid forces that threaten your livelihood.

One of the biggest changes that Dawn of War II makes to the RTS formula is the elimination of base-building. You won’t create a single unit throughout the game’s campaign or in its skirmish mode, or build a single building. Each mission will allow you to select four squads, equip them, and put them on the battlefield to complete missions. The game’s streamlined approach takes a lot of the grind work and focuses on the action and the combat. Your units will also be able to take cover and utilize different weapons, adding to the strategy of combat as opposed to simple unit creation and really emphasizes unit quality instead of quantity as in other RTS titles.

Instead of getting a blank slate whenever you move on from one mission to the next, Dawn of War II has some surprisingly deep unit development features. Your units will gain experience points that can be doled out for increased stats and you can even purchase new equipment and weapons to arm them with. This is executed quite well and easily, and feels surprisingly natural, even if you’re a hardcore traditionalist of the RTS genre.

Aside from tackling the campaign alone you’ll be able to play through it and skirmishes online. The campaign mode lets you and a friend play through the game’s missions and sub-missions together. Skirmishes let you play in standard one-on-one matches, or three-on-three, allowing you to play as not only the Space Marines, but the Orks, Eldar and Tyranid races.

Graphically, the game is very impressive for an RTS title, with nicely detailed character models and great animations. The world does a great job of representing the deep and involving Warhammer 40K universe.

Soundwise, the game handles itself quite well. The soundtrack has the sweeping epic feel that you’d hope for, providing a great level of ambience to the on-screen action. The sound effects are also nicely done, but the voice acting is a little bit flat, and could use some work.

Dawn of War II is a solid and engaging RTS game that not only adds some great new content for fans of the Dawn of War franchise, but also shakes up the foundations of the genre for a unique and fun experience.

Review Scoring Details for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Gameplay: 9.0
The game’s battles are tight and engaging, and the new RPG elements work extremely well.

Graphics: 9.0
The unit models are well animated and have the same type of personality that you’d hope for in the Warhammer 40K universe, and the battles look great.

Sound: 8.5
The epic score works very well with the game’s sense of atmosphere and the sound effects are great, but the voice acting could use a little work.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 9.0
Dawn of War II makes some pretty big changes to the RTS formula, but the risk pays off very well in the game.

Multiplayer: 9.0
The online skirmishes and co-op campaigns are a lot of fun to play.

Overall: 9.0
Dawn of War II is a risky RTS game, but the new RPG elements and streamlined missions are implemented in a way that is engaging for strategy fans and newcomers alike.

Empire: Total War

Empire: Total War maintains the series' genre-leading 3D battles, grand turn-based campaign map and rich historical flavor while for the first time introducing 3D naval combat into the series. The game is set in the 18th century, a turbulent era alive with global conflict, revolutionary fervour and technological advances. Empire: Total War sees the debut of 3D naval combat -- gamers will be able to intuitively command vast fleets or single ships upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board taking control your men as they fight hand to hand on the decks.

ESRB Rating: T for Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Blood, Language, Violence
Genre: Real-Time Strategy

General Features

• The revolutionary introduction of Naval Combat to the Total War franchise
• Enhancements to the Total War series' signature 3D battles and turn based campaign map.
• Realtime battles pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare
• New improvements for the Campaign Map -- new and improved systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents, a refined and streamlined UI, improved Advisors and extended scope taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and the untapped potential of North America

Fallout 3

Vault 101 -- Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you've ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

ESRB Rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
Genre: Action RPG

General Features

• Take in the sights and sounds of the vast Capital Wasteland! See the great monuments of the United States lying in post-apocalyptic ruin! You make the choices that define you and change the world. Just keep an eye on your Rad Meter!
• Vault-Tec engineers bring you the latest in human ability simulation – the SPECIAL Character System! Utilizing new breakthroughs in points-based ability representation, SPECIAL affords unlimited customization of your character. Also included are dozens of unique skills and perks to choose from, each with a dazzling variety of effects
• The wizards at Vault-Tec have done it again! No longer constrained to just one view, experience the world from 1st or 3rd person perspective. Customize your view with the touch of a button
• Feeling like a dastardly villain today, or a Good Samaritan? Pick a side or walk the line, as every situation can be dealt with in many different ways. Talk out your problems in a civilized fashion, or just flash your Plasma Rifle
• At Vault-Tec, we realize that the key to reviving civilization after a global nuclear war is people. Our best minds pooled their efforts to produce an advanced version of Radiant AI, America’s First Choice in Human Interaction Simulation™. Facial expressions, gestures, unique dialog, and lifelike behavior are brought together with stunning results by the latest in Vault-Tec technology
• Witness the harsh realities of nuclear fallout rendered like never before in modern super-deluxe HD graphics. From the barren Wasteland, to the danger-filled offices and metro tunnels of DC, to the hideous rotten flesh of a mutant’s face.
• Even the odds in combat with the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System for your Pip-Boy Model 3000! V.A.T.S. allows you to pause time in combat, target specific body parts on your target, queue up attacks, and let Vault-Tec take out your aggression for you. Rain death and destruction in an all-new cinematic presentation featuring gory dismemberments and spectacular explosions
• Even the odds in combat with the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System for your Pip-Boy Model 3000! V.A.T.S. allows you to pause time in combat, target specific body parts on your target, queue up attacks, and let Vault-Tec take out your aggression for you. Rain death and destruction in an all-new cinematic presentation featuring gory dismemberments and spectacular explosions
•