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
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