2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa for Xbox 360/PS3 versions

2010 FIFA World Cup marking an improvement over FIFA 10, the Wii version doesn’t fare so well. In fact, this title is so similar to the year’s main game that it’s going to take the most dedicated of football fans to pick it up on Nintendo’s console. Against EA’s best efforts, what we have here is largely a rehash of FIFA 10, sprinkled under a World Cup skin.

Regrettably, this Wii title suffers from the limitations of the hardware. The other consoles provide a visual upgrade that’s hugely welcomed for the series, and a number of on-pitch tweaks that make it a worthwhile release. This kind of experimentation and step forward is lacking here, as there are very few improvements to get excited about.

Aside from the normal World Cup modes, the most interesting addition to the series is ‘Zakumi’s Dream Team.’ Here, players will start with a team comprised of unknown international players coming from the world’s least renowned football nations. Whether it’s a right back from Rwanda, or a goal-scoring hero from the Cape Verde Islands, the premise is to complete challenges and to earn players for your squad. You’re pitted against international teams every match, and come with three objectives that determine the quality of the player you can choose as your prize. Only complete the bronze challenge and you’ll only be able to pick a bronze rated player. Complete two challenges and silver also become available. If, however, you have the skill to overcome all three tasks, you’ll be able to pick any player from the opposing side to join your up-and-coming team.

While this section forces players to adapt their style of play, it’s the only new addition that we would like to have seen in the HD console versions. Working hard to unlock a big-name player for your team certainly pays off, as their quality and added ability helps take control against the tougher nations. Other than this, there aren’t enough modes to keep players coming back, especially if they’re invested into a league season on FIFA 10.

Rather predictably, 2010 FIFA World Cup is aimed towards the ridiculous on the Wii. Each game features a number of wonder goals, be it 30-yard strikes, amazing bicycle kicks or cheeky chips from just outside the area. Personal battles are still fought all over the pitch as you’re forced to time your headers correctly, shaking your arm when the ball glows. Similarly, set-pieces also require expert timing in order for you to be successful, both offensively and on the defensive side. The best feature is still the slow-motion when a battle could go either way. Witnessing the opponent just managing to slide long enough to block your shot adds tension to the game, as the ball bounces clear or bobbles away ready for the next match-up. Once in the box, you’ll also be treated to a close-up of your striker unleashing a thunderbolt towards goal, as the camera darts behind him in order to make you feel part of the action. These features are no doubt what outlines the Wii version from the rest, although they’re not going to add much to the life of someone who’s already picked up EA’s main offering this year.

Another section this version of 2010 FIFA World Cup also lacks in is it’s online play. Although players can compete against three friends in a ‘last man standing’ competition, it’s not a patch on what’s available on the other consoles. Admittedly, this is aimed towards the younger generation, but when you can compete in a number of modes with up to 31 other teams on the PS3 and 360, it’s difficult not to feel short changed here. It seems the only longevity this version has is with it’s Dream Team mode, as the rest of the package screams of EA cashing in on the license; something that isn’t true for alternative versions.

On a console that managed to get FIFA 10 so right for it’s audience, there’s a huge sense of disappointment here. Even the most avid of footballing youngsters will be sure the changes are minimal, and will be let down by the lack of new ideas. If you have to pick up one World Cup game this year, we recommend you look elsewhere.

Sony Corp is bringing baseball to America's living rooms on its PlayStation 3 video game console

Sony Corp is bringing baseball to America’s living rooms on its PlayStation 3 video game console, ratcheting up the competition in the race to become the digital hub of the home.Sony not only ups the ante in its rivalry with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, but also positions itself as something of a challenger to cable companies and satellite television providers that have long been broadcasting sports to viewers in the United States.”This is one of the biggest deals we’re bringing to the PS3, and it won’t be the last one, there’s lots of conversations going on,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Sony, which has an installed base of 12 million PS3 consoles in the United States, will offer games in high-definition through Major League Baseball’s MLB.TV, an Internet subscription service that is already available on computers and smartphones.MLB charges $25 a month, or $120 a year, for a premium subscription.Sony designed a custom interface for the offering, and users can scroll through live-streaming or archived games. The PS3 provides the functionality of a digital video recorder, allowing viewers to pause, fast-forward and rewind, and to jump to a particular inning in any game on the schedule.

However, users will not be able to watch live games of teams in their local market, which are subject to local blackout rules.PS3 users will need to be subscribers to the free PlayStation Network (PSN) to access MLB.TV. PSN has 20 million members in North America.

Sony and Microsoft have been duking it out to control entertainment in the living room beyond games, offering movies, shows and videos through their subscriber networks, PSN and Xbox Live.Both offer streaming movies through Netflix, and have been hunting for deals that can help transform their gaming consoles into one-stop-shops for content.”We’re excited about bringing MLB onto the console this is something you can’t find on any other console,” Dille said.

In Europe, Microsoft has struck deals with Vivendi unit Canal Plus and British pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB to provide content through the console, including soccer matches.Sony’s PS3 has trailed Nintendo’s Wii, the market leader, and the Xbox in the U.S. market, although the PS3 has generated momentum since a price cut to $299 last year.MLB.TV is also available on the Roku set-top box and through media provider Boxee.(Reuters)

Splinter Cell: Conviction for ps2 ,ps3 ,xbox 360 is set to release in under a month on April 15

Splinter Cell: Conviction is set to release in under a month on April 15. Many longtime fans are wondering how the multiplayer has turned out with the exclusion of Spies vs. Mercs mode. Well, we have good news – it’s much better than we originally thought it would be.The four multiplayer modes in Splinter Cell: Conviction that we were able to play included: Co-op story, Hunter , Last Stand and Face-off. Each has their unique spin on multiplayer, though the Co-op story is bound to be the most popular.Co-op story is the much hyped addition to the series that gave Spies vs. Mercs the boot – it permits playing as either the Third Echelon’s Archer group or Voron’s Kestrel faction. Allowing two players to complete objectives and missions in tandem, the Co-op story provided thrills around every corner due to the high amount of enemies (even if they aren’t that intelligent) on one level to dispose of.Divided into five levels at this point (St. Petersburg Banya, Russian Embassy, Yastreb Complex, Mozdok Grounds, and Antonov), along with each level having 3-4 chapters, the co-op story is a meaty multiplayer mode. The first chapter, titled “Canal Entrance” was more than 40 minutes long, although it wasn’t a speed run by any means.

Within Hunter mode, players are tasked to eliminate all enemies on the level, no holds barred! This multiplayer mode, along with Last Stand – where players are asked to defend an EMP generator from waves of enemies – are also available through Deniable Ops, an offline and single-player version of the modes. The last multiplayer mode is Face-off, a variation of the Last Stand but with a twist – Splinter Cell: Conviction throws in a live adversary who is out to take down the player, along with the countless waves of computer AI-controlled enemies.Each multiplayer mode allows for players to switch up the difficultly level (Rookie, Normal, Realistic), the pistol, alternate weapons, primary gadgets, secondary gadgets and uniforms. On top of that, players are able to change up the time limit (Unlimited or any variation of 2-5 minutes) along with making it a “pistols only” match or turning off gadgets.

For the weapons, players can access new weapons via finding them through the co-op story or single-player campaign. Once they pick them up in either/or, the weapons will be added to the weapon stash and are allowed to be upgraded. For an example for an upgrade, here is a look at the AK5-74U.

400 Pts for a Reflex Sight (increases zoom)
250 Pts for Hollow Point Ammo
250 Pts for a Laser Sight (increases accuracy)

Each weapon, gadget and uniform can be upgraded, with the uniform allowed for a maximum of three times. For the weapons and gadgets, each time they are upgraded, the following upgrade increases in cost. If players are curious about the outfits, here’s a quick look at what is offered:

Voron’s Spetsnaz Tactical Assault Suit (elite soldier)
Voron’s SV8 Tactical Concealment Suit (government employee)
Voron’s SV1 Special Ops Suit (covert ops)
Third Echelon’s T1C9 Tactical Concealment Suit (mercenary)
Third Echelon’s C1C9 Casual Concealment Suit (urban setting)
Third Echelon’s “Special Agent” (aka Sam Fisher suit)
Third Echelon’s Mark 7 Special Ops Suit (special ops)

All in all, our sessions managed to raise the hairs off the back of our neck as the tension was always at a high as we avoided conflict and took down the opposition with a stealth attack from behind. Every once in awhile we would run in, guns a blazing, and take down the unnamed mercenaries who stood no chance against two special ops agents that hurdled rails, climbed up drainage pipes, and shot out every light in the room to avoid detection.