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.

''Left 4 Dead 2'',(L4D2) is a worthy sequel

Fighting zombies ( Left 4 Dead 2)

Fighting hordes of the undead is like fighting the very tides of the ocean – eventually you are going to be dragged under.No video game out there reinforces that terror more than “Left 4 Dead 2,” a frantic first person co-op shooter that pits players against more zombie than you can shake a boom-stick at.The sequel to last year’s blockbuster success, “L4D2” leaves the basic formula intact – up to four survivors use teamwork to survive as they dash from safe house to safe house seeking rescue – while adding new weapons, gameplay modes and unique zombies to keep it fresh. That might not seem like enough content to warrant a sequel so soon after the original (a notion that led angry fans to lead a boycott against the title) but the final product feels fully formed. In fact, it manages to make the original feel lifeless in comparison.

Whether it’s the new types of zombies (the guy who came up with the insidious jockey should get an award for sadism in video gaming) or the surprising creepiness of the new, daylight soaked locations, the sequel consistently delivers a novel experience.

The addition of melee weapons is particularly welcome.The joys of being able to clobber zombies with a frying pan or dismember them with a chainsaw are obvious. Who really wants a pistol when there are samurai swords to be had? The answer is a no-brainer.However, the well-implemented inclusion of hand-to-hand weapons winds up underscoring a glaring oversight carried over from the first installment: “L4D2” doesn’t let players aim down their gun’s iron sight, a standard first person shooter option that allows for increased accuracy at the cost of speed and range of vision. Instead, players are left shooting from the hip.

zombie clown( Left 4 Dead 2)

Considering that the run and gun fervor of the first game has been spiced up with puzzle elements and an AI that seems to grow more vindictive with every play through, the precision of an iron sight would have been nice. As it is, surviving the five campaigns, this time connected by an overarching narrative, can feel like a nerve jangling impossibility.

But that’s alright. Half the fun is screaming at your friends to help you as you get dragged off by some mutated zombie. Especially if you’re controlling said mutated zombie in the versus mode.All in all, “Left 4 Dead 2” is a worthy successor, one that expands on the original just enough without messing up everything it got right. It may not set the world of cooperative gaming on fire again, but it will certainly drown it in corpses.

The Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2 Among Thieves

Uncharted 2 will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The game begins with one of the most brilliant opening scenes I’ve ever seen. The game is packed with thrills, superb graphics, some puzzles (albeit not very challenging ones), and incredible cut scenes. Generally I’m not a big fan of cut scenes, but the developers did an excellent job of integrating good ones into the storyline at just the right moments.

As the Halo series is exclusive to the Xbox, the Uncharted series is exclusive to PlayStation. Although one doesn’t have to have played the game’s predecessor, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, to get started on this sequel—it’s certainly not a bad idea. The first installment was a very good game, but Uncharted 2 takes it to the next level by tweaking all of the areas that were lagging in the first game. The result is fantastic.

The single-player story mode offers about 12-20 hours of gameplay for most. A multiplayer option has been added to this sequel. It’s extremely addictive, providing endless hours of entertainment. In multiplayer mode you’ll be able to play five-on-five death matches, objective oriented matches, and co-op. Not only was multiplayer entertaining, but I found that it never experienced lag or disconnect.On the flip side, the game is in 720p definition. 1080p would have been better for a PS3-exclusive title. Additionally, puzzles throughout the game could have been a bit more challenging. That said, Uncharted 2 is a great game that no PS3 owner should pass up. It’s a prime contender for Game of the Year.

We Cheer 2 lets you shake your pom-poms using Wii Remotes

We Cheer 2

As a former cheerleader who tried out All Star Cheer Squad last year, I was excited to see a new cheer leading game for the Wii. We Cheer 2 lets you shake your pom-poms using Wii Remotes. In Dance Dance Revolution fashion, you hit the moves as the arrows show up on the screen. Multiplayer doesn’t offer much. It allows up to four players to play one of two “party games,” or compete in a “Cheer Off.” Single player is really where all the action is. You can learn the basic cheer moves in the tutorial and then perfect them in Cheer Camp so that you can join the squad and get first place at competition. Completing numerous routines and gaining points unlocks new songs, outfits, and team members. There are some pretty hip songs to be unlocked–Black Eyed Peas, Salt-N-Pepa, Lady Gaga–which will definitely appeal to the young cheerleader.

I was disappointed at how difficult it was to navigate through the menus. I became frustrated by the amount of time wasted from going back and forth between pages to change the number of players, song, etc. Just like how playing Guitar Hero is nothing like playing a guitar, We Cheer 2 is nothing like actual cheerleading, but earning points and unlocking new levels is addicting and fun.

PES 2010 update next week

Transfers updates and new teams to be available to download on November 24thKonami has confirmed that it will be issuing a free downloadable update for Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 on November 24th.The DLC will update team rosters in line with the summer transfer activity. It will also add four teams to the Champions League mode – Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos, Lyon and Fiorentina.Konami also claims that it “enhances a number of elements in the full game”.Those who load up the game on Xbox 360 or PS3 today will be prompted to download a “primer patch” – this is to ensure that modified user data already on gamer’s hard drives will not be affected by the upcoming DLC.