January 2007 Issue

[rickjames]

The writers of the Gaming Chronicle will add their video game impressions, reviews, previews, and general opinion columns below this post.

(If you are interested in writing for the Chronicle, then click on the groups link in the header. Then chose the Chronicle usergroup, and then click join.)

[rsstites]

Heroes of Gaming is covering the CES show in Las Vegas for the first time.

Over the next week we will be updating the site with new hands-on impressions, interviews and demo’s of some great games (including about 5 mmorpgs).

Check out this link for our latest screens from the show floor. http://www.heroesofgaming.com/gallery/p17_sectionid/56

Also expect articles, screenshots, videos, and downloads from the following games and applications:

PC
Everquest II Echoes of Faydwer
Conan
Vanguard
Lord of the Rings Online
Crysis
Pirates (trading card game made free-ish PC game)
Halo 2
Hellgate London

PS3
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom
Midway Classic (for download)
MotorStorm
Gran Turismo HD

Xbox 360
Def Jam Icon
Guitar Hero II

Mobile/Palm/Cell
Tetris Game Pack
Pocket Express
Zagat To Go
Sims 2 Pets
Fight Night

And much, much more…


By the way, that’s me testing out a pretty cool FPS VR helmet.

[rickjames]

News:

Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360 is going to be released with new songs unique to the 360. As expected, it will have better graphics, but overall be the same as the PS2 version. There will be new songs released for download over Xbox Live, but it has yet to be said if it will be free. The game is set to release sometime in the Spring.

[rickjames]

I know this review is a little late, but better late then never.
___________________________________________________________________

Gears of War Review (Xbox 360)

With all the hype built up around Gears of War, it needed to be a Halo killer in order to live up to it. Although it being a Halo killer is debatable, largely due to the large difference between these two games, few will argue that Gears of War is one of the best games of 2006.

The Gears of War Storyline is one of the few parts of the game that is less than superb. You play as Fenix, a prisoner who gets called upon to help kill the Locust, who are emerging from the ground. The rest of the storyline is poorly put together through cut scenes and gameplay. The confusing storyline is soon forgotten and becomes insignificant during the actual gameplay.

Gears of War can be split up into two categories: Single Player and Online Multiplayer. The Single player features five acts, divided into chapters that are available to be played alone, or entirely with another person with the Co-op mode, either online or on the same television set. The game also offers three difficulties, of which the hardest one is geared mainly toward co-op for completion. Surviving in Gears of War depends on the player’s ability to cover behind virtually everything in the game. While in cover, the Left trigger can be used to aim and shoot, or Fenix can blind fire, leaving him in cover, but diminishing his accuracy. Although there aren’t an abundant amount of weapons to be used, all of them are unique and useful. None of which is more satisfying than the lancer, which sports a chainsaw that can be initiated with the B button, and start a gory cut scene that fills the screen with blood.

Gears of War attempts to achieve variety, but the length of the game prevents it from doing so in certain parts. There is only one time in the game in which the player can operate a vehicle, and it is not very satisfying. The enemies in the game are also lacking, only offering three bosses, the Berserker, which is satisfying at first, but becomes part of the routine the next time. The Corpser barely attacks which does not bring satisfaction when defeated. The last boss, General Raam, is the only memorable boss, partly due to the amazing cut scene after his death.

That is not to say that Gears of War has no variety. As stated before, an endless amount of covers are available, which makes every play through uniquely different. The Berserker on the train offers one of the many intertwined puzzles within the game that add to the variety as the object is to lure the Berserker onto the last train platform and press a button to disconnect the platform and watch the Bersker fall to his death. Other minor puzzles involve shooting propane tanks to survive, and pushing a car on fire.

Another part of the Single Player that is rarely used is the Command System. Fenix can order the other COG members, but it offers few commands which are mainly useless.

The part of the game that Gears of War truly shines in is the Online Multiplayer. There are three game types available: Warzone, Execution, and Assasination. The level design and the shear amount of people online leaves little to be desired. There are already two new maps which were released in January in a Patch. The release of the maps paint a bright future for the Multiplayer in Gears of War in the years to come.

The only part of online that has some disappointed is that the makers of the game stress the importance of fairness to the point where they don’t allow friends to play together in ranked matches by not offering any options to invite or displaying the host name. The makers do not want stacked teams playing against players who have never met each other. However, Player matches are available, which do allow for friend play.

Although the graphics are a minor part of the game, they are one of the best of any game ever. Epic reportedly made Microsoft upgrade the 360 when it was in development in order to get Gears of War to look the best it can. The level design is unique and the details put into the game are visible at every point of the game, even during the darker levels.

Gears of War is a must have for every 360 owner who wants an enjoyable game that will not collect dust due to it's replayability and online play.

Final Score:

9.5/10


Reviewed by Rickjames

[danizduhman]

News: Halo 3 Beta

The best opportunity to get into the Halo 3 beta is by playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live. In order to qualify, you have to play a total of three hours of games on Xbox Live between 12:01 AM (EST) on February 1, 2007 through 11:59 PM (EST) on February 3rd, 2007. According to the press release, if you play three hours of games during this period, you then go register via http://www.halo3.com for a chance to become a beta participant. Specifically, you have to play those games and then be among the first 13,333 players to register at the site.

Anyone who purchases the upcoming Xbox 360 game “Crackdown” will get automatic entry into the Halo 3 beta. If you have a Crackdown disc you’ll be able to activate and download the beta once it goes live next Spring.

Source

[danny12]

SPECIAL REPORT

Sony have finally confirmed the offical release titles for the PS3 which are as follows:

Call of Duty 3
Fight Night: Round 3
Genji: Days of the Blade
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
NBA 07
NBA 2K7
NHL 2K7
Need for Speed: Carbon
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007
Tony Hawk's Project 8
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom
Virtua Fighter 5

[danny12]

PSP Review: KilLzone Liberation





My review is split into these sections.

Story
Gameplay
Graphics
Replayability
Faults
My Opinion
Final Score


Story: Not much can be revealed about the story i'm afraid to say without ruining the plot or spoiling the end of the last game, but what i can tell you is that Templar (the protagonist) from the first game has returned for the sequal, bigger and badder.

Gameplay: Whilst the original Killzone was ment to be one of the last "killer apps"and a Halo beater for the PS2 it didn't quite get there. The game was excellent but just lacked in something Halo had. This game makes up for its predeccsors mistakes and enhances on them to make an ingenious gameplay method. The original game was in a first person view perspective making it little more than a Halo clone. This game is special however taking a view away from the battlefield, giving it a bird-perspective third person view. It might sound a little crazy to you but if Guirella (Killzone Developers) had tried to make another first person game it would end up like the many failed titles such as Coded Arms and Ghost In The Shell. The view in itself is a fantastic achievment making for an interesting gamestyle as seeing the enemy before it see's you gives you the advantage on how to take them out. The famous Helghast from the first game make a comeback badder than before. Even worse they have come back with better AI. If they see a greande, they run. If they hear a shot, they call for help. If someone gets injured they radio in backup, making for an interesting battle between the Helgast Forces and the might of Templar. You get one basic weapon from the start however more can be unlocked by finiding the hidden suitcases loaded with "Vetkan Dollars" scattered around the levels. Once all the weapons are unlocked they can be upgraded. This makes for excellent replayability and really does give you a reason to replay the game again. Another excellent facility is the friends system. From time to time Templar will be assisted by ally and friend Rico. Rico can be ordered about using the D-Pad and in never gets in the way, always giving covering fire and would rather take your bullet for you than see you die. Now that's teamwork.

Graphics: On such a little disc, the UMD holds graphical power on par with the PS2 which can be seen in the provided screenshots. PS2 and PSP are constantly compared whenver new games come out and i must say, I actually think this game looks better than its predeccsor. A* all the way through.

Replayability: Excellent. Thats the word for it excellent. Not only can you fetch the Vetkan dollars which i mentioned earlier, there are 4 chapters in the story, with 4 missions in each chapter to keep you going for a while. And after the chapters are complete, Challenge Games are unlocked. These involved capturing SpiderMines in cages, colletcting items, killing targers, protecting bases and so on. These on their own make for a fun game in itself and is not without reward for going for the Gold. The better you do, the more points unlocked and with more points unlocks abilites which can be used in the game, starting off with useful enough abilities such as faster C4 removal, carry a first aid kit to heal buddies but as you progress, abilites do to going right up to unlimited ammunition. Also with a multiplayer mode in the progress online and a deathmatch and co op modes already installed this game will not be finished any time soon.

Faults: All great games unfortunantly have their downfalls and Killzone is no different. The boss battles even on easy can be trying for easy going players making for an uncomfortable game. Whilst there are loads of replayability options the story itself is short which isn't the worst thing but it can be worked on for the future. Online mode wasn't provided with the game which is dissapointing however to make up for it Guerilla are promising a fifth chapter free download which is a good compensastion.

My Opinion: First person shooters have had bad effects on me as i was unlucky to play some really bad ones. I was afraid the good series of Killzone would be let down the same way those games were. The game overpassed my expectations when they changed the view and became one of the few "killer apps" the psp needs.

Final Score: This is the sort of game the PSP needs for it to have a decent lifespan. Keep up the excellent work Guerrialla.

10/10

[killer2000100]

The new playstation tour truck will be visting cities around the country. It will provide an area for gamers to compete and lounge to play new and old games. It will feature the PS3, PS2, and PSP platforms. The truck also has 2 40-inch LCD TVs for the PS3 so you can have a wonderful/awesome gaming experience. This truck will also feature a locker room sort of look for the sports games on all platforms, and this part of the truck will be visiting Wal-Marts near you. And for all you military personnell, the truck will also be visting military bases. For more information please visit http://www.us.playstation.com/EP.