Console War- XBOX 360 vs Playstation 3

When it comes to the industry of gaming, the company that develops a gaming console with the biggest and baddest hardware will usually be declared the victor. However, in the recent years, two companies have leaped ahead of all the rest and have become the "kings" of the gaming industry. But, as everyone knows, there can be only one true "king". Those two competing kings are currently the companies of Sony and Microsoft. The Playstation 3 is Sony's weapon and the XBOX 360 is the weapon of Microsoft; and with their weapons, the two are going to battle in an all out war.

Many believe that the new Nintendo Wii should-be/is a valid participant in this gaming war, and no one can really blame them for that line of thinking. Although the Wii has some great innovation and has made a splash in the gaming industry, it has neither the firepower nor the fan base that the XBOX 360 or PS3 currently has. Therefore, it may creep into the battle once or twice with a good game, but it won't stand up to the big boys for very long.

Most gamers are familiar with this war and know that it is probably going to last quite a number of years. Although gamers claim to know much about this war, no one really knows what cards are going to be played next, by each company that is. Even though both companies have the "Great Game" card, which they pull out occasionally, both of them still have their own tricks and tactics to pull in more gamers. For instance, instead of the Sony just going with a normal controller for the PS3, they developed the Sixaxis controller; which happens to have motion sensing capability. It may not be as innovative as the Wii controller, but it adds something special to the PS3 experience.

Its obvious that the XBOX 360 has much more footing than the PS3 at the current time. The reason being: the XBOX 360 has been out for a little over a year, while the PS3 has only just been released (November 17th, 2006). That means anyone who wants an XBOX 360 either already has one or can go down to the store and get one within minutes. The Playstation 3, on the other hand, is still in the "list" phase, which means that it is near impossible to get one without actually being on a list. But, within a few months to a year, the PS3 will leave the list phase and be available to walk-in shoppers; allowing many more people to get their hands on the console system. The playing field will then become slightly more level for the two consoles.

From a visual point of view, the PS3 and XBOX 360 do not appear to differ all that much. Some would say that the PS3 graphics look a bit more detailed, and that may be true, but the difference is hardly noticeable. In terms of hardware, it seems the PS3 is packing more of a punch, which would account for its higher price. That is partly due to the fact that the PS3 has a built-in Blu-ray disc player that supports high-def resolution. The only problem with that is the fact that gamers want to play games, and the ability to play movies (whether they be DVDs or Blu-ray discs) is a bonus, rather than a necessity.

The XBOX 360 did not try to push its movie playing software onto it's fans (which is a HD-DVD player). The XBOX 360 did/does not come with the HD-DVD player. Thats because it is an add-on, which may be perceived as a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, making it an add-on has saved money for the people who didn't/don't care about watching movies on their gaming system. Many gamers believe that the same method should have been taken with the PS3, which would have allowed people to make their own decision about getting a Blu-ray disc player or saving some money.

As anyone could have guessed, this battle is not going to be won so easily. Each company is going to do whatever they can to pull ahead and get more fans. Whether gamers know it or not, this is actually a good thing for the gaming industry. Two competing, gaming companies will only strive to come up with more innovative and fun games for their fans. This means that consumers will see more games that are more fun, more frequently. It's true that these gaming titans might be fighting a never ending battle, but end or no end, it is still going to be one heck of a fight to the top.

Playstation 3 Game Review- "Resistance: Fall of Man" Multiplayer Mayhem

Every gamer knows that a game can only last so long before it gets boring. Sure, you can beat a game on all the different difficulty levels, but that still does not change the inevitable destination of boredom. Its not the games fault, as the game was fun at a time. Its just that you have beaten it and there really is nothing else to do with it. Or is there? Well, for some games there is another choice that can lead away from boredom. That choice is the multiplayer option, or online multiplayer to be more specific. More and more games are being released with online capability. Its really getting to the point that if a game does not have any online capabilities, gamers just move on to something else. Well, "Resistance: Fall of Man" is one of those great online multiplayer games; and those who own a Playstation 3 (as well as a copy of the game) can partake in the all out carnage that ensues during an online match.

As far as the overall gameplay goes, there is not a big difference from the campaign; its basically kill or be killed, with subtle variations in the matches of course. A great aspect of online play is that players can choose between being a human soldier or a Chimeran hybrid. Both races have different perks, which can often be used to turn the tide of a battle. You just have to figure out which advantages you find more useful.

The Chimeran hybrid can enter into a "berserker", or "rage", mode that will increase its damage, speed, and ability to withstand incoming fire. Not only that, but they can also see through walls when in this "rage" state. The downsides to hybrids are few, but they can make an impact on the battle field. For one, hybrids are big bulky creatures,; therefore, they are bigger targets and enemies can hit them more easily, if not under proper cover that is. The other big disadvantage is the loss of a radar, which can be a players best friend in hectic & dangerous situations. The humans aren't really anything special; just average soldiers with a hint of toughness. They can sprint from cover to cover quickly, plus they have a radar that reveals the location of both enemies and allies (huge advantage). But other than that, they are just typical soldiers with fancy weaponry.

Most gamers familiar with online first person shooters will automatically know what types of matches will be available in "Resistance: Fall of Man". Those matches are: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture-the-Flag, as well as a few other variations of common FPS matches; those of which will either be ranked or unranked games. Players will be able to participate in small to medium sized battles via their broadband internet connection. Smaller matches will contain about 8 players, while the slightly larger ones will contain about 16. However, this game offers a player the chance to battle with up to 39 other players. Thats 40 players in a single online match!

Many gamers would believe that 40 players in one match is too good to be true, as the lag would ruin those types of matches. Surprisingly, that is not the case. Its true, every match, big or small, will have its share of lag issues from time to time, but these 40 person matches have much less lag then a player would expect. Obviously, not everyone is going to be operating from the same high-speed connection as the player next to them; so results may vary from match to match. Either way, there definitely seems to have been some extra effort put into the lag issues.

As any gamer can see, "Resistance: Fall of Man" has it all, for a first person shooter anyways. Great single player story as well as fantastic online multiplayer capability. You truly can't go wrong with this title; its a must have!

PS3 Game Review - Resistance: Fall of Man

Anyone who has picked up a news paper or has seen a news broadcast in recent weeks knows that the Playstation 3 has arrived. With it has come a whole arsenal of new and remastered games for Playstation 3 fans to enjoy. The most anticipated title of the PS3 was/is undoubtedly "Resistance: Fall of Man", which is from the developers of the Ratchet & Clank series (Insomniac Games). Although they have not been known for their "realistic" looking games, Insomniac Games has always done its best to produce quality games. This time they have taken a new turn in gaming; and with this exclusive, action packed, first-person shooter for the PS3, they are sure to get lots of praise from gamers.

The setting and storyline of "Resistance: Fall of Man" seems to be an interesting one. Instead of World War II taking place, a strange alien species, known as the Chimera, has invaded and is slowly taking over the planet. They are vicious looking creatures and they will destroy and/or consume whatever is in their path. The reason they are spreading throughout Europe (which is where they supposedly originated) so fast, is the fact that the Chimera infect humans, who then become Chimera themselves.

Heres the deal: you are Nathan Hale, an American Soldier, and you have been sent over seas to support the defenses in Europe; more specifically the UK, as Europe has been almost entirely consumed by the Chimera. Not much is known about the origin and why these Chimera have risen, but as you progress through the game, you will learn more about the Chimera and where they truly came from. The strange thing about the storyline is that the narration and perspective of the War is not done by Hale, but by a female soldier who has encountered Hale in the UK. She will give you plenty of information and feedback on the situation, but many gamers would have preferred Hale to play a more "active" role in the narration. Overall, the story seems to be very well developed and is sure to entertain and excite Playstation 3 fans.

The control scheme for this game is your standard run-of-the-mill FPS (first person shooter) set-up. Analog sticks control movement and looking, while the other buttons let you fire, change weapons, and interact with the environment. The Sixaxis controller seems to have been implemented nicely as well. There will be times when some Chimera creatures will grab hold of you; this is when you begin shaking the controller in order to try to break free. It may not sound too thrilling in the description, but it can get pretty intense during gameplay when surrounded by those creatures. The feature won't be used around every corner; but when you do use it, you'll find yourself appreciating the game, as well as the PS3, much more.

The weapon choices seems to be pretty basic; pistols, shotguns, rifles, snipers, grenades, and, of course the big gun, the rocket launcher. Although they may be "basic" FPS guns, the detail of each one of them is quite astounding, as well as the visual presentation when each of them is fired. There are also a few special guns that you will find throughout "Resistance: Fear of Man"; not to mention a few advanced weapons that you can unlock once you have completed the game. The only non realistic thing in the weapons department is "weapon carrying". Most games today allow only a few weapons to be held, rather than an arsenal. However, "Resistance: Fear of Man" goes back to the roots of FPS gaming, where you can pick up any and all guns you come across. Now to some gamers, this is somewhat of a bad thing. They believe it is bad because any soldier carrying 5+ different heavy weapons is going to be slow and ineffective when it comes to fast paced combat; and therein lies the lack of realism. But, many people find that carrying many different weapons is a good thing; as they can change weapons instantly to better deal with the situation at hand. Therefore, that small lack of realism is easy to bare and people get used to it quite quickly.

In terms of performance and overall appearance, this game definitely gets an A+, and then some. The graphics and cut-scenes are excellently done, as well as the explosive special effects and character detail. The sound is of an exceptional quality also, which makes every shot fired that much more intense. As far as some of the visual displays and designs go, you may notice similarities to other big titles; but that will be left up to you to find.

"Resistance: Fall of Man" is sure to be a PS3 "Great One" for several months, and should always be remembered as one of the PS3's greatest launch titles. If you happen to have the honor of owning a Playstation 3, this game should, without a doubt, be in your game collection.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07- Review

Although golf may seem like a boring and "inactive" sport to some people, it couldn't be farther from the truth for gamers, whom own golf games that is. The "Tiger Woods" series has become increasingly popular these last few years; and with the newest addition of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" on the Playstation 3, the series is, no doubt, going to get even more attention.

Right from the beginning, you will be amazed at the performance of the game. The loading will only be a few seconds and when it is done you are given a large amount of different options to choose from. The most noticeable option is that of Career Mode, in which you can create your own custom golfer and begin your own prosperous career as a pro-golfer. Some of the other modes include: match play, alternate shot, battle golf, best-ball, stroke play, skins, practice, etc. Each type of game match will have its own guidelines and rules, but there should still be something for everyone.

One of the best matches to play in "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" is battle golf. Battle golf is basically match play with an entertaining twist. During this type of match, you will go about playing a golf game as you normally would, but after each and every hole the winner gets a special treat. That "special" treat is the removal of an opponents club; which means that any club he/she has in their set can be removed and he/she will no longer have access to it. Its an awesome feeling when your opponent has only a few clubs at his disposal, while you still have all of yours.

Creating and developing your own unique golfer is definitely one of the highlights of the game, as you get to design them to look like whatever you want. You are free to design him/her right down to the very last detail. Not only that, but you can actually choose what type of reactions they have on the course. Obviously, if all you got to do was design a character and just look at him/her, the game would quickly lose its appeal. Luckily, theres much more to do with your created character than just looking at him/her, and the best thing to do is to start a career.

Career mode allows you to take your character through many different tournaments and match-ups, allowing you to face-off with some of golfs most well known golfers, such as Tiger Woods, John Daly, Justin Leonard, Mike Weir, Jim Furyk, and many more. Of course, in order to compete with these pro-golfers and become the best, your going to need to create one heck of a great golfer. However, creating a superstar golfer is not that simple.

After all, Tiger Woods did not become a great golfer over night; he was born that way! But thats beside the point. The point is, you will need plenty of training and practice to reach your peak as a golfer. You will do that by taking your character through a few different mini games, which will develop your character's individual attributes. Your characters different attributes are: ball striking, driving accuracy, putting, recovery, power, power boost, approach, and spin. After each mini-game you participate in, some of those attributes may increase. However, that will depend on your overall performance during the game, as well as what the mini-game's main focus was on. Your starting character is going to suck, period; but with a few mini games played here and there, he will grow in talent and become an all-star golfer in no time.

Many people think they can just keep training then hit the campaign trail and blaze over the competition easily. Well, thats not the case. You will only be able to train a certain amount of times before each and every match. This makes it so you can't "beef" up and then "slaughter" each one of your opponents on the course.

Attributes are always great, but they can't replace the feeling of picking up and trying out new golf gear. And, thats exactly what your golfers can do from time to time. Simply stop by the pro-shop via the career menu and you can browse all the clothing and equipment that can be purchased. Its always nice to see the purchased equipment being used by, and displayed on, your character; but that is not the only reason equipment is worth buying. New equipment will also present your golfer with skill bonuses, which will give him/her an edge on the golf course. So even though it may just "look" great on your golfer, the equipment is actually working its magic behind-the-scenes to increase your golfer's attributes.

The PS3 console port of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" not only has great single player modes, but players can challenge others online via an internet connection. If you ever get bored with career mode, then online play should be your next destination. The most common online matches will be those of stroke and match play games, but there will be many other game types as well; such as battle golf, alternate shot, three-hole golf, skins, etc. Players may either participate in unranked or ranked matches, which is now a common thing to see in most online games. If a gamer thinks they are "pro" material, they will go for ranked games to increase their record and stats. However, those who feel somewhat less confident in their skills will play unranked games, as there is much less pressure.

In terms of graphics, visuals, and sounds, "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" scores big. Each course looks absolutely amazing and the small touches (like the birds flying over head, waves crashing on the shoreline, and/or the fans running up and down the fairway trying to get a better view) really makes the game seem so much more realistic and intense. The details of all the characters are extremely well done also. It is a shame that there are only 12 courses on the PS3 version of this game, but each of them is quite breath taking, to say the least. Not to mention, the commentary seems to have been well implemented and pretty accurate with each individual play. So you can expect the announcers to praise you for good shots and criticize you for the poor ones.

No matter how you want to look at it, "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07" for the Playstation 3 is a quality game. If your not a big fan of golf games, this might be the PS3 game that changes your outlook on them. With a large selection of match options, personalized character creation, outstanding visuals, excellent audio, beautiful courses, great online play, excellent control scheme, and so much more, What more could a golfing fan want?

PS3 Review- "Call of Duty 3"

The Playstation 3 has been a long awaited console, but now that it is here, gamers have to figure out which games are good and which games are not-so good. Luckily, that can be easily done through the readings of a food review. Most gamers know that there is an abundance of World War II games available to play. Among those WWII games is the Call of Duty (CoD) series, and with each CoD game, the aspect of fighting in World War II gets even more intense. Well, now with "Call of Duty 3" (which has been released for both the next-consoles of XBOX 360 and Playstation 3), gamers can relive and participate in one of the most graphic and action-packed wars ever known.

Those familiar with "Call of Duty 2" (especially that of the XBOX 360 port) know that "Call of Duty 3" is going to be nothing short of spectacular. As for the story, fans can expect the same scenario, which is fighting & killing the Germans on all fronts. The set-up of the story will remain the same; you take the role of a few different soldiers and fight in a couple different campaigns (America, Britain, Canada, and Poland). The setting of "Call of Duty 3" is in 1944 and you will be trying to drive the German forces out of France, during the Normandy Breakout. Unlike "Call of Duty 2", "Call of Duty 3" has more developed characters and there seems to be more of a background story for each of the soldiers; which you will find more about while playing.

As for the the combat, everything you would expect in a World War II game is there. The enemy AI seems to be pretty advanced (usually anyway). Enemies will go under cover whenever they are being fired upon, as well as quickly alert all others to nearby grenades. Its true they did those things in "Call of Duty 2", but it seems they have a much quicker reaction time to changing environments; which will also depend on the difficulty setting. To stay alive, you will need to find cover quickly while moving from place to place. Your allies will move with you, so its easy to tell when you need cover because a few of them will drop dead due to incoming enemy fire. Unfortunately, this game has no lean function. Most gamers would agree that it would be nice to get up against a wall, lean out, and then quickly snipe an incoming enemy. However, the "duck & cover" method seems to work nicely, which allows players to simply crouch then pop up and fire.

Most gamers know that the "Call of Duty" series is not just your average run & gun first person shooter (FPS). It actually leans more to the tactical side of FPS; due to the fact that you must choose your shots, as well as think about what your going to do next. Obviously, you may choose to run around with a Thompson SMG shooting wildly at enemies, but you will find you will not survive very long with that tactic. Therefore, you have to examine the surroundings of the battle field and then decide what to do next.

The Playstation 3 Sixaxis controller also has a few uses while playing through the game. One of those uses is when an enemy soldier sneaks up and grabs you and you must struggle to break free of him, which is done by tilting the controller rapidly. The whole scene is very intense, but unfortunately it does not happen too often. Another great aspect of the controller is that of driving vehicles. You will hold the controller like a steering wheel and tilt it in order to turn left and right. It may not sound very thrilling, but once you have tried it, you'll see how fun it really is.

The graphics and sound of "Call of Duty 3" are, as anyone could have guessed, wonderful. The XBOX 360 port of the game seems to have a slightly better frame rate and less visual glitches than that of the PS3. But, the PS3 port still has superb quality details and exceptional level design, as you will no doubt notice while playing. Then again, it might be hard to stop and appreciate all the beautifully designed scenery when bullets are whizzing over your head. The cut-scenes are also a thing to "oowww" and "aawww" over, as they have been excellent designed and implemented into each and every campaign.

MULTIPLAYER
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Once you have finished up with the single player campaigns, which should take about 9-10 hours, you can move onto the real fun stuff; which is online play. As always, players may participate in the basic "Call of Duty" online matches, such as: team battle, battle, capture-the-flag, head-quarters, etc. There are also about 9 different multiplayer maps to choose from, ranging from large levels to smaller enclosed ones.

One big change is that of soldier classes. Instead of being an ordinary "grunt", players can choose to be a more specific type of soldier. For instance, you could choose to be a medic and revive fallen players on the spot, or you could be an anti-tank, whom specializes in taking out armored vehicles. There are 6 different classes in all, so there should be something for everyone. Another great aspect of online play is that of vehicles. Just like in campaign mode, there will be times when you can jump into a vehicle (with or without a gunner) and drive around. Obviously, different maps will have different vehicles to use, but expect to see tanks, jeeps, and motorcycles throughout online play.

The games online play is fun, exciting, and entertaining; so be sure to try it out as soon as possible!
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"Call of Duty 3" is definitely a must have title for Playstation 3 owners. If your not a fan of the "Call of Duty" series, this game may just change your mind. If you are a fan, then odds are you already own a copy or are on your way to go get one. Whatever the case may be, "Call of Duty 3" is a fantastic game that will give you plenty of fun & entertainment.

Playstation 3 Pre-Order Madness

Every couple of years, new gaming software hits the market. Usually it hits the market right before Christmas, which is a nightmare for parents; as almost every kid on the planet is in a "receiving" mood rather than a giving one. This means that many kids will see the game console and their eyes will light up like fireworks. Well, the same thing is going to happen again this year. On November 17th, 2006, the Playstation 3 is going to hit stores everywhere. That means electronic stores all throughout the US are going to turn into madhouses. Why is that? Well, its a little thing called supply and demand. It wouldn't be that big a deal if there was plenty of Playstation 3s to go around, but sadly that is not the case and there is going to be far fewer console systems than people. A low amount of gaming systems and a high amount of needy customers always yields the same result, and that result is not good.

After all, the same thing happened with the XBOX 360 last November, short supply and high demand. Even though that system cost $400, it didn't stop people from getting in line to buy one. Even if that line was 2 to 3 blocks long. Well, the Playstation 3 is priced at $600 and there is no doubt that the same scenario will ensue, if not a worse one.

If you feel that you need to get a PS3, then you undoubtedly want to get on a pre-order list as fast as possible. However, there is a problem with that task. The Playstation 3 release is only about a month away from release, and since the release of this colossal gaming system has been known by gamers for several months now, it may be too late.

It "may" be too late because it is only a few weeks away from the release of the Playstation 3, which means many store pre-order lists are already going to be filled to the brim. Thats not to say you won't get a PS3 on November 17th, but getting one without being on a pre-order list is one heck of an accomplishment, and to some a nearly impossible feat. Besides that, every day that you waste just "thinking" about getting on a pre-order list means you're that much farther away from actually obtaining a Playstation 3. The faster you act, the more chances you have.

So what can be done to get on a list? Plenty! Just because there are lots of people who want a Playstation 3, does not mean that every pre-order list is going to be full. In order to get a PS3 on the release date, you are going to have to ask around at quite a few different stores. Obviously, your going to ask the basic questions, such as "Are you selling Playstation 3s?", "Do you have a Pre-order list?", "How many people are on the list before me?", etc. But, many people fail to ask the other important questions, like: "How many PS3s shipments are you going to receive this month? What about next month?" and "When is your next Playstation 3 shipment?". Yeah, its true that not all stores will give out that specific information, but there is going be plenty of stores that will gladly give you any and all information you need.

If you do get on a pre-order list, don't stop there. The more lists you are on, the more chance you have of obtaining a PS3 on release day, or before Christmas (which is the goal of most). Although, they are called "pre-order" lists, that doesn't necessarily mean that the lists will vanish after the release day. Most of these lists will last until Christmas, and/or usually a month or two after. If people drop off the list, or do not have the money to buy the PS3 when their "time" is called, they move down and you move up. Enough drop-outs on a list and you might even get a PS3 sooner than you expected.

Theres no doubt about it, its going to be a hectic day for stores and shoppers on November 17th, 2006. But if you take precautions and do a bit of research, the joys of a Playstation 3 will undoubtedly be yours on its launch date. Then again, you could always just wait 3-4 months and get one when the PS3 craze dies down; but thats up to you and how devoted of a PS3 fan you actually are.