TIME SPLITTERS 2

Who doesn't love time travel!? Time Splitters 2 was one of the first games I played on Playstation 2 and was the primary reason for me buying one...this game is awesome! While the first game was a little simpler in its storyline this one follows the journey of Sergeant Cortez and Corporal Hart through time as they pursue the evil Time Splitters. Travel to the Wild West, Mobster Chicago, a post apocalyptic robot factory and many more exciting locales. Each time period is well structured and does feel genuine. The team at Free Radical and Eidos certainly nailed it on the head. Something that has always stuck with me from this game is the soundtrack...it's epic! One of the chief music writers from Rare back in the day helped with a lot of the score so those people familiar with with zany but still catchy beats of Goldeneye, Banjo Kazooie & Donkey Kong will definitely feel at home.

Where the game truly shines is in its multiplayer; fast paced action, tonnes of guns and game types, hundreds of characters to choose from each with their own statistics and much much more. I've spent days, even weeks of game time playing the multiplayer with mates. The good thing is even the AI is pretty clever so playing solo is still rewarding when you emerge victorious. The multiplayer also features challenges and a tournament where you battle your way though matches of varying gameplay in search of enticing unlockables...very addictive.

Lastly, have you ever wanted to design your own multiplayer map or even story mission, well Time Splitters has Map Maker! This concept has been around in video gaming for a while but I've always felt TS executed it very well. All 3 Time Splitters games have a map maker program, the third being the most refined of the lot, but this is still fun. A little imagination can go a long way! I think I have about 4 memory cards worth of maps from both the story and multiplayer setup. It's a great way to break up the repetition of the regular maps and bring something unique to the game. For me Time Splitters is always going to stand up as a classic arcade action game that defines FSP of its time!

Genre: FPS (First Person Shooter)
Platforms: PC, PS2 & Xbox
Score: 9.5 / 10

XBOX NEXT GENERATION ANNOUNCEM3NT

For all those Xbox fans out there it's official, the next Xbox will be unveiled on May 21st. Microsoft have finally announced this after several rumours have been floating regarding their lack of input into the next gen market. The release will take place in Redmond, Washington but it will also be streamed online and via Spike TV.

HOTLINE MIAMI

Now here's something a little bit different than a lot of the games that have been popping up on the PC market. Hotline Miami is set in the late 80's where you are a psychopathic murderer who takes on missions from his answering machine. Simple right? The story itself is paced well and leaves you wanting to find out more and more. It sets itself apart from other games in a variety of ways such as its fast paced quick reflex actions, over head sleek gameplay and psychedelic soundtrack. One of my mates recently bought this over for me to play and said if you like 'Super Meat Boy' and its fast paced gameplay then you'll love this, I can assure you he was right.

There's not a great deal I can say about a game like this; it is short, simple and not very pricey but damn is it fun. One thing you'll need to get used to is dying...a lot...but you'll be back in the action before you know swinging your baseball bat at the unsuspecting melons of your foes. What grabs me the most is probably the soundtrack; it's a mash of old school 80's dance and funky rhythms and always gets me wanting to play more.

Those looking for something to break up the slue of 1st person shooters, RPG's and platformers I strongly advise to have a crack at this. You can download this bad boy off Steam for those Steam users out there as well as off the net itself I think but I'm not too sure on reliability. So get out there and release some frustration on some pixilated baddies!

Here's a link for one of its trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o9SUPgyZRY

Genre: Overhead Action
Platforms: PC, Mac
Score: 9.2 / 10

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION

Deus Ex; derived from the Latin expression 'Deus Ex Machina' literally meaning 'God from the machine' is based in the near future where cybernetic augmentations are allowing humans to become super-enhanced beings. Now this may sound cliche but the way the story is conveyed through the eyes of one Adam Jensen is very enthralling. The story delves deep into the debate of human modification and whether its the path to a brighter future or a slippery slope descending into what could be near un-human people. Would you substitute parts of your body for augmentations or do you feel the human body should be left alone?

The gameplay itself is also stellar with the player smoothly switching between 1st person and 3rd person perspectives to allow to allow for stealth and cover based shooting throughout the world. Deus Ex is heavily stealth based; you do not want to run head on into a room gun blazing, especially on harder difficulties, a couple of shots and you're down. Where the game shines is in its choice system; for instance a certain room filled with hostages can be reached via a variety of ways whether it be head on, air ducts underneath, through the roof or the windows even. In doing this the game allows for multiple replays and every time you discover something new. The musical score is brilliant, reflecting that of a grim dystopian future often giving off an almost Blade Runner feel. The game builds atmosphere very well and sucks you quite easily.

Human Revolution is not the first Deus Ex to brace our shelves, in fact this is the third instalment in the series. The first Deus Ex came out roughly 12 years ago and while dated is a masterpiece and considered one of the greatest PC games of its time. Human Revolution is a prequel as such and sets the tone other 2 Deus Ex's to follow. Those looking for a great action/stealth game with lots of replay value and rewarding exploration look no further. A DLC expansion has also been released which takes place during the main campaign; for the level of background it gives and extremely fun gameplay it's definitely worth picking up too. I strongly recommend you check this game out!

Genre: Action / Stealth
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, 360 & WiiU
Score: 9.5 / 10

BETHESDA ANNOUNCEM3NT

Bethesda, a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media who's bought you such greats as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series is teaming up with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami to bring you "The Evil Within". Now little is known about the new franchise that is expected to be launched in 2014 except that it will be a survival horror/action experience brought to you on all platforms including the next generation consoles. Hopefully with the caliber these producers bring to the table means it'll be one hell of a ride...we can only hope!

Check out the link for the trailer here:

http://au.ign.com/videos/2013/04/19/the-evil-within-debut-trailer-1080p

SILENT HILL 2

When first sitting down to play this game I had my expectations set to high due to the slue of game reviewers who had given it 10's across the board and I must say it deserves the praise it gets. From the moment I stepped into the eerie town of Silent Hill I know this was going to be one hectic journey. Enter James Sunderland the main protagonist whom after receiving a mysterious letter from his late wife is called to the fog ridden streets of Silent Hill where he must uncover the truth all the while being pursued by nightmares and the infamous Pyramid Head. 

Gameplay wise it takes the early Resident Evil-esque style of fly on the wall fixed cameras which while it can be awkward it does create tension for those situations where you can here things creeping in the shadows but just can't quite spot them. But the heart of where all this horror stems from is its atmosphere. It's that special kind of feeling that tells you that you are truly alone in this bleak quest. The music score while scarce comes in when its needed and leaves just at the right time. Scratching sounds in the walls, distant moans and wails from shadowy corridors; it all melds together to keep you on edge while searching for answers. The first time through I was genuinely freaked out in some cases but I pushed through the fear and the end result was worth it. 

This game defines the survival horror genre, at times you feel utterly helpless with your flashlight and single 2by4 as your only means of protection. No matter how old this game may become there will always be a place for it in my heart as one of the greatest games ever. A chilling atmosphere coupled with carefully positioned cameras and a great over arcing storyline makes this game one not to miss. 

Genre: Survival Horror
Platforms: PC, PS2 & PS3 HD release
Score: 9.8 / 10

ATTENTION GAME3RS

Here's something I have wanted to do for ages... my very own gamer blog dedicated to you the gamers! Video games have been around since as far back as the 40's, of course then it was simple mere computer programs, but now just the vast amount of information we can cram into video game is mind blowing. I feel that's it's only fair that I spread the joy that is gaming but letting you the viewers know what's out there. I'd like to talk about some old favourites, some newbies and just top gaming news to keep you guys in the loop. Tune in here to keep up with the latest gaming goss whether it be PC or console related. I will endeavour to be open to new ideas about the blog and if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. So in the meantime keep gaming!!!

Regards Dugald G. Macdougall