The rumors are flying fast and thick about the newest update for the Windows Phone 7. According to one source, the update will be “massive.” Other quotes included in the rumor are that “MS took 3 months to do what Apple did in 3 years” and “Lets just say the could have called it Windows Phone 8 (with this update).” So what are these amazing updates? Lets start with these:
Bing turn-by-turn directions, improvements
Custom ringer support
Copy/Paste
Multi-tasking (of some form)
Sounds pretty cool Microsoft. Sounds pretty cool.
Anybody bought one of these yet? How you liking it?
Verizon is also getting very close to a deal with Microsoft to support the Windows Phone 7. As soon as they do, I know I hope to get one.
Everyone was just given a chance to join the Xbox Live Rewards program but Sony is also working on their own version of rewarding committed users with something they call the PlayStation Rewards Program. The program itself is still in beta format so changes are expected but they have now unveiled a new feature that is so far exclusive to the PlayStation Rewards program and that is something they are calling Quests.
These quests will be released tomorrow for beta participants and will give members a chance to perform certain activities to complete quests. When they finish quests they will be rewarded with Select, Pro, and Legendary membership status. Nine quests will be added to begin with and more are going to be coming throughout the next year. No real information as to what rewards will be given out for different levels of membership or quests completed so we will have to wait and see tomorrow.
Game: Nail’d Price: $49.99 Genre: Extreme ATV/Motocross Racing Consoles: PS3 (Reviewed), PC and Xbox 360 Publisher/Developer: Southpeak Interactive/Techland Release Date: November 30, 2010 -USA/February 4, 2011-Europe
Gameplay
nail’d is an intense, jet fueled ride of ATV madness that has an identity crisis. It can’t decide weather to be a flight simulator or an ATV racer. As far as identity problems go, this is not a crisis, but rather, it is a magnificent, adrenaline filled journey with mind bending curves, 90 degree inclines, and jumps that reach the edges of the sky. Not to mention the fact that this recipe for incredibleness is complemented with some great controls, graphics and music. Although this not a Gran Turismo for sure, it nails the arcade formula and you will have to suspend any feelings of disbelief in order to enjoy the game. That really should not be a problem though, as the terrain races by so fast that you will be having too much fun trying to keep up. It is really a shame, then, that there are some serious faults in the design of the game.
First off, there is just a simple lack of depth. There may be a few challenges that require doing “tricks” or meeting other milestones. However, most of the time, these modes lack any real flavor. These “tricks” are also hardly able to be classified as tricks. The most hardcore your gonna get is popping a wheelie or hitting a landing perfectly. The biggest rewards you will get for doing something cool is either an extra segment of boost or pop-up graphic saying you got a fan. Of course, racing around the track and trying to beat the very competitive artificial intelligence is satisfying, but it just does not seem like enough content.
One other feature missing is the lack of any feedback based on road type. Mud feels the same as snow and snow feels like sand. Usually, mud will have you slide and sand will bog the car down. But in nail’d there did not seem to be a difference. Granted, many arcade racing titles don’t have this feature, but nail’d incorporated a control that allows you press down on the analog stick when you go over different types of terrain. That is kinda pointless if it never really matters what kind of road type there is.
But there is one area where the game’s original idea really comes into play. Since you get to fly so high into the air, the developer apparently decided physics had no place in the game at all. So not only are you able to steer and glide your transportation, you can take on some of the most insane shortcuts ever. For example, helicopters carrying open-ended bridges. Or maybe jumping on a train, driving on top of it and then managing to leap off is more your style. That sense of open world racing is a really neat gameplay idea. Once you start nailing the track, it is really fun getting the groove, and just being able to sit back with your finger on the boost and taking crazy high jumps a sublime experience.
However, the collision detection is unreliable. Once, I missed a jump but I was able to rebound off a train, hit the boost gate and clear the jump into first place. Mostly, though, I was subjected to grazing a hot air balloon and then exploding into a gazillion pieces. Unfortunately, many times the game would decide I had gone out of bounds and respawn me. This is most aggravating, as many times the game would have track markers or other signs that would indicate a shortcut. Reading that type of hint and acting on it is one of the most exhilarating parts of video games. But being deceptively thrown off course and dying for no reason is the worst thing in this game. Especially when it takes quite awhile to actually get back to the race.
Speaking of glitches, there are many besides the collision detection problem. But they are mainly relegated to the annoying but not quite game breaking kind. To illustrate, I barely hit the front of an ATV against a platform. Instead of respawning, my bike disappeared and I was left with my character crouched over like they were still riding. A surreal and humorous experience, it was lengthened by the fact that I could still drive without my ride.
Graphics and Audio
Techland has been at the forefront of the graphics race for awhile now and this game proves that they know their stuff. Snowy environments, lush forests and construction yards are just some of the awe inspiring tracks you will zip around in. And these beautiful set pieces open up into some really cool aeronautical views.
Licensed rock is the order of the day for nail’d and you will be treated to Slipknot and Rise Against, as well as a variety of other musicians. Sure, it may not be the newest rock on the block, but it is still enjoyable. Other than the music though, there really isn’t that much to say about the sound effects and audio in the game. No characters speak, except for the crows on the power lines, and the engine sounds are generic. But the terrific gameplay will soften the impact of the disappointment of that.
Overview
Like many games, nail’d has some serious flaws. No real depth, annoying glitches and broken collision detection are a few. But you should really give it a try for yourself, as you will absolutely love getting nail’d in this game. (Yes, that had to be done.)
nail’d is a great game that will you going off such humongous, gigantic, ridiculous jumps, you will can bounce off hot air balloons and glide around corners. It may sound insane, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Topping it all off is the online system that has support for 12. nail’d still has a lot of room to grow, and I would love to see what they could do in future titles.
We are now just under a month away from Hudson’s Lost in Shadow being released on the Nintendo WiiWare service, and it is showing with the final video interview being released for the game. I think half the fun of waiting for the game has been watching these interviews from the development team, which of course capture the game’s unique art style and charm with the team using shadow-like figures to represent themselves.
In this interview, some of the secrets that Lost in Shadow holds are revealed. The team explains how the player really needs to be aware of their environments and visually as well as physically explore each area through different aspects for each landscape. This game may have a large gimmick, but everything about Lost in Shadow looks original and clever which is why I think this game could go down as one of the true gems on the WiiWare. On January 4th we will finally be able to dive into the shadows once and for all, but until then check out this final devoper diary below.
Dragon’s Lair fans can now have a reason to log into the DSiShop this week as Space Ace, the follow-up to the popular fully animated arcade title has now touched down as a DSiWare title on the DSiShop. There have been of course MANY versions of Space Ace over the years in compilations all the way up to the Nintendo Wii and crossing the PC & other consoles since the original 1984 launch of the title, but either way this DSi offering looks to stay true to keeping all of the magic from the original title while utilizing the touch screen for control to create a fresh experience.
If you have no clue what Space Ace is all about, here is a brief rundown of what to expect from the story:
In Space Ace you play the heroic Ace who must stop the evil Commander Borf from taking over the Earth! Borf plans to reduce all of humankind to infants and take over the planet. Only two people have the courage and strength to stop Borf and save Earth: the beautiful Kimberly and the heroic Ace. But as they approach Borf’s stronghold, Ace is hit by the Infanto Ray, changing him into a child, and Kimberly is kidnapped by the evil madman! The fate of Earth is in your hands!
DSi owners can get their hands on Space Ace as of today for 800 Nintendo points and hopefully in the future we can see even more Dragon’s Lair titles come the handheld. You can check a handful of screenshots below and while your at it, go download Space Ace and show this classic some much needed love.
I don’t think any character has re-invented themselves more than Lara Croft. It seems like we see a new version of the heroine every few years, but honestly, I don’t mind this too much as the Tomb Raider series has always been enjoyable for me for the most part through the years and I feel that Croft’s last console outing in Underworld was a great game all around so any news of a new Tomb Raider is spectacular news.
The game is looking like a pure prequel all the way through and carries the title of a simply put “Tomb Raider”. Crystal Dynamics, who are of course working on the game along with Square Enix, released this bit of information on the story that will follow:
‘After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on,
a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach.
On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive.’
“Forget everything you know about TOMB RAIDER, we are exploring things that have never been done before in this game,” said Darrell Gallagher, Head of Studio, Crystal Dynamics. “This is an origins story that creates Lara Croft and takes her on a character defining journey like no other.”
Other than that little bit of information and the leaked GI cover you can see above, there isn’t much known on “Tomb Raider” at the moment but I expect more information and a date to rise soon. You can check out the new official site at www.TombRaider.com for even more information.
Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition Platform: Wii Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Platformer/Collectors’ Edition Released: 3 December Price: (US)$30, £23, $39.99 AU
It’s Mario’s 25th Anniversary, which means one thing: memorabilia. However, we’re not talking about tacky tea towels, nor mugs with Mario’s face on it. Although this sort of memorabilia to celebrate this milestone occasion has been released, in the form of slightly more appealing sticker pads and the like, the tribute Mario deserves is finally here. Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition has arrived, boasting 4 NES games, complete with redone SNES-style graphics and sound, all packaged under one heading. However, that isn’t all you get in the package. It wouldn’t be a true tribute to the videogame plumber on his 25th anniversary without a Mario soundtrack CD and a history booklet to detail his legendary adventures.
The package is made up of two parts, both of which are grouped in a small red cardboard box ‘shell’ indicating this isn’t your normal shop release, but, in fact, a special collectors’ edition-style game. The first of which is the Super Mario All-Stars disc, the actual ‘videogame’ part of the bundle, which for those of you who don’t know, was originally released on SNES and comprises the Mario NES titles with reworked sound, graphics and in-game features to utilise the improved capabilities of the SNES. These were; Super Mario Bros.; the expansion pack known as ‘Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels’; Super Mario Bros. 2; and finally Super Mario Bros. 3. At the time on the SNES, this was the first time Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels was made available to a Western audience. Before then, it had been exclusive to Japan so as you can imagine, it was a fairly big deal when it was released because all these secret levels previously only available in Japan could now be played by buyers of Super Mario All-Stars. Since then, The Lost Levels has been made available on the Virtual Console, so combined with the fact that it was already made available to SNES owners many years earlier, the excitement around The Lost Levels being released in this particular instance has faded considerably.
Essentially, the disc-part and, arguably, the main part of Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition is just a SNES game. Fortunately, it is one of the best SNES games available which offered absolutely excellent value for money, much like this re-released package now. The improved features that come as a result of the jump from 8-bit to 16-bit include completely redone graphics and sound to match the visual style of Super Mario World. While some may not appreciate the departure from the presentation of the originals, it doesn’t do a great deal of harm, and in some cases, people may prefer the step up into a more detailed game-world. Another change which may be seen as slightly more harmful, is the reworking of the NES classics’ game physics to be just like that of Super Mario World on the SNES. Fans of the original may see this as completely destroying the appeal of the classics, but they remain great games, with or without edited in-game physics, and it won’t be a huge deal for most. The gameplay is still good old-fashioned, 2-D side-scrolling fun, despite the changes.
Other new features included for the better in Super Mario All-Stars are the menu features. All the games now have save systems put in place, a great development. Instead of having to complete each game in one sitting, it now records the world you get up to (providing you select ‘Save and Quit’ before exiting). This a great feature which lends it nicely to players of the current day, whom have grown used to the ability to save their progress. Upon starting up the disc, you are then greeted by a menu to scroll through and select one of the four titles. Four different save slots pop up for each game preventing arguments breaking out over who gets to make the only save data.
The second part of Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition is the memorabilia section of the package: the Mario soundtrack CD and History of Mario booklet. Both of which are novelty additions but it wouldn’t be an anniversary edition without them as they commemorate the occasion quite fittingly. The soundtrack CD offers a compilation of game music from the series, with a selection of instantly recognisable sound effects to boot. Although it is hardly something you would listen to on a regular basis, unless of course your taste in music is in-game music and sound effects, it is worth a run through at least once to reminisce whilst listening to the iconic tunes. The history booklet is the more interesting of the two extras, giving you access to unseen art work and planning documents of Super Mario, as well as some input from the famous faces behind Nintendo. It doesn’t really go in-depth as much as I would have wanted, preferring to generalise and look at things from a glance, but still, it is interesting enough seeing previously unreleased original drawings and notes.
In actual fact, Super Mario All-Stars – 25th Anniversary Edition is little more than a SNES title of the same name, thrown together on disc with a couple of anniversary celebrations bundled in. However, the SNES title in question happens to be one of the best titles available on SNES, offering great value for money at the time with four-games-in-one. And the extras aren’t just some old tat, either. They are intricately put together, and although it is unlikely you will come back to them very frequently, the are well made and worth a look, even if it is only just the one look each. Combine all this with the fact that this anniversary package is going for around half the price of a normal retail release, especially considering the fact that buying all the originals via the Virtual Console would cost you more, and you’ve got a near essential purchase.
Pros
Brilliant value for money
Old-school platforming goodness
Vastly improved save features
Interesting CD and history booklet
Cons
Reworkings of original versions may not be to everyones tastes
Platform(s) Xbox 360 (reviewed), PlayStation 3, PC
Release date(s) October 19, 2010
Genre(s) Third Person Action, Survival Horror
Mode(s) Single-player
Rating(s) ESRB: M, BBFC: 18
Difficulty: Medium Rare
I won’t lie, the Saw franchise never really appealed to me after its initial release. I was impressed with the first film much like everyone else and really enjoyed the unique take on the genre. Since then the films have released almost as quick as TV episodes and started looking like your standard teen horror movie, so I bailed and never really looked back. Given my lack of interest in the franchise, obviously I wasn’t looking very forward to game; I didn’t even know there was one! I just assumed it was a typical horror game, walking through corridors, succumbing to predictable scare tactics. But I was glad to see I was wrong to a certain degree.
While the game can be predictable (like the new films), the environments are varied enough to keep it interesting, and if you’re a fan of puzzles or the franchise you’ll be able to look past the games flaws.
Story
The story mainly revolves around Michael Tapp, the son of David Tapp (the protagonist of the first film). In a bid to find out what happened to his father, Michael is forced to confront the Jigsaw Killer, which ends up putting him in Jigsaw’s death game. As expected from a licensed title, there’s nothing really new here. The story is rather similar to the plot from the films, the Jigsaw Killer captures somebody and forces them to make a choice about life or death – rinse and repeat.
That’s not to say it isn’t entertaining though. Tobin Bell provides both his voice and likeness to keep the fans of the film happy. Speaking of the films, the ‘Case Files’ within the game should also keep fans happy as they add a sprinkling of throw-backs to sub-plots throughout the game. They serve their purpose well in providing back-story to those unfamiliar with the films and successfully link the game to its movie counter-part. But the key point of the story is to rescue everyone who’s being held captive by the Jigsaw Killer. You work your way through a series of puzzles, which eventually leads to the man himself in search of the answer our character is seeking. The clichéd question of, what happened to your father? This theme pretty much sums up the quality of the narrative.
Graphics and Sound
Saw II: Flesh and Blood has the face of the Unreal 3 Engine; thanks to this the game doesn’t look too bad. But it’s nothing outstanding and the animations are poorly executed and as result makes for some unconvincing torture. You can’t help but feel disappointed in how the engine is used given the realistic violence Saw is known for. Lighting is also another issue, which obviously becomes key in the horror genre. The majority of the game is spent indoors and the lighting does a poor job of setting the scene and lacks a creepy atmosphere, it seems rushed and doesn’t compare to the likes of other survival horror games. Early in the game you’ll obtain a torch and even with this, it’s hard to find any impressive situations. The torch also does a poor job of illuminating to a realistic distance in the darker areas. You actually spend most of the game in the dark, so obviously it can become frustrating when your torch isn’t all that great at doing its job. In addition, you’ll find muddy textures, performance issues and a general lack of artistic flare. It’s a shame because the potential is present, but poor execution brings it down to average quality.
The sound department fairs a little better and does a decent job in creating terror. Tension rises where it’s supposed to and dies down when you’re safe, but it’s rather bland in all honestly and the only highlight is the sound effects taken from the films. Saw II: Flesh and Blood manages to keep the balance right; however it never really does anything great or original. It would of benefited from exerting greater tension in high risk situations, which would of added more meaning to impending your death, but it falls flat and other survival horror games make it look cheap. But it’s not like I expected anything that great, so I wasn’t overly disappointed, just mildly amused and Billy the Puppet’s laugh was probably the biggest highlight offered.
Gameplay
You’ve probably gathered by now the main point of Saw II: Flesh and Blood is to solve puzzles. You literally spend alot of time walking around and slowly running, it can be rather boring. But there are plenty of puzzles! If that’s your thing ofcourse, each of them varies in difficulty, ranging from the simplistic “Which box should I open” (usually with answers on the walls) to puzzles reminiscent of other games, some can be frustrating and some are rewarding. Most of the game is just the right difficulty, hard enough to be entertaining and easy enough to prevent you from face palming. Then there’s the ‘Lights Out’ game, which keeps popping up. It can become repetitive in nature and Saw II at times feels like a cheap run through a fail ghost house or train. Unless you’re really keen on puzzles and not much else other than brainless button bashing, you may beg to differ. The parts between puzzles are definitely where Saw falls apart, and they pop up regularly enough that the constant traveling becomes annoying, especially when you move like a turtle and the dull atmosphere fails to amuse.
In saying that, the quick time events (QTE) aren’t that bad, if they weren’t so meaningless in their execution. All the QTEs that occur throughout the game follow the same method as most other games, just minus you caring like you would in something like Heavy Rain. The button pops up on screen and you press it as fast as you can, simple. It’s a slight shame as Saw is well-known for these sorts of scenarios in film, but they aren’t pulled off well enough here to impact the user. For instance, you can tell how much health you’ve got left by how bloodied your body is or by how blurry the screen is, why give that away while your character dances with death? The overall experience would have been much more immersive if all the QTEs, amongst the other elements like something as simple as movement were compelling enough to compliment the otherwise fun puzzles.
Overview
If you happen to have tunnel vision and only wish to solve some decent puzzles, Saw II: Flesh and Blood will be satisfying to your simple needs. Perhaps you’re a fan of the franchise and wish to find out a little more about the story? You’re covered there as well. For the rest of us, the tagline “I’d like to play a game”, is the exact opposite to what we should be doing with this budgeted and slightly rushed game. It really isn’t that scary at all and unfortunately doesn’t do the franchise justice. Game over!
Hey all you PS3 Black Ops players out there, just wanted to update you all on the list updates that will be fixed with the newest patch. There’s quite a few
IN PROGRESS
Patch 1.04 is nearing the end of Phase 2 testing. Going into Phase 3 submissions on 12/6.
Issues Addressed:
Resolved several issues with parties getting disbanded unexpectedly.
Additional measures to prevent the “Transmission error” and other disconnects. This was most likely to occur with large parties where party members had mixed NAT types.
Updated handling for UPnP-enabled routers to improve matchmaking conditions where users had strict or moderate NAT types. Also added in-game communications so that all players are aware of their NAT type in the Player Match party lobby.
Addressed an issue with VOIP icons not appearing when USB headsets were plugged in prior to game launch.
Prevention of exploit that allowed players to keep custom classes and killstreaks after prestige.
Addressed an issue where Flak Jacket Pro would not always protect against ground fires left by Napalm Strikes.
Prevention of users losing their killstreak reward when switching classes at the start of a new round in round-based game modes.
Addressed an issue where the incorrect perks would appear when spectating another player under certain circumstances.
Added round start explosive delay to China Lake grenade launcher to give it the same round start limitations as other explosives.
Contracts will now reset when the player Prestiges.
Prevention of Valkyrie rocket exploding upon release under rare conditions.
Prevention of Gunship failing to give player full control under rare conditions.
Prevention of an issue where a player will get teleported outside the map boundaries under very specific circumstances.
Additional security measures to enhance detection and banning capabilities.Gameplay Tuning:
Limit the ability to re-roll supply drops using Hardline Pro to Care Packages only, no other killstreak drops.
Added a negative influencer to all spawn points to decrease the chances of spawning near an enemy. This will further improve spawning protection on top of previous updates.
Additional sound mix tuning for Ninja Pro users – increased ranges and volume of enemy footsteps, and removed player footstep sounds on concrete material types.
Increased headshot multipliers for sniper rifles. Sniper rifles with suppressors equipped will now always be ensured one-shot kill headshots.
Subtle increase in sniper rifle accuracy when scoping in.
Added a render delay to the red diamond player indicators that appear when controlling the Gunship, Valkyrie Rocket and Chopper Gunner. When a player first spawns, this will not appear for a period of time.
Game:LEGO Universe Publisher/Developer: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment/ NetDevil Price:$49.99 ($10/month or $90/ year subscription required- first month free) Genre:MMO/Family Consoles:Windows PC (Reviewed), Mac – System Requirements are linked here.
Story
Four LEGO Minifigure friends are on an adventure to find true Imagination, the stuff LEGO builders use to create their amazing creations. After finally finding it, however, one of them turns traitor. He tries to turn imagination into chaos and is swallowed up by Imagination. This turns the world dark and it is only by fighting back that the Minifigures can once again claim their destiny. Therefore, you are called upon as a Minifigure of the masses to help turn the tide of battle.
Combining elements of Transformers and Star Wars, the story in Lego Universe may sound very over the top and something that only 8 year-olds would like. And maybe that is true. After all,who else would imagine that imagination was a powerful rod of blue crackling lighting that could release LEGO spiders and puppies? But this is a game marketed at that age group, so make sure to find your inner kid before you play it. We all know it is in there. If you are positively sure that it has been squelched, the most amazing title trailer will surely help you along. Seriously, the slow motion antics of LEGO figures quick building a racing car are insane. Even if you are not interested in the game, you should really check out the trailer. It is epic.
One neat part about the story is that you can choose a faction. Each faction has decided on a different way to defeat the Maelstrom. The Assembly relies on building. The Sentinels chose battle. The Venture League explores. A fourth faction, the Paradox, researches the Maelstrom. Choose carefully and receive different options based on your choice.
All in all, the story may not be the most emotional ride out there, but for a family/kids game, this is perfectly fine.
Gameplay
If you have played previous LEGO Games like LEGO Indiana Jones or LEGO Star Wars, you will be right at home in this universe. Of course, this game offer much much more customization options, unlockables, quests and places to explore.
As stated, LEGO Universe is very similar to past games in the franchise. You will quick build some stuff, solve puzzles and kill bad dudes the only way that a Minifigure can: WITH LEGO WEAPONS! That brings up the most important feature in the game. That feature is customization.
Like any good role playing game or MMO, LEGO Universe starts the player out with a very limited wardrobe and weapon set. In fact, you only start with your fists as weapons. But, the deeper the game gets, the options are only limited to your imagination (and to what NetDevil or LEGO have produced.) These options are tremendous though. Mix and match between Knight, Pirate or modern day costumes, plus many more. There may even be licensed stuff coming, as the LEGO Universe is always expanding. If the options for clothing your Minifigure are not enough though, then get ready to claim your own property without even a mortgage! Once you clear off some unimaginative Maelstrom Minfigs (the evil minions) from your land, you can start building your own creations using bricks you have found or bought. If you always wanted unlimited Lego blocks, this is your game. That is worth the cost of admission itself.
Speaking of which, this game will set your wallet back $30.00 from many online retailers, a savings of $20 – $30 off most games. I have heard many complain that the game is short for an MMO, but the developer is adding new areas, and more options all the time. It is disheartening to realize that to play the game online, you have to have pay around $10 a month in subscription fees. And if you cancel, you apparently lose all your previous building projects. That is a little bit of steep price to pay in my opinion, but it is till a very fun game to play and it is worth the money. The only other niggling problem I have with the game is the platforming. It seemed as though I was constantly falling and having to go through the same motions to get where I was before. This was never frustrating enough to make me quit, but it was tedious.
I would like to say that LEGO Universe adds a nice gameplay element in the area of quick building. In this game, you must collect Imagination spheres in order to be able to quick build. Occasionally, this as aggravating as I wanted to merely get on with the puzzle. Overall though, this adds some stabilization, foundation, strategy and difficulty, which is a much needed addition. In earlier LEGO games, I always felt like something was missing whenever I could just so easily build something.
Graphics and Audio
Graphics in the game could use some work, but they also allowed my pile of junk PC to run the game. A fair trade off for me, I would say. Not to mention the fact that you will be too busy solving creative puzzles, completing fun quests, laughing at zany humor and disassembling LEGO people to even notice the graphics. The game also has some majestic coloring & design schemes, so watch out for those.
The soundtrack in the game is not half bad. Sure, I may have switched to some of my own music after listening to it for awhile, but you won’t be turned off by it and I never really got bored with it. I did notice some audio sync issues, but nothing to distract from the overall quality of the game. LEGO Universe holds to the standards set regarding voice acting, which means that we still have no idea what an actual Minifig sounds like. But they do have speech bubbles. In addition they have their standard mumbling language. But that quickly got on my nerves, as the sounds they make are much more high pitched and whiny than in other games of the franchise. Luckily, they don’t make sounds too much.
Overview
LEGO Universe has a silly story that is full of wacky characters and short on real plot. It may be a tad expensive as well. But the amazing and classic gameplay is great. The LEGO license is well used and perfectly fitted to an MMO space.
In conclusion, you know that ultimate LEGO set you always wanted as a kid? It had every special piece and all the right blocks. You knew you would never get it and you would continue playing with the hand me down ones that had the chewed up pieces. Imagine getting that set, reaching in, & finding that perfect piece on the first try and then completing your awesome rocket. LEGO Universe will give you the same experience and more.
I give LEGO Universe:
Personal Note: After the review, I looked up NetDevil Studios and found out they were based in my home state of Colorado. So, here is a shout out to them!
