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Blur – Xbox 360 Review

Dylan Radcliffe
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Game Name: Blur
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher(s): Activision
Developer(s): Bizarre Creations
Genre(s): Racing
Release Date: 5/25/2010
ESRB Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) Lyrics Mild Language
Price: $59.99 (USD)
Demo: Download the Multiplayer Demo Here
 Buy The Game From Fishpond Here

Singleplayer / story
“Blur is the ultimate racing experience, dropping you into heart-pumping, electrified in-the-pack action with 20 cars targeting the finish line and battling each other as they trade paint. Intense power-ups, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, as well as defensive shields, nitro speed boosts, and landmines create realistic damage and destruction. “[Via Xbox.com]

In all honesty, there is no story. It feels like the creators made an awesome multiplayer experience and slapped on a singleplayer that copies the multiplayer experience but with really crappy AI. So this little part will discuss the singleplayer and the next part will discuss the multiplayer.

The singleplayer mode takes everything that is awesome about the multiplayer and copies it. The only problem with copying a multiplayer experience onto a singleplayer experience is that it translates horribly onto AI. The AI doesn’t think at all when it comes to power ups. They will either use it, or store it. There are no strategies for them. This is why I will focus entirely on multiplayer during the gameplay portion of this review, because if you are going to buy this game buy it for the multiplayer experience.

Singleplayer, on the other hand, consists of a bunch of tasks that you must get lights from. Complete in first, second, or third place for 5, 4, or 3 lights respectively. There are 2 more lights for completing the fan run in each level, and hitting a specified fan target. The only thing that ruins the singleplayer is the predictable AI. The AI isn’t as random as your average online player and this completely ruined the hectic feeling I found in multiplayer.

Mutliplayer / gameplay
Blur is all about strategy. Use powerups to attack, and save powerups to defend; all this while driving at 180+ Miles per hour. The game can also be played randomly and brutally, but you will find yourself constantly being shunted or barged.

There are a number of powerups. All of them do a specific task, but none of them a restricted to only attacking or defending. Depending on how you use the powerup and a little bit of imagination determines how far you get in a game. A shunt which can be used as a homing ball of fire to hit the opponent in front of you can also be used to counter another shunt locking onto you. Shield, which seems pretty self explanatory, can also be used to nullify the damage and slow down that occurs when you hit walls. Shield is the best tool when taking sharp turns, so you can glide on the wall rather than slowing down.

As you progress through the game you will unlock cars, mods, and game modes. There are a few problems with this unlock system; however, the problems cause the unlock system to be almost pointless. First off, multiplayer and singleplayer are governed by two different ranking systems, which means you have to unlock everything in singleplayer as well as multiplayer. You can also unlock many cars, but once you find your favorite car there won’t be much switching. Most people have one or two cars per class and that is it. There are tons of cars but only a few are actually use. It is a real shame, but it is true. Finally you can unlock more game modes as you rank up. Problem with this is as you progress higher less people are at that rank so less people play those game modes. The original 3 game modes are the most populated, and they are where most people spend all the game playing in.

Splitscreen multiplayer is awesome in this game. The developers were extremely thoughtful when they set up the options. Since you go to friends houses and bring the game with you, you don’t want to have to unlock everything at their place or bring a memory card to transfer your account and unlocks over. The developers have pretty much given you everything in splitscreen so you can cater the game the way you want it. They give you every single car, every single track and tons of options to optimize the way you play with your friends. Blur is a lot of fun with a group of friends. You’ll always remember those moments when that one girl screams in your ear as she gets shunted from behind or your friend breaks your controller in excitement as he finally beats you in a race. (Those two moments actually occurred with me) The ability to control what powerups are present is also a lot of fun, if you buy this game you should try a match with only lightning attacks.

The beauty of Blur comes out when you realize that you just made it out of a huge cluster of cars unscathed. As you swerve around a corner and then just barely avoid a mine lying right in front of you. As you swivel between 3 lightning attacks that everyone behind you just used. These hectic and crazy moments are what make Blur so much fun. Even when you have the lead, one false move or accident can cause you to lose it. Even to the last second of the race anyone can use an attack to cause you to fall behind. I’ve been victim way to many times to hitting a lightning right before crossing the finish line in first and falling back to third place.


Graphics and Technical Issues
I’ve been reading around, and people are actually complaining about the graphics in this game. Are you crazy? Seriously?! Sure, the graphics aren’t on par with some of the more “Realistic” racing games (Quotes on Realistic, because you are still playing a video game). There is a reason for these reduced graphics. The system can’t handle it. The console or computer you play on only has the specs to handle so much. Bizzare Creations reduced the overall graphics in order to support more powerups and explosions happening on screen at one time. While you may take it for granted that 15 of your opponents just blew up at the same time, there is actually a limit to how much is happening on screen at once. My friends and I put together a little experiment. We managed to set the experiment up to unleash 20 lightning at one time and a whole bunch of shunts. Once the graphical limit was hit, the shunts would fizzle out and do absolutely no damage to the other players and the lightning strikes would stop occurring.

Keep in mind that the situation above is literally impossible to manipulate in an actual game, and was only possible to acquire with only the shunt and lightning powerups turned on and having them set to permanently be up everywhere on the map. With the game set up like that, my friends and I were able to sit on the powerups and spam the button to release them. It’s nice to know that Bizzare actually foresaw a situation this hectic happen in a real game. The ability for so much to go on at one time is what makes the multiplayer Blur experience so much fun.

Achievements
Blur has a fun achievement set up that shows the requirements to unlock every achievement in game. The set up is called stickers, and each sticker has certain requirements to hit before the achievement is unlocked. This system is very cool, and enables there to be multiple tasks per achievement. The achievements are not difficult and just take time and some luck at times. The hardest is probably getting all the lights on the hard difficulty in singleplayer. Overall the achievements are pretty easy and just take time to achieve.

Click Here For The Achievement List

There are also 5 Avatar awards in Blur

  • Wreck Tee – How to obtain: Wreck your first opponent
  • Sticker Tee – How to obtain: Complete the Sticker Book
  • Legend Tee – How to obtain: Unlock the first Legend Rank in Multiplayer
  • Friend Rechallenge Tee – How to obtain: Beat a Friends Rechallenge
  • Showdown Tee – How to obtain: Beat all Showdowns

 

Overview
Blur truly is Mario Kart for big boys. It takes all the fun of Mario Kart and makes it faster and more hectic. While the multiplayer is a lot of fun, the singleplayer seems tacked on and isn’t worth it. Blur is one of those games you buy solely for the multiplayer experience. Beautiful locations, fast cars, and everyone trying to kill you makes for an awesome racing experience.
I give Blur
9-0-capsules-out-of-10

Pros

  • An awesome multiplayer experience
  • Social Networking capabilities
  • Fun on the couch multiplayer

Cons

  • A lot of cars, but only some of them are good
  • Singleplayer is a clone of multiplayer but with AI
  • Unlocked stuff doesn’t transfer between singleplayer and multiplayer

Blur Achievements

Dylan Radcliffe
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1

Blur has a fun achievement set up that shows the requirements to unlock every achievement in game. The set up is called stickers, and each sticker has certain requirements to hit before the achievement is unlocked. This system is very cool, and enables there to be multiple tasks per achievement. The achievements are not difficult and just take time and some luck at times. The hardest is probably getting all the lights on the hard difficulty in singleplayer. Overall the achievements are pretty easy and just take time to achieve.

Click Here to read the review


  • Getting into the swing of things 10 – Earn your first Fan Target
  • Been there, got the T-shirt 10 – Wreck your first car
  • Socializer 10 – Share your first Blur experience on Facebook, Twitter or Xbox LIVE
  • Friendly competition 10 – Choose any Friend as a Rival from the Single Player Leaderboards
  • Making a name for yourself 10 – Complete your first Fan Run
  • Denied! 10 – Evade or destroy your first incoming Power-up
  • Hot Date 10 – Unlock Shannon’s One-on-One
  • Learning the ropes 20 – Beat Shannon in her One-on-One
  • I must break you 20 – Wreck your first Rival in a One-on-One
  • Friends make better enemies 25 – Have a complete experience of Friend Challenges
  • Not so pretty boy 20 – Beat Khan in his One-on-One
  • Sharp Shooter 20 – Master the Bolt Power-up
  • Fan boy 20 – Beat Rhymer in his One-on-One
  • Outta my way! 20 – Master the Barge Power-up
  • Furiously fast 20 – Master the Nitro Power-up
  • Tourist 25 – Explore Blur’s locations
  • Syberian Express 20 – Beat Drayke in his One-on-One
  • He’s a Wrecking Machine 20 – Master Destruction events
  • Check yourself 20 – Master Checkpoint events
  • Thorny issue 20 – Beat Natalya in her One-on-One
  • Shocking 20 – Master the Shock Power-up
  • Talon-t-ed 20 – Beat Talon in his One-on-One
  • It’s a trap! 20 – Master the Mine Power-up
  • Medic! 20 – Master the Repair Power-up
  • Win some, lose some, wreck some 20 – Master Race events
  • Globetrotter 25 – Race at each location in the game
  • For the fans 25 – Master Fan Demands
  • Double Trouble 20 – Beat the twins in their One-on-One
  • You can’t touch this 20 – Master the Shield Power-up
  • Who needs cone gates? 25 – Master Fan Runs
  • Going Grey 20 – Beat Carver in his One-on-One
  • Lights out, Meatball! 25 – Show that you can bring the fight to One-on-Ones
  • Haruna matata 25 – Earn all Primary Lights in M.Haruna Checkpoint without damaging your car
  • Incoming! 20 – Master the Shunt Power-up
  • Show ’em who’s boss 20 – Prove yourself by completing Rival Demands in career
  • A Fast One 30 – Visit www.blurgame.com for more info
  • Speed Demon 25 – Hit set speeds in class A, B, C and D cars
  • Drop the hammer 30 – Complete everything in the singleplayer game
  • Somebody stop me! 50 – Earn every Primary Light on Hard difficulty
  • Giant Killer 10 – Beat a Rank 50 player
  • Challenger 30 – Master the Blur Challenges
  • All Rounder 10 – Win a race in multiple playlists
  • Paint Job 10 – Stand out from the crowd with car resprays
  • Living legend? 50 – Unlock Legend Mode
  • For your consideration 20 – Become an Award-winning racer
  • Modder 10 – Win a race using a custom mod setup
  • Photo Finish 20 – Finish a race 0.1 seconds or less ahead of another player online
  • This time it’s personal 10 – Wreck a Blur developer on Xbox LIVE, or anyone with this Achievement
  • Motor Mash King 20 – Earn the Motor Mash sticker
  • Party Trick 10 – Win a race in 4 player Split Screen
Getting into the swing of things10
Earn your first Fan Target
Been there, got the T-shirt10
Wreck your first car
Socializer10
Share your first Blur experience on Facebook, Twitter or Xbox LIVE
Friendly competition10
Choose any Friend as a Rival from the Single Player Leaderboards
Making a name for yourself10
Complete your first Fan Run
Denied!10
Evade or destroy your first incoming Power-up
Hot Date10
Unlock Shannon’s One-on-One
Learning the ropes20
Beat Shannon in her One-on-One
I must break you20
Wreck your first Rival in a One-on-One
Friends make better enemies25
Have a complete experience of Friend Challenges
Not so pretty boy20
Beat Khan in his One-on-One
Sharp Shooter20
Master the Bolt Power-up
Fan boy20
Beat Rhymer in his One-on-One
Outta my way!20
Master the Barge Power-up
Furiously fast20
Master the Nitro Power-up
Tourist25
Explore Blur’s locations
Syberian Express20
Beat Drayke in his One-on-One
He’s a Wrecking Machine20
Master Destruction events
Check yourself20
Master Checkpoint events
Thorny issue20
Beat Natalya in her One-on-One
Shocking20
Master the Shock Power-up
Talon-t-ed20
Beat Talon in his One-on-One
It’s a trap!20
Master the Mine Power-up
Medic!20
Master the Repair Power-up
Win some, lose some, wreck some20
Master Race events
Globetrotter25
Race at each location in the game
For the fans25
Master Fan Demands
Double Trouble20
Beat the twins in their One-on-One
You can’t touch this20
Master the Shield Power-up
Who needs cone gates?25
Master Fan Runs
Going Grey20
Beat Carver in his One-on-One
Lights out, Meatball!25
Show that you can bring the fight to One-on-Ones
Haruna matata25
Earn all Primary Lights in M.Haruna Checkpoint without damaging your car
Incoming!20
Master the Shunt Power-up
Show ’em who’s boss20
Prove yourself by completing Rival Demands in career
A Fast One30
Visit www.blurgame.com for more info
Speed Demon25
Hit set speeds in class A, B, C and D cars
Drop the hammer30
Complete everything in the singleplayer game
Somebody stop me!50
Earn every Primary Light on Hard difficulty
Giant Killer10
Beat a Rank 50 player
Challenger30
Master the Blur Challenges
All Rounder10
Win a race in multiple playlists
Paint Job10
Stand out from the crowd with car resprays
Living legend?50
Unlock Legend Mode
For your consideration20
Become an Award-winning racer
Modder10
Win a race using a custom mod setup
Photo Finish20
Finish a race 0.1 seconds or less ahead of another player online
This time it’s personal10
Wreck a Blur developer on Xbox LIVE, or anyone with this Achievement
Motor Mash King20
Earn the Motor Mash sticker
Party Trick10
Win a race in 4 player Split Screen

THQ announces Red Faction: Armageddon

Dylan Radcliffe
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1

Below is the latest press release, and a trailer for the upcoming Red Faction game, set to release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC in March 2011.

It seems they are going in a horror direction, but you never know. The horror feel could be just the way the trailer is presented. It is also a sequel to Red Faction: Guerrilla. If you don’t have Red Faction: Guerrilla, I’d suggest to buy it, it is pretty cheap now. Go get it!

~~~

THQ Inc. today announced the next title in the award winning Red Faction® franchise is currently in development at internal studio Volition, Inc. and is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC in March 2011.

Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM moves beneath the surface of Mars as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As Darius Mason, players fight to save humanity from an even greater evil that threatens to extinguish all life on the planet.
Leveraging Volition’s groundbreaking Geo-Mod 2.0 technology, Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM offers never-before-seen physics-based weaponry that redefines gameplay in the shooter genre. Utilizing Darius’ Nano Forge abilities, players are presented with a wealth of new strategic options including reconstruction technology and the Magnet Gun in their battle to save humanity. From lava tubes to ice caves, gamers
will discover a new playground for epic battles in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer co-operative modes.

About Red Faction: Armageddon
Half a century after the Red Faction resistance freed Mars, the red planet again becomes a battleground. Colonists struggle for survival in the underground mines after the surface is rendered uninhabitable. When Darius Mason, grandson of revolution heroes Alec Mason and Samanya, unknowingly releases a long-dormant evil, Armageddon is unleashed on Mars. As settlements are torn asunder, only Darius and the Red Faction can save mankind. The battle will take them to the core of the storm-blasted planet through ice caves and lava flows until they are face to face against the unspeakable threat. Red Faction: Armageddon expands on the critically acclaimed, best-selling franchise with new, groundbreaking challenges. You are humanity’s last hope for survival.

First Vanquish trailer to feature in-game footage

Philip Federico
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2

Shinji Mikami and his team over at Platinum games have been hard at work, and now is the time to peel back the curtain!

Check out the first Vanquish trailer to feature in-game footage:

Details :

Directed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil series, VANQUISH is a sci-fi shooter that sees players take the role of Sam, a government agent kitted out with a futuristic battle suit. A versatile fighter with a huge arsenal of weaponry at his disposal, Sam also has an array of martial arts skills that he can use to take down his robot enemies.

What’s better … Android or Apple ?

Philip Federico
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1

Well by the looks of it Android is way better than Apple. The guys over at MaximumPC.com have come up with a list of 10 reasons why Android is better.. Here they are .. lets count them down together shall we.

1: Android can Run Multiple Apps at the Same Time

2: Android Keeps Information Visible on Your Home Screen

3: Android Has a Better App Market

4: Android Gives You Better Notifications

5: Android Lets You Choose Your Hardware

6: Android Lets You Choose Your Carrier

7: Android Lets You Install Custom ROMs

8: Android Lets You Change Your Settings Faster

9: Android Does Google and Social Integration

10: Android Gives You More Options to Fit Your Budget

–

Ok now with the list out of the way it looks like Android is far more superior than Apple in many ways.  BUT, YES there is always a BUT.  As we cover everything that is Gaming over here at Capsule Computers,  I don’t see anything in the top 10 to do with GAMES … hmmm if we compare the iPhone to an Android phone with relation to gaming,  I think that the Apple Phone will win hands down.  Sure Android might have solitare and probably tetris HD … but still it can’t compare to the blockbuster titles that are on the Apple iPhone at the moment.

So remember there are always two sides to an arguement.  Of course Android outperforms Apple but then you have to sit down and think … Do you really need an Android phone if all you want to do is listen to music, watch movies and most of all play blockbuster games ?  … Probably not.

The choice is totally up to you and whatever you do we’ll support you 😉

The Witcher 2 New Development Diary Focuses on Story

Fernando T. Gonçalves
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Our friends from CD Projekt RED just released a new development diary for The Witcher 2, this time focused on talking about the story planning process, how things will develop in the next step for the Witcher’s great story:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUtkC0POdPA[/pro-player]

If you lost the first part of their development diary videos,which focused on showing us the sequel for the first time, you can check it out right below:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwUlKopShNw[/pro-player]

The Witcher 2 is planned for the first quarter of 2011 on the PC. You can read our review for the first game right here.

Singularity Gravity TMD trailer

Philip Federico
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0

Raven Games  & Activision’s highly anticipated first person shooter Singularity has a new trailer.  Feat your eyes on the TMD device .. The Time Manipulation Device that can be used to pick up object and propel enemy attacks back towards them.  Very similar to the Telekinesis skill in Bioshock…. (that’s on of my favorite skills) ..

Check out the trailer below it looks awesome !!

Singularity is due out for release on  June 29, 2010

Want more information .. check out RavenGames.com

Who’s thinking of picking this up when it gets released ??

inFamous 2 coming back for another run

Philip Federico
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1

We some some news that inFamous 2 a Sony Playstation 3 exclusive will be back for a sequel.  Sucker Punch Production will be bringing a new look to inFamous hero Cole MacGrath along with a new city, news powers and also a new enemy that’s so powerful that you’ll soil your pants even before you put the game disc in the machine !!

So far there isn’t a date yet for when it will be unleashed upon the world but expect to hear more news at this years E3 which isnt too far away !! 🙂 

Who played the first inFamous ?  What are you all hoping to see improved in the sequel ?  Let us know .. leave a comment below 🙂

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Gameplay Screenshots

Philip Federico
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1

dues-ex-screenshots-05

We’ve all seen the amazing Dues Ex : Human Revolution Trailer .. ( I personally watched it over 5 times in a row)  Well now we have some gameplay shots from Eidos Montreal

Looking at the screenshots it looks like Dues Ex is a blend of third person and first person.  Personally I would like it to be 3rd person but we’ll have to wait and see.  I must say that Adam Jensen is one BAD-ASS main character !!

Let us know what you think of the screenshots.  We’ll have more news as very soon 🙂

Modern Warfare 2 “Resurgence” Map Pack Review

Dylan Radcliffe
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Modern Warfare 2

Game Name: Modern Warfare 2 ‘Resurgence’ Map pack
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher(s): Activision
Developer(s): Infinity Ward
Genre(s): Action & Adventure, Shooter
Release Date: 3/30/2010
ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Blood Drug Reference Intense Violence
Price: 1200 MSP ($15 USD)
Demo: Add to Download Queue

Intro
“The best-selling Xbox 360 game of all time gets even bigger with more new content, first on Xbox LIVE! The Resurgence Pack delivers five epic multiplayer maps: “Carnival,” an abandoned amusement park with a variety of unique vantage points; “Fuel,” a massive oil refinery with extremely long sightlines; “Trailer Park,” a maze-like mobile estate surrounded by war-torn debris. Two legendary maps from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare return more detailed than ever, including “Strike,” a large urban center in the desert; and “Vacant,” a fast-paced Russian office complex with few places to take cover.” [Via Xbox.com]

The Maps
Below is a video of all 5 maps, I am the one playing and I had to fit all 5 into one 10 minute video. Below I have also mentioned some worthy details about each map.

Carnival:
This is easily my favorite level of the batch. There are tons of corridors and places for snipers at the same time. Carnival is a well balanced map that takes inspiration from a broken down carnival. The first time you play the map, I guarantee you will be too busy exploring it to actually fight. From the broken down rollercoaster, to the fun house, and even to the castle with bumper cars in it; there is tons of stuff to see. You can’t actually partake in any of the attractions but they are cool to explore.

Fuel:
This level has a bunch of big buildings with multiple floors. Maybe it is just my bad luck but I could never get the map unless it was also the search and destroy gametype. The level is perfectly suited for search and destroy; however, and with multiple routes to each target there are tons of ways to win. You could also lose pretty easily though, since there are also a ton of places to cover the bombs indirectly. The reason I say indirectly, is because you can cover the entrances to the targets but the targets are in the best locations be able to see them at all times. This lets people sneak in to plant the bomb.

Trailer Park:
Trailer park is a Trailer Park that has been caught in the middle of the war. Broken planes and debris are everywhere. Trailer Park is actually quite annoying to play on, since there are tons of windows to shoot people from. There is a constant need to check all the windows, which is simply impossible to do. Once you figure out how to jump between trailers and shoot people through the windows yourself you will become unstoppable.

Strike:
This map is a remake of the one from Call of Duty 4, there is nothing different but with all the new perks and killstreaks it seems these remakes don’t stand the test. This particular level seems to get hit hard with explosives, there are a few buildings but grenade launchers and airstrikes make the field deadly. A lot of fun, but deadly.

Vacant:
Like Strike, Vacant is also a remake from the first Modern Warfare game. There is nothing different that I could tell. For those of you who haven’t played it, it takes place primarily in a building, which enables for close range combat. There are bits outside, but a majority of the game takes place inside the building. The long hallways are good to taking out people who are going down them but the side rooms are perfect for dodging shots.

Overview
The Resurgence map pack for Modern Warfare 2 is a very nice edition for any Modern Warfare 2 fan. The price on the other hand is still steep for only 5 new maps. The maps are awesome, and fun though and if you are still playing Modern Warfare 2 on a daily basis you should pick it up to put a little more variety in your maps.
I give the Modern Warfare 2 ‘Resurgence’ Map Pack
8-0-capsules-out-of-10

Pros

  • 5 new maps to play online with in Modern Warfare 2.
  • Replay 2 fan favorite maps from COD4 with Modern Warfare 2 weapons and killstreaks.
  • Spend even more time creating and perfecting new strategies on 5 extra maps.

Cons

  • The price is kind of steep for a map pack.
  • Really only has 3 new maps, with 2 remakes.
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