Five New Additions in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Introduction:

It seems that whatever Ubisoft do, they do it remarkably well. Of course, you do not need a second hint about what exactly we are referring to: the Assassin’s Creed. Assassins Creed has been great, no wait, it has been a downright awesome addition to Ubisoft’s kitty according to most who have had the fortune to have their hands on the classy title. While the first, second and third (Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood) sequel never really failed to make a mark, the fourth sequel of Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations seems to be shaping up pretty nicely and is expected to make a grand appearance as a brand new addition to the scheme of things that Ubisoft has planned. Such is the anticipation that we couldn’t resist the urge of coming up with a post on what is to come in the latest sequel to the Assassin’s Creed brotherhood (Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, 3); therefore, let us milk the moment and present before you the five all-new additions in the new Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. Let’s roll.

New Addition #1

Remember the classy hidden blade that Ezio would don in the last two Assassin’s Creed games, also Altair in the very first Assassin’s Creed title, in fact, guess what it has been made better than ever. This isn’t exactly a whole new hidden blade on its own, but this time around Ezio’s hidden blade has been complemented with a brand new ‘Hookblade’.

Now you must be wondering what the story on the hookblade is, perhaps as curious as a character in the game who is keen on milking information from Ezio regarding his ‘hook’blade (Sounds kinda misleading to me). Anyway, the fact that Assassin’s Creed: Revelations puts his all new addition to good use by making it usable in nearly all aspects of the game sounds very pleasant to the ears. The new hookblade in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is just an attachment to the hidden blade that Ezio previously had. That just goes to show that Ezio might have gone old, but oh how he has the hots for burgeoning technology!

This hook extension is attached at the end of the hidden blade in such a way that you may use it to jump, climb, cling onto things while falling and of course combat your way through. Surely, that allows for an enhanced reach of the blade altogether (Great addition if you ask me).

New Addition #2

If you were ever fascinated by the potential of shooting rivals in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, you are bound to love this new addition to the Assassin’s Creed family. This one is called, Bomb Crafting (Told you, Ezio is older; yet, more tech-savvy). Three distinct ingredients have been made part of the bomb crafting area of the game. Very much like you would do in a role-playing game, bomb crafting allows for trying different variations in bomb-making. This means, a number of things involve the making of a bomb, including: impact shell, gunpowder and effect. Without spoiling all the fun for you a little too early, allow us to give you only a brief overview of how a few of these bombs are designed to work in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. A sticky bomb, for instance, would stick to an individual upon impact (As the name itself suggests) and as the individual wlks into a crowd, you shall see..Mass Effect, pretty sweet. Another nice new addition in this regard is the gold bomb that simply spreads fake gold all over the place of impact and have people come in to have a bit of a look (Of course, don’t we all look to go after anything that glitters?). Definitely, a crafty way to sneak past foes without ringing any fells. Last but not the least, the stink bomb is quite an interesting development. Throw this one on an enemy and the people around would back away, thanks to the awful smell-a sublime way of knocking your target out cold while others are too busy keeping themselves out of the way.

New Addition #3

This all-new addition termed as ‘Dens’ is simply a great new way of adding a bit of strategic elements to the awesome Assassin’s Creed game. If you have ever tried strategy games in your lifetime, you would do what is being discussed here. This, in fact, follows the footsteps of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood in regards to its tower gameplay. Major difference being, this one is very much an urban street fighting in a much more tighter environment; thereby, helping you work a bit of a sweat in the process. The tower in the game are actually the dens that we speak of. They could be Assassin dens or Templar dens, depending on your actions. Attack a den and you automatically turn it into an Assassin den (Yes, very much like Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood). Being attacked by a great new force, activate the Tower Attack gameplay and you are automatically in charge of an army of assassins who you can direct to attack, build and defend on the spot. It is amazing how the this new addition in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations just seems to transform into a whole new game.

New Addition #4

Don’t we all love stalking and sneaking around..after playing games like Assassin’s Creed and Metal Gear Solid, I mean? Well, how about the new Stalking feature in the new Assassin’s Creed: Revelations? Well, that’s what it is. Sadly, this is a power bestowed upon your foes this time around. Stalkers come across as people in the game who are sparsely distributed in the Assassin’s Creed world and are after Ezio’s blood. That explains why they would keep dropping by, and stalk Ezio until they are in close proximity to try and stalk him in the back (Considering the charismatic bad ass that Ezio has shaped up to be), resulting in the loss of a huge chunk of life. Do not worry, the move can be countered, it is not like you have to act like a sissy and get stabbed in the back for no reason without being able to prevent it. Gamers will be able to counter the act by pressing the right button when attacked by a stalker and turn around and take out stalkers instantly or give them a good long chase before putting an end to their existence (You would know how satisfying that is if you have ever tried backstabbing in the previous sequels of Assassin’s Creed).

New Addition #5

Finally, Special Recruits are another better than ever addition in Assassin’s Creed. Yes, assassin recruits aren’t news for you but the new special recruits are different. Yes, they come with a story and you do get to know their past. Team up with these special ones and help them reach higher levels, very much like earning them points and get higher up the ranks. Of course, it is always better to know the story that your team mate blends in and its always better to be emotionally involved. Surely, this will beef things up for the new Assassin’s Creed sequel and take team work to a higher level.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations will be out for grabs on November 15, 2011 for PC, PlayStation 3 and XBox 360.

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Fix the XBox 360 Overheating Problems

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Introduction:

We have already had a good, lengthy discussion on the XBox 360 Red Ring of Death problems, causes and solutions in the recent past. However, we strongly believe that if there is one thing that becomes a major cause of concern for most XBox 360 gamers, it is the recurring overheating problems experienced by plenty. Sure, there is always the option to switch to the all-new Microsoft XBox 360 Slim, but hey, not always for everyone. Affordability is not guaranteed for all, especially with power houses like the new next-generation consoles that aren’t exactly very generously priced for all and sundry (However, that is quite understandable..I suppose). With that said, we hope you realize that there is a vast majority (Among the less spoilt brats community, that is) that stuck to the old (FAT) XBox 360 consoles; however, in doing so they are always at risk of encountering overheating problems at any point of their gaming sessions (Yes we know how excruciating that is, truly).

There have been plenty of searches on tips to fix the XBox 360 overheating problems and there have certainly been barrages of fixing solutions coming in from here, there and everywhere (Almost as if its yet another Tsunami that the world has to battle against). All of these fixes ranging from the low-cost; yet, dangerous solutions to some more reputable and relatively expensive ones have always been the core of most discussions on issues surrounding the old XBox 360. Since we feel it’s our responsibility to guide you, to the best of our ability, as to how you can do most stuff right, we bring you yet another edition on how to fix the XBox 360 overheating problems.

The Do Nots:

Quite often, it is our own silly and ignorant attitude that leads to horrors like overheating and infact, the grand daddy of them all, the Red Ring of Death issue. Therefore, it is important to ponder upon what needs to be avoided before moving on to the main cautionary practices to exercise so as to keep the overheating problems of your beloved XBox 360 at bay. One of the silliest errors that XBox 360 enthusiasts commit is that they place a cooling agent, more specifically a pedestal fan, right behind the XBox 360 console that continually blows the air leaving the XBox 360 system back into the XBox 360 console. As per the normal functioning of the internal fans of the XBox 360, all the hot air that builds up inside the XBox 360 unit is sucked out. Now then, with another fan placed right at the point of exit of the air leaving the XBox 360 system the process is seriously hampered. Hence, instead of contributing towards preventing overheating of the XBox 360, such stunts can easily do otherwise.

Yet another issue that really needs to be highlighted here is that quite often the X-clamps, that are part of the XBox 360 console and are responsible for keeping chips in the system firmly attached to the motherboard, loosen up. Since this fairly and squarely qualifies for a hardware issue, the haunting red lights of doom take no time to warm up to the occasion (Almost as if saying, Muhahahah! So, you’re next, eh!)

Go Overheating Go:

With all our basis covered on what should NOT be done, now it is important to emphasise on what needs to be done in order to not do what does NOT need to be done (Confusing?). Thought so. To put simply, now comes the part where we highlight what needs to be done to prevent any aforementioned hazards and how. First up, a simplistic method towards overcoming the temptation of placing a fan right behind the XBox 360 console and blocking its air vents is to use a USB fan and place it in the front vents of your XBox 360 console. Not only will this prevent overheating, but it will largely catalyse the process of blowing hot air out of the XBox 360 system. Plus, another handy method would be to use compressed air in a can and blow out the unnecessary dust particles.

In regards to major hardware issues, especially accidental disassembly of parts of the XBox 360, your best bet would be to send your XBox 360 for repairs. If there is any remaining warranty on the console, you would definitely want to get Microsoft to deal with the issue themselves and fix the XBox 360, totally free of cost (So, what do they say payback is..?). On the contrary, if your XBox 360 has lost its warranty (Legitimately or due to your relentlessness), you may think twice before going for an ordeal as expensive as $140 along with additional shipping charges. Sure, there is the cost of wait attached to the entire package but you must have heard the saying, no pain no gain..fits quite well here.

Closing Comments:

Your XBox 360 requires extreme care alright, and if you plan to play it safe we would highly recommend spending your hard earned penny on a proper XBox 360 fix guide which is widely available these days. Such fix solutions shall properly guide you on how to fix your console on a step-by-step basis. Plus, what they do best is: they help maintain the performance of your XBox 360 console along with fixing all sorts of damage that overheating may have resulted in. There are plenty of them available all over the market; henceforth, make sure you make a wise choice from among the many options available.

That pretty much sums up our edition on Fix the XBox 360 Overheating Problems. We do believe that you will pay heed to all the advice we had to dolly out and will babysit your XBox 360, well and truly.

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Top Five Free Android Games

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Overview:

The burgeoning success of the Android OS has meant that the leading Android platform has become one of the most popular choice among most users. With this success story follows the deep and long catalogue of games that the Android market features in the modern day that are both: interesting arousing and a good means of squandering your wasteful time playing these Android games. However, it is quite a bit of a challenge to pin-point games that are not only the best of the lot but also very cost-effective and totally worth your time. But hold on, what if we told you that you could choose as good a collection of Android games that are free of cost as a handful of paid Android game titles? Yes, games that are absolutely free of cost! You heard that right, Ladies and Gentlemen. Ok, on second thought, maybe it’s the memory space on your phone that the free Android games would cost you so no, not totally free of cost games in that regard. Anyway, where you think free of cost, perhaps you also suspect..umm, well games that are low on quality, not too good etc. The reality of this post may well change your perspective on free of cost Android games. Well, then allow us to draw your attention towards a catalogue of top five free Android games that we have prepared for you. Hop on!

1. Townsmen 6

It is hard to find a good strategy game on an Android device. Even if you do find any, they are more or less abstract. However, Townsmen series is different. The game can be easily related to the PC strategy game series, the Settlers. The sixth sequel of the game series comes as a stylised version of the usual basics of the game: keeping everyone happy and healthy. The game might not be graphically strong, but it is certainly highly engaging and involving in how it plays. Building settlements is as challenging and inspiring as ever this time around. You will surely love it.

Download it from the Android store free (but with Ads) or from GetJar.

2. Stupid Zombies

Honestly, what a game to kill your time and give getting ‘owned’ a whole new meaning. Yes, Stupid Zombies isn’t as stupid as it may sound afterall. In fact, many regard it as the new Angry Birds which really speaks for the potential of this amazingly-involving Android game. No, the game doesn’t play LIKE Angry Birds; instead, it deals in bullets rather than headbutts. Yes, it’s one man with one shotgun against a bunch of stupid zombies-doesn’t get any simpler than that, does it? Do not consider it to be a walk in the park, though. The game might be a very good time-killer but it requires you to be crafty as you gun down the brainless zombies with limited ammo.

Download it here.

3. Raging Thunder 2

For all you racing game fans out there, Raging Thunder 2 is a sure-shot treat for your eyes..and your fingers, somewhat. What’s more, no cost of play makes this Android game a doubly scrumptious treat for all and sundry. Highly regarded and rated by most Android gamers, Raging Thunder 2 easily manages to impress with the fluid racing experience that it puts on offer. A combination of these gameplay elements coupled with the superb visuals and sound, courtesy of the stunning 3D graphics, makes Raging Thunder 2 the best car racing game that is freely available on the Android market.

Download it here.

4. Bubble Blast 2

As a peculiar bubble-popping puzzle game, Bubble Blast 2 invites gamers to its own little world where bubble bursting with a domino-effect twist is the name of the game. Try your hand at popping all the bubbles in the frame as quickly as possible. Once you get the hang of it, you are surely going to love it. A chain reaction generated by popping a designated number of moves is a true stand-out feature of Bubble Blast 2. The two game modes on offer include: free-play arcade mode and an online mode, both of which add great replay value to this game and will keep you glued to the game for long.

Download it here.

5. Air Control

Whether you are young or old, Air Control is going to catch your eye, either way. Inspite of the minimalist presentation, the game delivers enough punch to mentally challenge gamers and keep them on their haunches as gamers take on the role of an air traffic controller so as to direct planes to safety. Yes, it look s very simple and easy on first sight, but there’s always a second perspective as time wears on, folks. All in all, this evenly-paced Android puzzle game is one of its kind really and it shows.

Download it here.

6. Angry Birds

What? Don’t look at me like that! Yes, I know the post said top five, but no post can be complete without Angry Birds. Agreed? Yes, of course. So here is a little bonus from us.

More or less a phenomenon on the iPhone, the Angry Birds seem to have settled well in their new nest on the Android platform. There is no doubt that the birds enjoy a celebrity status in their new home, so evidently there has been no love loss between platforms due to this shift, for sure. Fear not the unparalleled powers of the quirky-looking Angry birds as they take off on their journey to annihilate the fortresses of a handful of green ugly pigs. Make full use of the highly-engaging physics of the game and assist the adorable; yet, anger-fuming birds to put an end to the existence of the greedy pigs who stole their eggs

Download it here.

Oh and I couldn’t help but show you this video. *snort* Ahem. I mean enjoy.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

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Top Five PlayStation 3 Tips and Tricks

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Introduction:

In our not-so-ancient post on the Top Five XBox 360 Tips and Tricks, we discussed our five favourite XBox 360 secrets that Microsoft may just have decided to hold back from you. Considering how malicious and easily offended fanboys have become these days, we decided to draft five interesting tips and tricks for the PlayStation 3 (Afterall, the next-generation consoles also go through emotions these days). yet again, the theme of the post remains the same; only the subject changes from Microsoft’s XBox 360 to SONY’s own hunk, the PlayStation 3. Thus, we shall safely assume that the concept of this post would not leave you alienated (Besides, this ain’t exactly a story-based RPG, is it?). Alright, let us dig deep into SONY’s PlayStation 3 this time around and explore the top five secret amenities that it packs.

1. Transform DVDs to HD on the PlayStation 3

Let us not forget the fact that the PlayStation 3 is not just a gaming powerhouse; it also delivers largely on movie playback. Oft-well renowned for its Blu-Ray capabilities, the PlayStation 3 plays as one of the best DVD players out in the market. Yes, hardcore gamers on the PlayStation 3 tend to oversee such promising potential on the other end (Sad, but true). Also, it is hard to expect high quality from DVDs in the modern day when Blu-Ray is the name of the deal but the PlayStation 3, oozing with sheer potential, even polishes DVD imagery to a top-notch quality on a plasma screen. How you do it is a good question to ask, of course. Simply, when you are watching a DVD on a high definition device, press the triangle button on your PlayStation 3 dualshock 3 controller and jump down to AV settings. Upon choosing this, you will be able to see various options for mosquito noise reduction, frame, block and a full up-scale on DVD content. Savour this feat and enjoy the nearly HD quality visuals on your television screens.

2. Transform your PlayStation 3 into a PC

One could argue how stupid an idea it is to transform a next-generation hunk to a fat old fart but hey, do not be mislead and try and be a little more respectful here, please. We wouldn’t exactly be turning consoles into PCs with the stroke of a magic wand. Instead, the process only infuses powers of a PC into your PlayStation 3 while retaining the powers of the PlayStation 3 intact, of course. Not a tough task really. The process does requires a bit of digging up into the PlayStation 3 system but you must have heard of the no pain, no gain theory. To achieve this, surf system settings in the settings menu and jump to ‘Install other OS’. Woo, hold on a bit, before moving on any further you must back up all your data from the PlayStation 3 hard drive to a USB. Following this crucial step, you may download a copy of the operating system from any PlayStation forum and burn it to a DVD and install it to the PlayStation 3 hard drive. Then what, congratulations, you now have a full fledged PC all in one PlayStation 3 console!

3. Using PC Peripherals on the PlayStation 3

With your PlayStation 3 already transformed into a PC, it is sort of unfair to treat it like a half-baked cookie. Want more explanation on that one? Well, imagine how it feels to use the internet on the PlayStation 3 using an onscreen keyboard. A few might even argue that there have been enough accessories on the market that mitigate the issue of typing but personally, I would not prefer a peanut-sized keypad attached to my dualshock 3 to make it seem like some sort of a mini alienship gone wrong. Luckily, for all you PlayStation 3 users, the PlayStation 3 offers full support for standard mice and keyboards that not only allow for enhanced typing experience, courtesy of the inbuilt browser, but really prove their mettle in the gaming scheme of things as well. There is absolutely no rocket science involved in doing so. All you have to do is, get off your couch (Where you have been lying and gaming for hours like a bloak with no life at all) and plug your desired peripherals into the USB ports of the PlayStation 3. Oh, and did I mention that there’s also support for bluetooth peripherals? Drooling already? Hah, before you wet the whole place jump to the settings menu on your PlayStation 3 and choose Accessory Settings. Following this, slect the option of Manage Bluetooth Devices.

4. Setting up a Media Server on the PlayStation 3

If you are one of those music maniacs who just can’t resist the temptation of carrying their music, or even their favourite videos and pictures with them wherever they go, you may well be very interested to know this one. Gone are the days when overburdening the valuable space on your PlayStation was a pain in the backside (Yes, backside), say hello to media streaming across your PlayStation network. Simply download Tversity or the latest version of Windows Media Player on your PC. Moving on, tweak the settings of either software a little to allow for sharing of music, video and photo folders. Select Search for Media Servers on your PlayStation 3 and there you go. Next time your PC is switched on, a new option on the XMB would show up that will actually function as a gateway for streaming data purposes.

5. Make Video Phone Calls (FREE) on the PlayStation 3

Oh what a mouth-watering prospect this one really is. On paper, it sounds like some real technical thing to try but to be honest, there’s less technique and little more trickery involved in here. For this, you would only require a USB headset and the PS EyeToy camera. Upon plugging both the things into the USB slots of the PlayStation 3, start a new chat with one of your friends. Now here’s the trick. Type something like ‘Videochat please?’ in a message. Upon receiving this, the recipient would be given the option of accepting your videochat. Now, if your friend does have a USB handset and the EyeToy camera as well, acceptance of the invitation will open up two windows ans then starts the video chat, all of which costs you..nothing!

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Quick Review: Dark Souls

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Overview:

There are RPG games and then there is Dark Souls. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen. Dark Souls for the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 has finally seen the light (At the end of the tunnel) and has emerged from the dark once, but not for all though. If you liked the brutally challenging; yet amazingly engrossing PlayStation 3 exclusive ‘Demon Souls’ released in 2009, Dark Souls automatically becomes an experience that is well worth a go. Very much like its predecessor, Dark Souls adapts a similar formula and is, thus, precisely described as a highly challenging role-playing title. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the plot question,

‘Are you prepared to die?’

If not, take our advice and do not bother touching the game. If your answer is in the affirmative, though, be prepared to face another horde of grotesque massive bosses that will pose a serious challenge to your mind and mettle. Let us jump straight into the action and take a quick detour of Dark Souls with our quick review.

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Story:

Similar to Demon Souls, Dark Souls puts on offer an exciting third-person dungeon crawler that comes well-equipped with control and precision. Fortunately or unfortunately, Dark Souls isn’t much different from its predecessor in regards to story-telling either (We count that as a negative of course). Throughout the game, storyline is never really the factor in the Dark Souls.

Following character creation and statistics customization, it is really up to you to craft your own little tale within Dark Souls, the core of which remains killing the Gods and Demons that pose major threat to the already grim world that Dark Souls portrays (Talk about being as simplistic as..anything!). A flurry of captivating narrative details do keep you company all along Dark Souls. True that storytelling might just not be the thing to be proud of for Dark Souls but there are way too many goodies that it packs within itself to undo all the criticism that it might have to face in regards to story.

Presentation:

Dark Souls comes across as a really thoughtful and atmospheric role-playing title. Death is the theme around which the game builds itself and truly, it acts more as a building block for gamers rather than just a hindrance in the passage as they progress. The painstakingly designed role-playing game paints a beautiful open world that seems like it would never seize (Another major development from Demon Souls).

As we have mentioned earlier, Dark Souls plays as a highly precise and responsive role-playing game that continually impresses with the sort of dark and grizzly atmosphere it paints around itself. Yes, you die quite often in Dark Souls but following your death, you respawn near the last bonfire that you rested at.

Bonfire, yeah that’s another exciting new feature in the game that allows you to take a breather, meditate and save your progress and thereby, functioning as your checkpoints. Good thing is that these bonfires are scattered all over the Dark Souls world. Moving on, the concept of soul collection still persists and we absolutely do not mind that one bit. If, by any chance, you die at any point in Dark Souls, the game does does tend to punish you by making you one soul short but you could always see that as an opportunity to recapture the lost soul. Although, following your death, all the enemies you defeat in the vicinity shall come back to life. Yes, very much Demon Souls-like. Plus, this speaks of the level of challenge that Dark Souls brings to the table.

An enormous amount of detail to each and every boss to the level of design in every building in the surrounding is absolutely paramount to the presentation of this game. The extremely dark and dank surroundings will soon start to play on your mind and consume you with twist even after you have finished the game (No joke).

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Gameplay:

Do bear in mind that Dark Souls is no Oblivion-sort of Role-playing game that guarantees you sure-shot success following a few hits and misses. As aforementioned, Dark Souls will challenge you to the core and punish you exactly where you deserve it. Make no mistake about it, Dark Souls is even harder and more punishing this time around.

However, where it tends to punish you for where you go wrong, Dark Souls does largely reward you for each and every right move that you make in the game in the face of death-extreme action. Not to mention, the combat system in Dark Souls is no joke. The matter of your survival ultimately comes down to your gear instead of the skills you possess. There is no question of the combat system failing on you at any point in Dark Souls; thanks to the wide variety and maliciousness of bosses in the game. There would come a time when the high level of difficulty will burn down to outright sadistic craziness, but you know what, that’s what the Dark Souls multiplayer is for.

Get stuck at any point in the game or struggle a tad too much in defeating a boss that becomes a pain in the backside, simply team up with a fellow online and try your hand at the mystery together (So it’s true what they say about two dumb brainies being better than one, eh?). You may also seize the moment to assist other players by entering their world and helping them out. Messages on the game floor help a great deal in the act as well. Want directions or want to play a philanthropist and want to dolly out some key tips to game fellows about the mammoth creature ahead? Use the messages on the game floor (They could be misleading at times, but oh well its free advice afterall). Hence, a vividly challenging game design with an extremely rewarding learning curve to it, coupled with amazing multiplayer features makes the gameplay of Dark Souls shine like a lost soul.

Final Word:

Hear us out one last time and listen well to what we have to say, if you are one of those plentiful casual gamers that play games for entertainment, and entertainment only, death is all you will find in this game. However, once you grasp the ever-so-deep concept of Dark Souls, you are surely going to get immersed in this peach of a role-playing game title. Oh, and you might even manage the feat of beating the game atleast once before your own pretty existence is consumed once and for all. Muhahah!

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Top Five XBox 360 Tips and Tricks

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Introduction:

The Microsoft XBox 360 has been around for quite a while now. If you are the adventurer sort, we suspect you must have dug well into your XBox 360 and unearthed all the features it possesses. However, no matter how effective your endeavours of digging deep into your XBox 360 console is, eight out of ten times you are highly likely to have missed out on a few vital tips and tricks. This is precisely what the theme of today’s post is-unveil the top five XBox 360 tips and tricks. We realize that there would be a minority of people who already have some idea of a few tips and tricks that we are about to highlight but that is really beyond the purpose of this post. Our prime purpose is to enlighten our viewers and as always, we stick to those basics and bring you the best from the world of technology. Now then, let us quickly move to the top five XBox 360 tips and tricks that you XBox 360 fans may very well want to know about.

1. Connect the XBox 360 to dual screens

Oh yes, this one has got to be the best one of the lot. Now you can enjoy all the XBox 360 entertainment off two television screens, instead of merely one! First thing’s first, if you are to try this you would require the composite (yellow-coloured) and component (red, green and blue), dual video cables that are not at all tough to find (Since they come with your XBox 360 console in the box-duh!). As for the trick involved, it’s not a very tough one to exercise really but certainly one that is a tempting prospect. Simply, flick the switch of the cable to the Standard Definition. Now this is where the magic lies, connect the composite to one television and the component cables to the other. Voila! Try it for yourself and admire.

2. Connect the XBox 360 to wireless without the use of an adaptor

So you’re tired of having to loosen the grip off your pockets for the extra goodies that, one feels, should have been in the box on time of purchase of the XBox 360? Not to mention, the official Microsoft wireless adaptor is one of those priced amenities. Now the good thing about this trick that we are about to showcase here is that the cruelly-priced official wireless adaptor is not a necessity for wireless internet connectivity with the XBox 360. Fortunately or unfortunately, a laptop with Wi-Fi is all that you require for this. Simply open Control Panel on the laptop -> Network Connections (with Windows XP)/Network Sharing -> Manage Network Connections (with Windows Vista). Upon seection of Local Area Conection and Wireless Network Connection, bridge connections after right-clicking.

3. Hook up an HDMI cable; however, get Digital Surround Sound

The new XBox 360 units, despite having HDMI output for the sole purpose of optimal video quality, have been designed in such a way that with the standard ports do not allow for connection of the standard component/composite video cable while an HDMI has been connected to the XBox 360. Yet again, do get things done the way you want, or even close to your wishes to say the least, Microsoft demands loosening the grips off your pockets (For the official HDMI cable with audio adapter this time around). Naah, nevermind we would suggest. You must have noticed the large plastic box at the end of the standard video cable. Even if you haven’t, insert some tool (preferably a knife) in the joint and pull it off. Consequences are a tad messy, yet rewarding. Well, atleast you get your wish.

4. Play All Formats of Media Files on the XBox 360

If you are not one of the vast majority of those who only uses its beloved XBox 360 for gaming purposes, but also to listen to songs, watch videos and tinker with other forms of media, you would know of the meaningless limitations that Microsoft imposes on you so as to restrict you from playing video/audio formats of your choice. Tversity comes across as an avid free application which is brilliant solution to all such issues. This one also requires a PC alright, but once again the rewards that one reaps are really well worth it. Be it a simple RM. file or online video URLs from Youtube, this peach of an application will can and convert all your media and ofcourse, allow you easy access to all of it from the comfort of your XBox 360 remote controller.

5. Reset the Video Settings on the XBox 360

We can safely regard this as a tip more than a confidential report. Well, tere would be plenty of you who are in a habit of carrying your XLove (XBox 360) with you to friends’ places and obviously, that would require connecting your XBox 360 to different displays altogether. In such cases, it is often observed that a defected signal is output resulting in no display on the screen or a mere flickering screen. No, don’t cry (Your XBox 360 ain’t dead yet). The only simple thing to try here is to shut down the XBox 360 and turn it back on with the XBox 360 controller. While the XBox 360 console is still in the process of booting, press and hold the ‘Y’ button followed by the right trigger (RT). The video settings have now been reset..Tada!

Closing Comments:

So that’s all we have for you in our Top Five XBox 360 Tips and Tricks. We do hope that each one of these would seem like a pleasant surprise to most of you and more importantly, you get the execution of each one of them right. Our honest advice would be to follow all the instructions carefully because surely, you wouldn’t want to cause any damage to your pretty XBox 360. All in all, you’re all set to umm.. rediscover your XBox 360. Go on, try it for yourself. Peace!

If you have any tips or tricks for the Xbox360, do share them with us in the comments below. If you have questions, add them too.

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Quick Review: FIFA Soccer 12

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Overview:

Behold! The world of soccer sees a new baby. Yes, it is finally here, and it is called FIFA Soccer 12. Unlike the sorry state of game development that cricket has seen so far, soccer games have always managed a glitzy marquee in regards to the minutest of tweaks in gameplay to the very sound of the boots following the kick-off. There’s absolutely no doubt that translating a top-notch sport like soccer into a virtual battle is a tough nut to crack (Trying to sound formal here). However, it seems that the FIFA franchise almost always conjures a feat and manages to carry itself, remarkably well. Let us quickly dribble past all the wait and move on to our quick review on FIFA Soccer 12.

FIFA Soccer 11 to FIFA Soccer 12:

Ancestor to the newly born, FIFA Soccer 11 was a sure-shot success last year but truth is, it doesn’t take much time for soccer gaming fans to become a touch too demanding for further soccer releases. Come the new year, the highly anticipated FIFA Soccer 12 makes a mark with all new updates including: Player Impact Engine, Precision Dribbling and Tactical Defending. It is rather safe to say that the game undergoes a slight makeover and has been rightly revamped following the last instalment of FIFA. Nearly everything about the game, especially the fluid gameplay, looks bigger and better this time, which; infact, lures most soccer fans into the groove with ease and grace.

Presentation:

One of the foremost factors of the game that will surely make it a great hit among most soccer titles lies in how the game looks and plays-its slick presentation. Make absolutely no mistake about it: there is a whole lot more crammed into this year’s sequel to FIFA Soccer. With the all new magnificent stadiums and new overhauled playing kits, coupled with remarkably well polished graphics and stunning player likenesses, FIFA Soccer 12 manages to make a grand appearance this year. Ofcourse, the official licensing in all aspects of soccer that it puts on display for all and sundry already separates FIFA Soccer from the rest. However, there is much more to the success of the renowned FIFA franchise.

The career mode has certainly seen a good amount of revamping this time around and players will surely find themselves spending many more hours to get the most out of it. It’s kudos to the developers really for simplifying the multiplayer mode, thereby proving easy access to online modes and also plunge into competitions by starting an online community which will easily make it a popular choice amongst the die-hard FIFA enthusiasts. The inclusion of fresh voices like Martin Tyler and Alan Smith adds depth and excitement to even the seemingly bland match-ups.

The Football Club mode, truly, is a stand-out feature that indeed warms up the lamp by allowing players to repeat history by choosing from among scenarios ripped from real-life fixtures. Surely, this addition to the game will certainly encourage soccer fanatics to invest a lot more of their time into this new sequel to FIFA Soccer.

All in all, stunning visuals, overhauled game modes and a revamped soccer atmosphere will conveniently kick the action from the pitch to your homes.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

Gameplay:

Here lies the fun part, FIFA Soccer 2012 is a brilliant improvement over its predecessor when it comes to gameplay mechanics. The life-long battle between Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA continues to flare up; however, FIFA has certainly shown its potential and clearly translates its strong potential into some solid performance, which, as a matter of fact, makes the already fluid gameplay even more engaging for veteran gamers.

The new tactical defending system that has been incorporated in the gameplay is of great value. As suggested by its name, the all-new tactical defending system prove to be a lot more sophisticated approach towards the defence system and provides a more life-like soccer atmosphere all around. Follow the pace at which the defending system demands for your learning and you shall be rewarded for all the patience. This is why the defending system well and truly keeps players on their feet. Precision dribbling is yet another hallmark and truly shines.

Strange as it may sound, this soccer tactic allows players to do much more than just dribble the ball past the opponents. Overdoing it simply a waste; however, use it cleverly and discerningly, and you are sure to reap rewards. It is important to note that player logic and the computer AI has largely enhanced, which really makes for a challenging soccer experience. So, make a slight hash here and there and the computer would make you pay big time.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

Final Word:

To sum up, FIFA Soccer 12 is yet another sequel from FIFA Soccer that has not failed to impress. With user-friendly menus and the well-delivered commentary along with crisp and clear visuals coupled with gameplay innovations, FIFA Soccer 2012 unveils itself with an unparalleled and authentic tempo which is by no means unrealistic.

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Top Five Indie Games (PC / PS3 / XBox 360)

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Syed Hassan

Overview:

Hello, all you gaming fans out there, big, small or neutral. Today’s edition on games is a touch different from what we usually have to report to you. We believe that there has already been quite a bit of talk on the modern hardcore games, especially that are exclusive to the next-generation gaming consoles. In essence, Indie games is one genre that, we believe, is often overlooked as the shadow of the modern hardcore games tends to build too large on the former. However, there is no denying the fact that there is a true driving sense of passion that goes behind the development of Indie games which speaks a lot for what a thankless job Indie game development is. Yes thankless-these games are comparatively cheap or at times free of cost! (No reference made to the list ahead, though). Selection of a total of top five indie games from amongst a plethora of break out Indie titles is somewhat a cumbersome task alright. That is simply because the temptation to showcase the creativity and adventure-filled minds can easily get the better of you if you were I (Talk about demanding reverence). Without squandering another minute, let us thrill you with our list of the top five Indie games.

1. Super Meat Boy

If there is one video game that can even hold a candle to the classic Super Mario Bros in terms of gameplay (and the story, somewhat), it has to be Super Meat Boy. Rightly described by developers as ‘tough as nails’, this pure Indie 2D platformer comprises of a good two-hundred odd levels of running and jumping missions between hypodermic needles and spinning saw blades. No, we do not regret comparing the story to Super Mario Bros’s one bit as the plot requires saving a Bandage Girl who is kidnapped and encaged in an abandoned castle by Dr. Fetus (Makes me wonder if the doctor’s a child specialist). With seemingly daunting environments and the separation of a single pixel between life and death, Super Meat Boy is one Indie game that righteously rewards you for all your efforts. This Indie development may feel frustrating at times but the sort of environment Super Meat Boy crafts coupled with its precise tools makes for an exciting Indie games experience.

2. Braid

Braid comes across as one of the most compelling Indie games to date. Encouraging is the fact that the PC version of this Indie title manages to do justice to the original XBox live title. Yet again, there is a Princess to rescue in here as well, very much like Super Meat Boy, but Braid manages to craft a completely different little world of its own. More or less a mind-boggling puzzle solving Indie development, Braid immerses you with its high level of accomplishment that comes as an immediate corollary of striving through cerebral and cumbersome tasks. One main highlight of this Indie platformer is the ability to rewind time and take on all sorts of special meaning amidst all the amazingly engaging puzzles. The expertly designed puzzles that come with hefty challenges along with splendid art designs and a mature storyline make Braid an Indie game worth trying for sure. Bottomline is, Braid is a portalesque piece of perfection that should surely catch everybody’s eyes.

3. World of Goo

You may not fancy puzzle-platformers or even those regular narrative-driven Indie games that keep dropping in and out of the gaming market; however, with World of Goo your perception about 2D puzzle platform Indie games is sure to transform. A breathtakingly fresh Indie title, World of Goo, draws a gentle learning curve allowing players to rise among the ranks, slowly and steadily. Rewarding more often than not, World of Goo makes for a smooth learning environment instead of punishing you, mercilessly for all the hashes you make. As the name suggests, this Indie title is based around getting a certain amount of ‘goos’ from one extreme of the map to the other. Undoubtedly, World of Goo is a top-notch Indie game that is addictive in its gameplay and delivers a quirky and smart gaming experience.

4. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

Hot on the heels of the original Geometry Wars, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 conveniently manages to recreate the magic and deliver the lightning-in-a-bottle excellence that the original Geometry Wars packed. With over six modes of gameplay, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 helps ascend Indie addictive shooters to a level of unprecedented awesomeness. With a standard gun to keep a bunch of snake-like creatures at an arm’s length (Perhaps shorter considering the limited rectangular arena on your screens), Geometry War: Retro Evolved 2 is no happy accident-it is a dream come true (Especially for all you Snake and Pacman fans out there). Being a satisfyingly solid sequel, this Indie title impresses with ease and grace.

5. Lume

Point and click adventure Indie games have seen a barrage of titles which really speaks for the longevity of one of the games oldest genres and proves that it’s still alive and kicking. With the puzzles being highly intuitive and logical, the stand-out feature of this particular Indie title is the presentation. The splendid paperwork imagery make Lume look like one of the most gorgeous Indie game to date. It is no surprise that gamers will enjoy every second spent on this game; despite the game being shockingly brief, mind you. All in all, the plot and puzzles amalgamate well together to put on offer a fluid and well consolidated punch of Indie gaming.

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