Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the Playstation 3 review.

How do you follow up one of the biggest, best selling and critically acclaimed games of all time? Easy. Release a sequel that’s does exactly the same, but with added controversy, and a brand new game mode that’ll satisfy the most diehard of fans.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)

After a two-year break since the original Modern Warfare; a revolution at the time taking the previously World War themed Call of Duty series into contemporary warfare, developers Infinity Ward, and publishers Activision are back with perhaps the most ambitious title in history. The reason why? Make no mistake, instead of simply rehashing and repacking the original, there’s the genuine sense that with MW 2 the developers have taken all the best bits from MW, trimmed the fat, and then crammed in tonnes of tasty new features.

Starting with campaign mode, albeit noticeably shorter than the original, back are the cinematic cutscenes, simple but yet effective control system, and as you’d expect over the top storylines; this time taking first game hero Soap MacTavish, alongside new characters James Ramirez, Gary ‘Roach’ Sanderson’ and Private Joseph Allen to locations as varied as Afghanistan, Siberia, Rio De Janeiro and Washington D.C.

This time around there’s also added controversy surrounding a certain level, not to give too much away, involving a terrorist attack and an airport; which players are given the option to skip at the beginning of game. Some may see it as crude, but how often are games daring enough to cover such controversial and topical themes? A bold and brave move the developers should be praised for.

There’s also lots of new added features to make the short-lived, but highly enjoyable campaign extra fun, included the superb ‘breach’ feature, that allows you to enter a room in slow motion, picking off enemies before they even realise what’s happening. As you’d expect there are plenty of vehicle sections that include snowmobiles escapes, helicopter gunships and daring boat chases to keep the adrenaline flowing.

However, any fan of the original game will know that as fun as campaign can be, it’s in multiplayer where they’ll clock up the most hours. Sticking with the same winning formula that made Modern Warfare such a hit on both the Playstation 3 Network and Xbox Live, players will feel immediately at home with MW 2, as well enjoy a whole host of new tweaks. In addition to a variety of maps taken from the single player campaign, there’s also customisable killstreaks and callsigns allowing players to have a more personal online experience, as well as new perks to spice up gameplay.

New to the Modern Warfare series is the Special Ops mode. Designed to be played either solo or co-op, the mode offers a variety of missions, timed or with a specific goal, and focusing on specific gameplay elements, such as stealth, snipering, driving and combat. Easy to pick up, but a true challenge to master, Spec Ops will keep even the most dedicated COD fan occupied for hours.

Easily the biggest release of 2009, it’s with much joy I announce that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is certainly one of, if not, the best of the year. Delivering everything the original did, but better, and then some, it’s also arguably the best of the highly praised series to date. With enough content to keep even the most dedicated gamer happy, you’ll be playing to the almost inevitable Modern Warfare 3. War has never been so much fun.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Hardened Edition (PS3)

Rating: 5/5

Tom Bailey

Read this »

Deploy online into intense and unpredictable 32-player battles where it’s better to fight as a team than it is to be a hero. Battle teams across the world, earn your Community stripes and become the ultimate Spec Ops squad.

Watch the first exciting in-game trailer of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. A five-man SEAL team scouts the streets of Crossroads only to be ambushed by a group of mercenaries armed and ready for a fight!

Fly through Fallen, a new map exclusive to SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. The trailer explores the landscape in both the day and night versions of the map. Check out the lagoons and waterfalls around Fallen that can be used either to set up ambushes or disguise your approach. Like a SEAL, know your environment beforehand and gain a critical advantage over your opponents.

Experience Control Point, one of the exciting multiplayer game types available in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. Whether it’s above ground or below, communication is key as the SEALs work together in order to flank the mercenaries and secure each control point in Urban Wasteland, an exclusive new map.

Fly through Frostfire, a classic map from the SOCOM universe rebuilt for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. Originally featured in SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, Frostfire features more terrain with both day and night modes that ratchets up the intensity of 32-player battles.

Your greatest weapon in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation isn’t in the game… it’s in the box! The Official Bluetooth® Headset for the PLAYSTATION®3 system will be packaged with the Bundle version of SOCOM: Confrontation. Use such features as “HQ” (High Quality) mode to communicate with your team and take advantage of SOCOM: Confrontation’s “Proximity Chat” system. In SOCOM: Confrontation teamwork is always the key.

Fly through Desert Glory, a classic map from the SOCOM universe rebuilt for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. Originally featured in SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, Desert Glory is back with both day and night modes that ratchets up the intensity of 16-player battles.

You’ve waited patiently and it’s finally here. SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation has arrived on the PLAYSTATION®3 system! G’ up, become the ultimate Spec Ops squad and fight for victory. Deploy online into intense and unpredictable 32-player battles where its better to fight as a team than it is to be a hero. Alone I am Lethal. As a Team I Dominate.

You want to be the ultimate Spec. Op group in Confrontation? Listen in as real U.S. Navy SEALs discuss tactics and why it is best to plan and think about what you’re going to do before engaging into a battle. Take these lessons with you into the online battle in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confronation. Time to pay attention soldier!

Listen in as real U.S. Navy SEALs explain similarities between SOCOM: Confrontation and the way SEALs operate. SOCOM brings with it the authenticity of U.S. Navy SEAL combat. Time to pay attention soldier!

You want to be the ultimate Spec. Op group in Confrontation? Listen in as real U.S. Navy SEALs explain which weapons they use in real life and how their advantages play a part in SOCOM: Confrontation. This is the second part of a 4-part series delving into real SEAL experiences as they approach all facets of a mission. Time to pay attention soldier!

You want to be the ultimate Spec. Op group in Confrontation? Listen in as real U.S. Navy SEALs describe their Warrior Ethos and how it plays an important role in being successful in SOCOM: Confrontation. This is the first part of a 4-part series delving into real SEAL experiences as they approach all facets of a mission. Time to pay attention soldier!

Read this »

Freestyle gameplay of Grand Theft Auto IV on Playstation 3.

Read this »

Codes are available from the following sites

– G4
– GameTrailers
– 1UP
– GamePro

Apparently there are some more, available on sites such as Joystiq and other popular gaming networks. I doubt this will be on of those kind’a beta’s where every one goes nuts about it and starts bidding crazy prices on Ebay for the beta invites but if I do see any on my daily Ebay rooting.. I will surely let you know about them.

Read this »

EA sports NHL 09 video trailer from Playstation Games.

NHL 09 is published and developed by Electronic Arts. The game was introduced in the US in Sept. 9, 2008. If your predecessor is good you will have to be a lot better to create a mark for yourself and NHL 09 has done just that. With NHL 08 doing really well the pressure to deliver is much higher in NHL 09 and NHL 09 does not disappoint.

One look at the new modes and the improved controls establishes the supremacy of the game over its predecessor. The very addictive nature of the game and the outstanding game play makes it one of the best sports games of all time.
When you first log into the game you are asked to create and customize Be-a-Pro character for yourself. You can then choose the team in which you want your player to be. You will begin in AHL unless you elect to control an already established NHL player.

For the player to advance from being a rookie to a NHL legend the player must gain minimum number of points in each attribute. A third person camera follows your player on ice and with every single game that he plays, he will gets points which will help in upgrading his attributes. Even though you play as Be-a-Pro character, the attributes that you gain in one mode is not transferred to the next mode.

This makes the game even more difficult as it takes several games to gain just one attribute point. But simply playing good team hockey is such an addictive thrill that you forget how difficult the game has become. NHL 09 is more defense focused game and if you want to score a goal will require more than just simple maneuvering. It will require a lot of strategy and game plan if you want to score. All the features that make the game difficult also make the game interesting, because when you score the excitement is truly mind blowing.

There is coach who keeps advises you constantly. This becomes tedious at times but is always better to listen to him as he is always helpful.

The technology used in the game is also helps in game play. The 60 frames-per-second frame rate brings a lot of clarity to the game. The moving camera helps you capture every moment of the game without missing a single minute of excitement. The commentary of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement is truly outstanding.

Gary’s voice is so good that when he speaks there is never a dull moment in the game. Clement is like an information bank who keeps giving meaningful insights about the game of hockey.
One of the drawbacks of the game is that you have no power to set ticket and concession prices and make modification to team’s stadium. Also there is a problem with the camera when it rotates a full 360 degrees, as it makes it very difficult to track the puck.
All in all a great hockey game one of the best so far. The right analog stick control is a feature any gamer could die for. A must have for any gamer especially for person who loves hockey games.

Read this »