Showing posts with label newest ps3 games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newest ps3 games. Show all posts

Unreal Tournament III

Unreal Tournament III - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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Oh yes it does look better than Gears but plays a lot different. Think of this as Gears meets Unreal Tournament 2004 but with many modifications, additions and tweaks.

Here is my review of the Good, the bad, and "Ugly" on all about this game...

First... The Good:

The most noticeable thing is the graphics and sounds are un-freaking-believable! Look at this game and then look at Halo 3 and you will laugh at what Bungie considers next gen graphics. Whatever? THIS is next gen graphics. Best looking game on the PS3 system by far. Why didn't SONY hype this game is beyond me? It is THEIR Gears or Halo 3 for the system. What people say is true. Gears of War meets UT2004 is exactly how it looks, feels and sounds. Just to let everyone know that I am not a PS3 fanboy and I own both systems. I love Halo 3, Gears of War, Call of Duty 4 and the like. I am just reporting on my opinions between them. They all have something for everyone to enjoy. If you like fast FPS games in the tradition of Quake with fun vehicles but with truly next gen graphics than this game is for you.

This game has cool looking characters with exchangeable armor, vests, boots, helmets etc... like Halo 3 has. All the characters have a Gears "look" and the vehicles all have a Gears style to them. Some of the alien buildings have alien tentacles inter-woven into them and pulsate in and out. The distant vistas are really awesome and distracting and it even has the volumetric lighting that Halo 3 has. The shadow lighting is done very well. The quality in the graphics is just unbelievable and really shows off what the PS3 can do. I can't wait to see it on 360 to compare them.

No lag when I played except on just one server I played on. When I switched to a different one it ran great the whole time I played. just depends on who you are connecting to I guess.

UT3 controls really well with a PS3 controller. I was fragging in minutes with no problems. You can even select servers with no keyboard/mouse allowed to keep it fair.

Weapons overall seem stronger and have more punch. All the "hold to charge" up the weapon to release (like on the big truck in UT2004) has been removed except for the rocket launcher. The Truck has a laser on the back that just shoots normal like a turret and no charging is necessary.

Good change to the anti-vehicle Avril rocket launcher: The rocket launcher that you use to shoot down vehicles has limited ammo of like 5 shots or something. Thank god. In the old UT2004 it was annoying that you can fire off practically unlimited rocket ammo at the enemy with almost no way to avoid getting shot if you were in a vehicle. Now you can hide and hope they run out of rockets after a few shots. You are warned when being locked on and can see the laser pointer line from where it is coming from so you can fight them with your vehicle if you want. In UT2004 you never really knew where the rocket was coming from.

Sniper riffle works really well and they removed the lame laser/Lightning riffle. I killed 5 people in a row the first time I used it. Any Sniper fan will like this weapon.

I has new cooler weird vehicles! Twice as many as 2004. There are new vehicles to use and they all have a secondary weapon or feature on them. Some have cool additions like a turbo speed boost feature on the jeep. Some that stand out are the tentacle alien vehicles that look like they are strait out of "The Matrix". There is a flying alien vehicle that looks like a tentacle squid (alla Matrix) and another one that crawls on the ground like a spider-octopus. You can turn into a ball and roll over guys running on the ground, bounce around with the jump button then unfold back to an octopus of death again at will. Really fun vehicles all over the place. There are a bunch of other cool vehicles but I won't go into all of them but most of them are really fun to use.

A really cool new addition is the new hover board that will remind you of Back to the Future 2. Everyone has this available at spawn and you can't loose it. You just press the square button and you're off! If you are near a vehicle you can also just press square and boom you enter the vehicle. All the controls feel right and are easy to use.

On the board you move about twice as fast as running and can jump and even do tricks like 360s/720s and the like. If you get shot while using it, you will "eat it" and have to get up from the crash and can't shoot until you are all the way up standing upright. This takes a few seconds and it is sort of a penalty for getting shot while zipping by. It is hard to shoot people when they are on it sometimes so it feels good to see them eat it when you do. Looks really funny watching people slam face first into the floor when you shoot someone zipping by on a hover board.

When you use the hover board you can't shoot but you can use an auto targeting "Laser Tether" to any vehicle near you (that is on your team) if you press the shoot button. This is really fun and it speeds up your movement as fast as the connecting vehicle is going. So if a hover Manta flys by, you can shoot your laser tether on him and start flying over the terrain like a water skier (on land). If the vehicle stops, you can move forward to the side and zip by really fast like a sling shot and detach your tether to get killer speed.

While in hover board mode and you jump off something that is really high you will always crash land so you can't just use it and move anywhere you want without consequence. I love the new hover board addition. You won't get angry when people take all the vehicles and you need to get to a node really fast. Now you can just hitch a ride with the tether and hover board. All aboard!

The Jeep (with blades) has a cool new feature where you can turbo into a group of enemies and press the square button to power eject out of it. You fly 100 feet in the air and down below the jeep will PLOW into the bad guys without slowing down and then explode upon impact with pieces flying everywhere killing anyone that gets hit by it. VERY cool.

New really cool addition is the Power Node Ball that changes linking nodes strategies. It will help a team that is losing have a chance at a comeback if all the nodes are taken.

When the game starts, a node ball appears in a little generator near the core. If you take the ball you can't get into a vehicle but you can still use the hover board. This Node Ball will make ANY captured node change to your team's node if you run over the node beam while it is in your hands.

If the node isn't captured yet and you run under the node (with the ball) the node will become yours without having to capture it with the link beam. If you see a bad guy running up onto your node a computer voice will warn you that an enemy is approaching with one. If you kill him the ball will fall to the ground and a 25 second countdown ticker appears over it. If it counts down to zero the ball re-appears at their base. If another bad guy runs over it he can still pick it up. OR if you want you can go over to it and press the square button to sacrifice your life and destroy the ball so they have to start all over from the main base with a new ball. This new node ball addition will make some really crazy game sessions back and forth.

There is a new stealth vehicle tank that as soon as you enter it, it disappears. It drives kind of slow but you can drive it into an enemy base undetected or take it to a node to add defense to your node area. Once you press the deploy, it un-stealth's (can be seen) unfolds and you have a mine layer and a large time displacement force Jell-O field thing. You can deploy this thick Jell-O wall over a node and anyone that walks into it will walk super slowly. All bullets or rockets or even vehicles that touch or go though this wall will slow down super slow. This reminds me of the force field suits from Dune. You can use this to create a choke point in a hallway or defend a node. This is a cool defense to keep your node alive for a little longer if it is being attacked since rockets or bullets will move so slowly while in it.

The graphics on the Power Core at your base looks even better. It looks like the power generator from Spiderman 2. As you shoot it, protective cover panels break off the surrounding energy core ball (like Tron) and looks really cool. When you finally destroy it, parts of junk and parts will get sucked in as the ball gets bigger and then explode just like spiderman 2. Cool visual.

The Bad:

I hate online multiplayer games on the PS3 since no one uses a headset. For all the time I played UT3 online I NEVER heard anyone say a thing. None of the other people outhere on the PS3 network has a damn headset and the UT game supports it. Thank god that the game has a computer voice that tells everyone where they should be and what node is being attacked and such. It helps, but there needs to have communication when playing. If the 360 is as good as this version I will def go and use that one instead.

Also Epic made it a "press right directional pad" to talk (alla warhawk and Halo 3) instead of just talk when you want like Gears. I hate that.

Since this game is so new there is hardly anyone playing right now. There was only like 8 servers online to play with last night. Small amount for a new game. This will change in the next few weeks when more people get it.

Okay now the Ugly.....

There is nothing Ugly in this game. One of the best looking games of this type out there if not the best.

Other than that I like the game a lot and is a really fun multiplayer game. Call of Duty 4 is a blast but if you want a game with furrious action and fun vehicles this is the best place to play. Sorry Halo 3.

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The Unreal Tournament series has been around for years. Generally having a welcome home on PC's the third incarnation works on changing that. Unreal Tournament 3 is a beautiful and fast paced shooter that has been perfectly ported over to the Playstation 3 console.

From the very get go this game gives you several different options. I want to cover all of these so you can become more familiar with what you want out of the game. Many look at the Unreal Tournament as an online only style shooter. I will tell you that it is much more than that.

The game actually has a story based mode. This is little less on the story and generally a great way to get people into the game and familiar with the game modes. So if you are expecting an involved story you should probably go elsewhere. You get all the difficulty settings from casual to very hard. For someone like me who has never played Unreal Tournament I played casual to get more familiar with the game. One thing I can say after playing the story for several hours it is not simple on any level. The A.I. is actually excellent giving me more of a challenge than I ever expected.

Next the game has instant action where you can go from death match to team death match and the other true favorites like capture the flag. There are other game types available also. This instant action is played against the bots who provide plenty of competition. This is also another great way to improve your skills before you take on the real competition.

Now is the most interesting part and that is the online. This game provides an almost seamless online experience as you can take on 15 others in some matches. What keeps this game fresh is the incredible amount of maps that never get old. The game modes also provide for frantic fun. The game play is incredibly fast paced which is unlike any shooter I have ever played.

If you are looking for a fun sci-fi shooter that is non-stop action then Unreal Tournament 3 should be up your ally. This game has been done perfectly on the PS3. From the incredible graphics to the amazingly quick game play. It's hard not to get addicted to the fun in this game. Shooter fans this game is well worth at least a look if not a purchase.

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I never write reviews...but here's my 2 cents.

This is probably the first mature title for the PS3 since its launch. By 'mature' I am not talking about content rating but the quality of this game. It seems that this is the first title post launch of the PS3 that is pushing the console to its limit. Sure, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is an awesome game but I don't think it pushes the box to its limits.

Thanks to this game, I will have to stop playing the quite enjoyable COD 4 (and I was getting so close to a promotion!).

My only critical comment about this game is that the multiplayer match-up will still need a little time to build up users...but I am very confident that this will probably not be an issue a month from now.

If you like shooters, don't hesitate..get this game now.

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Having played the Unreal series only sparingly over the years, I would consider myself somewhat of a noob. I've never been big on online multiplayer, but I have dabbled in it with Warhawk and Resistance. That being said, I think UT3 is helping me become more and more interested in this weird online craze. UT3 is quite astonishing to look at. The environments are beautiful and the textures look about the same as Uncharted and Gears. I would say the graphics are about the same as Gears of War (made by the same developers). The ability to get into a match sometimes takes a while (10 to 20 seconds for me), but if that's fast enough for you then great. The single player campaign is rather weak. There really isn't much of a substantial story, but rather it's more practice for the main event, online multiplayer. This is where UT3 shines. The action is fast and frenetic. The weapons (both primary and secondary fire) are satisfying. I experienced some lag until I fully installed the game on my PS3 (you can either fully install or play from the disc). After installation, everything was smooth sailing. I enjoyed the ability to fully customize my character's appearance (boots, chest plate, helmet, you name it). I'm giving this game 4 stars mainly due to its weak single player campaign. That's my favorite part of FPS's, so I was a little disappointed in UT3's campaign. All in all, it's a great game. It looks and runs great. Do yourself a favor and experience it on a PS3 if you haven't already picked one up (and no, I don't work for Sony).

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This has to be the best looking game on Ps3 right beside uncharted and rachet....different games different style graphics....But this games game play graphics and fun factor are top notch....They wasn't joking when they said better graphics then gears !!....If you are into to shooters this is the king of all....Pick it up its a great purchase!....No doubt the best hardcore shooter on Ps3...well Best shooter on any system at the moment...Yea better than Halo in my book i own both!

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Ratchet & Clank Collection

Ratchet & Clank Collection
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $19.99
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Ratchet and Clank is probably my favorite franchise of all time, and certainly my favorite Sony franchise. Of all the great titles from the PS2 era, this is the one series that I still return to. The gameplay, the humor, the art direction, the creature and robot design, the characters... it all just comes together perfectly in the strange, whacky universe that Ratchet, Clank, and Captain Quark live within.

Now, I can finally play those PS2 classics in HD format, and boy, does it make a difference. I was reserved about the graphics, based on the available photos, but the pictures look nowhere as good as the actual games when they're in action on your HDTV. It's great to see the visuals so crisply sharpened up, and tailored to fit a widescreen. Understandably, these games look nowhere near as good as "Tools of Destruction" or "A Crack in Time", since those were developed from the ground up for a more sophisticated console. But that's okay. The gameplay is so rock solid, and the improvement to the visuals is so significant, I quickly lost myself in these adventures once again... it was like a reunion with a great friend. Insanely addictive and enjoyable, I immediately resumed trying to scoop up every last bolt, and acquire every last, whacky weapon and gadget. The mechanics/controls have aged remarkably well (even with the lack of strafing in #1), as have the storytelling and voice acting aspects.

The addition of trophies, along with the ever popular "skill points" that the series is known for, is a huge bonus for players who want to reinvest time exploring these fantastic alien worlds. I obviously have not had time to explore every nook and cranny of this enormous collection, but so far, so good, and I'm looking forward to every moment of revisiting these adventures. It sure took a while, but it was worth the wait. My one minor gripe is that "Deadlocked" is not included, making this one title short of a complete R&C collection from the PS2 era. Insomniac, if you're listening... please consider adding "Deadlocked" as a DLC to reward your loyal fans. Thanks!

Update: Some have commented about the Sly Cooper demo. It comes in the form of a "voucher" code, which must be redeemed on PSN.

Update #2: Maybe somebody at Insomniac heard us, because they just announced that "Deadlocked" will be available on PSN later this year!

Update #3: After thoroughly putting RC#1 HD through its paces, here are my further thoughts (all good):

I picked up RC for the PS2 when it was first released in 2002. At the time, I was wowed by the game. It seemed to take platformers to a whole new level, and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I ever had with the PS2 console. It combined great humor, storytelling, platforming, combat, weapons, gadgets, and variety. The variety came from a number of tastefully implemented elements that broke up the gameplay, including using your Trespasser gadget to crack hi-tech locks, using Clank to control miniature "Gadgetbots" and solve puzzles, piloting starships in intergalactic battles, and even transforming into a gigantic robot to get into some arena-style combat.

More than anything else, this game got me HOOKEDI had to play it right to the end, and after that, I wanted to uncover all the hidden bolts, skill points, weapons, and gadgets. Never did I imagine that I would have as much fun when I went back to revisit RC with the RC Collection on PS3. But I'm happy to report that I did!

I CANNOT believe this game is TEN years old! It's true that it's been given the "HD makeover", but the content and gameplay mechanics are identical to the original. Even though this was the first RC entry, and improvements would slowly occur over time (such as strafing and an enhanced "quick select"), this game has aged remarkably well, and it's still as gripping and fun as it was ten years ago. What's just as impressive is how incredibly GOOD this game looks. Nothing was "rebuilt"; developer Idol Minds simply enhanced the resolution to HD and fit it to widescreen format. Yet, this game looks better than most PS3 games... and it's only a PS2 game! That speaks volumes about the fantastic, cartoony art direction that this series has always embraced, and the wonderful passion with which developer Insomniac poured into this game.

Ratchet and Clank fans, and newcomers alikerejoice!

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I didn't really start gaming again until I bought a PS3 back in 2010. At the time, I wasn't sure what to get so I curiously perused IGN's TOP 25 PS3 games and saw that Ratchet & Clank Future Tools Of Destruction had made the list. With its tantalizing Pixar-like imagery, I was intrigued and purchased it.

And played it to death. I immediately followed up with Quest for Booty and A Crack In Time.

I was hooked. Then, my 8-year old daughter and I saw an opportunity in Ratchet and Clank All 4 One. Was it Ratchet and Clank Future? No, but it allowed the father/daughter team that had previously bested Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 to play again and we enjoyed it despite the sneers that some greeted it with.

Then I learned that the original Ratchet and Clank trilogy was being re-released on the PS3 in one collection. My daughter and I traded a look and the pre-purchase was instant; our PS3 slim model won't support PS2 disc-based games so we knew that this was going to be our one and only shot of experiencing how such a remarkable game series that ensnared us both got started to begin with.

Of course, I was a little apprehensive. Some HD updates have worked and others haven't (Silent Hill anyone? although they DID finally patch it on PS3). Was a PS2-era game going to wow me?

Unequivocally, yes yes YES! The work is phenomenal. An IGN reviewer stated that the controls were "buttery" (extremely smooth) and OH, they ARE! You can tell that the games were from a PS2 era, but you can also see how Insomniac must have definitely and quite fully utilized the PS2's potential just as much as the Future trilogy used the PS3. Gameplay levels are beautifully remastered. Cutscenes do show their age, but it's not as bad as some of the others that I've seen out there.

If you're familiar with a number of the Future controls, you'll almost feel instantly at home from the startup of the original and it won't take long for you to work out the few controls that are different. The 3D is also quite well-done, although it will drop to 30 fps instead of the 60 fps that you'll experience without it. That said, it's still pretty smooth and if 3D is your thing, then you don't have anything to fear. If it's not, you still will be quite pleased with the work done on this title. This is a remaster that was done RIGHT.

My daughter and I are loving it immensely and if you've never played Ratchet and Clank before, you should...now! Insomniac's beloved duo has made a much welcomed return...and, in our case, a welcome first-time arrival. Fully recommended!

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Ratchet and Clank are my heroes. They are the stuff legends are made of. Ever since I popped the original "Ratchet and Clank" game into my PS2 I've been hooked, and the series just kept getting better through the course of the three games that make up the original trilogy. Yes, Insomniac's epic saga of a lethal but lovable Lombax and his diminutive but dedicated robot sidekick, though it has had its rough spots (Ratchet: Deadlocked, Size Matters, All 4 One), has never failed to remind me why it is that I love it so much. The series' near perfection in its dynamic characters, epic storytelling, endlessly fun gameplay, eye-popping art style, and witty adult humor long ago made it my favorite videogame series of all time.

Just like any good legend, Ratchet and Clank are alive and well years after their maiden voyages took place. And now fans new and old can experience these voyages in HD. I am blown away by the improvements in all three games' graphics, but especially by those of the original game. Being ten years old, this title definitely needed a graphical upgrade and it certainly got it. "Ratchet and Clank" now looks as good as or better than anything on the PS2 and that is very gratifying. The same goes for R&C 2 and 3 as well.

Another thing that I noticed was the very welcome addition of trophy sets for each of the titles. Personally, I would have bought this collection even if trophies had not been included because I have never needed any extra incentive to immerse myself in these stellar games; however the trophies are a nice touch, giving me just one more reason to keep playing.

The bottom line is all three games look excellent with noticeably improved graphics. The games, as far as I can tell are not changed in any other way (good thing). And the experience is as exhilarating as ever. What more can one ask from an HD remastering?

Rather than prolong this review with more praise for my most beloved game series I will end by saying that for fans like me there was no question of whether or not to buy this collection. These classics are worth every penny. And if you, like me, have nearly worn out your PS2 copies of each of the three games included, this collection is not just a desire, it's a necessity. Lastly, to newcomers to the series I would simply say that I have never enjoyed three videogames as much as I have enjoyed the Ratchet and Clank original trilogy, and at the amazingly low price of 30 bucks these gaming gems should not be missed.

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When the whole "HD compilation of last generation games" move began a few years ago, the question on many people's minds was when the @$#@#! Sony was going to release a Ratchet and Clank HD collection. After all, Ratchet and Clank was one of the few franchises identified with Sony that had successfully transitioned to the PS3, and was one of the few surviving, somewhat traditional platforming franchises with some degree of critical and commercial success. The PS2 adventures of the mechanically inclined, tabby cat-like Ratchet, and his somewhat nerdish, diminutive robot companion Clank still remained absent, even as God of War, Metal Gear Solid, Sly Cooper, and Jak and Daxter collections all were released for the PS3. In 2012, Sony finally relented, and has released the original PS2 trilogy of Ratchet and Clank games for the PS3, in high definition. The question, as is the case in any of these HD re-releases, is whether games released so long ago, and in a lower resolution, can retain the same magic under the stark light of modern gaming conventions and high-definition expectations.

The good news is that the Ratchet and Clank games do stand up to that scrutiny. The collection includes the self-titled debut (RC1), Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando (GC), and Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal (UYA). The franchise is essentially a mix of Super Mario Brothers style platforming, the over-the-top gunplay of Contra, and the cartoon aesthetics/sensibilities of Looney Tunes (Duck Dodgers in particular) mixed with Pixar films, all in 3D. Unlike Jak and Daxter, the core principles and approach of the games have remained relatively consistent (more on the differences between the 3 games later). In terms of how this collection is put together overall, I have to admit that, like many of these collections, there's not a lot of polish. The title screen has artwork obviously ripped from 2011's Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One, the skimpy digital manual (there's no physical one) fails to retain all the detail and charm of the original PS2 manuals, and there's no extra features to be found. As is the case for almost all HD compilations, some of the in-game movies are either sub-HD or have had their aspect ratios altered, and switching games requires exiting entirely back to the PS3 dashboard.

That being said, I was shocked at how much care they put into restoring the first Ratchet and Clank game. Despite the general conventional wisdom that RC1 was inferior to its successors, I always felt that it had the strongest level design and best aesthetics of the series, and as a result, liked it a bit better than the others. The planets are memorable: the lush, open plains of Novalis, Eudora's forested greenery, the night-time desert frontier of Aridia, Hoven's wintry chill, the vast skyscrapers and hovercars of Metropolis, Pokitaru's blue water, and Gaspar's vivid red and orange lava fields all made quite an impression the first time around. Each of the many worlds also felt fairly busy and filled with things to do; there were usually at least a couple of distinct main paths to take. I'm not sure if it was due to the game possibly being originally designed at a higher resolution than its original PS2 release, but the HD version seems to be significantly more detailed and cleaned up than one would expect after playing the original on a PS2. Textures mostly seem more detailed than before, and the colors really "pop". The gameplay in RC1 is very much focused on "meat and potatoes" platforming and 3rd person gunplay, with a few diversions (hoverboard racing, turret gun sequences, one-off starfighter sections) thrown in to keep things fresh. The Clank solo sections provide an interesting change of pace, as the focus shifts from shooting and jumping to managing herds of robotic helpers, a la Lemmings. The gunplay is solid and very entertaining (Contra fans should note the probably unintentional tribute to the game's influence when on Batalia), albeit with a slightly wonky auto-aim mechanism, made up for by the sheer variety of crazy weapons. The platforming is pretty good, too, with rail-grinding sections that acknowledge that sometimes you just want a Sonic-esque roll-coaster ride, and magnet-boot sections that confound the player's orientation. Perhaps most importantly, RC1 has a camera-centering buttonsomething that Naughty Dog never implemented to the detriment of its Jak and Daxter series.

GC was developed well within the timeframe of "Grand Theft Auto fever", when focus group testing pushed gaming towards "grittier", less cheerful fare, and "open world gaming" became the new bandwagon to hop on, even if the concept of a game didn't mesh with that. Insomniac mostly stuck to their guns in terms of developing GC, but some of the new sensibilities still crept in. One thing that sticks out is that the worlds in GC were gloomier than those in RC1, with duller color palettes. The level design also felt somewhat stripped down and simpler as well. With that being said, Insomniac also took cues in terms of making the gameplay broader in scope, in line with the GTA games. Hoverbike racing challenges were made deeper than the prior game's hoverboard races, space combat/fighter racing took greater prominence, and the series' signature arena combat was introduced. RPG leveling aspects (for both Ratchet's health and his weapons) were worked in as well, while new gadgets such as the glider, and 2 distinct hacking mechanisms (each with its own minigame) further varied things. Targeting and movement were improved quite a bit, and RC1's unforgiving checkpoints were replaced with something a little more palatable. And despite the more spare aesthetics, GC had its share of memorable locations, including a desert world and a tundra world with large open sections for harvesting crystals while fighting enemies. Let's not forget the escalation in weaponry from the prior installment (you'll be tossing portable mini-nukes, unleashing balls of plasma-lightning, and spraying enemies with lava on a regular basis before all is said and done).

By the time UYA was released, the "next big thing" was the rising popularity of linear, accessible shooters, even as open world gaming was still settling into its place as a genre that was here to stay. UYA shows that influence, even if still within the stalwart Ratchet and Clank approach. UYA returns to a more vivid art style, while the wide scope of GC has been scaled back a bit for something more focused on set-pieces and visceral combat (with yet another bump in the arsenal providing the player with plasma whips and a space-rift creator). Gone are the racing aspects, and rail-grinding is a no show. Instead of space combat, UYA introduces sets of military-style "missions" on certain worlds, with both ground combat and gunship sequences. The arena combat does return, while the spherical moon sections from GC (years before Super Mario Galaxy hit the shelves) also return with more polish (check out the vista on the Obani moons!). UYA is probably the quickest-paced of these 3 games, and weapon-leveling has been segmented further so that you see more immediate improvements through continued use of any given weapon. While my game's save file clock indicates I've put in something like 16-17 hours to finish UYA, it feels like the "shortest" of the games. I should also note that UYA has the distinction of being one of the few platformers to have an online multiplayer component, which has been included here.

Overall, the games themselves are fantastic, with each bringing a distinct enough strong point to the series, so that it's hard to say which is "the best". Unfortunately, there are a few odd glitches here and there (Ratchet's space helmet in cutscenes from GC and UYA, some players having occasional freezing at points, issues with how meters appear on the screen, and whatever you do, don't go right back into single player after playing multiplayer in UYA, unless you want to permanently disable the weapons wheel pause). In addition, there are a couple points where for some reason, the graphics look a bit....unpolished (notably in UYA, where the very first world of Veldin has a grotesquely fake-looking sun-glare "ring"). This, however, may simply be due to higher resolutions drawing attention to the occasional lapse in fidelity that was present in the originals. All told, the diligent gamer will get 40+ hours out of this compilation on the first playthrough (there's also a "new game+" challenge mode for each game), while the obsessive player could tack on another 10 or more hours before revisiting the games via challenge mode. While all 3 of Sony's platforming collections are, in my opinion, essential PS3 purchases, this collection is the best of them, simply due to the consistently high quality of all 3 games.

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I've been known to get my hands on a lot of games and play them. During the PS2 era I managed to get my hands on a ton of games. Strangely, however, I never actually picked up Ratchet and Clank. Despite the games being one of the biggest selling franchises on the PS2, I never got around to playing them. My first foray into the Lombax's universe and the little robot backpack was playing Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Upon playing that game, I was in pure awe of everything it had to offer. As I planned to dust off my PS2 and find the previous three games used, I was told by the clerk that perhaps I should wait, as an HD collection was right around the corner. Sure enough, that collection hit and I got to experience the first three games for the very first time in splendid HD.

It has been ten years since Ratchet and Clank debuted, and as I sat there playing the collection I found myself in awe. They were amazing games. Games that, with each installment, actually got better and better. And what was remarkable about this progression was that at no point in time did I ever feel one game had to "fix" the flaws of another. No, rather each new game just adds the right amount of new stuff to keep it interesting and make the experience more rewarding.

HD Collections are slowly being debated about in the gaming industry. But Ratchet and Clank is most certainly one of the better ones. When it comes to gaming and graphics one little known aspect that is hardly talked about is the aesthetics themselves and how sometimes that is what makes a game hold up. During the Playstation 2 era a lot of games tried to do character models that were closer to looking photo-realistic or something along those lines. This makes HD Collections like Metal Gear Solid look great, but their age shows a little bit more. A game like Ratchet and Clank, however, uses incredibly vibrant colors and cartoon like qualities. And one thing seems to be certain: These kinds of aesthetics most definitely age better than the ones going for a more "realistic" look. Case in point, if you didn't know the Ratchet and Clank games were originally Playstation 2 titles you might not assume they were right off the bat. There's A LOT of detail put into these games and they've actually aged rather well. No, they've got nothing on say... Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, but it's still admirable the amount of detail put into these games. In crisp HD they're amazing on the eyes. It is by far one of the best looking HD Collections you can find. It made that transition smoothly.

There are moments where the aspect ratio is still 4:3 and, of course, that can't be helped. They're pre-rendered cutscenes. But at the very least these scenes were updated as well. This is really only noticeable in the first Ratchet and Clank, however. The sides of your television will be black for these scenes. However, it's a step up from some HD collections that left their pre-rendered stuff untouched. There are moments in game, however, where it's still kept at the 4:3 ratio when it could've been stretched. Again, this mostly noticeable in the first one, as it has a lot of those moments.

Gameplay wise, Ratchet and Clank is familiar. You usually play as Ratchet, running around with Clank on your back. You'll be able to buy and find an assortment of weapons throughout the entire experience of all three games. In the first game it's merely finding and equipping them. But in the second there is more variety and they level up. By the time you get to the third you'll have a whole host of weapons to play with. As you move from one game to the next you can also carry over some weapons from one game to the next. Although with some weapons there isn't much point to carrying them over. For instance, in Going Commando, you start off with a Gravity Bomb that has a huge blast radius as it is. There's not much reason to carry over the original Bomb Glove from Ratchet and Clank in this instance. Often you'll find the new arsenal in each new game better than the last.

As with most HD Collections, however, you begin to see how some games have really aged. Despite just being ten years old, it may take some gamers a bit of time to adjust to some of the controls. In the instances of swimming it took a moment to adjust. It also took a moment to adjust to the camera controls and to the idea of pressing the O button to fire when most modern day games rely on using R1. These are, of course, minor complaints. Namely because the Ratchet and Clank games were state of the art. It's just how games were made in 2002. The controls, for the most part, don't really improve much as you go from one game to another. This is actually not so bad as once you settle in you'll pretty much be okay for the whole set. The games aren't long either so you'll easily pass through all of them. There is trophy support added for those who want it, though, and some of them are quite fun to try for while others just seem silly to go for (collecting 1 million bolts in the first game is just tedious without exploiting a well known glitch).

That's not to say everything about the collection is perfect. There were times when there was some noticeable frame rate issues. And normally this happens when a game is overcrowded with a lot of data on screen, but this wasn't the case here. Sometimes the frame rate seemed to dip for essentially no reason. Likewise, sometimes when the audio would loop it would hiccup for just a second or two.

It's actually quite amazing how well the games have aged. I am sitting here playing these games for the first time after having played Future: Tools of Destruction and it's hard not to be impressed. Certainly the controls aren't up to speed, but they're still solid and tight that learning them is all that is necessary. It never really trips you up. The progression through each planet is also simply amazing. It's also nice to see how the games evolved in every standpoint. The production values in the first one are stellar as it is, for instance, and jumping into Going Commando once I was finished with my first adventure showed a major step. Simply put, each game just kept getting better in every sense of the word. More weapons. More variety of levels and exploration. Other aspects just simply got better. The cutscenes in each game looked and sounded better. The voice acting got better with each game. The writing got better with each game. The humor got better with each game. And most important, each new adventure was better.

It's hard not to recommend the collection. All small hiccups aside, these are phenomenal games. There are hardly any platformers out there that can best Ratchet and Clank. Many come close but few truly eclipse it in terms of quality and substance. Not to mention it has moments of just pure action and amazement. To revisit them in HD or (as is my case) to discover these gems for the first time is well worth the investment.

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Universal Microphone Stand

Universal Microphone Stand
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $79.95
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Okay, so this is a microphone stand. Plain and simple. The clips to hold controller are very useful, and the clip actually holds some older video game USB microphones, unlike other mic stands. The stand is made of plastic with mostly plastic connnections, which means that you can't get the adjustable parts as tight as you'd like. The main adjuster requires two hands on the lower part of the stand to tighten adequately, so if you go the wrong way, the mic will slide down and you'll have to reposition. If you want to hold the mic while you sing on the stand, it may slide down even when fully tightened. Also, the screw on the mic clip is loose, so expect to tighten it before you play with a Phillips head screwdriver. The clip is removable, so you could put it on a real mic stand if this one ever breaks. The major design flaw is that the controller clip for Xbox 360 does not let you hook up a plug and play charger to it while it's clipped on. So while I'd have loved to use this time to charge my batteries, I can't.

To sum it up: It's a cheap plastic stand with tightening issues, a great clip design for holding the microphone, and a controller clip that won't let you charge an Xbox 360 controller. If you can live with the above-stated problems, then you should be fine. I am satisfied, considering.

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What you see is what you get...and that's all. The spring loaded microphone stand is decent and the microphone clip is very nice. I love the ability to hang your wireless controllers on the stand and even use one of the extra controller clips to hang my guitar (by the strap). I have one major complaint which keeps this product from rating five stars: nobody sells additional controller clips. You receive three clips, one for each major console system (xbox 360, PS3 and wii). If you're like me and only want one microphone stand, but would like to hang all your controllers on it, you're out of luck. I suggest writing your own review and posting your contact information so other buyers can email you and organize a trade. That's what I did and now I have three Xbox clips and just hang my Wii remotes from their cords.

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I bought the mic stand so that I could simultaneously sing and play guitar at the same time. It works wonders. The stand has nice controller clips that hold your controller for you so that you want have to pick it up off a table or the floor between songs. Nice adjustable range on it and very sturdy. I definitely recommend it.

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I purchased this product last year. I like to play guitar and sing at the same time in Rockband, and it worked excellently for that. The microphone stayed in the clip most of the time, and was rarely removed. The clip only lasted two months. It is a cheap plastic product made up of two plastic pieces and a large spring. Once it breaks it is difficult to find a replacement. Mic holders at your local music store are not compatible with this product because the stand is made of metal tubes that are smaller than regular mic stands. I replaced this product with just a basic mic stand with a rubber slide in/out holder for just $5 more. It is heavy duty and can't break, and has now lasted over 14 months and will last as long as I want to keep it around.

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Great Universal Microphone stand that also holds controllers. I will list the cons and pros.

Pros

1.Can be very adjustable to very low to very high

2.Not as cheaply made as I thought it would be

3.Great price

4.Cord organizer

5.Rubber feet

6.Attractive design makes it look like a real stand

Cons

1.Only has one controller clip for a ps3, wii, or xbox 360

2.Cannot purchase additional clips

3.Should have made one for a ps3 that comes with like 3 ps3 clips, or a wii one that comes with 3 wii clips, etc...

Overall I am very happy getting this to go along with my rock band 2. It looks like tons of fun! [....] if you want xbox 360 clip or wii clip. I will trade either one for a ps3 clip. Thanks!

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PlayStation 3 250GB System

PlayStation 3 250GB System
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
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NOTE: (Nov. 9, 2010) The PlayStation 3 320 GB with a larger disc is now available for the same price. Another option is PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle which would make sense if the Move was something you wanted with your PS3.

_______________________________________

< BEGIN REVIEW >

Briefly, the PS3-250 is the exact original PS3 'Slim' with a twice as large hard disk.

I had the opportunity to actually see and use a PS3-250 on the Sunday prior to its launch. As I expected, the only difference between the ps3-250 and the PS3-120 is the larger disk with everything else the same. Many reviews of the PS3-120 are HERE.

< END OF REVIEW >

Once the decision was made to get a PS3, 2 important questions might be:

Which model to buy? PS3-120 or PS3-250?

To upgrade or not to upgrade to a 500/640GB PS3?

Based on personal experience and the experience of other PS3 owners that I know, the options are the following remember, these are my views:

PS3-120, no upgrade

---------------------

Buy a PS3-120 and do not upgrade if you use it mainly to play movies and you rarely download games from the PSN store. It will take you very far and it should have sufficient room for storing thousands of pictures and a lot of music besides it playing Blu-ray content and CDs.

I found that 120GB would not be enough for me. After a couple of years of use, with a few downloaded games, many more demos, lots of pictures and songs and some videos the kids made with the PS3 Eye we've breached the 120GB threshold. I would not worry about that if all I wanted was one of the better Blu-ray players. In addition, anybody comfortable with backing up/restoring the PS3 and upgrading the disk can postpone the upgrade step for later.

PS3-250, no upgrade

---------------------

Buy a PS3-250 and do not upgrade if you do plan to download a few movies and games but not a lot of them AND/or you don't feel comfortable with upgrading your PS3 yourself.

Anyone who is not an almost-exclusive movie viewer and doesn't want to mess with screws and OEM disks should buy the PS3-250. It should have enough capacity to last for quite a few years with good disk space management (delete the demos and downloads you no longer need).

PS3-120 upgrade to 500/640GB

------------------------------

Buy a PS3-120 and upgrade it to 500/640GB IF you don't mind swapping the PS3's disk. You get to upgrade your PS3-120 to quadruple capacity for very little expense and probably for less than a PS3-250 would cost you (see next paragraph). This should buy you peace of mind for the rest of your PS3's lifespan.

Keep in mind that a 500GB HDD such as the 500GB Scorpio Blue Mobile Sata 5400RPM 8MB 2.5IN or the Western Digital 640 GB SATA OEM Notebook Hard Drive WD6400BEVT (Scorpio Blue) if you don't mind the extra expense can be had for about 90 dollars at the time I am writing this. That would make a 500GB upgraded PS3-120 appear a little more expensive than the PS3-250 BUT you are left with a brand-new 120GB HDD (the drive originally in the PS3) when you are done and you can either sell it or use it as an external USB-powered backup drive or maybe to upgrade your laptop's drive. This would effectively set the price of the 500GB upgraded console to match that of the PS3-250.

There are many online guides that detail the process. I will post a couple URL's in a comment to this review.

PS3-250 upgrade to 500/640GB (not recommended)

------------------------------------------------

Do NOT buy a PS3-250 if you are planning to upgrade it to 500/640GB unless you really need a spare 250GB external HDD instead of a spare 120GB HDD and think that the price difference is worth the larger spare drive.

EVALUATION

The PS3-250 while not for everyone, deserves its 5 stars. In my view, there is enough value added by doubling the storage capacity to justify the price difference over the PS3-120.

______________________________________

NOTE: If you want to upgrade you are better off if you upgrade immediately.

This way you avoid the backup/restore hassles and therefore greatly simplify the process. I would include the upgrade HDD on the same order with the new PS3 and maybe add a HDD enclosure if planning to use the drive I removed from the PS3 as an external drive.

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I had no idea which unit to buy, the 120 or the 250 GB Playstation 3. I ended up with the 250 out of fear that the 120 would leave me desiring more space later. If you don't know anything, here is what I see so far. On the Playstation network, you can download game demos and marketing videos for games free. I haven't found myself doing this a lot yet. Of course, you can also delete them easily after you watch them.

Most playable games even old ones cost to download so I have decided to just buy a couple of the popular ones and am hooked on those and the stunning DVD and Blu Ray movie quality for now. You are not going to be able to download games like Modern Warefare 2 to your hard drive from the PS network that I can see. WHen you buy a game at the store or here on amazon in disc format, you have to install it first. This may take some hard drive space. So far, one game I have takes nearly 3 GB and another takes up less than 1 GB but the games also called for an update download which I don't know how much space that took. At this rate, you could install maybe 100 store bought disc format games.

Playing movies on disc doesn't seem to take hard drive space. You can download movies from the Playstation network. If you do much of this, I image you'll need more space but the movies I was interested in cost the same amount to buy from amazon or wal-mart as to download so if you can wait to go to the store or recieve a package, you don't need to download it. You can rent movies also. I imagine this is a download that is disabled after a time period or after it is viewed or something. You can also download TV shows like "The Office" for $2 an eposode. If you want to do a lot of that, maybe the bigger HD is a good idea.

I am thinking you would do well with just the 120GB unless you know you are going to make a collection of movies and TV shows and low priced downloadable games on your Playstation.

You can also save photos on the Playstation as well as video. If this is part of your plan, well again more space may help. The PS3 has USB ports where I believe you could load photos and home movies from to view on your TV.

You can also access your applications on the www like facebook.

Bare in mind that there are a lot of folkes out there with older PS3's that have only 40 and 80 GB drives who love their playstation and don't feel the need for the 250 GB drive.

I don't feel upset that I spent the extra $50 to get the larger drive because it might be useful later, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have been comfortable buying the 120 for my purposes which is playing a small number of games (not a small amount of time, just a small number of games because they cost a lot) and watching some Blu Ray movies.

If you still find it hard to make a decision, ask yourself if you want to spend more money because both models are the same except the HD size which you can upgrade later. By the time you buy the unit, HD cable, a game, maybe another controller and remote control for Blu Ray, you'll be in deep on the expense and maybe another $50 isn't acceptable.

It is a very good and fun product. After I spent all the money on what I needed, I debated on hooking it up or sending it back because it was a lot of money; I'm very glad I hooked it up and delt with the expense. It is everything I hoped.

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Prior to getting the PS3, we had a Sony BluRay player, an Apple TV and a PC hooked up to our Sony Bravia LCD TV. PC was used for Netflix and backing up the Apple TV, Apple TV was used to rent and buy movies, and the Sony BluRay Player simply played BluRay DVDs. After learning about the functionality of the PS3, I was sold.

We've had it for about 2 weeks now and I am ever impressed with it's capabilities and quality. Keep in mind, this is the first type of gaming system like this we've owned (we do have a Wii but I put this in a different class). Here's my take on the various functions and their quality, smoothness and quickness of processing/playing.

Gaming Amazing quality with no hesitations at all (playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2) and I've been playing quite a bit since we first got it. Like the Wii, you can download old games like Mortal Kombat II and new ones for PS3 and the PSP. Initially, I didn't think I was going to play that much but the graphics and the games have been really cool. Not much of an online player at the moment but it seems that most have this option available. Even Mortal Kombat II. You can create user profiles on the PS3 which automatically link to saved game data. Automatic and very nice. Create additional users so they can advance at their own pace.

BluRay Discs load quicker than the Sony BluRay player we bought about 9-12 months ago. Thoroughly impressed with the quality of the picture. You can also play older discs and they'll work just fine.

Netflix You'll need to get a disc from Netflix to be able to do this. We've watched Instant Watch movies via PC/Internet on our TV and the quality wasn't too bad. I say acceptable and sometimes the movie would freeze for a few seconds. On average about two freezes per movie. We were expecting the same thing via the PS3 but were dead wrong. The quality is AMAZING and there has not been one hiccup in the video. This really impressed us...and I'm a picky so don't take that compliment lightly. :)

Renting/Buying Movies/Shows via PlayStation Store Lots of shows available for viewing, including the current season of whatever season you're into. We don't rent these but it's nice to know we can in case the DVR gets goofed up for some reason. As for movies, the files are larger compared to Apple TV/iTunes downloads but with this the quailty is much better. HD movies are available but they're pretty big, about 6 GB! If you're buying movies then it's worth the wait and the extra 5 dollars. SD movies are still good quality for basic rentals. However, if you have a good cable connection you may want to rely on your On Demand Rentals to bypass waiting for long HD downloads. Again, PS Store is good for purchases and I encourage it to save on materials/resources...go green where you can. :) Only downfall with buying/renting movies this way is that the files don't have chapter markers so you can advance through sections of the movie like you can with a DVD. Hopefully they change this.

Internet If you need to access the web you can but you'll probably want to pick up the Logitech keyboard to do this. The speed of browsing isn't too fast and the viewing area isn't the largest. I'll walk over to my computer to do a search rather than use the PS3.

Photos/Music Depending on your computer setup (Mac or PC) you may need to get some additional software in order to turn your computer into a media server. Then, through your wireless network you can access the music and play it through the PS3. Same goes for photos...or you can load the photos onto the PS3 directly, same goes for the music. Really amazing features but take a little research on what file formats are compatible, etc.

PS3 Backup With an external drive attached, you can back up the PS3, which is great.

Overall, I say go for the 250GB if you're into being green like me and wish to download games, movies and load photos and music. This device is truly an all-in-one and like I said, I'm picky. Not to mention I understand technology pretty well. If, after taking a realistic inventory, you will use all or the majority of the services, grab one of these suckers. I'd also recommend going Sony for your TV and surround sound. They all work really well together.

Enjoy!

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Hi there,

Let me give you some background:

I purchased a PS3 60 GB model at launch back in November 2006. I have loved everything about it ever since. I even upgraded the hard drive to a 250 GB hard drive about a year and a half ago.

Why did I choose to purchase this new, slim, 250 GB model?

Honestly, it's a great deal for what you get. It's cooler (temperature wise), more energy efficient, and it takes up MUCH less space than my previous model. (Not to mention the much nicer, matte black finish as opposed to the older piano black finish which is a scratch/fingerprint magnet.)

Thinking about the new 120 GB vs. this 250 GB model? Maybe this will help:

Originally, I had planned to buy the 120 GB model and upgrade to a 250 GB or 320 GB hard drive myself. However, at the $349.99 price point, there's no need to perform the upgrade myself. For a quality Western Digital or Seagate 250 GB hard drive, you'll be spending anywhere from $50 to $70 plus shipping and/or tax, and for a 320 GB hard drive you'll be spending upwards of $75. Honestly, there really isn't any reason for that with this model. Why go through the hassle when Sony offers a great package at the perfect price point?

I for one am happy with my purchase which I received today from Amazon and am happily inagurating it with the GI Joe: Rise of Cobra blu-ray. For almost anyone that I can think of, the 250 GB hard drive will be more than enough space. However, should the need arise in a year or two (or three), a 500 GB hard drive will be dirt cheap and easy enough to install.

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By now, the PS3 has been extensively reviewed and this latest iteration (the "slim") has been out in the 120gb format for 2 months now (since September 1st, 2009).

To summarize the benefits:

Slimmer, lighter, and more energy efficient than the prior "fat" PS3

Blu-ray player built-in

Netflix streaming (yay!)

Free online service (vs. subscription based X-box live)

The negatives:

No backwards compatibility with PS2 games

Bluetooth remote only (and not included, so need to purchase a remote to use as a dvd/blu-ray player, no IR (but a number of bluetooth-to-IR solutions like Logitech Harmony Adapter or Infra-red to Bluetooth Adapter)

No more Linux support

With Blu-ray player prices now dropping to the $100-$150 range, the PS3 makes for an expensive option as a Blu-ray player only. As a home media center player/HTPC device, it really shines and is a great deal (you can't build a HTPC with a blu-ray player for less). It IS somewhat limited, however, as a HTPC as its browser is not up to par. Too bad Sony dropped linux support for the PS3. The addition of Netflix streaming (currently requiring a disc but supposedly becoming native in a future firmware update) just ices this cake.

edit to address the HD upgrade issue:

Yes, you can buy the 120gb for $50 less and, yes, you can install whatever capacity 2.5" hard drive you'd like fairly easily as long as you're willing to pay for a new hard drive. BUT, considering that (1.) you'd still have to spend extra money (more than the $50 difference), (2.) spend time and effort to upgrade and (3.) you'd then have an extra 120gb hard drive afterwards to go through the hassle of ebaying (unless you turn it into another usb/backup drive--I've got too many as it is). I find that it is just not worth it. Spend the extra $50, get the 250gb installed by Sony and warrantied by Sony.

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PlayStation 3 Zero Wireless Controller - colors may vary

PlayStation 3 Zero Wireless Controller - colors may vary
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $31.95
Today's Bonus: 36% Off
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I had this item for about one week. It was meant to be a cheap substitute for the DualShock3's rumble capabilities we already have 2 Sixaxis and I didn't feel like spending another $40 for 'rumble'. These are my impressions so far, and they are not likely to change because we're not likely to use it a lot in the future.

THE GOOD:

It sells for about half the price of a DualShock3.

It is a bit larger than the Sixaxis. I like this because I am a grownup and my hands are relatively large.

It rumbles and it vibrates. I can't compare the vibrations with the DualShock because I haven't tried one yet but it's quite decent.

THE BAD:

It comes with a USB dongle it is NOT a Bluetooth device. If you have a 2-USB ports PS3, you are going to use one of them for the Zero dongle and there will be only one port left for everything else. If you have two of these, then you just maxed out on USB ports and you will have to think about getting yourself a USB hub effective but not pretty.

Personally, I am not comfortable with the Xbox-like shape. Maybe it's just me. The kids don't seem to mind but, after using this for a couple of games, the rumble-less Sixaxis is now back as their number one choice of a controller.

MY RATING:

The makers of this product should have made it VERY CLEAR that this device is NOT Bluetooth-enabled. The dongle technology is probably responsible for the controller's lower price but it can cause major headaches and significant inconvenience to many PS3 owners. I am taking out 2 stars for the dongle inconvenience. I am taking another star because the lack of Bluetooth capabilities is not clearly advertised. I am adding back one star for the low price. The larger size (a plus) is counterbalanced by the odd shape (a minus). After doing the math, it turns out that the Zero gets 3 stars.

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I am a big guy 6'3" @ 220lbs and the original ps3 controllers are too small for my hands and feel of cheap plastic anyway. I have been searching for a replacement controller and have found an exceptional one in Nyko's Zero. It is sturdier and larger than original and makes for more comfortable game play with my oversized mitts. It has full functionality, including tilt-axis, EXCEPT for being able to turn on PS3 remotely; I use the bluetooth bluray remote control for that problem solved :)

My one gripe being that its still not big enough :( This is definitely an adult sized controller, I just have really big hands.

Bottom line: if you have big hands that occasionally get sweaty ... this is the controller you need for PS3!

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I already have two DualShock 3's; a black and a white one.

Bought from ebay before they made it officially here.

I thought that they would be enough.

I kept looking at the Nyco and thinking, meh no power on.

And yet, I decided to get it.

I believe that it was worth every cent.

Yes, the version I got HAS VIBRATION.

And with the new In-Game XMB, I can access all I need with it.

Besides, my PS3 Bluetooth DVD remote that sits on the coffee table can serve that (crucial) initial on; or I can walk (goodness :-) up to the PS3 and power up.

Truly the most important aspect of the Nyko is being a must for big, tall all whatever guys. I am 6'2" and around 200lbs.

The DualShocks (and the SixAxis before that) just don't feel as good in my hands as this one. More grippy, less slippery, easier for longer sessions. And all that translates to better gameplay; I was able to clear events that I was not able to with the DualShocks.

All I can say it, it's worth giving it a try; you may not be dissappointed; just like me. Thanks for reading.

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I have to say that this is the best third party controller I have tried for my PS3. I have tried several different controllers to accommodate my big hands and fingers sliding off the analog and trigger buttons. There was just nothing out there...

One Tip: To get it to connect right away, just slap some double "A" batteries in it and setup it up from there, yes YOU WILL have major problems connecting if you try to use the included rechargeable battery before you actually charge it up which takes about 30minutes to charge. So for instant connectivity just have you some "AA" batteries handy.

Once it is connected OMG you will not be disappointed. The controller is very responsive, intuitive and is very similar to the XBOX 360 controller design. It sits very comfortable in my hands, with the concave analog stick nubs and trigger buttons that allow your thumbs and index fingers to sit right in and not slide out. This was a constant problem with Sony's OEM controller, I would be in the middle of a dogfight and with Sony's OEM controller and my digits would constantly slide off the analog and trigger buttons. This is never a problem with this new controller. Makes playing intense FPS a Breeze, this controller made me enjoy all my FPS shooters on the PS3 that much more. I own Resistance, Jericho and COD4 and both games used to frustrate me because of my big sweaty fingers constantly slipping off Sony's OEM controller. I have not had that problem once with Nyko's addition, and in turn have given my PS3 FPS game play new life. I must also state that I played a combo of Resistance and Jericho for over 6 and a half hours upon receiving the controller and not once did the controller disconnect. AT ALL.

Also the picture here is very deceiving in that the controller looks big, bulky and heavy but it actually isn't, with batteries installed it actually feels lighter than my 360 controllers.

Bottom line is this, if you are like me and have been looking for a replacement controller for your PS3 that is a LOT more comfortable, with no finger slipping. Look no further cause this is it. I will say that the $ dollar price may be a bit to pricey for some, but in my opinion it is worth every penny.

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I am very happy Amazon has such a great return policy, because if they didn't this would have been a wonderful way to waste bucks. This controller feels very nice in your hands, but it just doesn't work. The control sticks are not responsive at all, and games like Call of Duty 4 are pretty much impossible to play with it. The 'X' button also works about 10% of the time. It generally took me about 10-20 presses of the button before I would actually jump. The R2 and L2 buttons are also not very good, as you have to push them ALL THE WAY DOWN before they work. This controller feels amazing in your hands, and it also looks nice, and comes with a long recharging cord, but it is a piece of junk. If you are looking for a new PS3 controller, get the DualShock 3. You can order them online now, which is an import from Japan, but works without any problems with American consoles(I own one), or just wait until you can buy them in stores. I really wish this controller worked better, because if it weren't for the control sticks, 'X' button, and trigger buttons, this controller would be pretty good.

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NBA 2K13 (Dynasty Edition)

NBA 2K13 - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $107.25
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This will be a review on the extra contents of the Dynasty Edition, if you want a review of the game, check out the standard edition reviews. For 40 extra dollars, you get some very nice items with the game. When you first open the box, you see Skull Candy headphones, which retail at 25 dollars (all prices are based on my local Walmart). These headphones have the 2k logo on the side, and a nice sound when you listen to them, just the fact that their skullcandy buds should prove their worth. Next up is the basketball, an average full sized basketball retails for 25 bucks, this ball is from spalding, the official ball of the NBA. After that, there is the controller skin. The skin has the feel of a basketball, and also provides a comfortable grip, a skin from skinit usually retails for 5-15 dollars. Lastly, there is the All-star DLC, for people who were unlucky enough to not preorder, (like me), you would not receive this DLC with the standard game, the DLC includes things like the 3 point Shootout, and the dunk contest. 2k is rumored to release this as add on content for 10 dollars. All in all, this was an excellent deal, at least for me. The game and all this extra content at least retails for 130 dollars, these are also collectors edition exclusives you cannot find anywhere else. For 40 extra dollars, this is well worth the buy.

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This is the best NBA game ever! It has a lot of features. It has the USA Team and the 1992 Dream Team. It also has all the old teams in Jordan's time and the Celebrity Team. The stuff in fhe box are so good. I loved the customised ball, the skullcandy headphones by 2k sports and the skin for the ps3 controller from skinit.

The only thing that I was disapointed about was the all-star downloadable content. I tried redeeming the code that I got but it didn't work. That was the reason why I got the Dynasty Edition. There is no point of me preordering NBA 2k13 if the Dynasty Edition also included the add-on content with a headphone, a ball and a skin for controller.

Overall, this the best NBA game ever! Hope they still make NBA games in the future.

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I love the game and the ball and earphones but was really disappointed to find out that the Houston pack was invalid. I was wondering if they would send me a new one or something.

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I am really happy about the product. I found out that there is a code missing. I didn't resieve a redeem code for All star game play in the cd cover. Hope it is possible to get that code?

Sincerly

Cecilie Borre

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It seems that they allowed A LOT more scoring in this years version than in the past two 2K games I have played. All in all it could be better, but there are some nice additions of legendary teams and throwback jerseys that add a nice touch.

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PS3 Component & Composite AV Cables

PS3 Component & Composite AV Cables
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $15.07
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I bought these cables for my PS2 since I wanted to do some gameplay videos and composite was too grainy for recording. I highly reccomend these to anyone who wants a nice quality cable with clear visuals. I've had the cables for about three months now and they haven't broke, gone out on me, or anything bad.

8/10 just because I can't gauge the picture quality with my 480p games, but they really are a step up from composite cables.

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Designer skins for FAT Playstation 3 System Console, PS3 Controller skin included

Designer skins for FAT Playstation 3 System Console, PS3 Controller skin included - DIAMONDPLATE SILVER
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $24.95
Sale Price: $12.97
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It's really a common sticker, the protection that offers it's really minimal, the color is totally different to what the picture shows.

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this item was bought to change the look of my playstation the ease of aplication was great and when seen by other people in my household was shocking evreybody that looked at it thought that my playstation was metal plated and i advise that poeple wanting to the same check out the different styles that are available i planing on buying a few more so that i change the from time to time they can be removed and placed back at any time as long as you keep the paper backing they come with

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Tom Clancy's EndWar Headset Bundle

Tom Clancy's EndWar Headset Bundle - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $84.99
Sale Price: $63.33
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I still cannot believe that Endwar has such an amazing voice command system that will pick up on every order your give. You really should invest in the headset bundle to really understand for yourself. Another feature worth listing are the airstrikes and weapons of mass destruction you can call in through your headset to destroy multiple units at once. This game really is a break through in gaming and is worth the extra $$$ for the headset.

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I've been playing RTS games since Warcraft 1. Over the years I've been amazed by improvements in physics and general multi player dynamics of the varying games. I own around 40 RTS games. The online side of this game has elements of Cave Dog's world system; you join one of 3 factions (and get a recruitment bonus if you side with a smaller one) and try to take over the world. The online play is not what makes the game though, the voice control is truly amazing... I mumble and it picks me up perfectly. I hope more games like this come out... this is the way a console RTS should be.

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this game feels average and too basic, with all the basic infantry, armor, and airborne units. i do think that it was done on purpose to get a player like me to remember all the commands. too many units would be difficult. i have played the game, but i can't comment much because i only bought it for the headset. let me tell you this: it totally beats the $90 price tag at other stores. the ps3 bluetooth came in a bulk package in the box, but it works very well.

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I'll be honest I bought this game to get the free headset, as cheap as it was in the Marketplace it seemed silly not to basically get a free game with the purchase of a headset. I tried the game out, at first thinking it would be a pain in the butt to learn everything since it is all done voice command. It's really quite easy, it walks you through it in the single player campaign and before you know you are barking orders like a General and having a lot of fun doing so. It's very competitive and the game is very well put together. Even though you aren't actively shooting at stuff there is rarely a dull moment, you've constantly got something to pay attention to. I would definitely recommend this game, you might not think it's your thing, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

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One of the games I can beat the kids at. Took me a bit to get the controls and such, but I did enjoy it

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DMC: Devil May Cry

DMC: Devil May Cry PlayStation 3 PS3 GAME GameCyberStore
Customer Ratings: 3.5 stars
List Price: $101.18
Sale Price: $54.99
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Simply a wonderful cool hip game. The humor, fights, the graphics, storyline are mind blowing. If you have played all the other DMC games this is a must play game. Not to mention a not so bad soundtrack to accompany your journey of badass kick butt take names later type of game play.

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If I have to see another Limbo I'm going to rip my own head off. This game was to do a remake of Dante games and failed epicly. Some people like it but gamer's like me hate it. The enemas attacks are the same over and over. Dante and Virgule character and relation ship reminds me of a bad reunited Disney movie.The remake of the characters are just awful and stupid. The game play is okay. The story is the only good thing in this game. The weapons are nice but Envy and Ivory are useless. Every time I play this game I get a really bad headache. The whole thing is a mess and a pain to play. If you like it? Fine but I don't.

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OUT OF THIS WORLD !!! Beyond an awesome game, my personal favorite of the whole franchise and one of the best games I've ever played in my life :) I'm keeping it, I'm not even going to trade it in, a definite benchmark in gaming: huge and exploded! Amazing, well done Ninja Theory! ;)

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This is an Amazing revamp of this long time series though it has been underselling and getting an undeserved bad rep from bias fans... I'm a long time DMC fan myself and I had my reservations about the new Dante but giving it a chance really played off.. The changes fit into the new story and without giving anything away, as the game progresses I think hardcore fans will be pleasantly surprises by some changes he undergoes.

This game has Tons of replay value with unlock-able modes, hidden missions and concept art. The revamped battle system lets you switch between weapons on the fly and use them to string together insane new combos and the style rating system is a blast, rewards creativity and makes you want to replay levels to outdo yourself and others online. With the new DLC's longtime fans can get the costume and hair from the Dante of old or several other possibilities if they just can't get past the new punkish look he sports in this game.

This fresh spin on the series has great visuals and a very cool gritty urban art style, a fantastic story and polished to near perfection game-play that never ceases to be fun and engaging. While it's a reboot of the series it retains the spirit of what made the original series so great and improves it with a deeper story, fighting mechanics and replay value with loads of extras. In my opinion I would say that this is the best DMC to date...

If i had anything negative to say it would only be that some of the dialog could be dialed back a bit..

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This Game sucks weak story its pretty much a hack and slash. I'm a big fan of the old devil may cry everything was crazy even the weapons are crazy please dont waste your money

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Time Crisis 4 (Includes Guncon 3)

Time Crisis 4 - Playstation 3
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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Time Crisis has never been known for its deep gameplay and complex strategies, but it's still a darn fun series and TC4 is the best one so far.

Time Crisis is basically a target game built around a lightgun, which was/is its major draw at the arcades. The name comes from the limited amount of time you're given to complete each stage; usually you feel like you're running behind the clock.

Sure, you're shooting "people," but there's no blood, dead bodies, exploding body parts, or other gratuitous violence found in many other FPSes. Honestly, I'm thankful for this.

Graphically it looks great, as can be expected of most PS3 games.

The classic arcade version runs "on rails"--your character is moved from position to position by the game, all you do is point, shoot, and RELOAD! (The announcer always screams "reload" for some reason.) TC4 adds the ability to look left and right in some scenes, a gun flashlight, and some interesting new opponents, but otherwise is pretty much the same formula as the earlier games--make it through each chapter without getting shot too many times and fight the boss at the end.

TC4 includes an FPS mode where you can move around using the Guncon's builtin joystick, but I found this frustrating and not nearly as fun as the classic arcade version.

TC4's Guncon is based on the "LED marker" technology used by the Wii and several other new controllers. Older Guncons used a video-sensing lightgun, but that method doesn't work with LCD/LED/plasma/projection TVs. The new design works with any TV, but I've found it is harder to calibrate and it really doesn't feel as accurate as the previous Guncons.

(Note that the new Guncon can't be used with previous TC versions, and old Guncons will not work with TC4.)

Time Crisis can be played with a gamepad, but it's a pain and I don't recommend it--moving the targeting cursor around the screen with a joystick is slow and awkward. The game's sole basis is really the Guncon; believe me, I've tried playing it without (as the old Guncons didn't work with my rear-projection TV....)

Should you buy TC4? For fans of the series it's an easy purchase, especially at the new low prices. If you're unfamiliar with the series, keep in mind there isn't much depth to it as there's no real strategy involved--it's just shoot, shoot, shoot. But for mindless fun and excitement it's hard to beat.

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Duck Hunt to Lethal Enforcers to Time Crisis 4...to be honest, not much has changed. TC4 includes a Van Damme made for TV movie plot of a special forces team trying to take down an organization with secret bio-weapons...good enough justification for a game that includes nothing but you shooting at bad guys and insects and dodging their bullets.

Down to the nitty-gritty: the feel of the game. Replacing the arcade pedal, which allowed you to dodge and go into firing mode, is a B1 button, located just above your thumb on the shooting hand. To dodge and reload, you have to lift your shooting hand thumb (righties) and press down just behind the hammer. Easy enough, but you'll find your hand getting a bit sore from extended play. You have two analog-toggle controllers where the hammer is and in the section that juts out abruptly from the side of the gun. The first-person free movement is nothing special for experienced gamers, and is a moderate learning curve for beginners.

Accuracy: the game's setup includes two sensors that you manually hang from above the monitor; they're about an inch square and have a non-intrusive rubber-weight system to hold them into place. You'll spend a significant amount of time calibrating the gun to get just the right feel; it's a bit shaky to start, and for a 42" monitor, you have to stand at least about five feet away from the screen. But that's what the mini-games are for.

The mini games are, by far, the funnest part so far. If you've ever played the Point Blank arcade series, you'll enjoy approximately 15 shoot-the-moving-target type games in this section. You can play alternating competitively and also with a second GunCon. Simple fun, which, in essense, sums up the entire game.

The release of more thinker-oriented, patience required games such as Assassin's Creed, Bioshock, Mass Effect, etc., will definitely be a load for gamers...TC4 provides that well-needed break. The free movement merely adds a non-revolutionary variation to the arcade game. It's a true-to-the arcade translation for the home; what you get at Dave And Buster's is what you get at home, plus the mini-games.

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i just recieved time crisis and my accuracy is fine. if you run through the 5 point calibration correctly it should be pin point accurate. in fact i was able to snipe people really far away with a pistol. also to comment on the problem of it being to complicated. for me it felt good. of course it took a few minutes to get adjusted to it but i like the controls. as for the price issue. this is only 20 more dollars than a regular ps3 game. so you are basically paying 20 dollars for the gun.they are planning to release more games for the gun so this is a good deal. i recomend this game to anyone. i give huge credit to the creators of this gun as it operates very well for shooting and moving at the same time. and the controls are simple after a little practice. i have ordered the wii zapper and can only pray it functions as well as the guncon.

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Despite horrid reviews and people bashing this game for bad accuracy and a cheap gun, it's really not as bad as they say. In fact, it's not bad at all, it's great.

Starting with the gun itself. It very accurate. You can do a standard or 5 point calibration which works very well. You can make the gun as accurate ( or inaccurate as you like). One thing i've found though that may lead people to think it has poor calibration is the tv, not the game. Look at the screen used in the arcade. It's small and square. When you take into account a 40 plus inch widescreen tv, you've got more screen space to shoot at which means you must move the gun to a greater degree that in the arcade. If you unintentionally just move your wrists to aim the gun like i do sometimes, the accurracy is horrible ( so it seems) But it you were to look down the sights of the gun while you had your wrist flex over, you'll realize that it's shooting exactly where your pointing. SO you have to shoot the way you calibrated it. If you hold it like a cop does and shoot the five targets looking straight down the sights, you need to play the game like that. If you lax your grip and lower your gun, then yes, it's not going to be accurate because that's not the way it's calibrated. I believe this is where the whole "horrible accuracy gun" claims derive from.

As for gun quality. It's great. It's definatly not like the arcade, but then again if it was, you would be paying a whole lot more that $75 for it. The bright orange color is the main reason it seems cheap. The plastic casing on it is quite well, the seems are quite smooth and the texture of the plastic is unison. It doesn't have the platic swirls that cheap plastic toys do. The buttons are fine and very functional. the only thing I don't really like is the joysticks. The knobs that pop out are small and they aren't rubberized so my thumbs slip A LOT. But overall, the guns fine.

The game itself is fun too. For all those that complain about bad storylines...well, you don't play a light gun game for the story. It's basically a straight port from the arcade. So if you like the arcade version, you'll really love this because you don't need to constantly feed it quarters.

The FPS mode is unique. It's nothing to write home about. But it's definetly fun to try out. But it gets tiring quickly though because unlike something like Resistance, you have to constantly hold both arms up to shoot.

Overall, if you like TC. This is a no brainer. If your interested in this, you'll definetly find something to like. But if you have no interest in light gun games or TC.....then why are you reading this? =P

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The Time Crisis series has been an Arcade and Playstation hit for years. With the evolution of the Guncon we now have a PS3 version. Now some of you may be wondering is an $80+ game worth the price. For me it's a resounding no. Of course on the outside this game has quite a bit of potential. Two versions of the game and even some mini games to keep you busy. It sounds like quite the deal but sadly isn't.

Setting up this game is not easy either. When you open the large box you get the new Gun Con 3 with an 8 foot usb cord. The game also comes with two infared devices that go above the t.v. These also connect via usb. For those of you who have a 40 gig PS3 you have just used both your usb ports. Setting up for calibration is not very easy and seems to be rather inaccurate.

The biggest shining light for this game comes from the exciting arcade edition of Time Crisis which still looks good on the PS3. The arcade edition is a lot of fun and feels exactly like the arcade game with all the action. Point down and the gun reloads. Simple controls for an overall good game. This was my first experience with this game and it was really quite an enjoyment.

The major downfall of this game was the PS3 edition of Time Crisis that was made especially for the PS3. Unfortunately where this game lacks is in it's complexity. What really hurts is the several functioning buttons on the Guncon 3. When I say several buttons I mean as many as a normal PS3 controller. I couldn't make up my mind whether I was playing a first person shooter or a gun game. From the beginning you not only go thru the normal shooting but the movement. Trying to get the calibration to work correctly was not very easy. I noticed several times that my shooting was off because of this. I was beginning to feel this would be done much better on the Wii. Having to worry about moving your character in every direction and shooting several enemies is no easy task. I played long enough to realize I didn't want to have to deal with remember the functions of a half dozen buttons.

I have played several Time Crisis games and this one fails on being too complex. Nothing felt natural about having to use a gun to move my character. In all this game had a lot of potential but tried to go way to far. If anything they would have made a simpler game for people who just want to shoot. I would not advise this to anyone unless they are a die hard Time Crisis fan and even then it would be ill advised.

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