GTA V - by guest reviewer Iain Fisher. 

I have decided to take a very different approach to reviewing GTA V, I am going to find ways that would be construed as constructive, and hopefully will be introduced into GTA VI, which no doubt will be released in 2030 or when they stop releasing patches for this one, whichever comes first.

I am going to admit the gameplay is fantastic, the inter-changing among the characters is brilliant -  when you jump into Trevor he is usually being chased by a dozen police officers or taking a dump behind a bin. The fluidity of the story and how they interact with each other is like a film - it's brilliantly done. They have so many nice touches both graphically and game play its outstanding. The ballistics of gun fighting is great, the details of bullet wounds is another touch that you would expect to disappear when a cut scene comes in, however bruising and injury doesn't disappear easily which gives this game more a realistic touch.

This version seems to have gone back to brass tac's. It's one professional thief, one hood and one Meth enthusiast coming together and knocking several shades of shit out of Los Santos. 

The game is vast with so much to do you wouldn't notice your wife had left with the kids due to being fed up with you constantly playing that (and I quote)"F**king game again". I have to use a stop watch so when I play it for two hours...I play it for two hours, or family life goes west.

The game designers have taken all the best elements from all the other games and compiled them into one big fantastic game. I think it I would be hard pressed to think of how they move forward on the next generation of console. I am looking forward to it. From the weather, the vast expanse of beauty from the metropolis, to the bikers holiday homes its stunning. I can almost feel the heat and you will love the lightning storms. The driving is difficult at first but you gain experience, this carries over to other elements such as shooting, running and fitness of the devious trio.

I see they are testing the water with animals, having dogs, deer and other road kill candidates in this episode, I failed a mission because I was concerned I was going hit a deer and drove into a canyon. The second time. I wasn't so courteous, basically Bambi copped and unfortunate one.

Things I would personally like to see in the next version:

• The add ons / sports are more prolific. I found it hard to find tennis, golf etc. I would like to have had to meet crime lords on the golf course to make plans for big heists.
• I think they could reign in the colourful language its great but after a while the C word loses its impact.
• Being a police officer trying to fight the crime, vigilante missions were great fun but being a detective (corrupt of course) would be an interesting twist.
• Please don't lean towards the Sims elements such as having to eat and get dressed... that's just dull.

Other than that I think this game is spot on, engrossing and life destroyingly addictive. 

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Grand Theft Auto V

Formats:  PS3, X360 Out:  17/9/2013 Publisher:  Rockstar Developer:  In-house

Lego Marvel Super Heroes Review
by guest blogger Iain Fisher.

I think Lego Marvel Heroes is going to be my choice for game of the year 2013. Bold statement I hear you cry from your mum's basement, well fellow gamer's it is with out a shadow of a doubt the most fun I have had since I went on an 18- 30's holiday with where I was the only guy.

It's nice that it is a very innocent game, Yeah you blow stuff up and The Wolverine does rip Lego men to bits but its Lego not real, no blood, no horror or murder in a realistic city where your an up and coming Crime lord. It's you as Lego Super Heroes saving the day. 

All the big hitters are here from Spiderman to Iron man, they have all their abilities and the game play is so much fun, the Lego theme used in the Batman games as well as the ever classic Indiana Jones Lego games is strong through out. The puzzles are taxing but no so frustrating you shout profanities at your six year old nephew who is trying to play co-op with you. (boy did he learn some new words, playing FIFA 13).

The free roaming is awesome driving a Lego car around Lego New York is great fun. Also you can save people on the street who are getting mugged for their Lego. What kind of a world do we live in people!!

The end of level bosses get better and better, the Sandman is the first you come across and he is a challenge at best. Once you work out the system it becomes pretty much painting by numbers. Yes yes, I know I am thirty three and the game is aimed at kids. So to those people I say this, have you been in a house with kids and spotted Lego? What's the first thing you do? Oh yeah that's right you play with it? So don't read this and judge me for spending X amount on a game with more unlock-able content than there is fiction in the bible.

The levels are not massive, but are attention grabbing, the dialogue between characters is funny and light I would even go as far as mockery toward Marvel. I don't honestly think they know how much. Knowing them they signed a massive cheque to Tt and said you do what you want!

You have to play each level over and over which is the usual with Lego games, you have to buy or unlock enough character to play the complete level and gain all the hidden bricks etc. The amount of marvel heroes and villains to unlock is amazing, The voices are great, the little touches are brilliant spot Hulk with a vacuum after one of the missions, and you will be hooked looking for the others.

The gripes- now I would say this game is flawless, but, there are glitches:- the skipping between heroes can be frustrating as if one is dying when you do it he or she will keep doing it over and over, as it doesn't have the A.I to movie the idiot out of danger.  Also, some of the puzzles are unclear and you lose focus which becomes frustrating  - there is not many prompts to help when this happens. 

I will be looking forward to the Lego Hobbit which I hope is better than the actual film, and I'm just throwing this out there to the games designer and their untapped wisdom and brilliance. What about LEGO Dr. Who? Just saying. It would be good fun and an untapped resource.

So all in all fun for all the family. Which enables me to stand by my Game of the year claim. I think the big kid in me sleeps easily knowing a sweet and innocent game has given me more joy than running over a prostitute in a stolen car. (GTA V not real life).

5 Stars for this, buy it in the sales  as it's great value for money.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Formats:  PSV, 3DS, DS, PC, PS3, WiiU, X360 Out:  Autumn 2013 (PSV)   15/11/2013 (3DS DS PC PS3 WiiU X360) Publisher:  Warner Bros. Developer:  TT Games

CES 2014: Nyko Brings Its Charging Expertise to the Mobile Market; introduces new Intercooler^TM for PlayStation^® 4

CES attendees will be the first to see Nyko's Qi Charger for mobile phones and Next-Gen gaming accessories

Nyko Technologies®, the leading videogame peripherals manufacturer, today unveiled its full lineup of new products to be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nyko will showcase new power and cooling accessories for next-gen systems. CES attendees will also be able to go hands on with Nyko's Power Base™, a Qi™ induction charger compatible with some of the most popular mobile phones.

The following products will be making their public debut at the show:

Power Base
After selling millions of chargers for various controllers and portable systems, Nyko now brings its charging expertise to the mobile market with the Power Base. The Power Base is a Qi enabled charger compatible with the Galaxy S® 4, Nexus™ 5 and other Qi enabled phones. The Power Base includes the Qi charging adaptor required for the Galaxy S 4 while support for the Nexus 5 is already built-in with no additional hardware required. Its unique wedge design stands out, and allows for easy use when charging, while keeping your phone attractively displayed on your nightstand or desk. The Power Base will be available this spring for a MSRP of $39.99.

Intercooler for PlayStation 4
Nyko brings its Intercooler line to next-gen with the Intercooler for PlayStation 4. Designed to pull hot air out and away from the system, the Intercooler is ideal for keeping your home theater setup at optimal temperatures. The Intercooler attaches to the back of the PlayStation 4 console, and does not interfere with any of the rear ports on the system. Nyko is debuting concept images at CES 2014 with a release schedules this spring for a MSRP of $24.99.

PowerPak™ for PlayStation 4
Add up to 2x the battery capacity (1000 mAh) to the DualShock® 4 controller with the PowerPak. The PowerPak attaches to the back of the controller adding minimal bulk while providing a sleek and seamless upgrade ideal for marathon gaming sessions. The PowerPak easily recharges though the Micro-USB port or through Nyko's Charge Base for PS4. The PowerPak will be shown in concept images at CES 2014 with a release schedules this spring for a MSRP of $19.99.

Charge Link
Nyko will be showcasing specialized Micro USB cables for both the Xbox One™ and the PlayStation 4 designed for simultaneous play and charging on each console. Both Charge Links for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will be 8ft long, and the Xbox One version will feature LED charge indicator lights. The Charge Links for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will be available this January for a MSRP of $9.99. 

Power Grip for PS Vita (2000 Series)
Nyko's best-selling PS Vita accessory is back and customized for the new slim form-factor of the PS Vita 2000 series. The Power Grip adds 2x the battery life to the portable console, as well as ergonomic grips, ideal for marathon Remote Play sessions or road trips. Utilizing a standard Micro USB port, the Power Grips are easily rechargeable from the same cables used to charge the PS Vita. The Power Grips will be available in North America once a formal launch date is set for a MSRP of $19.99.

"Nyko is excited to bring our expertise in the charging category to devices like the Galaxy S4 at CES 2014" said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. "We are eager to bring a fresh take on the mobile charging market by replacing the plane pad design of most induction chargers with an elegant and user friendly wedge"

 Check out this stunning pack shot of the soon to be released The Lego Movie Video Game, Due this coming February!

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The LEGO Movie Videogame

Formats:  3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, WiiU, X360 Out:  Feb 2014 Publisher:  Warner Bros.

Thank You for an Epic 2013

Blog Post from Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of strategy and marketing, Xbox

Thanks to you, 2013 was an incredible year for gamers, entertainment fans, our industry and Xbox. With Xbox One we saw the most epic launch for Xbox by all measures. We are humbled and grateful for your loyalty and delighted by the millions of hours of gameplay and entertainment enjoyed on Xbox.

Together, we ushered in a new era of games and entertainment with Xbox One. Over three million Xbox One consoles were sold to consumers in 13 countries before the end of 2013. It’s been incredible to see Xbox One selling at a record-setting pace for Xbox, and we were honoured to see Xbox One become the fastest-selling console in the U.S. during our launch month in November. Since our launch, demand for Xbox One has been strong, selling out throughout the holidays at most retailers worldwide. We are continuing to work hard to deliver additional consoles to retailers as fast as possible.

The reaction from our fans was mind-blowing for our team. As we see your excitement, energy and hours of gameplay, we continue to be inspired to do great work – for you. Whether you’re racing through the streets of Prague in “Forza Motorsport 5,” creating crazy weapons for zombie destruction in “Dead Rising 3,” exploring the Coliseum in Gladiator mode in “Ryse: Son of Rome”, creating a bespoke zoo in “Zoo Tycoon,” or enjoying intense multiplayer battles, we love that you’re having fun on Xbox One. 

We also love that you are seeing the promise of an all-in-one entertainment system. Millions of hours of live TV have been watched and millions of hours of app entertainment have been enjoyed. We are proud to have the most passionate, engaged and simply the best fans in the world. It was fun to share the holidays with so many of you.

We’re excited for the year ahead and will be working hard to bring Xbox One to more fans and more markets around the globe. 2014 will be a promising year with many more great games on the way for Xbox One including “Titanfall,” “Watch Dogs,” “Project Spark,” “Sunset Overdrive,” “Tom Clancy’s The Division,” “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” “Destiny,” “Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare,” and “The Elder Scrolls Online,” among others. More games, more features, more content, more fun – all coming your way this year.

Thank you for making 2013 truly epic for Xbox and here’s to 2014!

RAZER LAUNCHES NEW HEADPHONE SERIES

Four New Audio Products in the Adaro Line Boost Sound and Functionality Beyond Gaming

Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, today announced the Razer Adaro series, a new line of headphones designed for personal entertainment.

The new audio lineup will initially feature four models: bass-heavy earphones, analog stereo headphones, Bluetooth headphones and DJ-style headphones. Each member of the Razer Adaro family is designed with a heavy focus on durability, comfort and uncompromised sound quality for music listening.

The Razer Adaro series marks the company´s latest venture into the personal entertainment audio space. The Razer Kraken and Electra, two of Razer´s best-selling headphones, were tuned for music, as well as gaming.

“Making technically advanced headsets to meet the extraordinary requirements of professional gamers has been a primary focus for us for years, and applying that competency to the development of headphones designed for music lovers is a natural extension for the business and our fans,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “For some time now, we´ve been asked to come out with a line of headphones that addresses the other interests of our community. The Razer Adaro lineup offers just that: high-quality, portable audio for kicking-back, traveling and training, and even for making music.”

All four Razer Adaro products are available for pre-order now. For more information, check outwww.razerzone.com. Also, view the Team Farang Razer Adaro Series lookbook here.

About the Razer Adaro In-Ear Analog Earphones

Combining killer sound, a sleek, robust, aluminum body and a convenient, compact carrying case, the Razer Adaro Earphones are built for pure listening pleasure on-the-go.

Crafted and engineered to exacting standards, the Razer Adaro Earphones provide a solid in-ear aural experience. Precision-milled out of aircraft grade aluminum and finished with diamond-cut edges, the look and feel is as premium as its sound.

Incorporating quality hardware, the Razer Adaro Earphones are more than just head turners. High-performance, custom-tuned 10 mm neodymium drivers are sonically optimized to complement their inner acoustics chambers, producing crisp stereo sound. Interchangeable ear tips in three sizes and bi-flange attachments are included to personalize the fit.

Price:
U.S. $79.99 / EU €79.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com - Pre-order in January
Worldwide - February

Product features:

• High-performance 10 mm dynamic drivers
• Robust, precision-milled aluminum body
• Personalized fit and sound isolation
• Flat, anti-tangle cable
• Compatible with most popular mobile devices
• Included carrying case

For more information about the Razer Adaro Analog Earphones, please visitwww.razerzone.com/adaro.

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About the Razer Adaro Stereo Analog Headphones

To create the perfect pair of headphones for music listening, we approached the design with three things in mind: uncompromising audio, long-lasting comfort and robust portability.

Packing high-performance, custom-tuned 40 mm neodymium magnet drivers, the Razer Adaro Stereos deliver crisp, natural-sounding acoustics for an amazing audio experience. These powerful drivers are housed in the custom-developed, fully adjustable architecture of the Razer Adaro Stereos, allowing for an extremely comfortable and lightweight design.

The Razer Adaro Stereos are meant to be taken wherever you go. Their construction is sleek and compact, allowing for easy transportation, yet they are incredibly robust for endless hours of use.

With its brilliant sound, comfortable form factor and portability, the Razer Adaro Stereos are the perfect headphones for the active music listener.

Price:
U.S. $99.99 / EU €99.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com - Pre-order in January
Worldwide - February

Product features:

• Custom-tuned 40 mm dynamic drivers
• Comfortable, lightweight form factor
• Fully adjustable architecture
• Plush leatherette ear cushions
• Anti-tangle, braided fiber cable
• Compatible with most popular mobile devices

For more information about the Razer Adaro Stereo Headphones, please visitwww.razerzone.com/adaro.

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About the Razer Adaro Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

With its brilliant Razer Adaro sound, uncompromising portability and comfortable form factor, the Razer Adaro Wireless are the perfect headphones for hours of mobile music enjoyment.

The Razer Adaro Wireless is built to follow you wherever you go. Featuring Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX technology, the Razer Adaro Wireless easily connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device, providing pristine, cord-free audio quality.

Packing high-performance, custom-tuned, 40 mm neodymium magnet drivers, the Razer Adaro Wireless delivers a top-level listening experience. These powerful drivers are housed in a custom-developed, fully adjustable form factor that provides extreme comfort in a lightweight design.

Price:

U.S. $149.99 / EU €149.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com - Pre-order in January
Worldwide - February

Product features:

• Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity with aptX technology
• Up to 20 hours of playback
• Custom-tuned 40 mm dynamic drivers
• Comfortable, lightweight form factor
• Playback and volume controls
• Plush leatherette ear cushions
• CD-quality audio over Bluetooth

For more information about the Razer Adaro Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, please visitwww.razerzone.com/adaro.

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About the Razer Adaro DJ Analog Headphones

The Razer Adaro DJ was crafted with producers, performers and discerning music listeners in mind. Made with durable, high-performance components, the Razer Adaro DJ embodies hard-hitting, powerful sound in a modern, functional package.

The large, sonically balanced drivers deliver rich, natural sounding acoustics and heavy bass, perfect for spinning behind the console or jamming to tracks on-the-go. These potent drivers are housed in mixing-friendly padded ear cups that swivel, rotate and collapse into a small, compact form factor. You can take the Razer Adaro DJ to the studio, to the club and everywhere between.

When designing the Razer Adaro DJ´s architecture, we knew that we had to make something durable. Our industrial design team worked closely with our engineers to perfect a mix of metals and resilient plastics to produce a form factor that is incredibly lightweight, yet able to take a beating.

Complete with DJ-ready accessories, a sturdy construction and powerful sound, the Razer Adaro DJ headphones are ready to drop a beat anytime, anywhere.

Price:
U.S. $199.99 / EU €199.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com - Pre-order in January
Worldwide - February

Product features:

• Powerful, high-performance 50 mm dynamic drivers
• Closed ear cup design for optimal sound isolation
• Swappable cable system with included coiled and straight cables
• Fully adjustable and foldable architecture
• Included .25-in. audio adapter
• Plush leatherette ear cushions
• Compatible with iPhone, Android and other mobile devices

For more information about the Razer Adaro DJ Headphones, please visit www.razerzone.com/adaro.

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About Razer:
Razer™ is the world leader in devices and software platforms that enable, connect and entertain a worldwide community of electronic entertainment enthusiasts, 24/7.

With a rich history in gaming, music and design, Razer´s award-winning technology includes voice-over IP and other social applications and devices; programs for music production, performance and enjoyment; cloud-based solutions for customizing and enhancing computer systems and related product performance; and a wide array of award-winning laptops, tablets, audio products, hardware and accessories, and apparel.

Razer applies its design and engineering resources to develop products that support the on-the-go lifestyle inherent to its contemporary, global, technophile community, fulfilling their immediate wants and needs wherever they are. At Razer, everything it does resonates with the company credo: For Gamers. By Gamers.

For more information, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/.