Xbox 360 Game Review: Dead Space 2

Scream if you're having fun


Xbox 360 Game Review: Dead Space 2

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

by Nizam Ali

05:55 AM Mar 04, 2011

When Dead Space was released in 2008, I abandoned the game within an hour because its sci-fi horror thriller setup was too scary for me to handle. I mustered the courage to pick it up again and finish it only days before the sequel was released, and I'm glad I made the effort. While you can watch a summary of events past in Dead Space 2 (DS2) to refresh your memory, experiencing Isaac's complete journey in the prequel first-hand provides a better appreciation of the events and references that follow.

DS2 comes with various tweaks ranging from new weapons, upgrades to familiar old weapons, suit enhancements, a better user interface and waypoint navigation, and new powers disguised as technological advancements three years on from the last edition.

Isaac is still a mortal engineer with infected memories. It's easy to feel connected with his vulnerability, especially when you explore the game's dark corners and corridors. Where Isaac was silent and masked before, his face and voice are now unveiled, adding depth and interaction to the plot. Gameplay is still a tense, unique mix of dismemberment and conserving ammunition.

The Necromorphs, as the enemies are known, have also evolved, ensuring that seasoned players will not be too comfortable approaching the terror that awaits. Each of these creatures has a distinct scream, guaranteed to echo eerily around the walls of your room. A big screen and a decent speaker setup are recommended to maximise your terror/pleasure.

A lot is squeezed into the 15-chapter campaign, which took me 12 hours to complete. Once through, you can choose to replay the whole game with unlocked arsenal and suits. Masochists can attempt the steep challenges in the heightened difficulty modes to eventually earn access to a hilarious weapon, while compulsive players may find satisfaction in obtaining all possible collectibles.

Expect a high occurrence of failures in the later chapters as a result of enemy approaches from your blind spot, forcing a change in your strategy. This will happen more often if you have the wrong upgrades and tools or poorly manage your inventory. At such times, I screamed louder than the Necromorphs, out of frustration. Thankfully, you can return to the workbench to reassign the upgrades at a cost. I recommend boosting the Stasis ability.

DS2 also offers a multiplayer mode in a form of team-based objective games between two groups of four, each taking turns to play as humans or as necromorphs. These take place over five maps that are inspired from but not fully lifted from the campaign. Fans of Left 4 Dead will find a couple of similarities, other than the third-person view and the persistent level upgrades. While they are fun, I thought a cooperative nature for two that follows the journey of the campaign would be more rewarding.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I overcame my inner demons to experience this two-DVD disc package. Nizam Ali



VERDICT

Dead Space 2 has raised the bar and further cemented the franchise's place in the genre. I'm already looking forward to the next edition.

Soure: www.todayonline.com

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Microsoft's Kinect gets a local launch date

A date to Kinect

Microsoft's Kinect gets a local launch date
by Sim Cheng Kai
Updated 07:37 PM Oct 08, 2010

Microsoft's Kinect, its motion-based peripheral for the Xbox 360 gaming console, will be launched in Singapore on November 18 - just two weeks after its launch in the United States.

The Kinect peripheral is a sensor bar for the Xbox 360 that features a webcam, depth sensors and a multi-array microphone that will allow gamers to navigate through menus and play games using body gestures and spoken commands.

Retailers will offer Kinect in two packages: a bundle that includes an Xbox 360 4GB console for $469, or the standalone peripheral for $229. Both packages will also include adventure-based launch title Kinect Adventures.



This story is only available online.

http://www.todayonline.com/

Xbox 360 250GB Console with Kinect

Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect

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Microsoft unveils new Xbox 360 controller

REDMOND, WASHINGTON

MICROSOFT plans to release a new Xbox 360 controller in November that features a transforming D-pad, the company announced on Tuesday.

The first difference users will find with the new wireless controller is its design. Instead of a white finish with multi-coloured buttons, the new controller sports a grey-and-black finish. All the buttons are now different shades of grey.

But it’s the new D-pad that will likely attract some users.

According to Microsoft’s director of programming for Xbox Live who first unveiled the new controller in a blog post and video, users “are not big fans of the D-pad” on the Xbox 360 controller.

To address the issue, Microsoft will now let Xbox 360 owners twist the D-pad’s disc to make it more appealing to gamers.

At one position, the D-pad will be nearly flush with the disc behind it. After twisting it, the D-pad is raised much higher, making it more usable for gamers.

Aside from that, the Xbox 360 wireless controller performs and works in exactly the same way; the update is designed solely to give users a better D-pad.

The new Xbox 360 wireless controller will be available on Nov 9. It will be offered only in a bundle with Microsoft’s Play and Charge kit and will retail for US$64.99 (S$87.85).

AGENCIES

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Black

Halo Reach Wireless Xbox 360 Controller

Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Xbox 360 250GB

Chalk up more hours of fun
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010

Will you believe it? The Microsoft Xbox 360 game console has been around for five years! And it's about time we get an update.

To be launched this Sunday in Singapore, the new console - known simply as the Xbox 360 250GB - is 15 per cent smaller than its predecessor. It sports a slim, glossy black shell with a sleek chrome finishing lining the top and bottom rims. The glossy surface, however, proves to be a magnet for fingerprints and smudges. Have a fibre cloth ready.

The processing power remains the same but you now get built-in 802.11n WiFi, two more USB ports than the original three, touch capacitive power and eject buttons, a custom Kinect port and a removable 250GB hard drive. With built-in WiFi, you can place the console anywhere in your home and connect to Xbox Live without the need for a WiFi adaptor.

The touch capacitive buttons are particularly cool. Lightly press the power button and it powers up immediately. When you touch the eject button, the console will beep before the disc tray opens to ensure you don't get hit by it.

The custom Kinect port allows you to hook up to the Kinect motion sensor (available in November) with only one cable. You will need an additional power supply cable if you connect Kinect to the previous console.

The larger hard drive capacity of 250GB will come in handy when you pack in more games, downloadable content, movies and music. But you will need a 16GB thumbdrive to transfer stuff like saved games and profiles from your old console.

The best thing about the new console is its quiet operation. There is only one large cooling fan on top to suck out the air, and this also improves ventilation and prevents the "red ring of death". In fact, on this console, a blinking red light on the power button means it has insufficient ventilation and the console will shut down automatically.

The standard Xbox 360 250GB package ($499) includes the console, wireless controller, wired headset and AV composite cable. Given the popularity of HDTV these days, I thought an extra HDMI cable should have been bundled. TREVOR TAN

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Gaming/EDC100716-0000054/Chalk-up-more-hours-of-fun

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