CONTENTS CONTENTS
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WIN CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS PRESTIGE EDITION
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EXCLUSIVE UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPER ACCESS REVIEWED
RATED
PLAYED IT
LETS PLAY
007 JAMES BOND BLOOD STONE
WWE SMACKDOWN VS.RAW 2011
MAFIA II
NFS: HOT PURSUIT
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
LIVING IN A GANGSTER’S PARADISE
LIVING LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
34 GAME UPDATE
JUST CAUSE 2
08
Get set for an adventure!
EXCLUSIVE PREPARE TO JOIN THE FAMILY
26
REVIEWS
NEW SCREENS Apache: Air Assault Aliens vs. Predator Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Blur Call of Duty: Black Ops PDC World Championship Darts: Pro Tour Dead Rising 2 Def Jam: Rapstar Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 James Bond 007: Blood Stone Mafia II MAG Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Super Street Fighter IV Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011 Time Crisis: Razing Storm
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BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY Fighting crime on Gotham’s streets
Reviewed
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit The chase is on....
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PREVIEWS Hitman 5 Mass Effect 3 Mortal Kombat Saints Row: The Third Star Wars: The Old Republic Twisted Metal WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2012
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075 087 078 116 107 112 122
RATED
STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED II A force to be reckoned with?
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24 Kane and Lynch: Dog Days Friends in arms
WIN CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS
36 YAKUZA 4 Join the fight against the triads
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FEATURES Dead Rising WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011
008 016
GAME UPDATES
12 Reviewed
James Bond 007: Blood Stone Shaken not stirred...
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A Definitive verdict
CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS Exclusive look at the biggest game of the year
Batman: Arkham City Kane and Lynch: Dog Days Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood Grand Turismo 5 Yakuza 4 Just Cause 2 Fifa 11 Def Jam Rapstar
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INTERVIEWS Resistance 3 Call of Duty: Black Ops
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2K GAMES
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23 NOVEMBER
MAFIA II Let the good times roll! Parminder Matharu prepares to join the Cosa Nostra The latest game out on the market, Mafia II offers gamers a chance to live and the explore life in 1940s America. The game focuses on the five years Vito Scaletta spends behind bars. Players are put into the boots of the brave, masculine figure of Vito Scaletta. The story kicks off in 1945, where the Vito is involved in a rebellion against the rule under Mussolini. Following the war, Vito migrates to Empire City, where he, along with his colourful best friend Joe, seek to get the fastest ticket to a big fortune. The duo start out small: a jewelry store heist, black-market sales of gas coupons, working over some uncooperative dockworkers. Eventually, Vito and Joe prove they've got the guts to whack a guy just because a mafioso tells them to. Vito and his cohorts are not Italian stereotypes but are thoughtful and (yes) moral men who stick to their principles and run a strict ethical framework within "the family." Mafia II openly depicts the world's everyday violence; whether committing cold blooded murders, executions or assignments, the killing is typically accompanied by gory spurts of blood and curses. Vito and Joe are showered with rewards upon completing missions--alcohol, women, even houses. The backdrop to the game, Empire City plays a supporting role in Mafia II. Players are introduced to a setting which mimics real 1940s America, where factories, jazz music, cars, suits and dresses were all the rage. The game's initial chapters take place in the winter of 1945, when the streets are coated with snow, and ladies in overcoats stroll with gentlemen kitted out in fedoras and chain-smoking cigarettes. The radio spouts propaganda declaring that "when you ride alone, you ride with Hitler," while black-market ration coupons provide organized crime syndicates yet another source of income. The game pictures the United States as imagined through old Life magazine photos: a memory you don't have, but one that you wish you did. The passing of time to the 1950s brings about changes, such as the pink flamingos which bedazzle Joe's apartment and the vintage vehicles get a little more streamlined. The shift in ideas also changes, as radio announcers aren't concerned with carpooling but with recent scientific studies suggesting that smoking might be hazardous to your health. The weather plays a part, especially with violent missions as the rain matches the feeling that you can actively assassinate someone or murder someone.
Mafia II like similar games such as Grand Theft Auto IV allows you to be more free and open to commit the most brutal of crimes such as murder and manslaughter. The game also allows you to make your own fun (get the cops on your tail and then engage in a shoot-out) and pursue a few side activities (collect Playboy magazines and view the centerfolds in all their naked glory). Otherwise, you simply move from one story mission to the next without having the fun in doing some side missions. Unlike other games like GTA IV, the game has no side missions to take. Though there you still have the chance to sell and customise vehicles in any garage located on the map. There isn’t much to do with the funds you earn. You can buy new clothing from the classy suit shops, though less choice of clothing is available. The presence of diners, bars and hot dog stands allows you to feast on tasty bites and the finest beers and liquors. You can buy guns at the gun shop, but can also pick up guns and ammo left by your enemies during missions; this allows you to never have to visit the weapon shop. The good news about the game is that the missions follow the traditional game play of sandbox style games, as you can shoot enemies, perform hand-to-hand combat, and be quick. Most encounters are best tackled by sliding into cover behind a wall or under a window and popping out to blast away at your enemies with a gangster’s tommy gun, or firing a bullet in your foe's brain with a Magnum. Memorable shoot-outs occur in a Chinese restaurant, in a hotel bar and hallways, and in a meat-packing plant. The intensity created by shooting is echoed though realistic sound effects and visually captivating environments, as glass flies everywhere, boxes may splinter, and vehicles explode. The only downside to the gunplay is the need to press a button to exit from cover. This is a minor of hindrance in standard gunfights, but it's a bigger nuisance in a boss fight of sorts in a dock warehouse, during which you may wish you could move out of cover easier.
... the game offers exhilarating shoot outs, car chases and fights The game also allows players to engage in a hand to hand combat, as you can pick a fight with pedestrians and also are urged to fight opponents whilst in jail. Like the shooting, great animations and realistic sound effects give one-on-one brawls a great sense of impact. You land light and strong jabs, block incoming strikes, and finish off your opponent with a ferocious series of slow-motion punches. Not every mission requires brute force, however: you get a few chances to sneak your way to success, using the cover system to your advantage and choking unsuspecting victims from behind. You can even drag bodies and hide them where you hope they won't be seen. All three of these ingredients-the shooting, the melee action, and the stealth—make the came more of a refreshing, yet a memorable experience for gamers. Although the game offers exhilarating shoot outs, car chases and fights, there are odd tasks which Vito faces such as loading some crates, selling contraband smokes, cleaning a men's room urinal, or mopping up a puddle. While some tasks may leave you frustrated, the context granted by the story gives some of these boring jobs a sense of urgency. A drive to the doctor's house may not seem all that interesting, but it is when you believe someone's life is on the line. Cleaning a window with a squeegee isn't all that electrifying, but it may end up being interesting, as you know that something intense is about to occur. A few car chases with Joe hanging out the window taking shots at your target help speed up the pace. You might run into some weird annoyances during the driving related missions, however; the cops could arrest the driver you're discreetly following if he collides with a police car, for example, which ends the mission instantly. Mafia II is promises to offer the audience with an unforgettable experience or playing in the 1920s and going on a journey with Vito through to the 1950s. Vito and his associates are memorable characters in a city bursting with subtle visual details and violent undertones. The story explores the difficult life of the protagonists, from entering in Empire City to being banged in jail. After the 15-or-so hours it might take you to gun through Vito's story, it's hard not to come away with the sense that there should have been more to do in this beautiful city. While you might be disappointed with what Mafia II doesn't do, it's hard to be disappointed by what this excellent game does do: deliver fun shoot-outs and pockets of shocking brutality in a world you're delighted to be a part of.
 The driving missions intensify the Mafia experience and put you at the forefront of the action
018
Available 18th May
Publisher: Activision / Developer: Bizzare Creations Released: Out Now / Price: RRP £35.99 (£32.97 Tescodirect.co.uk)
“The names Bond, James Bond”
JAMES BOND 007: BLOOD STONE ♦ Authentic
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proper Bond, guns, explosives and missions. Even whilst loading, the classic MGM ‘roaring lion’ empowers you to take on the persona of Bond and become unstoppable. The script for ‘Blood Stone’ is carefully crafted by the script writer Bruce Feirstein, the stunts are recorded by Ben Cooke (Daniel Craig’s stunt double) and the storylines are moulded around the great movies Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies and Casino Royale. The game introduces that the United Kingdom’s most secretive bio chemical project has been hijacked by Serbian terrorists. They plan a suicide attack on the G20 summit and it’s up to Bond to conduct a worldwide search for them. M has never given this much leeway, Bond’s licence to kill is much needed in this heavy duty action thriller. You take on the role of Bond in this third person action/adventure game and push Bond to the limits of the earth, where he faces mountains, oceans and nuclear power plants. You walk as Bond, have shoot outs as Bond, you drive as Bond and you take part in some of the best Stealth infiltrations that have been produced since Call of Duty. Throughout the game Bond carries a silenced P99 pistol at all times, which proves very useful for any uninvited guests. You also have a choice of 15 other weapons including an AK-47. But the most reliable is the MP5; it has loads of ammo, and is the best for long distance shooting. However, you must be aware at all times! The majority of your enemies will also be heavily equipped with it and so safety precautions such as the armour, found in most corridors, is absolutely mandatory.
■ One of James Bond’s iconic driving scenes. Full throttle away from an exploding Siberian nuclear plant, with the enemy fast approaching – pure Bond!
In terms of gadgets Activision have played it very smart and kept it minimal with Bond relying on just a smart phone. Having said that, the phone has many functions and definitely helps you out when in a sticky situation. For example, it monitors the location of your target, it tracks enemy movements, alerts you of any nearby bombs or explosives and a very helpful feature includes notifying you where there are any weapons that might be handy in the next battle. One of the best features of this game enables you to sneak up behind enemies and take them down by tapping square. Also, once the enemy is unarmed and helpless, by pressing L2 Bond will lock the target and lethally kill with one shot. The accuracy is immense. Although, for the hardcore gamers this may seem a little too easy, so difficulty settings can be adjusted in the main menu. Downers in this game are unexpected by both Activision and Bizarre Creations. Of course, Bizarre Creation’s history would suggest they have the licence to thrill, but the choice of cars in this game really is frustratingly bad. Famous for Blur and Project Gotham Racing, Bizarre Creations adaptation of the iconic Aston Martin in this game is appalling. The DB5s has sluggish acceleration; the handling is wild and the car smashes at the tiniest of scrapes.
One of Bond’s combat scenes, excellent graphics!
REVIEW
■ In addition to the usual shootouts, you’ll have bombs to diffuse, nuclear power hazards to resolve and you’ll have to survive gas attacks.
www.twitter.com/bizzarec The developer’s official Twitter feed, full of Bond gossip In terms of originality, this game follows many traditional features from the Bond timeline, but one thing not mentioned is the ‘Bond girl’. Surprisingly, the femme fatale, Joss Stone plays an intelligent yet sophisticated young woman who keeps Bond’s motivations and stamina well fuelled. The voices of Joss Stone and Daniel Craig add to the complexity of the game. Also, M, the only woman able to keep James Bond tame is voiced by Judi Dench. Whilst M provides the only practical, some what boring, character to the storyline the enjoyments of the missions are not compromised, however, the feeling of ending the game strengthens your inner ambitions to become Bond. Where the terrorists would irritate your nerves, ending this game leads to more than a just a Martini. Other in game features not praised enough are the online multi player options. This has three main modes which are ‘Death match’, ‘Last Man Standing’ and the most popular ‘Objective Modes’. Objective modes provide sufficient practice for you to master timing and exercise your expertise at diffusing bombs and get away driving. This energises you, despite providing a sense of tension as the objective to be the best Bond online adds extra pressure. Available on the main platforms including Playstaion 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and Microsoft Windows platforms this game really does not have any reason to fail within the ever growing game industry. It not only offers over 5 hours of thrilling game play which will leave you wanting more. It consumes your life and provides a sense of escapism where you really are exposed to terrorists and where you want to better the world by making it your personal mission to become 007. Overall, this game is an impressive action game with an excellent mix of both stealth and combat. The graphics are realistic, and finishing touches like the voices of the characters are pleasing, providing a strong sense of authenticity. This game is a credit to the Bond saga and should fulfil all high expectations set by gamers.
…Bizarre Creation’s history would suggest they have the licence to thrill, but the choice of cars in this game really is frustratingly bad.
7
This game definitely deserves 7/10, and for sure will leave you shaken and stirred.
Ricki Suri
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