Uncharted - Drake's Fortune Review

Sony has had a somewhat arduous year with the PlayStation 3 in 2007. Much of this is due in part of exclusives like Halo 3, Mass Effect, and BioShock going to the Xbox 360. This is exacerbated by the fact that Sony is losing exclusive rights to games such as Devil May Cry 4, Resident Evil 5, and Grand Theft Auto IV. Furthermore, Metal Gear Solid 4 has been delayed until the year 2008. Many gamers thought that Sony was done and should bow down to Microsoft; however, the PlayStation 3 has injected new life into Sony recently.

After the PlayStation 3 price reduction down to $400, the sales of PlayStation 3's have increased. Moreover, there are PlayStation 3 exclusives such as Heavenly Sword and Ratchet & Clank: Future Tools of Destruction that are worth playing. Luckily, things are finally looking bright for Sony. Sony appears to be on the right track and heading in the right direction. This is conspicuously seen from their biggest PlayStation 3 game this 2007 holiday season in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.

The storyline in this game revolves around Nathan Drake and his allies. They are on a quest for a treasure; consequently, they get lost in an island in the Pacific Ocean. Now, Nathan and his acquaintances have every intention to escape from this retched island because they are being chased by deadly mercenaries. Naughty Dog definitely delivers the goods when it comes to the storyline. The plot is compelling and is not as predictable as some games might be. The gameplay has aspects from a typical third person shooter with a twist. This twist being that you will be doing more than gunning down adversaries.

Gamers will have to play through some fairly unique platform jumping elements as well. There is a peek around the corner technique that is eerily similar to Gears of War. Mr. Drake can utilize cover by putting his back against the wall and squatting down. Blindfiring is also another gameplay mechanic that was heavily influenced from a game like Gears of War. This is of course when you are hiding behind cover and firing without exposing yourself. The platform jumping is analogous to a game like Prince of Persia. Drake does not seem athletic, but looks can be deceiving. He can perform the most acrobatic maneuvers when he is airborne.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune boasts stunning visuals across the board. The textures are clean, and the flora is grandiose. Lighting and architecture are just a few of many things that are amazing in this game. In addition to the gunfire, there is a few moments in the game where Nathan can use his arms and legs in combat. The pro of correctly executing a combination attack is more ammunition, but the con is that failing will net you nothing in return and a loss of health. There is nothing too extravagant about the weapons in the game. They range from the rudimentary handguns to the explosive grenades. Drake can also traverse his way through the environment with his mobility. He knows how to climb large obstacles, swing across a gap by using a rope, and jump from one ledge to another ledge with ease. The controls are responsive and never deter players from enjoying the game. Replenishing health is done simply by standing still and waiting (ala Gears of War).

Fortunately, all of Drake's actions are easily done. The only two flaws with the game are the animations and length. There were occasional sequences where foes do not exactly act accordingly after they are hit. This resulted in awkward and unrealistic physics. Opponents will not perform the electric slide, but it was odd to see an enemy fly around in a eccentric manner. Another gripe with the game is the nine hour length. A game that succinct needs more gameplay. Even though the game is concise, the gameplay itself is engrossing. The audio in the game really made the plot come together. Voice acting is superb and not over the top. The sound of Drake reloading his gun has a tactile feel to it. Water falling down to the ground have a different sounding fluctuation to them.

Overall, there is no doubt that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is the best PlayStation 3 exclusive that PlayStation 3 owners will greatly admire. The intriguing storyline overrides the few minor glitches in the game.

Final Verdict: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a very good game.
9.4 out of 10

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AP - Congressional Democrats sent the White House an emergency $15 billion auto bailout plan Monday, complete with provision of a "car czar" to oversee the industry's reinvention of itself. The Bush administration said there had been progress toward agreement but pressed further negotiations into the night.

How to Choose a Video Game Console

There are six major video game consoles available at retailers right now; Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, and Nintendo DS. It can be hard to choose which one is right for you. And after you add in the old consoles too, it makes the choice even more overwhelming. Don't worry too much though. Just ask yourself a few simple questions outlined below and you can easily decide which system is right for you. The points to consider are price, graphics, game selection, and other capabilities.

Price -

Probably the single biggest factor for someone choosing a video game console is the price they have to pay to purchase the system itself. Prices range from $599 for the Playstation 3 down to $129 for the Nintendo DS. And if you really want to save money you can buy past generation consoles like Playstation, Nintendo 64, and Super Nintendo and spend no more than $20 for a used system. The prices for games should also be factored in when making your choice. PS3 and Xbox 360 games are usually $59.99 new, while Nintendo DS games sell for $29.99 new. Games for old systems are hard to find at regular retailers, but they are usually quite a bit cheaper if you buy them online.

Graphics -

The graphics are always improving with the newer video game consoles, so the newer systems will always have the best graphics. The Xbox 360 and PS3 have the best graphics and can display in High Definition if you have a TV that can display it too. The Wii does not have the same graphical capabilities as the other two, though many casual gamers will not be disappointed. The Nintendo DS and PSP lack the graphical power that the home consoles have because they are portable. And the PSP can display graphics quite a bit better than the DS.

If you are considering older systems, each generation is roughly at the same level graphically no matter which system you choose. Playstation and Nintendo 64 are about the same, as are Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. But the Nintendo 64 will have better graphics than Super Nintendo, which in turn is better than the original Nintendo.

Game Selection -

The main reason you buy a system is for the games, so you have to be sure the games you want to play are on the system you choose. Some systems have very wide selections of games because they were so popular, like Playstation 2, Playstation, and Super Nintendo. With these systems you can almost always find a game in the genres you like. If you really like a particular series of games (Mario, Halo, Final Fantasy, etc) you need to be sure to pick the system that those games come out on. Mario games are only available on Nintendo consoles, including Gamecube, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, and Super Nintendo. Halo is only on Microsoft's systems, Xbox and Xbox 360. Meanwhile, Final Fantasy has changed systems. You can only find the newest Final Fantasy games on Playstation 2 and you can find older ones on SNES, Gameboy Advance, and Playstation.

Other Capabilities -

Many systems have features unique to them that might be important to you or change game play dramatically. For example, the Wii uses motion-sensing controllers so all of their games use a different style of game play compared to the other systems with a regular joystick. Likewise, the Nintendo DS has one touch screen, another screen above that, and is portable too. If portability is important to you be sure to choose one of the portable systems PSP, Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance, or Gameboy. If online games are and important feature, you should choose the Xbox or Xbox 360. They have the most capable online features.

After considering all these questions you can decide which features are the most critical for you and choose the system that best meets that criteria. If you are on a tight budget but want a wide selection of games to play, you should choose Playstation or Super Nintendo. The systems and games are very cheap now and thousands of games were made for them. If you want the best graphics and online games, you should probably choose the Xbox 360. It has some of the best graphics and the best online setup.

Once you have weighted all these options you should be well on your way to choosing the best system for you. Now go buy it and start enjoying your gaming purchase.

JJ Hendricks owns an online retailer of used video games and consoles for most major video game systems. Click here to find more information about the system you decide is right for you => http://www.jjgames.com

AP - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed said Monday he will confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks, throwing his death-penalty trial into disarray and shocking victims' relatives who watched from behind a glass partition.

Nintendo DS Games - Key to Ultimate Thrill and Adventure

The emergence of technology has led to a modernisation of the 21st century society. Our hectic and fast-paced lifestyle coupled with the day to day mundane activities has brought a sense of monotony into our social life. However, the dominance of technology has somewhat drawn us closer to its inventions and innovations. We resort to technology in times of isolation and boredom. When our family and friends are preoccupied with their immediate responsibilities then it becomes essential for us to stimulate ourselves and channelise our energies in some other direction. Thanks to video and computer games which are the best alternatives of refreshing ourselves.

Games help us to de-stress ourselves and stimulate our hormones as well. Playing games is a source of mental and physical exercise. Games get us into a relaxed mood thereby developing our concentration power. Children should not be restricted to play games as by playing they are simply developing their mental skills, problem-solving skills as well as observation skills. Thus today's parents do not view games as a wastage of time, rather they find high-tech gaming consoles as a means of mental exercise. The video games are dominating the gaming scenario these days. The consoles are highly entertaining and thrilling and are enhanced with high features which are designed to suit the busy schedule of the children.

One of the most popularly played game is the Nintendo DS Games. Nintendo DS games are enriched with advanced features and adventurous plots which offer thrill to the player. The Nintendo DS games are enhanced with appealing animation and illustrations which sustain the entertainment level of the player. The games are interactive and are embedded with user-friendly features like joy sticks, pads and buttons thereby enabling the player to manage the game efficiently.

Some of the most sought after games are Legend of Zelda, Ben 10, Chicken Hunter and The Legend of Spuro. The Legend of Zelda is an exciting gaming process which has mind-boggling puzzles and it is quite thrilling as the player has to draw out a strategy to kill the opponents. In this game the player can take the help of various weapons such as bombs, boomerangs, and arrows to combat the enemies. The Legend of Spyro is also an ultimate gaming console which is designed to excite the player throughout his gaming period. Moreover, the touchscreen interface will aid in controlling the characters comfortably. The Need for Speed is another enthralling street racing game that offers the players experience of various styles of racing.

These consoles develop the creativity of the player and help him to develop defence mechanisms. The player with the support of WiFi connectivity can enjoy online games as well which is operated by Nintendo. The PioChat feature is an attractive attribute of the consoles. In this feature the player can enjoy the chatting facility. The user an also script messages and draw images with the stylus and send them to their friends and close ones. Moreover, Nintendo DS Games are powered with unique and informative content which allows the player to comprehend each gaming process without much hassle. The player can proceed from one level to another. the latest DS games are powered with fun elements such as intriguing plots, role playing and simulations.

These games can be enjoyed both by children as well as adults. People who are fond of dogs, but do not want to own them can have fun playing the dog stimulation games. The games are packed with mysteries and puzzles and offer superb graphics. Moreover, one can track their favourite cheap Nintendo Ds Games at different online stores. Thus these gaming consoles are rewarding and highly entertaining for people of all age groups as they merge enjoyment with entertainment.

Online Games

E! Online - The winners of the 13th season of The Amazing Race were, in a word, Fantastick.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 - PlayStation 3 Review

The notorious Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 finally makes its way to PlayStation 3 owners. The game is more than an abysmal port from the Xbox 360 (ala FEAR). Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 on the PlayStation 3 is virtually identical to the Xbox 360 version. In Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, players reprise their role as Scott Mitchell (leader of the Ghosts).

The storyline in the game is regarding Mexico and nuclear weapons. The protagonist (Scott Mitchell) and his squad is sent to Mexico to neutralize the terrorist threat. The gameplay ranges from the much maligned escort mission to the more engrossing eradicating your adversaries mission. All of the tasks from the Xbox 360 game like taking cover, and exploiting the Mule drone remains intact in the PlayStation 3 game. The six axis controller gives players the ability to dodge, dive, and execute evasive maneuvers instantaneously.

This is particularly useful when you are trying to shoot, give orders to your teammates, and move simultaneously.The six axis controller was implemented perfectly in Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. This is definitely a welcome addition to the somewhat cumbersome controller of the Xbox 360. There are some more multiplayer maps that are available as well. Graphically, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 adaptations of Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 are clones. There is no decrease in the frame rate on the PlayStation 3; the game runs at a nice and smooth frame rate throughout the duration of the game. The audio holds up nicely on the PlayStation 3.

Radio chatter will make gamers feel like they are in a war zone. Overall, Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 is merely a mild improvement on the PlayStation 3 than on the Xbox 360 due to the controls and multiplayer.

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AP - Security forces overran a militant camp on the outskirts of Pakistani Kashmir's main city and seized an alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, two officials said Monday.