Author - Ripper71

Party Animals – Russell The Rabbit Review (Tech)

2013/02/25

At CES, I saw all kinds of new tech and gadgets. Among all the tech I saw, some of my favorites were the robotics and toys, two things very close and dear to my heart. There is probably something Freud would say about that, but he is dead and CES is once a year. So, when I got some chance, free time, I wandered around taking in the sights. One booth that stuck out in my mind featured a line of cute animals dancing on their hind legs to music emanating from within them. Down the table from them was this bunny…

What are you lookin at?!?

He seemed to glare at everyone passing by as if saying they weren’t worthy to see him dance. There were all kinds of the “Party Animals” dancing robots around, some even Halloween themed (anyone who knows me knows I am an absolute sucker for Halloween stuff). But Russell The Rabbit, as I would discover his name was, looked like a bad ass. Sure, he may dance to cute little tunes for your kid if they wanted but he would also rock out hard at a beer pong party. He would blast music that party goers may forget but through their next, hangover-ridden day, they would remember those eyes glaring at them. I had to possess it….

Features:

These adorable plush animal speakers dance slow to slow music, fast to fast music, and stop when your music stops. All you need is a laptop, MP3 player, or other music device with an audio input to make them play your music and dance to the beat!

Soft plush material
Built-in speaker
Dance ON/OFF button
Audio cord included
Takes 3 AA batteries
Robotic movement sensor
Velcro backing
Power ON/OFF switch

Hands-On:

When Russell the Rabbit arrived, he looked no less angry, much to my delight. This product line is great for kids of all ages, and most are extremely cute and cuddly. Russell is for those who don’t do cute and cuddly so much and his expression practically demanded that I release him from his packaging.

Let me out. Now.

I released him at once and, like a kid carrying a well-earned trophy (I did bug my EiC to request him), I proudly took him to my laptop and plugged him in. The speaker reproduced the music, loud and clear, with no dampening or distortion If I didn’t know the music was coming from the rabbit I would have thought it was just my laptop speakers. The Party Animals are designed to be completely portable and self-sufficient, so they run on AA batteries and have a standard audio plug for your computer, smartphone, MP3 player, etc. In fact, let Russell the Rabbit loose on all those devices with great success. I chose the laptop first though because I could go on different websites trying out all different forms of music to see what his dancing seem to match up best with.

Country worked fine, though that was probably one of the weaker genres. Classical, on the other hand, just looked plain silly. Give him anything with a rockin’ beat such as alternative, classic rock, hip-hop or dance and he seemed right at home. I found myself on YouTube and, yes he does the Harlem Shake pretty darn well. There is a sensor in Russell and the other Party Animals that senses the tempo of the music and adjusts accordingly. So, if you put on easy listening he will sway to the music while rave stylings will make him shake his bunny tail furiously – which nicely fits, since he doesn’t look happy about it. He danced fine to children’s tunes too, which I could see encouraging rhythm in younger developing children as well, though probably the other cutesy Party Animals might be more to the kiddies’ tastes.

When the volume is low, the motors can be heard whirring so I tried the off dance button at those times so as to still get the music without the distraction of the mechanics. For some, this might not be a distraction since this is a mechanical rabbit dancing on its hind legs – sci-fi machinery noise is kind of a plus. Once you crank up the music or stand a few feet away, the whirring noise is generally drowned out.

Great Sound And A Good Cause:

Russell the Rabbit and rest of the Party Animals also support good causes. With each purchase, donations are made to PAWS Chicago, The Anti-Cruelty Society and PETA and small flyers with information on the organizations in a family friendly manner are in the box. They aren’t like those Sarah McLaughlin tracked commercials that make you cry like you just shot “Old Yeller”.

Last Call:

I now possess Russell The Rabbit and he sits next to my computer glaring at me for typing instead of playing music right now. I can feel him staring when I look away and, for me, that is a great thing. The other Party Animals are great, cute and there is one for just about every personality, even seasonal ones which would work great at a Halloween or Christmas party, for example. For the older crowd who like a fun toy, but are not so into the cutesy kind, get one of Russell’s brothers, I think they are named Russell too.

[easyreview title=”Party Animals Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Videos:

Computrace Lojack For Laptops Review (Software)

2013/02/25

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

When I first came across Absolute Software’s booth at CES and saw the Computrace Lojack For Laptops information, I was immediately interested. Being an editor for GamingShogun.com, I always travel with at least one laptop and that laptop has everything I need to help run the website, often including NDA-locked titles and information like sensitive contact lists. This makes me a bit hyper-paranoid about what could happen to it in the car or sitting in a hotel room. Honestly, it even makes me a bit nervous having it in our locked house when I go somewhere. During October, I lost my cellphone on a hayride and was frantic about the contact information stored on it. We had one of the “find my phone” apps that GPS tracked it and, though we were able to find it quickly, that scenario has made me more conscious of losing control of information. Of course, this doesn’t even begin to cover the cost of replacing a gaming laptop or smartphone. When Absolute Software offered us the opportunity to try out Lojack For Laptops, I jumped at it.

Official Features:

Lock: You may not have your computer with you, but you can still feel safe from prying eyes. Use Device Lock to block your computer remotely, denying potential identity thieves access to your computer and personal data. You can also choose to display a customized lock-out message onscreen. You could, for instance, display contact information that would help a good Samaritan return your computer to you.

Delete: The contents of your hard drive might be worth more to you — and a thief — than the laptop itself. But our Data Delete feature helps you prevent costly and traumatic identity theft. With it, you can remotely and selectively erase sensitive files and applications, personal photos, financial data, and stored passwords. So you stay safe and in control.

Locate: Is your laptop really stolen? Or did you leave it on a business trip? Using GPS or Wi-Fi geolocation, LoJack for Laptops can map and display your laptop’s current and past whereabouts. So you’ll know whether it’s simply left behind, or something more serious. Even when your laptop is safe and sound, you can see that LoJack for Laptops is on the job. Note: Standard edition does not include location history.

Recover: For most people, the odds of recovering a stolen laptop aren’t encouraging. But every year, thousands of people get their stolen laptops back, thanks to our patented technology and experienced Theft Recovery Team. If your protected computer is stolen, the team can use our technology to track it, and work with local law enforcement to get it back in your hands. Get LoJack for Laptops and flip the odds in your favour.

Guaranteed: With our leading technology and experienced Theft Recovery Team, LoJack for Laptops gives you unsurpassed theft recovery service, plus device and data protection. Choose our Premium edition and get our Service Guarantee. If we don’t recover your stolen computer or enable the Data Delete service, you could be eligible for a Service Guarantee payment of up to $1000.

Hands-On:

This was the tricky part, how do I go about testing the software? The first parts are easy, you just log into your account and you can check a map to see where your laptop is and check to see if it is moving (if it is moving and you aren’t with it, that is generally a bad sign). You can lock it, post display information, and delete non-essential pictures or documents to test that. All these are easy, effective tools which is VITAL in the event that your laptop is stolen and you may have only minutes to keep a contract or contact from being compromised.

But, how do you go about testing recovery? I toyed with the idea of contacting them and having a fake loss setup so we could see the process of tracking it down, but that isn’t the same as the real thing. I was tempted to go over their protocol, step by step, to see how they do it but reporting that or a fake recovery could actually compromise the process, giving would-be thieves ideas on how to thwart the process. Then it struck me, none of that was necessary, because none of that was what truly mattered about this. What really mattered is how knowing they have an actual recovery team that prides itself on its recovery ability to the point of providing a payment guarantee and how that makes me feel now when I travel. I still travel safe and smart with my laptop but I don’t feel nervous like a did before when it is out of my sight. If it is in the car while I am perusing the snack aisle at the gas station or in a hotel room while I am out on a convention floor, I feel secure knowing that if a problem should arise not only are their remote steps I can take to insure the safety of my information. Additionally, there is a good chance I will get my computer back thanks to an actual, human recovery team.

Last Call:

This software is subscription-based but is very affordable and kind of a no-brainer for the business man who travels with his life’s work in a little electronic box. Computrace Lojack For Laptops should be considered by anyone who takes their computer on the road for business or pleasure and should be a requirement for businesses as part of their insurance policies. Computrace Lojack is an insurance policy on information as well as electronics and that feeling of security is hard to put a price tag on.

[easyreview title=”Lojack For Laptops Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Video:

NuGuard KX Phone Case Review (iPhone 4S)

2013/02/25

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

I think I would make most phone owners cringe with my phone-handling clumsiness. I know for a fact that I make my wife cringe when I start testing out cases. I have made her friends scream, my friends dive on the ground in an attempt to break my phone’s fall, I have sent phones skittering across asphalt, gravel, concrete and any other hard surface imaginable. So, it wasn’t such a surprise when I got sent a series of videos where a case gets dropped from hundreds of feet from a wind turbine and survives. The surprise came from the fact that it looked, for all intents and purposes, like a regular plastic phone case – not a gigantic, suit of phone armor. Surprise gave way to intrigue as I waited for it to arrive so I could test it out.

Description:

Unlike common military-impact test grade iPhone case materials, the NuGuard KX uses state-of-the-art X-Orbing gel technology to absorb and evenly distribute kinetic energy, protecting your iPhone from accidental drops or scratching. This Hyper-Advanced gel is then engineered into a hard outer shell with a soft interior, bonded together into a stylish one-piece design. The NuGuard KX has been Mil-Spec drop test certified by Quanta Laboratories to MIL-STD-810G U.S. Military Standard for elite protection. Yet, the KX only measures slightly over 1/2″ thick so it can still easily fit in your pocket. Its Edge Guard over-molding provides enhanced iPhone screen edge protection without interfering edge-to-edge touch finger accessibility to ensure hassle-free touch keyboarding and ability to drag and organize app icons from screen to screen. With its precision cutouts, the NuGuard KX allows for full access to all of the iPhone’s ports and buttons. The KX features a unique cross hatch texture design on backside for added grip that won’t make it hard to remove from pockets like other texturized cases. And installation and removal of your iPhone from the KX is easy, taking only seconds.

What is MIL-STD-810G U.S. Military Standard?

Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests is a United States Military Standard that emphasizes tailoring an equipment’s environmental design and test limits to the conditions that it will experience throughout its service life, and establishing chamber test methods that replicate the effects of environments on the equipment rather than imitating the environments themselves. The MIL-STD-810 test series are approved for use by all departments and agencies of the United States Department Of Defense (DoD). Although prepared specifically for military applications, the standard is often used for commercial products as well.

MIL-STD-810 addresses a broad range of environmental conditions that include: low pressure for altitude testing; exposure to high and low temperatures plus temperature shock (both operating and in storage); rain (including wind blown and freezing rain); humidity, fungus, salt fog for rust testing; sand and dust exposure; explosive atmosphere; leakage; acceleration; shock and transport shock; gunfire vibration; and random vibration . The standard describes environmental management and engineering processes that can be of enormous value to generate confidence in the environmental worthiness and overall durability of a system design.

Hands On:

The case looks unassuming to say the least. It features a nice, understated style with spirals and patterns on it which help to grip the phone. It isn’t made of squishy rubber or composed of interlocking pieces. It has a felt interior that seems to have a slight softness beneath but the shell, feeling solid and unyielding, not what you would expect from a phone case advertised to be so protective. On the front was a sticker with the above “Military Drop Tested” and certified statement which I admit sounded impressive but I had to look up so I provided the definition. It still made me think it was a bit of gobbledygook, so I went and watched the videos that had my friend so excited. That was when I got excited and started putting a lot more trust into this case. I quickly learned that bulk and difficult to connect pieces aren’t necessary for a solid phone case, and started testing it the way I do best: making myself and everyone else cringe.

What surprised me probably the most was how resistant it was to scratching. Most of the time, these cases are design to take a hit and prevent the phone from scratches by being damaged itself. There are some exceptions but usually those have built in things to prevent it such as rubber bumpers. This case resisted scratching and has a raised lip to help resist scratches on the phone’s face. The case slides in and out of the pocket easier than most protection cases thanks to the lack of squishy rubber and it’s hard outer shell, a lot of protective cases come with hip clips because of their difficulty going in and out of the pocket.

Last Call:

This case survived the DoD’s tests, my tests, lots of video tests and probably most tests you put it through. NuGuard KX Kinetic will take care of you and your phone , whether you are a phone-handling klutz or just have to deal with everyday things that life has a habit of throwing at you.

[easyreview title=”NuGuard KX Phone Case Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Video Tests:

Griffin Designer Series Cell Phone Case Review – Derrick Castle (iPhone 4S)

2013/02/25

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

I have found myself trying out a lot of cell phone cases lately – most of them designed for maximum protection while in some cases at the cost of style and, in other cases, at the cost of weight. So it was a great pleasure to check out Griffin’s limited edition Designer Series case that is made of quality but really designed to be a showpiece. In this case series, they picked some of their favorite artists and let them come up with their own masterpieces. The standout art piece I fell for immediately was Derrick Castle’s “Bandito” design.

About The Artist:

Derrick Castle is an illustrator based in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to illustrations, Castle also works in the medium of traditional block printing, a primitive form of relief printing where images are created using a hand carved block, usually wood or linoleum. Inspired by the ghosts of Americana, Castle’s work is filled with skulls, animals and lost relics from a tribal America.

“Bandito”:

A limited-edition hard shell for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4 created by artist Derrick Castle.

Case Print: Printing process uses ink-dye sublimation and a heat-cured gallery gloss finish. Choose from a shell for iPhone 5 or iPhone 4, or a silicone-lined, layered shell for iPhone 4.

Part of the Griffin Designer Series. Original art recreated on cases for iPhone, printed locally in small batches. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Hands On:

Rarely does a product appear better in person than it did in pictures. I debated a long time between which of the Castle works to choose from, “Lincoln” with it’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter design came a really close second but I decided “Bandito” with it’s beautiful detail and deep imagery kept bringing my eye back to it. The interior of the case is felt lined to allow it to be easily slipped on and the design which wraps around the side of the case is vividly printed and stands out extremely well. This case will serve its function nicely – keeping your phone from getting scratched up. More importantly, this case is a limited edition work of art that you can proudly show off.

Last Call:

This case is a collectible piece of art that also serves its core function well. It is a great piece to show off with a design process that makes for great conversation. It is so nice that my wife has already chosen it as her new case, so my phone is slipping back into one of the others I have. I wonder if “Lincoln” is still available, though with such great works of art these Griffin Designer series pieces won’t be around for long.

[easyreview title=”Griffin Designer Cell Phone Case Bandito Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Derrick Castle Case Gallery:

Infected – Click Your Poison Review (eBook)

2013/02/25

Ripper71

Book News, Book Review, News, Reviews

On occasion, we do a review of a digital book here on GamingShogun.com. Usually, they involve some geekdom our readers and team have a particular fondness for. In this case, the book I recently read was “Infected” by James Schannep and it combined two great ideas: choose your own adventure in a digital format and zombies.

Description:

3 Unique Storylines. Over 50 Possible Endings. Just one question… Will YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?

Here’s how it works: You, Dear Reader, are the main character of this story. Live, die, and rise again based solely on the merit of your own choices. Each link represents a choice, and there’s no going back, so choose wisely.

Everyone has their plan; what they’d do to survive if and when the zombie apocalypse happens. Now you can see how you’d hold up against the legions of undead—without needing to call the CDC because crazed bath salts users are trying to eat your face off.

Giving It A Read:

Back when I was growing up the “Choose Your Own Adventure” book series were at their height of popularity and covered just about every genre you could think of – targeted at all ages and genders. There were literally hundreds of them and I tore through tons of them and kind of missed them when they went by the way. They now seem to be making a comeback thanks to the technology of Kindle books enabling you to follow the links to the next chapter and as long as you remember the name of the previous chapter it lets you go back in case you don’t fair so well in your choices. It also stops you from cheating and peeking at the pages in between or reading the first line and picking the other choice instead. I used to have a solid photographic memory so I would spoil the books for myself sometimes by glancing the pages in between. So thanks to technology, an old idea is getting new life breathed into it.

What better choice for a subject than zombies? Who doesn’t think of their own survival plans if an apocalypse were to break out? I have already picked out a Super Walmart on a hill above the snowline less than ten minutes from my house to make my stand. James Schannep chose this great topic to make one of his Click Your Poison Kindle books and he rides the nice line between comedic and realistic scenarios really well. He does a great job with dialogue, which is one of the most surprisingly difficult things to work out for most writers. Schannep also makes sure to not go too stereotypical in his character descriptions and actions and what sounds like a great plan without too much thought will show you that even the simplest move can turn fatal in a zombie apocalypse.

Infected is definitely a multiple read book not just because of the different possible choices but because of how well each one is written. If you wind up picking it up make sure to read the chapter titles too, not only are they usually funny and punny but they give you a hint of what to expect in the pages to come. If you happen to become zombie food remembering your previous chapter also helps prevent you from having to start from scratch, which I did a couple times just for the fun of it.

Last Call:

James Schannep embraces the old tradition of the choose your adventure and the newer technology of the Kindle and makes a zombie book for all ages. The humor is fun and sometimes sick definitely fitting the subject matter and the audience. Do yourself a favor and pick up Infected to see how well you will REALLY do in the zombie apocalypse.

Trailer:

Bracketron Universal Tablet Window/Dash Mount Review (Mobile)

2013/02/21

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Peripherals News, Reviews

Let’s face it, most of us have a hard time getting the money together to get a fancy, in-dash GPS, so we wind up using a device such as smartphone or tablet instead. Recent additional features on some devices adding voice directions help too but, sometimes, you find yourself wanting to avoid traffic or detouring for some other reason. As a result, we may find ourselves wanting to look at it while obeying the “hands free laws” implemented in many states. Bracketron has come up with a straight solution to this and other vehicular device desires with their Universal Tablet Window/Dash Mount.

When they say universal, they really mean universal, it is designed to be adjustable enough to fit a full size iPad, but condenses down to the point of almost being able to hold an iPhone 4S safely! Actually in my heavy duty drop proof case it holds my iPhone quite well and secure and would take very little work to modify for most other phones. It is designed for the tablets though and no modification is necessary to hold those. You just put the device in the bracket, lock it in then adjust the arms how you want them to point the tablet in any direction you wish then you can lock it down again. Easy and quick, which are two VERY important points when using such a bracket because if it takes too much time of effort it won’t be used as regularly.

Installation for window or windshield mounting is insanely easy, just putting the suction cup up against the glass and adjust the section tension using the ratcheting lever. If glass isn’t available for mounting and your dash is too porous for a suction cup then the kit also comes with a 3M stick plate that can be stuck to a surface and used as a suction point. I could see this being of use in particular if you have small or heavily slanted windshields such as a compact with lesser visibility in which case a tablet can take up a lot of your safe viewing space and could become a hazard. The full size iPad in particular can cause driver visibility issues above the dash in the front windshield. With the 3M disc any surface it will stick to becomes your mount location yet you still have the versatility of removing it when it might be in the way or you wish to use the mount in another vehicle.

This mount is also great for using a tablet as an entertainment device in the vehicle for the passengers. If there is a sun/moon roof in the car the suction cup mount can be attached to it and then the passengers in the back seat can watch movies on it almost like it was a factory installed feature. On the passenger side of the car sticking the suction cup on the window would back it great for mounting for kids to watch movies or the driver’s co-pilot to read the maps on it and give directions. I can even see it being used in conjunction with a wireless keyboard to allow someone sitting in the passenger seat to use a Bluetooth keyboard on their lap while the tablet is held up at eye level for them to see.

Last Call:

The Bracketron Universal Tablet Window/Dash Mount is truly universal, with uses limited only by the imagination of the user. My personal plans are to use it for both my iPad and my iPhone at the same time during trips so that I can use my phone hands-free but, at the same time, have the nice large screen of the iPad for mapping purposes. At home, I have a wooden bar stool next to my gaming chair with a lacquered non-porous top so I can attach the bracket there and have it held up in front of me while I type on a Bluetooth keyboard. I bet I will even come up with some more uses after that, maybe on the bathroom sink to angle it toward the bath to watch movies in the tub while keeping it at a safe distance? Limited only by the user’s imagination!

[easyreview title=”Bracketron Universal Tablet Window/Dash Mount Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Enhanced Edition Review (PC)

2013/02/13

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

A couple years back at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, I had a nice meeting with a Namco Bandai rep. During the meeting, he walked me over to their demo of Ace Combat Assault Horizon and handed me a controller. What followed was a beautiful game, played extraordinarily bad much to the horror of the on-looking rep. He offered to change difficulty settings, constantly wanted to reach for the controller to stop the mayhem that ensued, and I eventually smiled at him and said “Okay, now show me how it is really played.” With an uncontrollable expression of relief, he picked up the controller and showed what his extensive playtime had taught him. I saw a guy capable of doling out splendid carnage with practiced hands. Now, I didn’t have time to be that person yet, as I had back to back appointments. Because of all this, when the opportunity to give it a play on the PC with enhanced graphics and my new Logitech flight stick came along, I was more than happy to cause some steel carnage.

Storyline:

East Africa, 2015. Attached to an international peace-keeping force, Colonel Bishop leads a small squadron in operations to suppress an insurgent rebel force. The operation, however, rapidly escalates as Bishop and his company come face-to-face with the rebels’ devastatingly powerful experimental weapon. Tearing its way through the desert states and up into the frozen North, the struggle to control the weapon ignites a devastating global conflict.

Features:

Dramatic and realistic storyline – Written by New York Times Best-Selling military author Jim DeFelice, players will be immersed in an enthralling war drama spanning multiple real-world locations
Steel carnage – Incredible destructive detail and visual effects for every explosive attack, with aircraft shredded, enemy troops annihilated, buildings shattered, and machines bleeding their oil
All-new aircraft to pilot – Experience split-second manoeuvring and positioning, pinpoint targeting, hover attacks and other diverse gameplay with the introduction of the Attack Helicopter, Door Gunner, Bomber and Gunship
Revolutionary “Close-Range Assault” system – Delivering high-speed acrobatics, dizzying one-on-one encounters, satisfyingly visceral low-altitude aeronautics, and high-flying death from above
ACE COMBAT online reinvented – Completely reworked online modes, with new features including the new “Close-Range Assault” system”

Gameplay:

The gameplay starts off before the credits even begin, with a quick control check and battle over a major city in your fighter jet. The fighting begins fairly easy so that you can get comfortable with the controls before any really rough combat starts. The game is extraordinarily story driven and the story is interesting while you are still learning the controls. Once the game feels you are comfortable with the fighter aspect you get to man a gunner spot on a chopper during the opening credits to tell part of the story. No time is wasted in this game, there is action and story going on every moment – even the cutscenes are generally quick and crucial to the story. I was wearing headphones to make sure I was getting the most of the action and atmosphere at which this game excels.

Playing the game with a flight stick was an essential part of the experience. I imagine that, once you get used to a gamepad, it might be slightly easier to play with but it really would diminish the experience. There is nothing quite like swinging the stick into a dive while popping chaff or detonating electro-magnetic bombs while a half dozen MiGs jockey for position behind you – first hearing, then seeing as the missiles streaks past you and detonate in the sky. I had to adjust the button assignment a bit to make the most used ones more accessible and the least used out of the way. But when the controls were just right and you kill the throttle risking a stall, pop a chaff then line up on your enemy’s six close enough to engage the “Close-Range Assault” system and suddenly you are looking at the enemy aircraft from a visual style like the onboard camera of a real fighter recording the “Steel Carnage” as pieces go shredding off the back of their plane and they explode in a fiery black cloud of debris… it is just an insane rush. Thanks to a dynamic storyline, every shot fired serves a purpose as well.

The visuals in the bomber are very realistic as well, anyone who has seen footage of the infrared camera used by high altitude firing missions will notice the realistic quality Assault Horizon has to it. There is some degree of strategy involved with this kind of combat as well. The large ordinance, while extremely effectivem has a wide “splash zone” of damage and a really slow load time. The machine gun, though highly accurate and quick to reload, requires accurate aim and on vehicles a longer kill time. That was why I found the middle ordinance to be for the most part just right with a fairly quick reload and a fairly wide zone of damage. I used all of them as the missions dictated but I kept coming back to the “just right” middle one.

The attack helicopter was probably the roughest part of the game and ironically one of the parts I was most looking forward to. I am a big fan of the Apache but the standard flight stick setup, with how many controls needed to be used, was a nightmare at first. I reconfigured just about everything just so I could fly it like a wounded bird. It was the one time I really looked at a game controller temptingly. In the end though I completed the missions using the stick and some very creative control assignment and it was satisfying, if a bit ugly to watch.

Anyone who had played a chopper gunner in a game will pick up the gunner portion in a snap and it is designed to be played with the mouse so PC FPS fans will take to this quick and get it done.

There are three visual point of view choices that really do effect gameplay and the experience in general. You can be outside behind your plane third person style which is nice to check out your paint job and damage and has a feel like a couple of the old arcade sit down cockpits with sticks. This can be an extremely fun way to play and gives you a great view of what is going on around you as well as giving a nostalgic feel. There is also the nose cam point of view where nothing is obstructing your view and you get the realistic look of what combat looks like from the nose point of view. This also harkens back to other games and can be fun for players who want to see the sky from almost a drone point of view. Then there is the cockpit perspective and though I don’t usually discourage people from exploring their options if you are playing this game on a PC with it’s enhanced visuals and you are using a flight stick you owe it to yourself to play this game from the cockpit. It can be more difficult, you find yourself looking at your radar a lot to see what is going on in your blind spots but it is so much more immersive. The other styles play like arcade, cockpit plays like simulation.

Last Call:

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Enhanced Edition is a great game with exceptional graphics and storyline. Gameplay is solid and competitive, whether you are playing against the AI or another player in multiplayer. The choices of play style are diverse and if you find you don’t like the controller layout, reassignment is just a couple clicks away. I love the fact that you get to fight, bomb, and gun your way through the story in multiple aircraft so you don’t start to feel like the game is one big dog fight. Turn off the television, put on some headphones, and dive into a great interactive story, the experience will kick the ass of just about anything on television anyway.

[easyreview title=”Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Enhanced Edition Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″] Our Rating Scores Explained

Gallery:

The Showdown Effect Beta Preview (PC)

2013/02/13

Ripper71

News, Previews, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 Preview

There are some games that are serious. Super serious. In such games, an epic war of Good versus Evil plays out before your eyes, deciding the fate of all mankind… This is not one of those games. This is like the opposite of one of those games. Trust me. Seriously, this game is not to be taken seriously.

Description:

The Showdown Effect is a 2.5D multiplayer action game inspired by 80’s and 90’s action movies. Champions from throughout time fight to death for fun, for glory and for awesome. The Showdown Effect recreates the outrageous combat found in classic action movies and then takes it one step further. Use weaponry pulled straight from the silver screen’s unparalleled arsenal : shotguns, baseball bats, assault rifles, umbrellas, grenades, katanas, rocket launchers and more. No explosion is too loud and no bullet dodge is impossible. Impale your friend with a broomstick and tell them to “Stick around” as you jetpack off to the next enemy. The Showdown Effect also uses integrated streaming technology to live stream directly to Twitch.tv, without the need for third party software.

Features:

•Up to 8 player fast paced cinematic multiplayer action
•In-game, out-of-the box streaming capability to Twitch.tv (Mac support coming soon)
•6 clichéd characters, each with unique abilities
•4 levels across two different environments
•4 different free for all and team based game modes
•Solo and team matchmaking
•Custom rules sets to create your own game modes – Pistols only!
•Progressive rewards and unlocks for character and weapon customization
•Experience the most over-the-top action sequences from your favorite movies across different environments
•Numerous heroes, dozens of weapons, hundreds of moves – infinite fun

Gameplay:

As previously addressed, this is a game where the action shouldn’t be taken serious. You play one of a several different characters made up of 80s and 90s icons and you bash, slash, shoot and blow the holy bejeebus out of each other. I found myself uncontrollably-laughing as I got caught in a rocket launcher crossfire. One time, I hosed down an enemy with automatic weapons fire only to have someone with a katana slice me right in half. As the bodies and giblets start to litter the level you hear catch phrases uttered all over the place as more carnage ensues. It is over-the-top cartoon violence with cartoon characters based off a era of cartoony action heroes. It looked like fun in the trailer I saw for it so I asked our EIC for a code to get in the fun now. This wasn’t assigned, this was requested, and it was no mistake.

I saw people trying to take the games seriously, getting all indignant when they got killed or weren’t the top score or didn’t understand how a sword wielding enemy managed to Matrix back bend and slide under their machine gun fire and when they quit ,cursing the whole way out. I was glad. I would rather have one less person to play with than to have that person not get what they were playing, not understanding that absurdity is one of the most important and enjoyable elements of the game.

First Round:

This was area is what I deem the “First Round” because this was our first look at the game in a closed beta build. A lot could change between now and the time of release but, with the direction they are going in, it can only get better. I can’t wait until open beta when we get more players to be pitted against. Right now, it is mostly ringers who have been around a while and noobs, though that doesn’t stop it from being fun. Open beta will bring out the folks who just want to dominate and don’t really get the game but I can see them falling to the wayside. In the end, I expect The Showdown Effect to have a loyal following of players laughing just as hard when they are getting blown to pieces as when they are slicing someone down.

Trailer:

Heroes Of Newerth 3.0 Review (PC)

2013/02/04

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

A little over a week ago, I gave Heroes of Newerth a play. Well, actually, quite a few plays because I went in cold not quite knowing what to expect and I hit a noob-hostile environment and I pride myself on thick skin (and vengeance which could only be served if I overcame the learning curve) so I kept going until they had to lay the heat on somebody else and I did my best to help that person. The concern was that, at first, you really don’t know what to do unless you read up on the community boards or played one of the games that inspired it. I had done neither (okay, I played one of the games it was based off of, but a LONG time ago in “gaming years”). So, I ran around having fun and driving my team absolutely crazy. I felt I was helping, just not the way they wanted so why all the heat? I realized after study that the only way you win was working as a team not as a damage dealing headless chicken. Damage is only the beginning of this game, strategy is really key. Thanks to patch 3.0 you all can learn it the easy way, through tutorials and walkthroughs and they added lore and heroes to boot!

Storyline:

They tell the new lore better…

3.0 Features:

• Enhanced New Player Experience – The game’s walkthrough has been completely revamped with an indepth guide to better prepare first time players for the world of Heroes of Newerth. RAP 3.0, an all-new Report-A-Player system, gives the community the power to clean up and police itself while impacting the behavior of negative players.
• Reworked & Enhanced UI – Including friends list notifications, options menu, in-game chat, and more.
• Experience the Learning Center – This new feature will provide players with a series of videos that reinforce and explain in great detail some of the game’s basic and more complex concepts/techniques.
• Improved Referral Program – The new referral system will have both in-game and web-based options. Players can recruit friends for in-game currency and other tangible prizes using both systems.
• Learn Your Hero’s Backstory – One of the key features of the 3.0 update is the inclusion of lore within the world of HoN. Discover the story behind all your favorite heroes as each one has a unique tale to tell concerning their involvement in Newerth.
• An All-New Caldavar – The Forests of Caldavar map has received a complete overhaul in terms of its appearance and layout. The environment is now more dynamic and includes stunning new aesthetics, tower designs, fountains, buildings and more!
• 30 New HD Hero Models – Valkyrie, Deadwood, Magebane and 27 other heroes now look better than ever as they have been redesigned with spectacular high definition graphics.
• Bots Welcome – AI-controlled Bots are now available as an integral part of the Heroes of Newerth experience. The new walkthrough will also include bots so that beginners can test and develop their skills before venturing into more competitive play.

Gameplay:

The game’s play really didn’t change that much with the patch, what changed was the player’s gameplay. One of the maps was seriously revamped and all the atmospheres were improved with AAA graphics which is unheard of in a free to play, free to win game. Yes you read that right, you can spend money on this game but it is cosmetic and supportive of the game itself rather than a pay to win system designed to rake in money. This game was a labor of love when it began and it is still a labor of love now, more so as extra effort was put into making the experience more enjoyable for more players. Sometimes patches really don’t change much and when it comes to game model it hasn’t, but the additional heroes and abilities that come with them and the additional aid to new players is a game changer and should be recognized. The developers even show their belief in the community by creating the Report-A-Player system in which they show they trust the community to help police itself and keep making the game the best it can be.

The first time I played before the patch it was pretty painful, jumping right in was not the best idea. I struggled to improve my game while at the same time taking scathing noob aggro to the point that had I not been committed to the game I probably would have not played on. I read tutorials and tips on the forums and that helped a lot and got so that I could play without getting hated on. With the release of the 3.0 patch and it’s New Player Learnatorium and walkthroughs the game not only becomes much more accessible to new players but enables them to be competitive right from their first game. I went from a so-so player at best before the patch to a competitive one running middle or better in the pack afterwards. I cannot stress enough how much more accessible the developers made this game.

Last Call:

This was a very solid, very good game that was a bit hard to get the hang of if you weren’t very familiar with the genre and didn’t do your homework. They changed maps, added lore, added hero content and they put in a whole system designed to make the game more accessible to a wider audience and bring an end to noob aggro. Then they said thank you to the community by giving it the ability to help police itself with Report-A-Player. It was a fun game that was going to keep me coming back before but it is going to bring me in even more now. Kudos S2 Games for making a great game better and bringing your community along with you. With the graphics and quality of the game content and the addition of all the tips and walkthroughs I could easily see Heroes Of Newerth becoming the new game to emulate in this genre for years to come. You gotta love that it is truly free to play too.

[easyreview title=”Heroes Of Newerth Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″] Our Rating Scores Explained

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Gallery:

Pantheon The Legends Review (iOS)

2013/02/04

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

I can appreciate a long term play iOS game, especially ones with daily check-ins since my back is bad enough that I have to rest it in bed on a daily basis. If I am having a hard time getting up or going to sleep, I open up my phone and jump onto the handful of daily plays to pass the time. Until recently, I only had one of each kind so I didn’t burn out: zombie survival, base strategy, real time mission strategy and a TCG game. Then another TCG came up with a bit of questioning on whether or not we were going to cover it. Since it was free so I added it to my rotation so I might as well let you know what I am up to.

Storyline:

The realm of the gods is in turmoil! Now is your chance to replace the diabolical Zeus! Interact with other players to build an invincible army of gods and mythical creatures to crush all who resist. Battle other players from around the world on your own, or join a guild to team up with others and dominate the rankings. Greece stands shattered from the turmoil. It is up to you to restore order and peace to the Pantheon!

The storyline doesn’t take itself near as serious as this with instances involving a minotaur mini-mart and card descriptions and abilities named simply to be silly.

Graphics And Sound:

Graphics are cartoonish and fun, the music is classical with cartoonish sound effects when sound effects are called for. The game is definitely designed to be fun and not to be taken too seriously, though there are people who always will.

Gameplay:

Questing consists of a room description with a picture above it and a listing of how much stamina the turn will require. The player clicks on “Go” if you have enough stamina and a wheel appears with a marker at the top and it is a wheel of fortune where you can win a experience, coins, treasure chest or Zzz. The Zzz is basically a lose a turn, the coins and exp are pretty obvious then the treasure chest is a random card, usually a piece of a treasure or a common character card. The pieces of treasure are collected until you have all of them needed for the particular treasure (pan pipes are three pieces, the caduceus staff requires five pieces). While collecting and assembling the pieces, they can be stolen in PvP battle by another player (you can put a truce in place for a price to prevent theft during assembling), and this is the main purpose of PvP: To get the pieces of treasure so you can equip your army with the stat improving equipment or sacrifice them to enhance the stats on another piece of treasure. You need to make sure you don’t get too tense about the PvP situation, very high levels can attack very low levels and take their pieces. Bullying doesn’t just happen it is common practice so expect it and stay relaxed about it, it will be your turn eventually.

This is also how you improve your army. You collect maiden, griffins and satyr cards by spinning the quest wheel and then sacrifice them to make your main characters level. I chose Phobos (as in phobia) as my main and I have been sacrificing one star cards in his name for days, probably enough to fill the Colosseum. Luckily the cards and beasties are virtual. It has been a bloodbath but he has gotten stronger and made my army stronger as a result. Once his level is maxed out I pick my second best teammate (or favorite, Leonidas For Sparta!) and start throwing sacrificial cards at its feet by spinning the wheel of fortune. There are also the occasional boss battles which usually pay a common or slightly uncommon card and instances which aren’t based on your stamina but rather on real time, so the first rounds of the instance you might get to spin the wheel every 20 seconds then the rounds right before the instance boss the turns may take two hours a spin.

Half The Battle:

The rare cards are gotten by opening the silver and gold card packs and that is how you get the real heavy hitter characters of the game. How heavy? I don’t know, I don’t have the money to spend on free to play/pay to win, but I can tell you what it is like to play free and whether or not it is still a good game without spending a dime.

Last Call:

The game is fun as a time killer, collecting the different cards, and the game tries to not take things too seriously. There isn’t much action when you think about it, the game is basically Wheel of Fortune with card collecting and enhancing. If you want to spend money, you can win some buff cards and, if you don’t want to spend money, you can have fun with lesser known gods and deities. Just don’t expect Zeus to join your team anytime soon.

[easyreview title=”Panteon The Legends Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”2″] Our Rating Scores Explained

Trailer: