GG Issue 05

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GOOD GAME

05 VOLUME

2K GAMES : CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

MICA (P) 135/05/2012

HEROIC HOLIDAYS GAMES TO PLAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

HITMAN ABSOLUTION

THE SILENT ASSASSIN IS BACK

THE GG GAMER GIFT GUIDE BEST GIFTS FOR YOUR GAMER FRIENDS

WHY CHINESE SUBS SPELL GOOD NEWS XCOM: ENEMNY UNKNOWN REVIEW THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. FIND OUT MORE IN

KINECT THEM ALL: FABLE THE JOURNEY, NIKE+KINECT TRAINING, DANCE CENTRAL 3, KINECT SPORTS: ULTIMATE COLLECTION

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GoodGame

02 - Issue 05, 2012

UPCOMING GAMES

RetailerTOP5 THE HOTTESTGAMES OUTNOW

Company of Heroes 2

DMC

God of War: Ascension

Aliens: Colonial Marines

South Park: The Stick of Truth

Tomb Raider

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 2. Dishonored 3. Hitman: Absolution 4. XCOM: Enemy Unknown 5. Far Cry 3

The Last of Us

Gears of War: Judgment

Metro: Last Light

Prey 2

Grand Theft Auto V

TEAM PUBLISHER Jacky Choo jacky@playworks.asia

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gibbson Ang gibbson@playworks.asia

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 2. Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen OG 3. Assassin’s Creed III 4. Hitman: Absolution 5. Far Cry 3

The Last Guardian

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Rainbow Six: Patriots

Bioshock Infinite

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 2. Dishonored 3. XCOM: Enemy Unknown 4. Hitman: Absolution 5. Assassin’s Creed III

SENIOR REGIONAL CREATIVE DESIGNER Marcus Greiert marcus@playworks.asia DESIGN CONTRIBUTORS Joyce Lee Kai Ting joycelee@playworks.asia MEDIA GROUP HEAD Candice Cheong candice@playworks.asia MEDIA MANAGER Johanna Kuan johanna@playworks.asia ASSISTANT EDITOR Michael Khoo michael@gx.com.sg

TOP 5 XBOX LIVE ARCADE GAMES

1. Far Cry 3 2. Hitman: Absolution 3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 4. Lego Lord of the Rings 5. Assassin’s Creed III

WRITERS Justin Choo, Adam Tun-Aung ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING Media Group Head Candice Cheong candice@playworks.asia Media Manager Johanna Kuan johanna@playworks.asia Philippines Correspondant Josephine Oliver PRINTING Printer Colourscan Co (Pte) Ltd 53 Ubi Avenue 3, Singapore 408863 GG is a monthly publication of Playworks Pte Ltd, 42 Kaki Bukit Crescent, Level 3, Singapore 416267 www.playworksonline.com

1. Halo 4 2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 3. Far Cry 3 4. Assassin’s Creed III 5. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Guardians of Middle Earth

Copyright© 2009, Playworks Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in, or introduced to a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without the prior consent of Playworks Pte Ltd.™ and © for all other products, characters and its graphical depictions contained therein are properties of their respective trademark and copyright owners.

PLAYWORKS PTE LTD 42 Kaki Bukit Crescent, Level 3, Singapore 416267 Tel: +65 6339 3083 Fax: +65 6339 3079 Playworks would like to thank the publications; PSM3, XboxWorld 360, Ngamer, PC Gamer, Edge and GamesMaster for their excellent content, help and support for making the new Playworks magazine possible.

Planets Under Attack

Zombie Driver HD

Toe Jam & Earl

©2011 IO INTERACTIVE A/S. HITMAN ABSOLUTION and the HITMAN logo, IO INTERACTIVE and the IO logo are trademarks of IO Interactive A/S. EIDOS and the EIDOS logo are trademarks of Square Enix, Ltd. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. ‘PlayStation’ and the ‘PS’ Family logo are registered trademarks and PS3 and the PlayStation Network logo are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. KINECT, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. The rating icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

GoodGame

04 - Issue 05, 2012

Halo 4 Master Chief is back, in more ways than one. Yes,

WWE 13 There is no excuse for anyone who grew up in

we’re going to enjoy filling the shoes of John-117, but Halo 4 feels very much like an enhanced Halo 3 experience with a continued narrative. The scores for Halo 4 are sky-high all over the internet, and to many, it’s the reason to own an Xbox 360.

Period.

the late 90’s and early 2000 not to play WWE 13.

Reliving the epic matches and moments of the Attitude era is already worth the retail price of the game, but all-round improvements and an epic roster of today’s badasses make WWE 13 this holiday’s ultimate brawler.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown The world is in peril and it is up to you and your strategic mind to foil any plans that the alien race has. Like we’ve mentioned in our review, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is definitely for the cerebral player and due to the nature of this turn-based strategy game, replayability is close to endless thanks to a very, very well-crafted multiplayer offering. Owning with razor sharp reflexes is one thing, but owning with the mind is where it’s at.

Assassin’s Creed 3

You’ll enjoy stalking and killing your prey in the latest and greatest Assassin’s Creed. The world is huge, meticulously rendered and more often than not, breathtakingly beautiful. The narrative of AC3 spans years and with plenty of freedom and quests you’re looking at a game that will take awhile to complete. It’s all about telling a story, and while AC3’s pacing doesn’t quite compliment its writing, it is still a ride that we’d strongly recommend.

Borderlands 2 If you only have the cash for one game this holiday season, make it Borderlands 2 and be sure to bring friends along for the ride. There are enough Easter eggs and colourful characters to keep you (and your friends) intrigued and this holiday season is as good a time as any to go on a Borderlands 2 marathon. So much has been put into this game and there is so much to experience and explore in Borderlands 2, so be sure you’re bringing friends.

Dark Souls:

Prepare to Die Edition

You aren’t a hero if you’ve never played Dark Souls. Sure it’s incredibly punishing, sure it’ll make you want to tear your scalp off, but damn it, it’s satisfying as hell! Dying (a lot) is part and parcel of the Dark Souls experience, and although the game doesn’t tell much of a story, it takes gamers back to a time where games truly test a gamer’s finesse.

Dishonored You’re a royal bodyguard turned supernatural assassin and you’re out to clear your name and exact a sweet revenge while you’re at it. The graphics are gorgeous, your powers and abilities are satisfying to use and you can play the entire game without spilling any blood or ever being spotted. This new IP is certainly worth taking a look at if you like freedom in games.

NBA 2K13 You might think that the heroes here are the superstars that don the cover of 2K13, but there is one that is above them all. The reigning champion of sports games has knocked their competition out of the court once again, and we believe that there will never be another basketball game to contend with the greatness that is the NBA 2K series. 2K, wiping the floor with their competition even before they have started to play, like a boss.

HAPPY HEROIC

HOLIDAYS I

t’s the best time to get your game on and play the games you missed out on this past year. Every other gaming publication/website is doing awards so instead of arbitrarily giving ‘prizes’ to games, we figured that it’ll be more constructive to list down the games that have wowed us (and robbed us of sleep) this past year, as well as the wicked releases hitting us this holiday season.

Issue 05, 2012 - 05

GoodGame

Saints Row: The Third

Hitman: Absolution Video game historians will be the first to tell you that Agent 47 is the original assassin, so who are we to argue? 47 is coming back with a bang after a five-year hiatus and for PlayStation owners, Absolution marks his debut on the PS3.

The game’s Glacier 2 engine is spectacular and making hits look like accidents is definitely worth the price of admission. Make no mistake, Absolution is a must.

The Elder Scrolls V:

Skyrim You know how epic a game is when it spawns

memes and thousands of spoofs all over the internet. We find it impossible to exclude the one and only Dragon Born in this feature and you should find it a sin if your library doesn’t include Skyrim. Action RPGs might not be your thing, but you’ll never know for sure until you’ve experienced the best.

Max Payne 3 He’s a pill-popping alcoholic and definitely one of the darker heroes in this feature. He is Mr. Bullet Time and no one does slow-mos and shootdodges better than Payne himself. Rockstar has been on such a ridiculous streak of pumping out triple-A titles and Max Payne 3 is no exception. It’s a beautiful game, and the clever use of cut scenes and cinematics to hide loading screens will keep you immersed for hours. The multiplayer offering for MP3 is also extremely impressive, so be sure to hop on some multiplayer after the 7 – 8 hour campaign.

Spec Ops: The Line

Military shooters hardly tell a story that is worth raving about and even if they do, they don’t tell a mindf*ck story that leaves you thinking. We don’t want to spoil anything, but The Line tells a very different story, from a very different perspective.

It’s a third-person cover-based shooter, so the mechanics will be instantly familiar. It’s one of the best narratives we’ve come across in 2012, so be sure to play Spec Ops: The Line for maximum intrigue and lots of sand.

You’ve been serious all year with studies and work and other daunting, non-gaming related commitments. Have a go at the outrageous fun and crude humour that is Saints Row: The Third because it’s all about being silly and having a laugh. This game takes the Mickey out of pop culture and slaps a big purple dildo on it for your entertainment. For best results, grab a buddy for some co-op mayhem. Think fighter jets, tanks, laser guns and blow-up dolls. The Full Package Edition of the game is just in time too.

Sleeping Dogs This sleeper hit (no pun intended) blew us away within the first fifteen minutes of playing and absolutely everyone in our office was playing this game. It’s an awesome open world game with side quests that are rewarding, and aren’t as draggy as many other open world games. The game is very relatable since it’s set in modern-day Hong Kong and for once, we’re driving on the right side of the road. The protagonist is an undercover cop working his way up the triads, so if you know your triad movies, he’s already a hero.

Darksiders II He’s nimble, he’s agile, and he has a lot of loot to harvest. He’s the second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to appear in the franchise and with an abundance of side quests and missions, Darksiders II will easily keep you occupied for awhile. Darksiders II combines many of the elements we love in video games (loot, combos, equips, quests, etc.). If you’ve never played the first game, Death is on a mission to clear his brother’s name, at all cost – what could be more heroic than that?

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Without a doubt, TTT2 is the greatest Tekken game to be made and we say this because this game takes the best of all the Tekken games and rolls them all into one sweet deal. Characters need no unlocking so you’ll have access to the full roster the moment you pop it in. Without a doubt, TTT2 is the best tag fighting game ever to be made and it adopts the ‘easy to pick up, difficult to master’ framework that makes it impossible to put down once you pick it up.

GoodGame

06 - Issue 05, 2012

KINECT THEM ALL!

Fable: The Journey If you’re a hardcore gamer (rather than a casual one) and you own an Xbox 360, chances are you own a Kinect, either by default, or because you thought it was a good idea at the time. If no amount of dance/fitness games have made you want to flail your arms, it’s time to dust off Kinect because The Journey is actually a gamer’s game.

Fable: The Journey is what you’d expect from a Fable game, from the characters, animations and the bonds you build with your virtual companions. The only exception is that the game is played entirely with the Kinect. For an action-adventure RPG that’s built from the ground up for the Kinect, The Journey is actually worth a shot. This isn’t a motion game that requires you to continuously wave your arms as there are enough cut scenes in this on-rail FPS to let you catch a breather (if you get light headed from waving your arms).

Nike+ Kinect Training A good way of ditching the exam papers and welcoming the holidays is jamming incredible amounts of food down your gullet. Heck, that’s one of the reasons why buffets exist in the first place. You’ll want to work those sinful calories off though, and what better than a program that is developed from the ground up, by athletic

Dance Central 3 There isn’t a better dance game on the Kinect and Dance Central 3 will be the first in the line of many Xbox 360 games to support SmartGlass functionality.

Soon, you’ll be able to queue tracks up and even create playlists. You have a while to practice before Microsoft launches SmartGlass, so start importing all your favourite tracks from Dance Central 1 and 2 and start moving.

We suggest turning up the base and getting started with Usher’s Scream.

AVAILABLE MARCH 2013

expertise, and personalised for you. Nike+ Kinect Training is great even if you’ve just started getting your lazy bum off the couch, and with Xbox LIVE, you can work out with friends but it’s all about looking good and feeling great. For now, set your goals for that “Woah!

You’ve been workin out?” comment on the first day of school and keep Nike+ Kinect Training close to your Xbox 360, always.

Kinect Sports

Ultimate Collection

Kinect Sports Ultimate Collection contains all the sports games from the very first Kinect Sports and Kinect Sports Season Two, so it’s actually a bundle.

The sports in this bundle include favourites like darts, bowling, baseball, skiing, American football as well as the Basketball Challenge Pack.

All in all, the 13 sports offered in this disc do make things more convenient, and the inclusion of add-on content only makes the deal sweater… we mean, sweeter.

GoodGame

08 - Issue 05, 2012

2K SPORTS INVADES THE COURTS!

T

he time was nine o’clock in the morning. The sun was blazing hot already and the humidity was intense like a Halo fan declaring his love for the game and how much he “BELIEVE! BELIEVE! BELIEVE!” in Master Chief. But the weather (which later did a 180 degree and rained down cats, dogs, and small farm animals) didn’t faze the kids much as they all gathered in the CCAB Multipurpose Hall at 21 Evans Road.

Why, you might ask?

Well, because that was the day when the Ultimate Bball Competition took place. 27 teams (each consisting of nine members) from different schools took part (totaling 243 students, both boys and girls) in the event where teams had to compete in three categories – five-on-five full-court basketball matches, one-on-one e-Sports matches in NBA 2K13 on the PS3, and team cheerleading.

Yes, we too were wide-eyed about the cheerleading part but bare with us.

The prize that these kids were all vying for was a whopping $10,000 in cash (!) which would go to the winning team’s school. That’s a load of cash and it will go a long way in helping to support the school and its various sports programs for sure.

Inside the hall, it was action-packed. There are a total of three courts, the middle one being used for e-Sports and the other two for the five-on-five matches. One of the core things that made the atmosphere special was the NBA 2K13 soundtrack being played over the PA systems. And that was when you realise how gamechanging the involvement of Executive Producer Jay-Z can be. Each track, including the non-hip-hop ones, boomed loudly in the hall, pumping up the players and spectators. It was truly special.

And speaking of special, once the day winded and we were down to the last few teams, there was a girl gamer who stood out. Why? She has been trashing the competition, both boys and girls, at NBA 2K13. She nearly made it all the way to the e-Sports finals, but alas, she fell short. She did managed to get third place though. The media was intrigued and there was definitely a lot of buzz.

On the five-on-five side, it was quite close with not just one single team dominating. There was even a player from a boy’s team who was casually dunking and he’s not even 6-feet-tall. The talent on display was quite the sight with other remarkable players like sharpshooting girls and board-crashing boys.

The competition had both girl and boy teams but for

the five-on-five matches, it’s girls versus girls and boys versus boys. It was a free-for-all for cheerleading and e-Sports, thus the aforementioned girl dominating the guys (and girls).

For crowd-support/cheerleading, not a team came close to New Town Secondary, where they came in village-size crowds and cheered on for their school.

At the end of the long and tiring but extremely exciting day, the Singapore Chinese Girls School came out victorious with a total score of 87 points (it’s the all-girls team with the dominating girl gamer) and took home the trophy and the moolah. They also won copies of NBA 2K13 Dynasty Edition for the PS3. Second place went to Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road) with 77 points and the third place went to New Town Secondary School with 70 points.

All-in-all, it was a great day for hoop fans and players (both real and virtual), and it’s great to see 2K Games working together with the schools and sports councils to promote the sport and also to give back to the community.

For something special like this, the early hours and the weather were just minor obstacles, and it was certainly all worth the while.

Issue 05, 2012 - 09

GoodGame

Developer: Visual Concepts Publisher: 2K Sports (and Jay-Z) Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: Out Now

NBA 2K13 HOOP DREAMS AND COUNSELING SESSIONS NBA 2K13 hits stores and Adam goes to a shrink.

T

hey left Reggie Miller out again!” I screamed out.

“How many years has it been since the last time Reggie was in a video game? Heck, I can’t even remember! They’ve been bringing back classic teams and players. If they can bring back legends like Sir Charles and Larry Bird, why can’t they can’t get Reggie?

Why?!”

He stopped writing, tilted his reading-glasses down, and looked at me.

“Why is Reggie Miller so important to you?”

I told him how he was the first player I idolised when I started playing basketball and watching NBA in my childhood. I was a tall kid and the coaches wanted me to play center or power forward. But I wanted to be like Reggie – taking open shots, hitting those threepointers, etc.

Ah, the good old days when my ankle was still intact and my lungs weren’t choked up in tar.

“Let’s try a different method,” he suggested. “Why not, instead of focusing on the lack of Reggie Miller – your favourite player of all time and inspirational figure, you try to focus on the good things about the game? I’m sure there are plenty.”

I told him how some of the legends they’ve included in the game are borderline role players and not true, proper legends, like Reggie.

“Let’s start with the good things,” he repeated.

I breathed in and began. Okay, so I’ve said it over and over before – the main thing for a sports game is the way it feels. I felt something I’ve never experienced before with NBA 2K6 and have been a major fan ever since. The NBA 2K series has been the undisputed king of the sports games since then, and each year, they do try to improve the gameplay to make it all the more authentic to the real sport.

The good, or more like the great, thing about this year’s title is that the guys at 2K Sports have somehow

“The NBA 2K series has been the undisputed king of the sports games since then, and each year, they do try to improve the gameplay to make it all the more authentic to the real sport.” made the way it feels playing the game much better than last year’s edition, which was already great beyond our expectations.

So, what makes this year’s title feel better? Not Reggie Miller, of course (Stay on track! - Shrink) but more so on a few minor details which, when put together, make a big difference. Less clipping, or how the players hand touch the rim proper when throwing down a dunk, bounce-passes, etc... these things all make this year’s title the best sports simulation game ever (so far).

“Great! Lots of positivity coming from you. This is substantial improvement,” he encouraged.

I continued on, praising the integration of the right stick as a means to control the dribbling, upgraded from it being a shot-stick from previous games. You can still shoot with it by pressing down the L2 button so it’s the best of both worlds. The dribbling, though a bit complicated at first, can be a charm once you get a hold of it. You’ll be breaking your opponents’ ankles and cutting to the basket like Allen Iverson, who by the way is in the game unlike Reggie Miller.

“Ahem,” interrupted my shrink.

I also mentioned about how much more extensive and involving MyPlayer mode is and the new MyTeam mode is rather entertaining. There are a few modes from the previous titles lacking though, most significantly the Legends and Jordan challenges. But we do get a few more legendary teams and legendary players, except of course...

“Let’s try some more minor negativity then,” my

shrink told me.

To be honest, apart from the lacking game modes, there isn’t much to complain about. Sure, if I get all nitty-gritty, I can say that the “Executive Produced by Jay-Z” tag is almost without much effect. The create-a-shoe function is fun, but only the hardcore sneaker enthusiasts will go into that mode more than once. And the All-Star pre-order DLC, well, was so-so.

It’s great to have the dunk contest and the three-point shootout back but while the dunk contest is casual mode, the three-point shootout was so unresponsive that we’re all begging for a patch that will sort it out.

There’s also a minor gripe about how at the end of every match, you used to be able to watch highlights of each individual player involved in the game, well, that is not possible anymore, which is kind of a bummer.

“Okay, that’s enough negativity for now...”

But, I continued, telling him about how when I kept on playing the game, mostly in the Franchise mode or the Creating a Legend mode. All these minor gripes fade away and I was in sport simulation bliss, enjoying every single detail that 2K has put in to make this the ultimate basketball video game in existence. I also felt

reassured that even though it’s not perfect yet, 2K will continue to make it better with subsequent editions.

And perhaps, by next year, or (if the basketball gods smile upon me favourably) even via DLC in a month or so, we’ll get number 31 from the Indiana Pacers gracing the virtual courts and raining down three-pointers and decimating the New York Knicks.

One can hope, right?

The shrink told me the session was over and gave me a note with some advice on it. I only read it when I got home, and I did feel better afterwards. Here’s what he wrote: “Be grateful that you were born and alive in this day and age and get to experience a stellar sports simulation video game like NBA 2K13. Yes, it’s a bummer your childhood idol was left out of the game, but like you said, who knows, he might be a DLC character later or be in the game by next year. For now though, get Mike Miller out of the horrible heat and put him in a Pacers’ uniform and play him in Creating a Legend mode and bring the NBA title to Indiana.”

I’ll be doing just that.

HHHHH

95

GG

VERDICT

REVIEW TESTED ON

GoodGame

10 - Issue 05, 2012

With almost every IP going the ‘action-pack’ route, Dishonored quenches our thirst for a game that balances action and stealth well.

It’s right up there with the classics such as Metal Gear and the earlier Splinter Cell titles.

TESTED ON

Cocktail of death: Pick your poison Dishonored is a stealth game, yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have kick-ass powers to help you. You will have weapons and different ammunition types at your disposal, but the highlights of the game are Corvo’s powers. You can quite literally concoct your own version of sweet death. Here are the ingredients:

Dark Vision While this is similar to the overused ‘Detective Mode’ in Arkham Asylum, Dark Vision also lets you hear better, and displays the sounds that you make. It’s timed, so you won’t be able to keep it active without depleting your mana.

Blink Easily the most used ability in the game, Blink is your teleport ability and you will be able to teleport a couple of times or greater distances depending on your mana level as well as what level your Blink ability is at.

Possession This ability lets you possess animal targets for a short amount of time, and if you pump runes to level this skill up, you’ll be able to possess human targets as well. It’s good for sneaking, getting out of sticky situations and very, very elaborately stylish kills.

Bend Time At level one, you slow time down very dramatically (for a short duration), and at level two, you completely stop time. You’ll be able to move at normal speeds, and you can also combine this ability with the Possession ability to give hostiles a taste of their own medicine.

Devouring Swarm Call upon your rodent ‘friends’ to attack others for a short duration before they disperse. This ability may seem like an offensive one, but it can also be used to cover your tracks as the swarm will consume corpses as well.

Windblast Heard of “Fus-Ro-Dah”? Sure you have.

Level one pushes enemies back while level two kills them by throwing them into walls or through doors that can be shattered.

Developer: Arkane Studios Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: Out Now

DISHONORED One of this decade’s greatest new IPs

A

lot of games lack good narratives

and plots and it’s even more difficult to tell a story in video games these days. Dishonored is one of the very few games to nail story telling, and it does so without actually telling you a story – you experience the story yourself.

There is no narrator that guides you, nor are there long cutscenes. You learn more about your predicament, the world and your surroundings by picking up notes and memos, eavesdropping in on conversations and more events unfold as you learn about the city of Dunwall. You’re not reading or watching a story and in many ways, you’re narrating your own story.

Visually, Dishonored is a specatacle, and the ever present pastel hues make you feel like you’re watching a moving painting.

Dishonored’s sound department is just as awesome, and the atmospheric scoring is fantastic. Sound effects are just as good, and they make the seemingly mundane activation of powers (such as Blink and Dark Vision) feel extremely satisfying.

We have no complaints when it comes to playing on the Xbox 360, but the default keyboard controls, on the other hand, needed some getting used to. Picking up and interacting with doors and switches using the ‘F’ key instead of the commonly used ‘E’ key and crouch is toggled with ‘C’ as the left CTRL button is used for choking victims. The keys may feel a little awkward at first, but when you’re creeping up on an unsuspecting victim, the last thing you want is to fumble, looking for an obscure key – we’ll take the left CTRL button, thank you very much.

Like any game that you just pick up, Dunwall is a place that is foreign to you (the player) and because Dishonored is largely a stealth game, you’ll need to be more cautious when approaching new areas. Most of your time will be spent crouching, surveying and studying the area, getting intel from eavesdropping and then executing your approach. You may die a couple of times in the process (especially if you play on the highest difficulty) or you may ruin your undetected run, but things are a lot less frustrating thanks to the ability to intentionally die and restart from checkpoints and even the choice to replay the different levels after completing the game. That being said, knowing you can always retry a certain area doesn’t ruin the fun that Dishonored serves.

Exploring Dishonored does have its perks, as you’ll often stumble upon writings or conversations that feed you with info that you can use to your advantage. While most of the intel you’ll gather shed light on the plague ridden city of Dunwall, some findings might offer you alternate ways of taking out your targets and even open up new missions. It pays to be a wide-eyed wonderer in Dishonored, just be discreet about it.

The Blink ability will be your go-to ability for exploring and traversing Dunwall, and Dishonored is a game that has several layers in each level (instead of a vast, one-layer scape), so while the areas and levels may seem a tad small, they are definitely big when you consider how much there is, horizontally. You can also possess animals such as fish or rodents and besides getting your clumsy self out of overwhelming situations, possessing creatures will often reveal alternate routes you may want to consider.

You are a bodyguard turned assassin, so while you can kill everything that moves, you can also complete the game without every getting blood on your hands.

This isn’t a new concept, for sure, but unlike ‘forcing’ you to play a certain style (by giving more incentives for playing stealthily), Dishonored puts you in a sandbox-type environment, puts weapons and abilities in your hands and lets you go “what if…”. There hasn’t been a soild stealth game in ages and for a new IP to set the bar for what a stealth-type game should be, Dishonored is well worth your dollar.

HHHHH

97

GG

VERDICT

REVIEW TESTED ON

Issue 05, 2012 - 11

HHHHH

GoodGame

100 GG

VERDICT

TESTED ON There are games like Call of Duty, where there are people who jump on the multiplayer and never leave, and there are those who love it for the campaign. Enemy Uknown falls into this category, but it’s also one of the very few games have modes that lure to make you consider crossing over to either multiplayer or campaign. So it really doesn’t matter which you normally enjoy more, Enemy Unknown will totally blur out the line in the sand.

Developer: 2K Games Publisher: Firaxis Games Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: Out Now

XCOM ENEMY UNKNOWN

The mind is a terrible thing to waste

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L

ike many other of Sid Meyer’s masterpieces, XCOM” Enemy Unknown is slow to pick up and incredibly difficult to let go once you do. The tutorials (to get you familiar with the game) holds your hand a little too tight, and while that is a little unsettling and stiffling, we highly recommend you go through the tutorials because XCOM: EU is a game where knowledge is power.

XCOM: EU is a highly addictive turn-based stragtegy game, and it isn’t too hard to see why. This game is about knowledge. wit, forsight, cunning and perhaps a little luck. It isn’t a twitch-heavy game like Starcraft, so lag and reaction speed won’t really change who wins.

Like we have mentioned in the previous issue of GG, XCOM is one of the few games that we’ll compare to chess; you don’t win by chance, but there is a high chance you’ll lose if you’re wreckless.

Enemy Unknown’s campaign puts you in the seat of a commander, while you play the part of a commander both on and off the battlefield. You give direct orders on the field to your troops, to move, hold their ground and which attacks to use. Off the field, you make many more decisions like recruiting men, conducting research to better equip your troops, and expanding your base to include more facilities that will aid you in your mission to save mankind. Amost all of the upgrades and facilities you build require you to use resources that you will have to manage. Whether you choose to play the early game with an advantage and build up slowly or suffer early while you tech-up to have a smoother time in the later stages is entirely up to you.

As commander, you’ll need to manage the panic levels in different parts of the world, and you usuaully have to choose which country to help first. It really depends on the payout you get; helping some countries/continents might give you Civilization-like bonuses and perks, while other countries will show their gratitude with money. Again, the flexibility and the choices make Enemy Unknown a personal journey, and this in turn, adds a fair amount of replayability to the very robust and tactical single-player.

There is some luck involved, to a certain extent, and who you choose to bring into each mission is actually quite important. As you make your way through the game’s solid campaign, units (that aren’t KIA) get promoted and will specialise in different disciplines like sniping, support and heavy classes. Some of these units get injured during missions and take time to recover

before you can use them again, so you’ll hardly be using the same troops in back to back missions. This is both good and bad. Giving new soldiers a go means letting more units get promoted and getting specialised, but an inexperienced soldier might freak out halfway during battle (after watching his comrad die) and be rendered completely useless.

Luck also extends to the fog of war, and even if you proceed with extreme caution, the maps are versatile enough for your enemy (or opponent) to misdirect you and even pull a sneaky flanking move.

Multiplayer is nothing short of amazing and we say that because even if you have memorised some third-party published XCOM: Enemy Unknown bible, you’ll still need to flex your mental muscles to be on top. Blowouts make you feel upstoppable in one game and you could be licking your wounds and nursing yor broken heart in the very next match, with the very same guy. Comebacks feel just as exciting to watch as they are to play, and for a strategy game to give you the very same adrenaline pumping action as twitch-heavy games like shooters and fighters, it’s just unheard of. No matter who you go up against online, every game will feel like a new game, simply because you can choose how you want to approach each match. The multiplayer for XCOM: Enemy Unknown is definitely inviting, as it lets you concoct a force of alien and human units. You could use what you have learnt in the campaign and have an all-human army, but the offer to explore the alien-types is just too great to pass on.

It’s a no-brainer that a strategy game from Firaxis gets the score that we gave it, and it’s probably the best strategy game you can put your money on this year. It plays pretty darn well on the consoles as well, so there is no excuse not to get it. Strategy game of the year for 2012 is already XCOM: Enemy Unknown, no doubt about it.

GoodGame

12 - Issue 05, 2012

THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM CHINESE EDITION: What this really means for gamers S

o it seems that PS3 players will be able to play Skyrim in its native language, with Chinese subtitles. This may not mean much for gamers in English-speaking countries right? Actually, it does.

While the best RPG ever to be made has sold millions worldwide, it could do better. It doesn’t have to, but it’ll certainly help the next title/titles that Bethesda is going to publish. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has already been developed, and the amount of money that goes into translating is peanuts compared to the returns this game will bring. Considering how big the world’s Chinese speaking market is, Bethesda will definitely reap enough to invest more in future titles. Having more to invest in future titles (Dishonored 2?) does not necessarily mean a game will be good, but it will definitely help in more ways than one.

It is money that pays developers, and it is money that we pay for our games, but the underlining point here is how big-hitter publishers like Bethesda understands how substantial their Asian audience is. This could mean more games that target or involve Asian influences. Sleeping Dogs is a fine example of a game that is so much more relatable to us than many other open-world games, just because the story takes place in Asia (Hong Kong). So while the PS3 version of Skyrim with Chinese subtitles may not mean much to you now, its translation is significant, whether you understand Chinese or not. We say this because we have often hoped for games to have DVD/Blu-ray-type menus where you are able to choose between various spoken languages as well as subtitles. Next gen perhaps?

This translation isn’t just for the gamers in China. It extends to our neighbouring gamer countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even Malaysia.

If you play Japanese RPGs, you’ll know how important it is for big games to be translated and localised because it isn’t just about understanding a game, it’s about being a part of a community, or even an aficionado of sorts. Yes, we always complain about how long it takes to translate a Japanese game to English, but late is certainly better than never. The Chinese subtitled Skyrim hits shelves more than a year later than its original, which isn’t too long actually.

Issue 05, 2012 - 13

GoodGame

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION The Silent Assassin is back

H

e is the coldest, swiftest, and often the

quietest conjurer of fatal accidents. He’s also a master of disguise and a voyeur.

That said, he could also be a walking destroyer, capable of cutting down anyone who stands in the way of his objectives. The choice isn’t always an easy one to make, but it is always yours.

With movies and a great legacy of titles, there is no excuse for anyone not to know who the frosty Agent 47 is. To keep it short, 47’s the most calculated man of business of the video game world. He is also video gaming’s first assassin.

Absolution puts you in the middle of a dark conspiracy. This personal journey to search for the truth and this in turn, allows players to learn a little more about our protagonist. It starts out with 47 having to take out his former handler and unlike previous Hitman titles, Absolution will tell a more personal story, through his decisions.

Although Hitman: Absolution capitalises on its existing fans, writers and developers of the game have taken extra precaution to make this game equally accessible to newcomers. So if you’re this generation’s youth, IO Interactive has you covered.

The latest installment of the Hitman franchise runs on the Glacier 2 engine that was developed in parallel with the game. The result is a game that is visually exciting and breathtaking. Every minor detail has been painstakingly taken care of and it makes sense – if you’re going to be stalking someone, moving slowly and hiding behind a couch for half and hour to listen in on a conversation, it better be the most beautiful couch you’ve ever seen.

In terms of music, Absolution offers different scores for different play styles. Play the sneaking game and the intense and suspenseful music will heighten your experience. Play with guns constantly drawn and trigger-happy and your ears will be treated to action-hero-esque audio. Stellar stuff, really.

Although Agent 47 is the star of the game, it is the game’s AI (the co-stars) that will get all the attention. Eavesdropping and listening in on NPCs is a big part of Absolution and we have actually spent more hours soaking up the tales of NPCs than actually completing objectives. Besides revealing information that you might find useful, the NPCs talk and debate about completely incidental topics like the concept of zero mass dark energy materials, or to their wives over the phone about which lights are blinking on the router. Most of the conversations you’ll come across are actually pretty engrossing, so if you are adopting a voyeuristic approach to the game, your experience will be one that is topped with delicious dialogue sprinkles.

Hitman: Absolution isn’t all about guns, explosions and action. There are some prime shooting set-ups that make falling back on a

Getting Away with Murder The disguises and ‘accidental’ deaths that have become the staple of the Hitman series are all back in Absolution. Getting away with murder has never been more satisfying.

Contracts requires an online pass to play though, and we suggest picking up a brand-new copy since this awesome mode’s going to cost second-hand buyers the equivalent of 400 Microsoft Points (Ouch!).

This game scales according to difficulty and AI routes differ, so this might inconvenience the checkpoint reloading perfectionist, it keeps the unpredictability and tension of the game consistent throughout.

‘Hollywood run’ after failed stealth runs less punishing and a lot more fun. You would still be able to go 100% stealth for the whole game, but there will be some moments that are just so, so difficult to pass on. The game has its fair share of linear environments, but in most cases, there are a couple of paths to take and plenty of people to avoid on the way. So fret not, Hitman: Absolution isn’t one of those on-rail games.

This game is one that tells a story, but it is also a score-focused game. Having your actions scored encourages competition between mates, and you’ll get additional/bonus points for stashing bodies or performing signature kills, of course the numbers will go south when bodies are spotted or if you pacify the innocent. The best part about Absolution is that it doesn’t force you to play a certain way; you can choose to play silent, loud, and everything in between.

Your score might not be something to call home about, but you can always replay levels a completely different way for a completely different experience.

You’ll be playing Absolution for a while, and perhaps over and over again. Besides an all-stealth run and a blood-rage run, you can create and accept contracts in a mode called, well, Contracts. This mode lets you use the existing levels, set specific hits as well as conditions. Conditions can include the type of disguise that you need to wear when you’re carrying out the hit, type of assassination, murder weapons as well as whether or not you’re spotted. The limits for Contracts is virtually endless and you can post contracts as well as accept contracts from others. For the hardcore Hitman fanatic, Contracts boasts a heaping load of replayability, both in the editing process as well as carrying out contracts.

We’re seeing more and more last-gen legends revived onto current-gen consoles, and quite frankly, most of them are as pointless as a VHS player.

Hitman: Absolution is a fine example of retaining the game’s essence while appealing to the ever-changing world of video games. We’re not saying that because we happen to be in someone’s crosshairs… not at all…

HHHHH

Developer: Io Interactive Publisher: Square Enix Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: Out Now

91

GG

VERDICT

© 2012 Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company. The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, Bethesda, Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks or trade names are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.

“2”, “PlayStation” and “À” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “ ” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

GreatGadgets

14 - Issue 05, 2012

SteelSeries Black Ops II Get your PWN on

T

he most prolific military shooter has hit stores, and you’ll need to equip yourself with the best gear for the best results. A little dress-up wouldn’t hurt, especially if it’s done right.

The Black Ops II badge is a little too cool for us to resist. The SteelSeries QCK’s exceptional durability has seen it through many collaborations and licenses, and the Black Ops II series of mouse mats come with the same reliability and high quality art that we’ve come to expect. The only ‘problem’ with the OCKs are that they seem to last forever, so it’s extremely tough to find an excuse to get a new one…

The CoD Black Ops II mouse adopts the shape and size of the one and only Sensei, and it too boasts a high fidelity laser sensor and precise tracking. It also has macro-able buttons, glide-friendly feet and supports SteelSeries Engine. Apart from the colour of illumination, you can change just about any aspect of the Black Ops II mouse’s lighting, including the option to turn off the illumination completely. This is one of the nicer skinned SteelSeries mice we’ve come across so far, and it’s certainly worth considering if you’re thinking of upgrading your crummy mouse to a proper gaming mouse.

Issue 05, 2012 - 15

GoodGame

WORLD OF TANKS

Wargaming.net will be at Licence2Play 2012!

W

argaming.net is proud to announce that we will be a part of the celebration of games and digital media at Licence2Play 2012, an annual event catered for gaming fans and enthusiasts. Scheduled to take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands from 7-9 December, the event will play host to a plethora of activities such as tournaments - one of which will be a first of its kind World of Tanks ITE Tournament in which the top teams from local educational institute ITE will vie to

be crowned champion in this unprecedented tournament.

We’re also really excited to be showcasing the second instalment of our ‘World of’ series, World of Warplanes and sharing it in the region so if you’re up for some adrenaline pumping action to keep you on the edge of your seat, make a beeline for the Wargaming.net booth on the event grounds to catch the preview of the game and get airborne with us.

Apart from getting a sneak peek at World of Warplanes, event attendees can also get to try out

tanks in the latest update of our signature title, World of Tanks using top of the line gaming laptops.

Exclusive limited edition Wargaming premiums are also up for grabs for those who are game enough to participate in and complete the objectives laid out before them in our Battle Card missions.

Speaking of cards, you won’t want to miss out on the World of Tanks MOL Prepaid Cards if you’re an avid collector of them. Be the first to lay your hands on these exclusives which will be making their appearance at the event. With every purchase of

1,000 MOLPoints ($10.70) or 2,000 MOLPoints ($21.40), we’re giving away 1DAY and 3DAYS premium respectively. In addition, there will also be T-shirt giveaways so head on down to the event to find out how you can get your hands on them. We have 600 T-shirts to be given out daily!

A ton of great fun and surprising revelations await you so don’t miss out on the most exciting event of the year. Wargaming.net looks forward to seeing you at Licence2Play 2012!

GoodGame

16 - Issue 05, 2012

Have a

2K Christmas The good people at 2K have presented us with some pretty tasty and exclusive Limited Editions to be given away to our faithful readers.

this 2012!

We’ve got copies (not a copy, but copies) of NBA 2K10 Steel Locker Edition, Collectors Edition of Bioshock 2 as well as the Special Edition of Sid Meier’s Civilazation V to be given out throughout the Ho Ho Ho month of December, so be sure to “Like” us on Facebook to keep yourself updated!

Namco Bandai

Gimme Gimme GIVEAWAY

It truly is the season to be jolly and a season of giving. What better way to kick things off with some software, courtesy of Namco Bandai.

Here’s what we have to roll out all the way through December and into early January:

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)

Bioshock 2 Collector’s Edition

Game of Thrones (PS3)

Sid Meier’s Civilization V Special Edition

Pacman & Galaga Dimensions (3DS)

Madagascar 3 (3DS)

NBA 2K10 Steel Locker Ben 10 Omniverse (3DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360)

We’ll also be rolling out exclusive Final Fantasy posters and an exclusive 10” vinyl Hitman figure (the very same one that comes with the deluxe professional edition of Hitman: Absolution) so be sure to “Like” GG on Facebook!

Issue 05, 2012 - 17

GreatGadgets

SteelSeries World of Warcraft Wireless MMO Mouse SteelSeries FREE The SteelSeries FREE is a mobile wireless controller that is designed to work with Android and iOS games as well as for PC and Mac. It’s a really compact and dandy unit that features 2 thumb sticks, a D-pad, 4 face buttons and 2 shoulder buttons.

The SteelSeries FREE connects via Bluetooth, so if you’re using it as a controller for your PC gaming, you’ll need a machine with Bluetooth connectivity or a Bluetooth receiver dongle. You can map keyboard keys to this controller using SteelSeries Engine, and this actually give this wireless controller the ability to be used for macros, for games like Diablo III. You’ll be able to play Grand Theft Auto III on your Android device, Temple Run on iOS, Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition and Trails 2 on PC, with the SteelSeries FREE. Other games might require you to map the keys yourself, but there is already a list of games that are fully compatible with the FREE, with more to come.

A full charge and this lightweight device will last you a good 10 hours, but this won’t replace your regular PC controller due to the lack of additional shoulder buttons and click-able thumb sticks, but it will serve well for general purpose gaming, especially if you’re on the go. We love the fact that it works on Android/iOS devices as well as on PC and Mac, and we love the dedicated SteelSeries Engine that is in place to compliment this cool device.

H

olding the unit in our hands, we still don’t believe it’s finally here; a wireless SteelSeries gaming mouse. It’s big, it’s a beaut, it’s a badass.

It’s hard not to notice a mouse like this, and the SteelSeries World of Warcraft Wireless MMO Mouse will definitely be the centrepiece of any gaming desktop, but it doesn’t just boast rugged good looks and menacing backlight effects.

It’s about precision when it comes to mice these days 8200 CPI (Counts-per-Inch) will give any PC gamer the pin-point accuracy needed for high level gaming, while additional thumb and ring finger buttons will make room for the macro maniacs.

Like the Razer Mamba, SteelSeries’ first wireless gaming mouse also features dual mode functionality (wired and wireless) and it’s charging dock aslo acts as a 2.4GHz wireless receiver. This mouse also has a 1ms response time that allows it to have the same performance as a wired gaming mouse. On the whole, there are enough drastic differences to make the SteelSeries WoW Wireless MMO Mouse have it’s own identity rather than be a copy of Razer’s flagship mouse.

The WoW Wireless MMO Mouse is reasonably smaller than previous WoW mice, and both the left and right clicks don’t take a lot of travelling to actuate. This helps with twitch-heavy games, because if it takes a shorter time for your clicks to travel, they’ll register faster, even if it’s measured in split seconds. Additional buttons are snappy, responsive, and very easy to locate even in intense situations.

The size and ergonomics of this mouse caters to the majority. Because of its smaller footprint and contours on the left and right clicks, palm grip users (especially those with big hands) are going to feel slightly awkward using SteelSeries’ first wirelss gaming mouse, but for those adopting the claw or fingertip grip, the contours will fit like a glove.

All in all, this mouse tracks really well and looks really good. Although you won’t be able to change the backlights, the pulsating blue glow (on the mouse) that corresponds to its dock is enough to keep you (and anyone who sees it) mesmerised.

GreatGadgets

18 - Issue 05, 2012

THEGG GAMER gift guide Jabra Extreme2 The ability to pair 2 Bluetooth devices (PS3 and

Gunnar RPG Spend enough time on RPGs starring at your monitor/TV and you are bound to have experienced tearing or sometimes, sharp pains from fatigued eyes. For every first-world problem, there is a solution and when it comes to gaming and optics, Gunnars are your best bet. The curve of the Gunnar RPG’s help prevent your eyes from feeling dry by ‘locking’ moisture in, while its amber tint helps improve clarity, and colour contrast. They’re light, comfortable, and most importantly, they significantly improve your gaming experience.

smartphone/tablet) and having dual microphones for exceptional call quality may be enough for you to choose the Jabra Extreme2 over other headsets, but there’s so much more.

Besides streaming music or GPS directions, the Jabra Extreme2 also has voice prompts that tell you how to pair it with other devices, battery life, and it even tells you who is calling (instead of reading out a number that you probably don’t remember). It’s uber comfortable, partly thanks to its Ultimate Comfort Eargels and you no longer need to fumble with volume controls since the Jabra Extreme2 automaitcally adjusts the headset volume to your environment.

This is a complete kit that even includes a car charger, and frankly speaking, it’s too ridiculously stylish to resist.

Your PlayStation 3 may not thank you, but your ears and eyes will.

Armaggeddon Trooper Stealth We’ve seen more than a few laptop backpacks but none look better than the digital camouflage that the Trooper Stealth sports. Seeing as how Black Ops 2 and every other military shooter is all the rave, this backpack certain falls in place.

Of course, it doesn’t just look good. It has quite a few reasonably sized compartments that seem perfect for peripherals like power bricks, mice and even stationary. The two expansion straps on each side allow the Trooper Stealth take on a more compact look or a full-on and puffed-up appearance. Either way, the padding on the backpack and even the carrying handle on its top have thick cushioning to ensure comfort. Semper fi!

Jabra Solemate It’s modeled with details that a boot would have and while an actual rubberised sole on the base of the unit does give this portable Bluetooth speaker’s name an obvious pun, it’s actually as tough as an actual boot.

It’s not a big unit (probably the size of an average 8-year old’s shoe) so it’s compact and perfect for chalets, barbeques and other gatherings, but the draw of the Solemate is how rugged it is. The Jabra Solemate is sweat, dust, splash and shock resistant. It even comes with a handy sound bag for added protection if without compromising on sound. There is even a handy, dualended 3.5mm cable that is cleverly stowed away where its ‘sole’ is located.

Sound-wise, the Solemate packs quite a solid punch into something so small, even with the sound bag on. In fact, the sound bag does nothing to dampen the listening experience. The Solemate charges via micro USB and a full charge will amplify your tunes for easily 7 hours or up to a whopping 40 days on standby.

Issue 05, 2012 - 19

GreatGadgets

Jawbone Big Jambox The Big Jambox isn’t quite as portable as its more popular sibling (Jawbone Jambox) but the Big Jambox does allow you to pair up to 2 devices. You’d expected pretty beefy bass from a portable speaker this size and while the Big Jambox does boast impressive bass, it is its overall performance that will please.

The Jawbone Big Jambox’s big price tag may be a little hard to swallow, but a respectable 15 hours of playback and up to 500 hours on standby ought to ease the pain. After all, gifts like this are usually reserved for that special someone like your tech-savvy dad or mom. It comes in black, white, and the very festive, bright red, complete with matching 3.5mm audio cable, USB cable as well as charging cable and adapter.

RedMonster Gangnam Power 13200mAh With its capacity, this is indeed a monster that will provide you with more than enough power on the go. Unlike many power banks on the market today, this demon uses a high quality Seiko chip from Japan and this bad boy will easily juice your average smartphone five times over, and since it uses standard USB ports you’ll be able to charge your other devices such as tablets and even your PS Vita. Although it is available in smaller capacities, we suggest only the best for our power users.

Ranger Symphony 300 + Bluetooth Audio Transceiver These are two separate units that can work individually and with each other. The Symphony 300 is a fuss-free stereo Bluetooth headset that pumps out firm bass notes and overall, decent sound quality. It can also be used for conversations when paired to smartphones or tablets, but it works best with the Ranger Bluetooth Audio Transceiver.

This discreet little thingamajig is a 2-in-1 receiver and transmitter, and it lets you connect Bluetooth devices (headsets) to your otherwise, non-Bluetooth audio devices (like TV and desktop PC). The Ranger Bluetooth Audio Transceiver will let you use your favourite Bluetooth headset for late night gaming as well as for watching videos.

Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Keyboard If you have upgraded to or bought yourself a spanking new Windows 8 PC, you’re ready to rock. All you need is a keyboard that compliments the Windows 8 experience and here it is.

The Sculpt Comfort keyboard is and ergonomic work of art that promotes layers and layers of comfort. The shape and placement of the keys work well with the keyboards split space bar, and since there are now two space bars, the left one can be used as an alternate backspace key to avoid the dreaded pinkie-reach. It also comes with a detachable and padded wrist rest and yes, it has Windows 8 hot keys at your service. Last but not least, the Sculpt Comfort keyboard connects wirelessly via a USB dongle and with a sweet price tag of under S$80, it’s a festive steal.

GreatGadgets

20 - Issue 05, 2012

THEGG GAMER gift guide Cooler Master CM Storm Scout 2 The CM Storm Scout 2 looks a whole lot sleeker than the first one, with concealed front I/O panel as well as rather discreetly designed power and reset switches. This gives the Scout 2 a more symmetrical and pleasing appearance.

The extremely sturdy handle makes it very convenient to move your system around and although LAN parties are very rare in Singapore, a handle is certainly a big plus for fanatics who love to tinker with their system.

We wouldn’t put this chassis in the same category as the higher end cases like the HAF X or even the Stryker, but with that in mind, the Scout 2 still means business, boasting a solid construct, good looks, and great cable management options. For functionality on a tight budget, the CM Storm Scout 2 seals the deal with its very reasonable price tag without compromising on the things we look for in higher end enclosures.

WD My Book 4TB Having backup is a must, no matter what files you’re keeping. Pictures, music, movies, projects, and other important or significant files should be backed up from time to time. With 4TB, you’ll hardly run out of space even if you’re using the WD My Book 4TB purely for storage. Retreiving and accessing large files will be much quicker thanks to USB 3.0 support. It’s music to the ears of a video hoarder.

Cooler Master Seidon 120M Give the gift of speed and silence with Cooler Master’s first after-market closed loop liquid CPU cooler. This maintenance-free water cooler is a compact solution that is very accessible for many boards and CPU enclosures.

Water coolers offer quieter and more efficient cooling than air coolers in general, and the Seidon 120M takes it up a notch by reducing fan speed and noise by having radiator fins that are optimised to reduce air restriction. Installation is straightforward, so even your monkey of a brother won’t have much trouble installing it.

Issue 05, 2012 - 21

GreatGadgets

Cooler Master iPhone 5 Aluminum Bumper This isn’t just a well built protective case for your brand new iPhone 5, it’s a case that sets the standard.

Apart from its sophisticated good looks, Cooler Master’s Aluminum Bumper is made from aircraft grade aluminum that is precisely cut using crystalline diamond. This manufacturing process gives the almost-weightless case a very clean seamless finish. This case also has a slide-n-lock design that further accentuates the clean lines and brushed aluminum finish that the case sports.

It’s available in black and silver, so no matter what colour your iPhone 5 may be, Cooler Master’s got you covered, literally.

Patriot Intel Extreme Masters DDR3 1866MHz (4 x 8GB) This upgrade might pinch you now, but it’ll also last you a couple of upgrades before you decide to sell it. This 100% hand-tested kit is also extremely sexy with the blue Viper 3 design from Patriot as well as black PCB. Its colours will definitely go well with a Z77 or even a X79 MSI motherboard. This kit runs at 1866MHz out of the box but it’s capable of pretty impressive overclocking performance. It’s a strong contender in the competitive world of computer components today, with good looks, good quality, good performance, as well as a reasonable price tag.

Silverstone Raven RV03 The best Raven case thus far is truly for the fanatic. This chassis orients your motherboards with the I/O ports facing up and this translates to more effective system cooling, especially if you have your chassis backed up against a wall. The RV03’s cable management is superb and hardly any clutter can be seen through its side window (partly thanks to its front-mounted power supply and SSD mounting options) and the absence of cable clutter makes the already-efficient cooling even more efficient. Just pop this chassis open and any PC nut will want to rip their motherboard out of their typical chassis and plant it in the RV03.

We love a case that looks absolutely balling without going over the top, we love the discreet branding and we love being able to back our chassis to the wall and not worry about cabling or heat issues. We highly suggest you check out the inside of this enclosure first if you’re a first-time rig-builder.

Armaggeddon Calibre

A glove for gaming may seem a little extreme, but if it’s extreme results you crave, you’re going to need to equip yourself with extreme gear.

Using the same, high-quality ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) that is used in sports equipment, the Armaggeddon Calibre feels fantastic. The glove’s neoprene core layer helps keep your wrists and palms snug in the most chilly LAN shops, while exposed fingers (from the knuckle onwards) help maintain high dexterity.

With the Calibre on, your wrist is elevated by the EVA padding, so it feels like a wrist rest that follows you around, even if you use your mouse at an awkward angle. The elevation of your wrist actually takes the strain off your fingers and wrists during extended raids and gaming sessions, and this translates more consistent and better overall gaming.

The Calibre is available in three sizes (S,M,L) and left gloves are also available. In fact, the left glove is actually a very viable option if you type a lot or plan to have your left hand planted on your WASD keys for hours.

GoodGame

22 - Issue 05, 2012

Issue 05, 2012 - 23

GoodGame

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