GG Issue 11

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MICA (P) 135/05/2012

QOSMIO X70 A THING OF BEAUTY

NBA 2K14 PATH TO GREATNESS

Legacy

The

Continues

INSIDE: WWE 2K14, THE BUREAU: XCOM DECLASSIFIED, SAINTS ROW IV, TALES OF XILLIA, DRAGON’S CROWN & MORE

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02 - Issue 11, 2013

UPCOMING GAMES

RetailerTOP5 THE HOTTESTGAMES OUTNOW

Dark Souls II

Cyberpunk 2077

Batman: Arkham Origins

Beyond Two Souls

Thief

Ryse: Son of Rome

Watch Dogs

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Grand Theft Auto V

TEAM PUBLISHER Jacky Choo jacky@playworks.asia

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

Killzone: Shadow Fall

Destiny

Armored Core: Verdict Day

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

1. Dragon’s Crown 2. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn 3. Saints Row IV 4. Diablo III (Console) 5. Tales of Xillia

1. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn 2. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 3. Saints Row IV 4. Diablo III (Console) 5. Splinter Cell: Blacklist

1. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn 2. Dragon’s Crown 3. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 4. Tales of Xillia 5. Splinter Cell: Blacklist

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

LATEST MOVIES TO OWN

WRITERS Justin Choo

1. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn 2. Dragon’s Crown 3. Saints Row IV 4. Splinter Cell: Blacklist 5. The Last of Us

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

1. Company of Heroes 2 2. Splinter Cell: Blacklist 3. X-Plane 10 4. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn 5. Saints Row IV

GG is a monthly publication of Playworks Pte Ltd, 42 Kaki Bukit Crescent, Level 3, Singapore 416267 www.playworksonline.com

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

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.

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I Give it a Year

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GoodGame

Legacy

04 - Issue 11, 2013

The

F

orget about Dragon’s Crown, BioShock Infinite and even The Last of Us. GTA V is too chock-full of wonderful offerings that it is i-m-p-os-s-i-b-l-e for any other game to nab 2013’s Game of the Year award.

It is extremely normal to be doubtful of a game that the whole world is anticipating, especially since Rockstar is so darn good at keeping details about GTA V to themselves. What we’re trying to say is that it is ok to be a skeptic. In fact, being a skeptic does help one be more critical about the decisions they make and of course, the games they buy. After all, how could any game possibly top GTA IV? By any standards, GTA IV is an old game and there are games that look a lot prettier than the aged graphics that GTA IV presents. But it is worth noting that GTA IV opened up a virtual playground for players to go absolutely nuts in. This playground wasn’t a fantasy world where anything could happen. It was a world that was pretty grounded in reality, where almost anything you can think of had a high chance of being fulfilled. Want to be armed to the teeth with rifles, rocket launchers and grenades and pilot a chopper to the tallest building in Liberty City and take out civilians and cops with a sniper rifle? You can, and while non-gamers will criticise your sadistic ideas and in-game behaviour, they will never understand that this is exactly what makes GTA IV work. Zero loading, seamless transition between day and night and different weather, just a brilliant game altogether, really.

GTA IV remains one of the most intoxicating online open-world experiences there is on this

Continues

generation’s consoles and a big part of that is how there are consequences for the misdemeanors (and sometimes mass murder). Dealing with the cops is easy-peasy when you’re equipped with enough destructive weapons to start a small war, and if you think about it, that is actually pretty realistic (action and consequence) for a game that was developed so long ago.

Freedom was a very big deal in GTA IV, and it’s the shared experiences in this “free world” that made you pester everyone you knew to buy the game.

Whether you wanted to show your friends how you intend to torment (and eventually kill?) the chicken suit wearing Cluckin’Bell guy, or wanted to hold a painfully (but absolutely hilarious) slow race with ice cream trucks, you could. But it meant so much more because you shared this experience with a bunch of equally gooney friends, laughing away into the night like a psychopath while your parents (or siblings) tell you to keep it down. That was the GTA IV online experience right there.

There’ll be a lot more freedom in GTA V, that’s a given, and with the awesome looking graphical presentations we’ve seen so far, GTA V is as sharp a game as any on this generation’s consoles. We’ve said in The Last of Us review that there probably won’t be a more brilliant, more beautiful game on the PS3, and that The Last of Us was a fantastic way to draw the curtains on this generation. We expect a lot more from GTA V, and quite honestly, GTA V looks to be the perfect send off for this generation’s console, and it’ll be the reason you’ll keep your Xbox 360/PS3 long after you’ve adopted next gen’s consoles.

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Most memorable moment in GTA IV? I distinctly recall an instance in free-roam mode where two friends and myself got into a car to drive it into a gas station. The objective was to see who could be the last to bail out of the car and still survive being that close to the explosion. It was a gloriously short victory celebration for me as I was quickly gunned down by my sore loser friends who ended up denying that I won. We still laugh about it till this day, even when we play other games.

They wanted my to join their posse in Max Payne 3, and I said, “Oh no you don’t! I ain’t falling for that again!”

Name 2 things about GTA V excites you’re looking forward to.

The Epsilon. Oh, you don’t know? www.

Epsilonprogram.com It’s not a way of life. It’s the only way to live. I say this because there is a high possibility that I might be a descendant of Kraff, the famous Emperor of the 4th Paradigm.

KIFFLOM! Yeah, I’ll probably get KIFFLOM tattooed onto my character when I get the chance. I might even create a new crew in Rockstar Games Social Club called “KIFFLOM”.

Radio stations! I didn’t particularly like driving from location to location in Liberty City simply because driving meant increasing the possibility of accidents that will very definitely escalate into bigger problems with the law.

I’m too much of a scrooge to pay for a taxi, so thank god for entertaining talk radio. The songs are alright, but it is the content of these very well emulated talk shows that crack me up and entertain me throughout my drives. I hope to hear more talk shows and shock jocks on air in GTA V.

Most memorable moment in GTA IV? Ok, it sounds really silly and adolescent, but my most fond memories of playing GTA IV online were associated with automobiles and quite a bit of agony.

My friend had just bought the game and we decided to have some fun exploring Liberty City, checking out Easter eggs and stuff. For some odd reason, my friend – who is utter thrash at racing games – decided that he would make a good candidate for designated driver, and he’d usually end up running me over.

The joke was that he knew what he was doing the entire time and that he was “accidentally” running me over on purpose and muted his mic (to hide his laughter) every time I screamed, “Dude! I have to be alive in order to get into the car!”

Name 2 things about GTA V excites you’re looking forward to.

Diving! I’m quite keen on exploring the water sports in general, but if I had to be specific, it would be diving.

Exploring the seabed sounds awesome, and doubly awesome when with friends. It seems like you’re going to need diving equipment to dive, so I’m quite curious as to how this would work out. There’ll probably be a limit as to how long you can stay underwater, and we might even need to pay to go diving, just like the real world. I also wonder if there’ll be spear fishing and stuff like that. Also, I would like to encounter a shark.

Who wouldn’t? I’m guessing that there will be some sort of Easter egg located underwater, so I’ll be looking forward to that as well.

I’m Pretty eager to try out the mini games that will be available in GTA V. Golf, tennis, cycling, stunt plant trails, robbing liquor stalls, and base jumping! Aw man!

I can’t wait to give base-jumping a shot! I wonder if the chute opens 100% of the time though; it would be cool if there was some mini game to deploy your back up chute when your main one fails. And what about hunting? Jet Skiing? Gosh! So exciting that I might ditch real life for GTA V. Just saying.

Marcus

Kenny

Gibbson

V doesn’t just mean the number five in roman numerals.

V also stands for victory and we recap some of the “win!” moments in GTA IV as well as the enticing features that await in GTA V.

Most memorable moment in GTA IV? I’m more of a single player junkie than an online addict, so I seldom play online, even until today.

What I do remember is going on an all out pigeon hunt. I remember having to go the distance, getting helicopters just to get those damned birds. I had the official guide with me, and was hell bent on getting all them pigeons. My wife (girlfriend at the time) thought I had lost my marbles as I’d became more and more obsessed the closer I got to unlocking the Annihilator.

If I recall correctly, piloting the Annihilator nets you a permanent 4 stars wanted rating, but hey, it isn’t called the Annihilator for nothing, right?

I showed my wife the Annihilator and explained to her that I had to hunt down 200 pigeons just to unlock this beast. She shook her head and walked off.

Name 2 things about GTA V excites you’re looking forward to.

I loved the characters in GTA IV, and how impressionable they all were. They were easy to identify, associate and connect with. It was nice to see how the narratives revolved around these well-designed characters. Being able to cycle through the 3 protagonists certainly helps with getting acquainted with the characters, but if I had to choose, I’d say Trevor is going to be one of my favourites. No, not because we (sort of) have the same hairstyle.

I’m pretty stoked about being able to buy and sell property and shares on the stock market in GTA V. Buying cars and customising them sounds like good fun, but I’m into the big money. I’ve always wanted to give stock trading a shot, so GTA V will serve as my training wheels. What’s the worst that could happen?

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Developer: Visual Concepts Publisher: 2K Sports Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: October 4

NBA 2K14

Smart Play is pretty much an overlay that offers you passing routes and moves for specific plays.

AI-controlled teammates still behave and play in the appropriate manner, depending on the team strategy, so for players who aren’t good at reading plays, Smart Play was created for you.

Smart Play is by no means a get-out-of-jail-free card and you’re going to need skill to execute movements, passes and shots. Dumbing down a contextually deep and realistic sports simulation like NBA 2K14 would upset that fans, so it is nice to see 2K work around these perimeters to make learning this game a little less confusing and punishing for newcomers.

Flame On! W

hether you play on PS3 or Xbox 360, you’d want to put a big “X” on the fourth day of October because the makers of the best sports simulation game are back with NBA 2K14. The NBA 2K series gets better and better every year, and 2K Sports don’t seem to run out of stuff to jam into every year’s NBA game – every year hits harder.

The big bad baller that is going to don the cover of NBA 2K14 is non other than LeBron James, AKA King James. LeBron is the beast, he’s the bawse, we already know that. We also know that the NBA 2K series never fails to deliver every single year. So what is there about NBA 2K14 to talk about? Well, being number one means being hungry all the time and wanting improvement even when you’re top dog. So here’s what’s turning up the heat with NBA 2K14.

Crews

King James Soundtrack

The most requested game mode is back after taking a couple of years off, and it is about time! Online matches just don’t feel the same without leaderboards and stats. Crew mode is the closest thing you can get to shooting hoops at a basketball court without leaving the comfort of your sofa, and basketball fanatics are sure to rejoice the return of this epic mode.

Crews is a mode that the real-life basketball player will indulge in, because the game of basketball isn’t all bout the guy with the ball, and just like real basketball, it is all about strategy, coordination, communication, player chemistry and team work. We can’t wait – time to get the old crew back together again!

The guy who brought the Heats all the way to the 2013 NBA Championship Finals (only to win it) hand picked the songs that are going into the King James Soundtrack. Anyone else could have picked songs for a soundtrack, but why let anyone choose the songs when the King himself can? It may be a very novel idea to have such a soundtrack, but with big names such a Jay-Z, Eminem, Daft Punk, Kanye West and Macklemore, the soundtrack could’ve been named “quack-quack” and still be a stunner.

The King James Soundtrack is a pre-order bonus for Xbox 360 and PS3 players in the King James Bonus Pack that also inlcudes 10,000 VC as well as “Path to Greatness” Mode.

Dynamic Living Roster Player attributes and tendencies are automatically updated daily, and this makes NBA 2K14 a living game that is ever-changing with real NBA events. This is an introduction for the dedicated fans that want their NBA simulation experience to mirror reality and for players (both in-game and in life) to have corresponding hot or cold streaks. This attention to detail is, yet again, proof that 2K takes their sports simulation seriously, and this implementation is one of the sweetest service a sports franchise could provide for their fans.

MyTEAM MyTEAM is back and that means hustling to earn VC and buying booster packs to get better players and upgrades to bring your team online to play someone else’s collection. Fantasy sports isn’t that big locally, but if stock-watching and player forecasting is your thing, you know which mode to invest in.

Pro Stick There is always room for improvement, even when

Improved Player Motion

you’re the best sports game ever created and this is where Pro Stick comes into play. Pro Stick is set to revolutionise the way you play NBA, by giving you more control over dribbling and shooting. You will be able to pull off fancy dribbles, contest shots, passes, and even put pressure on ball with the right stick.

It is called Pro Stick for a reason, and this is because there are a plethora of moves that can be seamlessly executed with the your right analogue stick. You can perform regular jump shots without much hassle using the Pro Stick, but why stop there when you can do spin shots instead? There are different moves for layups, dunks and more, all waiting for you to explore.

Being flashy in basketball can be likened to pulling off a spectacular combo (in a fighting game), just for the people watching. Regular moves will sow the same results, but nothing beats styling on your opponent.

NBA 2K14 will definitely bring about those “oh no he didn’t!” and “he did whaaat?” moments and this will definitely spice up the online modes that NBA 2K14 offers.

2K Smart Play Button The introduction of Smart Play may not phase the seasoned NBA 2K player at all, but it will definitely be useful for schooling fresh blood on how the pros play.

Expect the physics of the already-realistic NBA 2K franchise to see improvements. Tweaks in player animation and physics will allow the ability to portray more speedy and explosive cuts without players looking like they defy gravity, and the NBA 2K franchise has been known for realism since forever, so if realism is the name of your game, your game is naturally NBA 2K14.

Fluid and grounded movements are everything in a sports simulation with more than 3,000 more brand new animations to add visual depth and variety, signature styles, jump shots, dunks, dribbles, layups, flashy passes and celebrations will bring you one step closer to reality once again.

Returning features: MyCAREER The Association The Association Online Training Camp Season Playoffs Practice NBA Blacktop MYPLAYER Blacktop

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Developer: Yuke’s Publisher: 2K Games Platform: PS3, Xbox 360 Release Date: November 1

Rock On

W

ill it be any surprise that Dwayne Johnson

is on the cover of WWE 2K14, again?

Technically, this is The Rock’s first appearance on a 2K title, but The Rock is easily the WWE superstar that has been featured on game covers more times than the legendary Hulk Hogan.

Fans of WWE will know that The Rock has been brought back (several times) to spice up and revitalize the WWE universe. Since the games tie-in pretty closely with actual events and storyline, it is inevitable for The Rock to come back to main events such as WrestleMania and to be featured in the game. He’s so iconic that it would still make perfect sense to include

HHHH

89

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him in the game’s roster even if he didn’t play a significant enough role in real-life WWE. To be honest, we’re getting a little fatigued from seeing the same guy don the cover of a popular game, but the truth of the matter is that we shouldn’t. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan are prime examples of sportsmen that revolutionize and bring popularity to their sport. Their names are already synonymous with their sport and things are no different for Dwayne Johnson. He can star in as many movies as he can, and he’d STILL be The Rock from WWE. In fact, a very big percent of the general population don’t know who Dwayne Johnson is.

We agree that we can’t keep celebrating an individual over and over again, but when you’re as electrifying as The Rock, there is really very no contest.

We love the other WWE personalities as much as anyone else, but if there were a poll to see who would be on the cover of WWE 2K14, and the public could choose from Ryback, CM Punk, The Miz, Randy Orton, John Cena, Hulk Hogan and The Rock, the two highest polls would definitely be Hogan and The Rock. It isn’t too hard to pick from The Rock and Hulk Hogan now, would it?

The Rock may be on the cover, but the magic of WWE 2K14 is in its campaign – 30 Years of

Developer: Avalanche Software ios Publisher: Disney Interactive Stud PC U, Wii 360, Xbox PS3, orm: Platf Release Date: Out Now

VERDICT

DISNEY INFINITY

A new way to play with toys

I

WrestleMania. There will be 45 genre-defining matches in this mode and some of them include the epic showdown between the Hulkster and Andre the Giant in WrestleMania 3, Hulk Hogan versus The Rock in WrestleMania 18, and even The Rock against John Cena in WrestleMania 29.

Other juicy details include different skins for Hulk Hogan, playable retro-Rock and Andre the Giant, but if you consider how many epic face-offs there were in each and every WrestleMania, you’d be as sold as we are.

f you think Disney Infinity is just another

Skylanders-type game, you’d be wrong, because Skylanders doesn’t have of history and long a legacy of characters that have become icons of their own franchises.

Disney Infinity plays two ways: with Play Sets or Toy Box mode. Play Sets are franchise-specific settings that can only be played with characters of that franchise. This means you won’t be able to use Sully (from Monsters Inc.) in a Pirates of the Caribbean Play Set. Each Play Set has its own distinct concepts and characteristics that make one Play Set different from the other. Fans of these franchises can also expect to

experience and “live” these pretty elaborate Disney environments that are so vastly different from one another. Each Play Set feels like its very own adventure with its very own concepts and mechanics. Each Play Set is also packed with tons of activities, side quests, unlockables and quirky stuff that is bound to entertain and the starter pack actually offers a generous amount of content even if you don’t have any plans to buy any other toys/characters or add-ons.

While the Play Sets offer hours of fun and exploration, Toy Box mode is where you’ll sink your time into. Playable right from the get-go, Disney Infinity’s Toy Box mode serves an end-game sort of

experience, because all the collectibles you’ve unlocked are now items that you can use to build your own worlds/games.

Think of Toy Box as a 3-dimensional version of Little Big Planet with a tad of Minecraft sprinkled on top.

Using very basic tools, you are able to construct and create simple games and given time, elaborate masterpieces. Building custom games or worlds is relatively easy and you use pre-existing blocks and structures to fabricate your very own fun land. The possibilities are limited to your imagination and you have the ability to create your very own amusement park (if you wanted) and share it online.

Style-wise, Disney Infinity is as competent as it gets.

Both the toys (figures) and in-game characters are unified by the same art style that doesn’t do any particular character/franchise injustice. The toys themselves are very well modeled and very collectworthy, and that sounds just about right, because like it or not, you will be inclined to.

Disney Infinity does appear to be a tad kid-ish at first glance, perhaps more so than Little Big Planet (because of the physical presence of the toys) but it still qualifies as an awesome experience, regardless of age. More Play Sets will be available in the near future and new Play Sets come with new characters as well as more unlockables to be used in Toy Box mode. If you have a favourite franchise from Disney that you haven’t seen, yet, it is probably only a matter of time before you will, so get cracking on Toy Box mode first!

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

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VERDICT

THE BUREAU: XCOM DECLASSIFIED I Possibly the most out-of-the box

t has been half a year since the launch of the highly

third-person shooter

successful turn-based strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown and while Enemy Unknown remains one of this generation’s greatest remake/ revival, we believe that its origin story will be far greater.

The Bureau features some enemies from XCOM: EU and it also features some that aren’t. This is partly because The Bureau tells the origin story of the clandestine XCOM organisation and its first encounter with a mysterious and devastating enemy. The Bureau also tells the story of XCOM’s beginnings, and it does so with a narrative-driven, third person experience, that is unlike any other.

The Bureau brings the joy of a cover-based shooter and introduces tactical and strategic elements to it, all without compromising the adrenaline that is associated with intense third-person shooters. Third person shooters are a dime a dozen these days, so the idea of a strategy-based third-person shooter seemed really odd. Combining the two disciplines could lead to either one being too overbearing. It could end up becoming an intense shooter with very little strategic elements or strategic elements that aren’t able to impact the outcome of each battle much. It could also end up being so strategic that split second decisions and the finesse of lining up your crosshair for headshots mean nothing.

Thankfully, The Bureau blends and juxtaposes these very polarising genres to a perfect concoction of a game that requires wit, reactions and a little bit of cunning. The Bureau’s shooter elements are spot on,

and the cover-based shooting feels right. While we haven’t really tried a particular level like a one-manarmy, we’re pretty sure it’s possible, albeit extremely frustrating. The truth is, you won’t want to go Rambo on your enemies unless your mates have been permanently capped. Try as you might, you’d be suckered into the strategic element of the game from the get-go. In fact, the strategic elements magnify the game’s intensity by many folds.

It’s hard to look at screenshots and videos of The Bureau and comprehend the game’s strong emphasis on strategy. Beneath The Bureau’s third-person action lies layers and layers of strategy and the only way to experience that strategy, is to play it. Our experience with The Bureau was one that is best described as a game of chess. It’s a lot easier when you’re the one watching, and the same pieces are more (or less) important depending on which pieces you favour more or which pieces play a greater role in your overall strategy. Just like in chess, you’ll want to keep as many of your pieces on the board as possible, and just like chess, when you lose a unit, you’ll lose it forever. Yes, just like XCOM: EU, there is perma-death in The Bureau.

Decision making in The Bureau is tense, sequential and exhilarating. You manage your men using Battle Focus. Using Battle Focus slows time down to a crawl, allowing you surmise battlegrounds, identify key enemy types and to issue orders to your men. You can

play the strategic element of the game one step at a time, but if you have a grand plan, you’ll also be able to queue orders up. The ability to be able to queue orders up is extremely useful, especially in the earlier parts of your battles when you have yet to be spotted or before things get really hectic.

The Bureau is about commanding different troops with different special abilities, while watching different cool down timings, all in the heat of battle. Battle Focus doesn’t pause the game for you to organise your men (or your thoughts), because enemy units continue to flank you, rounds continue being fired and grenades are continue being chucked. As mentioned, time does slow down quite a bit when you activate Battle Focus, but the eminent threat of having your flanks overrun or needing to evade an enemy grenade’s blast radius will drastically reduce the time you have to manage your men.

Again, The Bureau isn’t really your run-of-the-mill third-person shooter because there isn’t much moving and exploration done outside of your battles/ encounters. Oddly enough, the exploration is done during battle and the cool thing about The Bureau is how you are able to get different views of the battlefield through organising and commanding your men. This opens up a spectator-mode-like experience in this third-person shooter and if you pay enough attention to your surroundings, you’ll be able to spot various

elements in each setting that you can use to your advantage.

Each encounter is like a mini puzzle and while bringing your best men to battle often rewards you with victory, there are some “puzzles” that require you to adopt different tactics and approaches. The variables can take the form of enemy types, map size, enemy quantity and so on, so while taking a group of snipers to pick out enemies from a distance may sound like a good idea, having a balanced team is actually a lot safer, in case the encounters happen in a small and confined area.

The Bureau succeeds in its pacing, and while some may find certain transitional scenes a tad pointless, they do provide players with the breathing room that their going to need after an intense battle. Shooting, identifying enemy types, studying the battle grounds, looking for flanks and openings, issuing and queuing orders does sound a little like a fair bit to juggle, and that exactly why The Bureau shines – it is a shooter, and yet, not far from its roots at all.

It’s clear that The Bureau wants you to remember that it is undeniably an XCOM game, and it is extremely comforting to know that the revivals of beloved franchises can take the form of reinvented and unique experiences rather than being just another sellout shooter.

On Death Perma-death is extremely painful, not just because you’ll permanently lose a unit that you have customised, named and leveled up, but also because losing a favoured unit usually means you’ll have to fill that void with the next best soldier on the bench and more often than not, he/she’s the one that you’d rather not have on your team. Of course, in time to come, that replacement rookie will end up being a valuable member to your team, but as we have learnt from XCOM: EU, it always hurts to lose a member of your team.

It seems like common sense, but besides having to deal with the stress associated with losing your favourite units, you’re going to have to try your best to stay alive. You will still be able to activate and use Battle Focus when you are downed, and that means the fighting can go on, but you’ll need to order someone to revive you (before you bleed out) if you want to stand a chance. We love the idea of not being out even when you’re down, and we also love the fact that we are still able to manage and select a specific unit/soldier to revive us in order to maintain strategic vantage points.

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10 - Issue 11, 2013

Developer: Volition Inc. Publisher: Deep Silver Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Release Date: Out Now

SAINTS ROW IV The United Saints of America I

f you’ve played Saints Row 3, you’ll have a good

Absurd Violence Games that seem sadistic and borderline psychotic in nature are usually frowned upon by the general population – who happen to NOT be gamers. But what’s wrong with experimenting and having a laugh in a virtual playground? We laugh at Saint’s Row because of how unrealistic and absurd things can get, so no, you won’t see any video gamer running around and power bombing innocent pedestrians with our super strength. Some of us may use our telekinesis for mischief, but no one has to know.

idea of what Saint’s Row 4 has in store for you, and you wouldn’t even be reading this review. Chances are, if you’ve played Saints Row 3 (or even Saints Row 2), you probably already own Saints Row 4.

Saint’s Row 4’s story takes place after the events of Saint’s Row 3, and while the details aren’t necessarily important and you don’t really need to play Saint’s Row 3 to enjoy Saints Row 4, we highly suggest that you grab Saints Row 3 if there is some sort of bundle deal at your favourite game store. It might not tell the most exciting or intellectual tale, but it certainly is a rolling, LOL-ing good time - both games.

With the success of the Saints, you, the main character, are now the most powerful man on the planet - President of the United States of America. But it’s not just your status that makes you the most powerful person on the planet, because if the ability to run ridiculously fast, jump incredibly high and a slew of other super powers doesn’t make you powerful, we don’t know what does.

Your super powers are enough to re-create a small part of hell on earth, but of course, in true Saints Row fashion, you can never have enough weapons and destructive vehicles. Monster trucks, mechs and other chaos inducing toys are at your disposal, and you’ll find yourself drifting from the main plot (to defend earth from alien invasion) every now and then just to terrorise humanity, just because you can. It is jolly good fun and while Saint’s Row 4 does look like an invitation to an open-world sandbox of destruction, there is

actually a story that you’d want to follow. Again, the story of Saints Row 4 isn’t the best that the gaming world has to offer, but events that lead up to the game’s grand finale are just too good to miss. But it’s not a game that you’ll laugh at, it’s a game you’ll laugh with, and such a game only comes every… well, every Saint’s Row installment.

The level of potty humour is through the roof with Saints Row 4, and there isn’t really any other game out there that comes close to SR4’s nudity, adult toilet humour, satire, slapstick, indulgent violence and guilty pleasure. You know better than to strike random strangers the same way you know better not to go to the beach and start stomping on the sand castles that children have built, but you can’t help but think, “what if?”. Saint’s Row 4 doesn’t come close to answering all of your what-ifs, but it’ll be enough of an outlet to keep you sane in the stressful times we live in.

Saints Row 4 looks very similar to Saints Row 3, and that is probably because the same engine is used for both games. We’d welcome a prettier looking Saint’s Row game any day, but seeing as how the franchise acts as a satire above everything else, we’re willing to lose some graphical details for an earlier release date.

Can you afford to give this game a miss? The answer is a definite yes, but why would you? It’s hilarious and almost impossible to not enjoy. It may offend and even upset some, yes, but like any other Saint’s Row game, it is all in the name of uncensored fun. Pick it up, have a go, and if you don’t like it, you can be damn sure someone is willing to take it off your hands, because

comedy is for everyone. Even if you hate laughing and have a short attention span, you’d still get loads of fun from Volition’s vice and violence filled sandbox. Nolan North is in the game, so you can’t go wrong.

Game of Trolls For a while, there were spoof movies for every hit movie. Think along the lines of Scary Movie, Disaster Movie, Vampires Suck, etc. Saint’s Row 4 is similarly enthusiastic and entertaining, but more so, since you’re in the driver’s seat.

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Issue 11, 2013 - 11

GoodGame

Side Quests Side quests are a lot more rewarding as one would think, because you’ll be able to acquire props such as elf ears, bunny ears, bed head, a dog’s tail or even aviator sunglasses to equip your character with. This adds a little bit of mischief to otherwise serious parts of the game, and you’ll see yourself doing these quests with the intention of getting more props.

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Developer: Namco Bandai Games Publisher: Namco Bandai Games Platform: PS3 Release Date: Out Now

TALES OF XILLIA A true J- RPG experience W

Build. Discover. Conquer.

Rule the World!

AVAILABLE NOW

Civilization Revolution

The second epic expansion for Civilization V © 1991-2013 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. Developed by Firaxis Games. Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Brave New World, Sid Meier’s Civilization V, Civ, Civilization, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two interactive Software, Inc. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

hile Tales of Xillia might not necessarily be the best game in the Tales franchise, it is definitely worth owning simply because it is a RPG that doesn’t dumb itself down (in any way) just so more people will pick it up.

You get to choose to play as either Jude Mathis or Milla Maxwell, and since there will be times that the two protagonists are separated from each other, you will feel inclined to play through a second time round, just to see what happens on the other side. Who you choose to play as doesn’t change the major plots or outcomes of the story, just a few small story-based segments.

Tales of Xillia is one of the very few remaining JRPG titles that are catered to the dedicated JRPG player and we say this because this game is deep. You can pick this game up, and learn how to play it the way it was meant to be experienced, and it’ll take time, even if you’re a seasoned veteran with RPG games. Tales of Xillia introduces concepts that can be a little jarring to someone who has never touched a Tales game before.

On the surface, the game looks like it involves stringing combos together in each encounter, but gameplay is actually a lot more complex than that.

You can get into the swing of how combat works pretty easily using simple attacks and special powers (known as artes), but Linking characters together can allow for more powerful moves to be performed.

Experimenting with the combat and Link feature in Tales of Xillia helps a lot, as knowing when to Link and change things between your characters is the key to in-depth and rewarding combat sequences.

Tales of Xillia features a very detailed (though confusing at first) character builder known as the Lilial Orb. This “skill tree” takes the form of a web and every cross-section of the web has a node. The Lilial Orb is filled with nodes that stat up skills and artes. Activating four nodes (that form a square) unlocks an extra node.

So you can actually level and build your character up

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the way you want to, depending on your style. Some might prefer a stronger character with less artes, some would prefer one with more artes – it is entirely up to you. Besides watching all the cut scenes and stories, playing through a second time lets you build your character a different way as well, so there is still a sense of exploration and experimentation even on the second play through.

This game is well animated and has cut scenes that are presented in a very pleasing and typical anime style, but the graphics do feel a tad dated. This game was first launched in Japanese two years ago, so you could say that the graphics for Tales of Xillia look pre-aged. Two years is the average time it takes for a Japanese game to be fully translated and re-published. The English version Tales of Xillia is definitely one of the more masterfully translated Japanese games, with content and banter that is re-written and not directly translated.

Purist (who may have completed the Japanese version already) may argue that the English version takes some appeal away, but with the 30-odd hours we’ve put into Tales of Xillia, nothing seems amiss. Well, there is one exception - Milla’s voice acting can feel overly detached and void of emotion at times, but that is just a small hiccup in the grand scheme of things.

A big part of JRPG games – (or even RPG games in general) – are its characters. They have to be impressionable, interesting, memorable, or have some outstanding or quirky characteristics and personality. It wouldn’t be a successful RPG game if you play the entire game not giving a damn about the other characters. Most of the characters in Tales of Xillia are very well voiced and you actually develop a natural sense of curiosity and want to know more about them.

A great story, friendly fast-travel system and combat that is easy to pick up and tough to master are just a few gems that Tales of Xillia has to offer the true, blue, RPG player. It took two painful years of waiting to be able to play Tales of Xillia in English, and now that it is finally here, it’ll occupy you for easily 30-40 hours, and that’s not factoring in exploration, side quests and leveling.

GoodGame

12 - Issue 11, 2013

Developer: Vanillaware Publisher: Atlus Platform: PS3, PS Vita Release Date: Out Now

DRAGON’S CROWN There has never been a finer beat’em up Homage to the Genesis great, Golden Axe Dragon’s Crown doesn’t hide its obvious influences. In fact, it openly celebrates them. These influences can be seen right from the beginning, in your trusty lock-picking companion, beast riding and even skeleton warriors (that the Sorceress can create) that jump and attack in that downward sword thrust action. The game is almost guaranteed to bring back fond memories of the good’ol days of playing on the Sega Genesis.

Proportion? What proportion?

This game features characters with rather exaggerated attributes, and while this exaggeration may seem to be more prominent in female characters, the male characters also have pretty absurd proportions. Yes, the women might have cleavages as deep as the abyss, but the men have ridiculously sized arms, chests, shoulders and waists.

A

s we come to a close and look back at this

gen’s best offerings, the few that come to mind are either shooters like Battlefield 3 or open-world-type games like Dark Souls. And while there have been really decent side scrolling beat’em ups, none of them come close to what Dragon’s Crown offers.

This game is, quite literally, an artistic masterpiece.

Odin’s Sphere and the more recent Muramasa are just shining examples of Vanillaware’s dedication to the genre. Dragon’s Crown is the first HD offering and it looks gorgeous, like any Vanillaware game would.

Dragon’s Crown is a game that uses animation rather that computer-generated graphics. This simply means that each character and their respective moves were hand-painted and animated, instead of using sprites. The result is a visual spectacle that is very distinctively Vanillaware, and one that is actually a sight for sore eyes because this game is extremely picturesque. At any one point in time, the game will look more like a hand-drawn cartoon than a game, and that is pretty damn impressive, even for the PS3.

Gameplay-wise, Dragon’s Crown is definitely going to be one of the best side-scrolling beat’em ups you have ever had the luxury of playing. It’s remarkably rewarding and incredibly addictive and if pages weren’t an issue, this game’s praises could go on for at least another page. We’ll try to keep it short.

Combat is a work of art on its on, and the moves are actually very well articulated meticulously engineered.

Juggling foes or evading attacks require a certain level of precision and intention to execute, but it doesn’t take forever to get the hang of controls. Since controls are tight and responsive, bashing enemy units up often feels satisfying and you’ll actually want to replay

dungeons immediately after defeating them. The smallest details are taken care of, like how you move slower when walking through water, of how you are unable to cast fire spells when you are standing knee-deep in water – just brilliant.

RPG elements play a pretty big role in Dragon’s Crown and just like the game’s combat mechanics, the RPG elements are rock solid and air tight. Different weapons are imbued with different elements and each weapon is tied with different stat boosts. There are ornaments and equipment that enhance both passive and active skills on top of overall and character-specific skill trees that you can meddle with when you level up.

There are also rare items and you’re likely to get loot that isn’t even appropriate for your class. You can either sell your loot or keep them for your other characters, and while Dragon Crown’s loot system does

feel a tad Diablo-like, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Level design is – as you would expect – brilliant, thanks to the art style and detail that is present in every level. Every level looks different but equally stunning. Different levels provide the premises to introduce different enemy types, and there are more than enough boss fights and encounters that you can shake a stick at (more than 18).

This is a game for the hardcore, no doubt, but its appeal is epic enough to reach the newbies and keep them playing. A big part of the game’s longevity stems from the fact that beat’em ups are best enjoyed with company. Dragon’s Crown allows up to 4 players to play together (online), but you must first unlock option to play online (with others) by going through the first 6 hours of the in single player. You will be able to recruit AI characters to help you on the tougher levels, but since AI behaviour can be a little silly at times (like walking over fire when there is clearly an unobstructed path), you’ll want to play with actually other players who have spent time going through the spoils of battle to equip their

characters with the best items. It may seem like somewhat of a drag that you’re “forced” and while we’re not absolutely sure why Dragon’s Crown was designed this way, making players commit to a small part of the game (before letting them go online) means that you’ll run into less greenhorns and noobs that may ruin your online experience.

Dragon’s Crown is a superb game in almost every aspect and although it wouldn’t do much justice to the game, we would have to say that it brings the best elements of Diablo III (loot and gear) and introduces combat that is engaging and ridiculous fun. Every character is so well designed that you’ll most definitely play this game a couple of times over just to get a taste of which character suits your play style best.

Dragon’s Crown is so good that you’ll beg your friends to play it, not because you want them to play with you, but because something so beautiful and magnificent should be experienced by the whole world. Think Dragon’s Crown as a modern take on Golden Axe, with addictive Blizzard-like RPG elements, that is filled with side quests, leveling and upgrades. You’ll want this game in your library no matter what. GGWP Vanillaware.

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GreatGadgets

14 - Issue 11, 2013

Razer Naga 2014 T

here are so many Naga variants it’s hard to keep track, and while it does get confusing, there are distinct differences that set them

apart.

The Naga 2014 isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade of the previous Naga and it isn’t some special edition game themed one either. From the looks of it, the Naga 2014 seems to be the mouse that replaces the Naga; the same way the Mamba 2012 replaces the original Mamba.

Just like the Mamba, the Naga 2014 is equipped with a 8200 DPI 4G laser sensor (that tracks like a dream) and it radiates a green glow instead of the slightly old school blue that past Razer mice were known for. The green backlighting makes Razer products unmistakably Razer and a lot more venomous.

There have also been some ergonomic improvements made to the contours of the 12 side buttons. Each of the 12 side buttons feels a lot more distinguishable from another, and they are all very clicky and very tactile mechanical buttons.

The placement of the Naga 2014’s DPI adjustment buttons (default) have also shifted to the top part of the mouse, just before its tilt-click scroll wheel. Yes. It sounds like a dream doesn’t it? A Razer mouse with a

Cooler Master Ren C ooler Master probably called this unit the Ren because of how its profile resembles the chinese word “ren”, which means people.

The Cooler Master Ren is a multifunction, high quality aluminum stand that was design with the iPad and iPad mini in mind. That said, it’ll serve any other tablet (of roughly the same size) the same way.

One of the great things about the Ren it allows you to charge your iPad without removing it. It’s a small implementation, but nothing sucks more than having to cradle your tablet off-centre in order to charge it. A swivel at the back of the Ren also allows different orientation (portrait or landscape) on top of offering different viewing angles with its sturdy arm.

The beauty of the Ren is its ability to be mounted on shelves and cabinets. This makes referring to recipes in the kitchen a breeze, but the most important thing is that your iPad stays clean when you’re cooking up a storm.

The ability to mount your tablet onto shelves or cabinets may also come in extra handy since second-screen-gaming seems to be the way next-gen consoles are going to operate. For now, the possibility of having your tablet “mounted” near your main screen can also be extremely beneficial for checking out walkthroughs as well as game guides.

scroll wheel that lets you scroll horizontally. It’s about freaking time. The tilt function gives the Naga 2014 a total 19 programmable buttons.

The new Naga also sports similar details that the Ouroboros and Taipan both have, which is a textured plastic (instead of rubber coat) and this is actually a very welcomed change, since rubber coats do have the tendency of getting sticky or wearing off, especially for people with sweaty palms. Since far too many gamers snack in front of their PCs, having a plastic finish does make cleaning your mouse a lot easier.

The thing about all the Naga variants is that it is near impossible to be able to locate and utilise all 12 side buttons in the heat of battle, with no practice. That said, if you give yourself enough time with the Naga, your gameplay experience would definitely be enhanced, even if you don’t use every single side button. AS far as comfort is concerned, the Naga 2014 carries on the great ergonomics that the Naga family has been known for and with Synapse 2.0, your macro profiles follow you everywhere you go.

This is a corded mouse, but we’re guessing a new Naga Epic is already on its way. Just a hunch.

SanDisk Extreme Micro SDHC S anDisk was there when digital cameras started taking over the world and now that smartphones and tablets are doing the same, SanDisk is primed and ready to provide once again.

The world of IT is obsessed with speed. Processors are getting faster and more efficient, computers are booting up in less than a minute, tablets wake up instantly and high-speed flash memory is slowly dominating all forms of technology.

The SanDisk Extreme series of micro SDHC cards are designed to compliment your digital life and with capacities up to 64GB, you don’t have to worry about running out of storage space on your 4G smartphone, tablet or camera but choosing an SD/micro SD card isn’t always about capacity to price ratio.

While capacity may be your main concern, speed should be the very next thing on your list when you’re on the market for a storage card. We know that budget is everything, but in an increasingly digital media heavy world, speed no longer feels like a luxury, because somewhere down the line, speed became a necessity.

The average person is consuming more digital media than ever before and you can see people watching their favourite shows on their smartphone all the time. You can pre-load large video files into your regular storage card the same way you would on a high-speed one, but because the SanDisk Extreme micro SDHC reads and writes so fast (up to 80MB/s), it

takes a lot less time to access and transfer these files.

Nobody likes to drag and drop files, only to see the progress bar crawl. No one.

Your camera, smartphone or tablet may not be shock or waterproof, so it makes sense to preserve your precious pictures and videos on a storage card that is.

The SanDisk Extreme micro SD cards will survive almost any other phone destroying accident, and still keep your precious data intact and ready for the next phone you’re going to use it on.

It’s a little pricey (especially the higher capacity ones) but smartphones, tablets and digital cameras are here to stay. It would only be wise to invest in a card that is fast, durable and very future proof.

Issue 11, 2013 - 15

GreatGadgets

Toshiba Qosmio X70 F

or a desktop replacement, Toshiba’s Qosmio X70 is certainly a thing of beauty; with a very clean overall design that is accented by dashes of red upon an otherwise textured black finish. Besides its slightly large Qosmio branding on the top panel of the laptop, the X70 is a refreshing sight when compared to overly gamer desktop replacements that, end up looking more silly than beastly. It’s not the performance laptop with an appearance that turns heads, that’s for sure, and that’s definitely a positive thing since not everyone wants a gaming laptop that screams, “Look at me! I’m a gamer!”

At the heart of Toshiba’s top-of-the-line performance laptop beats a raging 4th generation Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU, a dedicated NVidia GTX 770M dedicated graphics card with 3GB of GDDR5 RAM, and up to 16GB (upgradeable to 32GB) of RAM. So its no slouch when it comes to performance, we know that just from reading the X70’s spec sheet, but it also has a couple of very nifty inclusions that sets it apart from the competition.

Individually backlit keys (red) and a full number pad will definitely come in handy, and all that horsepower that the Qosmio X70 houses will be brilliantly displayed on the units 17.3” Full HD display. Besides that, the X70 also has four USB 3.0 ports, two of which allow you to charge your mobile devices even when the unit is in sleep mode.

The X70’s OS (Windows 8) wakes and boots up at

blistering speeds since the OS is installed on a 256GB SSD, and a generous 1TB of storage leaves you with more than enough room for work and play.

Sound is definitely where Toshiba edges ahead of its competition, with four Harman Kardon stereo speakers to drive sound that is unbelievably sharp and accurate.

In fact, sound was the first department we were wowed by when we started to run games on the Qosmio X70.

The Qosmio X70 plays the vast majority of today’s games without an issue. Even a demanding game like Metro: Last Light is very playable with an average of 40 frames per second on medium settings (1080p). You shouldn’t run into any problems playing other games on the X70, and unlike many other gaming laptops, the X70 doesn’t get ridiculously hot when you’re pushing hard on performance. The Qosmio ejects heat pretty efficiently, but most of the heat exits the right of the unit, and this may an issue for few, since it does add a little heat to your mouse-ing hand.

It may not be the most powerful laptop/desktop replacement there is on the market, but very few are as decent and svelte as the Qosmio X70. Since desktop replacements are usually used for work as well as gaming, minor touches on the X70 (like its full sized number pad and 1TB of storage) make it difficult to say no to.

Cooler Master G-Series T

he latest power supplies to roll out of Cooler Master are brought to you by the letter G, and the G-Series of PSUs come in three variants; 500w, 600w and 700w. While targetted at budget builders and enthusiasts with lighter wallets, the G-Series PSUs still manage to be 80 Plus Bronze certified, and as with any new range of self respecting PSU, they are compatible with Haswell.

These power supplies feature a single 12 V rail design and up to 55A (on the G700), so power-hungry GPU’s users need not worry. Multi-graphics support is only available on the G700 model and all G-Series PSUs are cooled by a 120mm fan that will remain relatively silent until the respective PSUs reach about 70% load.

The G-Series’ design are very clean, and there aren’t any eyesores (oddly coloured labels and stickers) as far as we can tell, but if you’re keen on giving the a G-Series PSU a shot, know that these aren’t modular CPUs, so if you’ll want to make sure that you use all the cables (which is highly unlikely) or own a chassis that manages access cables well.

This is a PSU designed for more mainstream purposes and not the high-end PC builder, so it wasn’t much of a shocker to realise the absence of nice black cable sleeves (widely preffered).

We wouldn’t recommend the G-Series PSUs to anyone who wants to build a monster CPU, that’s for sure, but if you need to cut some corners to get a decent rig up and running, you’re looking at a pretty compelling offer.

AVAILABLE NOW ©1994-2013 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. 2K Marin, the 2K Marin logo, 2K Games, the 2K logo, XCOM, and Take-Two Interactive Software are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. “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. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

GreatGadgets

16 - Issue 11, 2013

Razer Hammerhead Pro D

esign-wise, you can’t really go wrong with the Hammerhead Pro. Razer’s signature colours are all that dress the Razer Hammerhead Pro, and the result is a muted chic appearance with lightweight yet robust machined aluminum encasing its jack, earphones and in-line mic.

The double-layered ear buds of the Hammerhead Pro seal sound in and keep sound in, so very little sound escapes. It doesn’t have in-line volume controls but the Razer Hammerhead Pro’s answer key has a very satisfying feedback, making track surfing on your smartphone a great experience.

Of course, the Hammerhead Pro come’s with an audio and mic splitter, just in case you feel like using them for gaming, and we highly suggest that you do. While it won’t blow your mind like the Tiamat 7.1 would, it is certainly a very viable option if you dislike the heat that is associated with headphones, or if you just want a very versatile and portable means of personal audio indulgence. The Hammerhead Pro’s emphasis on base is actually a very logical one and it makes big explosions and punchy gunshots in games feel authentic and impactful. Couple that with Razer Surround and your LAN gaming audio

Nakamichi NW6000 Y

ou are looking at a pair of digital wireless headphones but the Nakamichi NW6000 could very well be the centre piece of your room, thanks to its classy, clean, minimalist design.

As you would have already guessed, the NW6000’s stand is also its transmitter and it also serves as a charging dock. It’s a pretty looking dock with an equally pretty looking headset, and it does indeed sound as good as it looks. Sound insulation is pretty damn good and a big part of how good it sounds stems from the excellent seal provided but the leatherette on-ear cups. Our only gripe with the Nakamichi NW6000 is how the entire unit’s overall glossy finish tends to draw fingerprints, but if you have glossy consoles or players, it’ll fit right in.

The appeal of the Nakamichi NW6000 is how it can easily transform almost any audio source into a wireless listening experience, without any complicating set ups. A full charge will give the NW6000 enough juice to last 8 hours on maximum volume and moderate proximity (>5 meters). It also shuts off automatically when it has been in an idle state for too long and although this helps you save power, you’re likely to keep the headphone on its charging dock anyway.

The NW6000’s headphones can also be used wired, and this opens up a plethora of opportunities for the NW6000 to be used. Using it (wired) with your tablet at home or on your iPod when you’re on the go is very possible because the NW6000’s headset folds to occupy a lot less space.

The Nakamichi NW6000 is an excellent companion if you share a room or have a spouse who’s a light sleeper, and since you are able to pair up to 3 headsets with the NW6000’s transmitter, enjoying late night action flicks with a buddy (or loved one) won’t upset the rest of your household.

needs are pretty much set.

Once you’re sealed in, you’ll find that its sound scape is remarkably deep, firm and has bass levels that pound like a pile driver. Earphones that have an emphasis on bass usually have mids and highs that sound a tad hollow and while the Razer Hammerhead Pro is no exception, there is still a surprising level of detail despite how roomy it sounds. While you do not need to use Razer products to enjoy the benefits of Razer Surround, the stereo Hammerhead Pro does feel like it’s engineered to compliment Razer’s audio enhancing software.

Directional audio is definitely enhanced by Razer Surround, and it also enhances the already-decent volume of the Hammerhead Pro. Razer Surround can be downloaded for free until January 1st 2014, so even if you don’t intend to commit to the Hammerhead Pro, do yourself a big favour by downloading Razer Surround.

This headset is certainly something else and if you like your music heavy, need that extra thump for your workout sessions, or want something you can use for gaming and everything else, you can’t go wrong with the Hammerhead Pro. After all, it IS built for “Hammering in the bass”.

Issue 11, 2013 - 17

Sennheiser Momentum I

ts name suggests inertia and movement, and indeed, the Momentum is about high quality audio for the user on the go. Its construction gives it a cool and minimalistic air and everything about this set of headphones screams quality. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

The materials used to build the Momentum gives it a luxurious yet robust feel, and it’s worth mentioning that the supple leather used for its ear pads are of the finest quality from English tannery Pittards. The natural leather used feels unlike many headsets we’ve tried simply because most of the headsets on the market use synthetic leather instead of real leather.

There is even mesh on the inner parts of the ear cups that make them even more breathable and comfortable.

This pair is certainly a beaut, and its weight contributes to its overall aesthetics. The entire headband (down to its stainless steel slider) remains svelte, as this lightweight set of cans don’t require a thickly cushioned headband for comfort. It comes with a few attachments and cables and even the cables have been designed with the ability to be locked in place and be tug-resistant.

Since the Momentum was designed to be used with Apple devices, its fashionable, stylish, portable, lightweight and comfortable nature does set it apart from what you’d expect from Sennheiser. This is a closed-type headset, so you’ll hardly hear anything else outside of the ear cups, but the important thing is that its ear cups seal sound in, giving you a complete unadulterated audio experience without annoying the person next to you.

The Momentum is a set of headphones that doesn’t need celebrity endorsements, and it’ll out perform any pair of the same class, any day. Its a really awesome headset for anyone looking for a solid audio experience on the go, and with a recommended retail price of over SGD$500, it should be.

Well, it does come with a sturdy hard case if it helps justify its price tag, but you really shouldn’t be concerned about its price because if you take in all the factors like its premium materials, premium construction, stylish design, luxurious comfort, versatility and superb sound quality, it isn’t asking for too much.

Sony SBH50 A nother Bluetooth headset graces us from Sony and this one sports that very same, sexy finish that the recent Xperia series of phones and tablets have. While you won’t be able to submerge this unit in water (or any other forms of liquid) this headset is equipped with one-touch pairing for connecting with NFC capable devices. The SBH50 will still connect via (Bluetooth 3.0) with majority of the Bluetooth enabled smartphones, tablets and computers on the market today, but since it is also equipped with an in-built FM radio, this headset is definitely for the user on the move.

A built-in FM radio may sound a little redundant in an age where people have more music in their iTunes

than ever before, but when you spend enough time on the move (or in the gym), tuning in to the radio can actually be a desirable option.

We love the SBH50’s 128 x 36 pixel OLED display as it does a lot more than list whatever track you may be listening to. Using it on and iPhone 5, the OLED display on this Bluetooth headset also displays who’s calling.

Android users will have a lot more versatility with this headset, as a dedicated application (from Google Play) that lets you read text messages, email, and even social networking updates on the SBH50 without the need to whip out your Android smartphone.

Being a stereo headset and having dedicated media

controls on the SBH50 does make it a very music-friendly device, and up to 8 hours of stream time is definitely something to rave about. The default ear buds that the SBH50 comes with are more focused on clarity, so heavy bass tracks are sure to take a hit, but the great thing about this headset is that you can use any ear buds you desire. You can even plug an auxiliary cable of a set of speakers into the device and have wireless music. The main unit of the SBH50 is where the mic is located, so you can even use it to broadcast calls in your car and even in your room.

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GoodGame

18 - Issue 11, 2013

The TI3 Pubstomp @ Colosseum Recap T he International 3(TI3) was one of the biggest international DOTA 2 tournaments in the world, and local Singaporean fans gathered at Colosseum@Bugis+ for what is now called a Pubstomp. The concept consists of you watching the games with your friends at a bar or public area. In the case of Colosseum, it is the cybercafe itself.

With a simple fee of $15, you could be a part of this and enjoy the food, drinks and browse “Secret Shop” selling exclusive items relevant to DOTA2.

Occasional Lucky Draw sessions meant some went home with free swag!

According to some, it felt like an actual “Barcraft” where you’d watch the games, have a beer or two and cheer along with friends over their favourite teams, much like soccer.

Until the next TI, we thank Colosseum for making this happen.

Happy Hour with FCManager @ Beer Market While TI3 was going on, Asiasoft held a cosy and generous event in line with the launch of their new game, Football Club Manager. This is South East Asiaís first online football club promoting game where players get to play the role of a football manager and create their own team by recruiting players, training and trading players of their very own dream team. Players get choose from a wide variety of over 5000 real footballers from 50 nations around the world.

Football Club manager lets you watch your matches LIVE against other player or AI in 2D or 3D, and make on-the-fly decisions for substitutions and tactical adjustments just like a real football manager.

Even when the players are offline the matches still go on as the season in the game runs for a week and the season’s results will determine where you stand in the league.

We canít think of a better way to celebrate the launch for Football Club Manager than to treat fanatics of the sport to a beer at the Beer Market, discuss the great sport of football and watch the match between Manchester United and Wigan. Fans and newcomers got more acquainted with the game and the fellow football managers to be, everyone took part in a draw to predict the winning team where the winner walked away with a team jersey.

Issue 11, 2013 - 19

GoodGame

WIN TICKETS TO THE NBA GLOBAL GAMES!

REIGN AVAILABLE OCTOBER 4

Win VIP Houston Rockets vs Indiana Pacers Tickets!

Contest ends Monday, 23rd September Prize includes round trip air tickets for two, hotel stay and airport transfers.

Refer to Term and Conditions at bit.ly/NBA2K14_SG for more details

Simply pre-order a copy of NBA 2K14 from participating retailers and stand a chance to be one of the 3 very lucky winners in Singapore.

*Winners and companions must be at least 21 years of age respectively above to travel to Taipei on 12 to 14 October 2013 with valid travel document and visa if required.

Draw will be held on Thursday, 26 September Contest Organiser

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