Best Games of 2009

A look back at some of the best games of 2009

2009 was a great year in gaming. Titles such as Assassin’s Creed, Wolfenstein and Fallout 3 are quite simply some of the best games ever developed. Period.

So if you’re still struggling to keep up with the new 2010 game releases, then why not catch up by playing the following, highly recommended 2009 releases (which are also a lot cheaper now than when they were first released):

• Fallout 3 – R271 (for Xbox 360)
• Wolfenstein – R182
• Call of Duty 5 – R182
• Resident Evil 5 – R276
• Assassin’s Creed – R86 !
• Note: Prices subject to change

Best Games: Fallout 3

Based on the idea of a post-apocalyptic world in the near future, Fallout 3 is without a doubt the best game I have ever played to date. The game not only has a riveting storyline and an amazing graphics engine, but also has the most sublime explosions you will see in any game. Being able to create custom-made weapons from Wasteland junk and choose from a library of unique perks whenever your character levels up, are just a few pleasures that make this game a must-have.

Best Games: Wolfenstein

You are super-spy BJ Blaskowitz and your job is to singly-handedly put a stop to those naughty Nazis and end WWII. The earlier versions of Wolfenstein still fill me with nostalgia and give me a tingly feeling in my fingertips. The latest Wolfenstein is a treat to the eyes and is one of the most intense war games in my collection. The game has a real solid feel and explosive effects, and being able to move in and out of the veil is certainly a unique gaming element. There is a great selection of upgradable weapons and is awesome if you’re a fan of the rifle. Capping Nazis has never been this fun!

Best Games: Call of Duty 5 – World at War

Granted that this game was released at the end of 2008, it is certainly in the same league as 2009 war games. It is fast-paced and intense, and in my opinion the best Call of Duty title released. This is one of those titles that gamers can play time and time again whenever the urge to kill kicks in. My only gripe is that Captain Price is off the scene (I understand that he was busy auditioning for a place in Modern Warfare 2). Nonetheless, the American and Russian campaigns are a blast.

Best Games: Resident Evil 5

I was never a fan of the third-person Resident Evil games until I played this one. The Direct X 10 version of the game is both spectacular and intense. Even on normal difficulty, Resident Evil 5 is a desperate challenge to find ammo and cap zombies. Having a hot sidekick follow you around is a very welcomed element and she is far more than just a well-rendered face. Resident Evil 5 is also by far one of the longest games I’ve ever played (perhaps too long), but no doubt it will keep you entertained for months. Keep clean underwear nearby.

Best Games: Assassin’s Creed

Being a huge fan of Assassin’s Creed, I bought the second installment this year and was rather disappointed. Although ’Screed 2 is far better looking than its predecessor and offers a few more gaming elements, it still does not match up to the story and immersiveness of the first game in my opinion. Nonetheless the Renaissance environment in which you play is rather appealing. The controls for ‘Screed are by far the easiest to learn and nothing beats leaping off a clock tower into a bundle of hay. Bundles of fun!

All of the games above are available at Take 2 for reasonable prices. If the prices have not yet come down, it may be a good idea to simply add them to your wish list. Take 2 will then notify you when the prices drop.

Happy gaming!

Related Post: Fallout 3 Tweaks & Tips

Links:

• Gamespot’s Best Games of 2009
• Metacritic’s Best Games of 2009

Player Versus Player Digital Arena

NEW Gaming experience opens at Liberty Midlands Mall

AN exciting new entertainment venue opens in Pietermaritzburg’s Liberty Midlands Mall this weekend. PVP Digital Arena (short for Player Versus Player) will allow gamers to at last take advantage of some built-in features of the Xbox 360 that they have been denied up until now.

Previously Xbox owners have only been able to take advantage of around 30% of the capabilities of the Xbox, says Brendon Holder, who together with Paul Gilliver is responsible for dreaming up the idea for this ground-breaking store.

PVP is, apparently, the first of its kind in the country and the only electronic game specialist store in Pietermaritzburg. The store also retails a range of the best and latest games for Xbox, Playstation, PC and Nintendo consoles and Holder and Gilliver are available to give expert advice.

PVP will give gamers access to 20 networked  Xbox 360s connected to high definition LCD monitors, to play the latest games that include first person shooters such as Halo: Orbital Drop Shock Troopers and Call of Duty; third person shooters like Gears of War 2; real time strategy games such as Halo Wars; car racing and rally games that include Dirt 2, and car simulators like Forza 3; as well as a variety of “beat-em-up” games, and sports games like Fifa 10, rugby and golf.  

The real X-factor with PVP, however, is the fact that players can play against other players in the same room, giving the already convincingly rendered games, enhanced reality. Slow internet speeds in South Africa have meant that unlike other places in the world, live multiplayer gaming has not been a real option for gamers in SA. This has meant that possibly the most exciting aspect of electronic multiplayer games has yet to be experienced by locals.

“Playing Call of Duty is so much more real when you and your squad are in the same room, discussing strategy, while your opponents are on the other side of the room planning how to ambush you. The line between real and virtual is blurred.” – Holder

To further enhance the experience, PVP will hold competitions, elite tournaments for pro gamers, and in-store events, including the possibility of “moments of madness” where they will randomly give away PVP-branded gear and other prizes to players.

The eagerly anticipated store has already created a stir on PVP’s facebook page (PVP Digital Arena) and Liberty Midlands Mall centre manager Cassie Fourie says that there has been a lot of interest shown.

“Customers have been asking when PVP is opening and are extremely excited”, she said, “We welcome this new addition to the mall, which caters to the entertainment element.”

The best news though is that to get in on the action, it will cost players less than a ride in one of those peddle boats at the seaside, with prices starting at a mere R20 per 30 minutes.

Costs to play at PVP Digital Arena
      – R20 per 30 minutes
      – R35 per one hour
      – R60 per two hours

Events planned
• After-hour “lock ins” will be organised for groups of 16 or more on request.
• Competitions for rankings, with prizes, to be held every month.
• Elite tournaments for pro gamers to be held at PVP.
• Various events to be held weekly, including “moments of madness”

Other goods on offer
PVP is also a retailer of the best electronic console games for Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Wii and PC. Buyers can try games before they buy and get expert advice on game choices. There will be a game swopping facility available too.

Membership options are planned for the future, with loyalty cards that earn members points that can be redeemed for playing time, games or PVP merchandise.

Equipment
• Twenty networked Xbox 360s linked to HDMI.
• 23” LCD monitors, with headphones and comfortable tub chairs.
PVP will keep their equipment current and in future will even change to another console platform if a better one is released.

PVP Digital Arena is at Shop 93A at Pietermaritzburg’s Liberty Midlands Mall. Don’t miss their grand opening at 9am this Saturday, October 24. Get there early to claim your place. For inquiries call PVP at 033 342 6420 or email Brendon Holder: brendon@pvp-arena.co.za

All the rAge right now

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Really Awesome Gaming Expo: If you feel like an adrenalin-fuelled weekend full of fun, intrigue, adventure and ‘skop skiet en donner’, then rAge is without a doubt the place to be

THE annual rAge expo, which takes place in Johannesburg from the 3rd to the 5th of October at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, is back for the 6th year in a row, and is in a league of its own as South Africa’s coolest interactive technology and gaming expo.

This year visitors can look forward to new game and product launches, competitions, prize giveaways and amazing specials.

The event is looking to be a weekend extravaganza set to whet the appetite of anyone from Sandton yuppies looking for the latest in gadgets, to avid gamers interested in everything from the hottest games to taking part in the many competitions happening throughout the weekend.

Gamers will have to battle it out against each other in a
Call of Duty 4 spectacular like never before!

This year you can expect to find the following thrilling games, competitions, launches and lots more (courtesy of The Lime Envelope):

•Intel South Africa is the headline sponsor for the South African qualifier of DreamHack – an internationally renowned competition. Gamers will have to battle it out against each other in a Call of Duty 4 spectacular like never before, set to test the skills of even the most talented gamers.

Intel will also be launching the Intel Soccer Challenge 2008 – South Africa’s first-ever online soccer game which is sure to intrigue soccer and gaming fans alike.

•To gamers, the World Cyber Games is considered to be the Olympics of gaming events, and this year rAge will play host to the South African final of the competition, with the Grand Final event set to take place in Cologne Germany between the 5th and 9th of November 2008.

Thirty players will compete against each other on Saturday the 4th of October for the ultimate prize – a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete against the worlds best in Germany at the end of the year.

•Visitors can look forward to experiencing innovation like never before at the HP Experience stand. Pioneering new products such as Touchsmart — a computer which allows you to interact with the computer screen through the use of touch technology, and Voodoo — a genuine power gaming machine, will all be on display and for sale at the stand.

•Megarom will be bringing two international developers from both the Far Cry 2 development team as well as the End War team, who will be talking to the public at rAge at scheduled intervals throughout the weekend. Visitors can also look forward to a Guitar Hero III competition running on the Megarom Interactive, MTN Loaded and Xbox 360 stage.

•Gadget geeks, action fanatics and would-be-babe magnets will be the focus of Coke Zero with their From Zero to Hero competition. Visitors stand a chance to win spectacular prizes including four Coke Zero FMX bikes, four PS3 consoles, PS3 games and R100 000’s worth of Sony products.

•Become the life of the party this year and keep your friends entertained for hours on end with the new games on offer from Xbox 360. Look forward to exciting new games such as Lips – where your living room transforms into your stage, and You’re in the Movies – the first and only game of its kind to literally transport friends and family into the magical world of cinema.

•CTT Computers will have technology freaks watering at the mouth this year when they showcase the first ever Microsoft Home Server available to South Africans. Not only will this operating system be for sale at the expo, but one lucky visitor will win one of these truly brilliant operating systems.

There’s no doubt that this years expo will have something for everyone, whether you’re a casual gamer or just interested in finding out about new computer gadgets on the market – rAge has something for you!

•Ticket prices are R40 per person per day, or R60 for a weekend pass.

For more information on rAge visit:
rAge 2009 plans
www.rageexpo.co.za

Related articles: • g.O.d • Gaming…an Olympic sport?