Multiplayer games - local network DS
Playing multiplayer games over local area network (LAN) is a somewhat forgotten form of multiplayer, which had its heyday in the 1990s when Internet cafes were extremely popular. In LAN, players don't need to connect via the Internet, because their computers or consoles are directly connected to each other (wirelessly or with the use of network cables). This form of multiplayer is usually chosen by people who get together in one place (called LAN parties).
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
Racing 15 November 2005
The ninth installment in a legendary racing game franchise created by Electronic Arts company. After two Underground games, featuring illegal night street races, the franchise went back to its roots, combining ideas from the two most recent titles with classic elements. The player’s goal is to climb to the top of a black list of the most wanted drivers. Again you get to explore a huge virtual city, taking on different racing challenges. These include circuit, sprint, drag, elimination, time trial, speed challenge, and police pursuit. After completing enough of these you can challenge subsequent drivers from the black list. Apart from elements typical for the series, such as licensed cars and diverse soundtrack, the game features complex car customization, both in terms of appearance and performance.
Need for Speed: Underground 2
Racing 27 May 2005
A sequel to Need for Speed: Underground, a best-selling 2003 game from Electronic Arts, which changed the shape of one of the most popular car racing franchises. The game takes you to a virtual metropolis that thrives after dark. For the first time in the history of the franchise, the city is completely open for exploration. As you ride around its streets you can challenge the drivers you meet on the way or learn more about the favorite locations of the street racing community. The gameplay mechanics did not change much; rather, the developers focused on an even more detailed recreations of licensed cars and car parts used for tuning. The game’s graphics were noticeably improved, featuring all sorts of new visual effects. The soundtrack keeps equally high level, as usually featuring songs by famous artists across a wide spectrum of genres.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Action 05 November 2007
The fourth installment in an overwhelmingly popular first-person shooter series from Infinity Ward. This time the developers from Encino, California, have decided to break away from the tradition of making World War 2 games and set the action of their new game in modern times. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s story features a conflict with Russian ultranationalist faction, led by an unpredictable individual named Imran Zakhaev. Players get to witness the events through the eyes of several soldiers, including members of the British SAS and US Marines. The main story campaign consists of a series of missions set in different parts of the world. Gameplay relies heavily on cinematic, scripted shooting sequences. In addition to the single player mode the game includes expanded online multiplayer. When it comes to technology, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is powered by IW Engine.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Action 09 November 2010
A first-person shooter, the seventh installment in the Call of Duty series, and a start of a new sub-series. The game was developed by studio Treyarch, the team responsible for Call of Duty: World at War. The story campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops is presented in the form of flashbacks suffered by the main protagonist, Alex Mason. Having previously worked for the CIA as a field operative, in his memories Mason returns to the age of Cold War. The game offers several single and multiplayer modes, including cooperation and zombie mode. Call of Duty: Black Ops is is powered by modified versions of IW Engine 3.0 and Demonware.
Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City
Racing 01 November 2006
The tenth installment in the bestselling racing game series originally launched back in 1995. The game lets you play as the main protagonist of the previous game. He returns to his home city only to find his domestic street racing scene taken over by rivaling gangs. As you take on new racing challenges, you take back your home town one district at a time. The game’s mechanics employ the well-proven solutions introduced by its predecessors, while introducing several new elements at the same time. Those include, first and foremost, canyon duels, which require much attention, as it is possible to run through the traffic barriers and roll down the slope. The other novelty is the team; you can assemble your own crew, and its members can aid you during races, e.g. by blocking your rivals. Additionally, the game features cut-scenes with real actors, several dozen licensed car models, as well as vast car customization options. Regarding the latter, Autosculpt module lets you modify almost any element of the car body.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Action 08 November 2011
The third part in the first-person shooter series being one of the spin-offs of the Call of Duty franchise. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was developed by Infinity Ward with the assistance from other development studios owned by Activision – e.g. Raven Software and Sledgehammer Games. The plot continues the action of the first two installments of the game. Players are presented with the further fates of the members of Task Force 141 as they try to eliminate the leader of the Russian Ultranationalists responsible for the outbreak of the international conflict. Developers draw on the well-proven formula employed by the previous installments, such as the spectacular, yet heavily-scripted single player campaign, dynamic shootouts and numerous multiplayer modes. The fourth generation of the IW Engine provides high-level audio-visuals.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Action 17 March 2009
A spin-off to the bestselling Grand Theft Auto series, at first developed for Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable handhelds and later converted to mobile devices as well. The story takes place in Liberty City, a place well known to the fans of the series. As Huang Lee, member of a Chinese criminal group, the player is trying to prove his worth, avenge the death of his father, and reclaim a valuable sword that for centuries was the symbol of his family’s power. The gameplay mechanics are similar to previous installments in the series, except for the missions being slightly shorter and the fact that the player can repeat failed actions. Other important changes include an auto-aim system, simplified driving mechanics, and the necessity of destroying police cars. A new interface and various mini-games were added to the game as well. The graphics of the game utilize cel-shading technology, combining the classic top-down view and isometric perspective.
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
Action 12 September 2006
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is a continuation of one of the best made electronic and entertainment products of 2005. According to the subtitle, this time the developers focused on three episodes of the Star Wars film cycle, shot by George Lucas in 1977-1983.
FIFA 07
Sports 29 September 2006
FIFA 07 is another incarnation of one of the most popular and outstanding football simulator series. This year's edition is characterized by increased realism of the game, especially in terms of exercising control over the players.
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
Sports 06 February 2007
Another installment in the soccer series developed by a Tokyo-based branch of Konami. The game introduces many novelties, the most prominent one being the International Challenge mode, which is an equivalent to the World Cup championship. Moreover, the players are given licensed national teams (including Netherlands, England, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) as well as league clubs (featuring Bayern Munchen and Manchester United). In comparison to the previous installments, the gameplay mechanics of Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 remain unaltered, however, the developers have implemented some novelties into the game’s formula – the game is more dynamic and features fewer interruptions by the referee’s whistle. The free kick mechanism allows the players to quickly perform set pieces. The whole experience is well-accompanied by additional animations, improved textures, and well-developed soccer player models. The single player career is complemented by the multiplayer mode.
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
Action 13 January 2009
An action game set in the universe created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The game shows a vision of the aforementioned universe inspired by the movie trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Developed by Pandemic Studios, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest allows the player to participate in a number of battles determining the fate of Middle Earth. One can side with the forces of good and fight side by side with the characters from the books and movies, or join Sauron as he conquers consecutive territories and enslaves the peoples of Middle Earth. The gameplay mechanics have been based on the formula featured in the first two installments of the Star Wars: Battlefront series. During the battles, one controls standard units diversified in terms of their specialties - the players can become warriors, archers, scouts, or mages. Occasionally, one can also assume the role of giants and characters known from the movie adaptations. The two available single-player campaigns (one per each faction of the conflict) have been divided into several diverse missions - the multiplayer experience, however, features three game modes – Skirmish, Conquest, and Capture the Ring. The game delivers high-quality visuals - the player is bound to appreciate the character models highly resembling the actors who starred in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.
Need for Speed ProStreet
Racing 13 November 2007
The 11th installment in the popular racing game series developed by Electronic Arts. In contrast to the previous parts of the game, this title completely abandons the idea of illegal races and transfers the action to professional racing circuits. Players take part in a number of challenges divided into four race variations: Drag, Grip, Drift, and Speed Challenge, in the latter the driver who reaches top speed wins. Successive victories unlock new challenges and cars. The game offers 26 licensed car models that can be customized with the Autosculpt system. The authors emphasize the recreation of crashes and the realistic damage model that influences the car’s performance. Fans of realism were given the option of turning off all the driving assistance, like power steering and ABS, which makes driving much more simulator-like.
Transformers: War For Cybertron
Arcade 22 June 2010
Transformers: The Cybertron War is an action game set in the comic and film universe of variable shape robots. The plot shows the events that took place before the Autobots and Deceptikony reached Earth. Developers from the High Moon studio have planned two solo campaigns (one for each faction) and several other fun options, including multiplayer mode.
FIFA 12
Sports 27 September 2011
The next installment of one of the most famous and valued football simulation series. The game was created on the basis of an official FIFA license, thanks to which we can watch the players known from the league struggles on virtual fields.
FIFA 08
Sports 28 September 2007
FIFA 08 is the next installment of the most popular, besides Pro Evolution Soccer, series of football games. The game was created by EA Sports, a Canadian studio, and is the fifteenth part of a series that has been released continuously since the mid-1990s.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Action 22 May 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is an action adventure game that uses themes depicted in the second and third parts of the movie series Pirates of the Caribbean. Developers from Eurocom Entertainment decided to show the story from the perspective of Captain Jack Sparrow, however players also get the opportunity to play as both William Turner and Elizabeth Swann. This installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean game series includes many elements previously depicted in the motion picture series such as the characters themselves, locations they visit on their adventures and iconic scenes that illustrate their fantastic stories. The game focuses on exploration, best accomplished by embarking on various quests and solving simple puzzles. Apart from that, players have to fight numerous foes. During combat, one can use a variety of skills distinctive for each of the playable characters, as well as special attacks and finishing blows. Moreover, nothing stands in player’s way to utilize objects found near the combat area. The licensed motion picture soundtrack accompanies the player all throughout the game.
Call of Duty: World at War
Action 11 November 2008
A spectacular first-person shooter (FPS) set during the Second World War. The game was developed by Treyarch, Activision’s subsidiary. It’s three-chapter campaign spans across the years 1942-1945, being set on Southern Pacific and the Eastern front. We observe the events from the perspectives of three soldier (two Americans and one Russian), and we get to take part in such military operations as the defense of Stalingrad or the Battle of Okinawa. As usual in the Call of Duty series, the missions are heavily scripted to make the action seem more cinematic. Gameplay boils down to shooting sequences, in which we use a variety of historical weapons. In addition to a single player campaign the game also includes online multiplayer with new game modes: co-op and Nazi Zombie.
Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery
Strategy 24 August 2007
Anno 1701 is a position that will be of particular interest to lovers of the laborious development and expansion of overseas properties and growing into power through skillful, economical manoeuvres.
Disciples II: Dark Prophecy
Strategy canceled
A turn-based strategy embedded in the reality of fantasy, which is a direct continuation of Disciples: Sacred Lands. We enter a magical world reminiscent of the Middle Ages, where four races fight for vast territories. Compared to the previous part, graphics, user interface and artificial intelligence of opponents have been improved. The game has a multiplayer mode for up to four players.
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Adventure 04 June 2008
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is another title from Traveller's Tales, which previously enchanted us with LEGO Star Wars games. After reworking the history of Star Wars, it is time for the adventures of the most famous archaeologist in the history of cinema.
Race Driver: GRID
Racing 05 August 2008
A racing game which is a direct continuation to the TOCA Touring Cars and TOCA Race Driver series developed by Codemasters. Contrary to the studio's other flagship franchise, DiRT, this game is focused on street and speedway races in which we sit behind the wheel of the most popular cars of the world, all of them licensed. The fun takes place in three different locations that offer us slightly different kinds of competition. With progress, we unlock new tournaments and vehicles. In the United States, we mostly race on the asphalt streets of American metropolises. In Europe, we compete primarily on speedways in such places as Donington, Silverstone, or Nurburgring. In Japan, drift is the most popular kind of races, taking place in cities and winding mountain roads. One of the title’s highlight is the realistic driving model. The game also features the DiRT series' replay system which allows us to rewind and retry a failed fragment of a race.
FIFA 11
Sports 28 September 2010
Another installment in the soccer game series by EA Sports. Compared to its predecessor, FIFA 11 features many improvements. One of the biggest novelties is the Personality Plus system, which reflects the player's distinct characteristics in the pitch, making the difference between soccer stars and other players more apparent. The goalkeepers' behavior was also improved, as they estimate the ball's trajectory more realistically now and can be fooled by ricocheting during free kicks. Other improvements include upgraded animations of the players, i.e. during the goal celebration. FIFA 11 allows you to lead your team to victory in a single match or in a campaign-like manager mode. The game also features the Be A Pro mode, in which you take on the role of a given player and develop his skills. You can also compete against others in the online mode.
Anno: Create a New World
Strategy 20 May 2009
The fourth major installment in the popular series of economy simulators that began in 1998. It was developed by Related Designs, a subsidiary of Ubisoft. As the title says, the action takes place in the Middle Ages during the Age of Discovery, and the players assume the role of colonists who managed to reach the eastern coast of Asia. The gameplay mechanics do not deviate from the well-known standards of the series. Starting out with a modest colony established on a remote island, we have to develop it and transform subsequent cities into metropolises brimming with life. Anno 1404 offers a sophisticated economy model that involves creating complex production chains as well as effective trade and diplomacy. Among this myriad of lesser novelties, especially noteworthy one is the sandbox mode that allows us to play freely without any plot limitations.
FIFA 10
Sports 02 October 2009
FIFA 10 is another part of the famous football simulator, produced by EA Sports. Again, we have the opportunity to play the famous players on the pitch of the world's most famous stadiums. Compared to the previous part, player behaviour, artificial intelligence, and new tactical development possibilities have been added. In addition, multiplayer mode has been improved and enriched with additional protection in online gameplay.