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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Superman Returns: The Videogame
Action 17 November 2006
Action game realized parallel to the new cinematic adaptation of the adventures of the famous Superman from the Warner Bros label. This title was produced by Studio Tiburon, a group of the most eminent employees of Electronic Arts, responsible for one of the most famous (mainly overseas) series of sports games, i.e. Madden NFL.
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.
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.
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.
Need for Speed: Undercover
Racing 18 November 2008
After the slightly more realistic ProStreet, in which the players raced on professional racing circuits, the popular Need for Speed series returns to city streets with a traditional, arcade installment. Developed by a Canadian EA branch, Undercover puts a special emphasis on the storyline. As an undercover cop, the player has to infiltrate the ranks of a racing gang. To do so, they have to prove their worth in a series of driving challenges, including regular races, time trials, highway battles and outruns. As usual, the players receive a massive number of licensed cars which can be modified both visually, and in terms of their performance. The game's improved visuals and excitable soundtrack are complemented by cinematic cutscenes featuring mainly Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) and Christina Milian - a singer.
Tom Clancy's EndWar
Strategy 04 November 2008
Tom Clancy's EndWar, a game signed by the famous writer's name, is an RTS by Ubisoft Shanghai. The plot of Tom Clancy’s EndWar is set in the year 2020 and tells the story of a fictitional conflict between the USA, the EU, and Russia, which sprang from the competition for resources and dominance in space, as well as an attempt to topple the balance of power which had been established between the East and the West. During the game, players take control of one of the sides of this conflict, and the gameplay is conducted on two levels: the first one is the tactical map, depicting the changing situation as in the table top game called "Risk". The other layer is the classical commanding of units in battles, which are held both in open areas and in cities. The players control a number of units divided between infantry, armor, helicopters, and artillery. The campaign is complimented by a complex multiplayer mode.
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.
Scooby-Doo! First Frights
Adventure 22 September 2009
An adventure and arcade game in which we follow the fate of Scooby and his friends. During the game we visit four haunted locations, including the old castle and the ship's ghost.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Action 07 September 2010
Developed by Canadian studio Beenox, third-person action game about adventures of the titular superhero. Dan Slott, the writer of The Amazing Spider-Man comic series, is responsible for the storyline. The main theme of the game revolves around an artifact called the Plaque of Order and Chaos which holds the structure of the whole reality in check. However, the board gets shattered and its parts land in four different dimensions. Spider-Man's task is to find the fragments of the artifact.
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.
Drone Tactics
Strategy 08 March 2008
Turn-based strategy with role-playing elements. We build an army of mechanized insects, which we then send to fight enemy forces.
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.
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.
Showtime Championship Boxing
Sports 10 November 2007
Showtime Championship Boxing is a sports game that allows us to become professional boxers. Developers decided to organize the game in an arcade style, so that it could be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Of course, the unique control system offered by Nintendo, i.e. tandem style touchscreen, was used very well.
Bratz 4 Real
Arcade 05 November 2007
Bratz 4 Real is a game addressed mainly to girls. The product is based on the title line of toys, mainly dolls, and the cartoon and film based on the canvas of their popularity.