Real Driving Simulator On PC

The above is a video made by a gamer of rFactor and it's simply amazing! Below is how I came to know about the game.

I've been playing Gran Turismo 5 for quite a bit over the weekend and thought it was a great driving simulator until I checked youtube and found out that Forza 4 seemed to be more realistic than GT5. Having loved the Gran Turismo series since GT on PS1, I forced myself to check Forza out. It is a really pretty game. What attracted me was not the visuals, but the sound. It sounded fantastic!

So, after drooling over how good Forza 4 plays (and sounds), I began reading through the flame wars from the fanboys. It was then that I found out the most realistic driving simulator belongs to the PC. What? Really? How come I did not know that? So I checked out the gameplay for GTR2 and rFactor v1.225. Wow! Simply amazing! Project CARS also showcased amazing graphics, although there's a debate on the realism of the cars' physics. Now I'm itching to get my hands on them.

Danny Way's Hawaiian Dream DLC Tour & Commentary

I found the following video posted by WretchedRapture on youtube. He has some mic problem, but the overall commentary of Danny Way's Hawaiian Dream Skate Pack created a very relaxed viewing. Late at night, with a cup of coffee in hand, I spend 15 minutes of my life experiencing the Hawaiian dream...

Skate 3 Great Video Montage

Many years ago, I remember buying VHS tapes on aggresive inline skating just to see the cool tricks being pulled off. With Skate 3, there are lots of video, but the bobbybobbydigi solo is one of the best. It's not the stunts he pulled off, rather, it's the way the whole video is put together, creating a sense of real-life skateboarding that amazes me. Nice editing timing, right amount of slow-motion and correct use of camera angles make this video a pleasure to watch. Hope you enjoy it.

Skate 3 - Beginners

I've been digging around YouTube looking for videos on Skate 3. Here's one that made me laugh.

Skate - The Best Skateboarding Game Experience

After I stopped playing console games for a little over a decade, I've recently got a PS3. Since then, I bought some games, mostly in the fighting and RPG genre. I also like sports games since they allow me to do things that I could not do in real life. I remember how I loved Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on the first PlayStation way back in the late 90s, but somehow started struggled with the series since I feel like I'm memorizing the buttons to pull of chain combos which defy the laws of physics.

Last week, I bought Skate (the first of three games), a game that caught my attention years ago due to its realistic approach to the real sport (I'm a sucker for realism). I thought I would like it and that was true. What I did not expect was that the game's low camera angle somehow causes motion sickness for me. So a few days later, I went out and got Skate 3. I love it! I've since logged about 7 hours of gameplay and enjoyed every minute of it. The ability to free skate everywhere, doing tricks and grinding rails, skating around a fictional campus and its neighborhood areas while A.I. skaters pop out every now and then so you never feel lonely were just amazing. While I never skateboarded in my life, I did spend a big amount of my time roller-blading with my friends. The feeling I got from Skate 3 mimics that experience.

If you like skateboarding at all (and prefer realistic gameplay), then you should definitely get the Skate games. For newcomers, start with Skate 3.

'BattleCON: War of Indines' Review

BattleCON is a card game that emulates the feel of a 2D fighting game similar to Street Fighter and King of Fighters (KoF). I have been looking for a good fighting game to introduce to my gaming group ever since I saw Yomi. Having playtested BattleCON for a few games, I can safely say that my search is almost over. BattleCON is the game that I've been looking for.

To check out my review, click here.

'Shadow Era' Review (iOS Game)

Shadow Era is a trading card game similar to Magic: the Gathering and World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game that's available online for free. While browsing online for good iOS games, this game popped up. Since it's free, there' no harm trying, right? Well, in a way, yes. But after playing it for the past week or so, I got attached to it ever so slightly (maybe more than I thought I would) and now, I'm thinking of how to get more cards to customize my deck so I can challenge others online.

To check out my review, click here.

'Ascension: Chronicles of the Godslayer' Review (iOS Game)

Recently, I have been playing Ascension: Chronicles of the Godslayer on iPad and I must say I'm very impressed with it. I've been holding back on the board game for quite some time because I read quite a number of reviews which gave me the impression that it is a deck building game that builds upon Dominion. Since I already have Dominion (and Thunderstone before that), I thought Ascension will be just a passable game. So when I came across the iOS version, I was intrigued by it. Not only can you play against the computer A.I., you can also go online and compete with players across the globe. Since it costs only $4.99, I got the app and have been playtesting it for the past week. So how was the game? Fantastic!

To check out my review, click here.

The King of Fighters XIII: Video Tutorials

The King of Fighers XIII is undoubtedly my current favorite fighting game. It has the best looking animation, amazing backgrounds and spectacular looking combos. In fact, the combos are so beautiful that I can't stop watching them on youtube. The problem is, they are extremely hard to pull off. Compared to Super Street Fighter IV, KoF XIII is not for the casual gamer.

GameTrailers.com recently added 2 video tutorials, part 1 and part 2, explaining how the game system work. Check them out and see for yourself. Note to those unfamiliar with the game: the long chain combos and the seemingly non-stop air juggles are really hard to pull off. And I mean, really, REALLY hard.

'A Touch of Evil: The Supernatural Game' Review

A Touch of Evil: The Supernatural Game is a board game set in the 19th century where terror has struck the village of Shadowbrook. It you have seen the movie Sleepy Hollow, you will have an idea how the game works as it replicates the theme very well. For those who do not know about the movie, the game basically revolves around one or more investigator moving around the spaces on the board game to equip themselves with necessary equipment while avoiding the horror that befalls them every round. Once they are ready, they can find the lair of the villain and try to finish him off once and for all.

To check out my review, click here.

'Dixit' Review

What a charming game! After 2 game sessions, I was brain-dead. I felt tired and wasn't sure if I will play Dixit again. Yet 2 hours later, I found myself thinking of the game non-stop as its dark, quirky, but appealing card images flooded through my mind. All I can think of is: Let's have another round.

To check out my review, click here.

Designed by Corey Konieczka, Battlestar Galactica is a game of politics, betrayal and survival. Throughout the game, the humans are on board Battlestar Galactica, trying to protect civilian ships and defending the onslaught of the enemy cylons, while at the same time finding out who are the cylons that are already on board. The problem is: these cylons look just like the humans.

To check out my review, click here.