Author: GamerBolt Team

The highly-entertaining and often hilarious Sims series has long been a fixture of PC gaming thanks to its extremely addictive strategy-based gameplay and comic visuals.  Luckily of course, the game’s developers Maxis / The Sims Studio aren’t attempting to reinvent the wheel, as they say.  The winning formula which they’ve worked so hard to develop leading up to the release of The Sims 3 is merely being cultivated with this upcoming release in order to produce an even more engrossing nonlinear experience. The Sims 4 is bringing new things to the table, as it were, including even more lifelike sims…

In short, Dong Nguyen’s “Flappy Bird” is a no-frills mobile game which provides exactly the sort of experience it advertises.  You control the side-scrolling movement of a somewhat clunky “Flappy” bird, the ever-present goal being to avoid steering your fowl into any of the green pipes which are located above of below.  That just about sums it up right there, no additional elaboration required.  Having said that, there is actually a subtle element which adds another layer of depth to “Flappy Bird” – it can be quite addictive. Traditionally speaking, when you think about 2-D platformers (especially those featuring lower-bit…

Sony and Microsoft have really become quite the competitors.  While the Nintendo empire is always a threat (and always seemingly popular with a certain demographic), it is the animosity between the PlayStation and Xbox franchises which most seem to be more interested in.  Naturally, it’s more or less an issue of which box has the most power and features (while remaining sturdy enough to handle the sort of routine abuse that consumers might throw at it). However, the real question is “what about the software and games?”    In short, the PS4 and the Xbox ONE are both soon going to…

When you first lay eyes on “Banished” it’s easy to simply think that it’s just another strategy / sim title which involves building cities – nothing particularly new, in other words.  Of course if you did this then you would seriously be short-selling this wonderfully inventive and rustically-styled game.  You essentially act as some sort of omnipresent guide whose goal is to make sure that a burgeoning settlement of outcasts is able to grow and thrive.  Think of it as a spin on a familiar theme – a kind of sim city-meets-Elder Scrolls-type affair, where you’re treated to a RTS…

Business simulator games clearly aren’t meant for everyone, but if you can appreciate the finer points of a game which allows you to effectively control all the various aspects of running something fairly complex, Zoo Tycoon is a pretty enjoyable game.  One of the things which tends to remain rather sparse in a lot of simulator titles is in-depth research.  Yes, there are some which do place you into a situation where you can check on various stats, conditions and projections, but few which offer what ZT can give. Some will delight in every aspect of building a new structure…

In case you haven’t heard, this time around Microsoft is being a little bit more understanding with regards to non-OEM headset users.  As per this story from ITworld, a specialized headset adapter is being rolled out in March (2014) which allows a person to use whatever audio hardware they might already have.  In other words, if you’re mad because you haven’t been able to use your Xbox 360 headset, after purchasing the $25 adapter you will finally be able to do so. Having said that, this essentially means that you can use any pair of headphones that you wish to…

Given the incredible success of “Grand Theft Auto V”, we thought it appropriate to take a track back in time to see where the series got its start.  While GTA III is often seen as being the progenitor of the series, the fact of the matter is that the open-world car-jacking formula actually got its start much earlier.  “Grand Theft Auto” first appeared on the PS1 in 1997, and was created by a DMA Design, which would become Rockstar North.   The game featured a distinctive top-down / overhead viewpoint which perhaps paid homage to some early-period video games such as…

Do you find yourself often bored or on the lookout for something interesting to do in your off time?  Do you own a device which utilizes the iOS mobile operating system, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod or second-generation Apple TV?  If so, you’re in luck because we have a perfect suggestion for you – download a few quiz apps.  Yeah, yeah…while you might be inclined to think that trivia is tedious or dreary the truth is the following 5 examples will change your mind.  Each one features an interface which is both appealing and easy to navigate along with…

Like its predecessor, “Grand Theft Auto”, “Grand Theft Auto 2” is yet another open world game that’s based on a fixed top-down / bird’s eye view perspective. Similarly, GTA 2 also involves lots of violent activities such as car-jacking, contract killing, and completing missions for select groups (gangs / corrupt corporations). However, unlike the first title in the series, this one saw various elements “toned-down” for the PlayStation version, such as far less bad language and violence. Don’t get the wrong idea though; GTA 2 is still a raucous game that mires you in its stew of cartoon-ish violence. As…

If you’re a PC gamer you are probably already well aware of the insane amount of software that’s out there available to download.  Truthfully, there are so many games on hand that it’s virtually impossible to even give most of them a test run, for lack of time.  Moreover, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to locate those few titles which truly stand-out from the rest, being able to deliver a unique, entertaining or original type of gameplay. Not to worry though, we’ve rounded up several which will certainly tickle your fancy if you’re in the mood for something amusing and altogether…

One of the great things about PC gaming is that there’s a super-abundance of choice out there.  If you’re the type of person that likes 3D gaming, particularly of the open-world variety, then you’re in luck.  We’ve compiled a list of some of the more notable open / semi-open world games of late, many of them also being found on consoles.  It should also be noted that each of the following titles have their own indie modding resources online as well, which you can often access free of charge (for those who are into that).  Alright, let’s quit stalling, here…

When it comes to PC gaming, people often neglect the importance of having a good, quality mouse; with most only purchasing a pro model after having worn out one or more default models.  Needless to say, after playing around with a solid, customizable mouse, especially within the context of playing an interesting game, you’ll begin to see just how much more control you have over things like player movement.  Similarly, if you’re into MMO’s (or MMORPG’s), you might need a mouse that’s capable of storing / executing different types of macros, which will greatly free up your ability to enjoy…

One of the great things about PC games (aside from the fact that they tend to support active modding communities) is that they’re often cheaper than their console counterparts.  In fact, you can actually score some pretty awesome games on Amazon.com for $1 or less. NOTE: Prices don’t include shipping, they are in used condition.  Here are some of our personal favorites… Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Anyone who owns a PC and considers themselves to be a gamer on that particular platform probably already has at least one simulator of “Sim” type of game in their library.   For many it’s probably…

If the following 15 selections are an indication of anything, it’s that 2014 will likely be somewhat memorable for video gamers.  Anyway, without further ado – here are our top (multiplatform) selections for 2014. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) Serving as an introduction of sorts to (the upcoming) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, “Ground Zeroes” is going to feature the all-new gameplay concept that’s been devised for the series which includes more open-world mechanics.  Of course “The Phantom Pain” is still going to be (according to series creator H.…

When it comes to gaming with a headset, there are essentially two types of players – those who like the immersive feeling brought on by a direct connection to game audio or those that consider themselves to be of a “professional” caliber, relying on sound to pinpoint enemies and so forth.  Of course you can also use a good, quality headset for other applications as well, be it audio production / editing or other projects involving mixed media / video.  Still, many others might prefer to have some solid headphones on hand, especially if they tend to disturb others with…

“Theme Park World” (aka – “Sim Theme Park” in the US) is a simulation title that focuses on placing gamers in the shoes of a theme park manager / developer.  While that premise might sound somewhat droll, the game is actually quite fun, as it challenges you to think like a business person whose main interest is in creating a really great theme park for guests to enjoy.  As you might expect though, this is easier said than done.  You’ll not only have to research and build these rides and amusements, but you’ll also need to turn a profit if…

For a while now, there has been a date in most gamers diary; the release of Grand Theft Auto V! Grand Theft Auto has improved year on year so it’s no wonder that this is a highly anticipated release. Some people wonder how it could possibly improve, me included! So let’s see what’s new. Detail This game never fails to amaze me at how realistic and detailed the city feels. There are gangs hanging on street corners and police lights highlighting the night sky to give you the sense you are in the poor backstreets. If you head over to…

Battlefield 4 is just one short week away! It’s so close yet so far! My impressions took longer to form than I thought they would, which is my way of saying – I was too busy enjoying the beta and may have forgotten to share my insight right away. Still, for anyone reading, it’s not too late to get an early idea of what’s to come and maybe pre-order the game. The sequel is everything a franchise improvement should be (based on the beta). It didn’t just try to rehash the same things giving off an overwhelming sense of being…

Fans of the Command & Conquer series certainly have something to celebrate as the latest installment is about to be released, sometime this fall, actually.  What’s more, this game will mark something of a return to the franchises roots in terms of gameplay, which is something that will undoubtedly excite more than a few die-hard proponents of its unique strategic action. If you’re completely unfamiliar with C&C, you should know that the series has always been about real-time strategy, placing you at the helm of a range of forces and then lets you figure out a way to achieve your…

It wasn’t such a long time ago that in order to play games at their best, you needed a high-end computer with a really expensive graphics card installed in order to play the latest games. But nowadays with the advances of technology, chip manufacturers can make CPUs and GPUs so small they can easily fit inside a mobile phone or tablet computer! Thanks to the PowerVR graphics processing unit as well as a beefy CPU and an amount of RAM to complement such specifications, iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad can handle games with graphics capabilities that only a…

The Xbox One, launched by Microsoft in November 2013, marked a significant evolution in the world of gaming and entertainment consoles. It was designed not only as a gaming device but also as an all-in-one entertainment system, hence the name ‘One.’ This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Xbox One, covering its development, features, gaming library, and impact on the gaming industry. Development and Release The Xbox One was developed under the codename ‘Durango’ and was officially unveiled in May 2013. It was the successor to the Xbox 360 and the third console in the Xbox series. Microsoft aimed…

Looking a bit like something you might find on a star cruiser, the R.A.T. 9 wireless gaming mouse is a peripheral device that’s so packed with features that it’s difficult for some to believe.  Mad Catz is promoting this gaming mouse as an “evolution” or next step, and they’re at least partially right; a quick and simple glance reveals a bevy of buttons and customizable aspects which are both quite useful as well as incredibly cool.  Likewise, the unit is wireless (as clearly indicated), so using it is a very “freeing” experience too (and don’t worry about batter life and…

The Halo 4 console was released in November 2012, there was a great deal of hype and excitement surrounding it. For starters, this console is going to be put to market alongside Halo 4 apparently, and will be very similar in terms of design and features to the Halo Reach console, only slightly updated with Halo 4 graphics. But that’s not all, this particular console will also be offered as part of a bundled package apparently, which will include everything you would expect: custom console, custom controllers, Halo 4 and a headset. Microsoft’s very own online store is actually offering…

Sports games are judged not only on on how they rank against their competing franchises, but also how their footprints compare to those left by last year’s version.  Nothing fundamental or game-changing (besides a player lockout) happened to the game of basketball between 2011 and 2012, and NBA 2k11 was a pretty solid game with a lot going for it.  Do you really need to spend sixty bucks all over again on this year’s basketball game?  In a word: yes.  In terms of functionally converting dollars to fun, even stacked up against last year’s edition, 2k12 is worth it. NBA…

Oooooooh.  Shiny.  Sorry, don’t mind me; the Anno series tends to have that effect on me.  These games sure are pretty.  And Anno 2070, taking place as it does in the not-too-distant-future, is outstandingly beautiful.  Besides having plenty of pretty sci-fi buildings to look at – the squeaky-clean, curvaceous skyscrapers of the Ecos, or the delightfully dingy, smoke-spewing factories of the Technos – Anno 2070 lets you build anywhere you like, including under the gorgeously rendered water.  Sorry, I drooled a little there. Although, it’s worth pointing out here and now that style over substance in city-building/resource-expansion games does not…

Awwww yeah. That, in case you didn’t know, is the required lead-in for any review about a wrestling game this year.  Don’t trust any review that doesn’t start that way.  Awwww, hell yeah. WWE-style wrestling is about one thing, and this is equally important to understand if you’re a developer as it is if you’re a wrestling fan:  it’s about putting on a good show.  It’s not really about pulling off elbow drops, clotheslines, and Koronco busters.  It’s about letting the audience taste the pain and anticipate the swelling tide of violence.  Everyone knows that wrestling isn’t real, it’s pure…

Although they’ve been around practically since the invention of the video game, sports games remain a unique and curious lot.  Most video games are built in some part on the thrill of escapism, of sneaking out of our own rather boring existences and being something impossible: elite soldier; space explorer; treasure hunter; mild-mannered plumber perpetually tripping on really great mushrooms.  Most things you are in games, you are precisely because you’ll never be them in real life – you personally, or we as a species/civilization/global monoculture, lack the ability to do such things in real life.  Not so much with…

There is a lot of contention about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on the internet.  As is not that unusual, this slick, big-budget, flashy sequel in a well-established franchise is three things at once: a) loved by professional game reviewers, b) savaged by a vocal minority of players, and c) selling extremely well as hordes of people continue to purchase and play it relentlessly. So what’s got Group B)’s knickers in a twist?  The most salient complaint: “I already own this damn game.”  They’ll readily admit to the following positives: the game looks beautiful; the game is fun; shooting…