If you’re interested in Mafia 3, but haven’t played the first two, fear not! There isn’t much you need to know anyway, but let’s take a look. The original Mafia released back in 2002, and its sequel came out 8 years later in 2010. I loved both of the games, as did most critics at the time. Both had original characters, unique stories, though they had no obvious connections to one another. The first followed Tommy Angelo who meets with a detective, and in exchange for immunity, gives up everything he knows on his boss. The game plays through all…

You may have seen that a little known game called No Man’s Sky was launched recently. You may have also seen that it wasn’t quite everything people had hoped for. This is to be expected, there were some lofty targets being set and a good 24 months of hype to contend with. It was always going to be tough. However – one piece of criticism really caught my eye and the eyes of a couple of hundred Twitter and Reddit users. It was this; I guess this illustrates a serious problem with how gamers see game development effort :/ #NoMansSky…

Over the last few months it looks as if Sony and Microsoft’s R&D departments are about as leak-proof as a sieve. Detail after detail has emerged about both the Playstation 4 NEO and Project Scorpio though none of the important details, such as what, why and how have emerged yet. So it’s with that in mind that we’ll take a quick look at just what these new consoles mean for you and take our best educated guesses as to what’s going on here. Firstly, what are they? Well the NEO and Project Scorpio are Sony and Microsoft’s attempts at selling…

PlayStation VR is getting closer by the day, so we’ll soon be able to slip on that headset and find ourselves in another world… right from the comfort of our living rooms. The PSVR peripheral is really anything but; it actually feels more like an entirely new console. It will change the way that we play- and even think- about video gaming, and if it’s successful, it’s going to usher in a whole new era. We’re pretty sure it’s going to have nothing less than major success though, just because the thing is so dang cool. After seeing it in…

As a passionate soccer player and supporter, I’ve played my fair share of sports games. Recently, I discovered FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush. It’s an endless runner that puts Spain’s best athletes in action-packed scenarios. It’s easy to play, not so easy to master, and lots of fun for the whole family. FC Barcelona Ultimate Rush has 3D graphics with photorealistic versions of all-star players. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Luis Suarez all look unmistakably unique. At the same time, the surrounding graphics in the game are cartoonish, featuring bold colors in kid-friendly environments. This is a great marriage of two…

Modern gaming is all about realism. It’s about replicating an actual experience as closely as possible for someone sitting at home in their comfortable chair. Whether that experience is soaring among the stars in a spaceship, roaming a post-apocalyptic landscape while avoiding zombies, or rocketing through a cityscape in a racecar, the serious gamer wants to feel as if he is really there. In the case of flight or racing games, the realism of the event is easier to simulate— especially if you can afford to purchase and install your very own gaming cockpit. If you get the chance to…

Mafia III is just around the corner (finally!), and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about it. As the title suggests, this will be the third entry in the Mafia franchise, but it is shaping up to be a much different (and better) game than its already-great predecessors. Set in a fictionalized New Orleans, you play as a young black Vietnam vet named Lincoln Clay who works to take down the Italian mob and discover his own place in the New Orleans underworld. In true Mafia style, the story promises to be dark, with heavy themes and a gripping…

Nintendo recently announced that the console that started it all is making a comeback in a big (well, technically small) way. That’s right, the original NES is being re-released, but this isn’t your daddy’s console… Everything You Need to Know The NES Classic Edition, as it’s being called (though it’s also known as the NES Mini), is an adorable little device that fits in the palm of your hand, and it’ll be released on November 11, 2016. It uses a revamped NES controller and doesn’t take cartridges (so your old controllers and games won’t work), and the HDMI cables allow…

Collecting cards was once considered cool, yet today it’s the smartphones that help to dictate what trends are in and which aren’t. This couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the latest development, Pokémon Go. Greeted with thrill, excitement and controversy, the app is helping to define the very basics within the realm of augmented reality. Many apps struggle to provide the sparkle that can help to introduce a new direction, yet Pokémon Go is one of those rare and unique examples. It’s the app that will have game app developers’ busy thinking. Already greeted with plenty of controversy, Pokémon…

During the Sega-versus-Nintendo console wars of the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was a Sega kid through and through, owning a Master System, a Mega Drive and a Mega-CD. I’ve always appreciated great videogames whatever their system, however, and when the Super Nintendo Entertainment System rolled around, that console featured some exclusive games which I wanted to play but couldn’t, one of them being 1990’s Super Mario World. The dark days of the console wars have been over for a long time but the memories – along with my collection of necklaces made from the severed ears of Nintendo…

Unless you’ve been living underneath a very large, and heavy rock for the past year, you have probably heard of the 4K Ultra High-Definition TV. You have most likely stood speechless and drooling before a towering 4K UHD TV at your local electronics store; and you have probably watched with excitement as the Ultra HD TV prices began to gradually drop lower, to levels that are more attainable for the average household. But what do 4K HD TVs mean for gamers? We’re predicting that 4K gaming is the next big thing. Before long, you’ll see it everywhere. Why do we believe…

Piranhas aren’t the friendliest creatures in the ocean. Piranh.io, a fresh and bloody .io game, puts players in control of the deadly fish. Amidst a steady stream of ongoing development, the current version of Piranh.io is very entertaining. Let’s dive into the water and see why being a killer fish is so fun. The graphics in Piranh.io are basic, bright, and bloody. The game skews towards a younger audience, with a simple concept (eat or be eaten) and easy controls. On a computer, the mouse cursor guides your fish. You can click for a speed boost and press the spacebar…

Soccer simulations and ultrarealistic sports games get better every year. The top-selling FIFA series relies on current-gen consoles and high-powered PCs to deliver modern graphics. If it doesn’t look realistic, what’s the point? Well, “real” isn’t always best. Super Soccer Noggins, a one-on-one arcade game, takes the world’s most beloved sport in a new direction—and it’s a great one. Right from the title screen, it’s clear that Super Soccer Noggins is different. A towering, big-headed player (who looks quite like Lionel Messi) is pointing and laughing at tiny athletes. Some of the little players are wearing silly costumes, and all…

While it has to be said that the Dualshock controller has done a lot to be perfected over the past few years, there’s just some games that work better with a specialist controller. Among these games are fighters, which can often be hugely affected by the type of controller you decide on. Many argue that you’re best with an arcade stick that allows you to have true control over what your character’s doing. Beyond that, you get to truly spread out your hands across a beautifully crafted board. Let’s take a look at some of the best sticks on the…

The very word win implies a battle, yet that’s what E3 is often about. The three elite console manufactures were out to impress like never before, and what a war it wasn’t. Simply put, Sony didn’t just make an appearance, but rather, they showed a force which couldn’t be matched by either of the two competitors. Sony were on a mission to turn up and resolve a problem that has become a raised issue with the majority of 8th gen gamers. What’s this I hear you ask? Games. Whilst Sony has already impressed in this department, gamers demand far more, and this E3 event has…

When I think of soccer video games, I can’t help but picture the glorious FIFA series. I remember the very first game released—FIFA International Soccer—available on Sega Genesis, Sega CD, SNES, and other consoles in 1993. Every year since then, brand-new FIFA titles have sold extremely well. Practically every new version of the game features upgraded graphics, updated rosters, and modified game modes. Today, full-featured FIFA games are available on iOS and Android, with stunning visuals and smooth animations that utilize modern mobile technology. But are hyper-realistic sports games the most entertaining? I don’t think so. Heads Arena: Euro Soccer…

Not all great games cost $59.99. After all, there are plenty of mobile and computer games that sell for just a few bucks. Gaming portal Poki offers titles in just about every category. Today, we’re taking a look at the best games based on Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. Whether or not you’re a fan of the animated series, these titles deserve your attention. Gem Bound sends Steven Universe on a harrowing training mission. With the help of the Crystal Gems, he must fly high to become a hero. In this well-designed jumping game, players will learn that faster isn’t always…

It’s the gaming event that the majority of gamers have in their smartphone calendar. Excitement, disappointments and shocks are three ingredients that help to define the event. Rumours can turn into reality and shocks can deliver an electrifying release of joy. But what should we be expecting from this year’s E3 event? Let’s take a look. This year’s E3 event is expected to be more competitive than ever, this is because the three juggernaut console manufactures are all out to impress like never before. Microsoft needs to make some drastic changes in order to accelerate sales and consumer confidence, Sony…

Known for violent, exciting combat and dark, intense settings, the Dark Souls series out of FromSoftware delivers yet another masterpiece in “Dark Souls 3.” “Dark Souls 3” is the spiritual successor to “Bloodborne” and the actual sequel to “Dark Souls 2.” Check out our review of this challenging game. The Beginning There’s a quick tutorial at the beginning for new players who may have just jumped into the series; but for the most part, “Dark Souls 3” assumes that you have played the preceding titles and are somewhat familiar with in-game mechanics and controls. To really succeed against enemies in…

As much as we love getting the games with the best graphics in the world, sometimes it’s fun to find the ones that look as though they popped up in the 90’s. Although we like to explore massive maps and battle with incredibly intelligent AI, we still love a great platformer. Particularly if the basic AI is still following a thrilling story. That’s why we’re always excited to see what indie games are hitting the market and this year there’s so many to choose from. Some could be mistaken for blockbusters. While others are clearly being aimed at a niche…

If the rumors are true, there may be a new video game console on the horizon. This won’t, however, be the Xbox Two or the PlayStation 5, but something somewhere in between. Various sources have hinted that a PlayStation “4.5” is in the works, and while Sony has denied all of the rumors, it’s not unlikely that they’re working on an updated PS4 model. While it would almost certainly have a snazzier name, a new model with improved hardware would allow the upcoming PSVR peripheral to handle better visuals in order to compete with the PC-based Oculus Rift while simultaneously…

Video games and controversy go hand in hand. Whether it’s sexual content or violence, a lot of people find it very easy to find problems with this form of media. The fact that games give players control over the action is the biggest reason for this, in addition to the fact that gaming is very popular with kids. While many of these controversies are seen as people “going too far,” though, there definitely are games out there which make even the toughest, most apathetic players grimace and put the controller down. Here’s a list of the top nine. The Most…

Summer is almost here, which means that we have one more month of good video game releases before the drought starts. Luckily, May 2016 is shaping up to be a great month for the gaming world, with plenty of fantastic titles being released on all three major platforms. There are definitely some duds in the mix (looking at you, Homefront), but if you stick with the titles that we preview below, you should have no shortage of both single player and multiplayer games to play for the days where it’s just way too hot to go outside. In order of…

Whilst I’m a huge fan of blockbuster console games, I also find my time is taken with smaller games that can be accessed through a web browser. What’s more, these smaller games are usually free to play and don’t come with a large price tag as you get from retail based alternatives. The beauty of arcade styled games is that they are easy to understand and are primarily designed for fun. Console games, on the other hand, can require a steep learning curve and are far harder to get stuck in to. With that said, this review takes a look at a…

For those who enjoy a good business sim splashed with creativity, the announcement of both Rollercoaster Tycoon World and Planet Coaster are sure to have been received with excitement. It’s a genre which doesn’t get many large releases, but we’ve seen many amazing examples from the past, take for example, Theme Hospital, Sim City and Rollercoaster Tycoon. Many fans of this specific genre have closely followed the developments of two titles; Rollercoaster Tycoon World and Planet Coaster. The combination of managing a theme park successfully with the creativity of perfecting the most thrilling rollercoaster rides is what entices many to…

Last generation, the Xbox 360 was clearly the console king when it came to online features and multiplayer innovations… but these days, Microsoft is definitely lagging behind in the console war. After Microsoft’s CEO left in 2013, many people started to speculate if the technology giant would leave the console game behind for good. After all, One sales are low when compared with the PlayStation 4, and many gamers agree that the glory days of Halo and Gears of War are behind us… so if the Xbox One isn’t selling so well and doesn’t have a lot to offer gamers in…

Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls are both a different kind of gameplay experience when compared with titles like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto. There is action, yes, but it’s handled in a different way, and gameplay ultimately takes a back seat to story. For instance, when shooting a bad guy, instead of aiming with the thumbsticks and firing with the triggers, you’ll be hitting buttons when prompted while the camera shows you a dramatic view of the action… instead of listening to static dialogue, you’ll be able to choose what you want to say… and when you…

The Xbox One did fairly well during the holiday 2015 season, but it’s no secret that Microsoft is still lagging behind Sony in the modern day console war. With that being said, Microsoft isn’t giving up just yet. The future holds plenty of promise for the Xbox One, and if the timeline of last-gen consoles taught us anything, we know that it still has another six years to deliver before next-gen consoles start to roll out. So, if the Xbox is to return to the throne of console king, what needs to happen? And more importantly- what is going to…

More screenshots were today released by Atari for their upcoming PC game, Rollercoaster Tycoon World.

If you have already played through the PS4 games you got for Christmas, you’re probably looking for your next escape from humdrum reality. Lucky for you, new PS4 titles roll out almost every month, promising more hours of fun. Let’s take a look at some of the releases coming to PS4 next month. Heavy Rain This adventure game comes from Sony Computer Entertainment and is slated to hit the PS4 on March 1, 2016. It’s a thriller, rated M for complex adult themes. The concept of “bending storylines” throughout the game enables you to shape the course of the plot…

Note: The version of Metal Gear I played for this review is the updated version included in Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which I played on PlayStation 3. It’s been a few months now since the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima’s final game in Konami’s long-running series, and after finally completing the game myself, I decided to go back to the beginning of the saga and play 1987’s Metal Gear for the first time. (And let’s face it, given Konami’s recent behaviour and business decisions, the series’ past is likely brighter than its future…