FIFA 06: Road To Fifa World Cup (Xbox 360)
Customer Review: Underated due to it being a RTWC game
Now initaly i laughed at this game. I completed it on amatuer with ease, qualified for the world cup, and that was it! Game over! I still had fun, but dismissed it………… Then the guys came round!

This has quickly become the most played multiplayer game at mine when people are round! On 1 player it can be hard work lining up some nice passes for a crack on goal, but with an actual person running down the wing, moving into space, it opens up so much more! And obviously once people have got a feel for it you progress from amateur which brings me to another good point, World Class isnt the top here! You have the option of a ‘Perfect’ setting which is where the great competition and the closely fought, edge of the seat, games are played!

Personaly I love the defence on this game. It is just so solid! these defenders are like a solid wall you have to either work your way down a wing for a cross or pull off some nice passing play that will use up every ounce of concentration you have!

Now there are some bad points too, like the age old problem of the change player button being the same as pass, so you give the ball away when you wernt expecting to recieve it. And the shooting is very unique, No real charging here, just a quick press if your in front of goal, or an even quicker one of your outside the box! But these aside, I have been getting dissapointed with the fifa games, ever since the amazing Fifa 2003 to current day, so this was a lovely suprise that has revitalised the fifa franchise for me!

Customer Review: A game that leaves a sour taste in an unsatisfied player
This installment of Fifa 06 is fundamentally flawed. The feeling for me is that they’ve taken on board the discussions that its nemesis, the Pro Evolution Soccer series, has faster gameplay, and subsequently just speeded up the animations on the players. The problems actually lie elsewhere: too many attacks are broken down by your own team-mates’ inabilities to make intelligent runs (even when you direct them to do so); the opposition AI accounts for the fact you’ll eventually work out how to build up regular attacks by frequently scoring on their breaks; and hitting the back of the net relies primarily on chance more than any kind of advanced skill. Additionally, a slide tackle is too risky of a booking or sending off, causing most off ball play to involve holding down the standing tackle and hoping your players are stronger and faster than the opposition.

It does have some crowning achievements. The goalkeeping AI is, if a little underconfident, pretty sensible and realistic. It is often the case that your goalie will keep you in a game by pulling off a reasonable save, which trumps rivals’ efforts. The animations and attention to detail on some of the players’ faces are extremely commendable, and it is obvious time has been spent on this aspect, even if the brighter shirts can get a bit radioactive on close up shots. Another point worth noting is the inclusion of training sessions over the loading screens, which ensures the player is constantly engaged in action - something also afforded by the quick tactics box that pops up during stoppages in play. The Classics XI, the unlockable classic shirts and the immense soundtrack also contribute to the fun, but it just doesn’t save this flawed title.

The final remarks must be given to the depth of the game itself, or lack of. Calling a game ROAD TO FIFA WORLD CUP doesn’t mean you can get away with not including the main tournament itself. Once you’ve qualified, it’s the end of the line. Presumably, the thinking was we’d be so thirsty for more we’d all rush out and buy the follow up title, FIFA WORLD CUP 2006. Not likely. It is assumed that EA tried to make up for the lack of depth by ramping up the opponent AI to a far superior level to that of the user, but this just inadvertently renders every game a chore rather than a challenge, even on the easier settings. It is in this final hurrah, a real kick in the teeth for those who spent ?50 on it at launch, that FIFA 06: RTFWC will ultimately be remembered as an unsatisfactory game. Couple it with the fact you can’t actually pick anyone outside of Europe for the single player qualifier mode, and you really do start to feel cheated out of your hard earned cash.

I see no way I could recommend this game to anybody. There was a time it was a best-seller, but this is down to the fact it was, for several months, the only football title available on the 360. If you’re reading this review, you’re thinking about this title. Add it to your roster if you’re the kind of person who wants some easy gamerpoints. If you have more interesting things to do, like enjoying computer games, then save your money and opt for the far superior, vaster and ultimately more fun Pro Evolution Soccer 6.

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Fatal Inertia (Xbox 360)
List Price: ?39.99
Amazon Price: ?29.98
Used Price: ?12.99
Customer Review: Not as good as wipeout
Anti grav racing is no longer en vogue, not only that it, hasn’t been eb vogue for nearly a decade. So there is a definite lack of anti grav racing games but just because there is a lack doesn’t mean the world is crying out for one. That said a good one would go down nicely, sadly this is just merely average. It is fun for a short while then the difficulty curve goes of the scale. As the game progresses the races get faster, and sadly fast is everything. More quantum redshift than wipeout.

NBA Live 07 (Xbox 360)
List Price: ?49.99
Used Price: ?11.40
Customer Review: The best yet
Although Basketball is nowhere near as popular in the UK as it is in the States, this game is a must. The overall gameplay and presentation on the XBox 360 is a big step up from previous EA Sports offering on other consoles. Graphics are superb, but HDTV (which I don’t have) must be even better. All the usual EA Sports extras are there and their presentation is first class making this game a must have. The crowd reactions at crucial points of the game are a great touch and give the game added realism. Controls are easy to grasp and even if you are not knowledgeable on the sport its easy to get buy. If you like sports game and have a few quid to spare then get this game. One of the best sports sims I have ever played. Only bad point is it will take you an age to get to grips with the slam dunk comp.

Xbox 360 Halo 3 Limited Edition Console
List Price: ?279.99
Amazon Price: ?259.96
Used Price: ?240.00
Customer Review: Oozes Cool….
So it’s only ?20 quid cheaper than the Elite console, who care’s, it’s a thing of beauty, all green and Master Chief ‘ish, go on, treat your self, buy it….
Customer Review: Quick and Easy
Straight out of the box and playing within minutes. The only reason I got an Xbox was to play Halo 3 with pals and online. I paid the extra ?20 quid or so for the halo edition becuase it stands out and is different and is a newer version and less likly to over heat or have problems. (not sure if this is correct but what I have heard). You are only getting half of the game if you do not use Xbox Live! Enjoy! I know I am…… Rob

Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Xbox 360) In a nutshell:
The surprise hit of 2005 is back and this time it’s moved on from the prequels and onto “proper” Star Wars. It may sound like one of the worst excesses of marketing hell but this is good enough to rejuvenate your love for both video games and Star Wars (and Lego)!

The lowdown:
As ridiculous as the idea sounds this is one of the few games that really can be played by all ages, from tots to grandparents - the game even adjusts its difficultly level on the fly depending how well you’re doing. The graphics are absolutely hilarious as the game pokes gentle fun at all the films and characters and uses the Lego motif so you can build new structures and objects as you go. With more playable characters than ever each now has their own special move, such as Chewbacca’s ability to pull the arms off Stormtroopers, and you can get in and out of vehicles whenever you want in some levels.

Most exciting moment:
The game features a large number of vehicles to drive, including landspeeders and AT-STs. You can also ride a Dewback which excretes an ominous looking brown Lego stud if you press a button…

Since you ask:
The all important two player co-op mode from the first game is still in the sequel, plus you can now design your own characters out of component Lego pieces. Darth Greedo, anyone?

The bottom line:
The Force is strong with this one.
Harrison Dent
Customer Review: Superb fun
As a boy growing up in the 80’s star wars was a huge part of my life and this was the decade when the toys associated with the film really took off. Sadly, star wars toys made of Lego were 20 years away and now, as a 30 year old, trying to persuade my wife that buying Lego is a good idea is just not happening. Thankfully the genius’s at Lego and Lucas arts have come up with this cracker of a game which I can just about get away with buying. The premise is simple in that it follows the last three films (or first 3 depending on your age!!) and you are taken through virtually every major set piece, in each film, playing as various Lego/star wars characters. The learning curve is perfect for both kids and adults alike. The cut scenes in between each level are hilarious. My first play of the game was with the “help” of an 8 and a 6 year old and we all spent most of the time in hysterics. The animation is superb and the controls are very cleverly done. Just push gently on the left stick and watching the characters “creeping” is very funny. This is a game which provides excellent family entertainment and really fits the category of “suitable for all ages”. If you are a fan of the first Lego star wars game then this comes highly recommended.
Customer Review: Fun to play…Incredibly Frustrating To Save!
I like this game a lot. It’s a laugh to play as you go through the various famous Star Wars scenes and stuff as a Lego character (the Lego Boombox that blasts out a heavy metal version of the Imperial March, making Gamorrean guards rock out is one of the best things I’ve seen!) However, I find trying to save your progress in this game EXTREMELY frustrating! For some reason when you clear a chapter and your autosave kicks in, it doesn’t save your progress properly and you end up right back at the Mos Eisley cantina when you reload your game. Not cool.

I plan to keep playing this game and figure out what’s going wrong, but that in itself is something no gamer should have to do. In short, great game, LOUSY saving system!

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