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Posts Tagged ‘video game reviews’

Learn How to Extract The Essentials Out Of Video Games Reviews

December 17th, 2009

PC game reviews can be a great source to remain updated with all the latest games being released these days, but when you visit games websites and read views of reviewers you find them contradictory and exaggerated. So what does it really take to extract the maximum out of games reviews so that you can form a balanced opinion? Here are a few things to keep in mind while reading a video game review:

Go For Credible Sites:

When you browse the web, you will literally find thousands of websites providing you with game reviews, but majority of them cannot be trusted. If you come across a credible website that offers comprehensive reviews covering all aspects of the game, you better stick to it. Don’t pay much attention to what some gamer is saying about your favorite game on an untrustworthy site!

Check Up Your Favorite Games:

While no one can claim that they know everything about every game, every gamer has a few favorites about which he has inside-out information. In order to test the credibility of a review site, you can check what that site has to say about your favorite games. If you find their analysis accurate, you can safely go with their opinion on new games, and if they seem to be firing shots in the dark, you better not trust them!

Ratings Can Have Different Meanings:

Different sites have a rating system for video games, so that visitors can better understand how a game stands on the basis of different aspects. But when you see a game rated as 5 out of 10, don’t take that as the final verdict. While some reviewers may right off one game just because of its low graphics, others may judge games based upon their story lines and missions. If you’re a story-line lover, then it is a possibility that a game rated 5 out of 10 may still have a lot to offer to you!

Look Up a Few Reviews Before You Make Your Decision:

You may not agree with a review about a game on a particular site, but you better check some more reviews about the same game on the very same site, as many websites provide users with, as they say, both angles of the story. Different media houses or reviewers can have conflicting opinions about the same game, for example Gamespot can say that a game has great graphics according to the older version when Pcgametrek valuates graphics to today’s game graphic standards and the mere fact that a website publishes reviews from several credible reviewers is enough for you to place your trust in it!

Game Experience Varies From Person to Person:

When different gamers try their hand at a video game, they have different experiences. A reviewer criticizing a game may be giving his honest opinion but that does not mean you’ll have the same bad experience. It is always recommended to try out games yourself if you’re really looking to test what the game is like. While you need to take reviews into account, never rely on them completely, as they can sometimes be misleading.

You can find detailed Game Reviews of the Latest PC Games at http://www.pcgametrek.com/, I just wrote an article about the Essentials of PC Game Reviews: http://www.pcgametrek.com/essentials-of-pc-game-reviews/ Take a look.

Sarah Fowlan Game Reviews , , , , , , , , ,

Flight Simulator iPhone Game Reviews: Aera

October 16th, 2009

In our attempt to bring you the best iPhone game reviews, the AppSmile Team has come across one gem that should not be overlooked. Aera, the much-anticipated, side-scrolling, casual flight simulator game from iChromo, has finally hit the app store and it does not disappoint. Beautiful graphics, fluid animation, and terrific controls combine to create an enjoyable experience, whether you are shooting down aircraft or simply taking a scenic flight.

Four planes and three locations are available in Aera. Aerobatic/Solo, Dog Fight, Race, or Free Flight are the missions which you can choose from. Race against the clock in Aerobatic/Solo to collect a set number of objects. Skill is required as you need to avoid the mines and fly through rings in this challenge. Fight against another plane in Dog Fight mode. If the other plane shoots you down first, you lose. But don’t worry, you have guns with a never-ending supply of ammunition and a few rockets. A number of bonuses are awarded for destroying an enemy. Points and rockets are the most common bonus types. In Race mode, simply make it through a course while dodging mines as fast as you can. If you’re feeling lazy and just want to explore, Free Flight mode is where you’ll want to be. Both Campaign mode and Quick Play give you the options to choose Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty levels.

Even though the screen you’re playing on is 2D, a polished 3D feel is well delivered. Listen to the propeller and explosion sounds as these are nicely accurate sounding. Since Aera is more of a simulator than an arcade-style game, no background music is provided. One of our favorite features is the control mechanism. The majority are handled by the iPhone’s accelerometer, just tilt it to change the altitude. Shake it quickly to cause a 180 degree flip. Use any of the on-screen buttons to fire, speed up or slow down, boost, or change viewing cameras. All options are appropriately arranged in an uncluttered manner. An in-game walk-through and tutorial are offered to bring you a little experience before venturing out on your own.

Tons of cool features are packed into Aera. If you hit an object, the “TimeBack” adjustment will reverse time for you. This is a nice opportunity to retry that same part of the course. No need to start back at the beginning of the level as this just sets you back a few seconds. This feature proved to be a god-send. Want to see how you did on a completed mission? Just watch the video replay that becomes available at that time. If you’re looking for online multiplayer, this comes in the form of local wi-fi only. Now you can play Dual or Capture the Flag against a friend. A Configuration menu grants the ability to change your craft sensitivity and toggle the Prediction line on or off. This virtual path shows where you’re headed at the current altitude and speed.

If you’re looking for a beautifully combined flight simulator, arcade flier, and side scroller game in the App Store, Aera is your answer. Our favorite mode was Dog Fight for sure. However, Solo mode might be the choice for goal-oriented minds. The game is well presented throughout. We have a lot of fun writing all our iPhone game reviews, but Aera was exceptional. The Aera folks spent much time perfecting this title. It is one that will be replayed over and over again. The in-game Achievements will make sure of that. We can’t wait to unlock all of the aircraft and flight locations. At the current price of $0.99, you cannot afford to miss Aera, a 4-star flight simulator.

Looking to find the best source for iPhone game reviews, then visit www.AppSmile.com to find the best advice on iPhone apps for you.

Eric Meister Game Reviews , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aera Delivers One of Our Most Exciting iPhone Game Reviews

October 5th, 2009
by Eric Meister

Our team is tirelessly delivering iPhone game reviews and we have one that you can’t afford to miss. If you like flight simulators, iChromo’s Aera will thrill you (in the App Store now). The game sports neat and refined graphics, smooth animation, and responsive controls that come in handy while casual flying or while you duke it out with another aircraft.

You’ll be presented with four planes and three locations to explore in Aera. Choose from a number of different missions like Aerobatic/Solo, Dog Fight, Race, and Free Flight. Can you grab all the defined floating objects before running out of time in Aerobatic/Solo mode? It’s not so easy, as you need to dodge mines and hit hovering rings in your attempt. If you feel extra competitive, try a quick dog fight. Last plane flying wins. Give your huge supply of ammunition and rockets a workout. When you defeat the enemy, bonuses will be awarded you. These come in the form of points, rockets, etc. Race mode tests your speed to finish a course while avoiding mines along the way. Free Flight mode allows you to enjoy the controls and style of Aera in a relaxing atmosphere. Choose from Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty levels in Campaign mode or Quick Play.

The 3D game graphics are very polished and help give depth to the 2D gameplay. Sounds are appropriate, with realistic propeller effects and accurate-sounding crashes/explosions. There is no background music, but the game doesn’t feel as though it’s lacking, given its goal of pseudo-simulation rather than full-on arcade. The controls are outstanding. Most of the plane controls are handled through the accelerometer, tilting the device to change the plane’s attitude. A sharp shake of the device will cause a 180-degree flip. On-screen buttons control throttle, boost (necessary when making steep ascents), firing guns/rockets, and changing camera angles. The placement of the buttons leaves the interface feeling uncluttered, though all possible needs are at your quick disposal. Aera includes detailed tutorial explanations, as well as a walkthrough requiring you to complete certain tasks in order to move on.

Tons of cool features are packed into Aera. If you hit an object, the “TimeBack” adjustment will reverse time for you. This is a nice opportunity to retry that same part of the course. No need to start back at the beginning of the level as this just sets you back a few seconds. This feature proved to be a god-send. Want to see how you did on a completed mission? Just watch the video replay that becomes available at that time. If you’re looking for online multiplayer, this comes in the form of local wi-fi only. Now you can play Dual or Capture the Flag against a friend. A Configuration menu grants the ability to change your craft sensitivity and toggle the Prediction line on or off. This virtual path shows where you’re headed at the current altitude and speed.

If you’re looking for a beautifully combined flight simulator, arcade flier, and side scroller game in the App Store, Aera is your answer. Our favorite mode was Dog Fight for sure. However, Solo mode might be the choice for goal-oriented minds. The game is well presented throughout. We have a lot of fun writing all our iPhone game reviews, but Aera was exceptional. The Aera folks spent much time perfecting this title. It is one that will be replayed over and over again. The in-game Achievements will make sure of that. We can’t wait to unlock all of the aircraft and flight locations. At the current price of $0.99, you cannot afford to miss Aera, a 4-star flight simulator.

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Eric Meister Game Reviews , , , , , , , , , , , , ,