2008's big games reviewed already!

EndWar | Ubisoft Shanghai
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

We reckon...
EndWar is totally voice controlled, meaning we've no worries over awkward control systems or tricky-to-manage armies. Plus, the shots suggest it'll be a completely conflict-focused affair, so no tiresome messing around with building bases or churning out squads and the like. Finally, EndWar has an interesting setting, as a near-future war rages across European battlefields, prompting us to envisage an attractive environment where old architecture meets a futuristic world.

Our own hands-on (hands-off?) playtest has persuaded us that the voice-control system works, if you don't mind yelling like a fool at your living room TV set. Which we don't.

But will it sell?
War sells, especially on consoles, but EndWar is going to need some word of mouth to triumph at the frontline of retail.

Knee-jerk verdict
With its capable voice-recognition gameplay and lush looks, we've no qualms about predicting EndWar as an impressive console RTS. 8/10

Note: If you're unable to recognise even our rudimentary 'humour' when you see it, then don't forget these are supposed to be lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice. We will review the game fully when it is released.

EndWar | Ubisoft Shanghai
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

We reckon...
EndWar is totally voice controlled, meaning we've no worries over awkward control systems or tricky-to-manage armies. Plus, the shots suggest it'll be a completely conflict-focused affair, so no tiresome messing around with building bases or churning out squads and the like. Finally, EndWar has an interesting setting, as a near-future war rages across European battlefields, prompting us to envisage an attractive environment where old architecture meets a futuristic world.

Our own hands-on (hands-off?) playtest has persuaded us that the voice-control systemworks, if you don't mind yelling like a fool at your living room TV set. Which we don't.

But will it sell?
War sells, especially on consoles, but EndWar is going to need some word of mouth to triumph at the frontline of retail.

Knee-jerk verdict
With its capable voice-recognition gameplay and lush looks, we've no qualms about predicting EndWar as an impressive console RTS. 8/10

Note: If you're unable to recognise even our rudimentary 'humour'when you see it, then don't forget these aresupposed to be lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice. We will review the game fully when it is released.

Ben Richardson is a former Staff Writer for Official PlayStation 2 magazine and a former Content Editor of GamesRadar+. In the years since Ben left GR, he has worked as a columnist, communications officer, charity coach, and podcast host – but we still look back to his news stories from time to time, they are a window into a different era of video games.