The latest game featuring the fine art of turning left isn't remarkably different from its improvements-packed predecessor, though it does have a few small additions. Most of the modes and features from NASCAR 06: Total Team Control return in NASCAR 07: online racing, Fight to the Top mode, team controls, voice command recognition, rivals, car swapping with teammates and driver attributes that affect overall performance. The minigames have been replaced with challenges based on real racing ...
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6 Oct 2006

NHL 2K7

Xbox Review

Last year's solid current-gen release and tacked-on 360 port of NHL 2K6 proved that next-gen games aren't better just for being next-gen. This year, however, the attention shifted heavily from the Xbox and PS2 to the 360 and PS3, leaving the current-gen entries with that "tacked-on" feeling. However, while current-gen gamers will miss out on some of the fancy graphics and presentation options that the 360 offers, the gameplay won't disappoint, especially if you're new to the series. Old fans ...
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2 Oct 2006

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07

Xbox Review

In a Ryder Cup year it seems very apt that EA introduce the Team Tour option into their successful golf series. It allows the gamer to gather a team together to tackle the world tour, so you can pick your power players for the wide open US courses and the technically precise golfers for the tricky Links courses. It's basic teamwork but something Mr Woods could do with a few pointers on, as for all his individual success he's never had much of an impact on the US vs Europe competition. And lets ...
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29 Sep 2006

ProStroke Golf: World Tour 2007

Xbox Review

The biggest problem with golf videogames right now is that the games at the top of the heap are filled with gimmicks: comically effective "spin" buttons, and super-powered shots that'll drive the golf ball farther and faster than humanly possible. Even the Tiger Woods series, for all its visual authenticity, is far from realistic. ProStroke Golf goes the other direction, concentrating more on the real-world dynamics of the golf swing and breaking it down to the basic level for the player. ...
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27 Sep 2006

Just Cause

Xbox Review

Daddy, where do cheap bananas come from? Well shucks, Billy! Dont you remember the days after World War II, when the CIA liked to sneak into Latin American countries, assassinate elected leaders and install hand-picked puppet tyrants so corporations like the United Fruit Company could move in and rape the land and people? You can be part of that rich history in Just Cause, where youll play Rico Rodriguez, a CIA agent sent to initiate regime change in a paradise island overrun with power-hungry ...
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27 Sep 2006

NBA Live 07

Xbox Review

There should be a label on the cover of EA's newest NBA sim: "Warning: Degree in Hoopology Required." Out of the box, NBA Live 07 is set firmly to "wanton ass kicker" mode, so casual ballers and basketball junkies alike will need to dive into the guts of the engine's sliders to get the gameplay right. Otherwise, you'll be sure to invent brand new and exciting profanities after missing 10 straight open jumpers. Live wants you to bust out all sorts of the freestyle moves to do just about ...
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26 Sep 2006

Open Season

Xbox Review

Forget Chinese zodiacs: 2006 is the year of the CG animal. This year it seems like more CG based talking animal movies have hit theaters than in every other year in history combined. With Barnyard, Over the Hedge, The Wild, and Ice Age 2, it's getting hard to keep them all straight (and we still have Happy Feet to look forward to). This craze hasn't gone unnoticed in the gaming world, as Ubisoft attempts to jump on the movie tie-in gravy train with Open Season. Open Season follows the basic ...
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22 Sep 2006

NHL 07

Xbox Review

If the 360 version of NHL 07 is the privileged older child, the current-gen version is somewhat of a latchkey kid, stuck trying to fit into oversized hand-me-downs and feasting on cold leftovers. Its all part of an unfortunate but inevitable trend - current-gen games are becoming budget titles. That isnt to say that this is a budget quality game - with NHL 06 as a solid foundation, the current-gen version of NHL 07 is still a great experience, but it didnt get half the attention that its older ...
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11 Sep 2006

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

Xbox Review

Last year, LEGO Star Wars taught us what should have been apparent to everyone from the dawn of the universe - LEGO, Star Wars and video games go together like chocolate, peanut butter and creamy nougat. So it comes as no surprise that this new and improved version of last years kid-friendly darling captivated us from the introductory text crawl (you know... that part where the yellow letters march up the screen telling the harrowing tale of one of the most celebrated trilogies in the ...
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11 Sep 2006

Xyanide

Xbox Review

A fusion of 2-D and 3-D shooters, Xyanide tells the story of a cute manga-style witch named Aguira and an aptly-named Executioner sent to destroy her. But its not what you think: instead of fighting to protect Aguira, players are out to kill her. The opening cut scene shows Aguira headed for her intergalactic capital punishment. But before Executioner can strike the killing blow, the spaceship which houses Aguira is struck by an asteroid made of Xyanide. Xyanide causes a person's thoughts to ...
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