From shooter to RPG
10
Battlefield 3
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: October 28, 2011
“The fact that Battlefield 3's multiplayer can often feel like an isolated experience, rather than a team game, is more of an indication of the changing attitude of gamers, who evidently prefer run-and-gun thrills to measured, strategic attacks. And, yes, DICE has pandered to their needs to a certain extent with the likes of sprint specialisations, which also applies to vehicles now - especially for those who just can't wait to get a taste of the action.
Overall, though, Battlefield 3 offers an in-depth and rewarding multiplayer component for those who seek it. And, once the run-and-gunners disappear, probably to play Modern Warfare 3 when their parents buy it them for Christmas, we should see 2012 develop into a memorable year for Battlefield fans. Just remember to be a team player and we'll all have a good time.”
Read the HEXUS review of Battlefield 3.
Buy Battlefield 3 from Amazon.
9
LA Noire
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: May 20, 2011
“L.A. Noire provides a cinematic, interactive experience like no other, with some quality performances from its voice actors and an engaging script. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is ambitious, bold and engrossing; three words that you don’t often hear in a review because of so many generic games on the market.
If the lure of realistic facial animations isn’t enough to tempt you, maybe the finely-crafted tale of murder, corruption and intrigue will be right up your street. If you do fancy sleuthing your way through some grisly investigations, then one thing we can guarantee: you’ll find no better interactive storytelling experience than L.A. Noire.”
Read the HEXUS review of LA Noire.
Buy LA Noire from Amazon.
8
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: August 26, 2011
“It starts off slowly, but soon gathers pace and intensity delivering an open-ended, rich and absorbing adventure experience that combines a variety of play-styles including combat, stealth and hacking with style and care. One of the best RPGs of this generation.”
Buy Deus Ex: Human Revolution from Amazon.
7
Dead Space 2
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: January 28, 2011
“Visceral Games has used every trick in the book to frighten the pants off you. When the lights in the elevator blow and the power completely goes out in the buildings you rely on your senses and audio clues as to where the horrors lurk. In complete silence, a sprinkler system will suddenly burst into life, or a Necromorph will come crashing through an air vent and frantically claw away at you. Distant moans and muffled screams, mumbling behind doorways and footsteps shuffling around corners, all serve to create a thick and tense atmosphere that does a grand job of keeping you on edge better than any shooter I’ve played before.”
Read the HEXUS review of Dead Space 2.
Buy Dead Space 2 from Amazon.
6
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: January 28, 2011
“Taking everything it account: the compelling storyline, the heart-in-your-mouth set-pieces, the glorious scenery and the quality of the audio, Uncharted 3 rarely fails to impress, and it's the type of game that once you start playing you'll find hard to put down. This is a difficult game for us to rate because although we acknowledge that the grass-roots gameplay doesn't always hit the right spot, we've generally had a great time playing it.
Whether you will absolutely rave about it as a game-of-the-year contender, or complain that style and narrative takes precedence over gameplay substance, is actually going to boil down to one question: what do you want from a video game? Whatever the answer is to that, if you do buy Uncharted 3, we can guarantee you one thing: you just have to be impressed by what Naughty Dog has achieved.”
Read the HEXUS review of Uncharted 3.
Buy Uncharted 3 from Amazon.
