The North America release of Fire Pro Wrestling Returns was November the Thirteenth. That’s a little over two years after the Japanese release. Having spent about two solid weeks with the game in my possession, I think I am able to give a non bias review. I am a long time fan of this series, but I can still recognize it’s faults. How does Fire pro Wrestling Returns stack up against the more popular competition? Where to start…

There are no drastic changes to the core Fire Pro game play. It’s the same solid grappling system long time fans have grown accustomed to. Those who are new to Fire Pro will need to spend some time getting used to the timing. The fighting system punishes button mashers. I would advice newbies to set COM difficulty to 1 and work their way up to a harder level. This is one of those games where appreciation is only gained after learning the ins and outs.

The series’ trademark features are tight game play and a huge roster. FPR boasts a total of 327 real life competitors. To avoid copyright issues, everyone has been given a name modification. Vader is named “Saber”, Kenta Kobashi is “Keiji Togashi”, etc. Feel free to rename everyone accordingly. You also have the option of changing the attire for default characters. You don’t have to sacrifice one of your 500 edit(CAW) slots when your favorite wrestler changes gimmicks.

FPR’s all-star roster features wrestlers, boxers and mixed martial artists from around the world. Puroresu legends like Giant Baba, Satoru Sayama(original Tiger Mask) and Jushin “Thunder” Lyger are selecible. As always the default roster is dominated by Puro wrestlers. Some of the fighters well known to American wrestling/UFC fans include Bret Hart, Sting, Andre the Giant, Petey Williams, Mirco Cro Cop and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

A new addition to the series is a “corner to center” attack. When your opponent is knocked down in the middle of the ring, you can hunker down in the corner to set up a spear, super kick or a few other maneuvers. This adds a bit more drama and accuracy to matches that feature characters who set up these attacks a certain way. Because of this new feature, you can create an accurate Shawn Michaels or Bill Goldberg if you were inclined to do so.

A traditional steel cage match has finally been added. Players can use weapons like barbed wire bats, or the cage it’s self to inflict pain upon others. Other match types include S-1(boxing, punches only), Gruesome( a 12 sided UFC inspired cage) and the Electrified Barbed Wire Exploding Deathmatch. While the has Hell in a Cell, The Japanese hardcore wrestlers hurl each other on electrified boards covered in skin shredding barbed wired. It’s different, but fun none the less

Buzz worthy features include Ref edit, Belt Edit, and Ring/Logo Edit. There is a GM mode called “Match Maker”, but is it very limited. All you do is set up matches between fighters and get graded by the percentage of crowd reaction of the match. There strange special events that happen during match maker do very little to expand beyond it’s limitations. For some inconceivable reason, created wrestlers are barred from use in Match Maker.

Presentation is nothing special. Menus are serviceable, but accessing some features can be a chore at times FPR’s 2D graphics remind me of arcade games like Wrestlefest. Character sprites are not hi resolution, but they are large and detailed. Spike could have easily recycled graphics from Fire Pro Wrestling Z. They instead created new sprites and reanimated some pre existing moves. Some animations seem a bit robotic, but are pretty smooth.

I’m sad to say Spike has once again mapped the pick up weapons button to the run button. Want to get a fluorescent tube from the corner while playing in an exploding barbed wire match? Make sure you are close enough to said tubes. Otherwise you’ll go running into the barbed wire ropes, thus end up looking like a complete fool. It doesn’t ruin the game or anything, but such neglect of the R2 button has me dumbfounded. Overall that is one of my biggest gripes with FPR.

I don’t give numeric scores or grades in my reviews. If I were the type to do that, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns would probably receive a 91. It’s the best in the series, but like any other game it has flaws. Even so called classic games that get perfect scores from other reviewers have a few faults or glitches. I recommend this game to anyone who is into pro wrestling or the UFC. You don’t have to be into Puro to like FPR, the unique game play and customization options are more than enough to peak ones interest.

CSR Classics by NaturalMotion (iOS and Android) is a surprisingly addictive drag racing game brought to you by the same people who delivered big with CSR Racing years before. I tried the original CSR Racing game many moons ago but never stuck with it, mainly because, I believe, collecting and racing the cars offered to the user were not interesting for me.

This problem is well solved in CSR Classics, where the drag racing is taken to a fictional “strip” (think Las Vegas). Players buy, improve, and race cars from a large catalog of classic cars, from traditional muscle (Ford Mustang, Chevy’s Corvair and Nova, and the awesome Dodge Challenger to name a few) to high end classics such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, and BMW, with a ton in between. Cars can be purchased in either “loved” or “unloved” condition. Loved cars look and perform a lot better than their unloved counterparts. As for myself (and many people who have become involved with CSR Classics), I prefer to buy rusty, sweaty, beat up relics and race to win money to upgrade them, making CSR Classics much more than simply a racing game, but one of collecting and building as well.

The racing dynamics in CSR Classics are deceptively simple. To begin a race, the driver (that’s you!) taps the gas pedal to bring the needle into the “green zone” on the tachometer, trying to keep it there as the counter runs down and the race begins. Starting a race in the green zone provides a “perfect start,” which makes life a lot easier. If the needle is to low in RPM’s your car struggles to get up to speed, while if you over-rev your engine before the start, you spin your wheels, losing valuable time until the wheels find their grip on the pavement.

One the race begins, everything remains based on timing, as you must try to achieve a “perfect shift” through the gears. A fraction of a second early or late can cost a race, especially when racing more difficult opponents. Race difficulty ranges through Easy (you can make a lot of mistakes and still come out on top), Challenging (a mistake here of there is overcome-able, but don’t make a habit of it), Hard (be on top of your game or you’ll go home a loser) ans Extreme (I’ve never beaten one of these and don’t even bother to try anymore.

As I’ve said, timing is everything in CSR Classics while on the drag, as there is no steering, braking, or acceleration (except for the start) to worry about. The range of difficulties of the races helps to keep your interest, however, as do the different types of races available.

In the “career” mode, you attempt to rise through the ranks in better and stronger cars, spending your cash to improve what you have and to buy new rides. Within each tier are a variety of races, including ladder races, restriction races, crew races, and manufacturer or car-specific events. CSR Racing also provides an “online” mode where the developers say you can race against real life opponents. This is somewhat disingenuous, as you do in fact race against other real-life players in ladder events for cash, reputation, and prizes. What you cannot do, however, is engage in a real-time drag race against real-life opponents, which is a bit of a drag (pun intended).

Like all games, CSR Classics has its share of problems. The two most glaring are the replay factor, which I have run into from time to time if I’ve played a lot recently, but I keep coming back. Let’s face it, there’s only so much timing and tapping a guy can do before things get a little boring. But, for me, a little time off and the lure of new cars (which NaturalMotion routinely adds), brings me back.

The other major drawback is one common in every “free” game that I have ever played, namely that at some point the developers make it very frustrating to NOT put money into the game. CSR Racing does that through the use of “gold,” which CAN be won in races, or earned through completing free offers, but that is an extremely slow and tedious process, especially since there are some truly awesome cars that can only be purchased with vast amounts of gold.

On the whole, however, CSR Classics gets a big “thumbs-up” from this gaming gourmand, as it has, and I believe shall continue to, provide me with hours of good gaming.

Sacred 2- Fallen Angel is one of the latest RPG games created in the style of Diablo games. With that being said, there have been high expectations of this game. As expected, the game features an expansive world that you are free to explore in a variety of ways. Stick to the main quest, or do side quests and go on leveling sprees, the decision is up to you.

This game revolves around elves and magical energy, so expect a lot of fantasy elements to be present in this game. In Sacred 2 you get to choose between 6 character classes, each with its own strengths, weaknesses and special abilities. And two people who use the same characters can have completely different character builds depending on how they develop their powers and skills.

What’s more, you can choose to play as a member of the good side or the side of evil. An interesting addition to the game is how you can use special mounts which will shorten your travel time and give you an advantage while fighting certain enemies.

This game also offers a whole new level of gameplay when you choose to play online. You and your friends can band together to fight a common foe, or you can challenge each other to player-versus-player duels. There is truly no end to the fun and excitement you can enjoy while playing this role playing game.

If you are looking for a fun and engaging RPG game for the PC which is similar in style to Diablo then you’ll enjoy playing Sacred 2 – Fallen Angel.

Sometimes, you get only what you pay for in the sense that you get some good games for money. You can find several fantastic games on Android, but you have to spend a little money and you can enjoy a few games on your mobile phone. You can simply download some of the best Android games and start playing them. Here are some of the best Android games of 2015.

Threes!

A simply ingenious game that is easy to play, but that is difficult to master, Threes has a four by four grid and a number of sliding tiles for the tools that you would be using to play the game. Each of these numbered tiles can be combined only with another type of tile. At this point, it becomes a single tile and their values add up to its constituents. The primary idea behind the game is to keep playing it. The sound effects, music, etc. are merely the icing on the cake.

Monument Valley

There are many debates on whether Android games can be artistic and Monument Valley checks the “art” box. It is a delicate and a beautiful arcade adventure game that features the attempts of a beautiful princess to explore monuments. Monument Valley has been crafted carefully, thoughtfully, and the experience throughout is reflective. The architecture moves as you drag and spin the components.

Drop7

Every now and then, a puzzle game appears that would not simply let you go of it. You would work with puzzles in this game, even though you would need to drop discs and should the number of any disc not match with the disc count in its column or row, it would explode. If you want the face number revealed, then you should make the gray blocks have two adjacent explosions. It is one of the best Android puzzles around.

Angry birds – Star Wars II

Here is something for ardent gamers of Angry Birds. The sequel to Angry Birds – Star Wars I improves on the design ideas of the game. The sequel to the game comes with character packs and level branching that allow you to swap and try out different strategies. This game is a perfect match for the fans of Darth Maul. If you thought that the titular birds were way too angry, then you have the opportunity to get revenge on them right now with this Android game.

The Legend of Zelda is a well renowned pinnacle of gaming, so when a spinoff of the series was announced I was more than a little skeptical. Koei Tecmo Games, the creators of the Dynasty Warriors franchise, came together with a few of the lead developers of the Legend of Zelda franchise. This collaboration created Hyrule Warriors, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic with the results.

Hack n ‘slash is the main theme in this game, which can be a deterrent for some people. Some hack n’ slash games can be monotonous and a slog to finish, but Hyrule Warriors found ways to keep the game interesting, and me on my toes. The variety of playable characters, the interesting boss battles, and the different combos and weapons for each character, all made the game an enjoyable investment of my time. One warning however, this game is a Dynasty Warriors game at it’s core. Any Zelda fans out there looking for a typical Zelda adventure may be surprised and a little disappointed with its gameplay mechanics and intense battlefield settings.

Each battlefield is taken from Zelda lore, and the creators of the game did a fantastic job translating these areas into maps for Hyrule Warriors. There are settings from Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword. Each area was made to be a battlefield with outposts and bases (all of which are laid out for you on the convenient minimap), but the settings still hold true to their original level designs, and I loved seeing these lands that I’ve already traveled throughout the Zelda series reimagined. The effect made for an awe inspiring war between good and evil, even if it was obvious fan service.

The typical story elements in any Zelda game probably sounds something like this: A destined meeting between the beautiful princess and the courageous hero, an evil and powerful villain trying to rule the land, and maybe a few colorful side characters along the way. Hyrule Warriors doesn’t stray far from this formula, but the developers did add in their own tweaks and changes which made the story seem fresh and imaginative. The story wasn’t anything too off the wall or unexpected, and was in fact really well done. The events here could actually fit inside the Zelda timeline pretty well, although the creators have explicitly stated that the story in Hyrule Warriors is not part of the Zelda canon. It is unfortunate however that there is zero character development in this title. The game basically throws characters at you, expecting them to be well-known entities already, which could be a little off putting to anyone new to the Legend of Zelda series. The only thing the game offers are journal entries which give a brief summary of who the character is, but most players will likely not want to pause the fighting long enough to read them.

Over the course of Hyrule Warriors, you have the option to play as thirteen characters from the Zelda series. Ten of them are unlocked by playing through the main story, while the others are unlocked in a second mode called adventure mode. This variety of characters is really what made this game enjoyable. Not only did I get to play as characters I had only dreamed of playing as, each one had their own combos, weapons, and fighting styles. I spent many hours just playing around with each character finding out which combos worked the best for taking out enemies. Although not the strongest, my favorite character was Lana. Although she’s a new character created for Hyrule Warriors, Link should consider dumping Zelda for her. She’s super-cute and a blast to play.

Of course the game has its flaws. The AI for the regular drones of enemies was pretty abysmal. They were as much of a threat to you as a horde of balloons would be. The only truly challenging enemies were the bosses, but like any Zelda boss, even they’re pretty easy once you have their movements and abilities down.

In addition to the main game, there was also some day one downloadable content available for a cool twenty bucks. After having already paid $60 for the disc, it’s a little frustrating to be asked to shell out more to experience the ‘full’ game. On the other hand however, it is a positive sign that Nintendo plans to stick with this game, and hopefully they will continue to expand it. Any hardcore Zelda fans, or fans of Dynasty Warriors, will absolutely love this game. If you’re not a fan of either series, you will still enjoy this title. In my opinion Hyrule Warriors is a must have for any Wii U library.

Online gaming is a concept which is growing at a rapid pace and this trend shows no signs of stopping. In order to fuel this pace gamers require a platform from which to access their favorite multiplayer game. One such platform is Gamewad which is designed to attract gamers, mainly Counter Strike enthusiasts, from all around the world. It is a global platform which is determined to take the hype of Counter Strike to a whole new level. This game has served to be the life and soul of the gaming industry and it comes equipped with its own independent fan following.

Gamewad – what it offers

Gamewad is an online platform which has been developed by former gamers themselves which shows that the ones operating it know what they are doing. These gamers have made this online platform while bearing in mind the need and nature of gamers, particularly those who love this particular game. Gamewad does not have a joining fee; users just need to sign in thorough Steam in order to access the server.

Once signed in they are able to access all aspects of the game. The great part of this platform is that it has been developed by individuals who share a passion for gaming.

Fuels Competition

This online platform is designed to provide its customers with all their gaming requirements in one place. This server helps gamers develop their skills by giving them a platform that allows them to compete with players from around the globe. This includes learning new tricks and to think faster but most importantly it serves to increase their competitive spirit, which is essentially what this game is all about.

The right map for the right purpose

In order to practice their skills the gamers must choose the right map. For instance, to practice a bomb defusing map gamers should choose a map like ‘dust 2’ as this is one of the best and the most popular map for this purpose. Similarly, in order to practice their sniping skills gamers the map of ‘India’ can serve as a great means of doing so. Furthermore to practice their skills in one on one combat players should opt for ‘aim headshot’ or ‘ice world’ maps, as these are designed solely for this purpose.

Gamewad is a good platform to practice this game, but players will do well only if they take their own gameplay seriously and keep improving. Luckily, this platform can help them make this journey easier.

Metal-Gear Solid V is a video game with a mission aimed at rescuing two prisoners that are held in Camp Omega, which is a military base in the United States. The prisoners are Paz and Chico, two of Snake’ allies that are introduced in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Even though the game itself is quite short, it features very good moments for Snake in an open mission area that does not have restrictions on approach as well as a specific way for completing the mission.

When playing Metal-Gear Solid V, how you progress is totally up to you. Whether you want to be loud, stealth, lethal or non-lethal, you can play it the way you like. When you are departing from the overly-strict series, you will not be exclusively punished if you choose to utilize tactics that are more aggressive. In fact, you will have the freedom to use whichever methods you feel like employing.

Camp Omega has a lot of areas to explore both inside and outside. There are dangerous guard posts, drivable vehicles, locked doors that can be opened, secret tunnels as well as other different opportunities that you can capitalize on if you are an observant soldier. The base is under watch of a few soldiers who patrol around in jeeps and trucks, smoke breaks, chat with their colleagues and sometimes reveal important information.

If you are new to this game, it will not take long before you realize the length of details that the game is packed with as well as how the Fox engine it utilizes is able to create a true as well as open-ended mission experience. The Snake in this game has fluid movements and it is very easy to be in control of his stance, tackle foes hand-to-hand and engage in combat. It is also very easy to grab as well as decide what to do with guards. For instance, you can interrogate them or knock them out.

Stealth in this game has been reworked to make it provide visions cones and radars that are more clear. Your weapon as well as ammo will be the only screen indicators. It will take your observation to determine whether an enemy is able to see you. At such a point, there will be a small indicator that will show you how alert the guard on duty is. You can turn the indicator off if you are a hardcore player. These are some of the things that make playing Metal-Gear Solid V a refreshing experience.

Splatoon is a new video game released for the Wii U. This game consists of a multiplayer and a single player option. In the multiplayer, teams of four compete to paint the game area with different colors of ink. The goal is to cover as much area as you can before time runs out. If you have more area covered than your opponent, your team wins. You can play with friends or the game will match you up with people. In the single player you battle your way through levels, battling bosses to earn a rare type of catfish called the zap fish. Ultimately, you need to save the great zapfish who powers the entire city of inkopolis.

Although this game is a “shooting game” it is relatively benign. The game is rated E for everyone and this holds true in the game action. There is really nothing in this game that would cause concern for parents. My nine-year old picked it up very easily, learned the back story and got into the game very quickly. There are different shops to buy different guns and accessories which helps to keep the game fresh and engaging. The single player is challenging but did not seem to be too difficult, at least for a nine-year old. Since the game is marketed to young players it seems like they have hit the sweet spot for difficulty.

There does not appear to be an in-game chat option in Splatoon as there is in other games like Plants vs Zombies. The in-game chat can be a problem area for younger gamers as older gamers sometimes enjoy the game and do not filter their language in games with younger players. In Splatoon, there is no worry about inappropriate language or other interactions with other gamers.

I’ve even found the game to be entertaining to watch. It has funky music and is very colorful with somewhat androgynous characters. My son picked a character that to me looked like a girl but he was certain that was not long hair but rather drops of ink drooping down. I have found his interactions with the game to be quite imaginative.

As a parent I would recommend Splatoon to other parents as a fun game for their younger children that is fairly easy to learn and offers many hours of fun with little need to worry about the game content or the online interactions.

Avengers: Infinity war took the world by storm and crashed all the past records in cinematography industry. There is not a single soul who does not know or heard about the Avengers. In Avengers all mighty purple thingy, Thanos, single-handedly wrecked the Avengers.

Fortnite is one of the hottest topic in the gaming industry. First licensed association with cinema giants, Marvels, tells the success story of the game.

Directors of infinity wars Joe and Anthony admitted to be the huge fans of Fortnite, citing it as a game they would love to play in the free time of their hectic schedule. Epic game’s creator Donald Mustard turns the idea of Avengers in Fortnite into reality. Marvels and Epic games collaboration is a happy sight for the gamers seeking new adventure and thrills.

Players can play Infinity wars limited time mashup in battle royale mode. Like previous update a meteor will land on the map in the safe zone, dropping the infinity gauntlet.

whoever picks up the gauntlet will instantly transform into the almighty Thanos. If the transformed player dies gauntlet will be free for taking for a short time. If no one avails the opportunity for too long, item will disappear and players have to wait for another meteor to relish Thanos character.

Props to the Epic game creator as he manages to justify the character by giving all the superpowers just like the movie.

Abilities enjoyed by Thanos are:

Super powerful punch to destroy structures and push enemies back.

Super jump to vault huge structure effortlessly.

Infinity stones power can be harnessed to damage enemy over time.

No enemy can deal full damage on Thanos.

Thanos cannot build or pick up weapons. With all the superpowers who needs to worry about minor in-game features.

Enough about the Powers of Infinity war’s villain let’s talk about the perks provided to the players to take down the villain.

Spawn rate of resources, legendary weapons, treasure chests and ammo boxes are increased to tip the scales back in favor.

Increase in the likelihood of launchpads.

Loot resources are also increased by 30 to 60 percent.

Grenade and Shield drop rate are also lowered.

Epic games must be appreciated as they try their level best to balance defense and offense. One thing is for sure that Avengers in Fortnite is a great initiative taken by both marvels and epic game to revolutionize the gaming industry. It seems more than likely to see many more collaborations between the two brands. Fortnite silents all the haters by associating with Marvels proving the Fortnite’s worth in the world.

Bioshock Infinite is a pioneer. It will change the world of FPS and gaming itself forever. It is not afraid to open up controversial issues, just as the first Bioshock did. It asks you to either blend in with the crowd or stand up for racial equality. Although the choices you make in this vicinity don’t affect the experience at all, it makes you search within yourself and ask what’s more important to you: equality for others or you fitting in.

Columbia is a beautiful and grand world, a city in the sky. While most call it Paradise, there are some who call it a dystopia with only the potential of being a utopia. Infinite is much more vertical than the original, as you can use a hook to use skylines and replicate flying. In terms of gameplay, Bioshock Infinite improved the already great combat of the original Bioshock. Giving gamers a break from the creepy underwater but amazing atmosphere of the first two games, Infinite takes Booker DeWitt, the protagonist, to a city in the sky with one motive: “Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt.” For the purpose of keeping the review spoiler free, I won’t tell you who “us” is. Now I can’t tell you the debt without spoiling the game.

The people of Columbia worship a man named Comstock as the prophet of God and Elizabeth, the girl Booker is trying to take, as the one who will bring punishment on “the Sodom below.” Bioshock’s gameplay is amazing but nothing new. It actually gets rather repetitive at times. But merged with an amazing story and great character development between Booker and Elizabeth, Bioshock Infinite is the best game I have played in a long time. Video game developers up to now have decided to make story-driven games as straightforward as possible. The Bioshock series banishes those ideas and comes up with new ones. The end is perceivable in different ways. Although there is only one definitive conclusion. Infinite is a brilliant tale that only the greatest minds could come up with. Infinite also forsakes the idea of meeting few NPCs, which was introduced in the first game and I loved, but was a smart move by developer Irrational Games. Dark and desolate loneliness would not have fit in the city of the skies.There is no multiplayer, but that is not a complaint, only a heads-up. Not every game needs an online or local multiplayer component. Some games are better off left story driven. We can only hope that Irrational Games’ next game will be just as brilliant as this one.