3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator SE (Standard Edition) 3D Navigation Device USB ( 3DX-700028 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Anyone doing 3D modeling, particularly in architecture, really has to have one of these devices if their software supports it.

The SpaceNavigator supports several products that I use on a daily basis:Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Abvent Artlantis Studio, Google SketchUp and Google Earth.[Right-handed user assumed here...] It is placed to the left of the keyboard, so that you have you right hand still on your mouse. It is not a selection device, but a navigation device.

Navigating in 3D in many 3D applications is a jerky process - smooth pan, rotate, etc followed by moving your mouse to a new position (causing a pause in the action) and start moving again.

With the SpaceNavigator, movement is fluid and (if you change the preferences to high speed) - fast (and fun)!

The SpaceNavigator can be set up to work in your model in either a fly-through mode or in 'object' mode.I prefer 'object' mode.If I am looking at a building, the movement of my hand on the SpaceNavigator is identical to if I was holding a physical model of that building in my hand.If I rotate away from me, the building rotates away.Push to the left, the building pans to the left.Lift on the knob, the building rises on the screen.Etc.Extremely intuitive and slightly immersive.

In ArchiCAD or Artlantis, I can work much faster than with mouse alone... and in perspective mode,so the views are more realistic.I can instantly get to the back side of the building, looking up at the fascia to deal with a rafter issue there, for example.

I'm a heavy user of keyboard shortcuts, and do not find that it interferes at all with that, as suggested by another reviewer. The device is immediately to the left of my Cap Lock key, so it is milliseconds to get my hand back over the keyboard.

With clients, there is almost no need to generate animations (movies) since you can move accurately and fluidly in OpenGL to walk through a building in real time.But, even for animations, the SpaceNavigator lets you quickly set up camera positions.

Google Earth is pretty fun with it, too - again, completely fluid navigation, vs the move, pause, jerk kind of navigation achieved with a mouse.

Note that this review is on the SE page, but applies to the PE model as well. The license is the only thing I hate about this thing.The SE and PE models are identical, differing only in their license details.The SE is for non-commercial work, the PE for commercial (for profit).You can 'upgrade' an SE to a PE on the manufacturer web site - although it is cheaper to buy a PE here at Amazon in the first place.

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3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator SE (Standard Edition) 3D Navigation Device USB ( 3DX-700028 )

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3D Controller for Sega Saturn video game system Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've read the other reviews, you know that this doesn't work with all games. Thats why I only gave it 4 stars. This controller rocks. If you have a Saturn or are planning on getting one, you'll need this.

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Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Review

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(More customer reviews)Long have I waited for a great Mortal Kombat game to hit once again.And finally the wait paid off.Not since Mortal Kombat 2 has Mortal Kombat been as much fun.But i'm sorry to say that all is not as good as it seems...I give the game 3 1/2 stars really.
First off, the fighting system is completely revamped.Finally stepping into the realm of true 3d (Mortal Kombat 4 was nothing more than a 2d fighting game with 3d models), the game play is as fast and furious as ever.With the ability to switch between 3 different fighting styles, one of which is weapon based, the combo possibilities are increased more than ever.Full 3d movement and detail make this probably the best MK since MK2...
But then there are the problems.The fighting styles, while a great new addition, aren't all they're cracked up to be.The amount of combos you can do are limited, and the stance change button does not always work when you want it to(namely in the middle of a combo when it is most useful).As with most MK games, the AI is extraordinarily cheap at times...it always seems to know exactly what you're going to do, and beats the crud out of you before you can even pull a move off.
The juggling system is awful.The AI abuses it so much that you'll find yourself walking away from the game in frustration.You can easily lose in about 10 seconds if the computer keeps you backed up against the (invisible)walls surrounding the arena, because you'll be juggled so much you'll probably never even hit the ground.
Some characters are just completely worthless, namely the new character Drahmin, who has absolutely no combo moves whatsoever.The only way to defeat an opponent is by furious button mashing and pure luck.He relies far too heavily and special moves.The same goes for returning character Cyrax.While he has a few good combos, his moves are far too limited and he must rely mostly on his special moves.And many weapon styles are far too similar...some of them are totally identical to each other, except that the actual weapons look different.
Fatality fans will be very disappointed...each character has only one fatality.While a few of these fatalities are quite good, the greater majority of them are just awful.Quan Chi's fatality in particular is by far the worst Fatality that the Mortal Kombat series has ever seen.And there are no arena-based fatalities...how the creators can even dare to have an arena called the 'Acid Bath' or the 'Lava Shrine' and not have an arena based fatality is beyond comprehension.It seems that once again, the design team opted for total laziness in the Finishing Moves department, as they have ever since MK3.
Story, which has always been one of the best parts of MK, is no let down in this game.The addition of Konquest mode, which takes you through 10 missions to help explain character story and train you in the use of that particular character is a great addition.It helps you to earn 'Kurrency' which can be used to be secrets in the 'Krypt', a room full of 676 'Koffins' that are bought using your earned 'Kurrency'.The problem there is that out of 676 Koffins, about 620 of them are total 'Krap'.Character endings also leave alot to be desired...some just make no sense whatsoever, or are too short to explain anything.Others, however, are shocking and surprising.
Overall, the game just suffers from two major things: the feeling of being incomplete, and something that all MK fans should be used to by now: Empty Promises.Some characters are just too limited and feel like they were rushed.Some character's Konquest modes also seem to be completely rushed, being devoid of story and lacking rhyme or reason.As far as empty promises, many things that the development team promised when they were creating the game just did NOT make it in:Torn clothing on characters is nowhere to be found, weapon combat is far too basic(it was said to 'Rival Soul Calibur'), and a few other things that just seem annoying when you realize they aren't there.
If it seems that i'm coming down way too hard on this game...I apologize.I have been a fan of MK since it first debuted in Arcades in 1992.I just feel that Deadly Alliance could've been so much more than it actually is.To close this review off, I will list some of the high points of the game:
The story is outstanding.I challenge anyone to find a fighting game with a story as deep as this.Even Soul Calibur's story pales in comparison.The combat is fast paced and action packed...unlike Tekken or Virtua Fighter, which is slow paced and dreadfully boring.Characters look better and more detailed than ever.Arenas, although simplistic and basic in terms of interaction and maneuverability, are highly detailed and gorgeous.The addition of Kurrency, Konquest Mode and The Krypt fuel the replay value and will keep you coming back for weeks.Tons of characters both old and new offer lots of variety.
Overall, a great game that could've been perfect, had it not been for that feeling of being incomplete, or being victim of laziness.

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Product Description:
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance marks the relaunch of the Mortal Kombat series with an all-new engine delivering punishing action that will reward long-time fans of the franchise as well as next-generation game lovers. The game features intense hand-to-hand and special-weapon combat, secret hidden moves and combinations with deadly body blows and fatalities.

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Mortal Kombat Armageddon Review

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(More customer reviews)I really wanted to like this game but so far the thrill is dying fast. It's mainly due to what many have stated before and that's the new fatality system. The uniqueness is gone. I personally think this game was built backwards. If space is going to be a problem then give the fans what you know they'll love (fatalities and plenty of 'em) and then if there's space left over add the fillers. I'll keep playing and see if this grows on me more but fact that I haven't shut myself in after playing it once is a sign it may not get any better.

I enjoyed Konquest mode in Deception but after 5 min of Konquest in Armageddon I'm already tired of it. Why oh why did they trade off the fatalities for this stuff. I know 60+ fatalities would have been a lot but I think the loyal MK fans will agree it would just have been another challenge to conquer. I pray on the next gen consoles they get it right.

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Product Description:
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon celebrates the best-selling fighting game by giving you the most complete roster ever. Choose from more than 50 fighters from the entire Mortal Kombat universe - past, present and future. From Liu Kang to Shang Tsung to Shao Kahn, they're all here -- along with an incredible new Kreate-A-Fighter and Kreate-A-Fatality modes. With more playable fighters than any other Mortal Kombat game to date, it's the most complete, intense and lethal fighting experience ever!

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Prey Review

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(More customer reviews)I haven't played an FPS in a while and when I had some free time I downloaded the trial and what sold me was the multiplayer which you can play for free.The demo had 2 MP maps but the full version has 12.Most of the MP maps are 5 star. The only downside is finding a multiplayer game online is discouraging but findable.Usually there are a few people playing but when there is not I join a server then in a minute or two people start joining.Makes you think people are ot playing but they will join soon.the solo mission is really good. the demo of the solo mission has a lot of cut scenes and the levels seem small but once you get past that point on the full version there are some very clever map puzzles to figure out.It could be a bit longer on the SP.

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Prey is a groundbreaking first-person shooter that turns the genre upside-down with new gameplay features and next generation graphics. Breaking the traditional first-person shooter format, Prey introduces innovative gameplay elements including wall-walking, portals, spirit-walking and gravity flipping, which allows for insane eight player deathmatches. Prey tells the story of Tommy, a Cherokee garage mechanic stuck on a reservation and going nowhere. His life changes when an otherworldly crisis forces him to awaken spiritual powers from his long-forgotten birthright. Abducted along with his people to a menacing mothership orbiting Earth, he sets out to save himself and his girlfriend and ultimately his planet.

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Homeworld Review

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(More customer reviews)Homeworld is more than a technical and gaming masterpiece, but an absolute work of art. If you don't have the hardware to run it at maximum detail, it's time to upgrade. After one good firefight with an armada of ships, you'll be glad you did. The soundtrack is also exemplary- far better than most of the genre. The game is very stable, has remarkably few bugs for such a complex piece of software, and has a remarkably intuitive control system. If you've ever played a real time strategy game, it shouldn't take you more than a half hour to master the controls.
Aside from its technical excellence, the game has a compelling background and storyline. The single play missions are excellent, and the plot really draws you in. They are also quite challenging and- unlike any other RTS I've played- cumulative. That is to say, your fleet carries over into the next mission, so it's in your best interest to not go suicidal just to pass one. Despite the fact that the single play plot is linear, it is still far more engrossing than any other single-play RTS I've gone through.
More than the typical strategy game, this is really one of those titles that has a dominant tactical aspect. Just because you can build tons of units doesn't mean you'll win. For example, you could have a hundred strike craft, but if your enemy has invested in a gravity well generator or missile destroyer, an attack would be suicide. Resource gathering is also far more difficult than in most other RTS titles, and if you don't protect your gathering operations you WILL be dead. Between protecting your gatherers and your mothership, you'll have plenty to worry about. Despite this, the game doesn't force you to micromanage things. You can assign tactics to your units and have them do the thinking, which leaves you to sit back and watch the fireworks. It's the deployment and distribution of your forces that will decide the outcome.
On the aforementioned graphical aspect- it is amazing. The level of detail is on par with Freespace, but you'll see much more of the action and many more units engaging in combat. There are many detailed ships and objects in both fleets, and even more in single play. While the opposing Kushan and Taiidan fleets are nearly identical in capabilities and armaments, their ships look radically different. It's fun to change sides from time to time, just to look at the different vessels.
So, if you haven't tried this out yet, now's your chance. Even if you don't like sci-fi or strategy, you should take a look. Homeworld is bound to impress.

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This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ slightly from the stock photo above. Please click on our logo above to see over 15,000 titles in stock.

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Avatar Review

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(More customer reviews)This game is lots of fun. I have been playing it all weekend and am still addicted. The game has little story but makes up for it with non stop action. It's true that the game doesn't do anything new and amazing but it's a movie tie in. When has a movie tie-in done anything revolutionary?

The game plays almost like a single player version of a multiplayer game. You run around a huge map killing every enemy thing you see. Yes, most of the missions are recycled in different ways but the nature of the game is a shooter. The missions just giving you different reasons to do it.

I think the Na'vi side is a bit more fun because you have close range melee attacks that work well up close. As well as an awesome bow and arrow that can take out most tiny soldiers with one satisfying hit. Plus for some reason, I guess because they are tribal, you get the urge to play with a more hunting style. Climbing to the tops of giant trees and stalking tiny humans and taking them out with your bow and arrow really nails the tribal hunter awesomeness. The RDA side is shooter style only with no melee at all. That can be annoying because when enemies get to close they can be difficult to target because they move so fast when up close. But at least they are huge targets.

The graphics are unbelievable. The Jungles are so detailed and amazing to look at. The best part are the night areas. Everything glows in the dark. The trees, plants, animals. It looks almost like under the ocean. The perspectives are fun too. Playing as the Na'vi everything looks tiny including the humans. When you play as humans everything is huge. It helps to make both sides of the game feel original even though you are actually playing on the same maps.

The movie looks like it'll be awesome, and I think most of the gamers here will become big fans of the sci-fi adventure. It's unfortunate that the low score game magazine reviews will discourage so many people not to try this game. Hopefully after everyone sees the movie they will be inspired to try this awesome, entertaining game.

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Product Description:
In a distant corner of the universe, a devastating conflict is about to erupt between two very different worlds. On the planet of Pandora reside an indigenous people known as the Na'vi. When the Na'vi find themselves engaged in a struggle with the RDA Corporation, a space-faring consortium in search of valuable resources, it sets the stage for a conflict unlike any the universe has seen before. Step into a dazzling world from the imagination of James Cameron and take your stand in the battle to determine the fate of a civilization.


Drive the vehicles from the movie
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Online multiplayer
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Design your own character
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Choose from 20 skills for each clan
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Synopsis
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game allows you to step inside the world of the feature film and go deep into the heart of Pandora and its people. Choose to fight for either RDA or the Na'vi, arming yourself with any of dozens of customizable weapons and a variety of clan-specific skills. Acquire new skills as you advance through the game, giving your all in the epic battle for a planet and a people.


Key Game Features:

Become immersed in the world of the Avatar feature film, viewing James Cameron's universe from your own perspective
Take your stand in a raging conflict, fighting either for the indigenous Na'vi or the resource-hunting RDA Corporation
Arm yourself with any of more than 60 total RDA and Na'vi weapons, customizing them for your own use
Prepare yourself for battle by choosing any of 20 skills for each clan
Design your own character and acquire new skills as you make your way through the game
Participate fully in the conflict, even driving all the vehicles and riding the animals
Broaden the field of battle in online multiplayer gameplay

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