Falcon Joystick Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, this thing is NOT a Wii type controller.What it is, is something completely new with enormous potential.The company is still in it's early stages in terms of games and "grips".The grip is the ball at the end of the 3 arms.There's a lot of development going on right now with creating new grips that are more ergonomic and useful, and there are about 40 games in development too (some of which look to be AWESOME btw).
The device does come with some mini games bundled, some are good, some aren't so good but really show off the Falcon's potential.My favorite is the snowboarding, the feedback and the gameplay in this one are awesome.
It comes with a tutorial, which will leave you giggling and your jaw on the floor.One part of the tutorial has a globe in the middle of the screen; you have a hand that you control with the Falcon and the Falcon won't move when the on-screen hand comes in contact with the edge of the globe.You can feel the contour of the globe, in THREE dimensions!The globe demo has about 8 or 9 different "textures"; one is "bumpy" where you can feel the hand bouncing over the bumps as you run it along the globe, another is "molasses" where you can put the hand through it and you feel the give...and it pops out the other end.Another is "magnetic", where you get your hand close to the globe and it pulls you toward it.It's completely realistic, you will NOT believe it until you try it.It also has a few other tutorials, like catching a baseball where you feel the ball from whichever direction you catch it from; swinging a ball around on a rubber band, the ball's momentum swings you around as it goes; and a slingshot where you feel the give as you pull it back.
One thing I was worried about when I saw a picture of this online was that it didn't look like it would hold up.There are motors in this thing, and most motors in electronic devices don't hold up very long.But, I gotta say, I'm impressed.This device is VERY sturdy.It looks cheesy, but the thing weighs about 30 pounds.It's built to last, don't worry about that.
PLUS, the customer service seems to be top of the heap.I had one minor problem with a game not working, and the CS rep asked to call ME to resolve the issue.Not only that, but the CEO of the company makes it a point to answer any question asked on the official Novint BBS.
Only a few gripes.First, the controller takes up a lot of space.It also needs more games and a better grip, but these ARE in development, so I'm excited to see how it plays out. There's a mod for Half Life 2, if you have this game;I don't, but heard it's amazing with the Falcon. The base is also a little bit of a concern because the Falcon can move due to the strength of the internal motors; again they're working on new bases to attach to the Falcon.The only other gripe, is that the games are download only; games have to be programmed to work with the Falcon due to it's revolutionary capabilities.Another thing that's in development now is a mod to use the Falcon as a mouse, so you could use it with anything that you would use a mouse for.Check out this device, you won't be sorry!

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Product Description:
The Novint Falcon is an entirely new type of game controller. Replacing your mouse or joystick, the Falcon is, essentially, a small robot that lets you experience true virtual touch unlike any controller in history.The Novint Falcon lets you control a game in three dimensions, and also lets you feel high-fidelity three-dimensional force feedback. The Falcon controller moves right and left, forwards and backwards, like a mouse, but also moves up and down. When you hold the Falcon's detachable Grip and move your cursor to interact with a virtual object, environment, or character, motors in the device turn on and are updated approximately 1000 times a second, letting you feel texture, shape, weight, dimension, and dynamics. The Falcon lets you control and interact with games in a more realistic way, allowing you to develop real physical skill and muscle memory, adding a new dimension to gaming. The award-winning Novint Falcon makes virtual items and experiences feel real.Feel the weight of a basketball as you shoot it towards a hoop -- the momentum and impact as you swing a virtual golf club and strike a ball -- the recoil of a weapon - or the physical characteristics of virtual objects and environments.Unit Size -9 x 9 x 9 Weight -6 lbs

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Half-Life 2: Episode One Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can't understand all of the criticism regarding the game's length vs. price, and its originality.Yes, HL: Episode One is a short game (4-7 hours, depending on how you play, whether you cheat, etc), but it costs less than half the price of a new game (even less than that on Amazon right now).This is a better game, both technologically and in terms of fun, than most full-priced games that are coming out.Why this obsession with game length?I'd rather have a terrific 6 hour game than a dull and tedious 15 hour game!

The GOOD: Graphics are even better than in HL2, they now use HDR lighting effects which look pretty cool.The gameplay is also more refined, with more creative logic puzzles, and better enemy AI.Your sidekick, Alyx, is one of the few computer companions that you actually care about, and she's smart and resilient (ie: doesn't walk into pillars all the time).The story is great fun, too.

The BAD: A couple of the puzzles can get annoying, such as the Antlion sections of level 3.The use of darkness and flashlight is atmospheric at first, but makes it feel like Doom 3 at times, and I don't mean that in a good way.And yes, it'd be great if the game were longer, but that's more a testament to the quality of the experience than a shortcoming!

The UGLY: Those Zombines... ugh.

Bottome Line:If you like HL2, this is a no-brainer.If you like a thinking man's shooter, this is for you as well.Recommended!

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Product Description:

In this episodic sequel (formerly known as "Aftermath"), players continue the groundbreaking story that came to an explosive halt at the conclusion of Half-Life 2. Players once again assume the role of Gordon Freeman and team up with sidekick Alyx Vance to flee the remnants of a nearly-destroyed City 17 and it's eerily-empty streets.The action begins quickly as the damage to the citadel has been done and Gordon and Alyx must lead the evacuation effort. Enemies previously un-attackable such as crab and mortar synths now stand in your path as you try to help Gordon and others escape the imminent citadel blast.Once again utilizing the Source technology and HDR lighting popularized by Half Life 2, Episode One aims to begin the tradition of episodic content for Half Life fans. Gamers can expect over six hours of game play while taking out enemies with the help of Alyx's pet robot dog.

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Half-Life: Counter Strike Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got Counter-Strike around August 2000 or 2001.It was and still is the greatest game I have ever played. Very addicting, fun, and original.
A while back they changed Counter-Strike so now, to play it, you would need to have this program Steam. It can be a bit hard to set up, but once it's set up anybody who plays it will be addicted.
Oh and if you don't have DSL or Cable, the download times are going to be ridiculous. DSL or Cable is definitly a plus when playing.
Through Steam Counter-Strike gets updated at least once every month, so most of the time it's a fresh bug-free game. I've probably spent hundreds of hours playing this.

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Product Description:
Half-Life: Counter Strike lets you get armed and get online for some of the hottest Half-Life multiplayer gaming out there!

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The Orange Box Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Good:
The Orange Box for PS3 is an outstanding purchase for any Half Life fan or for those that wanted to play HL2 but didn't have a PC that could run it. This package comes with 5 games which give roughly 30 hours of single player gameplay and infinite online multiplayer.

Included are the titles: Half Life 2, HL2: Episode 1, HL2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. I have played through all five titles and can say that, on the whole, this is a very good port to the PS3. It has enhanced Hi-Definition graphics and the whole package has a very cool vibe to it.

Half Life 2 and the two expansion episodes are basically intellectual First Person Shooters with a huge emphasis on puzzle solving. HL2 was named game of the year by over 50 gaming publications when it was released. This version is better looking and is almost like playing the game for the first time. Portal is an insanely fun puzzle game where you shoot two portals onto walls and then warp between them to clear levels and reach objectives. It is easily the best puzzle game I've ever played and even better, my wife loves playing it as well. Team Fortress 2 is a fast cartoonish team-based online FPS. You use one of eight character types (engineer, scout etc.) to work together to defend your team's objectives. The game is a blast and has a crazy style to it.

The Bad:
There have been many complaints about this game having longer loading times and worse framerates than the other versions. But, I am here to tell you that these issues are WAY overblown and that in over 15 hours of playtime I have experienced only one substantial framerate drop and the few that popped in were gone within a few seconds and were barely noticeable. In fact, the framerate issues are no worse than they were in Heavenly Sword, or Assassins Creed.

Also, the loading times are longer than the other versions, but only by a few seconds and this is outweighed by the PS3 exclusive console ability to quick save at any point during the game. Loading times are also much worse on other highly praised games like Oblivion. But it does get annoying if you start dying a lot!

The Verdict:
If you're like me, you heard the bad press and got really worried about getting the highly anticipated and acclaimed orange box for PS3. I'm here to tell you that on its own merits as a game for PS3, this game is simply OUTSTANDING. The issues are minimal, and the overall fun and value of this game outweigh any of the negatives. If you only have a PS3, like Half Life, and want the best puzzle game of 2007 (Portal is incredible), then get this now. It may not be the best version available, but it's definitely a version worth getting and is an awesome addition to any PS3 library.

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Product Description:
The Orange Box PS3Half Life 2Half Life 2 Episode 1Half Life 2 Episode 2PortalTeam Fortress 2

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F.E.A.R. Platinum Collection: The Complete Trilogy Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the best shooters I've ever played, well, make that THREE of the best shooters I've ever played. Controls were responsive, overall it was quite "spooky," the only complaints I have were that at certain parts of each game there are "bottlenecks" that are frustratingly difficult to get past and result in destroying the fun of the game. The environments are also very similar for all three games, nothing really exotic and fairly repetitive. The storyline is definitely A+ though. I highly recommend this bundle!

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Product Description:
F.E.A.R. Platinum is the complete compilation of the F.E.A.R. franchise rolled up into one package.If you-ve never played F.E.A.R., this is the set to get where gamers can play the 2005 Game of the Year F.E.A.R., 2006 Expansion Pack of the Year F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and the latest 2007 stand alone expansion pack F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate.

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Half Life 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, I won't go into the story. That has already been established via the PC game. What I want to review here is, how well did this make it's translation from PC to Xbox and is it worth if for those who have already played it on PC.

Well, everything you knew and loved in the PC is here, except for on-line multi-player mode. THAT is the one reason this game is rated 4. So, if you've already played the PC version, there is NO reason to pick up this version. However, if you're like me who has a PC that met the bare minimum requirements to play Half-Life 2 on, and you own an Xbox, you can be rest assured you will experience pretty much the same joy as the PC people, except for multiplayer. If you've never played Half-Life 2 before, you are missing out on the experience of a lifetime.

As far as other games converted to XBox from PC are concerned, this is hands-down the BEST conversion yet. Doom 3 from the PC was an awesome translation. The graphics and the atmosphere were excellent. Yet, as beautiful looking and sounding Doom 3 was, it still had a weak point - the story line. It just didn't grab you in and make you feel like you were part of the action. And, although you could interact with the environment, it felt more like it was "just there" rather than serving a purpose.

Enter Half-Life 2 on the PC. The game had a story; intrigue, action, suspense, awesome graphics, stupendous sound and an interactive environment that pulled you into the role of a one Gordan Freeman and made you feel like you were part of the action, not just a spectator. The interactive environment served a purpose rather than just some add-on that didn't really give anything back.

The physics engine, which made objects react to forces outside their control, made the game so believable. Bodies would land differently and behave as real dead bodies would. Swings would actually sway side to side rather than just forwards and backwards if you hit them the right way. The objects weren't just there for you to look at and play around with. Many held a purpose to help you further your advancement into the game. For example, in one section of the game, you have a large wall ahead of you and there's just no way to get your airboat over it because there's no ramp in place. But then, you discover that there's a steel grate floating in the water connect to a cage. You start putting floating barrels and canisters underneath the cage and all of a sudden, the steel grate begins to rise into a ramp!

Valve has worked hard on creating an engine for the Xbox that presents the entire PC Half-Life 2 environment on the Xbox with decreased load times! Valve has pulled off what would have appeared to be an impossible feat. Although a high-end PC will cream the Xbox version on looks alone, take into consideration that it would take a PC costing more than $1000 to give you what the Xbox version can do and that alone should tell you that this game is no slouch in looks, sound nor playability. This game is definitely in contention for the Xbox Game of the Year award. The streaming engine they wrote has really improved the game over its PC cousin in that respect.

The controls have mapped nicely to the console. Valve has taken what was a mouse-based game and converted it to the Xbox controller with amazing results. I daresay I think I can play the game BETTER on the Xbox than on the PC.

The D-pad is how you select weapons, just like Doom 3. However, Valve has gone a step further from what the Doom 3 game did. They have stacked the weapons so that you have access to ALL your weapons from the D-pad, not just 4 like in Doom 3. For example, press down once on the D-pad to access the crow bar. If you have the anti-gravity gun, press down again on the D-pad to select it. Press down again, and it cycles back to the crowbar. This works for all the weapons.

The left trigger is your secondary fire while the right trigger is the primary fire. Clicking down on the left analog stick makes you crouch, which clicking down on the right analog stick goes into zoom mode. Click again to get out of zoom. Now, this has caused me some grief in the middle of some intense battles, and believe me, there are some REALLY intense ones in this game. I've inadvertently clicked down on the right stick while trying to look around and fire when I've all of a sudden gone into zoom mode. You can't fire all of your weapons on that mode, so I've been opened to some attacks because of this until I've clicked out of zoom mode, but it's nothing major to cause me to not play the game. But, you can choose from different controller configurations, so you're not limited to the default layout.

You have up to 30 save-game slots to save the game at any time, which is nice compared to some other games that have "save points" (ahem, Halo 1 or 2 anyone?) Many say that it's the limits of the console that cause this, but Halo first came on the Xbox which already had a hard drive. So why didn't Bungy do it that way to begin with? Thank you Valve (and iD) for not copping out on the save game and giving us the option to save at anytime. BTW, I love Halo, so don't think I'm trying to bash it in anyway.

Sound wise, the 5.1 surround sound just immerses you SO deeply into the game, you forget you are in your living room/bedroom and instead find yourself drawn into the action. During the "We Don't Go To Ravenholm" chapter, which is homage to scary movies, I was so drawn into the game I didn't hear my dog come up behind me. When he bumped into me, I screamed and dropped the controller. That is how immersed I was into the game. This would NOT be possible without excellent sound, music, atmosphere, etc. The ambient sound effects really set the tone for each level.

Valve rewrote the engine to help stream between levels better and they have been able to decrease the loading times between levels to less than 10 seconds. This, along with everything else, attests to the quality work Valve has put into ensuring that this release of Half-Life 2 would allow those who don't have computers to experience what many have already had the pleasure of playing over a year ago. Graphically, you can't complain. This is the BEST looking Xbox game to date. The outside environments are awesome, while indoors can feel SO claustrophobic, you want to scream because you feel so closed in. Again, you ARE Gordan Freeman, not just a spectator.

It's a shame they couldn't give us an on-line mode and downloadable content. Since there is a new HL2 level out for the PC, it's a shame we won't get to see it on Xbox, unless they decide to release a NEW version (groan!) later on.

All in all, if you haven't played HL2 and/or don't have the PC power to play it, get this game. Otherwise, if you already have it or have a PC with enough oomph to run it, get the PC version.

In any case, this is a game to add to your collection.

Now, where did I put that crowbar?

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Product Description:
Half-Life 2 delivers a new level of realistic action and excitement. Players return to the world of Gordon Freeman, as he returns to the Black Mesa research facility. The aliens are pouring into our world, and Freeman becomes part of a resistance group to stop them. New weapons, new enemies and new characters are waiting -- along with major enhancements in animation, artificial intelligence and graphics.

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Half-Life 2: Episode Pack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you've played Half-Life 2, then you've probably at the very least heard of HL2: Episode One and Two by now. Its pretty hard to finish Half-Life 2 and not want more, and thankfully Valve has supplied us with two short but exciting extensions to the Half-Life universe without making everyone wait 5+ years for a Half-Life 3.

In case you've never played Half-Life 2, these episodes take place right where the original leaves off, and it would be advisable to purchase the original game first so you know what's going on. The best way to do that is through the Orange Box available for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, since you get these two episodes as well as the original and two other great games in the set for a good price.

And one more thing before I begin; I am not taking Steam into account on these reviews. I don't particularly relish the idea of having an internet program that locks the games I'm supposed to own in the closet and ultimately tells me whether or not I can play them or how many computers I can play them on, but I haven't had any major problems with Steam yet. It's something you should be aware of though if you're buying any PC versions of Half-Life games; you are required to "activate" them online at installation or you aren't able to play. It also appears that, for this particular set, the games must be fully downloaded from Steam when you insert this disc, rather than installing from there and simply patching, which would be much faster. If the idea of Steam bothers you, get a console version of the Orange Box if that's available to you.

Now, onto the episodes themselves... they're fantastic! Episode One picks up right at the "OMG what happens next!?" ending of the original and lays the foundation for an interesting new story arc. This episode features some slightly improved graphics and great facial animation, and manages to retain most of the orignal flavor of the original with some excellent story-telling scenes and action. The entire voice cast (of the characters still alive) makes a return too.

Unfortunately, while great, I didn't feel that Episode One lived up to it's predecessor. It was short and way too easy. There was also a point in the game where you are required to escort groups of citizens across a hot zone to a train station. I found this to be the worst part of the game since it required you to backtrack several times (something the original never required) and escort 2 or 3 citizens at a time. Plus, the boss battle at the end was just like a certain battle toward the end of the original HL2, except you're only fighting one (instead of like 5 at once) and there's plenty of cover (also unlike earlier), so I found it to be a real breeze and a poor choice for a final boss fight. I loved the character development Alyx underwent in this episode however, and I love the little details the game presents, like Alyx squinting and covering her eyes with her hand if you shine your flashlight in her face. Things like that go a long way to add a realistic feel to the experience.

I hate to use the term "epic," but it's really the only way to describe the next episode. Ep. 2 is a departure from the previous HL2 games as it doesn't take place in City 17 at all. You'll visit lots of places you've not seen before, like an antlion den, a mine, and a forest. I've heard some people complain that this episode doesn't contain the feel of the previous installments, but I found the change welcome and exciting. At the beginning of this episode and throughout, this episode further develops your female sidekick Alyx as a character and gets you more attached to her. IMHO, Alyx is the best female lead character I've ever seen in a video game. By this point in the series, I actually CARED what happened to her, so when she went though a couple of terrible experiences, I felt sorrow, anger, remorse, etc. Pretty amazing that somebody can make you care for something that doesn't really exist! The ending was amazing too; it'll really make you want to get Ep. 3 the day it comes out.

So in other words, if you played HL2 and enjoyed it, these episodes are successful at extending the excitement. You'll really be missing out on a great gaming experience if you pass these games by.

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Product Description:
The Half-Life 2: Episode Pack offers both of the new games created by Valve to expand the award-winning and best-selling action game franchise of all time. And, as an added bonus, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is also included for online play.Half-Life® 2: Episode One returns you, as Dr. Gordon Freeman, to face the immediate repercussions of your actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Rejoin Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, to once again aid the human resistance in their desperate battle against the totalitarian alien menace of the Combine.In Episode Two, you must battle and race against Combine forces as you traverse the White Forest to deliver a crucial information packet stolen from the Citadel to an enclave of fellow resistance scientists.

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Counter-Strike: Source Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ok, here are your options. You can buy this package and get three multiplayer games. Or you can buy the retail version of Half Life 2 and get Counter Strike:Source, Half Life 2 Deathmatch, and the story version of HL2. Basically, with this package versus HL2 retail, you will be trading the story version of HL2 for the multiplayer game Day of Defeat and whatever price difference there is.

Now with that out of the way, I'd assume you are looking at this page because you are interested in Counter Strike: Source. Good choice. There is a reason CS:S is the number one online game in the world. The game is amazing......it's that simple.

The game is set up around the premise of Terrorists vs. Counter-Terrorists. When you first join a server you choose which side you want to be on, the main difference being the weapons you will have access to. During the game each team has a different goal. One some levels the Terrorists have to plant a bomb while the Counter-Terrorists try to stop them. On other levels the Counter-Terrorists try to rescue some hostages while the Terrorists try to stop them. During each round you get 1 life. That's it! This means if you die you have to sit around and wait until the round is over. It's not a big deal though, the levels are generally small and well designed, and rounds don't usually last very long. Some of the positives of this system are that it discourages "Rambo" type play where people will just run around with guns blazing, of course some people still do that, but most people are more concerned about being careful with their life.

The graphics in this game are amazing! All the particle, smoke and water effects are extremely well done. There is a reason the Source graphics engine is so popular and it shows in this game. If you don't have an up-to-date computer you may have to sacrifice some visuals for performance, but the Source engine scales quite well, so as long as you aren't years behind you should be able to find settings that work.

A heads up to any parents up there, there is a good amount of blood in this game and obviously it is centered around shooting other people, so you may want to keep that in mind if you are purchasing for a kid.

Now we move on to the actual gameplay. I already touched on the one life per round aspect of this game, but as a new player you should be prepared to die...... a lot! You will die over and over and you will never kill anyone. That is a fact, and if you are going to buy this game it would serve you well to just accept that right now. Having played First Person Shooters in the past will help a bit, but you will still be nothing but a bullet absorber when you first start out. The learning curve on this game is a bit steep, and there are many people out there who have been playing this game for years. They have the aiming system down to a science and know every level like the back of their hand. There is also a little weapon called the AWP, which is a sniper rifle you will get to know very well. Mainly by the amount of times you are killed by it. This is a one shot one kill weapon and there are some players out there who simply don't miss with it. Suffice to say it can be quit frustrating when you are constantly killed from 200 yards while you barely get a chance to even see who shot you.

The point of all this is that it will require a bit of patience to learn this game and get to a skill level where you can be competitive. There is a neat little option where you can start your own server and fill it with "bots", which are computer controlled characters, and use this as practice. You can even set the difficulty level of the bots. While no AI can compete with human intelligence this is a good way to get better at the game and learn the levels if you are getting frustrated on real servers.

Overall, it's a great game that is being updated constantly with new levels and features. If you can get past the learning curve you will be rewarded with a satisfying online shooter that you will be playing for years to come. If you are easily frustrated and do not want to put in the time it takes to get good at this game you may want to pass on this and try something else.

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Product Description:
MODEL- 09839VENDOR- ELECTRONIC ARTS

FEATURES- Counter Strike: Source PC
Blending single elimination, team-based gameplay with the notion of
an economy to produce an online action experience of incredible
depth and realism, Counter-Strike is the most played multi-player
online action game in the world. With Counter-Strike: Source, the
now legendary game has been given a complete overhaul, with graphic
enhancements such as higher polygon models, shadows and reflective
water to add dimension to the new characters, items, and
environments. CS: Source also contains all new maps.
In addition to the award-winning Counter-Strike gameplay, this game
also includes Half-Life 2: Deathmatch - featuring fast action
gameplay in physically simulated environments - and Day of Defeat:
Source, Valves World War II online action thriller set in the
European theater of operations.
* The #1 multi-player online action game in the world offers the largest
community of players.
* Amazing value also featuring: Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and Day of Defeat:
Source.
* Includes official Counter-Strike Bot for offline skirmish play.
* Powered by Source, Valve s new engine, featuring amazing graphics and
special effects.

-- SPECIFICATIONs -----------------------------------
ESRB Rating : M for Mature
Genre/Category: Shooter
System: PC
Requirements: Minimum: 1.2 GHz Processor
256MB RAM
DirectX 7 level graphics card
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection
Preferred:
2.4 GHz Processor
512MB RAM
DirectX 9 level graphics card

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