Just Cause 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is just a preliminary review, I will update as I play further.Right now I'm about 45 minutes into the game and have completed a few missions.The first thing that I'd like to say is that the graphics are excellent for a sandbox game.The character models are very good and the environments are almost breathtaking.Foliage moves in the breeze and sunlight flickers as the leaves move.The colors are bright and vibrant, almost like the Uncharted color palette.The draw distance is good, with some minor pop-in with some ground foliage.You can see mountains which look like miles off in the distance.There are few minor jaggies on the edges of things, however not as bad as games such as InFamous.One more thing to add about the graphics is that the particle effects and explosions look really good.Dust flies up and flames/debris shoot out.

The grappling hook and parachute work marvelously.You can basically grapple onto anything within reach and then use a pistol to shoot enemies or structures.Jumping off of cliffs, you can use your parachute to glide all around the environment, it can also be used during base jumping off of high structures.

The aiming is sort of assisted.You have to have your cross hairs near an enemy and it kinda locks on.According to the manual you can target specific parts of enemies, but I haven't tried that yet.I enjoyed taking a mounted minigun off its stand and carrying it (it has unlimited ammo, unlike other weapons I have discovered)A lot of objects in the game are destructible, except buildings (in my limited experience so far)Light poles are destructible, however some lights, like on buildings and such can't be destroyed, which isn't a big deal.

Overall, if you like sandbox games, I recommend this game.If you're on the fence about purchasing it, there's a demo available.

EDIT: 3/24/10
After playing a few more hours last night, I am still impressed with the game.The graphics are very nice, as stated above.The cut-scenes have a lower graphic quality than the game.I was a little disappointed, but the game itself is beautiful.

I experimented more with the grapple.You can grapple two things together, in once instance you tow a car out from under some debris.Another thing to do is you can pull down statues of the island's ruler to create chaos.[A word about chaos, there are government buildings and equipment all around the island, by destroying them you create chaos and help you gain notoriety.By increasing your level of chaos, you gain access to more missions and equipment.]You can also grapple enemies toward you or hang them off of trees or buildings.You can only use one grapple at a time.If you double grapple something, you press a button to make it come back to you somehow (it's a game, not real life, so it basically works like magic).

Free falling in the game is a blast.The designers made it feel like you're actually falling from extremely high up and the controller vibrates as though you're experiencing wind resistance.You can open your parachute at any time, whether falling or while in vehicles. Using a parachute while in/on vehicles allows you to gain altitude.Once you're in the air, you can grapple onto another vehicle and throw the driver out or just ride on top.

Don't expect realism in this game as far as the stunts you perform.You can ride on top of a speeding car and not fall off, you can dive down over the front of the car and shoot.There is just so much to explore and do in this game.There are different things which you can search for such as the statues mentioned above.I think there are 90 scattered all over the place so it's fun to look for them and take them down.There are 3 factions on the island and so far I helped take over one base for them.

The driving is a little weird at first, as far as handling.Different vehicles handle differently, the larger ones are slow and clumsy to control.You get handbrakes to help you take sharp turns and such.There are mopeds, motorcycles, copters, planes, boats, jeeps, cars, taxis, buses, firetrucks, tons of stuff to drive, there are actually 104 different vehicles and you gain a trophy for driving each one (basically hopping in).

One last thing, the shadows in the game are ugly, unlike the rest of the game.At times they look jaggy and pixelated, but the action is fast and you hardly notice.

I will update again once I play even more of the game.

EDIT: 3/28/10
I've been playing 6 hours and 21 minutes.According to the statistics, I'm only 6% finished with the game.The map is HUGE!When fully zoomed out, it measures 16"x16" on my 46" TV.I've explored roughly a 1.5" square within those 6 hours.Granted, I did spend an hour or so just fiddling around.The game has extensive statistics and it keeps you updated periodically.A message appears in the corner telling you how many hours you've been playing, how many different vehicles driven (there's also a check list on the stat screen), how many statues you've destroyed, various free fall heights, etc.The stat screen is interesting to check out because the game keeps track of so many things.

There are racing challenges (not hard and I'm not a fan of driving games), free fall races where you base jump and have to fall through rings in the sky, and aerial races where you can fly either a plane or helicopter.The planes take some getting used to and I've always crashed :(

The trophies are fun to collect.I'm not a fan of looking at the requirements, but the few I did check out seemed pretty cool.I've only racked up a handful but I'm not purposely trying to get them until later in the game.

EDIT: 4/7/10
I've put in around 22 hours and have completed roughly 16% of the game.The reason it's taking so long is because it's rather difficult to achieve 100% completion in the cities!There are always hidden water towers I keep missing or propaganda trailers off in some corner.Also there was a gas station in an out of the way place I missed for over an hour.I've gotten 100% completion in about 4 areas.The cities are huge with a lot of ground and air to cover.Plus, once you get further into the game your heat level increases faster.Just shooting a couple water towers with a helicopter will send air support after you.

I'm still having a blast 22 hours into the game.It's so fun to just explore that I've only completed 3 storyline missions.I have actually gotten frustrated with the business district of Panau.I'm stuck at 97% complete so I'm about to start exploring further into the mountain and desert regions.

A question I received was are the collectable items located on the map as dots?The answer is yes.However, I'll be damned if I can find some of them.I can be right over a dot on the map and there's nothing but trees in the area, no crate to be found.I'm not sure if it's an error in the code, or it's hidden somewhere, but I've given up more than a few times.

FYI, you can complete the challenges multiple times to earn more money.There's nothing worse than buying a $35,000 plane and crashing it after flying 50 yards.If anyone is able to complete the free falling challenges, congrats, I am having a difficult time with those!

Post any questions and I will try to answer them quickly.

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Product Description:
Just Cause 2 is a stunning technological leap from the original - Designed with 2nd generation software technology for a true high definition gaming experience. New level of action gameplay in open environments - Only Just Cause 2 delivers action in the air, on the land, and under the water, plus multi-point, real-time vehicle movement and grapple-action that allows players to grab nearly anything within 200 feet. Three times as many missions as the original - All-new abilities and stunts. The best open-world action on the market!.

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Smuggler's Run Review

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(More customer reviews)I am 47 years old. This is only the second review I've writen to Amazon. ... I bought 8 games the first day, including Ridge Racer 5, DOA2, Madden 2001, SSX, Kessen, and Unreal Tournament. They are all awsome games in their own right, and so is the PS2 system in most ways. I like many genre of intertainment. But I love this game. So does a 31 year old friend who played it alone for 5 hours at my house. I played it for over twice that time (making myself late for work one day).There are, as the gamers review points out, many variables and choices to the 4 game modesavailable, from going head-to-head, to a free roaming mode where you are free to just go off-roading in a 5 mile square of either forest, desert, or mountain snow (it's the same territory as the forest with entirely new techniques). I had fun knocking cars, trucks and RVs into the forest river while in the free roaming mode, while a friend of mine found out that he could go into an eternal free-fall by scaling up the snow-frozen waterfall and driving off the mountain edge of the map.All the vehicles (10 or so) have different handling algorithms and it's fun to watch your car's body parts fly off as you rip through border patrol cars or hit a deep gulley. Driving skills are a must to advance to the highest levels, as well as familiarity with the areas, and some expiriance with gravity effects in the game. The Border Patrol officials get tougher as you progess, attempting to bulldoze you over and trap you for an arrest ('Crazy Taxi' goals, only with cops to stop you!). The mode where you are a member of a team and competing with another team to steal the most contraband from a crashed plane, ect. is fun in a second way, because you're stealing stuff from the other guys as a team (kinda like soccer, only you really SOCK 'em). I also have a Dreamcast (another fun machine), but I've not found anywhere, a better game. Even the kids (7 to 12, boys AND GIRLS) found this game both fun and addictive. This game is truly a good buy, and for a first generation game, hits the limits of displaying the known processing power of the system. But again, the bottom line is it's fun.

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Product Description:
We offer an extensive selection of video games.Our new games are factory sealed.Our used games (MINT SEALED) are buffed & resealed (includes case, original artwork & game manual).We also offer PC games & accessories. You'll love our discounted shipping on multi-item purchases.We offer outstanding customer service & support.We have a no questions asked money back guarantee for 14 days after the purchase date.

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Red Faction Guerrilla Review

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(More customer reviews)I do not normally write reviews, but I want to mention this game to help its sales since I know it it not as heavily covered as some other game releases this year.

In short I agree with the other positive reviewers so far.I do not usually like open world games.I thought Grand Theft Auto IV was ok, but this seems superior.The mission types are more varied (to me), the weapons are more interesting (the sledgehammer alone is great!) and the ability to interact and demolish buildings is much more "real."Also the mech vehicles are well done.

The physics engine for the building is simply amazing.It makes games that do not have their buildings take damage now seem "off."

I like that the multiplayer has the standard fare, but also some newer approaches involving destroying or defending buildings.This certainly should help people get longer value.

I have not played the previous Red Faction titles so cannot compare.I will say the story is not amazing, but it is good enough.You can read other reviews about the story.And if I had to choose between gameplay and story, I would choose gameplay.

Cons: As mentioned, sometimes missions can be a bit repetitive.Also,sometimes there are way too many enemies that spawn.But you can still come out victorious.

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Product Description:
Set 50 years after the climactic eventsof the original Red Faction, Red Faction: Guerrilla is a third-personshooter that allows players to take the role of an insurgent fighter withthe newly reestablished Red Faction guerilla movement on Mars as they battle forliberation from the oppressive Earth Defense Force. Red Faction: Guerrillaredefines the limits of destruction-based gameplay with a huge open-world,fast-paced guerilla-style combat, 16-player online multiplayer and truephysics-based destruction.

Do maximum tactical damage.
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Utilize hit & run guerilla tactics.
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Weapons high-tech and low.
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Land and air vehicles.
Viewlarger. The Story
In the year 2075, the Earth Defense Force (EDF) received a distress signalfrom a small mining facility on the surface of Mars. A group of rebels callingthemselves the Red Faction had overthrown the ruthless Ultor Corporationafter years of oppression. The EDF responded by launching a fleet of warshipsto Mars to aid the miners, bring Ultor to justice and restore order to theMartian colonies. In order to ensure safety and security for the newly liberatedcolonists, the EDF set up command posts and bases across the planet. Initially,under the EDF's rule, the people of Mars prospered: colonists establishedhomesteads, built towns and independent mining operations and began to stakeand work their mining claims. But the more things change on Mars, the morethey stay the same.

The troubles began with colonists being driven from their homes and mining claims by greedy, Earth-based corporations. Then came a 50 year turn of events that saw the EDF adopting the heavy-handed tactics that it once stood against. Yet in doing so it also instilled a deep-seated resentment among the miners and settlers of the Martian colonies. One of these new Martians is miner Alec Mason, whose dream of a new life carved out of the course Martian soil was crushed in the face of EDF-ordered curfews, detention centers, beatings, mass arrests and personal tragedy. But as powerful as the EDF is, there is resistance. Mason and a small group of revolutionaries have banded together, taken up the Red Faction name and pledged to again bring about a free Mars. And though their enemy has changed, their battle cry remains unchanged: "Better Red than Dead."

Key Game Features:

Join the Revolution - When the citizens of Mars can no longer bear the injustice of an oppressive regime, the fate of the planet lies in the hands of Alex Mason and the Red Faction.
Open World Guerilla Warfare - You decide who, when, where and how to battle. Utilize guerilla tactics, improvised weaponry, and modified vehicles to lead insurgent attacks on EDF targets. Launch attacks based on your own gameplay style, take on missions in any order you choose, or engage in destructive activities to weaken the EDF's grip on Mars.
Geo-Mod Technology 2.0 - Use destruction to your tactical advantage, setting ambushes or chain reaction explosions to attack enemy strongholds and permanently modify the game environment. Leverage fully-dynamic physics-based destruction to improvise on the fly: blow holes in a wall or floor to set an ambush or escape, take out a staircase to stop your pursuers, or drive vehicles through blown out walls.
Evolving & Emergent Gameplay - Carve your path through an ever changing landscape as you improvise your combat tactics – mixing gameplay styles, vehicles, weapons and explosives to defeat the EDF.
Epic Sci-fi Setting - Explore the huge, unforgiving Martianlandscape, from the desolate mining outpost of Parker to the gleamingEDF capital city of Eos; then tear through the fully destructible open-worldenvironments swarming with EDF forces, Red Faction resistance fighters,and the downtrodden settlers caught in the crossfire.
Multiplayer Combat - There is no place to hide when you put your guerilla warfare skills to the test in a variety of highly destructive 2-16 person online multiplayer combat modes.
Xbox LIVE Support - Build your Xbox 360 gamer score, achievements collection and leaderboard placement through full Xbox LIVE support.

Guerilla Warfare
You don't stand a chance against the EDF using standard military tactics.The only recourse when the few stand against the many is the use of hit and runtactics. Learn the routes of the patrols and quickest ways in and out ofEDF strongholds. By studying these things you can instinctively know whento attack, and when to wait for a better opportunity.

Ambushes are also useful in thinning EDF ranks. Remote charges andproximity mines are your best friend when preparing an ambush. A few well-placedcharges on the structural supports of a bridge can do wonders for stoppinga convoy dead in its tracks. Above all else, remember this: guerilla tactics are not aboutfighting fair, they are about winning.

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Cooking Academy 2: World Cuisine Review

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(More customer reviews)As with the first Cooking Academy game, my 25-year old daughter will play it for hours.She has autism and is developmentally challenged, so this game is a blessing as most of the downloadable games are too difficult for her to play.

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Product Description:
Welcome to the World Culinary Workshop! Cooking Academy 2 will put you in the kitchens of restaurants from all corners of the globe! From Chinese BBQ Pork Buns, to Mexican Tamales, to Japanese Sushi, make your way through 60 different recipes from eight different countries! Learn interesting trivia about food while mastering all new skills and mini-games including food processors, mixers, raiding the fridge and much more!

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Saints Row 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)Saint's Row 2 is just about everything fans of the original could've asked for, and more! Right off the bat, you'll notice just how many improvements have been done over the original. You start off in a coma, and you're asked to either re-create your guy from the last game, or make someone new. And this time, you can have a girl play as Stilwater's legendary gangster! You can go around the 'Saint's Row' equivalent of Chicago as a male or female.

The character customizations have been far expanded, and rival that of another THQ franchise, The "WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW" series. You can fine tune just about any facial feature to your liking, and once the game starts, you can buy your way up to owning cool clothes, which are far superior to the first game's clothing options. Even in Sloppy Seconds, you can customize color, material, and style of your clothing. Of course, keep in mind that Sloppy Seconds has some pretty awful clothes, too! I had my guy back in Saint's Purple in no time! The women's clothing is far less appealing though, although maybe I just haven't unlocked the hot Victoria's Secret wear, yet. The character cutomization truly is more advanced this time around, but a little bit of things irk me in the customization.

For example, you can't choose height once again in your character. In the first game, the Protagonist was way too short. About 5'6" or so. In this, he's kinda too tall. Maybe 6'1" or 6'2", but he (or she, as females have the same towering height as your men) completely towers over everyone else in town. Also, the body options are kinda weird. It's like, you can only choose a body "type" for them, like obese, or thin, and you can't fine tune things, like their stomach or chest. For women, their breasts are kind of too pointy. For men, their body shape is kind of odd, with big arms and a slightly disproportionate body (assuming your guy isn't an obese fellow). Some things are kind of too in-depth (like ear customization, for example. Who cares about ears?) While the body customizations could've been more expanded. Also, the "Personality" features aren't as in-depth as I was hoping for. Basically, you choose voice, walking style, compliment taunt, and insult taunts. The voices are basically White, Black, and Hispanic male and females. The White guy voice is British, probably because the game developers are also, British, and they wanted a local guy in there. I'm guessing most people will end up using the Black Male voice or White Female voice. The gender equality goes beyond your main character though, and also shows up in the gangs, too, as before, only about 10% of your enemies were female, as now it's about 40% of women in the enemy gangs. And it seems like the entire police force seems to made up of women, which is a little odd.

When you actually begin, you start off with a prison break, and get access to the newly expanded fighting system. While very simple to use, it's actually quite hard to master, and I like that. Basically, you can punch two different ways, do combos, and block. There's other things you can learn later too, like the new Human Shield option, where you can toss people acorss streets like they're only 10 pounds light. Of course, this is just for your basic fighting style. You'll learn new ways to brawl later in the game, as well! You also now also pick up inanimate objects like cinderblocks, trash cans, or virtually anything, and use them as makeshift fighting weapons. Your non-firearm weapons have greatly been expanded, and the variety of different melee weapons rivals that of San Andreas. However, in this game, you can make much cooler use of them! I stongly suggest once you hit the streets of new Stilwater, to find a Ronin gang member and steal his or her katana blade. That thing rocks! Both objects and newer melee attacks are also available in Grand Suck Auto IV, but Saint's Row 2 makes much better uses out of all of them! It's a complete no contest here in which game's are better. With weapons, all your favorites are back, and the annoying habit of constantly having to switch out guns for ammo to get different ones that have been taken off of your enemies is gone! Because now, we have dual-weilding, baby! Your guy or girl will be able to shoot out two Vice 9's, at once, now, and do it like the pro they are! Unlike San Andreas, you won't have to level up skill points to earn advanced weaponry weilding because the game assumes your guy is already a master of the firearms from the first game! I love how convient Volition are! They're willing to cut the crap (like having to swim miles to make it to shore) and just give you the fun gaming goodness you want from the get-go! When you deal with explosives, if you're too close to the blast, it'll blast out your character's ear drums and they'll be temporally deaf! It's a nice touch with really shows you how much explosives can mess your character up! Saint's Row 2 also gives you Autosaving, so if your game freezes on you or the power goes out, you can start off from the last mission or activity you completed. Autosaving at first doesn't seem to useful, but once an unexpected something DOES happen to you or your game, you'll be so glad it's there! I made it to Lv. 6 of Drug Trafficking and didn't save any of it when my 360 shut down on me. But with the Autosave feature, I was able to restart from the end of Lv. 5 and not lose a thing! It's such a great and convient feature to have!

Once again, you'll have to earn respect to do new missions, but the Activities now are a lot more fun, and many of the lame ones from the first game, except the stupid Insurance Fraud ones, which I've always hated, are gone. Activities are now divided by Diversions (the lesser, old Activities) and the true "Activities" now are the ones that take much longer time to complete, such as Chop Shop and Hit Man, which once again make a return. I hopped in a car with my girl and immeadially started a Drive-By activity on some Sons of Samedi. Now, in the Diversions, there are six levels instead of eight, and for some, you can continue up to each level without interuption. I didn't even know I was on Level 5 in Drive-By until I actually checked up the top of the screen. The new diversion activities are awesome. "vehicle Surfing" is tricky but fun, until you fall of the car, that is! In "Trail Blazing" you get to race to a checkpoint all while on fire, blowing up cars on impact and lighting people on fire, earning time. It's sort of a mix of Mayhem and Racing, and it's very fun. "Fuzz" is the Stilwater equivalent of Cops and you get to play as the all-around corrupt police officer, hurting people breaking the law, and getting good and violent footage for the TV show. By the further levels, it gets really fun and interesting, like stopping a Pirate-Ninja war! "Crowd Control" has you playing as a celebrity bodyguard, stopping mobs of crazy fans from hurting your client! Depending on the level, you can trhow people into chopper blades, toss them into attack dogs, crush them with a bulldozer, cram them into an airport security x-ray machine, or chuck em into an oncoming el train!

There are more ways to earn respect now, too. Inspired by the Balls Meter from the "Scarface: The World Is Yours" game, you can now earn respect by doing ballsy things that Tony Montana did in his game, like driving in the wrong lane of traffic and taunting bad people like cops and gang members, and also now pimps and hoes, who are now official "enemies", as well. The only thing missing is the ability to yell at people who crash into your car while driving. Just don't get TOO much respect before using it up on missions, though, as after Lv. 99, your respect is Infinite, and that sort takes all the fun out of it, having Infinite respect and all.

The new Stilwater is a much darker, depressing place than the old Stilwater, which is ironic considering that the old Stilwater was probably much more violent. It's about 50% larger, and the new places are less inviting to you than you'd think they'd be. They clearly don't like your kind around there. The new gangs have a bit more unity than the old ones did, and respect each other's territories, leaving the endangered Third Streets Saint's pretty much their only common enemy. Many parts of old Stilwater have been rebuilt by Ultor's multi-million dollar city renovation. With Ultor Corporation owning Stilwater and turning it into a bleak metropolis for the Upper Class and snobby, you'll have the incredible feeling of both familarity and newness, all at the same time. Some old, favorite neighborhoods will look familar, but will be dark, barren and full of bums and prostitutes. Others, such as the humble Saint's Row, have been completely taken over! Seems like at least 20 years of change since 2006, though, when our old familar Stilwater was Ultor-free. Only a few list of people actually return for the sequel, but luckly, it's all the ones you would want to see return, including your best pal, Johnny Gat. Also in Stilwater are the new gangs. They also follow the same trend of having a Drug gang, a street punk gang, and a Corporate Business gang. Taking the place of the Latin Los Carnales, the Caucasian Westside Rollerz, and the Black Vice Kings are the Haitian Sons of Samedi, the Caucasian Brotherhood of Stilwater, and The Asian Ronin. The fourth, "unofficial" gang are the Ultor Corporation, themselves, and they run pretty much everything in new Stilwater, including all of the police. The Ronin are probably the deadliest gang, as they all carry katana blades and chase after you on high speed motorcyles, which comes off as a lot more vicious and scary than the standard street car pursuits the other gangs do. I won't say too much, but there's a little bit of "Kill Bill" as you progress through the Ronin storyline. They're definitely the best to take on out of the three...Read more›

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Virtual City Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This game's a gem! Without getting too complicated, I think it offers a bit more depth and contents than a lot of other casual games in this genre. And something else I find rare and precious: replay value!

If I wanted to make a comparison, I'd say the mechanics of Virtual City remind me most of Transport Tycoon (in a much, much simplified way). Although you do get to build your little city, it's not so much a building game as it is a transportation and resource-management game.

There are lots of things you can build in the game though: roads, houses, decorations, bus stations, utility buildings (fire station, hospital, tech stations, recycling drop spots...) and 7 whole production chains (i.e. from wheat to pies). You can even modify the existing layout of a map (to a certain extent) by bulldozing existing roads and wooded areas, then rebuild it differently.

The buildings and vehicles' graphics change when we upgrade them, which is much nicer than just having a certain amount of stars next to them.

At the start of each level, you are given a set of goals to fulfill. The game consists mostly in bringing the required goods to the appropriate buildings (or neighboring cities), which in turn will produce another type of goods needed by another building, or fulfill a goal. The goals are varied: goods deliveries, population amount and/or happiness, income, special buildings to be built, etc.

The game's very relaxed. You can try to beat the "Expert" time if you want, but you won't be penalized in any way if you don't complete a level within that time frame -- you can still come back to a particular level any time to play it again and try to beat the timer if you feel like it. So, in this manner, the game is not at all stressful, and not even "clicky". You can just relax, enjoy the beautiful graphics and have fun building up your city and transportation network.

Between levels (50 in all!), new buildings, upgrades, and other types of improvements (i.e. a hot air balloon to be launched from the plaza) are unlocked for you to purchase.

The campaign game plays on various maps in 5 different locations, many of which large enough to be scrollable.

Now, one of the most important thing to me: replay value. For one thing, there's already replay value in the way that you can replay any level individually as I mentioned above, whether you want to improve your score or beat the timer or just try a different city layout. But also, every time you finish all the levels in a particular location, it opens a very large Sandbox map in that location where you can pretty much do whatever you want. Endless fun! :)

Anyway, I really enjoy this game. It's relaxing, very pretty, very entertaining, and I can tell I'll be playing it for a long time without getting tired of it. Well worth the small price tag for sure!

I've played Virtual City on Vista 32-bit, and currently playing it on Windows 7 64-bit. Works fine with either operating system.

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Product Description:
Create a residential paradise or an industrial center in this fun and exciting simulation game! Construct gorgeous houses and industrial buildings as you produce goods and deliver them to the shopping malls. Make the city a cleaner place by recycling garbage, adding hospitals and fire stations, and upgrading building. Deal with economic downturn and natural disasters. Build the city of your dreams today!

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Crackdown Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This actually turned out to be a great game. A lot of people, myself included, figured it would only sell because of the Halo 3 beta invite included with it and that the game itself would suck. But Crackdown itself actually ROCKS!! This game is great, adrenaline filled fun!

You basically play as a cop with superpowers that grow better as you play. So, the more you jump around, the better your jumping ability gets, and eventually you can jump over buildings. The more you fight, the better your fighting ability gets, the more you drive, the better your character's driving ability gets, and so forth.

It's an open world style game (but please, don't compare it to GTA, it's really quite different!) The guy who created GTA made this game, but the comparisons should really end there. This game is an original take on the open sandbox style of game. In some ways this game is more fun than the GTA games. You have superpowers! You can jump tall buildings! You can pick up and throw cars! In other was, it falls short of a GTA comparison. For one thing it doesn't have as much depth and as many varied things to do. But still, Crackdown will keep anyone entertained for a long, long time, and there's sure to be plenty of downloads to expand the game further.

All in all, this is a great game, tons of fun (just what a video game should be!), and it is well worth the purchase by its own merits! The Halo 3 Beta invite is just a bonus (although a really, really GREAT bonus!) But you don't have to take my word for it; go play the demo on Xbox Live!!

Note on the Halo 3 beta invite: You must own the game disc at the time the beta becomes available (late spring).So, no, you can't buy the game and then sell it and still get into the Halo 3 beta. You must have the Crackdown game disc in your XBox 360 drive to download and play the beta when it comes out.

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Product Description:
Product InformationPacific City is overridden; crime controls the streets. Three powerful gangshave taken the once-great metropolis hostage and the police have provenpowerless in their efforts to regain control. Only the Agency's deployinggenetically enhanced agents of justice can provide citizens with some sense ofhope. With an open-ended "sandbox" environment players are free toexplore the city and decide on the best tactics for each breathtaking scenario.Brace yourself. Justice is coming to Pacific City.A next-gen visual and gameplay styleCrackdown pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generationwith the first ever truly 3-D playground. Gamers will level up their Agent'sstrength agility firearms explosives and driving skills while scaling thefully vertical world. Enforce justice by any means necessary in Pacific City acrime-ridden urban center primed to explode and ready for you to explore. Enteran interactive world where anything can be used as a weapon as you clean up thestreets the only way you know how. Your way. Developed by Scotland's Real TimeWorlds exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and the Xbox 360 console Crackdownis the brainchild of Dave Jones the creative genius behind many innovative gametitles such as Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings.Harnessing the amazing power of Xbox 360 Crackdown players enforcejustice against the backdrop of a crime-ridden metropolis that is massive inscale and meticulous in detail. The game's unique presentation employs a highlystylized rendering technique that turns it into a living breathing graphicalnovel. You play the role of an enforcer for the city's "Agency" a lawenforcement entity looking to take back neighborhoods and lives from three largecrime syndicates. You are part of the new generation of crime fighters- anentirely new breed of genetically superior super-cops designed to use theenemies' tactics against them.Multiplayer mayhemF

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Just Cause 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just Cause 2 is about the most fun that I have had with a PC game in a while.The graphics are absolutely amazing, view distance, dynamic environments.The look of this game is everything of Far Cry 2, with even more gasps of awesome.

You play the part of Rico Rodriguez, a CIA agent who is about the most physics breaking mass of testosterone I have ever seen.You are dropped into a large, open country to drop an evil dictator out of power by working with several different factions.To do this you have mass amounts of vehicles at your disposal, a multitude of guns and explosives and most importantly, a grappling hook and parachute.

This last part is the best part of the game.Using the hook, you can climb objects, access flying vehicles from the ground, pull people out of air and even tie object together.Tie someone to a barrel and blast the thing into space to see some real fun.

Initially, the game did not impress me.The story and mission parts of the game reminded me of Far Cry 2.Lots of repetition and little development.Then I hit a point where I slammed my car into another car and flew them both off a cliff.Seeing myself falling I decided to use my grappling hook to escape, but only managed to snare another bystander.In the end I opened a parachute and glided to safety all while watching one of the most insane wrecks ever.The game is full of stuff like this.Tie a motorcycle to a car and use it as a wrecking ball.Rope a plane and ride it around just because you can.So many times I found myself asking "Man wouldn't it be cool if I could to this?"Moments later, I did.

At this point I found that the point of the plot and game is actually secondary to the extreme sandbox fun in there.At points of my new found enjoyment, my wife actually thought I lost my mind due to the non-stop laughter and childlike joy radiating out of me.The fun factor of this game is higher than anything I can imagine playing lately.Honestly, this game is pure sandbox first, and an actual game third.Also, your destructive acts are rewarded with guns and vehicles.How many games honestly reward your childlike explosive needs?

As for the lack of XP support, well we saw this coming.Not many people cried that Halo didn't work on windows 3.1, so we really just need to move on here.DirectX 10 will simply not work on XP, and the look and feel of this game is something so amazing that you just need the best to make it happen.

If you are on the fence about getting yet another FPS in a time where they are roaming the earth, get off on this side now.This is not yet another modern day shooter remake, nor are you wandering yet another WW2 battlefield, this is something truly special.

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Product Description:
Just Cause 2 is a stunning technological leap from the original - Designed with 2nd generation software technology for a true high definition gaming experience. New level of action gameplay in open environments - Only Just Cause 2 delivers action in the air, on the land, and under the water, plus multi-point, real-time vehicle movement and grapple-action that allows players to grab nearly anything within 200 feet. Three times as many missions as the original - All-new abilities and stunts. The best open-world action on the market!.

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Red Dead Redemption Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Please ignore the reviewer that stated (repeatedly) that "this game is just like GTA IV... If you hated that you will definitely hate this." That could not be further from the truth!!

Red Dead Redemption is Rockstar's newest sandbox game, and it is a very good change up on the already popular GTA series. Let me start off by saying I have always been a huge fan of GTA games... until GTA IV. Tried and tried to play it, just could not get into it. Everything about it was wrong for me, and I know a lot of others felt the same. Sure RDR is very similar to GTA IV, yet everything about it is so much better.

Graphics are amazing, game play is easy to pick up and hard to put down, shooting system is improved, horse riding is intuitive, and hunting is a blast, just to name a few. This is GTA on steroids. Don't get me wrong, the huge cities and fancy sports cars were a ton of fun, but this is so much better. Set in the early 20th century, Red Dead Redemption takes place in the ever changing Wild West. Dusty old towns, bustling saloons, and family ranches are presented with such accuracy and clarity, you'd think you are back in the old west yourself!

Red Dead Redemption's scale is beyond HUGE!! The Wild West has never looked so good. There's a fullness to the sunsets that's so breathtaking you almost forget about the task at hand. The characters play a role nearly as big as the landscape, if not more. The dialog is smooth and witty, and the hometown feel of McFarlanes ranch only adds to the beauty.

There are so many side missions and quests, it's tough to get bored. From helping a stranded women on the side of the road, to tracking and shooting trophy bucks, there is truly something for everyone. Don't feel like shooting or riding around on your horse? Play some cards! Drink a shot!

Your thinking what I'm thinking aren't you? GTA on horses. Yes, but as you play on through the game you will quickly realize it is so much more than that. It's a nice change up in the video game world, and quite a surprise in the western genre.

Now I know this was a very short, somewhat random review, but I hope it provided enough insight to help you decide on the purchase.

***********UPDATE**********
I have gotten a few comments about my review. Some feeling that I have not experienced all the game has to offer, and should wait until I'm further along and write a detailed review. My review was an attempt to give a quick firsthand look, and to knock dead a few misconceptions. I believe all first time buyers need an initial review to help them decide to buy it or not. The game experience should be left up to each individual.

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Product Description:
Red Dead Redemption is an open-world, third-person, action-adventure game set at the tail end of the American West West era. Action takes place in the first few years of the twentieth century and revolves around the choices that the protagonist, former outlaw John Marston, is forced to make due to his blemished past. The game features a morality system assigning honor and fame points generated through the player's choices. It also features Wild West themed mini-games, new targeting and cover systems, extensive horse riding abilities, a wealth of period specific weapons and more than 40 huntable animals.

Story
Red Dead Redemption is a Western epic, set at the turn of the 20th century when the lawless and chaotic badlands began to give way to the expanding reach of government and the spread of the Industrial Age. A follow up to the 2004 hit Red Dead Revolver, this game tells the story of former outlaw John Marston, taking players on a great adventure across the American frontier.

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