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Serif PhotoPlus X4 Review

By
khoward
– October 18, 2011Posted in: PC, Reviews, Software

Serif PhotoPlus X4Due in part to the availability of free photo-sharing sites such as Flickr and even Facebook, an increasing number of individuals have taken an interest in digital photography.  Use of the industry standard Photoshop can make it an expensive hobby – but there are options that provide professional editing tools without the expense or complexity.  One such photo-editing program, Serif PhotoPlus X4, makes it simple for beginning digital artists to create quality effects – while providing more advanced tools for accomplished users.

Usability
Like Serif’s drawing program, DrawPlus X4 (previously reviewed here), PhotoPlus X4 seems to put strong emphasis on usability.  The default workspace layout is reminiscent of most design software with basic functions across the top, tools on the left, and panels for more advanced editing on the right in collapsible menus that are easy to move and rearrange.  However, given the sheer number of tools and options available, even the logical arrangement of the default interface does not entirely eliminate the learning curve for software of this depth.

Still, we found that Serif PhotoPlus X4 provides plenty of assistance in getting familiar with the software and its features.  The Help menu features a detailed visual reference for all of the program’s toolbars and elements in addition to a searchable index that is organized by topic.  A How-To Menu further focuses on specific tasks with step-by-step instructions for common photo-editing processes.  Also of benefit to the novice user are the tutorials available from the Serif website that cover adjusting photographs, creative effects, the makeover studio, and more.

Though it may not match tool-for-tool the functionality of Photoshop, PhotoPlus X4 is extremely versatile, offering a wealth of tools and options that are more than sufficient for most photo tasks, from simple retouching to more advanced creative effects.  In addition, it supports batch processing using macros, letting you quickly and automatically apply a series of edits to a group of images.

Retouching and Adjusting
When it comes to photo editing, retouching and adjusting tools are often taken for granted – but not when it comes to PhotoPlus X4.  The basic Red Eye Tool and Blemish Remover easily provide better than adequate results with little effort.  The Clone or Scratch Removal Tools and Patch are useful for blending out small discolorations – or for removing objects, though achieving a precise blend from this method can be challenging.  The same tools or other techniques can be used to smooth skin or remove under-eye dark circles and hot spots on portraits.

PhotoPlus X4’s PhotoFix interface allows for easily changing white balance, lighting, curves, and more using built-in or custom filters; adjustment and filter layers allow for the same edits without affecting the original.  Key adjustments like levels, curves, and even the sharpen tool are simple to use, though an experienced eye is needed to know how far to take changes.  With these and more advanced techniques like masks and layer blends, PhotoPlus X4 affords several options for achieving specific photo effects.

With the Raw Studio, PhotoPlus X4 invites even more creative expression, letting you work with the added information of raw image files to adjust white balance, recover blown highlights, alter exposure, and reduce noise.  Along with adjustment layers that can be hidden for comparison, PhotoPlus X4’s view options let you compare changes as you make them.  The Photo cropping tools feature plenty of useful options – from specified size crops to the rule of thirds grid, along with resolution choices for sharing in print or on the web.  The Straightening Tool can be useful for preparing off-center images for presentation, but we found creating a new horizontal line more challenging than it sounds.

Creative Effects
No comprehensive photo-editing software would stop with those basic editing processes, however, and PhotoPlus X4 is capable of far more advanced effects for the digital photographer.  It offers a range of black-and-white look options beginning with the relatively simple Grayscale Color Mode and Saturation Adjustment all the way to the more particular monochrome style of adjustment layers and blend modes.  Color effects like selective color and popping color are also made possible with variations on these adjustment techniques

With the editing features of PhotoPlus X4, the variety of creative effects is really only limited by the photo artist’s imagination.  Using a combination of filters, adjustment layers, and layer masks – or convenient Macros – a photo can be given an antique look, an infrared effect, or even turned into a fantasy landscape.  The online tutorials for PhotoPlus X4 provide an example of the versatility of the program’s creative tools by turning the same photograph into a winter, sunset, and storm scene.

Files and Compatibility
When it comes to photo editing software, it is important to be able to open and edit the file types with which you most often work.  Along with standard image file types such as .bmp, .jpg, .gif, and .png, PhotoPlus X4 supports Microsoft Paint (.msp) and Photoshop (.psd) files along with many others.  It also boasts support for a variety of common RAW files from cameras such as Casio, Canon, Kodak, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji, Sony, and more.

These RAW camera files open in PhotoPlus X4’s Raw Studio for editing, and can then be saved as PhotoPlus project for later layer editing or, like all PhotoPlus X4 projects, exported to common file formats like TIFF, PNG, or JPEG.  Images from PhotoPlus X4 can even be saved with their layers in Photoshop format when necessary.  All considered, the program has surprisingly good compatibility and flexibility when it comes to image file types.

Summary
It seems only natural that Serif PhotoPlus X4 will be compared to more expensive photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop.  While the latter may have more power and clout, as well as a few more tools, PhotoPlus X4 can get the job done when it comes to most photo-editing tasks.  With a host of advanced, professional tools, it supports a range of features and techniques from routine adjustments to advanced effects – more than enough to satisfy most digital photography artists.  As in any photo editing program, results will depend largely on your skills and experience, as well as patience in learning to effectively use the available tools.  With its wide variety of features, detailed guidance, and usable design, PhotoPlus X4 provides a strong compromise between basic editing programs and the complexity (and expense) of Photoshop.

 

Buy Serif PhotoPlus X4 now for only $24.49 with free shipping at NothingButSoftware.com.

 

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Serif DrawPlus X4 Review

By
khoward
– September 7, 2011Posted in: PC, Reviews, Software

While it may seem like there are few serious options when it comes to detailed design software, there are lesser-known titles that deserve more attention.  With advanced features for drawing, photo editing, and animation, DrawPlus X4 definitely warrants the consideration of both amateur and professional designers.  It may not entirely reach the level of design rivals Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW in some areas, but DrawPlus X4 has plenty of templates and tools for a host of design needs in a far more user-friendly interface.

Usability and Versatility
Suited for both novice and experienced designers, the DrawPlus X4 workspace is logical and intuitive, making it easy to learn and navigate.  It features a Standard Toolbar and a Context Toolbar at the top with a Drawing Toolbar and Panels to the left and right of the page area – all of which can be collapsed and rearranged to meet specific workspace needs.  While some advanced features may require additional searching, the most common functions are readily accessible and instinctive to use.

Another distinct user-friendly advantage is that DrawPlus X4 often shows rather than tells, with clear template option icon images and defined Layer panel thumbnail images.   For additional guidance, the Help menu features a categorized list of detailed articles on DrawPlus X4 operations, while the Tutorials features links you to the DrawPlus website which tackles basic design functions with illustrated step-by-step instructions.

DrawPlus X4 includes many document types ranging from the creativity of pop-up cards to the practicality of ISO technical drawings, while the Custom Page Setup allows users to easily build more original project formats.  For extra inspiration, the program also offers design templates featuring complete but fully editable designs from coloring pages and educational posters for children to logo templates and web banners for businesses.  Regardless of their project needs, experience, or skill level, designers should have no trouble finding an appropriate document type.

Drawing Features
Along with basic design tools, DrawPlus X4 includes additional functionality for producing creative content.  QuickShapes easily create a huge variety of more complex objects while versatile stroke or spray brushes and the Pressure tab add dramatic or hand-drawn effects with a few clicks.  A wide variety of color and gradient swatches are just the start of the flexible coloring options in DrawPlus X4.  A project’s colors automatically appear in the Document Palette for immediate access, and styles can be copied to a new object quickly with the Format Painter.  Artistic text can be sized as it is created, while gradient and 3D effects can be edited directly on an object.

Exacting effects like precise dimensions and alignment take little effort with editing features that appear while placing and sizing objects.  The Node Tool makes it easy to adjust individual object dimensions while Group and Ungroup buttons appear automatically as you select objects, allowing for convenient changes.  DrawPlus X4 gallery items – from child-friendly clipart to electrical circuit elements – are completely editable and can be used as a template for new objects to be added to the designer’s personal gallery section.  Grid overlays for Divine Proportions and the Rule of Thirds provide even more technical design assistance.  There is however, one inconvenience – an actual workspace preview is not available while working in certain dialog boxes.

Animation Features
The animation side of DrawPlus X4 occurs in the same workspace, allowing all the same design features to be applied to animated creations.  With various formats for both Stopframe and Keyframe animations, moving designs can be created and edited as easily as still images.  In addition, an onion-skinning feature allows a designer to view frame-by-frame changes, and there are options for immediate updating of previous or forward frames to changes on a current frame object.  These features enhance the convenience of a full set of design features within an animation program.

Photo Features and PanoramaPlus X4
In addition to drawing and animation features, DrawPlus X4 also features a good number of photo editing tools with the PhotoLab, available through the Picture Context Toolbar.  With red-eye removal, spot repair, and filters for lighting and balance adjustments, it covers basic photo editing, while styles and effects like Pop Art and Impressionist take image creativity a step further.  Within the PhotoLab’s separate interface, these effects have their own contextual menus for additional artistic control.  Back in the DrawPlus X4 main interface, the Cut-out Studio gives the user several options for isolating part of an image, functioning similarly to Adobe Photoshop’s Magic Wand tool.

PanoramaPlus X4, an entirely separate photo program, is included with DrawPlus X4, and allows photographers to “stitch” together a series of images to create a panorama image.  This software is simple enough to use – the software detects matching elements from the selected images to combine them into a single image which can then be adjusted and cropped.  With the distortions of joining photos taken at different angles, the Straighten tool is key; unfortunately it is far less intuitive than DrawPlus X4’s editing features.  The other challenging aspect of this process is likely collecting a series of images that PanoramaPlus X4 accepts as matching; even with its own sample images, it was unable to piece together two adjacent images out of the five.

Files and Compatibility
When it comes to file compatibility, DrawPlus X4 is fairly versatile, supporting eighteen standard file types.  PDF import, edit, and export capabilities provide universal functionality to designs, while Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, EPS, and CAD graphics can be imported for use in the program.  Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) are supported for editable images that retain their details, while DrawPlus X4 supports exports in various file types suited for both print and web applications, including animated files.  Although it may not be compatible with all design files, DrawPlus X4 does play well with a good number of formats, including the most common image types.

Summary
Overall, DrawPlus X4 packs a lot of functionality into one software program with drawing, photo, and animation tools.  While it may not have all features or file compatibility of Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, it lacks the frustrating learning curve of these better-known programs.  It also has more than sufficient functionality for a full range of creative endeavors with significant support via Help and the DrawPlus community.  Combined with the convenience of so many tools in one place, the impressive usability of DrawPlus X4 makes it a great value and solid option for beginning and even experienced designers.

 

Buy Serif DrawPlus X4 now for only $34.49 with free shipping at NothingButSoftware.com.

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Featured Product Offer: Migo Digital Shredder Premium & Registry Repair 5.0

By
jsaliba
– July 20, 2010Posted in: Deals, Featured Offers, Reviews

This Week’s Featured Product Offer . . .is actually two! ‘Digital Shredder Premium & Registry Repair 5.0′ is a super bundle that not only includes ‘Registry Repair’ but Digital Shredder, a critical program that lets you easily, securely and permanently erase your confidential data – now only $6.99.

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After checking out our product review video below, be sure to head back to NothingButSoftware.com for more unbeatable deals on software, consoles games, gadgets and much, much more!


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Assassins Creed II Review

By
acoleman
– November 21, 2009Posted in: Gaming, Reviews

Return of the Assassin
One of the most anticipated games of 2009, Assassins Creed II is the squeal to the popular Assassins Creed. This new installment in the series improves on almost every flaw of its predecessor but is it a worth while experience?

Assassins Creed II

Pros
The Story – You will be returning as Desmond who is in the middle of a centuries long war between the Assassins and the Templar. Desmond will follow the life of Ezio in this game, a young Assassin who lived in Renaissance Italy. It is a historical mystery laced with a little revenge and is much more absorbing than the previous game

Game Play – Platforming is more fluid in this game as Ezio is a more agile assassin. Combat is more enjoyable as you have more weapon options, and different outcomes to battles. The city is more life like and citizens are more interactive. All and all game play has improved light years beyond the previous game.

Environments – Renaissance Italy is a much more colorful and vibrant environment than the last game. Not only is it perfect for your platforming, it a perfect landscape for a history lesson, which you are dropped right into the middle of.

Customization – You have a massive amount of customization options that were not previously available in the last game. You get to choose which weapons you want, as well as purchase armor, and clothing. You will even be able to customize your own villa at one point in the game.

Cons
Facial modeling – the game is so well crafted hat it was a big surprise to see how awkward the facial modules were. They seem to have changed little from the previous games, and I would have just expected them to be updated a little more.

The Verdict
All and all Assassins Creed II is a game whose success greatly outweighs its flaws. It has improved on almost every short coming of its first installment, and continues its reputation of being one of the best platformers out there. We give Assassins Creed II, 5 out of 5 stars!


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F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin…A Very Scary Review

By
acoleman
– February 18, 2009Posted in: Gaming, PC, PS3, Reviews, Video, Xbox 360





A return to F.E.A.R.
The second installment from Monolith’s hugely successful horror FPS title has at long last arrived. Returning to the city of Auburn where it all began. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin offers scarier atmospheres, more open environments, and a first person experience that is equally enjoyable as its previous title. From the darkest corners of the nether regions Alma has returned, and she has a bone to pick with Armachan!

Horror 101
F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin follows the story of Michael Becket, who is a new character to the series and a fresh perspective. A delta squad rookie, Becket is dispatched to the city of Auburn (on a mission to rescue Armachan’s President) just before it was annihilated by the cataclysmic explosion of the previous game. After the big boom is when the weirdness starts. Becket wakes to find that he is Alma’s newest interest as he begins to see her everywhere. As a sort of guide Alma leads Becket through a terrifying journey into the dark history of her past and ultimately to an ending so bizarre that I refuse to spoil it for you.

There is Nothing to Fear but…Alma
Continuing the same type of jarring game play from the previous game, you are constantly jumping between chills, and thrills. F.E.A.R. 2 capitalizes on the classic elements of horror, in which suspense draws you into a scene only to have it completely shattered by jarring action sequences.  This is the bread and butter of the F.E.A.R. franchise and it is something they do well. The transitions from horror to action are a shocking way to propel the game play.

The Atmospheres are eerie, more creative, and much larger then in the previous game. Some levels are large, and that does put a bit of a strain on the game play as you become bored with staring at the same level. You will be exploring the devastated city of Auburn in which you will constantly come across Armachan operatives who have been dispatched there.  Alma becomes your guide as well as your tormentor, as she constantly twists your mind with disturbing hallucinations. Unwillingly forging a psychic bond with Alma you develop the ability to slow down time. The ability is a much needed asset as the AI of F.E.A.R. 2 is advanced.  Enemies will use environments, and team tactics to try and take you down. The bullet time will give you the advantage to dispatch enemies as needed.

The mech suits add a creative element to game play, and are extremely enjoyable to use. Self repairing and equipped with dual guns, and a rocket launcher they are basically gigantic killing machines. The mech suits are very effective in helping you to mow down enemies. You will be able to use them at various times, and surprisingly they work for a game totally unrelated to mech suits.

Multi-player is average keeping the simple modes; such as death match, and capture the flag. So do not expect much more than that from it. It isn’t a bad multi-player by any means, just basic. Campaign mode is another story! It is a rich experience with dynamic environments, and a near indiscernible plot line with more twist than a Shyamalan film.

Fear thy name is Alma
F.E.A.R. 2 continues the formula of its predecessor, and it is an effective one at that. Larger environments, more intelligent enemies, and a continuing theme of creepiness definitely makes this game worthy of your time.  The muti-player could have been better and that is the reason this game falls short of a five star rating, but the campaign alone makes this game worth its price. We give F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin 4 out of 5 stars.

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3

McAfee 09 Review

By
acoleman
– January 19, 2009Posted in: Reviews, Security Sofware, Software, Tech





What to expect from McAfee 2009
At face value, McAfee 2009 seems much the same as the 2008 version but take the time to give it second glance. This year, McAfee has taken huge strides in terms of speed, ease of use, and the number of features – delivering an over all good security software suite for 2009.

Installation
Although this version is slow to install, it is a simple process, and it is has much fewer issues during setup.  What we have heard is that the overall setup process for users is simple. You shouldn’t have any issues during installation unless you are using a beta Internet Explorer.

Interface
McAfee integrates all of its tools into one interface, which is a continuation of previous years. To the faithful McAfee users, this type of interface will cater to you and will no doubt be more than adequate for your day to day use.

Features
McAfee has the most features of almost any security suite out now, including two-way firewall, anti-virus,  anti-spyware, anti-spam, and anti-phishing.  The firewall protection has great user options, the malware protection and anti-spamming is excellent and highly rated.  Lastly, the Shareware trial is excellent and almost a prerogative for any who are undecided on this software and would like a chance to try it out before purchase.

Bottom Line
If you’re a McAfee fan – you’ll want to pick up this version – and if you are still trying to decide what type of internet security to go with, this is a good choice.  The best aspect of this ‘total protection’ software from McAfee would be the features. As stated before, it has the most features of almost security suite on the market now. We give McAfee 2009 four out of five stars.

You can get a copy of McAfee 2009 here

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Prince of Persia [Video] Review

By
acoleman
– December 11, 2008Posted in: Action, Gaming, PS3, Reviews, Video


The Return of the Prince
The new title from Ubisoft’s popular platforming series has at long last arrived. Prince of Persia is  completely different from its predecessors, and there was a fair amount of risk that was taken in its development. From the subtle changes in game play, and the not so subtle changes in art concepts, and character design. Prince of Persia is not a fourth installment of The Sands of Time series, it is a reinvention of the franchise. Only 3 years after the release of The Two Thrones, the Prince is back.

The Corruption
The story begins in a desert, in which our nameless protagonist Prince is lost. Searching for Farah, his donkey (that’s right, a donkey) which is weighted down with the booty of the Princes recent endeavors. The Prince seems hopelessly lost until he stumbles upon a women named Elika, who is at the moment being pursued by some guys with sharp pointy objects. Casting their lot together the Prince and Elika flee the pursuers into a great temple in which she claims is the home of Ahriman, the God of Darkness. Elika confesses, that her family comes from an ancient line of guardians, commissioned by Ormazd the God of light to guard a great seal within the temple. This seal has kept the God of Darkness trapped for centuries. Once inside they meet Elika’s very agitated father who in a fit of rage shatters the seal and releases Ahriman.

Finally freed, but weekend Ahriman can only manifest himself as the corruption which consumes any living thing it comes in contact with. As one in a long line of ancient defenders against Ahriman, Elika is gifted with the magic ability to purge corruption. The Prince, who’s only goal in life is to find his gold touting donkey is reluctantly convinced by Elika to aid her. The two unlikely allies work together to free the world of the corruption, thus weakening Ahriman so that Elika may restore the seal and bind him once more within it.

Side scrolling, to 3D, to HD…this franchise has come a long way
This franchise has seen a vast number of changes, and this title may be the most significant yet. The first and most distinct change is the environments which are the triumph of this title. Gorgeous in their design the landscape of Prince of Persia are like living artwork.

Although the core aspects of game play that fans love from this franchise have continued in this title, they have been revamped. Platforming is more fluid and smooth, making the Prince’s acrobatics more realistic. Combat is no longer about button smashing hordes of enemies, it revolves around one on one combat with strategically timed moves, which are enjoyable once mastered. The cinematic sequence are another enjoyable aspect of combat as well. The other highly notable change would be the non-linear, open world type of game play. One of the shortcomings of the Sands of Time series was the linear game play, and developers scrapped that concept by allowing gamers to forge their own path through an open world setting.

Although Ubisoft removed a lot of the drawbacks from the previous serious I am afraid it has also created some new ones. For one, the Prince is not able to develop any new skills, or abilities, or even change weapons. You get a sword, a gauntlet, and a scarf don’t expect more than that.  The dialog in this game is atrocious. I still wake up at night with a cold sweat and hear the Prince’s lame banter in my head (it gives me chills).

The PrinceWatercolor Prince of Persia

Although the Prince carries similar mechanics from the previous games such as acrobatics, and combat styles; he is nothing like the prince of the past. Long gone is the noble Prince of the Sands of Time series that fans have come to love. In this title our Prince is more of a frat boy then a noblemen. The new Prince only desires money, women and thick carpets (I’m serious he really likes thick carpets). Over all the deign of the new prince is a fresh new style, but his personality is a stark contrast to his predecessors. Immature, and conceded, but only on the surface deep down he truly cares for his companion, Elika.


Watercolor ElikaElika emissary of Light

The Prince is perfectly complemented by Elika who is strong willed, and selfless. She not only gives the Prince a sense of purpose, but she becomes essential to his progression through the game. The highly capable AI that is Elika will aid you in almost every aspect of game play.  Since this title is non-linear there are instances when getting lost is easy and if that should ever occur Elika can use her magic abilities to create an orb of light that will guide you on the correct path. If you fall when leaping from one platform to next Elika can catch you and drop you in a previous location. If you fall to an enemy Elika will blind them with a burst of light allowing you to recover.

The one notable drawback to Elika is the fact that she removes a great deal of challenge from the game. If you fall she catches you, if an enemy attacks you she blinds them, making it impossible to die. Despite that one minor flaw Elika is the perfect companion to the prince and a great edition to this franchise.

No Death, No Time Travel, No Problem
Despite Prince of Persia’s minor draw backs it is still an enjoyable game, and a much needed breath of fresh air in a stale franchise. Although death has been abolished, the dialog is poor, and there is ZERO skills or weapon changes for the Prince; this game is still worth getting. With lush environments, enjoyable game play, and an absorbing plot laced with a hint of romance (between the Prince and his own reflection) this game is a great edition to the Pop Franchise. We give Prince of Persia 4 1/2 stars out of 5.


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10

Left 4 Dead [Video] Review

By
acoleman
– November 18, 2008Posted in: Action, Gaming, Reviews, Video


Left for Dead No Mercy
The Dead Walk RUN
The creators of Half Life Valve, have brought us the FPS survival horror title Left 4 Dead. Within this four person co-op title you fend off oceans of the living dead, who certainly don’t drag their feet when the dinner bell rings.  There are many reasons why this game stands alone from other survival horror titles, and why it is most likely going to become one of the greats within the genre. Today, Left 4 Dead infects the store shelves (Nov. 18th), and the survival horror genre in a big way.


The Infection
The story begins within a city completely annihilated by a zombie infection. You will have the option to play as four separate characters. Bill the Vietnam Vet, Louis the IT guy, Zoey the college student and horror film fanatic, and Francis the bar brawling biker. Each has their own unique skills that aid one another in their survival. The Infected (which you can play as as well) are the living dead creatures that have ransacked the city. They consist of the Horde (your basic zombies that accumulate in large groups and attack any living thing), and then the mutated zombies, such as the Witch (big claws and completely crazy), the Boomer (don’t shoot this one up close), the Tank (which is basically a Mack truck with arms), and other types as well.  The game’s plot line is  surprisingly simple. The goal is to survive, and the only way to achieve that is through teamwork.

Three Four is the magic number
As said before there are four major characters within the game who progress as a team to survive. Each teammate has a colored outline that it visible through walls that changes status to indicate danger or injury so you are able to know where your teammates are at all times and whether they are in need of help. Your teammates will assist you in gunning down zombie, healing your injuries, and helping you recover from attacks. You will want to do the same for them because if you loose any member of your team you will loose firepower. The game is primarily a first person shooter in which you fend of a droves of zombies. The monotony is broken up by the mutated zombies each one with their own unique abilities that are potentially devastating to your team; for example the Hunter which can pin you or anyone one of your teammates. In this instance when mutated zombies attack you or your team you must act quickly or you may loose a teammate, or be killed yourself.

There are four basic phases of the campaign mode of the game; No Mercy (urban Setting), Death Toll (suburban setting), Dead Air (air port), and Blood Harvest (a rural setting).  Each has it’s own challenges, and obstacles, in which teamwork is required to survive. The unique thing about Left 4 Dead that sets it apart from other survival horror games is the “AI Director”, which adjusts intensity and frequency of zombie attacks according to your performance. The “AI Director” will change themes, ambiance, and moves zombies, and ammo to different locations within the maps so each mode of the game is never the same when you replay it.

The versus mode will allow up to 8 players; in which you will be able to play as the four survivors, or as four of the infected. Playing as the infected in this mode will allow you to play as the mutated zombies each one with its own unique ability.

Here’s the Deal!
The four person co-op is one of the best aspects of this game. I personally believe this is one of the few games within the survival horror genre that has capitalized on it.  The other and most unique aspect is the “AI Director” with this you will never play the game the same twice. These are the two strongest pillars of this title and the reason why it is truly great. If you are a fan of FPS or Survival horror you will want to pick this game up you will be getting hours of enjoyment from it.  Valve has given us a great title in the survival horror genre. We give Left 4 Dead an A+ rating.

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8

Wrath of the Lich King Review with Video

By
acoleman
– November 13, 2008Posted in: Gaming, MMORPG, Reviews, Video

The Lich King Rises
The second expansion from Blizzard, the long awaited Wrath of the Lich King has finally arrived. The Lich King has awakened and established his throne in Northrend, and if the Alliance and Horde factions to not  act maybe all of Azeroth.  Here is our review for the Wrath of the Lich King Expansion.

The Legend
Long ago the land of the ancient wars, Northrend was part of a single continent until it broke free and drifted to the north.  Separate from the rest of the world Northrend was ruled by the Nerubians who grew in power, and strength. Though the Nerubians had ruled for ages they soon were cut down by the Lich King who was given power by the demon lord Kil’Jaeden to command an army of the undead. Resurrecting an ancient race the Vrykul from beneath the ice of the Northrend the Lich King soon laid waste to the Nerubians.  Arthas met the Lich King in battle and shattered his frozen thrown and  took his sword.  Not knowing the enchantment placed on the blade by the demon lord, Arthmas’s soul was forever merged with it making him the new Lich King. Arthas soon after disappeared into the frozen wastes falling into slumber until he was awoke by Kil’Jaeden to command the undead army and conquer the land of Azeroth.

Game Play
Unless you have lived under a rock for the past few years you know that like the Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King is an expansion not a separate game.  So you are getting the same type of game play you always had with WoW, but evolved.  You will still get the standard quests such has “go kill these guys,” and “gather these mushrooms,” but they are few, over all the new quests are much more creative, and the majority of them are tied into the main plot witch was rare in the last expansion.  Also the enemy encounters are much more creative, and realistic then ever before.

The content that has been added through this expansion is vast, and should keep fans at bay for a time. The first and most notable change is the new land you are able to explore, the Northrend; which includes such territories as IceCrown, DragonBlight, and Storm Peaks. All of them beautiful in design and unique to the World of WarCraft universe. Northrend is great addition to Azeroth and is new and unique realm to explore. The new realm will have enemies above level 70, giving you the ability to level up to a cap of 80, good news fro those who have conquered the Outland. The second must notable addition is the new class the Death Knights. If you are more of Horde kinda guy the pull of these new characters will be nearly irresistible, and very enjoyable. You will get to pillage, plunder, and reek having to your little black hearts desire. The other notable pieces of content added would be the siege weapons, which are accessible during…you guest it sieges, and very from catapults, to ballistas.  More barbershops which will allow mullets now (very popular for the 80′ hair band fan’s), and the new achievement system in which your achievements will be visible for all other players to see.

Long Live the King
If you are a long time Wow addict you have probably already pre-ordered this title, but if you have recently  gotten out of your WoW rut, this expansion is more then adequate to push you right back into a new one. Blizzard has evolved their universe, and designed a new realm of game play that is sure to keep the dedicated fans satisfied, and bring wayward ones back. With new content, evolved game play, and a vast new realm of adventure to explore Wrath of the Lich king is sure to satisfy your WoW fixation.  We give the Wrath of the Lich King an A+ rating.

The Wrath of the Lich King


Quick Reference:
Northrend – land of ancient wars and current kingdom of the Lich King
Nerubians – dominate race of Northrend
Vrykul – ancient race of giants that existed before the Nerubians
Kil’jaeden – the demon lord, the Lich Kings master, and source of power
Arthas -  the Lich King
Azeroth – the collective known world of World of WarCraft
IceCrown, DragonBlight, Storm Peaks – individual realms of Northrend

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4

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Review for PC

By
acoleman
– September 25, 2008Posted in: Action, Gaming, Reviews

From side scrolling to 3D

Originally Prince of Persia was developed in 1989 as an MS-DOS side scrolling adventure, the series was revitalized in 2003 with the release of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. As a continuation of the series the release moved the game into the 3D realm and firmly established the series as one of the greatest in the action adventure genre. Originally released for Play Station 2, the game was later released for other consoles, and also for PC. Though the PC version has a few minor drawbacks it is the easy choice for die hard PC gamers and a matter of personal preference for console junkies.

And then there was sand…

At the beginning of our story we find our hero, the Prince of Persia on a journey through India with his father King Shahraman (say that three times fast), on their way to Azad with a small battalion of men. During their journey they come across the palace of the great Maharaja of India, and with the aid and safe passage of the Maharaja’s back stabbing Vizier they storm the palace. When the siege is complete, the spoils, which include the Maharaja’s daughter (Farah), an hourglass, and the dagger of time; are all collected and divided amongst the victors. Upon returning to Azad the Prince is tricked into placing the dagger into the hourglass smashing it and releasing the sands of time. When the sand is released it baths the palace of Azad, and turns all its inhabitants into undead sand creatures; leaving only the Prince, the evil Vizier, and Farah immune from its curse. The prince soon after forms an alliance with Farah and must track down the evil vizier to collect the sands of time, and use his dagger to fend of the deformed sand creatures.

Game play

The Game consists manly of three types of game play; combat, puzzles, and acrobatics; all of which are extremely enjoyable. The Prince is light and very agile giving him the ability to run along walls to avoid traps, and dodge enemies quite easily. You not only are dependent on the prince’s physical strength and agility you must also rely on the Prince’s dagger to progress through the game. The dagger gives you the ability to rewind time; so if you fall in combat or are captured in a trap you can rewind ten seconds in time and undo the mishap. Not only do you need the dagger to push back the icy grip of death; it is also the only defense against the sand creatures; since they are immune to mortal weapons. The game is completely linear though you are trapped within the cursed palace and can only progress from room to room through a pre-determined path.

PC or Console – Apples or Oranges

For console gamers the first and major draw back to the PC version of Prince of Persia is that it is not compatible with a game pad, but the mouse and keyboard controls are easily adaptable. The other draw back is the PC version did not include any of the bonus materials the console versions had; which for any die-hard P.O.P. fan is a definite drawback. The good news is the PC version has the smoothest looking graphics; the atmospheres are smooth, and natural; not blocky. If you can get over the fact that the Pc version is not game pad compatible it is the easy choice when it comes to graphics.

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