On November 13, 2012, Black Ops II, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2010 Black Ops, was released for Xbox 360. Black Ops II is the 9th video game in the Call of Duty franchise, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision.
So far the critic and gamer reviews have been mixed. Gaming experts criticize the game's implausible story line, but compliment its excellent acting and voice overs. Gamers love the ability to choose their own destiny via the strike force missions, but feel like the campaigns are much shorter than its predecessor.
The only way to gain your own opinion about the game is to give it a try. The Xbox 360 has awesome graphics that make the game entertaining to play whether you like the plot or not. Here's what you can expect when you sit down to play Black Ops II for the first time.
The Plot
In this sequel, there are two main plots. The first plot is set in the 1970s and 1980s. Then the plot jumps to 2025. In the future plot, there is a Cold War occurring between China and the U.S.
The Characters
Alex Mason
Fans of Alex Mason will be glad to see their hero return for the sequel. However, his presence is short lived. As the story line jumps from the 1980s to 2025, Alex Mason is replaced by his son, David Mason.
David Mason
The younger Mason is a Special Forces Unit Leader who is destined to protect people, just like his dad.
Raul Menendez
Every violent video game needs an insane evil genius to play the bad game. In this game, that character is fulfilled by Raul Menendez, a narco-terrorist who is being targeted by the CIA. Menendez is planning to use the U.S. Military to satisfy his own evil agenda.
Strike Force Missions
Strike Force Missions are back in this sequel, and these special missions give gamers the opportunity to choose their own destiny. While this sounds like a lot of fun, it depends what you are expecting. The available choices are slim, and you can't go back and change your mind. Since you can't change your mindlater during a play, the different mission choices do give you plenty of chances to replay the game with a different outcome. Whether the Strike Force Missions impress you this time really depends on what you want out of the game.
Zombies
All the best video games seem to feature zombies today, and Black Ops II does not disappoint fans with their zombie missions.
As a whole, this first person shooter sequel for Xbox 360 is a hit. Pros for the game include the ability to have an 8-player co-op instead of just 4 like the prior version. Cons for the game include short campaigns and a plot that is difficult to follow at times.
If you are a fan of the Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops II does not disappoint. Like its predecessor, Black Ops II delivers intensity and violence that gamers have grown to love and expect from the franchise.
The XBox 360 console has virtually dominated the video gaming market, continuing a steady stream of coveted franchises and titles that keep gamers happy. The 10 games listed below make up the top XBox 360 games to hit the market in late 2012 and early 2013, covering a wide range of gameplay options and genres.
1.)XCOM: Enemy Unknown
In this hot real-time strategy title, you play as the leader of XCOM, a secret paramilitary organization tasked with repelling an alien invasion. As leader, it is your job to create a functional base, get recon on alien tech and guide combat missions and soldiers on the field to save civilization as we know it.
2.)Dishonored
Part dystopian future, part first-person shooter,Dishonored combines two of the gaming world's favorite elements into one of the year's blockbuster hits. You play as Corvo, a unique assassin with magic, stealth and good old-fashioned weapons at his disposal for dispatching his enemies, one by one. Your in-game choices influence outcomes, making this game thrilling and immersive.
3.) NBA 2k13
Building on a solid fanbase that snapped up over 5 million copies last year, NBA 2k13 brings the latest NBA players, amazingly smooth gameplay and an enhanced My Player mode to the XBox 360. The previous year's game was awarded 25 awards for "Best Sports Game of the Year," leaving little doubt that 2k13 will continue to dominate the sports game scene.
4.) Madden 13
The gridiron has never looked so good! Madden 13 gives football game lovers visuals with unprecedented realism. A new physics engine and special momentum transfer programming ensure that every snap and tackle is just like the real deal. With Kinect integration available, players can even call out plays with their voice.
5.) Assassin's Creed 3
In the latest installment of the wildly popular Assassin's Creed franchise, players are cast in the role of a Native American assassin. Set in the time of the American Revolutionary War, available weapons include tomahawks, bow and arrows, guns and even secret blades. The Ubisoft-AnvilNext engine is built into the game for sensational physics movement.
6.) Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
In the hotly anticipated second installment of CoD, players face off against Raul Menendez, seemingly the people's champion but in reality a madman bent on making the world his own. With a story crafted in part by a "Dark Knight Rises" writer, players are in for one hell of a show with this famous first-person
shooter.
7.) Borderlands 2
More looting and shooting mayhem awaits players in part 2 of the Borderlands series. With split screen or cooperative play for up to four players as well as a single-play mode, there's plenty to keep a gun-happy fan busy. Take up arms against Handsome Jack and the Hyperion Corporation as you fight for supremacy in this role-playing shoot-'em-up.
8.) Darksiders 2
Death returns in this action-adventure game, slaughtering his enemies to clear the name of his brother and fellow horseman, War. The dark open-world game play offers plenty to explore, immersing the player in the role of the reaper as he fights to bring humanity back from the brink of the apocalypse.
9.) Fifa 13
2013's FIFA franchise is even better than before, complete with 500 licensed clubs and a staggering 15,000 players packed into this hot soccer franchise. With new innovative touches like attacking intelligence, players will feel like they're out on the field, facing down the big names with every game.
10.) Dance Central 3
Putting the Kinect to great use, Dance Central 3 allows players to get into the music with real choreography and over 40 new tracks to groove to. Those with two left feet are sure to love the available beginner mode, and the party mode gets any group moving with room for up to eight players at once. Best Deal Games
NBA 2K13 on Xbox 360 has an expected release date on Tuesday 02 October 2012. It is 1 days left until you can play NBA 2K13 on your Xbox 360 in the USA.
FIFA 13 on Xbox 360 has an expected release date on Thursday 27 September 2012. It is 4 days left until you can play FIFA 13 on your Xbox 360 in the USA. $59.99& this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Future Soldier finds the perfect balance between the classic tactical shooter experience and the more modern high-octane approach that today's gamers crave.
Microsoft this week descended on San Diego's Comic-Con to unveil a limited-edition Halo 4 Xbox 360 bundle.
The $399 bundle is available for pre-order now, and will be released on Nov. 6, the same day Halo 4 hits store shelves.
The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 console bundle includes the custom-designed 320GB console with built-in Wi-Fi and two exclusive Halo 4 controllers, a standard edition copy of the game, a wired headset, and Xbox Live tokens for in-game and marketplace content. The "ring of light" on the console will glow blue to match the overall Halo 4 color scheme, Microsoft said.
If you don't have $399 to spare, Microsoft and 343 Industries are also offering a standalone Halo 4 Limited Edition Wireless Controller.
"The graphics on this controller will feature the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) emblem on a dark grey translucent body, and will include an Avatar T-shirt as exclusive downloadable content," Microsoft said in a press release.
The controller will also feature a glowing blue Xbox Guide button. It will be available Nov. 6 for $59.99.
Quantum Conundrum's elegant first-person puzzling is only marred slightly by one very obvious comparison, but it's unfortunately something that this downloadable title never really manages to get away
While Spelunky is a fine addition to the growing library of masochistic titles it doesn't always quite manage to elicit the right response from its players.
4J Studios has played its part in one of gaming's grandest success story with affable competence, allowing console owners to grab their tools and build something in Mojang's intricate world
At such a low price, and including fully-formed online battling, character customisation and the best AI in the business, it’s a true grand master. Training starts now. Don’t be late.
With a new passing system that changes the way quarterbacks and receivers play and respond, combined with a new read and react defensive AI system, NCAA Football 13 delivers greater realism on the virtual gridiron.
Distilling the world's most popular sport into a video game isn't an easy task. Aside from capturing the atmosphere of the game--the satisfying thump of boot on football, the on-pitch dramas created between player and referee, and the ferocious roar of the crowd as the ball sails into the back of the net--there are other considerations too. Some players want to manage their teams. Others want to live out their dreams of football stardom. Still others want to put their skills to the test against the best in the world, all the while clamouring for as realistic an experience as possible. FIFA 12 lets you do all of these things and more. A new tactical defending system, player impact engine, and head-to-head seasons are just some of the excellent new features it offers. But it's the new EA Sports Football Club that's the real draw, bringing with it an addictive levelling system that pits you against the world's players, keeping track of your own progress and that of your favourite team too. Not only is FIFA 12 the best game in the series, it's also one of the most exciting, accurate, and complete sports games around.
If you're a longtime FIFA player, then the changes to defending in this year's game might come as a bit of a shock. A new tactical defending system has been implemented that drastically changes the way you play. In previous versions of FIFA, a common tactic when defending was to hold down the two "pressing" buttons, which sent players in to close down attackers and win the ball, requiring little in the way of skill. That tactic no longer works. Instead of rushing in to take the ball, your player now just tracks the attacker and remains a few feet away, keeping him held back. This system of containing the opposition requires more thought than simply sticking a leg in and hoping for the best. You have to actively time when to tackle or decide if it's better to simply hold a player back, rather than rush in for the ball, miss the tackle, and have the opposition pass.
If the opposition does get past, you now have the option of jostling them--that is, pulling on their shirt or using your player's arm to hold them back. This is a neat feature that brings the game closer to how the real-life sport is played, with new player animations making it look more realistic. Be warned, though; pull too many shirts, and the referee won't hesitate to throw a yellow, or even a red, card your way. Other improvements to the animation lie in the new player impact engine. This adds a physics system that simulates the impact between two players during tackles or other forms of contact. If you go in for a particularly aggressive tackle and slam into the player, the resulting animation is rarely the same twice, depending on the build and strength of the two players in question. Both or just one of you may end up in a heap on the pitch, while passing players leap over fallen bodies to get past. On the whole, the system works well, adding another layer of realism to the game. It's not infallible, though, and there are times when you see some comical rag-doll-physics-like animations as players flop over the pitch.
Sending one to the back of the net is as satisfying as ever.
More tweaks to the controls come in the form of precision dribbling, which enable you to control the ball more accurately in close quarters. For example, when you get near the touchline, your player automatically knows he's there and retains tighter control of the ball to keep it in play. The system also affords you the ability to use small, quick touches to control the ball, letting you perform sharp turns and making it easier to beat the opposition's defence. You can shield yourself from other players while dribbling too, rather than being rooted to the spot like in previous games, giving you another way to get past defenders. These enhancements make FIFA 12 the most realistic representation of the sport yet. Scoring goals is trickier, with teams working together to implement strong lines of defence, but the game is all the better for it. You have to work harder, with a greater amount of skill required than ever before. These changes make those moments when you manage to score all the more satisfying.
You can break out your newfound dribbling and defending skills in a number of modes, many of which have carried over from last year. These include Career mode, which lets you compete as a single player working through a 15-year career; as a player manager, where you manage your team's lineup and compete on the pitch; or as a manager, where you take a backseat to the on-pitch action and instead focus on tactics and building up your squad. There's something for everyone, and if you tire of one mode, you can easily switch between them at any time to mix things up. There's also an array of tournaments to play through, from the F.A. Cup through to custom leagues and knockout tournaments.
A combination of new and returning online modes make FIFA 12 the most feature-packed version of the game yet. New this year are Head to Head Seasons and Online Friendlies. Head to Head Seasons is an online league, split into different divisions. You start in division 10, and at the end of each 10-game season your results determine whether you get promoted or, at the very least, avoid relegation to a lower division. You get three points for a win and one for a draw, with the number of points needed for promotion getting increasingly higher as you progress. Each division also has its own cup to win, starting with the EA Shield for lower divisions, through to the Premier Cup for the top tier. Tournaments for cups take place every few weeks, so you've always got another chance to compete for some silverware if you miss out the first time. Your performance is tracked too, so you can see how you compare to the rest of the online community, with a table showing you how many players are in each division.
6336891Nani takes a dive into the Manchester United goal for one eye-opening celebration.
Online Friendlies is an evolution of unranked matches from FIFA 11. While you still play friendly games against your friends, the results are tracked. Every friend you play against creates a new season, with the two of you having 10 matches in which to earn more points and beat each other. At the end of the season, the winner receives another trophy for the cabinet. This makes playing against your friends all the more exciting, particularly if you're competing in regular matches, giving you all the excitement of the ranked leagues without having to play with strangers. If you do delve into playing with random opponents, though, things have been tweaked so matches are fairer. Instead of searching for a match and then picking a club--which usually results in everyone playing as a five-star team--you now pick your team beforesearching for an opponent. The game automatically finds an opponent with a similar level team and takes into account your division, skill, location, controls, and Did Not Finish percentage (rage quitters beware!), ensuring that most matches are even.
Whichever mode you play in--online or offline--all your hard work is kept track of in FIFA 12's excellent EA Sports Football Club. At its simplest, the mode keeps track of your experience points, which are awarded to you in any game mode, giving you an overall level that you can compare to others worldwide. It's only when you delve deeper that the real fun begins. You can choose to support any real-life club from around the world, with your accomplishments and experience going toward them, regardless of what team you're playing as. This gives your favourite real-life team an overall position on global league tables, with the league resetting each week to allow for fresh competition. Fans of smaller clubs aren't at a disadvantage either, as scores for each team are based on averages, so even if you team's fan base is outnumbered when compared to the likes of Manchester United or Real Madrid, you're still in with a shot.
EA Sports Football Club keeps track of your FIFA career.
Competing to progress your favourite team up the table, even if it is a virtual one, is very compelling. Seeing your team slip down even one notch on the leaderboard is enough to spur you on to play more matches. There are also plans for EA Sports Football Club to incorporate real events from the world of football. These will include different challenges and storylines to play through. For example, if Liverpool beats Everton in the real world, that could be turned into a FIFA challenge where you could replay the match and try to avenge Liverpool. It's an interesting concept, and how well it works depends largely on any drama going on in the real world, and the ability for EA's dedicated writing staff to turn that into an interesting challenge. Integration with other FIFA games, such as on mobile devices and social networks, is also promised, letting you earn experience points regardless of which version of FIFA you're playing. And if that's not enough for you, the FIFA Ultimate Team mode that was released for previous games as DLC is now included for free too, letting you build a team of players by competing in matches and trading player cards.
Whichever mode you play in, you're treated to the slick presentation that the series is famed for. Menus are easy to navigate, the commentary is exciting and well delivered, and the visuals are as crisp as ever. It's easy to recognise your favourite players as they line up on the pitch, with official licences ensuring they sport the right kit too. And with the addition of the player impact engine, animations are more realistic than they've ever been. Excellent online modes and improved player handling further cement FIFA 12 as football at its best--gloriously deep, rewarding, addictive, and as close as you can get to the real thing without donning a pair of boots.
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