AuroraLux Review (PC, $5)

(Reviewed by Adam Taylor :: D3M0L1SH3R)

Aurora (now named AuroraLux) is a very simple RTS game that keeps the strategy entertaining by mixing in music generation as well. Strange, you ask? Indeed, strange, soothing, and ambient; a perfect combination.

As I said, AuroraLux is very simple. You start out with 6 squares that each contain a shape made out of blue glowing spheres. These are your map designs. Below that you have a difficulty switch – hard or normal – and an exit button. This all seems pretty simple and boring already, to be quite honest. Don’t let the uninteresting startup discourage you, you gotta try the game out first.

You start out with 1 orb that spawns units. Eventually you use these units to upgrade your orb and take control of a nearby orb. Seems easy at first, but there’s also 2 other AI orbs playing the same strategy, so you not only have to take control of the empty orbs around you, but the ones controlled by the AI as well. Make sure you have your volume up a reasonable amount – whenever your units collide with the AI’s units, they will destroy each other and make notes that go along with the background music playing.

I found myself struggling to stay awake when I first played this game, but when I finally found a map I liked and was working on out-strategizing the other AI orbs on the map, I quickly lost track of time. Once you give it a good try, AuroraLux is very fun and a nice tool to pass time with that’s not made by PopCap Games.

[Review] Logitech HD C310 720p Webcam ($46 USD)

I’ve never really had a good quality webcam before, most of them were way too grainy and only supported tiny video resolutions. So when I saw the Logitech HD C310 720p webcam for only $46, I had to buy it.

                Logitech has 2 different value-level 720p webcams; the HD C310 with 720p at 15 frames per second, with 5 megapixels for about $46 USD, and another one with 8 megapixels, 720p at 15 frames per second. They also have a 1080p webcam, but the framerate is so low that I knew I would not like it. So I went with the HD C310, just for the price.

                The HD C310 is only 5 megapixels, so there’s a small amount of noticeable noise on the video produced by the HD C310, but it still has amazing quality, being 720p and 15 frames per second, especially for only $46 USD. The recording software allows you to record at smaller video sizes (both standard and widescreen) at higher framerates. The overall video quality is perfect for video chat, YouTube videos, FaceBook photos, or just about anything!

                The HD C310 webcam connects to your PC or Mac via USB 2.0, and has a perfect size cable so that it is sure to reach from your computer to your monitor. The webcam looks very sleek and nice on any monitor. The HD C310 has a clip set up on it so it will fit comfortably on top of your flat screen monitor or TV and allows you to adjust the angle without the risk of falling.

                The Logitech Webcam Software that comes with the HD C310 is very nice as well, the software is quick and easy to install and automatically updates for you. The LWS allows you to capture video clips or photos or view the ones you’ve already taken. There are plenty of goofy effects for the videos or photos included as well. Logitech also provides you with their own video chat program, simply named Logitech HD. Unlike most software, there’s really no pressure into using Logitech’s chat program, and you can disable it easily.

                Overall, the HD C310 is the perfect webcam for anyone looking to record HD webcam videos without burning a hole in their wallet. It has amazing quality, great software and support, and is just simple and easy to use. I’d definitely recommend anyone looking to upgrade their webcam to check into this one!

Plain Sight Review [PC - $10]

Suicidal robot ninjas, need I say more? In case that wasn’t enough to pull you in, I’ll continue. Plain sight is an indie multiplayer game that only costs about $10 on Steam. This is a very fun and original game that will certainly cure any amount of boredom.

In Plain Sight, you play as a robot ninja whose primary goal is to kill yourself. To do this you must explode. But you can’t just randomly explode yourself as soon as you spawn, you have to kill other robot ninjas first and build up energy. Once you’re satisfied with your energy level, you can commit suicide by exploding and aim to take someone else out with you. The trick, however is that you must build up enough energy and commit suicide before you get killed by someone else or you lose any energy you had built up. When you explode after building up energy, that energy count can be used to buy upgrades such as speed, shields, and better notification of when an enemy is aiming at you.

All of this certainly promises fun and engaging gameplay, and is one of the most original games I have seen in a long time.

Price: $10

Platform: PC

Rank: Great

Rating: 7.5/10

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Adam Taylor (D3M0L1SH3R)

http://youtube.com/user/mindfreaks13

Second Thoughts on the AfterGlow AP.1 PS3 Wired Controller

No, I’m not changing my original statement that this controller is awesome, it most certainly is. I would just like to point out a couple differences that kind of get at my more nit-picky side when it comes to being comfortable during multiplayer gaming.

I don’t know if it’s because the controller is wired, because it is made by a third party, or just because it has the XBOX thumbsticks, but the AfterGlow AP.1 PS3 controller is a bit more sensitive than controllers I am used to using. It’s not really noticeable for movement or in non-FPS games, but when looking around in FPS games, especially while aiming down the sights, the sensitivity on the AP.1 is much higher than the standard PS3 controllers. This would probably not be a problem for most users who would be using the AP.1 exclusively and could grow comfortable with the new sensitivity, but I have been doing some switching between the AP.1 and the PS3 controller that came with my console and the sensitivity difference is quite damaging to my gameplay.

Like I said, it’s still a great controller, I just thought I’d give some second thoughts on it after having used it for a while.
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Adam Taylor (D3M0L1SH3R)

http://youtube.com/user/mindfreaks13

Dead Space 2 [Preview]

Visceral Games, EA. http://deadspace.ea.com/

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By now the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Dead Space is dismemberment. It’s not necessarily something someone would want to think about much, but Dead Space certainly fits the bill. It was a fun experience and Dead Space 2 is certainly going to bring more of that same, gruesome enjoyment, right? Well, yes, but with a bit more.

In a few months from now, the new method of killing that Dead Space (well, 2 at least) will bring to mind is impalement. If reanimated babies, named “crawlers” won’t be enough to keep you up at night, impaling them in slow motion stasis mode certainly will.

Dead Space 2 still remains a steady sci-fi game, but you can now kill the same, and some new, nasty things in the dark in more gruesome ways.

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Dead Space 2 is dues out Winter 2010.

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Adam Taylor (D3M0L1$H3R)

http://youtube.com/user/mindfreaks13

[Review] Logitech Dual-Action USB Controller (Accessory)

                The Logitech Dual-Action USB game controller provides a great bang for the buck. Chap, portable, and customizable, this controller stands out from other wired PC controllers. It’s certainly not the most attractive device, but what it lacks in appearance, it gains in performance. Black or dark blue in color, this controller is shaped to almost ergonomic perfection for fitting in any gamer’s hands, and won’t fall out due to the nice rubber grips lining the outer sides of the controller. The layout of the controller uses the polished layout of the PlayStation 2-style controllers that almost every gamer has grown used to.

                This controller doesn’t connect through the old, giant joystick ports, but instead through USB 2.0, so there is no noticeable lag between a button being pressed and the assigned command being executed in-game, so you don’t have to worry about getting killed while you’re waiting for your character to shoot, and you are guaranteed to have a port for the controller, since all computers now have USB ports. The USB cable from the controller is just long enough that you don’t have to worry about pulling it out of your PC while playing, but not too long to have extra slack to catch on corners or chair legs.

                For most games, you need to have Logitech’s lightweight “WingMan” program running for the games to recognize the controller. This program has excellent options for various game profiles and support for multiple controllers. The program even auto-detects a large amount of games and assigns the default controller layout for you! If you wish to assign your own control scheme, you have quite a few options to go about doing it, you just have to figure out what works best for you.

                Overall, this controller is comfortable, reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable. I recommend that any PC gamer looking for a controller pick this one up from their local store (similar to Wal-Mart or Best Buy) immediately!
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Adam Taylor
http://youtube.com/user/mindfreaks13

[Console] Xbox 360 PRO 60GB

The Good:

• Extremely well thought out online marketplace with Netflix, Facebook, Last.fm, twitter, and game marketplace.
  
• Good online gameplay (Xbox LIVE)
  
• The insane amount of games and exclusives like Halo, Gears of War, Saints Row, PGR, Left For Dead 1 and 2, and the Fable series.
  
• Other timed exclusives. Since Microsoft is such a big company, they have the power to ask companies for "timed exclusives" This happened with Modern Warfare 2 where Microsoft made a deal with Activision to have the map packs release on the Xbox first. The same thing is expected to happen with Call of Duty: Black Ops.
  
• More ergonomically hand fitting controller and layout (Opinionated, but many people with agree).
  
• Processor and GPU combo chip named "Jasper chip" allows for better cooling and eliminates the RROD.
  
• Integrated cross game chat, where a person playing one game can talk with someone playing another game.
  
• Better dashboard layout (Once again, opinionated)
  
• In game dashboard, if you're saying "The PS3 has that as well," I'd say you're correct, however, the Xbox had it first and it hasn't changed since it was made.
  
• Adding friends. I know some people who complain about this. If you want to add friends you met in a game you actually have to close your game and then go to your friends list add friends etc etc. This is not the same in the Xbox. For the Xbox you press the home button, go to recently players press A over their name, and push A on "Send Friend Request" and then you can press the home button and continue your game.
  
• Kinect or "project Natal" some people like it, some don't. I think it would be awesome to play Halo with it.
  

 

The Bad:

• Failure rate. Hopefully this changes with the "Slim" 360
  
• No Blu-Ray
  
• PS3 has some exclusives that even the most 360 fan boy's want.
  
• Loud. This is one of the major problems with the Xbox. If you have an original one you know what I'm saying. That thing can sound like a jet engine sometimes.
  
• No wi-fi. This doesn't bother me as I prefer a hardline connection for better internet. If you're a serious game you should never want a wireless console, as it can affect your online play.
  
• Massive power brick. They improved it a little bit with the new Xbox.
  
• Huge! This thing is thick and long as hell! (Note: No, that's what she said jokes allowed :P)
  
• Some people have found that the DVD-Rom drive scratches the disk but if you have a newer model I don't believe this does it anymore.
  

The Rating:

I would highly recommend this console if not for anything the exclusives and Kinect (If you're into that sorta stuff). This console has a lot to offer from intense online play, HD graphics, and most of all the online experience. This gets a 9/10. The reason it gets a 9/10 is because of no Blu-Ray. It is said that the new Xbox (720) will have a Blu-Ray drive. This is good because it allows for more intense graphical situations and bigger games.

• Price: $150-250 USD
  
• Score: 9/10
  
• 100% Kickass product