Playstation 3 Slim

The smaller, lighter, quieter (and cheaper!) version of the to-die-for gaming console is already out in the market, thanks to Amazon (and, most probably, your local Best Buy store too… rush!), and never mind Sony’s official release date of 1^st September.

The PS3 Slim has been worked down to just 7.05 lb in comparison to the 11 lb of its older models, and sports a matte finish to cut costs. In fact, this new model is all about cutting costs. At $299, it’s a $100 cheaper than the original 160GB PS3, and having a capacity of 120GB itself it’s infinitely preferable to the older 80GB model which comes at the same price. Also, it consumes significantly less power than the older PS3 ‘Fat’ models (the difference won’t be much initially, but it’ll make a definite improvement in your electric bill… in a few years time). The model also adds the ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio, but is no longer Linux compatible. However, the biggest let-down of the PS3 Slim is that it’s still not fully back compatible. While it can run all PS1 applications, the lack of PS2 compatibility has left a significant number of fans high and dry (no Final Fantasy XII for you… can you say ‘ouch’?)

All in all, in comparison to the older models, the new PS3 Slim is definitely a better buy. However, aside from being lighter on the back and on your pocket, it doesn’t really add anything new. Also, with the Xbox 360 Elite due to cut its cost down to $300 as well as of 28^th August, the competition is also back on in the game.

Ultima Online

Role playing games are some of the best around, and you would be hard pressed to find one better than Ultima Online. Developed by EA Mythic and published by EA Games, this game has been in existence since 1997. It is among the oldest games on the internet, and has extremely influential to the development of the RPG genre. It has spawned 2 sequels and 8 expansion packs. It is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. There are currently about 135,000 subscribing players for this game. 70,000 of them are Japanese. Ultima Online puts gamers in a medieval fantasy world where they can trade, fight, explore, and level up with friends and other gamers across the globe. Social interaction is a key part of Ultima Online. The in game economy is very complex and dynamic. Players must choose a “shard” when beginning the game. It doesn’t really matter which one you choose, but if you want to play with your friends you must both be on the same shard. Ultima Online offers many skills for gamers to explore. Among these skills are glassblowing, chivalry, cooking, and even begging. Mastering these skills will help your character to ascend to the top. Players have the ability to build houses and use boats. There are also factions that players can join. Factions are like guilds or clans in other games. Joining a faction increases the fun of the game, because you will always have someone to play with. Ultima Online is a timeless classic that all gamers can enjoy.

East India Company

I love games that involve building an empire and establishing trade within your own nation and the nations of the rest of the world. It is a thrill to bring a nation from mass poverty and give it a highly successful economy. East India Company by Paradox Interactive and Nitro Games Ltd. allows me to do just that. It has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB for mild blood and violence.

This strategy game supports up to eight players. It is due for international release on 8/14/09. Building a trading empire isn’t all fun and games (okay, well maybe in this case it is!), it takes plenty of hard work. Gamers are able to choose from the following: British, Dutch, French, Danish, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish and Holy Roman Empire. Regardless of whom gamers pick, they will be in a vicious battle for trading might against the other six he or she did not select.

The type of ships players decide to use will affect how well their empire operates. There are ten types to choose from. You can choose from cutters to small sloops. The East Indiaman is available, along with a number of war ships. Players have the option to command their nation in a RTS mode or by taking on a single ship. Hiring capable fleet commanders to protect trade routes is very important. As they progress in their career, the fleet commanders will gain new and valuable skills. East India Company is a great game for players of all ages!

Bookworm Adventures 2

Growing up in the video game generation, I was constantly reminded of the ills of gaming. My parents told me to “put that game down, and do your homework”. A lifetime (albeit short thus far) of gaming has rewarded me with enhanced hand-eye coordination and heightened problem solving skills. I am a true believer that video games can result in good things, especially when they are used for educational purposes. Moms and dads of the world, say hello to Bookworm Adventures 2 from Pop Cap. It is due to be released on 7/30/09.

Young children will delight in this game. They will learn and gain knowledge while having so much fun that they don’t even realize they are learning. Players will take on the role of Lex the Bookworm as he explores several books and hundreds of fictional characters. Forming words from tiles of letters will help Lex get stronger and help him to do a better job of fending off enemies. While this is certainly an educational game, it is not without action.

In total there are three books (“Fractured Fairytales,” “The Monkey King” and “Astounding Planets”) for gamers to explore in Bookworm Adventures 2. Each book has a total of 10 chapters. There are over 130 monsters and enemies to defeat. There are six mini games for players to enjoy. Characters from the game aren’t all bad; some will join Lex and fight by his side! Bookworm Adventures 2 is a great game for young players  and will help to enhance their language skills.

Mafia Wars

The life of a gangster seems like an exciting one. Since most of the things they do are highly dangerous and illegal, we live vicariously through video games and movies to see what their lives are like. We have all seen movies like Scorcese’s Casino and GoodFellas, but what if you’re looking for your daily gangster fix? Look no further than Zynga Inc’s Mafia Wars!

Mafia Wars is a game that can be played through the popular social networking websites MySpace and Facebook. It can also be played via Yahoo! and the Apple Iphone. Players vie to be the top crime family in New York, and later in Cuba. One of the main goals of this game is grow your mafia by adding friends. When fighting, the larger mafia will usually win. Several “clans” have formed to help gamers reach the maximum mafia size of 500. The old saying goes that no matter how big you are, there is always a bigger fish. That statement is very true for Mafia Wars.

Skills are divided into several categories. They are Attack, Defense, Health, Energy, and Stamina. There are many tiers of jobs such as Enforcer, Capo, Hitman, Underboss, and many more. Gamers have several achievements that can be gained, such as “Cashing Out”. That one is earned by selling 50 Mega Casinos. Mafia Wars earned a People’s Voice Webby Award in 2009. I’ve spent countless hours fighting and doing missions on this game. Mafia Wars is an excellent game for players of all ages!

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