Thief 3: Deadly Shadows

One of the many reasons why 1998 was such a groundbreaking year for gaming is Thief: The Dark Project, a game that helped invent what's now commonly referred to as the stealth action genre. Though two other noteworthy stealth action games were released that same year--Metal Gear Solid and Tenchu: Stealth Assassins--Thief's brand of stealth was the most convincing, and it went on to become the most influential. The original developer of Thief and its similar sequel is unfortunately no longer in business, but Eidos and Ion Storm thankfully snatched up the rights and have finally delivered a new chapter in the series that's suitable for longtime Thief fans and newcomers alike. Like its predecessors, the new Thief: Deadly Shadows features a memorable protagonist, a great setting, and some very interesting missions. It also happens to suffer from a variety of miscellaneous, minor flaws. These are unfortunate, since Thief: Deadly Shadows is great game, for the most part.

At its core, Deadly Shadows sticks very closely to the formula of the older Thief games, which are first-person perspective action adventures in which you must carry out a series of high-risk, high-reward missions as Garrett, a self-serving master thief living in a cold, surreal, medieval world. As in previous Thief games, the gameplay in Deadly Shadows primarily revolves around having to retrieve a bunch of special trinkets (and other riches) from assorted heavily guarded establishments--and doing so by hiding in shadows, waiting for unsuspecting guards to turn their backs, and then blackjacking them so that they remain unconscious for the remainder of the mission. You'll have a wide variety of other gadgets to help you, including lock picks, water arrows for dousing torches and other firelight, flashbombs for temporarily blinding opponents, and more. There's always a compass onscreen to help you navigate the sometimes mazelike environments, and you'll also be paying close attention to the onscreen "light gem," which changes color depending on how well-concealed you are. This interface feature has always worked great in the Thief series.

You'll be treated to an intriguing story, which is narrated by an even more intriguing protagonist, whose particular brand of cynicism isn't nearly as unwelcome as cynicism tends to be. The story gradually and surprisingly unfolds during the course of what's a decidedly lengthy single-player adventure. Due to the open-ended nature of the game and its four available difficulty settings, average playing time should vary quite a bit from one player to the next. However, it's safe to say you're not going to get through this one in a weekend, unless all you did was play.

The Godfather

Welcome to the Corleone family.

After a life of small-time jobs and petty thefts you've been accepted into America's most famous criminal organisation. Now it's up to you to carry out orders, earn respect, rise through the ranks, and make New York City your own. Play your cards right and you could even be running everything as the next, and most powerful, Don.


A story about family, respect and loyalty, The Godfather book by Mario Puzo and film by Paramount Pictures serve as inspiration for the game as you join the Corleone family and earn respect through loyalty and fear as you rise through the ranks to become Don in a living, 1945-1955 New York. The Godfather® The Game will put you at the center of action in one of history's most revered cinematic masterpieces, allowing you to create yourself in the game, and then choose your path as you rise from lowly outsider to envied and feared Don.


The Godfather will offer gamers countless choices for solving the family's problems with brutal violence, skillful diplomacy, or a cunning mixture of both. From mob hits and bank heists to drive-bys and extortion, step deep inside the world of The Godfather where intimidation and negotiation are your tickets to the top. Players will use their powers of loyalty and fear to earn respect through interactions with characters in the world. Decisions made by the player in the game will have lasting consequences, just as it was in the mob underworld featured in The Godfather fiction.


The Godfather film from Paramount Pictures featured some of Hollywood's finest actors and several are contributing to the game's development. All character likenesses from the movie will be included and lending their voices to add a dramatic and cinematic touch to the game are the late Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, James Caan as Sonny Corleone and Robert Duvall as consigliore Tom Hagen.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is one of those exceedingly rare types of games that delivers exceptionally high quality through and through and single-handedly ups the ante for all similar games. The fact that it also happens to be based on a movie franchise--something that's usually a bad sign for a game--makes it all the more incredible. You could call it a first-person shooter, but that would be selling it short. This ambitious game is played mostly from a first-person perspective, and it effectively and innovatively combines excellent shooting, hand-to-hand combat, stealth, and adventure elements with a solid story and truly outstanding, highly atmospheric graphics and sound. The game debuted on the Xbox earlier this year, but it has turned out to be every bit as surprisingly good on the PC, thanks to an excellent translation that shows no traces of the game's console origins. Furthermore, some exciting, brand-new extras that are exclusive to the PC version make it worth experiencing even by those who've played and enjoyed the original version of the game. No, the Chronicles of Riddick isn't a highly anticipated first-person shooter sequel. But don't let that make you assume it can't be one of the year's best action games--because it is.




Those familiar with the Xbox version of The Chronicles of Riddick should know that the new PC "Developer's Cut" version is fundamentally the same game, but with a few key differences: Its visuals have been enhanced to be proportionally outstanding even when measured against the PC's extremely high standards; its controls have been optimized to make it easy to pick up by anyone who has played a PC first-person shooter lately; it features a new and exciting gameplay sequence that has been seamlessly integrated into the middle of the story; and it boasts an unlockable "commentary" mode, which annotates the entire game with extensive, often fascinating DVD-style audio commentary from the frightfully talented development team at Stockholm-based Starbreeze Studios.

HALF LIFE 2

1998. Half-Life® sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer.

NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life® 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors, and even emotions, of both friends and enemies.

The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.

Half-Life 2 is an immersive first person shooter from the developers at Valve Software, the creators of the original Half-Life. Building off of the riveting storyline and gameplay of the debut title, Half-Life 2 pushes the envelope even further and has once again "raised the bar" of the FPS genre. Using Valve's own built-from-the-ground-up "Source" engine, Half-Life 2 offers interactive physical environments, intense realism and impressive graphics, all bundled together with a masterfully-crafted storyline.

Released on November 16, 2004 after nearly 5 years of development, Half-Life 2 was recieved grandly, winning over 35 Game of the Year awards for 2005. To date, Half-Life 2 has sold over four million copies, 25% of which have been purchased using Steam, Valve's digital content delivery system. In addition to the PC version, Half-Life 2 has been ported to Xbox and will be released for both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 in 2007.

Players once again assume the role of scientist Gordon Freeman, but this time Gordon finds himself in a post-apocalyptic environment—apparently a result of the Black Mesa Incident. With Earth's human population oppressively held in prison-like urban centers, its natural landscape ravaged by the effects of Xen infestations and a whole new enemy that has viciously annexed the human race into its ranks, the future of mankind seems bleak at best. Looks like it's once again up to Gordon to save the day!

What's in This Section?

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We here at PHL are absolute nuts when it comes to Half-Life 2 and we've got a lot to show for it! In this section you will find all the information you could want on the series, including overviews of Episodes One and Two, Portal, Lost Coast and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. Can't get through the singleplayer storyline? Don't fret—we've got you covered with full walkthroughs for each singleplayer game. Need to brush up on your online fraggin' skills? No worries—just check out our multiplayer strategy section! Are you a download junky? Check out our huge collection of all Half-Life 2 related files, including mods, maps, models and more! Welcome to your ultimate Half-Life 2 source...

just clisk here: http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/hl2/

MAFIA: The City Of Lost Heaven

Some men do not accept the rules. They create their own.

It is 1930. Due to circumstances he couldn't possibly have predicted, Tommy's life as a cabdriver is about to be exchanged for a life in the Mafia. At first he continues his work as a driver and nothing could be better. He soon becomes good friends with his sidekicks Paulie and Sam, and although the work is sometimes risky, he earns more money than he did as a cabdriver. But as time goes on he is ordered to undertake more and more unpleasant jobs – and he starts to become disillusioned with the life he has chosen.

Features:

• Explore over 12 square miles of this 1930's American city, with intelligent simulated traffic, landmarks and surrounding countryside. This fictional city was created with reference to authentic buildings and photos from that period.
• Over 20 action-packed missions with tasks including from mob hits, car chases, bootlegging, shootouts, assassinations of persona non grata, bank robberies and even simply going for a romantic walk with your love.
• Over 30 highly realistic and hi-poly indoor locations rendered with the latest 3D engine technology. Take a trip through a city of the 30’s, visit places such as the airport, banks, galleries, restaurants, the harbor and many others.
• An expansive epic story line inspired by real events that took place in the 30’s. The story is conveyed through spoken dialogs and motion-capture animations from professional actors.
• Drive one of 60 historic cars, which are based on models that were on the road in the 30's and the physics of which have been faithfully reproduced. Due to the realistic physics and real time deformation of the cars, getting involved in a chase with the police is definitely something to avoid.
• Over 12 weapons to choose from, including baseball bats, sawn-off shotguns, Magnums or the legendary Thompson tommy gun, to deal with those that dare to cross your path.

Technology:

• The LS3D Engine was developed in-house by Illusion Softworks: it supports the realistic rendering of large exterior environments and highly detailed interiors.
• Effects such as mirrors, environmental mapping, real-time shadows, deformations and more are used to create convincing environments.
• Fully motion-capture character animations, including realistic facial animations, lip synchronization and more.
• One of the most realistic car physics systems ever created in a computer game. Each car has more than 100 parameters to adjust to imitate it's real life double.

Story:

The hero, Tommy, is a cabdriver who is glad to have a job during the depression. His happiness, however, does not last long. By a freak chance, he managed to save some members of a Mafia Family from being killed by hit men from another Mafia gang. Three Mafiosi, who were being chased, had jumped into his cab and ordered him to shake off their pursuers ... and Tommy, thanks to his excellent skills as a driver, managed to do just that.

While the rescued gangsters, seeing what a capable driver he is, offer him a job under their boss, Don Salieri, the killers working for Don Morelli only thirst for revenge. This leads to Tommy losing his cab under dramatic circumstances, and thus also losing his livelihood. Only by seeking refuge with Don Salieri's gang can he save his life. Visualizing himself in the dismal position of having to stand in some soup-line, he accepts the job offered to him by the Family.

In the beginning, Tom likes his new job as a gangster. It gives him an opportunity to take revenge on Morelli's men, he is never short of money, and all he has to do is occasionally give someone a bit of a warning or a quick thrashing. People in the city respect him. He meets a girl, whom he eventually marries and and has a child with.

Gradually, he starts to see the other side of his work: murders, assassinations, dangerous shootouts, and hight-speed car chases in which the smallest miscalculation can mean death. The real horror of his job gets through to him only when he is ordered to kill people who he knows personally, and who he likes. He is asked to kill an accountant working for the Family who co-operated with the police in order to save his loved ones, and then kill his own wife's friends.... Tommy is by now a respected man in the Family, and therefore nobody suspects that he might not carry out his assignments to the letter, even though sometimes he does just that. However, nothing lasts forever.

Lucas The gallery Lost Heaven at night Car chase Watch out! Full please

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08

News

Tee Off with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 as it Hits Retail Today
Challenge Others with EA SPORTS GamerNet and Put Yourself in the Game through Photo Game Face

Tiger Woods 08 Photo Game Face Video
Put yourself in the game like never before.

New Features Announced for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 Tees off with EA Sports GamerNet and Photo Game Face

Description

Take on the world in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 08. For the first time, every portion of your game is recorded—from your opening drive on the first hole in Play Now mode to your final putt in the FedEx Cup Championship. Post your most amazing—and unthinkable—performances on EA SPORTS™ GamerNet, a revolutionary interactive gaming hub that hosts user-created content online. Set the bar high by posting your top moments, and take on challenges set by others, to determine the world’s greatest golfer once and for all. Whether you’re uploading an unbeatable round or the craziest shot, take the world by storm with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08.

NBA Live 2008

NBA Live 08 Interview

If you've been a fan of EA Sports' long running basketball franchise, NBA Live, you've probably been somewhat concerned over the state of the series on next-generation platforms. In the past two years, the critically acclaimed basketball game has performed like the Boston Celtics over the past two seasons: a major disappointment with only a few highlights here and there. Plus, with the release of NBA Live 07 for the PS3's launch window officially benched, hoops fans, and even some critics, questioned whether or not the series was beginning to lose ground to its competition.

At an event last month, a very select group of journalists were gathered to get a very early glimpse at the latest installment of the basketball franchise, NBA Live 08. The reason behind this was simple: to show off the new direction the series is headed in for this year, as well as highlight some of the adjustments that are being made to remedy Live 07's problems. With both games running side by side, the first, and perhaps most immediately noticeable difference between Live 07 and 08 was the frame rate. Unlike Live 07, which consistently featured a large amount of slowdown, Live 08 was running at a stable 60 frames a second regardless of the action on the court.
Another change that's been made is the overall presentation of the game. No longer will you find yourself practicing in the austere, atmospheric "temple-like gym" with T-Mac. While that looked cool, NBA Live 08 rips players away from that metallic cargo hold with a basketball hoop and places them in an actual team's arena. In effect, it emphasizes the concept of a player on the court before a game, taking a few warm up shots or practice shots on the court before he goes into the locker room and gets into his pre-game routine.

Speaking of shots, the wild, errant trajectories of last year's title was definitely fixed. Now, when a player was making a baseline jumper, the ball didn't look like it was about to hit the rafters before it approached the backboard. Shots had realistic arcs to them and, as a major change from last year's title, would fall or miss based on the player shooting the ball. Another surprise was that players could actually make layups without fearing that the ball would bounce off the rim, a frustrating problem that plagued Live 07.

Live 08 also showcased a new attention to detail in the rebounding department. Last year's game simply featured guys jumping straight up, and the ball would literally warp to a rebounder's hands as if drawn there by a string. In Live 08, players are now angling their bodies and their arms towards the ball, grasping for the loose ball or putting themselves in position to make a play. Subtle little changes like this make a significant difference towards improving the realism of the game.

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Interviews

Infinity Ward’s Joel Emslie and Michael Boon discuss bringing war to the present in Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat
“We’ve done WWII games for longer than the war lasted, so we really wanted to do something fresh.”

News

Activision Rocks German Games Convention
Company Reveals Worldwide Release Dates for Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™, International Track List for Guitar Hero™ III: Legends of Rock, and New Details on Highly Anticipated James Bond™ Title

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Interview

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Named Best Game of E3 07 by G4
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was awarded “Best Game of E3 2007” and “Best Xbox 360 Game of E3 2007” honors from G4 Television

Xbox 360 Showcases Greatest Holiday Lineup in Video Game History
Xbox 360 is home to the most exclusives and biggest blockbuster games of 2007.

Xbox 360 Showcases Greatest Holiday Lineup in Video Game History

Description

Mixed with explosive action, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare also delivers amazing special effects, including use of depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, real time post-processing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects to enlist players into the most photo-realistic gaming experience. Combined with Call of Duty’s award-winning audio design, players will face war as never before.

In addition to single player, Infinity Ward has deployed a dedicated team from the start to deliver a new level of depth to multiplayer. Building on the hit Call of Duty 2 online experience, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s new multiplayer is set to provide the community an addictive and accessible experience to gamers of all levels.

Features

• Authentic Advanced Weaponry – Featuring an available arsenal of more than 70 new and authentic weapons and gear from assault rifles with laser sites, claymore mines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and M-249 SAW machine guns. With accessories like night-vision goggles and ghillie suits, for maximum concealment, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has players locked and loaded to accomplish the mission.
• Coordinated Assault and Support– Delivering the most visceral action thriller ever, the title covers modern battle from the soldier to the satellite, where the need for air support is critical to success. The adrenaline rush deployment enlists gamers to fast-rope from tactical helicopters, ride in an armada of attack choppers, utilize jets to remove enemy strongholds and even engage hostiles from thousands of feet above the ground inside a state of the art aerial gunship.
• Cinematic Quality Graphics and Sound – Featuring stunning next-generation graphics, players will be drawn into the cinematic intensity of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Amazing special effects, including realistic depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects will enlist players into the most photo-realistic gaming experience. Combine the lifelike graphics and the realistic battle chatter with the Call of Duty award-winning sound design and players will face battle as they have never before.
• Unparalleled Depth to Multiplayer – Multiplayer builds from the success of Call of Duty 2 delivering a persistent online experience for greater community interaction. Featuring create-a-class options allowing players to customize gear that is best suited for play, to experience points enabling unlockables and perks, all the way to matchmaking and leaderboards for the latest in tracking, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s multiplayer is set to deliver easily accessible and addictive online play for all.