Project Torque by Aeria Games

Project Torque is a free mmo racing game by Aeria Games. I have played my fair share of free and subscription based mmo games including taking part in multiple beta tests including Motor City Online and The Sims Online. Most of the memorable free games I have played are the popular ones. Maple Story, Second Life and so on. Those games never seemed to have any sort of affect or impact on me, i remember them, but i never continued playing them for more than a day or two.

I have recently come across the aforementioned Project Torque, and to my surprise it was very well put together, fun and looked pretty good as well. The player is given the choice of a few starter cars to begin their career in a levelling system similar to that of Forza 2. The more races you compete in, the more XP you earn. There is also RP which can be used for power ups and other upgrades.

There are quite a few different race styles and tracks to choose from including Drift, Explore, Cicuit, Thunder Alley (which is NASCARish) stock car racing. There are lots of ways to upgrade your vehicles and upgrade their performance. While Project Torque isn't too bad in terms of realism, it still doesn't compare to Simbin's GTR series, which has brought realism in PC racing simulation to a new high.

All in all Project Torque is a fun and lastingly enjoyable game, and best of all its free to play.

Sound: 70
Graphics: 85
Story: N/A
Value: 100
Replayability: 77

SVSGR Total: 83/100

project-torque.aeriagames.com

Fallout 3 Is An Accomplishment In Gaming.

Pictured above: Top: OOooOOh Headshot! Middle: The Wasteland City of Megaton Bottom: What Nukes Look Like in Fallout 3.
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I have recently acquired my very own copy of the new and highly acclaimed first person rpg, Fallout 3, from the makers of 'Oblivion'. Oblivion was one of my favourite games ever, and from what I've seen of Fallout 3, it may surpass Bethesda's last masterpiece.

You start out your journey in a rather unfamiliar fashion. You begin your life by coming out of your mothers womb. Here you will choose your sex, name and appearance. Once you are born you find out your mother has died during birth.

Next you are a one year old striving to walk his first steps, this is where you choose your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. which is:
Strength: Power, Melee, Encumbrance.
Perception: Explosives, Lockpick, Energy Weapons.
Endurance: Health, Environment Resistances, Big Guns and unarmed.
Charisma: Barter and Speech.
Intelligence: Science, Repair and Medicine.
Agility: Small Guns, Sneak and affects number of V.A.T.S. action points.
Luck: raises all skills and crit rating.

These skills are the base skills for all the other skills in the game.

Next you move on to become a ten year old boy at your birthday party. You meet some story characters and about where you are from and you get your first weapon, the BB gun.

After this you are turning 16 and have to take Vault 101's G.O.A.T. test which will decide your class or set of skills you start with. The skills system seems to be pretty close to the first two fallout games which is a plus for classic fans of the series.

Once you finish those tests and trials you are awoken to find out your father has left the vault and gone out into the post apocalyptic wastelands. You must leave the vault to find him.

I don't want to reveal too much of the story but you get the idea. Once you step out into the wastelands, you start to get the feel for fallout 3. The world is as unique as it is horrifying.

I found myself running around killing super mutants and finding new areas to loot while getting sidetracked from the main story. There is just so much to do in this game, its hard to keep focus. So much depth, it's amazing what Bethesda has come up with this time. The development team is apparently big fallout fans and it shows as the Fallout world finally comes to life in the next generation.

For anyone even remotely interested in Fallout 3, or games in general, should definitely give Fallout 3 a try.

Sound: 82
Graphics: 95
Story: 88
Value: 97
Replayability: 96

SVSGR Total: 91.6/100!!

Uplink: Hacker Elite - A Forgotten Revolution?

Uplink first came to my attention quite a few years back with the name Hacker Elite on the end. It has recently been re-released on the Steam software service under the name Uplink: Trust is a weakness.

Whichever name it is, the game is an underground gem, and should not be forgotten. Since the game does not have graphics of any kind, it cannot possible become out dated. It is an intense ride that will have you trying for that elusive million dollar bank hack!! And anyone can learn the ways to do it with the games tutorials and help program. The game involves everything so seamlessly, you feel like you are an actual uplink agent.

Another side note i have is to check out the diary that comes with the game. A small story of a hacker in 1988. Compelling and if you read it before you play you will be so motivated that you will forget its a game... you will get caught and run to your front door to lock it before the feds run in. Ok, ok.. maybe not, but i think you get the concept. Anyone who has the chance should check this game out.

Ben's Rating = 8.7/10