Nintendo DS games Review
10 October 2007
Loyal gaming fans may welcome the news that a number of sequels are to hit the Nintendo DS platform, offering the chance to revisit some of the gameplay of titles previously released. One such publication is Touch Detective 2 1/2, a "hilariously offbeat" story according to game studio Atlus Software. With five related chapters provided, the gameplay is said to get more entertaining as the player progresses through the stages, while side quests and unlockable features offer a distraction from the main themes of the game should one be needed.
Nanostray is also set for a comeback on the DS, game publisher Majesco reveals. Combining classic arcade elements with the features of modern technology, Nanostray 2 requires shoot-em-up skills to be employed in a top-down science fiction landscape, while introducing the benefits of wireless technology in order to permit players to tackle each other head-to-head. Alternatively, two competitors can collaborate in order to take on the 16 bosses which must be defeated during the course of the game. The wireless networking capabilities also allow scores to be uploaded to see where the player ranks compared with other participants in the game located around the world.
Meanwhile, one of the most successful franchises of all time, Final Fantasy, is to have a follow-up to its 12th instalment made available exclusively for the handheld console, according to publisher Square Enix. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is set for an early 2008 release date throughout Europe, the company announces. Players are promised the chance to find out what follows the events of Final Fantasy XII while utilising the touchscreen capabilities of the Nintendo DS - with on-screen icons offering the ability to control the game solely using the device's stylus. As usual, an "epic soundtrack" is to be composed especially to accompany the game.
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Speakers Review
09 October 2007
Klipsch claims that the flagship product in its Icon series of speakers includes an innovative design feature which reduces the amount of power needed to produce a sound. By using horn-loaded tweeters, the manufacturer argues that the Klipsch XF-48, a floor-standing loudspeaker, is made more energy efficient. The product is due to start shipping this month and includes two 5.25-inch woofers along with two radiating panels to maximise the audio output. Each panel is black to blend in with the black grain anodised surround, while accents with a high-gloss finish are added to finish off the effect of the unit.
For a more esoteric look, the Klipsch Palladium P-39F loudspeaker is also floor-standing and comes in a "boat tail" enclosure manufactured from layered medium density fibreboard. This is reinforced to provide a rigid housing for the active speaker components, the company explains. A 0.75-inch titanium diaphragm tweeter uses two magnets to maximise the achievable output, while three nine-inch conical woofers add the low frequencies for a full acoustic range. Jim Garrett, Klipsch director of product planning, suggests that the distinctive design was introduced in response to the more well-established nature of Klipsch as a brand in recent times.
Arguably even more character is presented in the form of the Klipsch AWR-650-SM, a weather-proof speaker designed for outdoor usage. The unit is disguised as a rock and capable of producing stereo sound if it is to be used alone, or mono output if multiple speakers are to be installed and an even spread of sound is desired. To ensure the correct appearance is achieved, three different finishes are on offer - granite, sandstone and redrock. More than six decades of experience were taken into account in designing the product, Klipsch asserts, resulting in an "amazing, full-bodied bass response" according to Mr Garrett.
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DVD players Review
09 October 2007
Motorists wishing to enjoy a movie on the move may wish to invest in a mobile DVD player specifically designed for in-car use. The Blaupunkt Las Vegas DVD35 is one such device for which video output is optional - the main unit occupies the space normally taken up by the car radio and can play back audio CDs and mp3s, along with DVD video footage. This in turn is passed to the attached monitors - with multiple displays supported to keep back-seat passengers entertained. And those who thrive on their iPod collection may welcome the news that there is also an interface allowing for playback direct from the media player.
The JVC KD-AVX11, meanwhile, has a built-in 2.7-inch widescreen monitor and can play back media in formats including standard DVDs, video compressed using DivX and also still images in the jpeg format. Compatibility with the mp2 video format means most footage obtained from a digital video recorder and burned to CD or DVD should be viewable, in case the driver wishes to watch home videos while away from home, JVC states. And the incorporation of a built-in screen means a direct menu interface through which to control the device's settings and configuration.
Finally, the Nextbase SDV1102 incorporates controls and display into one sleek unit, with a 10.2-inch screen and a built-in digital television receiver in case there are no DVDs close to hand. Recorded media may be accessed via the top-loading DVD tray or a variety of memory card formats, including SD, MMC and MS, while further connectivity is provided in the form of a universal serial bus port. Accessories bundled with the product comprise a power adapter, audio-video cable, earphone, aerial and remote control, as well as protective carrying cases for when it is removed from the vehicle.
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Home cinema systems Review
08 October 2007
Sony has revealed the latest instalment in its series of Bravia adverts which has so far seen 250,000 bouncy balls thrown down a San Francisco hillside and the creation of a "pyrotechnical paint display" on a Glasgow housing estate. The high-profile campaign has been used in recent years to promote the Bravia range of televisions and home cinema projectors, which includes the Sony Bravia VPL-AW10. This high-definition (HD) ready projector supports screen sizes of up to 200 inches (about five metres) and operates with "virtually silent fan noise", according to Sony.
For those looking for an even sharper image, the Sony Bravia VPL-AW15 projector comes with a contrast ratio of 12,000:1 - twice that of the previous model. An HD multimedia interface allows for digital images to be passed directly to the unit without being processed, meaning HD signals conforming to the 1080p standard can be reproduced. This could be ideal for the latest advertisement, which sees 200 brightly-coloured bunnies take to the streets of New York - bringing a touch of Easter into the run-up to Christmas. A 200 sq ft wave and a whale add to the plasticine fun in the stop-motion film, which director Frank Budgen says is technically the "most difficult thing" he has ever achieved.
Videophiles looking to get the most out of their home cinema system may prefer to opt for the Sony Bravia VW50, with support for a diagonal screen size of up to 300 inches and "incredible contrast and colour". Two separate HD devices may be connected to the twin multimedia interfaces provided, to eliminate the need to switch cables when switching between video sources. With the combination of clarity and scale, the biggest of the bunnies - which measured some 30 feet (9.14 metres) tall - could be rendered with some sense of the effort which went into the latest episode in the Bravia "colour like no other" campaign.
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Toys/gadgets Review
08 October 2007
Hasbro has something for both boys and girls in the run-up to Christmas, the company has announced. For girls, Squawkers McCaw could be the perfect feathered friend - and definitely won't be flying away. The parrot responds to certain voice inputs, such as "hello" and "are you hungry?" with its own responses, as well as being able to learn to mimic other phrases taught by its owner. Squawkers McCaw can also "make sassy sounds and even dance", Hasbro states. The bird went on sale in September and is predicted by 'lifestyle expert' Chris Byrne to be one of the most "squawked about" toys of the year.
Boys may prefer the Optimus Prime voice changer helmet, released to coincide with the recent Transformers movie. The helmet has been "authentically detailed" to match the character's appearance in the film, Hasbro states, with three different operating modes to keep children interested once it's out of the box. These include two speech functions - one which replays Optimus Prime's catchphrases and one which allows the wearer to speak in the character's voice - along with the ability to replay the sound effect of Optimus Prime transforming between robot and vehicle forms.
The Nerf N-strike Disk Shot, meanwhile, allows for multiple players to go head to head and discover who is the sharpest shooter. Participants can expect action in the style of clay pigeon shooting, but with the safety element of Nerf foam-based ammunition. A wireless launching device fires foam discs into the air, while a six-shot Nerf blaster gives the shooter the ability to shoot it out of the sky. And to level the ground a little for older players, three difficulty settings are provided - meaning individuals can work their way up through the levels, or implement a handicap system if desired.
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Bank puts rates on hold
05 October 2007
The Bank of England again voted to maintain the base rate at its current level of 5.75 per cent this week.
Industry analysts predict that rates may now not reach the six per cent threshold - although there is doubt as to when they could begin to decrease.
According to Michael Coogan, director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, such a move could come as early as November.
He states that he and his colleagues "hope for and anticipate a cut in November" in light of the continuing affordability issues in the sub-prime mortgage market.
But Mr Coogan adds that as mainstream lending remains stable, "this is not a certainty".
Meanwhile, Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at Global Insight, asserts that a rate reduction is unlikely in the run-up to Christmas.
He predicts that the Bank will instead opt to effect two rate cuts in the first six months of 2008.
This could see rates drop to 5.25 per cent by the middle of the coming year, he explains.
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Xbox 360 games Review
05 October 2007
Halo 3 became the fastest-selling video game of all time following its release in Europe for the Xbox 360 on September 26th, Microsoft reveals. The eagerly anticipated title has also been linked with a boost in console sales, which the firm claims have more than doubled when compared with weekly figures prior to its release. Fans of the franchise can expect more of the gameplay presented in earlier instalments as they are faced with the task of saving mankind from the Covenant - picking up where Halo 2 left off to complete one of the most successful trilogies in gaming history, Microsoft concludes.
For a shoot 'em up with its feet more firmly on the ground, Cabela's Trophy Bucks from Activision invites players to join the hunt for 11 species of deer and a further 25 other creatures in a variety of locations across north America. More than 95 missions contribute to the storyline set against backdrops such as the Sonoran Desert and the Yukon Territory, advises Activision's David Oxford. But rather than involving a long laborious search through empty fields, each mission begins at the crucial turning point, meaning players could need to be quick off the mark if they are to respond to the challenge with which they are presented.
Disney has announced an all-star line-up for the voices in its upcoming first-person shooter Turok, scheduled for a February 2008 release date. Hellboy actor Ron Perlman takes on the role of Slade, while villain Roland Kane is to speak courtesy of the vocal cords of Powers Boothe. Josh Holmes, vice-president and general manager of software studio Propaganda Games - which is developing the title - comments: "The actors who lent their voices to Turok are a testament to both the magnitude of the project and the interest of top-notch talent."
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Camcorders Review
05 October 2007
Mustek has a range of camcorders suitable for a variety of applications, with the Mustek DV520T one of the newest in its line-up. The seven-in-one handheld device is capable of filming home movies as well as acting as a webcam, while the remaining five functions comprise stills photography, mp3 playback, mp4 video viewing, voice recording and general storage. The two-inch liquid crystal display is pivoted to allow for it to be viewed no matter which direction the camera is pointed in, while 8x digital zoom should enable distant subjects to be recorded at a suitable size.
The Mustek DV12M has a slightly narrower range of functions - comprising digital camcorder and video camera operability, voice recording, stills photography, mp3 playback and memory card reading - but comes with an impressive 12 megapixels of resolution and a maximum zoom setting of 10x. With connections including universal serial bus, audio-visual output and an earphone socket, a plethora of methods of playback are provided for the most demanding consumer looking to extract content on to their computer or just to watch it on their home cinema system. With compression of jpeg for stills, mp3 or Windows Media for audio and mp4 for video, the maximum amount of video or audio footage is likely to fit on to the onboard storage.
The Mustek DV5300 also comes with six possible functions and a resolution of five megapixels - as well as a built-in flash for use in poor ambient light conditions. Automatic settings are also provided for weather conditions such as daylight or cloudy days, along with "tungsten" and "fluorescent" setups. Digital effects such as negative imagery, sepia and black and white processing may also be used if the budding photographer should desire. A slightly more modest zoom function of 4x is also provided to get a little closer to the subject at hand.
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Gameboy Advance games Review
04 October 2007
Players looking to get the best out of the Final Fantasy series could be well advised to try Final Fantasy V on the Gameboy Advance. This instalment takes the franchise to new levels with an overhaul of the job system introduced in earlier titles, according to Nintendo. As such, gamers can opt to follow the career path most suited to their style of play in order to advance through the storyline. Furthermore, the occupation selected at the outset need not impact on the entire experience as it is possible to switch partway through the game, as well as to learn some skills unrelated to the chosen profession.
Those who prefer to take to the air for their combat action may wish to try out F-24 Stealth Fighter from Majesco. And with the festive season approaching, the run-up to Christmas could be the ideal time to get a copy. The military flight simulator is a "great holiday stocking stuffer", according to vice-president of marketing Ken Gold. Players are presented with the challenge of maintaining control over the skies of Iran as turbulence in the surrounding regions has led to increased fighting in the region. A total of 20 different missions over land and sea must be completed in order to finish the game, which is also available on Nintendo DS.
Meanwhile, for a mature audience Yggdra Union might be ideal - although it is rated as unsuitable for young children due to partial nudity, references to alcohol and mild violence. Players must help Princess Yggdra Yuril Artwaltz of Fantasinia and her unlikely companion Milanor - a thief - as they battle to recover the kingdom from the clutches of the New Empire of Bronquia, software studio Atlus advises. Those prepared to take on the challenge are told to stand ready with "bravery in your heart and a sword in your hand".
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Projectors Review (04 October 2007) | |
LCD screens Review (03 October 2007) | |
Nintendo Wii games Review (03 October 2007) | |
Photo printers Review (02 October 2007) | |
PC games Review (02 October 2007) | |
MP3 players Review (01 October 2007) | |
PS3 games Review (01 October 2007) | |
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DVD recorders Review (18 September 2007) | |
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DVD players Review (07 September 2007) | |
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