Gaming:

It’s been a blockbuster month with some big game releases during October, including Fable II on Xbox 360, standard and collector’s limited edition.  The collector’s edition now includes the game disc, Bonus DVD with new “Making-of” feature, Bonus in-game content, which requires Xbox Live, including the “Hall of the Dead” Dungeon, “The Wreckager” Legendary Cutlass weapon and Spartan Armor and Energy Sword.  Fable II is set 500 years after the original game in Albion, with the environments being 10 times bigger than the original game!  What life will you choose!

View trailers

Other big titles included Far Cry 2, Midnight Club LA, Dead Space and Saints Row 2 (PC version release 24 January ‘09).

Movies:

Another game-related movie, Bond Quantum of Solace is due for release on 19 November and has received favourable reviews – get ready for a new “Bond” experience! The game version comes out in November on all major platforms (Xbox 360 version also on the 19 Nov’) and scores 8.7/10 at gametrailers.

Toys:

Futurama has to be one of the most whackiest, futuristic animated comedies ever created.  The Futurama Action Figures series 2, 3 and 4 were re-released recently, and with Christmas not too far away, for Futurama fans there is now an official special edition Action Figure Santa 2-Pack (by Toynami) featuring Santa Bender and Robot Santa. 

This has to be the best I’ve seen Bender – the Santa Hat and smiley grin is priceless! Look out for Series 5 expected in November featuring Calculon and Super King Bender!

Over the coming months we’ll also be introducing gaming figures from Halo 3, TombRaider, Sonic and more.

Games played/reviewed this month:

John Woo Presents Stranglehold (Xbox 360), 1 Player (+ Xbox Live Matches), Rated MA15+

This game is definitely for those who like pure shooting action whilst completing your objectives.  Playing as Inspector Tequila Yuen, you fight against Hong Kong crimelords through 7 chapters in places such as markets, harbours, restaurants, casinos, carparks and more.  Unleash massive destruction in your path, planting explosives, sinking ships, exploding buildings, destroying helicopters, undertake stand-offs and big boss battles.

What makes this game is some of the moves included, such as sliding on rails, rebounding off walls, rolling, diving, dodging bullets and sliding over objects. Once you earn enough style points and collect “cranes” throughout each level, you can undertake different special attacks with Tequila Bombs, from barrage attack for super heavy damage, and the spin-attack where you go into slow-motion whilst rotating and annilihating enemies in the local vicinity.  The precision aim attack is excellent as you can aim accurately at an enemy from a long distance, shoot and watch the bullet travel to it’s designated target.

Overall, there’s plenty of action with unique graphics, and would describe this game as a “good-time”, all round shooter”!

Also available on PS3 and PC.