The classic Need for Speed series from EA shifts into high gear with the release of the latest chapter, Need for Speed Undercover.

Players are given a plethora of gaming options ranging from but not limited to the story mode such as beat the clock, race laps, stay ahead of other racers, and cause as much damage as they can.

Gamers can even race for pink slips and take possession of new cars, truly to the victor go the spoils. Players can also take their cars to local shops in order to tweak out the performance or change the paint. Players need to note this is done with real money by using your Playstation or X Box account.
The story casts players as a driver who is trying to work his way into an undercover street gang. In order to do this, gamers must take on and complete a series of assigned missions in order to earn enough credibility which will in turn allow you to bring down the gang from within.

Since racing is the name of the game and cars are the stars, EA has assembled an impressive collection of over 55 cars in the game including the stunning Mitsubishi Evolution which really shines when tearing up the streets.

The games cut scenes are a bit of a mixed bag as they can become cheesy but do help move the story forward. While the games graphics are good, there can be some issues with the lighting effects that on more than one occasion in game I found an area to dark to make out needed details. Maggie Q is a nice addition to the game but she is simply not given enough to do.

The game does not offer realistic physics or driving modes, and players for example will find themselves not able to outrun the police many times, and will have to rely on clever maneuvering and ramming to succeed.

Another issue I had a few times while playing was the occasional pause while playing. While it was not a game breaker, I did find it annoying when it did arise.

In the end, Need for Speed Undercover is a mixed bag as racing fans are likely to want more from the story and racing experience than the game offers but many gamers will be happy that the series is moving in the right direction again.

3 stars out of 5

In a Totalitarian society of the near future a girl named Faith is about to have her world torn asunder. Faith is a runner, and she makes her living darting across the rooftops of a sterile city to deliver information.

For Faith, her world is about to be turned inside out and upside down when her twin sister is accused of a murder she did not commit.

Armed with a vital clue located at the scene of the crime, Faith must seek to clear her sister’s name, but this will not be easy as there are legions of troops located throughout the city and she must race at a nonstop pace over rooftops, navigate an amazing series of obstacles to stay alive and clear her sister’s name.

The innovative game features some amazing visuals that allow players to make some incredibly nimble and acrobatic moves raging from roof jumping, slides, fence jumping and ledge climbing to name but a few.

The game does offer combat as faith is armed with a gun and also has the ability to engage and disarm any opponents that she faces but in an innovate twist; players are rewarded for avoiding combat. Two of the games achievement awards are earned by not killing or being shot.

Naturally this puts the emphasis on speed, stealthy, and dexterity so players keen to go toe to toe with the enemies will be sadly disappointed as the games combat system is not the focal point of the game and as such may become frustrating for players used to games with a very high body count.
Not all of the missions take place on rooftops, as there are some truly innovative maps such as a water tank and a subway that tasks players to avoid oncoming trains.

The visual style of the game is amazing as the designers have truly crafted an innovative and stunning virtual city that features aircraft in the skies as well as a functioning city.

The first person prospective of the game allows players to see Faith’s hands and legs as she runs and jumps and the constant sound of her breathing is a reminder of just how much energy she is exerting.
In the end the game is a mixed bag that will largely please or disappoint gamers based on their expectations. I found the graphics and uniqueness of the game overrode any shortcoming such as the combat system and thin plot of the game.

Others may find the game as simply eye candy that does not deliver the action and compelling story that they expected.

I prefer to see Mirrors Edge as an innovative and refreshing new direction in gaming that despite flaws is a technological marvel that has to be played.

3.5 stars out of 5

Valve Software, the creators of the ground breaking and incredibly successful Half Life series have crafted one of the most addictive and enjoyable interactive experiences ever with their new release Left 4 Dead.

The game began development at Turtle Rock Studios who had previously worked with Valve on various Counter-Strike projects before becoming part of Valve in 2008.

Harkening to the classic George Romero Zombie movies, Left 4 Dead is an interactive 3D shooter that allows players to play as one of four “survivors” as they attempt to flee hordes of infected that have overrun the surrounding city and surrounding areas.

Playing as either Louis, Bill, Zoey, or Francis, players can play along with the A.I. taking control of other the other characters or they can play along with friends or other gamers online. I found this to be a fantastic feature as I have always been a fan of being able to play a game in co-op mode and being able to play through the entire game with your friends adds greatly to the games enjoyment and replay value.

The game is broken down into 4 chapters, each a mini movie that casts players in the role of a character. As the game loads, players see a throwback movie poster that complete with tagline, tells the name of the segment and the parts that each player will be playing.

Each segment contains five levels and concludes with a finale that forces the survivors to face waves of enemies as they attempt to escape. The opening chapter, No Mercy, starts on a rooftop and tasks players with moving through apartment buildings, city streets, subway stations, hospitals and more as they attempt to reach the roof of a hospital for a possible rescue by helicopter.

Armed with pistols, shotguns, machine guns, assault rifles, and explosives ranging from pipe bombs and Molotov Cocktails, players will need every resource at their disposal to survive, as the infected are not the sluggish zombies of old. Instead they run, jump, and swarm, and never once let up their assault.
Aside from infected, there are deadly forms of infected such as the Witch who alerts you with her child like crying before unleashing her fury. There are also Hunters who leap out of nowhere, Boomers, who coat you in vomit that attracts hordes of infected, Smokers who snare players with a long tongue, and the massive Tank who pummel anyone and everything in their paths.

Players are able to load up on weapons they find during the game, but are limited to one explosive, one rifle, and 2 pistols but there are things such as gas and propane cans and other items that can be dropped and ignited to create a very satisfying wall of flame to bake advancing enemies to a crisp.
There are also mounted weapons from time to time when forced to make a stand, and the rapid fire function of a mounted gun can help turn the tide against superior numbers.

Another nice touch is the ability to push enemies away with your weapons as when surrounded or trying to reload, it helps to hit enemies with what your player is holding in order to dispatch them or gain needed space to deploy your weapon.

As chapters unfolded, I was amazed at how well the look, tone, and feel of a Zombie movie had been captured. Other games have tackled Zombie infections before, but none have added the level of immersion of Left 4 Dead, and that includes the recent Dead Rising.

The story of the game is cryptic, as there are some clues scrawled on the floors and ceilings of the maps, as well as on the walls of the safe rooms that conclude each level of a chapter.

The graphics and sound of the game are first rate as aside from various quips and statements that the characters make from time to time, the game has some vast amounts of gore that allow you to mark the walls with everything from the blood of the infected to your bullet marks.

Another nice feature is the use of health packs which are limited to one per character at a time. When a player is wounded, they may need another player to help them up, and bandage them. Since much of the game is based on cooperation between players, gamers may wish to use their health packs to aid teammates in much worse shape than they are, even though this will leave them without a pack until they can locate one later.

If a player dies in game, they can be revived later by other team members provided at least one of them survive which is not always possible from the relentless attacks by overwhelming numbers.
Players are also required to use their heads as shooting everything in site will only attract more enemies and while some may like this feature in order to earn more achievements, I prefer no setting off car alarms with random shots and bumping.
Players also can play as the infected and in a 4vs 4 match pits four human survivors against 4 player controlled infected.

My only regret with the game was that it can be completed in 5-6 hours, but thanks to randomized features and different skill levels, as well as the highly enjoyable game play, I do not think gamers will tire of this game anytime soon.

Valve has once again set very high standards for others to reach to and have crafted a new franchise that not only will help pass the time until the next chapter of Half Life, but will also have gamers clamoring for more chapters.
Left 4 Dead is highly addictive and enjoyable and is the leading candidate for our Game of the Year award.

5 stars out of 5.