We answer the call? and go to War with Call Of Duty

Welcome to this weeks edition of The Idiots Guide To Gaming. So We Are Going To War today? unlike the Americans we are not about to invade some poor middle eastern country looking for weapons of mass destruction. We are talking a look at a first person shooter that has stood the test of time.

"First Person Shooters"are video games that give a first hand experience of holding a gun and using it in battle. If you've ever had a dream of becoming a soldier? these games will make your dream come true.

A lot of first person shooters started out as PC games before they jumped on the console and handheld band wagon. We are checking out the classic and one of the best selling gaming franchises Call Of Duty.

Call Of Duty has a large variety of titles for you too choose from. So if ever you wanted to be part of World War II, you can get your hands on Call Of Duty World At War. This game is set in a period when the Japanese took on the Americans and when Russia and Germany were at each others throats. If your not interested in past wars? Well? there is a game for you? the Call Of Duty Modern Warfare series.

The Modern Warfare series is based on wars of recent times and just like all the other Call Of Duty games you are on a mission to infiltrate and kill your enemy. You are given different objectives at the start of each and every mission and if you've ever wanted to go on really cool but dangerous missions Call Of Duty Modern Warfare is just for you.

Don't think that you are invincible because you are holding onto your dual-shock controller in the comfort of your own home and that you won't die while playing. When you are caught in the line of fire the screen will start turning red and your dual-shock controller won't stop vibrating. The latest version of this series is Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and retails for R549 and is available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

If you ever wanted to be that soldier that fights the wars that no other soldier will? then Call Of Duty Black Ops is just for you. With a mission that requires you to take the helm of a helicopter, who says you need a pilots license to control one of these babies.

There is huge selection of weapons for you too choose from on each mission, but you can only use two guns at a time.You can also use your enemies weapons, so if you think their guns are cooler than yours? you can dispose of them and take their guns. One really cool feature is that you can use a knife when you are on the ground, when your enemy has you pinned down. You can basically stab that enemy in the neck and save your life. Call Of Duty Black Ops retails for R400 and R300 at some stores. Call Of Duty Black Ops 2 drops on the 13th of November 2012.

The makers of Call Of Duty introduced The Zombies mission on World At War and it has featured in every title ever since. Its basically a mission where you kill as many zombies as you can, while gaining points and trading some of your points for bigger and better guns. The intensity of the zombies attacks get stronger the longer you survive and destroy them. Call Of Duty also features a multi-player mode where you can play in split-screen mode with up to 4 of your friends and 16 when connected to the internet.


The Call Of Duty series is really cool and most of the titles are available at good gaming outlets. They retail from as little as R149 to R549. So you can start your Call Of Duty collection and become the ultimate soldier.

We Take A Grand Tour With Grand Turismo 5

Welcome to this weeks edition of The Idiots Guide To Gaming. Today we take a look at the classic driving simulator Grand Turismo 5

This driving simulator goes back to 1997 when it first came out on the Sony PlayStation, 13 years later Sony give us one of the best driving simulators to date. The game came out in 2010 and has couple of playing modes. There's the arcade mode where you can pick at which level you want to play, which track and in which city you want to race in. Don't worry I haven't forgotten the most important part. With a selection of over 75 cars, you are spoiled for choice. This mode also allows you to race in split screen mode (two people racing using dualshock controllers) with a friend.

Then there's the GT Mode. This mode has two sides to it (A-spec) where you race against the game. There's the (B-spec) mode where you create your own driver and give it instructions to race. You start off with no experience and take part in the beginner series.You also start off with a bit of cash to buy your first car. With every race you finish you gain experience and unlock cars, races and special events. 

In career mode (GT mode) its said that the game has over 1000 cars, over 26 different locations and 71 tracks to choose from. Personally I've never counted the amount of cars the game has to offer, but one thing I do know is that whether your going to buy a car at the dealership or used car dealership, you have a huge variety to choose from. You can also race at night and in wet conditions.

As a driver you work your way up from the beginner series to the extreme series. The extreme series is the highest level of racing that the game has to offer. You also take part in races that require special types of cars. Like the Japanese 90's challenge, a race event for Japanese cars from the 1900's or you can take part in the Super Car Festival, yes you guessed it? only super cars are allowed in this event. The more experience you gain the more challenges to take part in and the more cars and credit you earn for yourself.

In The B-Spec mode you basically guide the driver that you have created with a serious of commands during a race so that they can win it. Just like in the A-spec mode your driver gains experience and credits with each race that win or finish in.oh! They also use your cars that you have collected in your garage. You can also race online with 16 other gamer's from around the world.

Some of the special features that this game has to offer is that you can obtain a drivers license, I know it sounds silly but yes its true. This is one of the features that the makers of this game came up with. One of the best features of this game is that the cars handle realistically and that if you bump another car or hit the sidewalks you damage you car and the damage can only be repaired at the car and maintenance center in the games menu.

The game also features special events where you can go, Go karting. Take a drive in a NASCAR car with legendary NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon as your guide. If you a huge Top Gear Fan you can also race around the Top Gear Test track.  You can also learn how to drive a Rally Car in the special events.

Some of the draw backs of this game is that the loading times are a bit long and that you can't drive some cars in cock pit view. This is basically the view that makes you feel as if your driving the car and you are sitting behind the steering wheel. The music is bad, but if you have music stored on your PS3 you can listen to it when your gaming.

Its a great game for beginners and hardcore gamer's. The graphics are stunning and the race tracks and cities have beautiful scenery. With rumors of Grand Turismo 6 coming? Go out and get this game and prepare yourself for GT6. It retails for R299 and only available on PS3.

 

Gaming On A Budget

So last week I covered three games that I think will keep you indoors this winter. They are great games but are rather expensive because they are new releases.

So today we game on a budget! Yes you can game on a budget. A lot of new gamers feel pressured on getting the latest games and accessories, forgetting that they saved up for months in order to purchase their console.

Today I am going to take a look at a couple of consoles, games and a handheld console that's more than reasonably priced.

First up I check out the Xbox 360 4gig console

On my first blog post I reviewed this console saying that its the best for gaming on a budget because of its affordable games compared to PS3 games. Not only are the games affordable but the console itself is super affordable. This console retails for R1999  and comes with one wireless controller. Microsoft the makers of the Xbox 360 also give you a one month free membership to Xbox Live, which is Xbox 360's online gaming platform. You can also watch some of your favorite TV shows and High Definition movies on Xbox Live. Visit your nearest Game outlet before stocks run out for this wonderful offer.

Still on Game and reasonably priced consoles they are offering you a refurbished Sony PlayStation 3  (PS3) 320gig console for R2999. A bit more pricey than the Xbox 360 but you get a bigger hard drive with the PS3 and two games to get you started. These games are Tekken Hybrid and Motorstorm Apocalypse. Both games retail over R300 and you get them as part of the offer. The PS3 comes with a 12 month guarantee.

So while looking for bargains that I can feature in this post I came across the most affordable piece of gaming hardware that's out right now. If you thought Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) is reasonably priced at R1199. Nintendo have slashed the price of their handheld console the Nintendo 3DS from R1999 to R999.

I have to say I am more than impressed with Game's prices when it comes to gaming and while doing research for this post I found that they had the best prices when it comes to gaming.

Back to the 3DS the first handheld console that brings 3D gaming to you and me. And don't worry you don't have to spend extra money on getting special 3D glasses. You don't need those glasses with this baby.  On the side the 3DS has a special slider that allows you to set the intensity of the 3D to your liking, so if you want to see Super Mario's mushrooms up close and personal you can set it to its highest level of intensity. You can also turn the 3D completely off and game in 2D.

If you enjoyed classic Nintendo games like Super Mario and The Legend Of Zelda on Gameboy, they all feature on the 3DS. 3DS games retail from R170 to R420. This offer is exclusive to Game. Other retailers still sell the 3DS for R1999.

Here are a couple of reasonably priced games to can get. These games retail for under R300

First up to check out Need For Speed Run on Nintendo Wii this baby retails for R215

If you are into rap and hip hop this game is just for you. Its Def Jams Rapstar and you can rap your heart out on this one. It comes with a free mic. Its available on Xbox 360 and PS3. It retails for R250

 
God Of War is a classic in the gaming world. The third installment is available for R252 and with God Of War 4 on the way, you better grab this baby so you not lost when we are all swallowed by the God Of War 4 hype. God Of War 1 and 2 are also available as two in one bundle if you really want to sink your teeth into this trilogy.

Look & Listen has a huge selection of new and old games. You can find these three games there.

Games that will keep you warm this winter!

So its winter and your girlfriend has the hot water bottle out and the only time she ever needs you is to service her pipes. Most of the time she would rather have you two cuddle and watch movies in bed. That's all good, but you also want to give those fingers an exercise and sweat those winter chills away.

The Idiots Guide To Gaming present our winter special. These three games that I am about to profile "not review" are sure to keep you indoors and warm this winter. I hope they don't cause any trouble for you and your lady.

First up we have Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

If your asking yourself who the hell is Tom Clancy? Well? His a well known American author who is best known for his espionage military science and techno thriller storylines. Ubisoft use his name for promotional purposes, and have titles like Rainbow 6 and Splinter Cell tagged with his name. Cool! Back to the game and enough with the history lesson

Ubisoft the developers of this game claim that you'll become the ultimate soldier as you embark on a journey across the globe and you "The Ghosts" are the only thing that stands in the way of WWIII from happening. So if your childhood dream is to become a soldier but you are too chicken to pursue this dream. This game is just for you. Its available on PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC. It retails for R517 save up for this one. It looks like its going to be a classic. My review for it will follow in the weeks to come.

Up next is Max Payne 3.

The Max Payne trilogy dates back to July 2001 when the game first came out. 11 years later Max is back and looks like trouble follows him everywhere he goes. He is now in Sao Paulo, Brazil and has taken up the job of protecting a wealthy family. Looks like you "Max" are going to be in one hell of a ride, in a city you don't know.

You "Max" have a bad history with woman, drugs and alcohol. So if you relate to Max go out and get Max Payne 3 it. This game retails for R603 and is available on PS3 and Xbox 360. Am sure your lady is going to want to play this one with you. Woman love bad boys.

Finally i have something for you PC gamers: Diablo 3

Diablo means Devil in Spanish and yes you guessed it you are up against the devil and his monsters on this one. The first two games i featured are known as FPS games (First Person Shooters) this game is known as a RPG (Role Playing Game) and your role is to fight in a fast paced environment. PC games are well known to be strategy games that require you to use your brain and not shoot your way out of every situation.

As you fight your way through a dark fantasy world, you will grow your ability, gain experience and acquire items that will give you incredible power. Diablo retails for R457 and if you've a couple of hours to spare at the office or when the boss is not watching? Go on and kick the devils ass. And when the game starts getting too scary for you? Call your lady to hold your hand and cuddle with you? Or if you like? You can also call your boss.