FreeHolder

FreeHolder

Thursday, August 19, 2007

The PS3 version of Rockstar's upcoming Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is just a few days away, and Sony will be offering a great deal of DLC for free to PS3 owners via its PlayStation Network download service. This will include a level 1 music pack for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, a map pack for Vice City, and a mission pack for Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

Unlike the previous two PlayStation Network downloadable content packs, there won't be a level 1 music pack (assuming you're on a PlayStation 3) for those of you that didn't preorder the game for a PS3 at launch.

However, free-to-play gamers have something else to look forward to this week, as both GTA IV and the PlayStation 3 version of Vice City will be coming to the PC later this year. The console versions will also feature a new free-to-play 'only' mission mode, where you will play as a new female character, who can also change up the way you play the game. Both versions of the game will include full support for Kinect voice commands.

If you've got a 3D TV set that's going to appeal to you, you might want to check out the new Worms for the Nintendo DS. (Actually, not because Worms is old, but because it's another in the same category.) In the game, you play as a worm on a beach, using your DS stylus to fling balls at your enemies. The game uses the DS's D-pad to move the worm around; you can hold the stylus down to drag it around, and then tap on to move the worm. You can also bring up a map of the levels in the DS version to give you a better look at where you need to be when battling. There will also be some new weapons for you to use.

Graphically, the game will feature some pretty cool graphics, with a look that's just plain old looking. The 3D models look just about in line with the 3D ones, and you'll also be able to use the DS's internal clock to run the levels. The game will be set in a town, in which worms are having their lives cut short. As you'd expect, the city is your primary focus, and there will be tons of story content in the game. The towns will feature all kinds of shops that will display interesting bits of information that will help you with your quest. You'll see shops where you can sell equipment and learn how to make some money. You'll also find a different kind of job: hire a stripper to serve as a chef for your little burger joint. There are also new shops where you can procure food from the various needy individuals.

While the gameplay in Tri Force Heroes isn't too deep, it does provide a pretty good look at the action. The game offers you standard linear controls that use the DS's touch screen to move, punch, and perform various moves. You'll still use the D pad and buttons to attack, jump, and throw your character. While this control scheme works fine for the most part, the game's physics system seems a bit off. When you're locked on to an enemy, the camera will shift to a third-person perspective to give you a good look at your character and to give you a bit more of a look at your health. While the control is solid, the controls do become a bit unresponsive when you're getting pounded by enemies, which can prove to be quite a pain if you're controlling your character too much. You'll also find an RPG-style leveling system that you can advance on as you go, though your stat points will also change to offer you more variety in your performance.

Graphically, you'll find a pretty solid assortment of characters and environments that are complemented by some pretty solid sound design and some neat effects. The PC version we played offered a good amount of detail and a good amount of detail. While the game's control scheme is somewhat unwieldy, the game's graphics are suitably clean and well-done. The characters are complemented by well-done special effects that give them some depth. You'll see the showy hairdo thrown in for good measure as well. The locations, on the other hand, are nicely done, and they offer some good detail. The voice acting is pretty good, although it's a bit odd that the subtitles aren't all that prominent. Overall, the game's performance is solid, which is good considering its age. The PC version will also feature some additions to the compilation. You'll find three audio tracks from the original PlayStation 2 game, a grainy filter, and a high-quality soundtrack.

Control in the game is solid and is complemented by a good number of new additions. You'll find that the default setup works well and offers an accessible experience for newcomers.