---

***WARNING: This review contains spoilers*** A strange decision, to release the game before the movie. Obvious tactics to cash in on the hype, which should set alarm bells ringing. Fortunately for me, I waited and saw the movie before picking up my PS2 controller and guiding Obi-Wan and Anakin through the story: very fortunate for me indeed. The thing that hits you most is the repetition. It is rather horrible to play through a game doing the same things over and over again, but it was countered by the Force points system. Here you can accumulate Force points and build them up until you become a master of the Force and have the use of Force stun/mind trick or Force lighting. Some levels also have you manning an enormous laser cannon to shoot down and blow up various obstacles and enemies, which, after briefly seeming fun and engaging, turns out to be boring and frustrating. The control system is easy to learn but pretty hard to master: you'll scratch your head trying to...

---

When most people think of freeware, they think that "free" must equal "poor quality of gameplay" or "you can't get something for nothing". Starting with this game, I am going to post reviews of the best freeware games out there, and prove that it is possible to get some quality freeware games. I will provide links so that you can get hold of these gems yourself, because I'm a kind man, and better than Jesus :) Out of Order is a point-and-click adventure that follows the events of Hurford Schlitzing. He may have an odd name, but Hurford is your basic average Joe with a killer dressing gown. The story starts off in Hurford's room, as he awakens during a storm one night and finds himself transported to a place called “The Town”. His sole purpose is to find out what’s going on, where he is and who is responsible. Alas, nothing is that simple in an adventure game... In a world filled with so many boring and clichéd point-and-click adventures, Out of Order...

---

Knights of the Old Republic, an epic game at worst, an outstanding one at best. So when LucasArts decided to produce a sequel, how did they propose to go ahead? Where would the story take us? Would we be diving into the depths of where Revan had gone, or would they decide to go with the grim task of picking up the ruins that make up the Republic? At first I assumed that LucasArts were playing it safe when I realised that the game was Republic-based and not off into the unknown with Revan. I think personally that the Revan storyline would be a much better game and tale to tell. But was I disappointed in what I got from KOTOR2? The answer, bluntly, is "no". Using up-to-date technology, increasing the game play and the manoeuverability, this game blasts to the top of the pile of "amazing games" which surround the market. By far the best game out for the X-Box since its release in many people’s opinion, the game picks up four years after the end of KOTOR1: the...

---

Publisher: Atari; developer: Reflections. For those that have never played any of the original Driver games on the PS1 or PC then lets start by giving you a brief history lesson: The developer of the Driver series Reflections are a Newcastle based team that mainly specialise in the 'driving game' genre. The back catalogue reads quite impressively with titles such as the original Driver (1999), Driver 2 (2000), Stuntman, the Destruction Derby series and also the classic Shadow of the Beast. In the original Driver game you took up the role of Jack Tanner, a rough around the edges-style cop that has adorned countless Hollywood movies. Although the character of Jack Tanner wasn't entirely predominant in the original game, Reflections showed that driving games needn't be restricted to driving from point A to point B, they could also include a lead character that wouldn't be forgotten as soon as you turned off your console. The game itself was legendary and Rockstar should...

---

I’ve been playing videogames since I was six. I don’t know how many games I have played. More than I can remember anyway ... but I’ve never played anything like Darwinia. From the eye-catching box and amusing manual to the 30Mb install (really!) everything about Darwinia intrigues. What kind of game is it you ask? I’ll tell you ... This game is fun. Remember that? When games were fun? Not just about flashy graphics? It really is a joy to play. Playing the game is rewarding and exciting, and levels can be completed in many different ways (check out the official forums to get an idea). Not to say that it’s non-linear, but that you can play it by your style. At heart, it's kind of a puzzle game. Normally you have to save Darwinians (little green A.I. guys) and complete an objective, killing the invading Virus on the way. However, a fair amount of strategy has to be used, but it’s not an RTS. There is no resource gathering or building bases or tank rushes. It’s done in a more,...

---

Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Medal of Honour and Call of Duty. All required kit for any self respecting WW2 fanatic. You would find all these things in my foxhole of a flat, debris of a misspent youth. So when I heard about Gearbox's WW2 squad based shooter I was understandably excited. You take the role of sergeant Matt Backer, 101st Airborne division. The game takes place over seven days, starting with a night-time drop on D-Day and stretching to the final climax at Hill 30. The game is based on the actual operations of the 101st division - consequently, you can expect early missions to involve linking up with other paratroopers, blowing bridges and clearing towns. Brothers in Arms is an undeniably authentic gaming experience. From small things like missions involving clearing fields for gliders, to references to the large flooded fields where many paratroopers died, Brothers in Arms really makes you feel part of the war effort. While the main character's...

---

MechAssault (Day 1 Studios / FASA / Microsoft) for the XBox. I'm a huge fan of the Mechwarrior series and I’ve followed the games faithfully from computer, to virtual arcade game boxes that were fully immersive, to the 16-bit consoles, and back to computer. Now it’s come to the XBox and there’s been a few changes made accordingly. The original MechWarrior and BattleTech themed games played slowly, with a lot of strategy being necessary in your weapon loadout against specific opponents – as certain weapons and certain mech configurations worked best against others and on certain terrain. You had so many variables, the weight your mech could carry limited the amount of ammo you had, the type of armour you used would affect what kind of damage you took from certain ammunition, and the type of mech you chose (from light to heavy) decided what your battle tactics would be. MechAssault does away with the tactics side by taking away customization options and giving you...

---

Pirates of the Caribbean is the Adam Ant of the ‘00s, or whatever this stupid decade is called. No, bear with me. The shops are full of skull and crossbones tat, otherwise dull people are using the word "arr" in everyday conversation, and stripy clothes are selling on eBay for enormous amounts. Pirates are fashionable again. Avast, ye. The bandwagon’s latest passenger is games company Wizkids, with their suspiciously-titled venture Pirates of the Spanish Main. It looks not dissimilar to a collectible card game, but these cards are made of plastic, and are full of wee bits that punch out. A bit of folding and some pushing of tabs into slots turns those wee bits of plastic into gorgeous scale models of sailing ships, resplendent with detail. These are between one and two inches long, yet each ship has her name painted on the hull, amid gun decks with tiny cannon, each with its own hatch. Individual baulks of timber are discernable, and decks are adorned with barrels and other...

---

http://www.alternativenation.net/photos/data/500/229511.jpg So for the last week I've been playing Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone and Ratchet and Clank - both for the PlayStation2 - and it's been a pretty action-packed week of gaming. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone Demon Stone is the latest game in the Dungeons and Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. Baldur's Gate made it famous in the video game world, but the script writer for Demon Stone made the Forgotten Realms one of the most popular amongst gamers. RA Salvatore has taken a break from his novel writing to pitch in with the video game license and bring a professionally written and entertaining storyline to a video game. The game's talent doesn't stop with the story, with Patrick Stewart and Michael Clarke Duncan providing voicework, and a team of professional scriptwriters fleshing out the individual conversations you have through the world. Stormfront Studios brings their engine and experience from the Lord of the...

---

http://www.alternativenation.net/photos/data/500/2295battlefront_logo.gif Normally each week I'll pick up two to four older games for the PlayStation One and Two, play the hell out of them, and head back to the store for a few more the next payday. This week though, was a tad different. Star Wars: Battlefront came out, and the inner child in me had to have it. Based on Battlefield 1942, SW:Battlefront allows you to take control of one of four factions throughout the Star Wars legacy. Common to each faction are infantry troops, a sniper, a heavy weapons character, and a pilot who can repair damaged turrets and dispense health pods to soldiers. The Rebels are the camouflaged heroes, having Luke Skywalker on their side as they go up against Vader's Imperial forces. The special unit for the Rebels is the Wookie Smuggler, for anyone that's feeling like taking Chewbacca into the field and blowing things up with time bombs and a bowcaster. The Imperials are the chilling,...