Darkspore - The Review

Same Universe, Different genre: A Review Of The Game "Darkspore" - Continue to create high-profile games - a thankless task. Fans of the original jealously watching any of deviation from the canon and generally want to get "the same thing, only with super-graphics, new players grumble:" it was already "and" give us fresh ideas. " Even harder not to do a sequel, but a completely different game in the same universe. See what happens with the creators of Darkspore ...

As is known, his company Electronic Arts does not miss, and all of their games, which brought the slightest income immediately ported to all possible platforms, including mobile phones. The examples are not far to seek: there are various sports series, and tiles made based on the popular films / cartoons, and much more. The company Maxis, best known for games such as SimCity, Sims and Spore, not to be left behind - all of these games through the efforts of marketers EA have been released on almost all existing platforms.

Who does not remember, Spore - epic game where the player had to start its development from a tiny bacteria that pass through all stages of evolution to a huge monster, but in the end - to create a great civilization, to build their own spacecraft and fly into space, learning space and getting to know him inhabitants. However, the most interesting in the game was not it - a player in the process of evolution could create their own monster, whose appearance is entirely dependent on the fantasy gamer.

The official site has helpfully suggests that at the moment fans have created more than 160 million monsters with different looks, all of which are available for download. And let all that is not related to the creation of monsters, Spore does not become so much of the original, the game has found an echo in the hearts of gamers. It was launched three additions, among which "fire" add-on "laboratory exists Spore", extending the already large arsenal to create the creatures.

Naturally, such a successful game could not be left without a sequel. But the developers decided not to go the beaten track, but to create something new. So there was Darkspore.

Let the battle begin

Darkspore - not a continuation of the first part, or even another game in the same genre. If the original simulator, Spore was God, became a follower of Action-RPG with a fair share of hack-n-slash in the tradition of Diablo and Titan Quest. The project looks quite fresh - a sharp change of policy clearly has gone in his favor.


Complication of the plot unpretentious: a highly race Kriogenitov billions of years of travel through the universe, exploring new planets and new life forms nucleation. At some period, everything went out of control - created Kriogenitami race Darkspore gained independence and set itself the goal to capture all the planets to which they are only able to reach. Here, our hero enters the game and simply must show the upstarts-mutants, where what.

Large humanoid robots

But enough of the plot (you'd think in these games, he who is interested), go to the gameplay. Now two game modes, not counting poigrulek Editor - This, of course, the single and multiplayer. The single gives you with the six planets on which you are free to arrange a trash-waste, followed by pumping and collecting useful swag used to upgrade armor. There is a party of three fighters, selected according to aesthetic considerations player. Class three, before yawning friends - sentinel, ravager and tempest. Roughly speaking, the warrior, mage and arrows. Each fighter has their own unique skills, but in most cases, all tactics are reduced to banal "warrior beats, shoots thief, mage heals." On the other hand, no one invents a bicycle that can scare off some of the players who are not ready for hours to build ingenious schemes and tactics for defeating the next boss.

Darkspore

As already mentioned, the game will be six planets with their jobs, which, naturally, have to perform. Get ready to kill the first day of the game to pump - without a certain level to PvP, for example, you corny is not empty. This is done so that users had to deal with the basic chip game. Well, to cut off the most impatient. Dorval to the longed-for multiplayer will be pleasantly surprised.

Long before the game, the developers trumpeted around the world, that the project will focus primarily on the online component. Here you are, and cooperative and PvP - in short, the most popular game modes.

Maximum number of players in multiplayer - four. By simple mathematical manipulation becomes clear that one card will be able to attend up to twelve controlled characters. Co-op mode does not bring any surprises - the single-coil pass card vmnogerom and honestly share the loot looted. With all the PvP more interesting. On relatively small maps, arenas everywhere apart deadly traps - the pillars of fire, mines and much more. What's that, and it certainly should bring to the game a significant share of originality - yet not every day you have to fight with live opponents, simultaneously avoiding the pitfalls that arise out of nowhere.

Unsophisticated audience may seem that the game is very looks like Heroes of Newerth or DotA. I hasten to immediately cut off all the innuendo - the similarity is very, very imaginary and disappears after a half-hour game. Now, actually, about personal experiences.

Firstly, what is happening on the screen is changing very rapidly as the number of parasites settle in the cooperative is incalculable. Secondly, the energy! Energy and hardcore. It is very difficult to beat the living enemy and follow the three wards. Especially necessary to protect "the magician" as to stay on the battlefield without treatment - the more fun, I tell you. In addition, the death of one of the squad members will deprive you of use of one type of special-attacks. As a result, the adrenaline rolls over, the battles are in a very dynamic mode - only manage to dismiss an ax to settle on all sides of creatures. And third, the most important: the levels are very short, each passing minute for 10-15. In my opinion, it is optimal for this kind of games - no time to get bored, and just pump up adrenaline in stagnant blood and razdraznivaet brain.

This, apparently, a well-pumped

Finally, the technical side of the issue. To the naked eye can see that the game uses multiple customizable engine predecessor. Been screwed the most recent chips such as support for fresh DirectX, fixed a lot of bugs and optimized the network portion. Afraid of "sagging» FPS is not worth - the game is very flexible adapts player. The only criticism is level design, which embodies the two basic problems of game design. Make no mistake - some of the levels looks gray desert, filmed in black and white film, and the other is different so bright and acidic colors, that play is, at least, uncomfortable.

What sound in the game? Not an irritant. He is, but like it or not. Tones vary, monsters screaming, explosions Babakhan. In short, it sounds all a solid four.

This acid is very much

Expanding on the shelves all the pros and cons of the game, you come to a conclusion - but why all this was started? Game if trying to sit on two chairs at once: on the one hand, to attract fans of Diablo, longing, pending the continuation, on the other - to dissolve the old fans in the coin, podsunuv advanced editor, but will they go beyond it - the issue tenth.

But if you ignore the comparisons with the classic hack-n-slash and forget about the slow and epic character development, look of the "casual gamer", who just wants to get a buzz from the new game ... For him, the game will be a genuine, comprehensive interest, because the hurricane Action \ RPG c complete customization of the character - a rare thing, but to addictiveness in Darkspore just rolls over. - Same Universe, Different genre: A Review Of The Game "Darkspore"

Apple iPad 2. How? What? Why?

Apple iPad 2. How? What? Why? - Just a few hours in the U.S. will begin selling iPad 2. A week ago it was officially presented with the direct participation of the living and good-looking Steve Jobs, who gave every reason to believe that rumors of his failing health have been greatly exaggerated.
Its time to take a sober look at the new, to understand whether justified expectations and what actually changed in comparison with the first iPad.
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Oddly enough, even by Apple, whose staff are absolute champions in the number of signed agreements not to disclose, can not maintain their devices in secret until the official premiere. iPad 2 in exactly the same fate iPhone, 4 of which were known before the announcement of almost everything. The only difference is that the prototype iPad 2 has not been forgotten by anyone in the bar was not purchased by the chief editor of Gizmodo, and was not photographed from all sides. Other details flowed into a network of more than a week before the event in San Francisco. However, be that as it may, on presentation of Jobs is made perhaps the most resounding statement in his life - iPad 2 - not a computer, not a tablet «postPC device». to certain reflections.

Apple has not accepted blame for borrowing, but wait - for a moment - see what functions the second iPad has got that were originally in some competition? How about a camera? rather two cameras: the front and rear. Almost all of the Android-plates originally went out with cameras that can take photos, videos and talking on Skype. Apple fans at the time claimed that with the tablet awkward, meaningless and, generally, this is the phone or, at worst, a camera. What now? they released the iPad and the camera suddenly becomes important and necessary thing.

Same thing, if you remember, it was with the iPod Touch penultimate generation. Personally, Mr. Jobs said that "iPods" camera is not necessary - it's the player and gaming platform. subsequent update iPod Touch appeared before us with the camera.

Of course, iPad, like any other gadget from Apple - is a useful thing needed, high technology, but most importantly - very contagious. But don't let lose your head and not watch things soberly.

Apple iPad 2

Form Factor:	tablet, candy bar
Operating system:	iOS 4.3
Processor:	Apple A5, Dual Core, 1 GHz
Memory:	512 MB RAM, 16/32/64 GB built-in nonvolatile memory
Mobile communication / data transfer:	GSM / GPRS / EDGE, HSDPA (7.2 Mbps), HSUPA (up to 2 Mbps), CDMA EV-DO Rev. A A
Screen:	IPS (capacitive sensor), a diagonal of 9.7 inch, 1024x768 resolution, 16 million colors,
Interfaces:	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 (+EDR), GPS/A-GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g, Bluetooth 2.1 (+ EDR), GPS / A-GPS
Camera:	Frontal VGA-camera, HD-camera behind (1 megapixel for photo)
Others:	accelerometer, triaxial gyro, digital compass, ambient light sensor
Battery:	Li-Ion, non-removable
Dimensions and weight:	241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm, 601-613 g
Approximate price	499-829 for the United States,

Despite repeated calls not to pay attention to gigabytes, gigahertz and the nucleus, a quick look at options iPad 2 makes clear one thing: the direction of the plates, the scheduled competition as a whole (and Samsung in particular) - is selected correctly. iPad 2 is not the first dual-core tablet, here is Apple in the role of catch-up. But while other producers do not realize the importance of program optimization, neither of which compete with the iPad / iPad 2 in terms of performance can not be considered.

Issue iPad 2 for Apple - a necessary step. The company is well aware that countless Android-plates to bite off its market share. Take largely the quality and quantity. And low cost. The only real competitor to the first iPad - Samsung Galaxy Tab - began to sell for sky-high price, so what is perceived as some kind of threat to no one. And the CES 2011, MWC 2011 and CeBIT 2011 have revealed dozens of the world (if not hundreds) of all plates. But how many of them, simply, survive until winter. However, Apple seemed to palpable competition (there is, for example, promising HTC Flyer), so the moment of conclusion iPad 2 on the market was clearly calculated. Once more: a radical change compared to the first iPad in no novelty. This is only slightly polished, brought to mind a tablet, designed to distract the potential buyers of the products of other companies. Apple knows this, we know.

The screen resolution has changed, as well as a diagonal matrix and sensor technology. Although no doubt that the next iPad'e resolution will be increased up to 1280 pixels on the larger side, and there can not be. RAM was more - a useful thing in the light brought to mind the ambiguity. Combined with dual-core processor - it gives almost double the performance boost compared to the original iPhone and iPad 4. Unless, of course, believe the tests guys from Engadget.

Initially, it will not give any advantages: increased speed of loading, the amount of fps in existing games - and this is unlikely to be noticed by eye. But in the long term, of course, it will create games with better graphics and turn the video in higher resolution. With 1080p, however, iPad 2, and so an excellent job.
Appeared camera should be taken as support elements. Picture quality is not any comparison with the iPhone 4. There is every reason to believe that the iPad 2 is installed exactly the same modules as in the fourth generation iPod touch. The rear camera takes pictures with a resolution of 1 megapixel front - 0.3 Mn. Quality mediocre. When shooting video in the module experience a more joyful, but again, iPhone 4 lifts better. VGA-camera for eye enough to use Skype and FaceTime, and the rear need to run applications, the specter of augmented reality (incidentally, we are preparing an interesting material on the subject, do not miss). Its capacity is enough for recognition of objects in the frame and the subsequent use of the data. Sure what to do and she conceived, though there is no doubt that loyal fans will find Apple iPad-shooting easy and fast will withdraw iPad 2 on the top lines in the list of most popular cameras on flickr.

Superior sound - and innovation is quite controversial. In principle, the first one iPad speaker was not bad, it is unlikely through him might be happy to listen to music, but in order to play or a quick glance something from YouTube, he was fit. The new speaker has a large notch, sounds louder, a little better, but ... because the laws of physics do not be fooled. The sound is still so-so. Before my eyes immediately drawn picture of future resentment. Neighbor in the seat in an airplane looking out loud "interns", the teenagers in the metro show each other "rzhaki of the neta. However, I'm sorry, was distracted.
The most significant improvement, in my opinion, was losing weight and thickness reduction. This allows the iPad 2 more successfully compete with E-Ink readers. First iPad was too big - it was hard to keep the one hand, and read on the go. The bag the average reader (in my case - nook of the Barnes & Noble) also occupy less space. But at the same time, we must pay tribute to Apple - its product to feel much closer to paper books: A variety of fonts and the effect of rewriting the pages create a positive impression that for him did not even want to remember that E-Ink-screens are less harmful to view. 601 grams - and that is how much iPad 2 weighs in minimal configuration - slightly above the norm, but generally tolerated. But the thickness of 8.8 mm makes it virtually invisible in the bag, so that all the advantages of traditional readers before the new iPad become less apparent. Shop iBooks is gaining momentum, I think the output iPad 2 will give new impetus to its development. Look at the statistics through the year.
Ability to connect to a TV iPad - also very nice innovation. To do this, as always, will need to buy an adapter. In the U.S. it will cost $ 39. You can view photos, videos, read Twitter, play games, surf the web - in short everything that can be done on the iPad without connecting to a TV. Here I would like to remind smartphone Nokia N8, which offer all the same thing out of the box, the adapter supplied. The only difference is supported resolutions - 720p at 1080p N8 against the iPad 2. Competing tablets, by the way, also had this feature, but it is not popular. I do not think that it will be in great demand among owners of iPad 2.
Battery life is almost unchanged compared with the first iPad - tablet works up to 10 hours. We should also note that it does not need to establish a minimum level of brightness, turn off everything you can to disable the settings and do not load the device nothing but display a picture on your desktop. 10:00 he gives during normal use, implying listen to music and surfing the web for Wi-Fi.

What else should be recalled? The fact that the screen is now recognized by pressing (this feature will be used extensively in music and graphic applications). The fact that the back cover is flat, and the tablet will be available in two colors: black and white. The fact that two iPad comes with iOS 4.3, which became available for holders iPhone 3GS, iPhone, 4 and iPod touch, the last two generations just yesterday (expensive edition has already begun testing and will be released soon on her own material). And also that from today same day, Apple is launching perhaps the most brilliant case for the tablet costs $ 39 for the polycarbonate version and 69 - in leather.
Prior to the start of sales in the U.S. remains a matter of hours, along the numerous Apple Store queue. Wishing to receive the coveted plates of the first year after year more and more. Man in the photograph is called Justin Wagoner, he was the first in line for innovation in Dallas Texas.
And this is his temporary residence. The second person in line, he said, was a kind of anonymous, wants to sell his place in the queue. Justin is not too lazy to take care of their own safety and to hire security guards. It remains only to wish him luck.

For residents of the U.S. price, as always, the most delicious. iPad 2 with 16 gigabytes of memory and Wi-Fi will cost $ 499 - is the cheapest configuration. 32 - and 64-gigabyte tablets without a 3G module will cost 599 and $ 699 respectively. Well, for 16 -, 32 - and 64-GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi +3 G will ask 629, 729 and $ 829 respectively.
We expect iPad 2 next week, and to review in detail talk about the many software innovations. And while the American cities, people stand in line, we invite you to speak in the comments and ask questions in advance, which you think should be answered in this review. Adequate comparison iPad 2 with hypothetical competitors are also welcome. - Apple iPad 2. How? What? Why?