CONTENTS
4 In The News
20 Motion Controlled Gaming Explained
We give you the low down on the Nintendo Wii,
PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Project Natal.
28 Games For Girls
A collection of great (i.e: not patronizing and
dumbed down) games for the fairer sex.
16 Amusing Video Game Clichés
Like film and TV, games too are riddled with cliches.
Here are some of the most popular ones.
FOREWORD
The latest and biggest news from the games industry.
The word ‘gaming’ gets tossed around
5 The Games of May a lot these days. Whenever I tell people
We highlight some of the biggest releases of the month. what I do for a living, they assume I play
Farmville. While I personally have nothing
against farming virtual animals, the
TOP 10 fact that people use the word “gaming”
without actually realizing what it entails
6 Ten Must-buy Multi-platform Games irks me no end. And then you also have
Great games available on various platforms. parents, who feel that playing games will
turn their children into homicidal maniacs.
10 Ten Must-buy Xbox 360 Games The aim of this month’s All About is
A selection of games best enjoyed on Microsoft’s box. to clear such misconceptions. To do so,
we’ve covered a myriad of topics, from
14 Ten Must-buy PS3 Games platform-specific must-buy games to our
The best PlayStation 3 exclusives you can buy. cover story that delves into the realm of
18 Ten Must-buy PC Games Whenever I tell motion-controlled gaming.
We understand that buying games for
We’ve picked ten PC games you absolutely must own.
people what I do your kids can be difficult, so we’ve broken
down the age classification ratings for
26 Ten Must-buy PSP Games
Game on the go with these great titles for the PSP. for a living, they you, so you can choose the right games
for your kids. We’ve also listed a bunch of
great online retailers, as well as some of
30 Ten Must-buy iPhone Games assume I play the must-visit gaming websites.
Ten of the very best games on the App Store. Lastly, we’ve partnered with Sony to
Farmville. give you a chance to win a brand new PS3.
34 Ten Must-buy Wii Games Details are inside, so sit back, relax and
Ten great Wii games to flail your arms wildly at. prepare to get educated.
38 Ten Must-buy PS2 Games AVINASH BALI
The ageing console boasts some timeless classics.
FEATURES
CONTESTS
12 Top 3 HDTVs for Gaming
Three high-definition TVs to suit your gaming needs.
32 Top 3 Sound Systems for Gaming
Get the best speaker setup for your gaming rig.
COLUMNS
8 Video games don’t make serial killers
Drawing the line between gaming and real life.
36 New to gaming? Start with the PS2
Why your first game console should be a PlayStation 2.
33 Win a Brand New PlayStation 3 37 Street Fighter IV 9 2010 FIFA World Cup
40 Gaming Glossary Enter the God of War III Contest and stand a Copies of Super Street Fighter Answer a simple question to
Age ratings, gaming lingo, websites and retailers. chance to win a PS3. IV up for grabs. win EA’s latest footie game.
 ALL ABOUT GAMING | FEATURE 5

In The News
It’s that time of the year when the rumor mills start buzzing as we approach E3, the biggest gaming event of the
The Games of May
The first half of 2010 is set to end with a bang thanks to a slew of blockbuster titles across genres set to
year. There are many new games being announced and lots of rumors flying around, but here are some of the release in May. Here are some of the games of may that you should keep an eye out for.
biggest news stories to have emerged lately. BY AVINASH BALI

HALO DEVELOPERS GO MULTI-PLATFORM; THE SIMS 3 COMING TO CONSOLES AND

TO CREATE NEW IP HANDHELDS
Bungie Studios, best
known for creating the The Sims 3, the latest iteration
blockbuster first-person of the massively popular and
shooter series – Halo, predominantly PC-centric
have signed a ten year Sims franchise, is making
publishing deal with its way to consoles and
Activision, the world’s largest video game publisher. handhelds very soon. The
Bungie were, until recently, under the Microsoft banner game is headed to the Xbox
and developed games exclusively for PC and Microsoft’s 360, PS3, Wii and DS some
Xbox consoles. For us gamers, this deal means that all time this year, and publisher
future games developed by Bungie will be published by EA will hope to taste the same
Activision, the company behind franchises such as Guitar level of success it did when it
Hero, Call of Duty, and Tony Hawk. More importantly, debuted last year on PC, becoming the highest selling
this also means that Bungie is now free to develop games game of the year on that platform.
for multiple platforms, and Activision’s press release EA aims to leverage the strengths of each console/
announcing this deal also makes mention that Bungie’s handheld in The Sims 3 with platform-specific features. ALAN WAKE PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE LOST PLANET 2 MODNATION RACERS
releases through Activision will span across platforms.
For Halo fans, however, this probably means that
The community aspect will carry forward to the Xbox
360 and PS3 versions with a seamlessly integrated
DEVELOPER: FORGOTTEN SANDS DEVELOPER: DEVELOPER:
Remedy Entertainment DEVELOPER: Capcom United Front Games
Halo: Reach is the last Bungie-developed Halo game, exchange system, where gamers can build and share
GENRE Ubisoft Montreal GENRE GENRE
and since Microsoft owns the Halo brand, Bungie their creations and download content from other
Action-Thriller Third-person shooter Racing
cannot develop Halo games at Activision. Microsoft players around the world. Players of the Wii version GENRE
has already set up an internal studio (343 Industries) will be able to enjoy an all-new beach town with unique PLATFORMS: Action-Adventure PLATFORMS: PLATFORMS:
to handle development of future Halo games. It’s also residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes. On the Xbox 360 PLATFORMS: Xbox 360, PS3 PS3, PSP
worth mentioning that while Activision will publish all Nintendo DS, players will be able to use the stylus to RELEASE DATE: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, RELEASE DATE: RELEASE DATE:
future Bungie games, Bungie will continue to remain build their Sims’ homes, sculpt facial features, choose May 14 DS, PSP May 18 May 21
an independent studio and will own the intellectual hair styles and clothing, and dictate personalities. So
RELEASE DATE:
properties that it creates. this is a whole lot more than a straight port.
May 14

SELECT XBOX 360 GAMES NOW FOR RS 699

Console games are expensive; each of them (on an average) could set you back
by Rs 2,500. But if you wait a while, both Xbox 360 and PS3 offer Platinum
titles or Best Sellers, which are older games at reduced prices. E-Xpress
Interactive is set to release four such Ubisoft titles in India at Rs 699 each, and
here’s why you should be excited:

Rainbow Six Vegas 2: Vegas 2 is a first-person tactical shooter that sees you
and your teammates taking out terrorists in Las Vegas. Besides an enjoyable
single-player campaign that can be played in co-op, the game offers a plethora
of multiplayer modes as well.
Assassin’s Creed: Set in the Holy Land during the crusades, Assassin’s Creed
sees players donning the garb of an assassin named Altair, who must rid the
land of evil and bring peace and harmony.
Splinter Cell: Double Agent: After his daughter’s death, Sam Fisher is a man
with nothing to live for. Double Agent was a departure from Splinter Cell
conventions, giving players a glimpse of Sam’s darker and more brutal side. RED DEAD REDEMPTION SPLIT/SECOND BLUR UFC 2010: UNDISPUTED
Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter 2: Similar to the Rainbow Six series, Advance DEVELOPER: DEVELOPER: DEVELOPER: DEVELOPER:
Warfighter 2 is a tactical shooter, where players must protect the United States Rockstar Blackrock Studios Bizarre Creations Yukes
against terrorist activities conducted by a Mexican rebel group. GENRE GENRE GENRE GENRE
Action-Adventure Racing Racing Fighting
PLATFORMS: PLATFORMS: PLATFORMS: PLATFORMS:
Discuss these and other news stories and rumors at IndianVideoGamer.com, India's largest
Xbox 360, PS3 Xbox 360, PS3, PC Xbox 360, PS3, PC Xbox 360, PS3
gaming community. With over 5,000 registered members, IVG is a great place for you to meet
other gamers, trade games, organize online gaming sessions, and much more. RELEASE DATE: RELEASE DATE: RELEASE DATE: RELEASE DATE:
May 21 May 21 May 28 May 29

10 Must-buy Multi-platform Games
Over the course of this issue, we’ll be recommending several top platform-specific games. But here’s a list of
the best games that are available on multiple platforms.
BY AVINASH BALI
ASSASSIN’S CREED II 
Assassin’s Creed was an interesting idea, but thanks to repetitive
gameplay, it never quite managed to capitalize on its innovative setting.
Ubisoft listened to all the criticism and improved on every facet of
gameplay in the sequel, making it one of the finest open-world games.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
 BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM
Batman has not been too lucky in the world of video games, but all that
changed with Rocksteady’s rendition of the Dark Knight that managed
to catapult him into the limelight once again. By fusing stealth, all-out
action and in impressive storyline, Arkham Asylum is a must buy
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
CALL OF DUTY 4:
MODERN WARFARE 
No one does war games like Infinity Ward, and they outdid themselves
with Modern Warfare. The game was pretty much perfect in every way,
managing to give us sleepless nights with its near perfect multiplayer.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, DS
 FALLOUT 3
After Oblivion, Bethesda assaulted our senses with Fallout 3, an action
RPG that allowed players to explore the state of Washington in a post
apocalyptic scenario. Gameplay was standard action RPG fare with the
addition of the uber gory VATS system.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
NEED FOR SPEED: MOST
WANTED 
For many, Most Wanted was the best Need for Speed game ever made.
Sure, the plot was cheesy and the actors hammed it up, but there’s no
denying that this is a solid, entertaining racer.
Platforms: PS2, Xbox 360, PC, PSP
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10 7
BIOSHOCK 
A spiritual successor to System Shock, BioShock was a shooter (with
minor RPG elements) that immersed players in a dystopian society
called Rapture. A brilliant story, immersive gameplay and gorgeous
visuals make BioShock one of the finest games of our time.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
 MASS EFFECT 2
BioWare and RPGs go hand in hand, and if Dragon Age: Origins is a
bit too hardcore for your taste, we suggest you give Mass Effect 2 a
shot, since it’s more shooter than RPG. Helping matters further are
several technical and gameplay improvements over the first game.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
FIFA 09 
Few would argue that FIFA 09 has defined simulation football games
unlike any game before it. It was the best FIFA game in a decade, and its
fluid gameplay, realistic physics, and plentiful game modes made this is a
must-buy for footie fans. We’d still recommend it over FIFA 10.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PS2, PSP, Wii
 SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV
Street Fighter IV came at a time when the fighting genre was
stagnating. But its great characters, balanced combat, and gorgeous
visuals brought fighting games back into the limelight. With Super
Street Fighter IV, you get lots more content to sweeten the deal further.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
RACE DRIVER: GRID 
Racing fans let out a moan of disapproval when Codemasters scrapped
the TOCA series in favor of a more accessible game in GRID. But once
we picked up the controller, all was forgiven because GRID remains one
of the best racing games to come out in years. A fine balance between
arcade and simulation, with stunning graphics and a fun career mode
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, DS
Video games don’t make
serial killers BY AVINASH BALI

Y
ou’re an illegal immigrant from an eastern interactive medium, but they need to understand that
European country who’s recently set foot in the problem is not with games, but with humanity as a
America. You’re poor and you definitely don’t whole. Our species is capable of some pretty depraved
have the money to buy a car. You see a shiny sports car stuff, so there’s no need to pass the buck onto games
on the road. You want it. You need it. this quickly. If anything, video games act as a cathartic
You slowly make your way to the car, and with the release to all the stress you carry around in real life.
press of a button, you yank its driver out. He resists. You Pissed off with your boss? Blow some heads off in slow
punch his lights out, leaving him on the road battered motion with your shotgun. Traffic getting you down?
and bruised. You’re about to sit in the car, but something Unleash your road rage with a game of Burnout.
doesn’t feel right. Oh, that’s right! He’s crawling away I also understand that video games do have material
from you. It looks like he’s calling for help. You hate that may be disturbing for kids. I’m sure watching a
leaving unfinished business. You proceed to kick him a character run around with his organs falling out may
few times till he’s motionless and bloody in the middle give kids nightmares, but it’s up to parents to make sure
of the road. You then make your way to your newly their kids don’t get their hands on that kind of stuff.
acquired sports car. More importantly, retailers should start some sort of
You’re cruising down the road at breakneck speed. age verification process over here and not sell violent
You see pedestrians crossing, but you don’t care. Your games to minors. And yes, I know all sorts of sick stuff
phone rings. You get distracted for a minute. BAM! You is available off the internet today, but once again, that’s
hear a crunching thump. You
look up and see a pedestrian WHILE I, LIKE ANY OTHER
flying through the air, his blood TESTOSTERONE-FUELLED MALE, ENJOY
splattered all over the hood. You
carry on like nothing happened. VIOLENCE IN MY GAMES, I KNOW WHERE
You don’t like the music. You TO DRAW THE LINE IN REAL LIFE.
change the radio station.
For many of you, this is a typical day in Liberty City, where parents come into the fray. You have to make
or any other free roaming game. For your mother, this sure you keep an eye on your little ones. Read up a bit
could be horrific. In a way, I don’t blame her because on the game they want for their birthday. If not, please
today’s media has desensitized us all to violence. don’t blame Kratos if your kid becomes the next Manson
Movies, TV shows, and more importantly, video games, (and I’m not talking about the singer here).
have continued to pummel us with over the top violence
to a point where we not only enjoy it, but crave it. How
many of you would have enjoyed God of War III if not
Grand Theft Auto IV
for all the gratuitous head ripping and eye gouging?
While I, like any other testosterone-fuelled male, Released in April
2008, Grand Theft
enjoy violence in my games, I know where to draw the Auto IV continues
line in real life. No matter how much I loathe the traffic Rockstar’s tradition
in the city, I know I can’t afford to run people over just of delivering hard-
because they’re in my way. I know that in the real life, hitting urban crime
there are consequences. There’s no get out of jail free sagas in a fully
card here. Video games may have desensitized us to interactive world.
Focusing more on
violence, but it won’t make you the next Ted Bundy. Just
realism than the over-
because a murderer happened to own a copy of GTA IV, the-top experience of
it doesn’t mean that Rockstar’s game threw him over the its predecessor - San
edge. Chances are his parents messed him up or he was Andreas, GTA IV raised
traumatized by some childhood event. Why make video the bar for free-
games the scapegoat? Don’t blame a game any more roaming games with
than you would blame a movie or the internet. Society its detailed rendition
of New York City.
is really quick to judge video games because it’s an

Ten Must-buy Xbox 360 Games
GEARS OF WAR 2 
Bigger, better and definitely more badass, Gears of War 2 was the
definitive sequel to Epic’s Unreal 3-fuelled third-person shooter. Sure
the plot was a bit cheesy, but it successfully pummeled us with in-your-
face gratuitous violence, intense gameplay and engaging multiplayer
modes. It even introduced us to the much loved co-op Horde mode.
 CRACKDOWN
While not as popular as a Halo or a Gears of War, Crackdown is an open-
world action game that generated a cult following with its over-the-top
co-operative gameplay in which you and a friend went around Pacific
City cleaning up the streets as genetically modified super cops. Social
service was never this much fun.
BURNOUT REVENGE 
Even though Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360 is a port, it still remains
one of the most exhilarating racers on the platform. Many racers have
come and gone, but we’re yet to play one that’s as fast paced and
enjoyable as this. This was the first high definition Burnout game, and
with its addictive multi-player modes, what more could you need?
 DEAD RISING
So Dead Rising may not be the best game ever made. In fact, it was
frustrating and brutally tough thanks to the infuriating checkpoint
system. But there’s no denying the fact that a mall full of zombies for
you to slaughter in innovative ways is just plain awesome. And with a
sequel on the way, this is one you might want to try out.
NINJA GAIDEN II 
When it comes to making you feel like a badass ninja, no game does it
better then Ninja Gaiden II. It is fast, ludicrously violent and boasted
a deep combat system that was easy to learn, but difficult to master.
Be warned though; the game is capable of demoralizing even the most
hardcore gamers with its insane difficulty.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has a stellar line-up of games across various genres. Here are the ten great games that
are best enjoyed on the best Xbox 360.
By Avinash Bali
SHADOW COMPLEX 
With high production values, an intriguing plot, well balanced gameplay,
and fast-paced combat, Shadow Complex has all the makings of a full-
fledged AAA title. It is one of the highest and fastest selling Xbox LIVE
Arcade releases. The only sad part is that you can only buy it online
over Xbox LIVE.
 HALO 3
Sure it may not have been the definitive next-gen Halo experience
you were looking for, but no one can deny the fact that Bungie does
multiplayer really well. Nearly three years after launch, Halo 3 is still
one of the most popular games on Xbox LIVE. It’s the Xbox’s flagship
franchise and a must-buy for every Xbox 360 owner.
PROJECT GOTHAM RACING 4 
PGR 4 is the latest, and unfortunately, the most underrated installment
of the stellar Project Gotham Racing series. Featuring stunning dynamic
weather effects, challenging real world and fictional locations, and the
world’s best cars and bikes to tear through them in, this is one racing
game you do not want to miss.
 FABLE 2
If you find RPGs like Oblivion and Fallout 3 a tad complex, we most
definitely suggest Fable 2. It manages to traverse the fine line between
action and RPG without burdening players with clichéd RPG elements.
With a vivid visual style and great combat, Fable 2 is a great game for
RPG lovers and newcomers alike.
FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 
Forza Motorsport 3 aimed to make the intimidating simulation racing
genre accessible to just about anyone who loves the allure of exotic
supercars. The game packs in over 400 cars and scores of tracks, plus a
revamped career mode and deep customization and online multi-player
options to make it, as the devs put it, “the definitive racing game“.
TOP 3 HDTVS FOR GAMING
Current generation consoles boast cutting edge graphics, for which a HD-compatible TV is a must. Here are the best HDTVs
across across the budget, mid-range and high-end categories.
BY SIDDHARTH BHATIA
SAMSUNG
LA32B530P7R
Rs. 38,000
F T
or a budget TV, this model
works great for gaming.
It looks simple yet classy
with a clean design and a glossy
black exoskeleton. The TV sports
three HDMI, two component, one
composite and one headphone
out connections so you can
easily hook up an Xbox 360 or
PS3. The panel is Full HD 1920
x 1080 with a contrast ratio of
60,000:1 (dynamic). One of the
great things about this TV is the
many parameters through which
you can tweak the image. There
is white balance, gamma, black
level adjust, dynamic contrast,
variable backlight, etc. So you
can customize and calibrate
to your heart’s content until
you have the perfect picture.
Images look very sharp and
crisp, although in terms of
grayscale, the TV is not quite
as spectacular. It’s a decent
performer, but the black levels
are its Achilles’ heel. Whites are
better off, with no tinges and
coloration.
SONY BRAVIA 40NX500
LCD TV
Rs. 68,000
he NX series is brand new
by Sony, and the Bravia
40NX500 LCD TV is great
for gamers looking to enter the
large screen domain, because,
let’s face it, a good game
deserves the 40-inch goodness
to show off those high definition
graphics. The bezel is a glossy
flat glass panel that is highly
reflective. For connectivity,
there are four HDMI ports,
one component port, three
composite connections, and one
VGA in. There’s also a USB 2.0
slot through which you can play
MP3, JPEG, MPEG1, and MPEG2
files, but no MPEG4, so no DivX/
XviD playback. This TV features
the Bravia Engine 3, with a
native resolution of Full HD
1920 x 1080. Here, there are
deep black levels, but it’s a little
too dense. The brightness of the
backlight is healthy though, and
at highest levels, we did not see
any ugly blooming or clipping
of whites. At this price, this is a
great TV for your gaming needs.
SAMSUNG UA55B8000
LED-LIT LCD TV
Rs. 3,50,000
O
kay, so this 55-inch TV
might seem a bit much,
but there certainly is
demand for these TVs. This
model is ultra slim due to its
edge-lit LED system. The bezel
is flat and neat with a glossy
black finish and edges rimmed
by a transparent protruding
border. There are four HDMI 1.3,
two USB, one component, one
composite, and one VGA inputs,
as well as an RCA audio input/
output. So there are enough
connectivity options for all your
consoles. Just like the 7000
series, this one has an Ethernet
port to connect to sites like
YouTube and Flickr. Plus, there’s
an on-board 1 GB hard drive to
store your multimedia content.
There is no blooming in high
whites and overall brightness
is good, while black levels
are deep enough. Colors are
spectacular, with great R, G and
B saturation. Sharpness is a bit
of an issue, so you’ll have to
turn that down a notch or two.
 ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10 15

Ten Must-buy PS3 Games

The PS3 has an enviable collection of great games that aren't available on any other platform. Spanning across
a variety of genres, we've handpicked some of the very best PS3 exclusives that deserve your attention.
BY AVINASH BALI

GOD OF WAR III  GOD OF WAR COLLECTION 

If you own a PS3 and you’re old enough, you need to buy God of War III.
It’s that simple, really. No other game this generation (except for maybe
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves) comes close to Kratos’ final adventure. In
terms of gameplay, brutality, visuals, boss fights and the sheer “OMFG
did you see that!” factor, this game is unmatched.
God of War and God of War II are arguably two of the best PS2 games
ever released. And with no backward compatibility on the PS3, God of
War Collection gives you both games remastered in high definition with
Trophy support so you can enjoy them all over again on the PS3. This
one is a no-brainer for God of War fans.

 UNCHARTED 2:  KILLZONE 2
AMONG THIEVES Touted by many as the finest first-person shooter to grace the PS3,
Killzone 2 had it all - bleeding edge graphics, addictive multi-player,
While not as brutal, Uncharted 2 is the only game that can rival God and a stellar single player campaign. Sure the controls left a bit to be
of War III in terms of visuals and cinematic set pieces. It follows the desired, but then again, that’s subjective. Even today, it stands as one
exploits of Nathan Drake, treasure hunter extraordinaire, who’s hot on of the most widely played multi-player games on the PSN.
the trail of Marco Polo’s treasure.

LITTLEBIGPLANET GOTY  PAIN 

An imaginative and charming platformer, LittleBigPlanet can be enjoyed
by pretty much everyone in the family. You play as the very cute
Sackboy, who must traverse a plethora of puzzles, pick up tons of
collectibles, and even create your own levels. The Game of the Year
edition includes a lot of LBP’s post-release downloadable content.
A sadistic yet, totally hilarious little arcade game, PAIN sees you inflict
as much pain as possible on your in-game character. Slingshot your
character across traffic, old ladies, monkeys, and mimes and try to
rack up the highest score possible. More pain equals higher score. The
downloadable title, along with all its add-ons, is now available on disc.

 INFAMOUS  MOTORSTORM: PACIFIC RIFT

It may not be a GTA, but this free-roaming superhero game is highly
enjoyable, if a bit rough around the edges. You play as Cole McGrath,
who finds himself mysteriously endowed with electric powers, with a
lawless city as his playground, where he can use these powers either
for good or for evil.
If no holds barred off-road racing is your thing, then MotorStorm:
Pacific Rift is the game for you. Be warned though; it’s no cake walk,
and the game’s aggressive opponents will quite literally leave you in
the dirt. With varied locales, updated visuals and improved gameplay,
Pacific Rift is a significant improvement over its predecessor.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF HEAVY RAIN 

THE PATRIOTS  An unconventional adventure game, Heavy Rain follows the journeys of
four characters, all hot on the trail of a serial killer known as the Origami
A lot more action-oriented than its PS2 counterparts, Metal Gear Solid 4 Killer. If you can move past the quick time-centric gameplay, Heavy
was the fitting end to the MGS saga, in which players once again stepped Rain boasts one of the finest stories in a video game till date and is
into the shoes of iconic super soldier Solid Snake as he went up against guaranteed to immerse you till the very end.
his brother Liquid Ocelot to put an end to his nefarious plans.

Amusing Video Game Clichés
Video game clichés - without them, games would be terribly boring reflections of regular, mundane life. Still,
some of them are just too funny to ignore, and keeping the age old tradition of poking fun at something that’s
funny, here are a few video game clichés we find hilarious (and a tad annoying).
BY AVINASH BALI
STARTING OFF WITH A GOOD OL’ PISTOL
Aren’t we all sick and tired of starting most first-person
shooters with a weak pistol or something equivalent
to that? How about giving us a machine gun, a rocket
launcher, and a BFG right from the start so we can blow
everyone away with reckless abandon?
ANNOYING SIDEKICK
These guys are the worst. Needy and totally useless,
they ride the protagonist like the parasites that they
are, only to either die or turn evil in a shocking turn of
events. Thanks, but no thanks.
REGENERATING HEALTH BAR
So the last time I hurt myself, I sat in a corner for
over an hour, and guess what? My wounds didn’t heal
miraculously. Also, eating a burger didn’t magically
remove the bullet sticking out from my back. I wonder
how Niko Bellic does it.
UNREAL ENGINE 3
I know this is a good looking engine and all, but 90
percent of the action games that came out after this
engine was released ended up using it, and while some,
like BioShock and Arkham Asylum, did a good job of
it, others were just bathed in boring grey and brown.
And why is it that all the characters in an UE3 game are
extremely buffed? That one I never get.
LOUD-MOUTHED OBNOXIOUS TEAM
MEMBERS
Signs of an obnoxious teammate – He sprouts abuses
because he thinks it’s cool, he criticizes a lot, and
he sprinkles most of his sentences with ‘Hoorah!’,
‘Booyah!’, ‘Come get some!’, ‘You want some?’, ‘Who
wants some?’, ‘Hell Yeah!’, etc.
BRIGHT RED-COLORED EXPLODING
BARRELS
Oh look, a conveniently placed red barrel that’ll
go boom! Oh look, brainless enemies conveniently
standing around the conveniently placed red barrel
that’ll go boom.
WOODEN CRATES
I would like to find the man who had the time to stuff
health packs and ammo in crates and offer him a real
job. Working on games like Half-Life must have been a
real pain.
BEING AN ERRAND BOY
Now, this is just wrong. I’m a badass protagonist, who
can single-handedly save an entire city or kill everyone
in it, but here I am playing errand boy just so I can
“unlock” a new mission. Why can’t I just throttle the
moron giving me the mission and save me a whole lot of
time?
BEING THE BAD GUY, WHO’S ACTUALLY A
PRETTY NICE GUY
Most games that allow you to make a “moral” choice,
really don’t allow you to go all out evil. There has to be
an event that negates all your evil or just pushes you
towards the greater good. How about letting me go
all out to be the vilest, most despicable fella in a game
till date? I don’t need my games to teach me lessons
Conscience is for wusses.
REPETITIVE BOSSES
End of 1st level: Cool, a boss fight.
End of 3rd level: Oh wait, didn’t I own you like two
levels ago? Anyway.
End of 5th level: What? How did you come back to life?
End of 7th level: No way!
You get the drift, right?
BABYSITTING
I swear, I am going to shoot the next NPC (Non-playable
character) I have to babysit because he is too stupid
to follow simple orders, and instead runs head-on into
enemy fire.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | FEATURE 17
WEAK BATTERIES FOR YOUR FLASHLIGHT
Most survival horror games offer a flashlight.
Unfortunately for you, it’s the weakest flashlight on
the planet. Or it’s a normal flashlight powered by the
weakest batteries on the planet. Either way, you’re in
trouble.
INVISIBLE EVENT TRIGGERS
Kill an ‘x’ amount of people to trigger the next event, or
wait for the friendly AI to break down the door. What’s
up with that? I’m a human too (well, in most games). So
why must I wait for an NPC to come by and kick open
the door while I stand there twiddling my thumbs?
ANIMALS DROPPING CURRENCY
I would love to go to the land where killing boars and
pigs grants me gold, copper or silver. Where do they
breed? What do they eat so they can excrete currency?
It’s one of gaming’s most baffling mysteries.
LETHAL WATER
Unless you’re made of electricity like Cole McGrath
from inFamous, falling into water that instantly kills you
makes no sense. Hell, I don’t know how to swim and I’ve
lasted more than five minutes in a swimming pool.
QUICK TIME EVENTS
How many times have you come across a larger than
life boss, only to kill him by pressing X, Y, B, and O? Fake
sense of accomplishment FTL!

Ten Must-buy PC Games
Making a must-buy list for PC games is a tough proposition, since the humble PC has been around for ages. But
since this is for the newer crop of gamers, we’ve only included recent titles in our list of essential PC games.
BY AVINASH BALI
THE ORANGE BOX 
How can we not recommend a box that has Half-Life 2, Episode 1 and
2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal? Every PC owner on the planet should
posses a copy of this compilation. And yes, we know the Orange Box
was released on consoles as well, but the PC version received the best
post-release support, and TF2 still steadily receives free updates.
 F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. managed to traverse the fine line between survival horror
and balls-to-the-wall gameplay, offering players a creepy yet
extremely visceral and intense first-person experience. It looks good
even today, and still remains one of the most cathartic shooters on
the planet.
CRYSIS AND
CRYSIS WARHEAD 
Crysis and its expansion – Warhead, in all their maxed out glory will
bring your rig to its knees even today. But we’re not recommending them
strictly for their graphical fidelity; it’s the tropical setting and non-linear
gameplay that had us hooked.
 LEFT 4 DEAD 2
Everyone’s dead and the world has been overrun by zombies! You’re
one of the only four survivors. What do you do? Pick up the nearest
weapon and blast those zombies to oblivion, of course. Left 4 Dead 2
is how all sequels should be i.e. better than the original in every way
imaginable.
THE ELDER SCROLLS:
OBLIVION GOTY EDITION 
Of all the RPGs we’ve played in recent times, none has been as expansive
and open-ended as Bethesda’s Oblivion. The game lets you create and
customize your own character, and explore the world of Tamriel for days
on end without even touching the main quest.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
COUNTER-STRIKE 
Our PC games list wouldn’t be complete without India’s most popular
multiplayer game. You can either go for the Counter-Strike Anthology
pack, or the Source multi-player pack that contains Counter-Strike
Source, Day of Defeat Source and Half-Life 2 Deathmatch. It’s terrorists
versus anti-terrorists, and even after all these years, it’s still fun.
 FAR CRY
Think Crysis, but with dated visuals and no nano suit. Far Cry gives
you the freedom to approach any given situation with discretion
(stealth) or complete aggression. On top of that, the hard-as-nails
AI makes life hell for you; something that’s sadly not seen in many
shooters today.
WARHAMMER 40000:
DAWN OF WAR II 
RTS games these days are either watered down to please the console
crowd, or they’re just bad. So we’d definitely suggest Dawn of War II,
which managed to breathe some much needed life into the RTS genre,
with enough tweaks to make it accessible to newcomers.
 DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
If Oblivion seems a tad overbearing, we suggest going in for a more
linear experience in the form of Dragon Age: Origins. From the makers
of Mass Effect, Dragon Age is a nod to old-school party-based RPGs
laced with an engaging plot, gratifying gameplay and tons of the wit
and charm that is synonymous with BioWare games.
MAX PAYNE 2: THE FALL
OF MAX PAYNE 
Long before the world could play a game that had the John Woo name
attached to it (Stranglehold), all we had was Remedy’s slick bullet-time
fuelled action title Max Payne. While we loved the original to bits, in the
sequel, Rockstar took everything and improved it tenfold.

Motion-Controlled Gaming
The Nintendo Wii took the world by storm with its unique system of motion controlled gameplay, and this
year, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are set to follow suit. We take a look at all three motion control devices to
determine the advantages and drawkbacks of each.
BY SAMEER DESAI
Before the launch of the Wii, Nintendo’s new console
was codenamed the Nintendo Revolution. And an
apt name it was, because the Wii has sparked a
revolution in console gaming by single-handedly
creating a demographic of gamers that didn’t exist
before – the casual gamer. While Sony and Microsoft,
who dominated the previous console generation, sat
snugly behind their HD graphics and hardcore billing,
the Wii came out of nowhere, dominating console
sales and captivating consumers with a cheaper and
comparatively simpler piece of hardware, and an
innovative new control mechanism. Motion-controlled
gaming took the world by storm.
Three years later, the Wii is still comfortably
outselling the more “hardcore” Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3, and Wii games still top the software
charts. Somewhere along the way, Microsoft and Sony
decided that they too wanted a slice of the enormous
casual gaming pie. So this year will see the Xbox 360
and PS3 being bolstered with their very own motion
control peripherals – Natal and PlayStation Move
respectively. With this, they attempt to replicate
Nintendo’s success with the casual audience, while
still continuing their two-way battle for the hardcore
segment, which is dwindling in comparison. Not to be
left behind, PC gaming too will get a taste of motion-
controlled gaming soon enough. High-end gaming
peripherals manufacturer Razer has collaborated with
Sixense and is working closely with game developer
Valve to bring motion controls to PC gamers. HP has
also introduced the Swing motion controller, which will
be bundled with all HP Pavilion desktop PCs.
So while it appears that motion-controlled gaming
is here to stay, each of the above manufacturers has
their own philosophy towards motion controls, and
therefore, each employs a distinctly different motion
control technology. We wade through the technical
jargon to give you a comprehensive comparison
between the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360’s Project Natal,
and the PlayStation Move for PS3.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | COVER STORY 21
Nintendo Wii
The Wii was what started the motion control
phenomenon. It’s been around for three years now
and although it still offers a compelling gameplay
experience, it would be unfair to compare the
technology it employs to the competition, who have
had a lot more time to develop their tech. At the
core are the Wii remote or Wiimote, and a sensor
bar which sits in front or on top of your TV. The
Wiimote features a 3D accelerometer that helps locate
its position in a 3D space, and optical sensors that
allow it to be used as a pointing device. A secondary
controller, the Nunchuck, features an accelerometer,
but lacks optical sensing. In 2009, Nintendo released
the Wii MotionPlus, a Wii remote accessory that
improves the accuracy and responsiveness of the
controller.
Although the Wii can technically sense motion in a
3D space, not many games, including Nintendo’s first
party titles, have been able to detect the depth of
the controller’s location. This means that, while it can
detect up and down movements, movements front
and back aren’t accurately detected. This is evident
in games like Wii Sports, where in a game of tennis,
players can easily get by by just flicking their wrists
rather than swinging their arms back and forth to
mimic realistic tennis strokes.
But while the Wii may be slightly lacking in the
tech department, Nintendo has more than made up
for it through innovation via accessories like the Wii
Balance Board, which has been a phenomenal success
with games like Wii Fit. Another accessory, the Wii
Vitality Sensor, is scheduled for release this year.
Then of course, there’s the software support, which
has been stellar, particularly Nintendo’s first-party
offerings. And with the massive user base worldwide,
third-party developers have also thrown all their
support behind Wii game development.
But perhaps the biggest testament to the Wii’s
success is how Nintendo’s biggest rivals – Sony and
Microsoft, are desperately trying to play catch-up.
And who knows, by the time Sony and Microsoft
finally join the party, Nintendo may well announce the
Wii’s successor - the heavily rumored Wii HD, to once
again change the rules to the game that they invented.

Project Natal
There’s so much still unknown about the Xbox 360’s
motion control technology that even officially, just
a few months away from release, it’s still being
called “Project” Natal. Natal is the most ambitious
and radically different motion control technology
of all, because unlike what Nintendo and Sony have
showcased, Natal doesn’t include a controller. In Natal,
the player is the controller.
The technology employs only a camera that uses
a CMOS censor and infrared to detect motion in a 3D
space, and the infrared projection ensures that the
effectiveness of the motion sensing is not reduced
in low light conditions. While the camera is used to
capture motion and sound, the real work is done by
the Natal software, which uses an innovative skeletal
mapping technology that not only accurately picks
up movements in the entire body, but can do so for
four individuals concurrently. In addition, the software
is also capable of advanced gesture, face and voice
recognition.
What Natal offers is a new way to play, and by
removing the controller from the equation, it aims to
make gaming even more accessible to casual gamers.
However, due to the nature of the technology and the
secrecy Microsoft has so far maintained around it,
certain doubts remain. The first of these is input lag
and accuracy. Natal demo videos so far have shown
considerable lag in gameplay and often subtle body
movements aren’t picked up in-game, but Microsoft
has promised that both will be fixed by the time it
launches at year-end.
Another concern is that since Natal uses the full
body as the controller, you will naturally have to stand
far enough from the device for your entire body to
fit in the camera frame. Not many living rooms have
that much open space to play around with. Thirdly, to
cut costs, Microsoft recently decided to remove the
processing chip that resided inside the camera, leaving
all the processing up to the console. This increases the
strain on the console, which now has to capture and
process camera inputs in addition to processing game
data, and this could make it very difficult to implement
Natal in CPU and graphics-intensive games.
However, Natal also has quite a few advantages
over its competitors. For starters, a game and the
Natal camera are all you need to let up to four
players join in the fun. There is no added expense
of peripherals. By comparison, you would need four
sets of controllers for multi-player gaming on the Wii
or PlayStation Move. Since a lot of the work is done
by the software, it also means the camera itself will
be relatively inexpensive (rumored to be around $50
i.e.: approx Rs 2,500). Additionally, the controller-less
technology lets developers employ Natal in games that
use the controller for primary gameplay. For example,
in a shooter, while the controller would perform the
functions of movement and shooting, hand gestures
using Natal could be used to lob grenades.
Microsoft has already managed to garner significant
support for Natal from third-party publishers. There
are still many unanswered questions about Natal, but
don’t write it off. Microsoft has taken a risk with this
game-changing technology, and the coming months
will tell us if it has paid off.
PlayStation Move
If Microsoft and Sony’s announcements of their foray
into motion controlled gaming didn’t already reek of a
me-too attitude, Sony only fanned the flames further
by developing motion controllers that very closely
resemble the Wii setup. But dig a little deeper and
you’ll see that there’s a lot more to the PlayStation
Move than meets the eye.
In terms of hardware, the Move incorporates
elements of the Wii and Natal. Like the Wii, there are
two controllers – the primary Move controller, and the
secondary Move navigation controller, which is optional
and can be substituted with a regular PS3 controller.
But like Natal, Move uses the PlayStation Eye camera
to capture motion instead of a sensor bar. The Move
controller features a glowing orb that can be lit up in a
range of colors. This orb acts as a point of reference for
the PlayStation Eye, while the fixed size of the orb also
lets the camera determine how far away from it the
controller is located.
An accelerometer, an angular sensor, as well as
magnetic sensing via a magnetometer deliver pin-point
accuracy and also accurately pick up rotations of the
controller. The technology is also designed to track
the controller when it is out of view of the camera
or hidden behind the player’s back. In addition to the
visual reference provided by the orb, this tech allows
the PlayStation Eye to track motion in a 3D space
accurately and with minimum lag.
Since its unveiling last year, the PlayStation
Move has been seen in action on a few occasions,
demonstrating good accuracy and minimal lag. By
including motion controllers and a camera, it allows
ALL ABOUT GAMING | COVER STORY 23
developers to leverage the accuracy provided by
a controller, with additional features like facial and
gesture recognition and head-tracking afforded by
the PlayStation Eye camera. And while the PlayStation
Move may have been criticized for sticking too close
to the Wii formula, it has helped Sony get third-
party developer support, with games like EA Sports’
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 set to feature PlayStation
Move controls. Many existing games, such as Heavy
Rain, will be patched with Move support, and Sony’s
in-house studios will also release several dedicated
PlayStation Move games.
But while the Move boasts pinpoint accuracy with
negligible lag and promises robust software support,
it isn’t without its shortcomings, the biggest of which
is price. Even for existing PS3 owners, it will require
a considerable investment to get gaming with the
PlayStation Move. The starter pack, which includes the
camera, one PlayStation Move
controller, and possibly a game,
is estimated to be priced a little
below $100 (approx Rs 5,000).
The cost of the Move navigation
controller, and additional sets of
controllers for a second player
will further add to the cost.
Scheduled to release just
before the holiday season,
it remains to be seen if the
PlayStation Move is able to
deliver on its promise and take
motion controlled gaming beyond
what the world has already seen
with the Wii. While this is a good
proposition for existing PS3
owners, Sony will need to ensure
a steady stream of high-quality
games to lure the casual audience
that they’re going after.

Conclusion
Regardless of how accurate or lag-free the technology
is, motion controllers are no good without compelling
and fun games. We’ve seen that with the success of
Nintendo Wii. So releasing their respective motion
technologies will only be the beginning for Microsoft
and Sony. After that, they’ll have to give us reasons to
buy that technology, and there’s no better reason than
a library of good games.
At least for now, motion controls and casual gaming
go hand-in-hand. So even with motion controlled
gaming coming to the Xbox 360 and PS3, don’t expect
the next Halo or Gran Turismo to completely ditch the
PLAYSTATION MOVE COMING TO INDIA
Atindriya Bose, Country Manager for Sony
Computer Entertainment India, tells us about the
scope of the PlayStation Move in India.
What sort of impact do you think PlayStation
Move will have in India?
For India, this is massive. Besides gamers,
we’re seeing people buying the PS3 for its
entertainment features. So Move comes at just
the right time to get these families into gaming
through motion-controlled games. The Wii has
created some level of awareness about motion-
traditional controller and adopt motion controls. Some
games are still best played the old fashioned way.
So while you will see the occasional hardcore game
sprinkled with motion control elements, Natal and the
PlayStation Move are, like the Wii, very much targeted
at the casual gamer.
The popularity of motion controlled gaming
following the launch of the Wii has snowballed into
something far bigger. Now we’ve even got cell phone
makers stuffing accelerometers into their phones. A
lot of this is simply the bandwagon effect, but that
just proves how big an impact montion controlled
gaming has had. It is the latest evolution of gaming,
and like it or not, it’s here to stay.
controlled gaming in India, but beyond a point, the Wii
doesn’t hold the same challenge that Move brings in.
The precision and sensitivity of Move, plus the wide
array of games for all audiences will really have a
major impact in India. I’ve seen pick-up-and-play games
for the whole family, and I’ve seen complex games like
SOCOM, so Move has something for everyone. We’re
expecting a 100 percent growth in PS3 sales this year,
and the PlayStation Move will play a big role in that.
What will the Indian price be like and what
configurations will Move be available in?
You will have the main bundle, which is a PlayStation
Eye and a PlayStation Move controller. Then you will
have the single controller, but that won’t be the primary
SKU. The third is the Move navigation controller, which
is optional, and you can even use the DualShock 3
instead of the navigation controller. From the Indian
perspective, pricing is still up in the air.
Can you at least give us an estimated price?
We’re looking at below Rs 5,000. That’s the safest thing
I can say, because how much lower it will be, I can’t
really say right now.

Ten Must-buy PSP Games
LOCOROCO 
A quirky little 2D puzzle game, LocoRoco was one of the first must-
buy games to release exclusively for the PlayStation Portable. With
cute characters, catchy music and a vibrant art style, LocoRoco was an
instant hit with PSP gamers, prompting a sequel and a downloadable
version for the PlayStation 3.
 GOD OF WAR: CHAINS
OF OLYMPUS
Sony doesn’t mess around with the God of War franchise, so you would
expect the PSP version to get the royal treatment too. Developers
Ready at Dawn delivered a stunning rendition of God of War on the
PSP, and Chains of Olympus still remains the best looking PSP game.
BURNOUT LEGENDS 
Burnout Legends is best described as a Burnout greatest hits package
specifically designed for the PSP. It features the best tracks from the
first three Burnout games, as well as the game modes from Burnout 3:
Takedown. So there’s absolutely no reason for this not to be a part of
every PSP gamer’s collection.
 RESISTANCE: RETRIBUTION
If you’ve played the Resistance games on the PS3, Retribution will come
as a huge surprise. Not only does it have a different, and some would
say more likeable, protagonist and a different gameplay perspective,
but it is widely considered to be the best Resistance game. And the PS3
games were no pushovers, so you know this one is something special.
LITTLEBIGPLANET 
LittleBigPlanet was quite a revelation on the PS3, involving players in
new ways by letting them create their own levels, whilst tying it in with
addictive gameplay, a cheerful art style, and a loveable character. The
PSP version remarkably squeezes in nearly all the features of the PS3
version, and the result is undeniably impressive.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
The Nintendo DS may have dominated the handheld space internationally, but in India, the PSP reigns supreme.
Here are ten of the very best gaming experiences available on Sony’s handheld.
BY SAMEER DESAI
CRISIS CORE: FINAL
FANTASY VII 
Contrary to what the title may suggest, Crisis Core is actually a prequel
to Final Fantasy VII, which is widely considered to be the best Final
Fantasy game of all. Crisis Core received praise for its cinematics and
presentation, its impressive story, and real-time combat system.
 SYPHON FILTER: DARK
MIRROR
Sony Bend’s stealth shooter series Syphon Filter tasted much success
on the PSP with Dark Mirror and Logan’s Shadow. While they’re both
great, we’ve picked Dark Mirror in our top ten for returning to the
series’ stealth roots and non-linear gameplay. shot as well.
MOTORSTORM: ARCTIC EDGE 
Another PS3 series to head down the handheld trail, MotorStorm: Arctic
Edge is a fresh take on the popular off-road racer. While past titles
featured deserts and tropical forests, Arctic Edge travels to the icy far
north, and offers the same break-neck gameplay with aggressive AI
and tracks riddled with detours and lots of things to crash into.
 PATAPON
Patapon is a unique 2D side scroller that uses rhythmic beating of
drums as its primary gameplay mechanic. The art style is simple with
basic colors and stick figure characters. But under the simple exterior
is a complex strategy game. It makes our list for offering a truly
refreshing experience that is unlike anything else out there.
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE
CITY STORIES 
The GTA series needs no introduction, but the PSP titles have often been
overshadowed by their PS2 counterparts. Vice City Stories wonderfully
brought GTA’s large sandbox environments and signature gameplay to
the PSP, and is highly recommended for any GTA fan.
 ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10 29
This isn’t a list of dumbed down, patronizing games designed specifically for women, but instead, a collection of

Popular Games for Girls some genuinely great games (with a multi-player focus) for a broad audience - the fairer sex included.
BY AVINASH BALI AND SAMEER DESAI

THE SIMS 3 SINGSTAR

The Sims is probably the most clichéd women- If you aren’t in the mood to dole out some serious
friendly game series out there, but trust us, women dough on the Guitar Hero games, you could try
really love them, and there’s a reason for that. These out the Singstar series. As the name suggests,
simulation games don’t conform to standard gaming these games will have you crooning along to your
rules. There is no fixed path to follow, and there’ no
“game over”. The Sims is all about creating your own
interactive avatar and watching her thrive through
the decisions you make. Make your character reflect
your true personality or make her your complete
opposite, and guide her through relationships,
professions, and regular everyday activities. The
possibilities are endless.

GUITAR HERO
Music is universal, so it comes as no

appeal to male and female gamers

alike. Activision’s Guitar Hero series
became a worldwide phenomenon
by letting you play the rockstar in
your very own living room. With a
great collection of rock songs from
over the decades and accessible
gameplay, these games let you live
out your deep-seated dreams of
being a rockstar, even if it is through
a plastic guitar with candy-colored

can even plug in a second controller

so a friend can join in the fun. Guitar

including PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360.

gamers. But on the bright side, the game supports

co-operative play which means you and up to three
friends can play together and guide each other
through. You can get LittleBigPlanet on either the
PS3 or PSP, and it’s great fun on both platforms.

Ten Must-buy iPhone Games
FIELDRUNNERS 
One of the best tower defense games out there, Fieldrunners will keep
you occupied for hours on end. You have to prevent swarms of enemy
units from breaching your defenses and crossing an empty field, by
strategically constructing powerful gun turrets. What starts out easy
quickly becomes a mad struggle!
 FLIGHT CONTROL
Use your fingers to draw flight paths for confused airplanes and guide
them to a suitable landing strip. It sounds simple enough until your
screen fills up with a dozen or more planes, all at different speeds and
all seemingly bent on crashing into each other. You have a variety of
aircraft to manage and a choice of exotic locales.
PLANTS VS ZOMBIES 
Tower defense games work really well on the iPhone screen, and this
one is no exception. You have to defend yourself against invading
zombies using some not-so-ordinary houseplants, making sure no entry
point is left unguarded. It’s great fun to play, since the whole game is a
comic sendup of the zombie movie and game genre.
 ZEN BOUND LITE
This one’s less of a game and more of a relaxing digital craft activity.
Still, you have to compete against yourself to do the best possible job
of wrapping lengths of rope around oddly-shaped rotating 3D objects.
The graphics and sound are equally lush, and are designed to relax and
soothe you as you exercise your spatial skills.
TRISM 
Try to imagine your classic match-four-in-a-row games with no respect
for gravity. You rotate your iPhone around while triangular “trisms” slide
around. Match colors to clear Trisms, and line up complicated combos for
spectacular high scores. This is one of the bestselling iPhone games of all
time, and uses the accelerometer to great effect.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
This little device can handle an awesome variety of games, including shooters, platformers, puzzle games and
strategy titles. Here’s our pick of the best ones available in the iTunes store today.
BY JAMSHED AVARI
DOODLE JUMP 
This game’s tagline screams “Be warned: insanely addictive!” which
pretty much sums up everything you need to know about it. Doodle
Jump doesn’t bother with fancy graphics, and the schoolchild’s-scribble
look is part of what makes it so endearing. Guide your Doodle through
this vertical platformer, collect bonuses, and shoot the bad guys.
 LABYRINTH 2
Labyrinth was one of the first iPhone games, and it felt so real that
people’s jaws hit the floor the first time they tried it. Now, the simple
maze concept has expanded to include guns, bumpers, magnets,
lasers, roundabouts and more pinball-inspired elements. You still
have to guide your ball to its destination, but it’s a lot more fun!
DUKE NUKEM 3D 
Fifteen years ago, this game was cutting edge for hulking desktop PCs.
Today, the exact same graphics can run on your phone! Controls are a
bit awkward because of the touchscreen, but Duke’s campy weapons,
misogyny, one-liners and enduring hatred of aliens are exactly
the same as always.
 SLINGSHOT COWBOY PLUS
What could be more fun than throwing rocks at defenseless animals?
How about grenades, missiles and lasers! Tilt your phone to adjust your
aim, and try to hit as many cows as you can before time runs out. It’s a
bit pricey, but the fun is endless. If you ever do get bored, there’s also
Slingshot Safari, in which the animals fight back.
SIMCITY 
Anyone who’s enjoyed this iconic title on their computer will love it on
their iPhone. You get all the tools of SimCity 2000, including all types
of buildings, zones, advisers and even the disasters. Challenge yourself
through a bunch of scenarios or just build freely and respond to
your citizens’ concerns. Building a city is quite thrilling!
TOP 3 SOUND SYSTEMS FOR GAMING
Sound is an integral part of the video game experience, so a good sound system is a must. We’ve recommended three great
speaker systems across categories and price points that are ideal for gaming.
BY SIDDHARTH BHATIA
RAZER MAKO 2.1
Rs. 12,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Output power: 300W RMS
Frequency range: 25-20,000 Hz
Features: 3.5mm auxiliary in,
3.5mm headphone
T T
his 2.1 speaker set comes
from high-end gaming
peripherals manufacturer
Razer, so it’s built specifically
for gaming. The looks are right
up there with the black globular
spaceship-looking cabinets,
which are similar for the sub-
woofer and the satellites. The
two satellites almost look like
little minions for the evil master
sub-woofer. As far as sound
goes, the bass is more than
enough, though an absolute
basshead might crave more.
But there’s no distortion, and
the sound is very tight and
well-controlled throughout the
dynamic range. Voices, dialog
etc. were perfect, and the
spatial quality that Razer claims
as the Mako’s USP was very
impressive. The sound across
the full spectrum, and not just
the bass, felt omnipresent,
making helicopters and faraway
gunshots sound real.
LOGITECH Z-5500
Rs. 17,200
SPECIFICATIONS
Output power: 505W RMS
Frequency range: 20-20,000 Hz
Drive units: Sub-woofer: 10”;
Sattelites: 3”
his one was a forgone
conclusion for the 5.1
category. The Logitech
Z-5500 is not strictly meant
for gaming, it’s an all round
performer, but the bright overall
frequency response and well
controlled low end make it
absolutely perfect for gaming.
Aesthetically, the satellite is
futuristic looking with a single
3-inch driver, and adjustable
stands that can become a wall
mount bracket. The sub-woofer
is huge for a PC speaker system.
The 10-inch driver comes with
a huge control module that acts
as the hub for connections and
processing, and a large silver
volume knob takes center stage.
Speaking of processing, the
Z-5500 boasts various sound
certifications, including Dolby
Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS,
and DTS 96/24. The system also
comes with a small black remote
control.
ONKYO HT-S5205
Rs. 40,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Output power: 100 W/Ch at 6 Ohms, 1
kHz, 1 channel-driven, IEC
Frequency range: 20-50,000 Hz
Features: SDTS, Dolby, HDMI in/out
T
his is one of the heavy
boys; it’s a full-on home
theater with 6 speakers
and a receiver. The model comes
clad in a metallic black chassis
and cabinet for the receiver
and speakers respectively. The
façade of the receiver is a
brush finished, mildly glossy
face plate with a ensemble of
well arranged buttons. It has
the typical Onkyo receiver style
with the pendulous volume
knob on the right and square
power switch on the left. As
for performance, we got a nice
healthy bass response, going
down nicely till about 30 Hz.
There was slight unevenness
in frequency response at the
crossover point of 100 Hz, but
it wasn’t very boomy. The upper
end of frequency response
unveiled a clear, slightly
forward sound, with a thick mid
frequency band; all great for
gaming.

Ten Must-buy Wii Games
DEAD SPACE EXTRACTION 
The Wii is home to many original on-rails light gun shooters, such as
the Resident Evil: Chronicles and House of the Dead: Overkill. However,
Extraction ends up being the best of the lot. The way it integrates story
elements and characters to the genre feels fresh, while the engaging
gunplay is very faithful to its HD brother.
 MURAMASA: THE DEMON
BLADE
It’s likely that your first impression of Muramasa is that it looks good.
It’s a 2D side-scrolling action game heavily drowned in Japanese
mythology. Two modes and two characters are available from the start,
and further help suit to your playing styles.
MARIO KART WII 
You can’t have a Nintendo console without a Mario Kart. The Wii version
hosts over a dozen new tracks, plus remixed ones from earlier games,
along with a dedicated channel to help you maintain online sessions and
manage friend lists. You can slug it out with up to four players via split-
screen multiplayer. The perfect party crasher.
 NO MORE HEROES 2:
DESPERATE STRUGGLE
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle improves upon the original in
pretty much every department. It released only recently, and is easily
one of the best 3D action games you’re going to find on the Wii.
WII SPORTS RESORT 
How do you make one of the best-selling casual games even better?
By having it support the new Wii MotionPlus accessory. A lot of the
activities, some of which repackaged from the first game, feel incredibly
responsive and involving. There’s still no online support, so remember to
bring some friends along to get the most out of your experience.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
Whether you’re jonesing for a meaty experience that fits your hardcore preferences, or you’re looking to break a
leg in a game that even your elders can enjoy, the Wii has a little something for everybody.
BY VIJAY SINHA
TATSUNOKO VS CAPCOM:
ULTIMATE ALL-STARS 
PS3, Xbox 360 and PC owners may be content with Street Fighter
IV, but if you’ve come to appreciate fighters like Marvel vs Capcom,
Ultimate All-Stars will sweep you off your feet with its spiraling 2.5D
graphics and selection of bizarre but lovable characters.
 THE LEGEND OF ZELDA:
TWILIGHT PRINCESS
Twilight Princess continues the tradition of ye ol’ Zelda gameplay
(that is, mixing action and adventure elements with a bunch of
dungeon puzzle-solving). It is home to some really memorable
characters and an endearing world for you to explore.
RESIDENT EVIL 4: WII EDITION 
Welcome, stranger... What are you buying? How about this Wii Remote-
enhanced port of one of the best over-the-shoulder, third-person
shooters of the previous console generation? It’s amazing how manual
aiming with the pointer can make a classic feel new again.
 METROID PRIME TRILOGY
The Metroid Prime series has been one of the most critically-acclaimed
Nintendo games to release in the last decade. Its blend of adventure
and first-person shooting elements expand the Metroid universe to
current-gen players. Now, for the price of one game, you can pick up all
three Primes, with the added bonus of Wii-style controls.
SUPER MARIO GALAXY 
Any self-indulgent Nintendo freak knows how good Mario games can
be, and Galaxy proves to be yet another hallmark. The implementation
of object interacting spliced up with old-school platforming is vastly
intuitive and downright stupendous. If there ever was a way to convince
your chums to play a Mario game, this is certainly it.
New to gaming? Start with
the PS2 BY SAMEER DESAI

G
aming is growing in India, and more and more more to get yourself four great games, and you’re
people are getting into it now. So one question good to go. By contrast, the PS3 console is priced at Rs
that I get asked a lot is, “Should I buy an Xbox 360 19,990, with games starting at Rs 999 (although the
or PS3?”. Strangely, the Wii never makes that shortlist, good ones cost a lot more). So you can get gaming on
but what’s really surprising is that these people, most of the PS2 at almost one-fourth the cost. Of course, once
who have never been into serious gaming, completely you do get hooked, you’re going to want to move up to
overlook the PS2. Why would you want a PS2 when the newer consoles and the high definition goodness
there’s the PS3, right? Well, it’s not quite that simple. they bring.
If you’ve never gamed before, then you don’t quite If you’re willing to pay the price of admission, I
know whether it’s something that’s going to hold your certainly wouldn’t discourage you from opting for the
interest for too long. Do you then want to sink over Rs Xbox 360 or PS3 instead, because they too offer great
20,000 into something that you might not use? How gaming experiences. I, for one, find it hard to go back
about a console that instead shows you what video to many older games after being spoilt by the HD eye
games are all about at only the fraction of the price candy that the newer consoles offer. But I also know
of a PS3? If that sounds good to you, you need to get that with these consoles, your expenses don’t stop at
yourself a PS2, and I’m about to tell you why. just the hardware. Games are expensive, and so are the
Firstly, video games are a creative art form, so while accessories that you will inevitably buy. So if you’re just
today’s games look better and
employ cutting-edge tech, HOW ABOUT A HOME CONSOLE THAT
the classic games, many of SHOWS YOU WHAT VIDEO GAMES ARE
which are on the PS2, are just
as much fun to play today ALL ABOUT AT ONLY THE FRACTION OF
as the day they released THE PRICE OF A PS3?
simply because of the ideas
that went into making them. The PS2 has arguably looking for a taste of what video games have to offer,
the best games library of any home console. Ever. So the PS2 will give you that in abundance. It’s the perfect
if you’re a new PS2 owner, you’re never going to run entry-level console and home to some of the best
out of good games. The second point in favor of the games ever made. You just can’t go wrong with it.
PS2 is reliability. I’m still using the PS2 that I bought in
2001, while I’ve had my Xbox 360 (purchased in 2006)
replaced four times, and I’m on my second PS3 in three Sony PlayStation 2
years. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve neglected my PS2
since moving to the newer consoles, but even after
gathering dust for months on end, the old timer fires Sony launched the
PlayStation 2 almost
right up when I’m in the mood for some giant slaying a decade ago, and
in Shadow of the Colossus. It’s the kind of hardware its still going strong,
reliability that current generation consoles can only having sold over a
dream of. 100 million units
Another important factor is compatibility. HDTV worldwide. It made
penetration is still quite low in India, and owning an it’s way to India
long after the major
HDTV is an important prerequisite before buying an
markets, and it is also
Xbox 360 or PS3. For those who don’t own an HDTV, the highest selling
these consoles are an absolute no-no, because the video game console in
games that are available for them are designed for India, with over half a million units sold. The PS2 is
high definition displays. So if you’re still on a standard home to some of the most memorable games and
definition CRT TV, a PS2 is a much better proposition. series ever created, including The Shadow of the
Last, but certainly not the least, is the price factor. The Colossus, God of War, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear
Solid, and Final Fantasy, just to name a few.
PS2 console will set you back Rs 5,990. Add Rs 2,000

Ten Must-buy PS2 Games
GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN
ANDREAS 
No other game out there has managed to capture gang life in the 90s
like San Andreas. As CJ, a troubled youth in San Andreas, you had to
deal with the hustlers, the ballers, and the gang bangers while on the
lookout for your mother’s killer. It’s the best GTA game ever made.
 SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS
For a game that was only about boss fights, Shadow of the Colossus
was a simple yet brilliant effort in which you had to slay 14 colossal
bosses to save the love of your life. The kicker over here was the fact
that all the bosses were living, breathing gigantic levels in themselves,
making each and every encounter a memorable one.
DEVIL MAY CRY 3 
Kratos has his rage, Ryu Hyabusa has insane ninja skills and Dante has
his sorrow, but there’s no doubt that Dante is the most flamboyant of
the lot, flaunting his style like there’s no tomorrow. The half human, half
devil son of Sparda makes nunchucks out of motorbikes, skateboards out
of demons and annihilates hell spawn like they were made of candy.
 GOD OF WAR II
Sure it may not be as gorgeous, violent and visceral as God of War
III, but the second iteration of Kratos’ rage-filled journey was an
improvement over the original in nearly every way. You had a longer
campaign, improved and more varied combat mechanics, and visuals
that are still considered cutting-edge for the PS2.
GRAN TURISMO 4 
While the Gran Turismo series originated on the PS One, it was on
the PS2 that it really hit its stride. Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec is probably
the most revolutionary racing game of our time, and Gran Turismo 4
improved upon it further, with more cars and improved graphics. If you
like the challenge of simulation racers, Gran Turismo 4 is a gem.
ALL ABOUT GAMING | TOP 10
In the era of cutting edge graphics, the humble PlayStation 2 still stands strong with its library of awesome games.
We’ve narrowed years worth of gaming into ten must buy titles that deserve a spot in your PS2 library.
BT AVINASH BALI AND SAMEER DESAI
RATCHET & CLANK: UP
YOUR ARSENAL 
We could well have blindly picked either of the Ratchet & Clank
PS2 titles for this list, because they’re all that good. A fun mix of
platforming, puzzles, combat, and witty characters, the furry Lombax
and his loyal metallic sidekick are at their best in Up Your Arsenal.
 METAL GEAR SOLID 3:
SUBSISTENCE
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is regarded by many as the best
title from the popular stealth action series. MGS3: Subsistence is an
updated version of MGS3 for international audiences, and it adds a
third-person perspective and user-controlled camera.
RESIDENT EVIL 4 
Hailed by many as the best survival horror game ever made, Resident
Evil 4 broke free from conventional norms like dark corridors and dimly
lit passages to immerse players in a truly horrific situation that took
place in broad daylight. As Leon Kennedy, it was your duty to protect
the US president’s daughter from newly mutated enemies.
 DEF JAM: FIGHT FOR
NEW YORK
In our opinion, Def Jam: Fight for NY was pretty much the best brawler
out there, infusing Hip-hop culture with brutal underground street
fighting. The game features some of the hottest rappers like Snoop
Dogg, Method Man, Redman, Busta Rhymes, and Ludacris.
TEKKEN 5 
Tekken 5 is the most satisfying fighting experience on the PS2, with a
well-balanced combat system and gorgeous graphics (by PS2 standards).
The huge number of extra modes and bonus content along with a good
number of unlockable costumes and accessories for your fighters are all
great reasons to spend more hours playing the game.
 ALL ABOUT GAMING | GLOSSARY 41

Attention Parents: Age Ratings Gaming Lingo 101: L33t Speak

Explained Explained
To ensure that your kids only play the games that are suitable for their age, play close attention to the age Finding yourself bewildered by all the abbreviated gamer-speak on gaming forums and multi-player lobbies?
ratings on the game package. These can usually be found on the bottom left of the front of the box, with an Here’s a list of the popularly used gaming lingo, and what they mean.
explanation of the rating on the back. Game ratings can either be from the American rating board – ESRB, or BY AVINASH BALI
the European rating board – PEGI. Below is an explanation of the various PEGI and ESRB ratings.
BY SAMEER DESAI AFK: AWAY FROM KEYBOARD PWNED: OWNED
A player who has momentarily stepped away from A word used to describe humiliation or defeat in the
PEGI ESRB his keyboard for whatever reason, rendering his team field of battle. It has many variations, including pwnd,
PEGI 3
P EARLY CHILDHOOD
EA handicapped. pwnt, pwnsauce, etc.

Th
These games are suitable for all age Ti
Titles rated EC have content that may be
groups. Some violence in a comical
gr suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains
su L337: AN ELITE GAMER FTW: FOR THE WIN
context (typically Bugs Bunny or Tom &
co no material that parents would find
Jerry cartoon-like forms of violence) is
Je inappropriate.
in Derived from the word elite, an l33t or a l337 player is a Is generally used to describe something awesome or
acceptable. No bad language or sexual
ac skilled player who has excelled at a particular game. something you enjoy. For example: Call of Duty FTW!
activity is found.
ac
EVERYONE
EV
NOOB FTL: FOR THE LOSE/LOSS!
PEGI 7
P Ti
Titles rated E have content that may be
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su Probably one of the most famous gaming Pretty much the opposite of FTW, it’s used to denote
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m terminologies, a n00b/n00bie/nooblet/newb/newbie is something that you do not like or something that lacks
rated at 3, but contains some possibly
ra and/or infrequent use of mild language.
an an inexperienced player or someone new to the game. in awesomeness.
frightening scenes or sounds. Some
fr
partial nudity may be permitted, but
pa

Gaming Sites and Retailers

never in a sexual context.
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EV
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Titles rated E10+ have content suitable for
PEGI 12
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ag
fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/
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Ga
Games that show violence or nudity of a or minimal suggestive themes. Here’s a list of popular sites where, you can read about gaming and discuss games with like-minded individuals,
slightly more graphic nature would fall in
sli and some online retail stores from where you can buy games, hardware and peripherals.
this age category. May also include mild
th
bad language that falls short of sexual
ba TEEN
T
expletives.
ex GAMING WEBSITES
Ti
Titles rated T have content suitable for
ages 13 and older. May contain violence,
ag IGN
IG EUROGAMER
E
PEGI 16
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su
Po
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Many regard Eurogamer as
blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent
bl
gaming website in the world,
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be
Gi
Given to games that depict violence or use of strong language.
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gamers rely on IGN for news,
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th
sexual activity that is more realistic in
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previews and reviews, and
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ob
nature. More extreme bad language, use
na
IGN is often the first to publish
IG a more European focus, and
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M
reviews for high-profile games.
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of criminal activity may be found.
Ti
Titles rated M have content suitable for ages www.ign.com
w of the best you’ll find.
17 and older. May contain intense violence, www.eurogamer.net
w
PEGI 18
P blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong
bl
language.
la GAMESPOT
G G
GIANT BOMB
Th adult classification is applied when
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the level of violence reaches a stage
th Th content on Gamespot is
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w very similar to what you might
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ADULTS ONLY
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th find
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di
of revulsion. Ti
Titles rated AO have content that should only source for news, and reviews,
so feel to it, and their reviews
fe
be played by persons 18 years and older. May and the site has its fair share of
an are some of the best around.
ar
include prolonged scenes of intense violence
in devoted followers.
de The BombCast – Giant Bomb’s
Th
While these icons can be found on the front of the box, and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
an www.gamespot.com
w podcast, is also a major draw.
po
the back contains expanations for why a particular w
www.giantbomb.com
rating was given.
 TECH2
T GAMERS MINT
G
While
W Tech2 is an all- G
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encompassing
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website,
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content
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p
India.
In The site features reviews ffor the Indian audience.
and
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w
perspective
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gaming
ga contests.
www.tech2.in.com
w

IINDIANVIDEOGAMER GAMETAB
G
In
India’s largest gaming A congregation of various news
ccommunity, IVG is a great place sites and blogs, Gametab allows
sit
for gamers from across the
fo you to customize your news
yo
ccountry to discuss their passion feed the way you deem fit. You
fe
for games. IVG also features
fo can queue up around fifteen
ca
rregular game previews, reviews feeds at a time.
fe
and contests.
a www.gametab.com
w
www.indianvideogamer.com
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ONLINE RETAILERS
GAME4U
G PLAY ASIA
P
Ga
Game4U is a retailer of games Pl Asia is a Hong Kong-based
Play
hardware and peripherals. Apart
ha site that sells games from
sit
from its online store, Game4U
fr America, Asian and Japanese
Am
also has a physical presence in
al regions across platforms, as
re
Mumbai.
M well as hardware, action figures,
w
Address: Ground floor, Mega
Ad etc. They also provide a PayPal
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Mall, Oshiwara, Andheri (West),
M payment option and offer
pa
Mumbai – 400102
M free shipping to India.
fr
www.game4u.com
w www.play-asia.com
w

INTENCITY
IN GAME
G
Ba
Based in Pune, Intencity first Ga
Game is the UK’s largest game
started out as a physical store,
st retail chain, and their website
re
but has rapidly expanded
bu offers an expansive collection of
of
via its website. Intencity has
vi games. Since India falls under the
ga
a reputation for excellent PAL region, Game is a good place
PA
customer service.
cu to buy region-locked PAL games.
Address: No. 11, Tej House, 5 M.G
Ad Unfortunately, Game doesn’t ship
Un
Road, Camp, Pune – 411001
Ro hardware to India.
ha
www.intencity.in
w www.game.co.uk
w

NEXT WORLD
N SHOPTO
SH
Ne World is a Delhi-based
Next Th
Think Game.co.uk with a
online store that offers a
on shabbier design and better
sh
variety of games, hardware and
va prices, and you get ShopTo. This
pr
accessories, as well as other
ac UK-based store has become
UK
technology products. The site
te increasingly popular for its low
in
also offers multiple payment
al prices, regular offers, PayPal
pr
options, including cash on
op support and relatively lower
su
delivery
de shipping charges
sh
www.nextworld.in
w www.shopto.net
w