Electronic Arts have let us know some more details about its next instalment of Fifa which is being released on every current system this autumn. They tell us that they are concentrating more on giving unique gameplay experiences to each platform rather than hastily spread out the same version over every console.

EA say that there are over 250 additions to the 360/PS3 version, further enhancing the core gameplay that featured in Fifa 08. With new animation technology which promises smoother and more responsive passing, dribbling and shooting, combined with an update to the physics engine that allows for realistic player momentum and movement especially when you see players jostle for the ball (shirt pulling perhaps?).

Wii owners can expect another unique version of Fifa this year. EA are pushing the casual theme from Fifa 08 even further this time around, not only can we expect Mii like cameos from top footballers such as Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney, players will now be able to use their Mii in the fun sounding new 8vs8 Footii Match game mode. Noobs will be pleased to hear that the easy control mode where the CPU helped you control your team is returning, though of course that is optional, hardcore players can use the traditional Fifa style controls or if you’re feeling adventurous, try the new point and play control which sounds suspiciously like the new control system featured in Konami’s Pro Evo Soccer on the Wii a couple of months back.

Windows PC players can expect a much better looking game this time around; fans were horrified last year when Fifa 08 for the PC used the same graphics engine as the Playstation 2 version. They’re promising us photorealistic faces for footballs star players, but does that mean rubbish players like Peter Crouch won’t be rendered in all his ultra realistic lanky quality? PC owners can also use their mouse to control their squad in greater detail that ever before, probably similar to the Wii version I suspect.

Gamers on the go will be catered for too; PSP and DS users can now experience the exciting Be A Pro mode from Fifa 08. The PSP version will no doubt look closer in graphical detail to the PS2 and the DS will have some moments of exclusive touch screen action.

Tags: Fifa 09, Fifa 2009

YouTube

The Man with the Hat has come to the machine with two screens and this little gem lets you play through a number of chapters from each of the three films as you follow the adventures of Lego Indiana Jones as he goes after the Lost Ark, visits a Temple of Doom and hangs out with Sean Connery as they look for a silly little cup.

If you want to know how this play, just take exactly the same gameplay mechanics as Lego Star Wars and reskin all the characters to fit in with Indy’s universe and you’ll be there. You run around, fight enemies with simple punches or weapons and solve puzzles by making items with piles of Lego bricks and exploring new locations. This being on the DS you can also touch the screen to use your whip to swing you to new places or blow on the microphone to blow out torches or make fans blow you into the air.

After you play the first chapter of Raiders you can then delve into the other films and play through them in any order - unlocking new characters as you go which you can then play as in free play mode to get to new areas.

There’s lots of replayability in here and once again the game’s very funny. The cut scenes play out almost shot for shot with some funny extra surprises that weren’t in the film - although if you haven’t seen the films first of all shame on you and secondly, you won’t get as much out of them.

You can also play with a friend if they have a copy of the game and are near enough to connect to you - of course if you’re alone you can hot-swap between the two characters at the touch of a button.

Once again this is a charming Lego game that will have you giggling on the bus. Indy on the DS gets a very good 8 out of 10.

Get the game now
New: Buy Lego Indiana Jones from Buy.com
Preowned: LEGO Indiana Jones - Pre-Played from Gamefly.com
Rental: Rent Lego Indiana Jones - free rental trial from Gamefly.com

Related: Lego Indiana Jones PC demo, Lego Batman, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga review, Lego Indiana Jones review on Youtube

Tags: Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Indiana Jones review, Lego, Indiana Jones

I had literally just finished saying to my girlfriend that I didn’t want Rock Band as it was too bulky for my living room when an advert for it came on the TV. At that precise moment a packet fell through my letter box with the game disc inside and a moment later I was booting it up happy that it would actually work with my Guitar Hero wireless Les Paul controller.

If you’re playing solo like I was - Rock Band is identical to Guitar Hero in the way it plays. You hit buttons on the fret board and strum in time to the blobs scrolling down the screen whilst your band plays to an enthusiastic crowd in the background. If you have a Rock Band guitar though, you get more buttons further up the neck to hammer out solos when it’s your turn to rock!

This time the game looks a lot grittier. Character models are less OTT and there’s a film grain over the whole thing to make the game more NME or Kerrang rather than Top of the Pops. I also like the way the crowd sings along - it feels like a proper gig - next there’ll be pints of lager being thrown you from the TV.

The game’s much easier than Guitar Hero - if you play that on hard mode you’ll have to crank it up to Expert. However, the song selection is great. There are 64 on the disc including favourites from Bowie, Nirvana, Oasis, Garbage and the Foo Fighters. Metallica have also made a big thing of putting Enter Sandman on there.

Of course, the game’s really about getting your mates round to play as a band. You can buy separately a full drum kick with sticks and a pedal, a microphone and another guitar for playing bass. Then you can rock out if you have a big enough lounge and unlock new tracks to play through. Unfortunately you need to be dedicated as you can only play songs you’ve unlocked playing as a group and not ones you’ve mastered when on your own.

Singing behaves like SingStar and as for the drums, I haven’t tried them myself but have seen them in action and it looks like people playing them are having lots of fun.

With better character customisation, downloadable content and the ability to live the rock and roll dream with your mates, this one’s a winner - although it is a considered purchase if you choose to go the whole hog and play as a full band.

Rock Band gets a very good 8 out of 10.

Get the game now
New: Buy Rock Band from Buy.com
Preowned: Rock Band - Pre-Played from Gamefly.com
Rental: Rent Rock Band - free rental trial from Gamefly.com

Related: Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock review

Tags: Rock Band, Rock Band review, review of Rock Band

Footage of The Incredible Hulk 2008 PS3 game has been released from Sega and it’s looking pretty sweet. Coming out suspiciously close in time to the Incredible Hulk movie, we’re really hoping this game (and the movie) finally lives up to the reputation of the original TV show. The Incredible Hulk playable characters include Bi-Beast and Abomination - all raising hell in the open world gameplay version of Manhattan.

Get ready to go green with rage with The Incredible Hulk 360 game, PS3, 360, PC, PS2, Wii and DS on the upcoming Incredible Hulk release date on the 13th June.

Tags: The Incredible Hulk 360 game, Marvel, the incredible hulk playable characters, Hulk, The Incredible Hulk 2008 PS3 game, The Incredible Hulk

The Lego Indiana Jones the Original Adventures demo was released last week for the PC. I’ve had a good go of it and can report that it has some pretty fun platforming action; a bit of puzzle solving, plenty of cut scenes and a good deal of stuff to collect for high score lovers. The Lego Indiana Jones game isn’t a huge technical leap forward from the Lego Star Wars games but if you liked those then you’ll love this.

The full game follows the story of the first three movies very accurately and what better way can you prepare for the upcoming fourth movie than by playing through all the action yourself? Exactly!

The Lego Indiana Jones release date is June 6th for the Wii, DS, PS2, PS3, 360, PSP and PC. If you fancy trying before you buy I recommend downloading the Lego Indian Jones PC demo right away.

Related: Lego Indiana Jones news, Lego Batman, Lego Star Wars review

Link: Download Lego Indiana Jones demo (464.62MB)

Tags: Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Indiana Jones release date

Guitar Hero III’s in the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest audience for a videogame performance. 9,6000 people watched the game at a festival in Earl’s Court smashing the record of 3,000 set last year at Donnington.

Tags: Guitar Hero III, Guitar Hero 3

Iron Man is the latest Marvel superhero to become a big budget movie and also, inevitably, a videogame to coincide with the film’s release. This is the first time Marvel have had total control over one of their games and unfortunately, the result is rather average.

I haven’t seen the film but judging by the cut scenes and story, the game takes you through some scenes from the movie and some brand new scenarios just for the game. If you haven’t seen the film you get a gist of what’s going on but the game doesn’t explain why Stark becomes Iron Man in the first place.

The first level see you running and gunning through a desert valley as your weapons come online. You can use melee attacks or shoot from distance. Basically you have a time limit and a number of enemies to kill. If you do this successfully during a mission you get extras to help you upgrade your suit on the next mission.

Mission two onwards lets you fly about in your proper all-blasting all-flying suit and the game then becomes like a sub-standard Ace Combat with some fighting on the ground thrown in for good measure.

When flying, Iron Man doesn’t look too bad, but when running along the ground you might as well be playing Chuckie Egg. That or he runs like he’s got an Ostrich egg stuck up his bottom. The animation is dreadful and it’s just not that much fun shooting at all the tanks and planes again and again. You can fight things hand-to-hand if you want to but there’s no real reason to.

To break things up there’s the odd easy end of level boss to fight and some cut-scenes which look pretty good. Stark’s wise-cracks during the missions also help to liven things up a bit.

With just the single player campaign to play through, this game doesn’t really cut it. If you want to blow lots of stuff up as a Marvel character and have more fun doing it, get your hand on Hulk: Ultimate Destruction instead of the Ironman superhero.

Get the game now
New: Buy Iron Man from Buy.com
Preowned: Iron Man - Pre-Played from Gamefly.com
Rental: Rent Iron Man - free rental trial from Gamefly.com

Tags: Iron Man, Iron Man review, review of Iron Man

PES 2008 will be available at a budget price from the release date of 16th May on Xbox 360 and PS2.

The 360 version will sell at £24.99 and the PS2 version at £19.99. Good news for abyone who heard about its teething problems online and has waited before getting involved in Konami’s beautiful game.

Google

Tags: PES 2008, release date, sport