Game Downloads

Maybe it’s just me, but as neat as these controllers look (sans that “Live Turns Five” stamp on there), they just make my eyes burn. These controllers were obviously made to celebrate the anniversary of Xbox Live, but it seems like they’re only being sent out to the press and won’t be available in stores.

If you’ve stuck with Project Gotham Racing 4, you’re going to be rewarded when you boot the game up today, as four new tournament-centric game modes are being added, free of charge. Global Cup winners will have their gamertags displayed on the PGRNations homepage, PGR’s equivalent to ForzaMotorsport.net or Bungie.net. Winners of the other tourneys will appear in the leaderboards. So the real prize here isn’t tangible; it’s all about bragging rights. Are you game?

I’m sorry to say this, but Assassin’s Creed was completely over-hyped in my opinion. I didn’t get a chance to check out the game prior to yesterday’s release and was relying completely on information I was getting from other reviewers. Unfortunately, I think this was a case of bandwagon reviewing where the first review was stellar and everyone else just jumped in line. Some people may disagree with me here, but Assassin’s Creed was not all I expected it to be. I suppose I was expecting some sort of medieval style Splinter Cell. I have noticed reviews continue to drop for this game and will probably continue to do so. It started out with all 10s from some of the major reviewers, but I see it permanently dropping to more of a 7 once all the official reviews are in.

There’s few things like a good Civilization game, so what better way to round out the first 1,000 titles to appear in GameTap’s catalog than Sid Meier’s Civilization IV. If that’s not really your bag (understandable) or aren’t a subscriber to GameTap, this week’s new addition to the Free Play library might be more up your alley.

The WitcherSystem: PC (XP or Vista)Rated: M for MatureGeralt of Rivia may not be a common literary figure in America or many parts of Europe yet but his translation and introduction to video games makes a mark with The Witcher. The dark fantasy world set in a realistic (if you can call any video game about magic and monsters realistic) world full of moral dilemma and shades of gray illuminates the lack of such storytelling among the RPG genre.

When I see a title like MotoGP 07, the first thing that pops to mind is, Wow! All the excitement of of Nascar race, but on motorcycles? Hot dog! Then after the false enthusiasm wears off, I remember, oh yeah, I hate racing sims. I have a certain amount of respect for them, and I can see how some people would enjoy them; but they’re usually just not fun for me. Nevertheless, I played through MotoGP 07 with the specific intention of finding something fun about it, or at least something that might appeal to racing sim fans. Here’s a spoiler: I didn’t find either.