GAME REVIEWS

Assassin's Creed III

Platforms: PS3($59.99), Xbox 360($59.99),  PC($24.99)

Rating:4/5

Similar Games:Infamous 2

Fewer sequels have had higher expectations to live upto to than Assassin's Creed III. The game has been in development for nearly 3 years and you can see why.

Assassin's Creed III takes place a few centuries after we stealth killed Templars as Ezio Auditore. The setting now moves to the American Revolution, with a new protogonist - Connor Kenway.

It isn't drastically different from previous installations, but there are several new elements apart. The biggest of these is that a large chunk of a game takes place in forests. This brings with it Connor's ability to free-run across trees,as well as side activities like hunting and trading system.

The core gameplay remains the same - the free-run across rooftops, assassinate Templars, and remain incognito as much as possible. The combat follows pretty much the same block , parry, counter-attack formula, but the addition of the bow and arrow and the new rope dart as well. Desmond has a bigger role this time.Saying any more, however, would be spoiler territory.

Verdict: The game isn't the revolutionary sequel fans may have expected, but the new setting and tight gameplay make this an instant buy for all action-adventure fans.

Forza Horizon

Platforms: Xbox 360($59.99)

Rating:5/5

Similar Games:Need for Speed:Most Wanted

Open world. Off-road driving. Dynamic day and night transitions. These aren't things you would associate with the Forza Motorsport franchise, but surprisingly there happen to be the three key ingrdients that boost the game.

Forza horizon is an open-world racer, and there's plenty to do on it - break speed records, perform stunts, find exotic cars, and challenge other drivers. The game basically features the Horizon Festival, which consists of a variety of races but very now and then you'll enter showcase events, where you're given a car and put in outlandish scenario, such as racing against a plane.

The Colorado game world is a joy to drive around in, partly for a scenery, but mostly to how well the roads are laid out. The races are masterfully designed, but the things can get tricky at night, as there are no street lights in the countryside.

Online multiplayer is broken up into lobbies based on experience level, and they allow you to enter into a variety of races.The series'signature playground modes return as well, including Cat and Mouse,King,and Infected.

Verdict: Forza Horizon manages to cram a lot of incredible features into one game. The end result of that,is quite simply the complete racing game.

Medal of Honor Warfighter

Platforms: PS3($59.99), Xbox 360($59.99).

Rating:3.5/5

Similar Games:Battlefield 3

Medal of Honor Warfighter never aspired to reshape the genre so if you're already a bit jaded with all the shooters on the market, this one will do nothing to change your mind.

That being said, Warfighter is still quite enjoyable and it manages to ruffle up some good moments like a vengeance fuelled solo romp through a floating ship in the middle of the sea, a frantic car chase through the busy streets of Dubai and a rather satisfying conclusion. A special mention has got to be made of the game's audio that we personally felt was best we've experienced in a shooter till date.

But for everything Danger close does right, there are design decisions that make no sense. Why is the AI so bad? Why do our own players love running the battlefield while we're firing at enemies?More importantly, why do they insist on taking cover exactly the same spot we have? Of course, multiplayer is the backbone of Warfighter and the game largely succeeds in that arena. Think of it as a cross between Call of Duty's frantic infantry combat and battlefield 3's slow paced, authentic-ish warfare.

Verdict: While it isn't a must buy, Warfighter is definitely an enjoyable game that could have been a lot better had it received that extra coat of polish.