Anarchy Online...

I can sum this game up in one word. Wow!
When this game was first released it was stomped nearly into the ground by critics, because of it's buggyness. A few patches later and it is the hottest MMORPG game out there today. Hell, even PC Gamer basically changed their review. Anarchy Online is a game set in the future where nano-technology is the here and now. You can choose to side with the Omni-Tech or the Clan Rebels. You can also choose to be neutral in the growing war between the first two. You may play in first person mode or third person. There is so much to do in this game it would seem that there could be no end to it at all. Want to be a loner and do it all on your own, go right ahead. Like working with teams, then hook up with a few buds or meet some new friends in the game and go out and wreak havoc. The combat is not random and for the most part you can initiate it at your convenience. I like when I can see my enemies before I battle them ;-) There are weapons out the wazoo, including pistols, rifles, grenades, nano-attacks (kind of like magic) and much more. If your the casual type who would like to just hang out with a place to go, check this out. In AO you can buy an apartment and furnish it to you hearts desire! There is everything from plants & paintings to furniture & stereos!! This game REALLY has it all! The learning curve is what you make of it in my opinion. It may seem hard to the n00b, but all you really need to do is ask someone you see for help. The included and online manual have enough content to get you started, but they are only to get you on your feet. This is an online game by the way. So ask, ask, ASK. Which brings me to another point. I have played several online games and so far, as long as I have played AO, I have yet to meet anyone fitting the description of a jerk. I am not saying that they're not there, but I have yet to meet anyone who wasn't eager to lend a hand to the new guy or girl.

You can click the image to the right to get your 7 day FREE trial by either downloading the full version of the game (600MB - Took me 1hr 45min) or ordering the the CD. If you decide to purchase the game you get the first month FREE!

NASCAR Racing 4 Demo...

I only tried the demo, but from what I can tell is that this may be a little to realistic for the arcade player. I found myself constanly wiping out and having trouble regaining a straight line. Now this could be because the game wouldn't let me configure the gas and brake pedals so I couldn't ease on and off the gas. I had to use the buttons on the steering wheel. So it was either full on gas or off... nothing in between. The graphics are pretty sweet, for what graphics there were. I couldn't change to a third person (or above car) view, it was the drivers seat all the way. I don't mind this, but when demo testing a game, I would like to at least see what my car looks like since there were no other drivers on the track. Which brings me to another disappointment. The demo only let me test drive on 2 tracks, there was no racing. I would have at least liked to race one race. There was a multiplayer option, but I couldn't find a game running (possibly to old a version). You also get a garage where you can configure options until you turn blue in the face, maybe too many options. All in all, NASCAR Racing 4 looks to be a pretty fun game, but only if you are REALLY into NASCAR racing and all the little details behind it. If your just looking for a game to race around with your buds... this may not be for you.

You can click the image to the right to visit the official website or download the demo at gigex.com and give it a run for yourself.

-----> DEMO <-----

Need for Speed: High Stakes Demo...

This demo is a bit limited. Also, if you have a 3D accelerated graphics card, you are going to need to run the "3DSetup" found in the Need for Speed Demo folder. It couldn't find my video card and defaulted to software mode (yeeccchhh!). I ran the 3DSetup and told it to use Direct3D and everything was peachy (although it said I do not have the proper video card -ignored). Lets move on... The game lets you race one race and in only one car out of the 18 original cars that ship with the game (you can DL new ones from the website). I didn't try my steeering wheel on this one (I will update this review when I do), I used my joystick instead. The racing seemed pretty straight up, nothing out of the ordinary, pretty much basic arcade racing. The graphics were pretty on the 1 out of 19 tracks that come with the game. The car handled pretty much like I would expect (I didn't feel like I was driving on ice, like in another game.) According to the game site, you can upgrade your cars and play through a career. Supposedly there is also traffic and police. Real weather, night racing and damage physics round out this game. There is not much else to tell about this being it is only a demo that was VERY limited. I liked it better than NASCAR Racing 4, but not as much as Motor City Online.

You can click the image to the right to visit the official website or download the demo here and give it a run for yourself.

-----> DEMO <-----