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Gamemonger, the home of news about gaming and all things related to gaming. Endeavouring to bring you almost-objective news in a near-timely fashion. Will predominately be about PC-related games, but if anyone has a suggestion for a good console article, just let me know!
Ok so I've told you all the fine points for making this Christmas the best for any gamer (well, almost any), but now it's time to tell you what NOT to buy ... because, let's face it, there's so much terrible, terrible stuff out there that just doesn't deserve to be looked at.

With every Halo, there's a 'I want to be just like it', and Blacksite: Area 51 is this years perfect example. It's a typical FPS that brings nothing new or exciting, and for the same amount of cash spent, you can have a far more enjoyable time playing said Halo 3 or Bioshock, among others. It's like a cheap Gears of War clone with little meat to the bones. As is Clive Barker's Jericho, another shocker of a release that had so much potential.


There's been a number of movie based titles released this year, and many have fallen by the wayside. Spider-Man probably came off the worst, with both Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe receiving critical pans. It's a shame, really, considering SM2 was one of the better movie based titles I've ever played. Meanwhile, TMNT, Beowulf: The Game, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Transformers are all ones to avoid, although to be fair Transformers isn't that bad ... it just could have been so much more.

For any kids out there, try to stay clear of Viva Pinata: Party Animals and Mario Party 8. Both titles fall short of the real party experience ... or any party experience, for that matter. The Nintendo DS, meanwhile, has a ton of really bad games, being that its the easiest console to develop for. In fact, the DS probably has more rubbish on it then any other console right now, which is a shame.


Anyway, those to avoid on the handheld includes the Mega Man Star Force series (poor Mega Man, forgotten within the modern world), The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night which doesn't do the series justice, and every brain training or sudoku game that rips off from Dr Kawashima ... yeah, they're bad. Trust me.

Finally, two of the years most disappointing titles. Need for Speed Pro Street, an unusual decision by EA to strip the entertainment value from the franchise and replace it with ho hum racing; and Hellgate: London, a modern take on Diablo (by people who worked on said Diablo) which doesn't really capture said Diablo's level of fun.

There's much more out there, but that should help you avoid any unwanted surprises on Christmas morning. Of course, you may still enjoy one of the above games ... maybe ... who knows ... but I wouldn't risk it.
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Calling all Gamers

December 13th 2007 10:34
Gamemonger is on the look out for some new team members, specifically those who want their thoughts on the gaming industry to be heard. You need a little writing experience, obviously, and a passion for all forms of gaming ... hell even monopoly, if you're so inclined.

Now remember, this little site isn't about gaming reviews, but it IS all about opinions. There's plenty of ideas that I'd like to explore, but I can't do it all by my lonesome, hence I'm calling out for a little help.

Now generally, this is a volunteer only system, I can't guarantee any funds from the site and my hip pocket is stretched to the max as it is. But I might be able to scrounge around and find a kit kat or something, if you're good.

So if anyone's interested in joining the one man band and becoming a world wide sensation ... or something like that ... then please post your thoughts here with a little perspective on your experience (don't panic, even if it's just many, many hours behind a control pad, that's enough for me) and I'll get back to you ... as soon as these new Halo map packs download...
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Christmas Gaming Ideas - Buyers Guide

December 4th 2007 11:08
It's Part III, and this time I'm taking a look at the games that should be on your must by list. Most you'll know, but some you may be surprised to see...

Bioshock - I haven't chosen a game of the year as yet (I'll make that choice later), but this one's right up there. There's no multiplayer options, but unlike some experiences, you don't need that option here. It's imaginative, beautiful to watch and perfectly balanced. It's on PC and 360, and being a few months old, you might be able to pick this one up even cheaper than it's original RRP.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Call of Duty returns in style, out of the shadows of World War II and into the modern world with a fantastic package. In fact, for those of you who have been waiting for a DS shooter since Metroid Prime: Hunters, it's working picking up, let alone on the 360 or PC. All in all, though, fans of CoD and shooters alike should pick this one up in any shape or form, it's that good.

Drawn to Life - THQ's sleeper hit for the DS is the perfect game for kids, combining a simple enough platform game with a unique twist ... the ability to create your own video game within a video game. Drawing heroes, items and levels using the stylus is by far the most unique use of the system's abilities in its lifespan. It's fairly simple, so some adult gamers may find it a tad boring after a while, but the kids will have a blast.

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions - The PSP hasn't had all that much to shout about this year, but here's one that shouldn't be missed. A rebuild of a PSOne classic, War of the Lions is more than just a Final Fantasy spin-off, but a worthy tactical adventure. Thankfully it isn't just a re-release either, which has happened a little too often for the handheld.

Half Life 2: The Orange Box - Have I mentioned this before? The best package deal on the market by far, with two of this years best releases: Portal and Team Fortress 2. If that isn't enough, get a whole lot of Half Life 2 as a bonus. There's one more chapter to come in the series, but it's uncertain whether there will be another package like this.

Mass Effect - Couldn't call myself a gamer without an RPG on here, and what an RPG to choose. I can't remember the last time Bioware put a foot wrong, as the first in a supposed trilogy of 360 titles continues one hell of a run for the company. Think Knights of the Old Republic without the Star Wars license and you're close. Worth the wait indeed, but questions over the next two titles still loom. EA may indeed pull the plug, but I'd say that's unlikely given the chart performance so far.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - Much like the PSP, the PS3 has had a tough time on the charts, but this top selling duo should do just the trick. Next generation visuals are just a small part of a much broader package, and how can you go passed a weapon that has your enemies dancing to disco music! It's the closest game that rivals Nintendo's platform dominance, and it certainly won't be the last if Sony has its way.

Skate - Tony Hawk used to be the king of the skateboarding genre, but this interesting title from EA has certainly changed that. A completely different control scheme offers up a new way to play, and although it's the first title in a new ongoing series, there's plenty to look forward to if this is any indication. It'll be interesting to see if Neversoft and Activision Blizzard (ah yes, i'll explain later) use this as fuel for a new Hawkster.

Super Mario Galaxy - Mario's back in a big, big way, which just goes to show that a bankable mascot can do wonders to a consoles profitability. Between Ratchet and Mario, these two should lead the way for the next gen platform genre, but it's Mario's outing that truly shines thanks to the unique nature of the Nintendo Wii and it's long standing millions of fans that have followed the plumber through thick and thin. Call it a thank you card, if you will.

World of Warcraft - Yes yes, it's an old title, but considering the amount of content (plus another expansion set for a release next year), millions of players to compete with and against, plus a price point far lower than any other MMO, it's still worth playing to this day. Yes, there's a monthly cost involved, but get involved with a guild and your friends and it will be far more worth the effort. Simply put, it's still the best MMO out there, despite all the new competition suggesting otherwise.

There's plenty more titles to choose from, but I think this lot should be a good start for that shopping list. As the year comes to a close, I'll start to list my top titles of the year candidates for each platform, among a few other activities. Keep an eye out.
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Christmas Gaming Ideas - Part II

November 28th 2007 11:30
Time for some more Christmas gaming ideas, what with December only a few days away. Can't leave it too late, can we...

Trade & Save - It may seem like an unusual idea, but it could save you a few hard earned dollars. Have a close look at your old games or, dare I say it, your kids old games, and ask the important questions. Do you still need them? Do you still play them? If the answer is no to both, then what better way to improve your chances of playing Call of Duty 4 or Need for Speed Pro Street this holiday season than trading in your old titles towards them


[ Click here to read more ]
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Soldier of Fortune Approved by OFLC

November 26th 2007 10:07
It isn't often a banned title will go under the knife to fit the Australian ratings system, but you can now add Soldier of Fortune to that small list.

SoF: Payback, originally barred from classification by the OFLC, will now be released as an MA15 title, thanks to the nip and tuck by Activision and the games developer, Cauldron. For us young Aussies, we'll get less bloodshed and a reduced ragdoll physics system, while options for dismemberment (eww) have also been removed


[ Click here to read more ]
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How often do you game?

November 20th 2007 11:51
It's a question I thought should be asked, since this is a readership that, I'm sure, plays until dawn while sipping on Red Bull, eating peanut m&m's and pwning everyone in sight... I'm close, right? Right?

So how often do you game? Come on, be honest now. Are you the kind of person who buys a game, plays it non stop for a week and then moves on to the next thing? Do you take your time, playing whenever your busy schedule allows it? Or are you the kind of person who randomly plays if there's nothing else to do, grabbing a controller just to wind down an hour then never returning until the next faithful day when your favourite football team is losing so bad there's no point in watching the second half


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Christmas Gaming Ideas

November 17th 2007 01:08
No matter where you turn, you know it's christmas at this time of the year. Whether it be the old decorations gracing the same spots they always have in your local shopping centre, or the dreaded S. Clause coming out of hibernation. Or, worse, the constant stream of bad music pumped out of those tiny mono speakers ... I shudder just thinking about that.

Anyway, the good news is, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your fellow gamer (or yourself, go on, admit it) a present to spend the holiday season on. But there's a few bargains out there that shouldn't be overlooked, so over the next few weeks, I'll be hunting around and giving you all some ideal suggestions ... just in case you really are stuck for thought


[ Click here to read more ]
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Answering the call: Ghostbusters Return

November 16th 2007 08:07
Well it's about time, that's all I can say. The Ghostbusters, an 80's classic that defined my very existence as a child, are returning ... to the game screen, no less.

The real sequel has been on again and off again so many times over the years, it's actually a little surprising that this has finally come about. Vivendi and Sony will publish the game across just about every major platform, with two teams working on two versions. Terminal Reality will work on the 360, PS3 and PC editions, while Red Fly Studio have been handed the task of bringing a more family oriented version to Wii, DS and PS2


[ Click here to read more ]
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November has just begun and, taking a look at this weeks release, you'd be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come early this year ... come to think of it, Christmas came last month. I mean, who buys decorations in October?

So anyway, we've got Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, The Simpsons game on just about every format imaginable, Guitar Hero III (which I'll be taking a closer look at later this week), Big Brain Academy on Nintendo Wii, The Lego Star Wars is complete (another game I'll be looking into for sure), and Pro Evo returns for 2008. Hell, even Dirty Dancing is getting a release this week


[ Click here to read more ]
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LucasArts & BioWare Together Again

October 31st 2007 08:24
It's all about the RPG's for Bioware, and now they have yet another project to add to the growing pile. What makes this new announcement so interesting is who they're working with.

Having joined the Electronic Arts stable just days ago, BW's next partner is none other then LucasArts, an old friend who politely lent the Star Wars license a few years back for the highly rated Knights of the Old Republic. Straight away, thoughts of the much anticipated third title in the series sprung to mind, but there seems to be just a little bit more to this story then first suggested


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