First thoughts: The Creature creator is both easy to use and provides enough customization tools to create millions of unique little monsters.

Once you stuck in: This is an open ended simulation game where players can create a being that starts off as a few cells and quickly evolves into a galaxy colonizing empire. The game consists of five phases that work like simple mini games that link together. At the cell stage Spore plays out like packman with upgrades but then turns into a platform style game, then a RTS (Real Time Strategy – e.g. Warcraft) and finally a space trading style game with add-ons and extra features. The aim of the game is to survive and evolve; this means living in a world with creatures ranging from friendly little frog like creations, that try to ally and trade their way to dominance, to blood thirsty, trigger happy beasts that won’t hesitate to kill off anything that moves. There are many ways to interact with other creatures throughout evolution ranging from economics and religious propaganda to war. The amazing thing about this is that the entire progression of your creature is altered by the way you act. Meaning if you kill other creatures earlier on in the game more war orientated options and upgrades become available.

Best bit: The wide range of creation tools and options that allow you total freedom over your monsters, buildings and vehicles.

Worst bit: Online play is merely an option to share creations and the game as a whole is a bit simple and easy for experienced gamers.

Summary: Maxis has created another Sims style game that will probably appeal to female and less action orientated gamers. The vast universes and different game play variations make Spore a fun and long lasting game that will have you testing out different ways to play for a few weeks or even months.

Out of 10: 8

Reviewer: Jarred Poupado

First thoughts: The advertising for this game really lead me to believe that it was going to ‘out weigh’ Round 2. But when I started playing I wasn’t that impressed with it.

Once you stuck in: There are some good new options like having more blood on your victims and more strategic choices (cutting off the ring, bullying, hitting and running, using the jab to control the fight). But the general game play hasn’t improved much. The punches don’t look like they connect, the knockdowns don’t look realistic (they kind float for a couple seconds then drop), the crowd get monotonous, boring and keep shouting the same stuff over & over. There are other cons but each to their own. In this game the cons defiantly shadow the pros but that doesn’t stop it from being an enjoyable game to play.

Best bit: The higher difficulty in landing ‘haymakers’ (this game feels a lot more strategic as a result and more exciting – especially when you almost get knocked out and then reverse the fight with a haymaker of your own)

Worst bit: Your entrance music stays the same throughout and all the boxers do the same intro…

Summary: If you loved FNR1 and FNR2 and are expecting this new version to blow your mitts off, it won’t.

Out of 10: 5 (still fun beating the hell out of your mates)

Reviewer: Ric

First thoughts: The tricks look impossible to master but are well thought out. There’s really a lot to choose from… After developing the player who will represent you with facial features and clothing, you start playing to build up your points and skills in the street.

Once you stuck in:The game play offers you a variety of choices with your tricks. Each angle directed and button clicked gives another trick. Once you start to memorize your favourites, the game speeds along while still getting tougher. It feels good when you go up against famous players teams and totally whip their asses. Once you have reached a certain level you unlock more variety to the game with creating/ managing your own team, also getting to play more international tournaments and underground games. New players get bought and you have to juggle between them, keeping everyone happy.

The game is very ‘in your face and quick’. It’s not built for the Fifa fans that are looking for a game of football. Its all centred around the tricks and building up your gamebreaker points.

Best bit: Trick combos

Worst bit: Once again the characters are repeated to often. When you are playing new teams, there are characters who look exactly the same as some of the teams you have played before.

Summary: Great for the football fan or trick enthusiast.

Out of 10: 8

Reviewer: Ric

First thoughts: Starts off well with pieces of the classic story. You design the guy who will represent you (as in most role play games these days) and then move on through the story covering family, respect, and loyalty.

Once you stuck in: When I first picked up the control to play, I played for a 10 & a half session. It’s addictive! You negotiate your way through the 5 burrows of New York with mob hits, bank heists to drive-bys and extortion. You start off at the bottom of the food chain and work you way up through the ranks by extorting local businesses and doing tasks for the bosses. The game is pretty violent as you get to kill rivals in various fashions with a different execution styles for each weapons you carry. It’s amazing to actually be involved with each major activity just as it unfolds on the movie. Like you can be doing your normal hustling activities and then be called in at anytime for a mission. If you analysis the movie you will notice that in each scene there is a mission being preformed by a nameless person. In the game, that’s you…For example, you’re the one that has to sneak into the toilets of the restaurant to plant the gun for Michael Corleone. As you get more respect and grow in the family, your missions get harder (obviously) but still stay very relevant to the movie.

Best bit: Being involved with the legacy of Godfather. You get to be part of a classic movie & time in America’s rich history.

Worst bit: Some of the venues you go into are repeated. Not sure if that is just so you will be able to find our way around and are familiar with the place but it does get a little monotonous then.

Summary: Great all round game to keep you entertained for hours, if not days.

Out of 10: 9½

Reviewer: Ric