Reviews

The DeathAdder is the newest addition to Razer's growing family of high-end gaming mice. Gamers who play fast-paced first person shooters will probably get the most out of this mouse because it is equipped with Razer's new 3G Infrared Sensor. While I can't provide quantitative data support its name (it's actually named after a snake), I suspect that gamers will appreciate the unique combination of engineering, design, and flexibility that the DeathAdder offers.

While playing first-person shooters, most gamers tend to keep their sensitivity settings low to maintain accuracy. A low sensitivity setting allows you to line up your shots with care, but you'll find that more substantial movements, like reacting to a sniper on a rooftop, require you to move your mouse a greater physical distance. While these high speed motions often confuse other infrared and laser mice, the DeathAdder's 3G Sensor is capable of tracking movements at more than 60 inches-per-second without suffering from random cursor movements.

Good: Very flexible; great configuration software; comfortable; looks great.
Bad: Profile change button is in an awkward location; pricey for casual gamers.
Overall: Combines simplicity and flexibility to deliver a great gaming experience.
Price: $129.99
Where to buy: Amazon

If you ask a PC gamer to describe his or her ultimate gaming rig, they'll most likely focus on their cutting edge graphics card, powerful processor, and immersive surround sound system. They'll probably avoid the fact that they're using a three-year-old keyboard from a depreciated Dell. Gaming keyboards have been becoming more popular recently, but Razer's new Tarantula is one of more innovative products. Its features are so comprehensive that I agree with their decision to call it a "professional gaming keyboard."

If you're like me, you've wondered why RedOctane, the creators of Guitar Hero, didn't give gamers the option of buying a wireless guitar controller. The Freedom V Wireless Controller from The Ant Commandos (TAC) puts 2.4GHz of wireless technology between you and your PlayStation 2. The system consists of a V shaped guitar and a small receiver that plugs into the PS2 controller port. Once the guitar is connected, you're free to move anywhere within the controller's 100 foot play radius.

The Freedom V is similar to RedOctane's controller in many ways. It responds just like the standard Guitar Hero controller, without any noticeable lag or delay, and it's constructed from the same cheap plastic. But TAC's controller features several small improvements in an addition to its wireless features. The fret buttons, strum bar, and whammy bar all have more spring to them, which makes playing seem less mechanical and more natural. The guitar can also be played left-handed or right-handed thanks to an additional place for the strap to attach.

I went to this big mall here in D.C. the other day and picked up a copy of Dead Rising. I've haven't been playing for that long but here are my first impressions. This game is awesomely violent and full of gore. I wasn't really surprised since you play as a freelance photojournalist stuck in a mall for 72 hours fighting off zombies with anything you can find. It's not to be played in close proximity to your grandmother and it's definitely not for kids.

The sheer number of zombies on the screen at any giving time is staggering. The Xbox 360 processes dozens of bloodthirsty undead along with smooth environmental textures and lighting. The graphics are realistic but have an excellent style to them. The sound also contributes a lot to the overall mood the game. You’ll hear a clever mix of silence, moans, and zombie footfall.

A review of Logitech's first racing wheel for the Xbox 360.

The DS Lite is a big improvement over of the original handheld.

[image:519 align=left hspace=5 size=medium]So was walking through the mall with my girlfriend and spotted one of those game displays at FYE, featuring the one and only Table Tennis for Xbox 360. I would never ordinarily review a game like that, but I really felt it managed to capture the feeling of, "Wow...as mind-numbingly dull as this game is...I AM LOVING IT!"

Honestly, I don't know a single gamer who uses a racing wheel on a regular basis. This is probably because wheels are often expensive and don't match the precision of a standard controller. With an MSRP of $99.99, I wouldn't call the DriveFX cheap, but after some adjusting I was able to handle turns like a pro. Its innovative axial feedback technology uses motors to send vibrations throughout the wheel and create a great sense of realism that might be enough to grab the attention of racing buffs.

The axial feedback motors are in the steering column and they vibrate when something happens on screen--just like the standard vibration in the 360's controller. When you crash, skid, or shift, the wheel applies resistance and vibrations in the appropriate areas. This makes it feel like you are really fighting with road during a tough maneuver.

[image:818 align=left hspace=5 size=medium]One of the greatest franchises in turn based strategy is back with its latest installment. Heroes of Might and Magic 5 has finally been released, and for fans like myself who have been playing HOMM for a decade, it’s about time. Like other fans of the franchise, I was worried about Ubisoft and Nival Interactive taking over the license. 3DO and New World Computing crashed and burned shortly after Heroes 4 was released, and it seemed as if Heroes of Might and Magic would be gone for good. Well don't you worry your pretty little head; Heroes 5 delivers.

Right before Razer's appearance at E3 2006, the company released the Krait, a mouse designed for Real-Time Strategy gamers, the Mantis, a massive mouse pad with several unique features, and the Armadillo, a clever cable management system. I gave each of these a try to see if they make the cut when it comes to high performance PC gaming.

The Krait is Razer's first mouse designed to provide the speed and precision needed for RTS games. It aims to provide high precision mousing without sacrificing precious time. A 1600 DPI sensor a 16-bit data path allow it to send more information to you PC quickly. With its Teflon feet, the Krait is able to glide across most surfaces--including computer paper, bare wood, and of course the Razer Mantis (we'll get to that later). I used the Krait to play several hours of Age of Empires III and The Battle for Middle Earth II and did not experience any skipping or delay. These are good results for a mouse of this price.

When I came across Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers, I was not all too impressed. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much of a quality game from Pandemic and THQ. To be totally honest, I was expecting to review a flop of a game. However, after I got moving, I was pleasantly surprised. FSW is a smart, original, and intuitive game that dabbles in several different genres.

[image:632 align=left hspace=5 size=medium nolink=1]When it comes to World War II shooters, simulators dominate. Games like Call of Duty and Brothers in Arms aim (for the most part) to be realistic, cinematic, and emotional. Not that I was tired this style, but I was happy to see that someone was thinking outside of the box. Unfortunately, The Outfit doesn't quite deliver. And, while they made a good effort, I'd still take a solid game like Call of Duty 2 over this.

[image:448 align=left hspace=10 vspace=10 size=medium]Nothing stirs up mainstream press, politicians, and parents quite like a game that is similar to the Grand Theft Auto series. 25 to Life created a lot of commotion over its subject matter in the months leading up to its release, but the game is far from front page status now. The game leaves you wanting to play San Andreas or Max Payne for a quality experience.

25 to Life puts you in the shoes of Freeze, a gang member who wants out of his dangerous business. His fellow gang members aren't too happy about his decision and set him up during his "last job." His wife and baby are kidnapped and he must get to the bottom of the entire ordeal.

[image:392 align=left hspace=10 vspace=10 size=medium]Black and White 2 puts the power into your hands--or rather, your hand. You play as a Greek god birthed to save the dying Greeks after severe punishment from the Aztecs. After fleeing your homeland during a massive Aztec attack, it is your goal to rebuild the Greek society, obtain the support of the Japanese and Norse people, and reclaim the land that is rightfully yours. Officially, one would call this a strategy game. But I've found that it has hit the spot for my action/adventure needs as well. Black and White 2 bundles epic warfare and a great story together into one hell of a game. Not to mention, you get to play god.

[image:350 align=left hspace=10 vspace=10 size=medium]Since the Hollywood hit, Fast and the Furious hit the theaters there has been an explosion of street racing media that teenage kids have been absorbing like a sponge on water. Yet, as the scene starts to age a bit kids are getting tired of the same repetitive tuner games. So the Need For Speed series starts to drift back towards its previous theme and away from the Underground ambiance. In this game EA holds the racing during the daytime and showboats impressive lighting effects, well developed car models, and brings the police back into the mix.