Gaming Review January 2009

Civilization Revolution (PS3, XBOX360)

There’s been a lot of crossover strategy games of late. SimCity made an appearance on the DS, and now Civilization, a game normally more at home on the PC, has made the leap to console.

The controls work effortlessly and the interface slides gracefully around the map, moving you from city to city. The single greatest achievement, it has to be said, is the graphics. Somehow, in the move from desktop to console, the graphics have been given a serious boost.

Gameplay is highly addictive, too. I was quite happy to while away countless hours, building up my armies and demolishing neighbouring factions. This really is the best way to enjoy an interactive version of RISK.

Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, XBOX360)

GTA 4 returns to the roots of its success by taking the story back to Liberty City. But this is not Liberty City as we know it; this is an all-new, high—definition Liberty City.

Boasting a heap-load of new graphic techniques, this game delivers all of the charm of its predecessors and more, as it moves the series forward. You see, this one seems a little more grown-up, a little more mature. The handling of the cars has been upgraded, which I will admit, threw me at first. lt’s not as straightforward as before. Rockstar have outdone themselves, they have created a universe in which you feel privileged to be allowed to play.