PC Games: January 2011

The Sims 3 Outdoor Living Stuff
by Electronic Arts
Platform:

Windows Vista / XP, Mac OS X Intel, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Release Date: February 1, 2011

Buy new: $19.95
7 used & new from $17.49

(Visit the Most Wished For in PC Games list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

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Review & Description

For the first time ever, your Sims can get the best in outdoor luxury for their homes. Whether they're decorating the perfect patio, setting the mood with a cool new hot tub, or firing up a state-of-the-art grill for the ultimate BBQ, your Sims' outdoor decor is getting a boost. Give your Sims everything they need for a stylish and comfortable outdoor living space with The Sims 3 Outdoor Living!

The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff is a collection of outdoor entertaining related items for use by your Sims in The Sims 3 and the various The Sims 3 expansion packs. Outdoor Living is the fourth stuff pack released for The Sims 3 and contains a wealth of items rooted in two new styles: "Garden Terrace" and "Sunset on the Veranda." Items cover a wide gamut ranging from outdoor furniture, fire pits, cooking equipment, hot tubs and even new attire.

Two New Styles

For the first time ever, your Sims can get the best in outdoor luxury for their homes in The Sims 3 Outdoor Living. This all-new stuff pack contains two new styles: "Garden Terrace," featuring elegant wrought-iron pieces and "Sunset on the Veranda," which embraces the warmth of outdoors. Whether your Sims are decorating the perfect patio, setting the mood with a cool new hot tub, or firing up a state-of-the-art grill for the ultimate BBQ, The Sims 3 Outdoor Living provides just boost they will need to get the party started.

Examples of items included in The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff

Two all-new item styles for all manner of outdoor entertaining.
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What is a Stuff Pack?

Stuff packs are add-on content for The Sims games that are designed to provide additional items for use in the base game. Stuff packs require the base game and/or expansion packs for the base game, in this case The Sims 3, for use.

Key Game Features

Build the perfect al fresco setting for your Sims with stylish furnishings, outdoor electronics, and cozy fire pits and fireplaces
Give your Sims several uniquely styled hot tubs where they can relax with friends or get romantic with someone special
Turn up the heat with an all-new built-in countertop grill as part of your Sims’ outdoor kitchen and take their cooking to a whole new level
Choose from two new styles: "Garden Terrace" featuring elegant wrought-iron pieces; while "Sunset on the Veranda" embraces the warmth of outdoors
Dress your Sims in an array of chic but casual attire for a great day in the sun or a relaxing evening under the stars

Minimum System Requirements (The Sims 3)

Windows XP/Vista

2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
1 GB RAM / 1 GB RAM (Vista)
128 MB video card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 (see the complete list of supported cards at thesims3.com/game/systemreq)
The latest version of DirectX 9.0c (XP)
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 / Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1
At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB of additional space for custom content and saved games

For computers using built-in graphics chipsets under Windows, the game requires at least:

Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA 3-Series or above
2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent
0.5 GB additional RAM

Mac

Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard or higher
Intel Core Duo Processor
2 GB RAM
ATI X1600 or Nvidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, or Intel Integrated GMA X3100 (See the complete list of supported cards at thesims3.com/game/systemreq)
At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB of additional space for custom content and saved games
This game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems, or the GMA 950 class of integrated video cards

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DC Universe Online Standard Edition

DC Universe Online Standard Edition
by Sony Online Entertainment
Platform:

Windows Vista / XP

(31)
Release Date: January 11, 2011

Buy new: ~~$49.99~~ $46.84
10 used & new from $42.00

(Visit the Hot New Releases in PC Games list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

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Review & Description

DC Universe Online brings high-energy action to the forefront with a combat system designed to deliver a fast-paced action experience with the extraordinary powers of DC Super Heroes and Villains at your disposal. DCUO offers a dramatic online setting where players battle with or against their favorite DC Super Heroes and Villains including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Joker. For the very first time, players and fans will be able to enter this fabled world as an active force for good or evil. The action and drama will play out in such well-known locations such as Gotham City and Metropolis.

Enter the world of your favorite DC Comics' superheroes and villains in DC Universe Online. Get ready to experience the high-energy action that encapsulates this fabled world, and become engrossed in thrilling battles with or against famed heroes and villains, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Joker.

Fight with your favorite DC Heroes

Artwork designed by Jim Lee

State-of-the-art physics engine

Synopsis

We join our hero perched atop a granite gargoyle high above the city of Gotham. His eyes squint as he monitors the streets below, searching for crooked criminal conduct. From afar, he hears the alarm from Gotham National Bank and he dives from the darkness into the illumination of the streets. He soars through the canyon of skyscrapers, hearing the buzz of the citizens below that he has chosen to protect. He sees the bank is only a block away — just then a burst of red passes him to join in the fray. As the two heroes approach the crime scene, they hear the creepy cackling of The Joker. This will not be a run-of-the-mill fight for justice, but then again — what is, in the DC Universe?

Key Features:

Battle with or against your favorite DC Comics heroes and villains, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Joker
Live out the action and drama in detailed, well-known locations such as Gotham City and Metropolis
Experience the intensity of the DC Universe in a 3D art style designed by legendary comic book artist Jim Lee
Take on story-driven adventures created by DC writers
Extreme customization lets you construct your own hero or villain
Use the environment to your advantage with the state-of-the-art physics engine that turns the world into your weapon
30-day subscription included; Internet connection and additional recurring subscription fees are required to play

Immerse yourself in the intensity that is played out in a carefully detailed 3D world that spans the entire DC Universe with locations such as Gotham City and Metropolis. Create your own custom hero or villain and then embark on story-driven adventures that have been written by famous DC writers. Will you choose to don the cape and mask to fight for good — or are your intentions more sinister?

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The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
by Atari
Platform:

Windows Vista / XP
Release Date: May 17, 2011

Buy new: ~~$49.99~~ $47.99

(Visit the Most Wished For in PC Games list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

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Review & Description

The second installment in the RPG saga of the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration. In addition to an epic story, the game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible both for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics put you in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game. A captivating story, dynamic combat system, beautiful graphics, and everything else that made the original Witcher such a great game are now executed in a much more advanced and sophisticated way.

Unique, intuitive combat system blends variety tactical elements with the most spectacular and dynamic combat sequences ever seen in a computer role-playing game A beautiful new graphic engine based on State-of-the-Art, new, ultramodern technology created by CD Projekt REDIn Brief

The second instalment in the RPG saga about the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration. In addition to an epic story, the game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible both for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics puts players in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game. A captivating story, dynamic combat system, beautiful graphics, and everything else that made the original Witcher such a great game are now executed in a much more advanced and sophisticated way.

Witcher 2 Screenshots (click to enlarge)

Brief Story Description

After helping to stop the rebellion undertaken by the Order of the Flaming Rose and saving King Foltest’s life, Geralt became one of the central figures of political turmoil in the Kingdom of Temeria. Geralt continues to protect the King in the monarch’s mission to bring peace to his state. The last bastions of the Order yielded to the royal army. The only remaining task is to pacify the rebellious castle of Baroness La Valette, who announced separation from the Kingdom. It’s been a month since the attempted assassination of the king, when his army arrives at the gates of Baroness La Valette’s fortress in preparation for the final battle. In the meantime, Geralt, stuck with Foltest, cannot begin his personal quest - to discover the origin and identity of the mysterious witcher-like assassin responsible for the attempt on the king’s life - a quest that would answer many questions...

Key Features

A truly epic, intense, emotionally charged adventure with non-linear game narration. Three independent plot lines with several alternative events are dependent on the player’s choices and lead to multiple different game endings and several additional plot forks. This time gameplay time will be shorter than The Witcher 1, but more intense and packed with events.
A complex, realistic and mature story touching upon subject matter seldom seen in other RPGs, told in a manner that is understandable and attractive to contemporary gamers. We investigate the assassinations of the rulers of the Northern Kingdoms and follow Geralt’s personal theme, in which he’s looking for his own identity. Gradually we learn how powerful forces influence our situation and what role they order us to play.
Rich, mature dialogue as found in Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series and The Witcher 1, presented in highly filmic cutscenes and dialogues sequences, thanks to a new game engine.
New, improved system of flashbacks. Now the reminiscences of Geralt, in which we observe the link between our past choices with current actions, are realistically and smoothly woven into the gameplay.
Sex and eroticism will be introduced in a much more realistic, involving and mature way, thanks to which sexual relationships are presented more credibly than in TW1.
Unique, deep, consistent and rich game world established in a series of best-selling books by A. Sapkowski and recreated in the game to provide an incredible, believable story-driven experience.
Believable, true-to-life characters with their own motivations and goals. During our journey we meet ordinary men, soldiers, rebels, powerful mages, rulers and their assassins. Depending on our decisions we meet different game characters, and our relationships shape further actions in the game.
Highly varied, breathtaking locations, which thanks to the new engine create a cohesive, fully accessible world!
Rich, living world in which every character has their own way of life and unique occupations. Our actions modify the relationship with the game-world population and, in the case of the main plot line, open or close the possibilities of interaction with the game world.
Greater freedom of exploration to provide increased game realism and a wider range of new tactical options. Geralt will surmount barriers, jump over fences, scale walls and ascend rock formations.

Premium Edition Contents

GAME DVD
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings game DVD.

MAKING-OF DVD
All the cinematic materials related to game - trailers, dev diaries, gameplay footage, interviews and making-of exclusive video.

OST CD
Audio-CD with in-game music.

ETUI
Box with all the contents of The Witcher 2 Premium Edition.

WORLD MAP
A map of the game's world.

GAME GUIDE
The Witcher 2 strategy guide for both novice and experienced role-playing fans.

GAME MANUAL
A rulebook and interface explanation to help you get started.

PAMPHLET AND COIN
A physical representation of one of the in-game items.

PAPERCRAFTS
Two papercraft dolls - Geralt and one random character for collectors.

DLC
Extra in-game feature for download: The Ultimate Swordsman Suit

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Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty: Black Ops
by Activision Publishing
Platform:

Windows Vista / 7 / XP

(325)
Release Date: November 9, 2010

Buy new: ~~$59.99~~ $44.99
61 used & new from $30.95

(Visit the Hot New Releases in PC Games list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

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Review & Description

The newest installment in the biggest action series of all time and the follow-up to last year's blockbuster Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops launches on November 9, 2010.

Call of Duty: Black Ops is a first-person shooter with stealth and tactical play aspect that puts players in the role of a shadow soldier fighting in a variety of historically representative fictional Black Ops missions of the Cold War era. Created with the input of actual Black Ops soldiers from the time, the game mixes traditional Call of Duty tactical shooter gameplay with new gameplay options designed to expand the players' experience. Additional features include extensive multiplayer options, along with new vehicles and explosive new weapons.

Putting Out the Hotspots of the Cold War
Follow-up to 2009’s blockbuster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks new ground in the Call of Duty series and the video game industry at large by delving into the not-so cold conflicts of the Cold War.

Black Ops solidier with face in shadow from Call of Duty: Black Ops

Relive the Cold War COD style.
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Inspired by the experiences of real Black Ops soldiers of the era, the missions of Call of Duty: Black Ops take the player to a wide variety of settings, ranging from snowbound mountain strongholds in historical Soviet held territories, to the jungles and urban settings of Vietnam War era SE Asia. Throughout all, care has been taken to maintain the traditional essence of Call of Duty style combat, while also introducing new types of player action that add to the gameplay experience. Additional features include co-op, versus and team-based multiplayer options, new vehicles like the SR-71 Blackbird and lethal new weapons such as explosive-tipped crossbows.

Key Game Features

Seventh installment of the Call of Duty series, based on the live fire conflicts of the Cold War era.
Diverse variety of play setting ranging from urban air and ground combat in SE Asia, to snow combat in Soviet region and jungle combat.
Blending of traditional COD, and new first-person character scenarios designed to both retain the essence of the COD gaming experience and ensure constantly flowing and varied action.
New arsenal of weapons and vehicles tied to the Cold War era, including the SR-71 Blackbird and sited explosive-tipped crossbows.
Wide array of play modes including single player, local multiplayer versus and online co-op and multiplayer.

3-D Game Features

Fully playable in stereoscopic 3D: the game will be compatible with 3D-ready HDTVs and 3D PCs utilizing state-of-the-art active shutter 3D glasses, delivering true depth of field and an unprecedented level of immersion that is perfectly suited for the Call of Duty action experience.
Awesome 3D experiences: aim down the sights of your weapons, fly in helicopters, rappel down mountains, move through highly detailed environments and more.
The experience is seamless to use with a simple menu option to enable stereoscopic 3D or disable it at any time whether playing in the single player campaign, multiplayer or Zombie mode.
Playable in both 3D and non-3D on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Call of Duty: Black Ops for Windows PC is NVIDIA(R) 3D Vision(R)-Ready and supports stereoscopic 3D gaming using 3D Vision active-shutter glasses and NVIDIA GeForce GPUs. For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system consoles, 3D features require a compatible 3D-ready HD TV.

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