Pure

When I was 17, I got my first PC. With it, I got my first PC game - Microsoft's Monster Truck Madness. It was fantastic - I absolutely loved it. I loved how when you crashed, you could call in the massive helicopter to take you back to the track. I loved the way that if you drove off the track, you could just drive and drive and drive, without being forced back onto the track. I loved the way you could type in a cheat, and your Monster Truck would turn into a T Rex. It was all fantastic fun, but, you know, if I were to boot it up now, I would think it was absolutely rubbish - poor graphics, poor gameplay - poor game full stop.

My curiosity was aroused at the prospect of playing Pure, an ATV quad bike racing game. I downloaded the demo from the PlayStation Network and started it up.

The demo consists of a training mode, which you need to complete (which is handy, because you can get used to the controls), followed by a three lap circuit around Lake Garda, Italy. The controls are simple - accelerate using X. When approaching a hill, pull down on the left analogue stick, and then push up when at the crest of the hill (in the same manner that a trick is performed in EA's Skate). To perform a trick, press X. Then, a 'Trick Meter' is filled - you can then progress to pressing triangle to perform a trick, or circle to perform a trick. You can also forfeit your trick meter by boosting - i.e., using boost will drain the boost meter, but not by a considerable amount. When the trick meter is full, pressing L2 and R2 will unleash a special trick.

Once I had mastered the controls (it is very easy to do so), I was ready for Lake Garda. I was pleased to see that there were 8 racers in the game - it's no fun racing on your own

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The game is very fast paced, and it is often difficult to realise where the track is going, particularly as in a few places there are forks in the track. There are some fantastic drops, giving the gamer ample opportunity to perform more than one trick per jump.

Playing the game, you feel as if you really are in control of a quad bike, and the feeling of speed is fantastic. Graphically, the game is a work of art - the visuals are stunning, and even though the majority of the time the scenery passes at a blur, there are moments - like when you are soaring through the air - that you can actually take in the breath-taking surroundings.

The three laps that you participate in are frenetic, no doubt about it. The tricks that you can perform are great, but if you don't land properly, the trick doesn't count. Also, repeat tricks are a no no - you've got to keep it original.

Of course, there are more advanced tricks to perform - depending on the direction that you press, as well as the combo of buttons that you press.

I was a bit disappointed that I came in first place on my first attempt, but to be honest it was such a struggle that I enjoyed it - I actually feel that I deserved to come in first, not that I breezed over the finish line way ahead of my opponents.

Overall review: 8/10

Would I buy this game? Most probably.

Will you buy this game? It's up to you, but here's the Amazon link:

Comments, as always, more than welcome.

The Bourne Conspiracy

I’m a great fan of Jason Bourne. The books had me gripped as a teen, and I hung on Robert Ludlum’s every word, eagerly turning each page as the unbelievable story of this secret assassin unfolded before my eyes.

And then the blockbuster films came out, with Matt Damon starring as Jason Bourne. What a hit they were! Although deviating from the books somewhat, they were still fantastic, and rekindled my interest in the Bourne series.

So when I found out that there would be a game, I was keen. Keen to see how the game would unfold, keen to see if I would enjoy it as much as the books and the films.

It was therefore with eagerness that I downloaded the demo from the PlayStation store, waiting with bated breath for the 1gb plus file to download... and then it did.

There are three demo levels to play in the game, and each allows three levels of difficulty. Each level is designed as a tutorial – level one: escape from the building using hand to hand combat skills; level tow: learn how to use firearms; level three: evasive driving. Fantastic.

One thing that instantly struck me was the fact that you can choose either level one, level two or level three. But, being the systematic kinda guy that I am, I played them in their correct order.

Level one starts with you, as Bourne, in a government building, with no weapons but your hands. Your mission: Evade the people hunting you down. Get out of the building before lockdown. Like Tomb Raider Legend, there are interactive scenes, where you have to press buttons on the controller to complete the scene. Get it wrong, and you have to do it again – but here’s the twist – it’ll be a different button. So: Press triangle to get under the dropping barricade. Fail. Try again, but this time, you have to press circle. The game stays one step ahead. I like that.

During hand to hand combat, you only need square, triangle and circle. Square is for lighter attacks, triangle for heavy attacks, and circle for takedowns – so when you’ve punched your opponent a few times, press circle to grab them, spin them, break their arm, and smash their head off of the desk in the process. Nice. The takedown sequences are great – if you are running, you can do a running takedown on an opponent.

One thing that I really liked about this demo level is that you can’t fight the men with guns. They have guns, you don’t. Logically, you need to run away from them, not towards them. That’s realistic, that’s gritty, and that’s good.

Moving on to the second level, you start in an underground train station, armed with a pistol. You quickly realise that you are under fire, so take cover behind the destructible objects. Mind the trains though, because they are frequent, and they are deadly – but you can use this to your advantage. Taking aim and shooting is relatively simple, and again, build up your adrenaline, and you can perform a takedown shot, which I found really impressive. Bourne switches to hand to hand combat when close to opponents, and a simple L2 whips the gun out again when necessary. I found an opponent hiding behind a car – a few shots towards the engine of the car, and it explodes, taking the enemy with me. Fantastic.

Level 3, although very short, gives an indication to the driving capacity of the game. Basically, you need to evade the cops whilst getting out of Paris. Although a short sequence, and not nearly as near as the car chases from the films, it is decent enough to let you know that there will be jumps, there will be smashes, there will be handbrake turns, and Marie will scream all the time. Sounds like when I drive everyday then...

All in all, this game looks fantastic. The graphics are smooth, the movie sequences are slick, and the gameplay is awesome.

My rating: 9

Will I be purchasing this game? Definitely.

Pre order it now!