Who would win in a fight to the death, Ryu from Street Fighter or Kazuya from Tekken?  What about Chun-Li versus Mega Man, or Pac-Man?

These crazy fights will be made into (virtual) reality later this spring  with the help of Capcom's latest creation, Street Fighter X Tekken.

Set to release on multiple platforms, including the Playstation 3, Sony's new handheld system the Playstation Vita, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows, the game will pit characters from the Street Fighter, Tekken and Capcom universes against each other in a struggle for survival.

 Gameplay

Tekken is a 3D game, with full 3D backgrounds and 3D character models, while Street Fighter is naturally a 2D game that has seen a few 3D versions.  In order to mix the two games together, Capcom made the great decision to make this game strictly 2D, but use fleshed out character models as in their latest Street Fighter games.

Many gameplay elements are taken from Street Fighter rather than Tekken, such as the heavy focus on team matches and short combos, but there are also several things drawn from Capcom's other mixed-brand fighting games, including Capcom vs. SNK and Marvel vs. Capcom.  There will be an emphasis on creating longer combos that start with one character and end with another team member, and there will be a few different ways to call your partner into the match as well as charge an EX meter that will enable you to launch special attacks on your foes.

If you have played the latest Capcom fighting mash-up Marvel vs. Capcom 3, you may have noticed how extremely frantic the fighting feels.  There is little time to react, and the screen is constantly bombarded by flashing lights, special move animation sequences and characters flying all over the screen.  With Street Fighter X Tekken there will be less frantic fighting and more calculated combat, as each player will move slower than the previously mentioned game.    The more advanced combos have been simplified so that newcomers to either game will be able to construct impressive looking combos without having to study and memorize them for days.

Story

Street Fighter X Tekken is a fighting game before anything else, and as such lacks a compelling, detailed story.  The plot in the game is weak at best, and just serves to attempt to connect the two fighting games.  Basically, a strange object drops from the sky onto Earth's surface, and no one knows what it is.  Teams of scientists and researchers try to decipher where it came from and what it does, but to no avail.  The only thing they discovered is that when two beings develop a conflict while near the object, a strange energy is released that makes the conflicted beings more powerful.  They end up naming the object Pandora, and the game explains that each character from Street Fighter and Tekken are forced to fight each other due to this object.

Many favorite characters have been announce so far, some were expected, and others were not so expected.

• Street Fighter will include: Ryu, Ken, Guile, Abel, Chun-Li, Cammy, Sagat, Vega, Dhalsim, Ibuki, Zangief, Balrog, Juri, M. Bison and Akuma.
• Tekken will include: Kazuya, Jin, King, Nina, Marduk, Bob, Julia, Hwoarang, Steve, Yoshimitsu, Kuma, Heihachi, Asuka, Law, Paul, and Ogre.
• Other characters from neither of the above universes will include: Toro, Kuro, Mega Man, and Pac-Man.

Fans of either the Tekken series or the many Street Fighter games will surely enjoy the action provided by this game, and the fact that you will be able to have Jin, Kazuya, Ryu and Ken all on the same screen should be enough for many fighting game-lovers to purchase a copy of the game for themselves.  Interestingly, Namco, who created the Tekken series, is also planning on releasing their own take on this fantastic cross between the two games, and their game is going to be called Tekken X Street Fighter.

No word on the details yet, and the game developers have stated that no work has been started yet, but the fact that two Tekken/Street Fighter games are in production is certainly exciting.  For now, though, Street Fighter X Tekken will quench your thirst for virtual blood until the second game comes out, whenever that may be.

When Final Fantasy XIII was released, many gamers and reviewers had mixed reactions.  In short, mostly everyone agreed that the storyline was immersive, the graphics were breathtaking, and the music was intense, but the gameplay itself was a major letdown because it seemed too simple and watered down for die-hard fans of the Final Fantasy series.

The game's direct sequel, Final Fantasy XIII-2, hit Australian shelves on February 2, 2012.  With it, Square Enix, who is responsible for the Final Fantasy series, took into account everything that the fans hated, while attempting to retain everything that beloved of the original.

Unfortunately, attempted is the key word here.

Gameplay

Unlike the original game, this new iteration has a much more fleshed out gameplay system.  The Command Synergy Battle system from the original Final Fantasy XIII-2 game is back, again using the Paradigm Shift system.  New to the sequel, however, is the ability to change the difficulty of each battle.  One of the complaints of the original is that the game's entire first half seemed to drag on too slowly, and there was too much of a linear path to take.

To address this, Square Enix decided to try something different.  Similar to video games centered around nonstop action like the God of War series, Final Fantasy XIII-2's cut scenes utilize a "Quick Time Event", which is basically a cinematic action sequence where you must press buttons at integral moments in order to deal higher damage to enemies and gain the upper hand.

Because the game's story is centered around the unraveling of time and time travel in general (we will get to that in a second!), a fun gameplay mechanic was introduced to Final Fantasy XIII-2 called the Historia Crux system.  With the implementation of the Historia Crux system, players will be able to jump through time portals that will propel them into different dimensions and planes.  An interesting note is that because the players can choose where to go, their choices actually have an effect on the storyline, and some choices may even affect the game's outcome, providing alternate endings.

Fans of the classic Final Fantasy games will remember that monsters and enemies appeared randomly on the map without notice, as much as you'd like, which gave the player a great opportunity to grind some levels.  Unfortunately, with the recent games, monsters began taking actual shape and you could see them on the screen before you encountered them, allowing you the option of avoiding the fight altogether.  You may rejoice, as with the latest Final Fantasy game monsters will be randomly generated on the map again, and Square Enix has done away with on-screen battles that are easily avoided.

Story

The original game's main character, the admirably heroic Lightning, returns in the sequel, and you get to play as her at the beginning of the game.  In the first Final Fantasy XIII, you assume the role of Lightning as she tries to free her sister Serah from the crystal prison, and in this new game you switch places.  Serah is now the main character, as is Noel, a mysterious man from the future who arrives in time to help Serah find her sister and complete his hidden agenda.  The story is fairly predictable, and it is definitely not as compelling as the one told in the original, though it gets the job done.  There will be times when the story seems to have been changed for the sake of filling plot holes, and some of the dialogue can be cringe worthy.

Conclusion

Overall, the game is almost the exact opposite of the original.  It traded a high quality story with superbly written dialogue for a game that contains a ton of fast paced action, engaging gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and more emphasis on the actual combat.  Fans of the Final Fantasy series will find nothing to complain about, but those who enjoy longer games may want to look elsewhere, as the main storyline lasts a total of 25 hours.  If you are looking for an extremely fun game with a simple story that just lets you kill stuff while developing your character and leveling up, then it will be a great purchase.

The Nintendo 3DS is currently the only next generation handheld gaming system on the market, so there really is no competitor for it...yet.

With the Sony Playstation Vita coming out February 23, it could add some healthy competition for the folks at Nintendo.

If you don't own either of them but you plan on buying one, how can you decide?

Price

If price is your main concern, the Nintendo 3DS definitely ends up being more inexpensive.  Costing an average of $100 less than the PS Vita, it will definitely leave some extra cash for you to spend on video games for your new system.  In addition, the PS Vita has an optional 3G version available that will cost more upfront, and charge you a monthly fee in exchange for a data plan service with a cell phone provider.  The Nintendo 3DS is the clear winner here, by a mile.

Graphics

This one is going to be a little trickier to determine a winner for.  The graphics on each system is different.  The Nintendo 3DS has two screens, and the base graphics are pretty good considering the price you paid for the system.  The main selling point for the 3DS is, well, the 3D aspect.  In terms of the 3D effect, it is clear enough that you won't get a headache from too much playing, and it has a useful slider on the side that controls the strength of the 3D effect.

For the PS Vita, which is being marketed as a pure gaming machine by Sony, it lacks the modern 3D graphics but makes up for it by providing stunning visuals and lush colors on the beautiful 5 inch OLED touchscreen.  Graphics are definitely better  than those found on the Playstation 2 and Nintendo 3DS, and with enough development may even reach the PS3 level of detail.  If you want the novelty of 3D gaming, the 3DS is your choice.  If you want impressive graphics and a high level of detail, however, the PS Vita takes the vote.

Games

What good is your gaming system if there are no games available for it?  The PS Vita was released in December in Japan, and there weren't any strong titles available on release date, which led to very poor sales of the device.  With the North America and Australia launches, better games should be available from the start, such as Mortal Kombat 9 and Uncharted.  Because it is a new release, though, there aren't too many games available regardless.

The Nintendo 3DS has the upper hand here because it was released over a year ago and has a bigger library, though the games may not necessarily be better.  If you are looking for action games or more realism in your games, the PS Vita is your game system of choice.  If you want fun, engaging games that are sometimes quirky, then definitely get the Nintendo 3DS.

Final Verdict

The resulting choice is actually kind of difficult if you haven't figured out what kind of games you would prefer to play, how much you want to spend (or your budget permits), and what you want to get out of your system.

For gamers who don't mind the higher price tags and want more serious games, the PS Vita will be a great choice because of its dual analog sticks that feel amazing in your hands (just like the home consoles!), and cutting edge graphics, as long as you don't mind having a limited selection of video games initially.

For those who want fun games that have some very interesting game mechanics which utilizes dual screens and impressive 3D visuals, the Nintendo 3DS will provide a great experience, as well as a robust game library for thoseåwho are willing to substitute the more serious games.

Sonic Generations is the latest game produced by Sonic Team.  It was released in late 2011 across the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS, though for this review we will focus exclusively on the console versions.

The game features the much anticipated merging of the ”old" Sonic from the 2D Sega Genesis era and the "new" Sonic that began life in the 3D world of the Sega Dreamcast.  While over the course of two decades the Sonic games have risen and fallen in popularity, this game shows effort in trying to regain their fan base, and ultimately succeeds.

Story

The story begins with Sonic and his friends celebrating his 20th birthday (because it's Sonic's 20th anniversary), when suddenly a strange being known as Time Eater crashes the party, and sucks everyone into many different time holes.  Sonic himself is thrown back in time and meets up with Classic Sonic, and together they team up to try and reverse the chaos.

There is not too much to the story, but this is not why someone plays a Sonic game, is it?  The developers did a great job of separating both Sonics by keeping their looks intact.  Classic Sonic is short, pudgy and does not speak, while Modern Sonic is much leaner, taller, and has a smart mouth.  The story serves as a great way to explain why the gamer is playing as both versions of the Blue Blur.

Gameplay

Both versions of Sonic will have gameplay similar to their respective games, complete with astonishingly detailed remakes of classic Sonic stages such as Green Hill, the Chemical Plant, Casino Night and Mushroom Hill from the Sonic games of old, and the City Escape from the newer Sonic Adventure 2.  Classic Sonic's levels are in the same vein as the 2D Sega Genesis versions.  The entire stage is viewed in a 2D side view, and the high speed runs are back, though at time it felt as though Sonic felt a little too light on his feet, causing me to spend a lot of time in the air.

Modern Sonic plays just as he did in Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, with many ideas taken from the newer games Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors.  The game is primarily viewed in 3D, from a third person perspective behind Sonic, but sometimes switches to the 2D side view for certain areas or enemies.

The sense of speed that comes from playing Modern Sonic is tremendous, especially playing as Super Sonic, his high speed version.  The white-knuckle velocities you will reach will be sure to get your adrenaline pumping, though at speeds that great, any little mistake can cause you to stop dead in your tracks, which might be a turn off to some players.

The soundtrack to both versions of Sonic stages are more of your typical Sonic video game music.  Ranging from hard rock to pulsing electronic music, the music is nothing to write home about  but it certainly helps add ambience to the game, serving to subliminally pump you up as you reach maximum velocity from spin dashing your way through the map.

Graphics

The graphics in the console versions of Sonic Generations are absolutely beautiful.  Bright, colourful and highly detailed are the words to describe the beautiful re imagining of many beloved Sonic stages.  The water looks phenomenal, and the blur on Sonic's feet make him truly live up to his Blue Blur nickname.

Conclusion

Some of the controls aren't perfect, causing you to accidentally crash into a wall or object and thus immediately halting your high speed glory, and the camera needs work in some areas of the game, particularly when you bump into said objects and the camera doesn't know how to react.

Apart from these small problems, though, the game will prove enjoyable for fans of Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic alike, and this feels like the best effort on Sonic Team's part to renew interest in nostalgic fans of the presumed-dead series and potentially revive it of its past glory.

This season brought many great options for gamers.

Fans of the first person shooter, or FPS genre, were left with a difficult decision when both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 landed on store shelves around the same time.  But if left with one choice, which game would you choose?

They are both high quality shooting games, perhaps even the finest in their genre, and they both have many great features that are sure to attract many potential players.  However, each game has their differences, and these variations really set them apart.  Both games will provide a unique experience to the gamer, but there are definitely a few key points to each game that might help make your decision easier.

Single Player

While both games provide a great single player experience, I feel as though Battlefield 3 is the winner in this category.  Modern Warfare 3 has a campaign not unlike the rest of the games in the Call of Duty franchise; extreme, over the top action and fast paced, run and gun shooting sequences.

Battlefield 3 on the other hand, has a much more realistic campaign mode that, while slow paced compared to MW3, can really immerse the player.

Gameplay

Modern Warfare 3 has a lot of the features from previous games, but many of them have been improved.  Compared to Battlefield 3 however, its maps are not nearly as gigantic.  BF3 has expansive maps and features vehicle combat through planes, jets, jeeps, boats and tanks.  It also has a more team-based mentality and awards the players with success if they stay close together.

I would also like to mention that the sound in Battlefield 3 is much more realistic, and if your speakers are good enough you will really feel like there is a war going on in front of you.  Additionally, BF3 further adds to the realism by rendering each individual bullet, rather than the MW3 way of just having the bullet hit wherever your cross hair is, with randomized recoil.

If you use a sniper in BF3, for example, you have to take into account the wind speed, how fast the enemy is traveling, where he is traveling to, and more, and try to aim for where he is going to be by the time the bullet reaches him.  Battlefield 3 takes the Gameplay victory due to their massive maps, detailed vehicle combat, team-based playing style and gun realism.

Multiplayer

There was no clear winner in this category, because Modern Warfare 3 provides a fast-paced action shooter like no other, while Battlefield 3 provides a realistic tactical shooter like no other.  If you plan to play on a PC, then the answer is Battlefield 3.   Because it was originally created for the computer, the PC version will have much bigger maps and airspace, making those dogfights between jets that much sweeter.  Also, the graphics will be significantly enhanced and the teams can be twice the size as their console counterpart, making it superior to MW3.

If you have a console, on the other hand, perhaps MW3 should be the game in your stocking this holiday.  A robust set of multiplayer games and maps, as well as a huge online crowd of rabid gamers waiting to pump you full of lead.

Conclusion

Based on these categories, Battlefield 3 comes out on top as the best overall shooter out now, but if you have friends that play MW3 instead of BF3, then you may be more inclined to get it, just so you can play with them of course.

If you have a console and have a love for fast multiplayer action, then perhaps MW3 might be the better option, but if you prefer an ultra-realistic shooter with adrenaline-pumping aerial dogfights and tactical combat, then Battlefield 3 is the way to go, especially if you own a gaming PC.

IGN Australia recently held an exclusive taste test in Sydney, offering up the chance for die-hard gamers to review the upcoming RPG Kingdoms of Amalur : Reckoning.

The exclusive event was offered to a lucky 15 people who won the chance the review the game two months ahead it's official release in February of 2012.

Reactions & Impressions Of Kingdoms of Amalur : Reckoning

• "It's really nice to see magic incorporated into a action RPG that's not completely separate from combat"
• "I love that you can choose your own path, you don't just have to follow one"
• "it's awesome. The world is so vast. You can just explore anything, anywhere."
• "The art style is great. It's really original, a bit different to every RPG that's just brown and grey."
• "I just really like all the design that's gone into the environment, the settings are really beautiful, the maps are really nice."
• " I love the destiny system, i think that works really well."
• "They have all the options there. Whatever character you want to make, there's a destiny card just for you."

In addition to previewing & playing this popular game months before the rest of the world, attendee's also received free Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning t-shirt & Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 'Destiny Cards'

Rubbing it in much? Well, to stay in the loop & watch out for future pre-release game reviews - visit IGN's website or like  IGN on facebook.

Kingdoms of Amalur : Reckoning will be released by EA Games  on the 9th of Febuary, 2012. 

Anyone who knows the feeling of returning from work stressed out and ready to snap at anyone who looks at them the wrong way might be interested in one of the more modern ways of relaxing in the evenings.

Actually, playing games in the evenings to unwind is an old fashioned idea, but instead of getting out the Monopoly board or grabbing some scrabble letters you can now do it online.

Enjoy the Retro Feel

If you are still trying to get over the loss of your Atari, Amstrad, Spectrum or Sony Mega Drive then there is some good news waiting for you. Pac Man, Asteroids and Frogger are a few of the classics which you can play for free online. Can you imagine the fun of trying to beat your 20 year old best score at Space Invaders? All you need is your PC and a couple of spare hours. Slipping on your old leg warmers and leotard is entirely optional.

Shoot Everything in Sight

When you get home from work with your teeth clenched and your nerves raw then don’t kick the cat or put another dent in the fridge door. Grab your computer instead and find some aliens or zombies to blast. These shooting games are brilliant for releasing tension. There are even some topical and political ones which come out now and then and let you have a pop at famous people.

Play Some Sports

We all love a good bit of sports action and online we can pick from football, snooker, golf and just about any other sport imaginable. A lot of the more interesting online games around are wacky versions of more than one sport rolled together. So you can play some sort of snooker golf game, a football tennis hybrid or even badminton sumo. Ok, so I made the last one up but someone should create it soon.

Earn Some Money

Of course, we wouldn’t mind earning some cash while we pack up all our worries in an old kit bag. The recent explosion in online bingo, casino and poker sites has left some players with seriously improved bank balances. If you have always fancied giving one of these games a try but aren’t sure about going to a club then giving them a go on the internet could be the perfect solution.

Work Your Brain

Do you like solving puzzles? To some people this is probably the last thing they need after a long day at work but for others it could be just the thing. The internet is filled with puzzle games and if you have your thinking cap to hand they can help you pass hours while gently relaxing and letting the stress slip away.

Join a Community

What about role playing games? These are massive right now and the most popular ones have thousands of players wandering around the landscape at any one time. If you want something which will completely wrap you up in it and get you involved in an online community then you might like to give this a try. The only worry is that you will start muttering to yourself about buying more gold and upgrading your weapons while you are at work.

For one of the most relaxing ways to spend an evening after work try some poker games on the internet and let your worries disappear.