Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(PS3)

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(PS4)

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(XBOX One)

The so-called final chapter of the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga has arrived and it's definitely worth the wait for those who want to jump out from their cardboard boxes just to try the latest installment of one of the most influential video game franchises ever. The Phantom Pain pushes the Metal Gear formula to greater heights because, for the first time, MGS goes open world. Because it's now open-world, players have been given the freedom to unleash their stealth tactics or whatever means necessary to complete series of missions as well as gaining items to build their own Mother Base and defend against rival players worldwide.

Set years after the tragic events in Ground Zeroes, Snake was left in a coma by a mysterious intelligence network known as Cipher. Aided by his old enemy, Ocelot, Snake sets on a trail to Afghanistan to rescue his partner, Kaz Miller, who was held by Soviet troops. As the search for Miller progresses, the conspiracy behind Cipher lurks and who's the enemy is Snake facing on now?

With lessons learned from Ground Zeroes, the newest bits in the world of Metal Gear has been implemented in The Phantom Pain such as taking advantage of means of transportation, CQC takedowns, and so much more. That's just the beginning because while this game is best played with next-gen consoles such as XBOX One and the PS4 (we'd recommend playing that game on that one), The Phantom Pain feels more realistic than ever thanks to realistic passage time and realtime weather. That looks realistic but further stealth measures need to be implemented while harnessing the elements thrown at you.

In some missions, you are never alone because thanks to the Buddy System, you can seek help from elsewhere to finish the mission with efficiency and cleverness. You can summon help from wolves, have several uses with a horse, and get a little help from a character named Quiet.

Gaining resources as learned from Peace Walker is now more than ever because apart from using Fulton Recovery (which is time-efficient than dragging them to your ally chopper called Morpho, amidst their limited quantities) on your enemies and vehicles, you can even use it on animals and other objects. As you get more, you can use them to build your own Mother Base and, for an added bite, defend against other players trying to steal your valuables from your Mother Base. If you had the urge to steal other players' stuff from the Mother Base, feel free to do so.

If you had enough fun with the innovative solo gameplay, you can turn over to multiplayer gameplay via the return of Metal Gear Online but you have to wait till next month to do so. With MGO's return in TPP, gamers must work together to defeat opposing teams in series of multiplayer matches and win.

With The Phantom Pain now out on both Playstation and XBOX consoles as well as for PC users via Steam, players can witness the end of the prequel saga that tells the secret origins of the legendary mercenary known as Big Boss. It's kinda shame that despite the marvelous work poured in by the Metal Gear people, this is nothing more of a parting gift from the man behind the franchise, Sir Hideo Kojima himself. But let's not get to wistful about it because even though this is the parting gift from Kojima-san himself, this is by no means the best Metal Gear played ever and, for once, you can't really put a cardboard box-related joke on it.

For those who have it, as always, best of luck!

Forza Horizon 2

Forza Horizon 2 (XBOX One)

Forza Horizon 2 (XBOX 360)

Close your eyes. Imagine there's a fail-safe switch button that came out from the Lamborghini Huracan. Flip the guard, push the button, hear the distant thunder from the V10 engine, feel the Huracan racing through the roads against rival supercars, and now, it's time to wake up. Welcome to Southern Europe and welcome to the world of Forza Horizon 2.

The biggest automotive playground is back for its second iteration and this time, it's bigger than before as Forza Horizon 2 delivers the biggest Horizon experience yet. Even if you still have your dusty old XBOX 360, you are still invited to the world's biggest car extravaganza yet. Unlike the events that happened two years ago in the first installment, Forza Horizon 2 pits players to the beautiful backdrops of Southern Europe where players enjoy the rich scenery and the endless automotive party they can throw at them. With all the distant thunder from the engines, the laughter from the people, and the sweet sound of music come together to create one big epic adventure for the petrolheads, veterans, and rookies alike.

The crowd's been salivating over this one because the latest installment a massive wide-open world featuring dramatic weather and day-to-night cycles. Yes, you heard that right. Weather change is happening for the first time in Forza history and the added weather change adds an interesting challenge even for the skilled players alike. It's not just the time you'll be worrying now, it's the weather you'll be facing while you race against a bountiful of rivals from a multitude of countries.

There are over two hundred scorching hot new rides to choose from, especially the hero car from the game, the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4. They are separated into a multitude of categories and each category is just the necessity to take part in a championship where you'll need the right car to take on the assigned challenge. As you begin your journey on Horizon 2, you can choose one of the three starter cars; the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe, or the 1998 Toyota Supra RZ. As you progress, you will be able to buy new cars for your collection and it's yours to tune and redecorate just the way you want. Also, expect more cars to arrive via DLC every month so watch out.

Also, you might need to look out for barn finds, and in Forza Horizon 2, there are more barn finds to hunt than before but it's going to take some time before the right moment to approach and when that happens, good luck hunting that priceless barn find. Find it and the dough's yours but don't count on finding them so easily because they are hidden within the European landscapes so keep your eyes peeled.

Now, it's time for the tricky question; just what is the difference between the XBOX 360 version and the XBOX One version of FH2? There is a simple answer for that because while the XBOX 360 version was developed by Sumo Digital, the XBOX One version was developed by Playground Games and the XBOX One version offers more stuff than the XBOX 360 version such as dynamic weather change, ultra-realistic graphics, some XBOX One-exclusive cars such as the Ariel Atom and the Caterham R500, the use of Drivatars, and more challenges than the XBOX 360 version offered. Looks like the ultimate FH2 experience is only on XBOX One but never mind. Whichever version you had, you are more than welcome to be part of the biggest celebration of the year and you can keep yourself longing for days, getting hooked on the rich Southern European landscape while witnessing the biggest ride of your lifetime.

Welcome to the world of Forza Horizon 2. Leave your limits.

Akumajo Dracula Lords of Shadow 2

Akumajo Dracula
Lords of Shadow 2 (PS3)

Akumajo Dracula
Lords of Shadow 2 (XBOX 360)

Four years ago, Konami and developer Mercury Steam wanted to give the secret origin of Dracula a powerful revision in Castlevania Lords of Shadow (日本名: キャッスルヴァニア ロード オブ シャドウ). After Gabriel Belmont, the one-time member of the "Brotherhood of Light", battled Satan in the underworld and at the end of the previous story, Dracula's secret origin and his connection with the Belmont clan was revealed. Welcome to the sequel: Akumajo Dracula Lords of Shadow 2 (日本名: 悪魔城ドラキュラ ロード オブ シャド2)

The sequel to the 2010 reboot, available on the PS3 and XBOX 360 consoles, delivers new twists, action, adventure, and challenges, as players take on the role of Dracula, the lord of the vampires, only this time he must take on the ultimate evil while taking on a new world; a modern world. Most of the familiar faces in the Dracula story returned and looks like fans wanted to expect this game to be far beyond compare against its predecessor...and it did, just.

First and foremost, you might think that it's simple to play than the last one but once you progress further, it gets harder and harder but when you get through the hang of it, it will be more rewarding and take advantage with all of the skills to survive through the last battle.

Similar to the light and dark magic from the first installment, Lords of Shadow 2 gives players another tactic to master; mastering void and chaos magic. Depending on the enemy you're facing, mastering the void magic and the chaos magic will give you an edge on the battle. You can also absorb the enemy's void or chaos magic as well and then use it wisely in the heated battle. This is just like the electrolytes from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. To be more powerful,, give everything you got to survive to the very end.

As you defeat numerous enemies, you'll gain experience and you'll need experience to spend on key items or even artwork from the game.

No Dracula game will ever be complete without ever-challenging boss battles that test the mettle of your battle-proven tactics. In LOS2, boss battles require your precise combat skills, either direct or area attacks, as well as guarding. If you want to unleash more powerful attacks, try for the chaos magic but if it's health restoration you're after if you're not in the time for healing items, void magic will help you. Make use of these and you can defeat even the most menacing of foes as you fight your way back to the castle.

Don't think you're done with this because even when you finished this game, there's still work that needs to be done because there are numerous achievements to complete and some difficulty settings to master. Once you've done this in the most difficult setting, you are worthy of it but if you want more challenges, you can also purchase the "Story of Alucard" DLC. In this DLC, you can take on the tale of Alucard, a vampire who wanted to end his bloodline.

The concluding tale of the Lords of Shadow story is definitely one of the must have for your PS3 or XBOX 360 and if you're a hardcore gamer, look no further.

I'm very happy that with this game, looks like there's hope for the franchise but there is one bit of problem because even with LOS2, looks like the future of this Castlevania franchise is in doubt right now. Some of the people involved in the development of the Castlevania franchise moved down south for numerous reasons and today, of course, it's hard to tell the future of the franchise because pretty soon, there won't be any other Dracula game for the next generation. And that made me sad...

Latest episode of Kojima Station showcased some Ground Zeroes world records

In the fourth episode of the Kojima Productions' KOJIMA STATION (English version) webcast, our experts showcased some unbelievable records set by players who played the prologue to Metal Gear Solid V, titled Ground Zeroes. As of April 10, 2014, players from all over the world spent a grand total of 3650446:04:36 hours of gameplay, that's an equivalent of 416.71 years!

There are some impossible world records set by the most expert of players and that gave them a scratch in the head how in the world did they set such a record like this. 456.89m of the longest range headshot, longest two-wheel driving time is an unbelievable 34:338:41.990, farthest distance enemy sent flying is a whopping 290.38m and the most impossible of all...Longest Range Headshot (tranq.) is an impossible 301.10m! 

It's impossible to perform a longest range headshot using a tranquilizer gun in Ground Zeroes but is it?

Watch the latest at: http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/station/en/

Oh, and be sure to grab a copy of Ground Zeroes now and see if you can set some records...

Need For Speed Rivals

Need For Speed Rivals (PS3)

Need For Speed Rivals (XBOX 360)

The latest entry in the Need For Speed franchise, titled Need For Speed Rivals, gives this franchise an ingenious spin and it's loaded with new and returning features NFS fans would salivated for but is the new NFS game worth the try?

NFSR raises the stakes of rivalry in Redview County where cops and racers wage a war in the streets and throwing everything they got to get in their way. To make this game a little bit riskier, NFSR comes with a new scoring system that lets players risk their speed points for higher multipliers and greater rewards such as new cars and pursuit/evasion technology. The more challenging it become, the more you'll get but get busted by the cops, you'll lose all the hard work you've done but if you want to avoid this situation, make sure you evade the pursuit and then bank them when you return to the hideout. Being a racer is all about the thrills in NFSR and using your wits and your driving style, outgunning the cops and racers is a bit of a challenge.

Not only NFSR lets you be a racer but you can also be the cop. That's right. BE THE COP. Feels like Hot Pursuit but with some ingenious spin on it. As a cop, you'll need some cooperation with your fellow coppers if you want to score some speed points by busting racers using the long arm of the law. You'll start as a Patrol unit and as a cop, there are numerous assignments to complete and as you'll progress, you be up the ranks as an Enforcer and if you're too good to be a cop, you'll be reaching the ultimate rank for cops: UNDERCOVER. Undercover cops will take advantage of powerful cop cars but facing more difficult assignments than the previous two ranks.

Cop or racer, it's the competition you'll be going to blow away and take advantage of both sides if you want to get ahead of the competition. As you cleared numerous Assignments as a cop or Speedlists as a racer, you can unlock new cars you can purchase it with your SpeedPoints. Pursuit and Evasion technology are all available at the start but you have to buy them and as you progress, you can unlock more powerful tech suitable for pursuit and evasion purposes.

As a racer, one thing you'll notice is the return of personalization and in the beginning, you can personalize your car by changing the color, rims, and license plate. You can use SpeedPoints to buys some personalization stuff such as stripes, decals, liveries, and performance parts.

For cops and racers, NFSR offers a wide variety of cars offered; most available for both, some available for racers only, and few available only for cops. You can expect hosts of new car such as the new Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche Cayman S, Audi R8 V10 plus, McLaren P1, Koenigsegg Agera R, SLS AMG Black Series, Camaro ZL1, Corvette C7, Aventador, GT500 Mustang, Aston Martin Vanquish, SRT Viper, and so much more. More importantly, Ferrari makes a comeback to the world of NFS and this comeback is spearheaded by Ferrari's new V12 flagship, the F12berlinetta. There are numerous Ferraris available such as the 458, 599 GTO, FF, and the Enzo. Whichever car you'll choose, the differences are all up to you.

Yes, some cars in this game are unlockable through progress but if you're a lazy man, you can spend under $10 for an add-on called Timesaver Pack. Yes. Timesaver Pack, the lazy man's choice. Buy this DLC and most of the cars unlockable through progressions are all yours. Just remember you still have to buy these cars and tech using your SpeedPoints.

There's an even bigger surprise in store in the car lineup because there's a special Ford Mustang, to be featured in next year's Need For Speed movie, making a special appearance in the game. How can you find this special machine? Well, it's all up to you, buddy.

The most important part of NFSR is the new Alldrive feature, where you can join alongside online players who are already racing and chasing, making single-player and multiplayer a thing in a past. No lobbies, no waiting; you and the other online players all share the same game, same race, and same chase. It's kinda like the Time Shift Multiplayer from Real Racing 3, except it's more difficult than ever.

What's more noticing is the NFS Network powered by Autolog. It's more than just a companion app, the NFS Network allows you to connect, compare, and compete with your friends. It checks how much you progressed through NFSR and with OverWatch, you can either help or hinder your friends. To try this feature, log in at https://network.needforspeed.com/ or get the app from the iOS App Store or Google Play for Android. Looks like connectivity is the name of the game here...

So, what can I say about NFSR? Well, it maybe more like Hot Pursuit but with some ingenious spin that will make players keep playing for more until they beat it, it has all of the cars suitable for cops and racers alike, it's good to see Ferrari back in the franchise, and overall, it's more hardcore as you take the risks. It takes some guts and determination to edge out the competition here at Redview County.

It's now available on the PS3 and XBOX 360. The PS4 version is the launch title for the PS4's North American debut. Of course, North America is the first to get PS4 while Japan will have to wait till February 2014. As for the XBOX One version, one of the launch title but it will be here this week following with the launch of the XBOX One.

URL: https://network.needforspeed.com/

Grand Theft Auto V

GTA V (PS3)

GTA V (XBOX 360)

The latest installment of the boredom-killing, crime committing, high-praising, highly-criticized, Grand Theft Auto series gets an ingenious spin as the brand new Grand Theft Auto V takes hardcore players to the fictitious world of Los Santos, the city where Grand Theft Auto was to Los Angeles in real life.  Anyway, enough analogy for now, what's like to play GTAV? Well, time to get the job done folks because here in the grueling world of Los Santos, you are in the role of one of three main protagonists in this game and the best thing is, you can switch each one for your liking. Each character has their own unique abilities and how you use it is all up to you.

Michael is a retired bank robber and living comfortably in an unofficial sort of witness protection program. He gets what he wants but he's still miserable. Franklin is a former gangster looking for real opportunities as a repo man for an Armenian car dealership. Whoever can't make the payments, it's Franklin's responsibility to "repo" them. And lastly, Trevor is a drug user and a former colleague of Michael's. This guy's had a lot of anger issues to deal with. All three had different stories but what they had in common is...they're all in this together in a town full of fame and fortune.

Like most GTA games, you start with the easiest stuff but as it progresses, missions are getting tougher and tougher and you'll gonna need a lot of firepower and some armory to clear through the missions with ease but don't take it too seriously, you'll gonna need some cash and some wits to obtain weaponry in both the free roam and in missions. It's tough surviving the bloodbath and no matter how determined you are, it's still the same old, same old until you finished the mission.

In keeping up with the hard work, each character has its own unique abilities. As Michael, you can slow down time during gun battles for precise targeting of enemies, while Franklin has better driving ability, allowing you to get through corners and swerve through built up areas without a scratch, and Trevor take less damage from enemies and can perform a much deadly melee attack on his enemies. Play to their strengths and you're fine.

Amazingly though, in the tradition of hijacking forms of transportation, GTAV offers more rides to hijack than ever. From family cars, taxis, cop cars, sportscars, scooters, motorcycles, whatever you name it, stealing those never felt so exhilarating but that's just the tip of the iceberg because in here; it's by land, by air, and by sea. Not only just the cars and bikes you're hijacking but it's the boats and aircraft you might be hijacking and with numerous choices, the world of Los Santos and Blaine County has so many opportunities to offer.

If you're not in the middle of missions or butchering some cops and robbers, there are so many lifestyles GTAV has to offer. You can go shopping, yoga, golf, tennis, triathlon, scuba diving, jetski, and anything else that will really kills your boredom. Ah yes, living the life like a boss, that's the way to do it!

Also, if you want to kill some time even further, there's even GRAND THEFT AUTO ONLINE offered on this game and you can join the fun with other players worldwide as you can enjoy numerous lifestyles in Los Santos, aside from the butchering, the killing, the shooting, and whatever you want.

There's no doubt about it, the latest installment from the demented minds of Rockstar Games really pulled it off very quickly and Grand Theft Auto V is off for a very promising start. The best game in ages is now made even better and even more addicting than ever. Even more addicting than drugs, I think. If you got bored doing nothing, then this is the game to have because with such new mechanics, GTAV will surely make you occupied for hours. Amusing? Oh yeah...

LIMITED EDITION:

There are limited editions offered. The special edition offers not just the game but there goes the steelbook casing, a blueprint map of Los Santos, special ability boost, stunt plane trials, bonus outfits, tattoos, and additional weapons. The Collector's Edition, on the other hand, has all of the stuff from the special edition with the addition of GTAV security deposit bag with logo key, a New Era 9FIFTY Snapback Cap, customizable characters for GTA Online, and unique vehicles and garage property. 

Forza Motorsport 4: The first Type R Honda

Memories of Integra Type R

The Honda Integra Type R, if my memory serves me correctly, was the first ever front-wheel drive Type R model ever made. When it comes to the word "Type R", you know what that means. Yep, it's total noise pollution to the suburbs and speedo boys from around the world are indulged in such a phenomenon that caused a stir in the neighborhood. Hondas are like...gangsters or criminals in the past because when night falls, the noise from every souped-up Hondas' exhausts kicks in and it's...TOTAL NOISE POLLUTION. He he he...When a Honda gets tuned by a speedo boy, that's what this kind of carnage gets. He he he...

Anyway, the Integra Type R, I know this is a memorable car but let's remember, this is the car that gave a spin to the Type R moniker. Let's start with the DC2 model, the first of its kind...

The first of its kind...

The Honda Type R roots pay tribute to their first ever winning F1 car and essentially high-performance versions of their respective models. Type R models have unique features such as a red Honda badge, improved VTEC engine, weight loss, and special Championship White paint.

The Integra Type R, based on the facelifted DC2 model, was first introduced in Japan in 1995. The Integra Type R is available in either a 4-door saloon or a 3-door liftback. The 1.8L VTEC engine was uprated to 200PS of power and it was equipped with a 5-speed manual and Helical LSD.

Basically, Integra Type R models are made for homologation purposes to meet FIA certifications to compete in N-series and World Cup racing. Little known fact that for each model sold, Honda lost money even though extra dealer markups sometimes made for excessive dealer profit.

Start the clock...

The DC2 Integra Type R did it in 1:32.562...

Okay, so what about the Acura equivalent?

Japanese Type R vs. American Type R.

For 2000, the Type R model was joined in the Acura Integra lineup and for this Acura version of the Integra Type R, it has the same 1.8L engine as expected from the JDM Honda Integra Type R but the power output is lowered by 195HP of power and 130lb-ft of torque but on that time, it was one of the most powerful 4-cylinder powerplants available in America.

For the Type R model, the ride height has been lowered and features a revised shocks, springs and sway bars for sharper handling. To reduce weight, the Type R provided less sound insulation, a 10% thinner windscreen, and lightweight wheels.

During its 4-year production run, about 3,822 Type R models were sold in North America.

Start the clock!

...the Acura Integra Type R lapped round the track in 1:32.501...That's about almost as similar as the JDM DC2 Type R, even though the Acura Integra Type R has less power and torque.

And now...the last Integra Type R ever made...the DC5! Imagine!

Here comes the DC5!

Shortly after the Honda Integra gained a full model change in summer 2001, the high-performance Integra Type R model was also offered and for the DC5 model, the 1.8L engine from the old model was replaced with the K20A 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine capable of delivering 220HP of power.

Aside from its new engine, the DC5 Type R features Recaro seats, four-piston Brembo front brakes, a close ratio six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and a stiffer suspension.

In the spring of 2006, Honda announced the discontinuation of the Integra because of the diminishing coupe market but because of customer feedback, Honda will keep producing the car until July 2006 and produce 150 more Integras.

Start the clock!

The DC5 Type R Integra did it in 1:29.190, and thanks to its improved power from its 2.0L engine, that's worth the capability even though the DC5's heavier than the DC2 Integra.

It was worth a shot giving a tribute to the first front-wheel drive Type R in Honda history and even though the Integra's no longer with us since its discontinuation in 2006, it's still a Speedo Boy's favorite next to the speedo boy favorite...the Honda Civic. Sure, the Integra's dead, the Civic's dead, the Type R's dead. Short story...

GRID 2

GRID 2 (PS3 Version)

Five years ago, the British-based Codemasters launched GRID (formally known as Race Driver Grid) and this game set the standards on racing simulation genre. Now, this BAFTA-award winning multi-million selling video game gets a sequel and it promises to be more over-the-top than the previous installment but sadly though, it lacks something that it rival racing games had.

The biggest change first was the loss of the "cockpit view" because research shows that most players of the previous game prefer racing in driver view because it's much more precise than cockpit view. Who wouldn't but sometimes, they just switch to the car's view...blah blah...but never mind about that. The loss of the cockpit view is just the least of our problems we're facing in this new chapter of Race Driver Grid.

Welcome to the WSR, a new motorsport series which sets out to find the ultimate racer. Behind the new age racing is an investor who believes that life is a race and he intends to win but to create a new racing series, he needs a star and do you got what it takes to earn the respect from the investor? That's where you'll find out in GRID 2.

GRID 2 offers a wide selection of cars divided into different tiers, grouping together contrasting classes of cars. From muscle cars, hot hatchbacks, tuner cars, classics, open-wheelers, exotics, you name the rest. BMW E30 M3, Subaru BRZ, Ford Mustang Boss 302, Nissan R34 Skyline Nismo Z-tune, McLaren MP4-12C, Ariel Atom, Koenigsegg Agera R, Pagani Huayra, there are loads of them in Grid 2. The difference between a win and loss is all depends to the strengths and weaknesses of both man and machine. Don't forget that when you're out there...

After getting to know about the cars, you'll get to know more about different types of tracks you'll be conquering and it takes the skill of the driver to master through different corners with ease. Whether if it’s the crowd-filled city streets, real-world race tracks, and the open roads, whichever the route you'll take, it's going to be far more different what it used to be and it's up to the driver to master different corners using whichever means necessary. Overtaking, drifting, slipstream, you'll do the rest. Do whatever it takes to win the race, okay?

Also, there's this new feature that will make you notice in city racing of the game and that's the LiveRoutes. What is LiveRoutes? Some say that LiveRoutes dynamically streams in alternate parts of city tracks. When it kicks in, it selects which direction of the track should go, either straight, left, or right, depending on your driving style. For example, when you're entering a certain corner for the second time, it could be either 80mph as you approached on a tight corner or 200mph as you slingshot through the straight. LiveRoutes really add a whole new challenge in Grid 2 so watch out!

In Single Player campaign, the only way to work through the top of the WSR is to face against the finest racing clubs from the USA, Europe, and Asia. In multiplayer modes, every race matters – earn XP and cash for unlocks as you expand your garage and move through the tiers.

Also in multiplayer, you can tune your car with performance upgrades or you can even create your own paint jobs to personalize your car. Remind you of any? Oh, well, multiplayer gameplay on GRID 2 is just one of the most important aspects in gaming and oh...if you have a RaceNet account, you can track down your progress of your races, rivals and rewards. To earn followers, you have to win several races and do better in races. You can also steal followers from your rivals by racing against them. Not just that, you can gain more followers by taking part in online competitions, participating in community Global Challenges, completing RaceNet Objectives and uploading some of your GRID 2 moments to YouTube. Interesting...

So, things I can say about the new GRID 2 game; it may have a power selection of the finest cars and the finest selection of real world locations and it may have realistic racing feel but it feels a bit too soulless. It knocks me cold and there's not even a zing that interest me the most while playing GRID 2. It feels like that it's not quite ready to recommend this game to any racing fan you know because it doesn't feel a bit more exciting as the other racing games.

Metro Last Light

Metro Last Light (XBOX 360 Ver.)

Привет, товарищи! (Hello Comrades!)

If you're reading this right now, then it could only mean one thing, the whole world's got engulfed in an all-out nuclear war, but that's okay. As long as you are one of the survivors living under the nuclear-torn Moscow, you're safe for now...or is it? Anyway, the sequel to 2010's cult classic first person survival horror shooter game based on the best selling novel written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, packs an even more darker atmosphere than the first one and if by darker, it's still one of the scariest action games of the year and by the moment you'll be sitting in the dark, playing Last Light, the experience is going to be terribly uncomfortable because the dark storyline derived from the first two novels will leave you breathless on what might comes next.

Now for those who don't know what that is, this science fiction horror novel is set in a fictional Moscow in the year 2033, two decades since an all-out nuclear war broke out, destroying everything on sight while the remaining survivors are struggling for survival in the tunnels of the Metro. Artyom, the main protagonist of the story, who was born before the holocaust, burdened by guilt, but driven by hope, is mankind's last light in their darkest hour.

The novel, along with its second chapter, Metro 2034, sold over 2,000,000 copies worldwide and for this year, Glukhovsky's working for a third chapter, set to be available outside Russia. Anyway, enough about book analogy and into the game.

In Last Light, the storyline is more of a retold to the original but no matter what, it's still worth a claustrophobic one. You'll still getting puked all over to the terrifying storyline that leaves gamers and readers of the novels alike confused and questioned for what comes next. Also, like any other survival games, resources are scarce so you have to make use of it. Not only you need a wide selection of weapons and items but also an effective strategy. Your best bet is to use your ammunition wisely against human or mutant enemies above or below or use stealth to get through places unnoticed. Let's just remember that you are in a middle of a civil war where the commies and nazis are fighting to take over the metro so your decisions will affect the outcome.

Here are some survival guides that will get you started while surviving the horrors of the post-nuclear Moscow...




So, the best way to survive is to make use of your weapons and items because they are very rare while some cost you military-grade rounds. Wait, what? Military-grade rounds? Oh yeah...In the world of Metro, those military-grade bullets served as your money to customize or buy weapons but spend it well because those military-grade bullets are very scarce and you might need to spend it well on the most powerful weapons in your arsenal. You can carry up to three weapons at the same time, but each weapon requires the right skill needed to make effective use with it.

Also, survival is necessary because even with the big guns, you can't survive without the key items. One of them is the gas mask because without it, you can't survive the poison sky from the nuclear-torn Moscow. Also, with the gas mask, expect that your visibility's getting affected because when it gets blurry because of the humidity going on in the nuclear-torn city, wipe it quickly and move on. Oh, and pay close attention to the wrist watch because it indicates how much air you're breathing and be sure you have enough filter to replace.

Anyway, while the gameplay is even more terrifying than the first one, it's still looks good. The lighting and physics look good and this signifies a new benchmark on video gaming graphics on both console and PC. That's kinda amazing though but still, Last Light will still terrify you with hours of gameplay, darker storyline, and of course, the multiple endings you'll be facing depending on your outcome. Even though it packs the same thrilling feel of other horror and FPS games, it's still packs some drama underneath the game itself. You won't going to enjoy this much longer because if such situations going to happen, things are getting personal and being the last hope for humanity takes a lot of guts if you got what it takes to be...

LIMITED EDITION:

If you had the LIMITED EDITION at hand, you have Day One access to the most difficult setting of all: RANGER MODE. In Ranger Mode, there's no HUD, tougher combat against enemies human and mutant, and very limited resources such as ammo and gas mask filters. Good for those who are up for some thrills and who are dared to rise to the challenge. For a head-start, you have a special Modified Russian Rifle and 100 military-grade rounds to customize your equipment.

Good luck, Ranger.

Forza Horizon: It's not a party, it's an intimate get-together...for cars!

Let me put it this way, Forza Horizon is all about cars, fun, and games. If it's getting over the top, you might be thinking that this is all just an intimate get-together but you are wrong. Sure you might be saying " It's not a party, it's an intimate get-together" but accept it. This is not an intimate get-together. It's a PARTY! No wonder Turn 10 threw themselves the biggest party for car enthusiasts only at their XBOX 360 consoles and guess what? This is even more life-ruingly fun than other games!

What I have here is an S65 AMG, which comes with the same 6.5L V12 that I had on the SL65 AMG but let me remind you that this V12-powered sport saloon has a thousand torques on it. With so much torque, this is just like Dr. Hannibal Lecter got invited to a party, which is not a party but it's an intimate get together. Horizon party! Horizon party!

The Midnight Cinderella

The thing about this S-Class though is that every politicians had one, even bling-bling celebs had one, then famous athletes, high-ranking generals, high-profile Arabs, the Mafia, the Yakuza, the Triad, those big-shots. It seems that the S-Class flagship is a priviledged car for the priviledged few because of its high price and luxurious amenities only the S-Class has to offer and with the V12-powered AMG model, it combines the same comfort of the S-Class while delivering the supercar-like performance courtesy of the skunk works deep inside the bowels of AMG.

The Shining

And then there's this Cadillac Escalade, which is the status symbol for those who are living the bling-bling lifestyle in western part of America.

Big shot, coming through

Over the years, I've seen most of the guys who owned an Escalade spend a lot of cash putting up with some shiny oversized wheels, some bling-bling materials, some billet grilles, some in car entertainment, some bulletproof materials, so on, so forth. The list goes on and on and on because such popularity really made the Escalade one of the darling of the "Cruising" scene and as years go by, the Escalade will become a future classic because when a load of seniors wanted to have one, boy, those old people sure know how to relive their youth. Get it?

Like a boss

Even in its third-generation look, the Escalade stuff is still there. There's still the luxurious interior fit for the king, the big V8 engine that is very very thirsty, and the status of being a bling-bling car for the bling-bling boys out here. This is just another one of the cars that is surely got invited to the Horizon party, which is not a party, it's an intimate get-together. Horizon party! Horizon party!



Those cars sure know how to turn an intimate get-together into the biggest party in Colorado. It's the H to the O to the R-I-Z-O-N! What? H to the O to the R-I-Z-O-N! That's right!

Forza Motorsport 4: HIJACKED

No no no no... Not the GTA kind of hijacking cars, Hijack. You know, it's Ridge Racer stuff. Hijack. It's a pickup truck that first appeared in Rage Racer at the end of 1996 and then resurfaced again on RR6 in late 2005 when the XBOX 360 first went on sale. Anyway, enough of that analogy because that Hijack pickup only comes into your imagination but what if you want a true-to-life pickup that behaves just like the Hijack pickup?

What we have here in FM4 are three potential sport trucks that have blown away their "pickup" images to become one of the most performance-oriented sport trucks on the market in the not-too-distant past. Those sports trucks might lose their ability to go offroad but they sure are quite a handful when they start to misbehave themselves. Putting big power in a big pickup truck might sound ridiculous but with all that added brute force, it can be as punishing as The Punisher himself.

Take a look at those three sports trucks I had lined up...

GMC Syclone

Based on the GMC Sonoma pickup truck, the Syclone is GMC's high-performance sport truck that was launched in 1991 and then it spawned a Jimmy-based Typhoon a year later. Some critics say that the Syclone pickup has specifications that had more in common with a Porsche rather than pickups even though the Syclone has a turbocharged 4.3L V6 engine equipped with Mitsubishi TD06-17C 8 cm² turbocharger and Garrett water/air intercooler. It develops 280HP of power and 475Nm of torque while mated with a 4-speed automatic. 0-60mph takes about 5.3 seconds and based on a Car & Driver test, it does a quarter-mile run in 14.1 seconds at 93 mph.



Dodge Ram SRT-10


What happens when you drop a big Viper V10 engine under the hood of the Dodge Ram pickup? The answer was the Ram SRT-10 and unlike any other Ram Trucks, which were focused on utilitarian purposes, it was made for the purpose of speed.

It features an 8.3L Viper V10 engine which develops 510HP of power and 712Nm of torque. The regular cab model of the Ram SRT-10 with such an engine has a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h), and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds.

During its tenure, Dodge released several special models for the Ram SRT-10 such as the Viper Club of America Edition, the Yellow Fever, the Commemorative Edition, and the Night Runner. Right when the SRT-10 Ram stopped production after the 2006 model year, about 9,527 Dodge Ram SRT-10s were manufactured.

In 2004, the Ram SRT-10 was hailed as the fastest production truck in the world with an average speed of 154.587 mph (248.784 km/h). This record was beaten by an Australian-made HSV Maloo with a speed of 168.668 mph (271.445 km/h).



Saleen S331


While essentially a tuned version of the Ford F-150 SuperCab FX2, the S331 is Saleen's first-ever pickup truck since 2001 and it was priced at $54,000 for the supercharged model while non-supercharged models priced at $44,000.

The supercharged 5.4L V8 engine that powers it generates about 450HP of power and 500lb-ft of torque while being mated with a 4R75-E 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The S331 Sport Truck featured specially tuned front and rear springs and new shock absorbers specifically designed to withstand the bulk of the 23-inch forged, one-piece aluminum wheels holding 305/40R23 BFG high-performance tires, thus giving it a lower center of gravity.

While high-performance trucks sacrificed their utilitarian traits for performance purposes, the S331 keeps its traits while maintaining its performance quo. The base model has a full payload rating of 1300lbs and it's capable to tow a 5-ton trailer.



Okay, now that we finally get to know more about those sport trucks, let's find out which of these three is the best round the Top Gear Track and that means handing them over to the tamed racing driver...



I had the time! Let's see...

Syclone - 1:33.411
S331 - 1:38.145
Ram SRT-10 - 1:31.274

So based on the times, the V10-powered Dodge Ram is the quickest around the track so by sneaking suspicion, maybe the Ram SRT-10 is quite a sport truck that blown away its pickup image and sacrificed its utilitarian and offroad capabilities to become a muscle truck with a big engine that powers it. The Syclone though, that's just right for sport truck enthusiasts because even though it's not quite as fast as the V10 Ram, it's lighter and I think both of these sports trucks are instant classics because it's going to be very rare to find one of those for grabs. These are definitely future classics because of such rarity and value.

What about the S331? Meh, that's just a tuned Ford F-150 but who cares about it?

Forza Horizon: The Battle of IS

IS meets Stratos

Huh, that's weird. Even in Colorado, there really was The Battle of IS. Oh, man! Come on! Get it, together, man! What am I saying? Do you think am I the only one around here who says that the S in the Lexus IS naming really mean Stratos? As in...Lancia Stratos?

Nah! But still, it was nice driving both the Lexus IS F and the Lancia Stratos though. It's kinda fun to drive both of these weapons-grade materials on the streets of Colorado. While the Stratos has the crispiest sounds thanks to its Ferrari engine at the middle, the IS F sure is an out-of-character car for the brand that makes saloons for rich golfers.

Forza Motorsport 4: Collection of Lancias

Now let's just stop right about now and talk about Lancia because for many years, Lancia produced some of the most historic cars ever made. Despite the few problems with the rust three decades ago, Top Gear named Lancia as the greatest carmaker in the world. Such lunacy did produce results for Lancia like for instance; they're the first to sell a car with the monococque body, first to offer a five-speed gearbox, first to sell a car with supercharging and turbocharging on the same engine, first to sell a road car with a V6 engine, and first to sell a car with an electric boot spoiler. Just because most Lancias are unreliable doesn't mean that they're not great and that's an actual fact, even the tattiest of the Lancias are tougher than what you might think.Well, you get the idea but here on Forza Motorsport 4; three of the greatest Lancias come together such as..

the Stratos,

Stratos on a foursome

the 037,

Is this the car that defeated the mighty Audi Quattro?

and the Delta Integrale.

Only Lancia...

I was going to say all about those three but instead, I'd decided to unleash my Stigness and put those three round the Top Gear Test Track.



So, based on the result, I had the time and the Stratos did it in 1:30.557 while the 037 did it in 1:31.309 and the Delta Intregale did it in 1:30.232 so I think it's a progress of how did they made Lancia classics great. But still, I like the Stratos because that exhaust note sounds as crispy as eating a well-done fried chicken. Mmmm, yummy. However, while the Stratos produces the crispiest exhaust note, the Delta Integrale is definitely the best Lancia ever made because this was served as the last hurrah for the glorious carmaker and it won the World Rally Championship, six times on the trot! It may not be the prettiest looking car to drive but oh my stars, this one's the best. Seems that most car enthusiasts really prefer the Lancias of the past rather than the present because present Lancias are turning into Chrysler clones and that's not good.

Forza Horizon: Rated ZAGATO

In reality, when a restaurant is labeled "Rated ZAGAT", then you'll know that it's a kind of restaurant that passed the likings from ZAGAT. Here in Forza Horizon, I wanted to give this game a "Rated ZAGATO" because not one but two Zagato models arrived on the party. One is pure British and the other one is half-Italian, half-American, if you know what I mean... But first...

This car feels like it's ZAGAT rated

Let's start with the V12 Zagato. Although, I maybe familiar with that car because I drove one on Forza Motorsport 4, the V12 Zagato is all about the power, beauty, and soul of an Aston Martin, enveloped with the timeless beauty done by a coachbuilder, Zagato. It is one of the most potent rides I have ever driven, not by the fact because it's an V12 Vantage underneath it but it is because the V12 Zagato, in racing-spec form as seen on Villa D'Este in 2011, feels like it's a wild party diguised as an intimate get-together. Get it? Intimate Get-Together! Now where did I heard that word? From a kids show that I often watched?

V12 Zagato is movin' to the beat

Because the V12 Zagato, as I explained, as a wild party disguised as an intimate get together, it sure knows how to move in to the beat and unlike any other Aston Martins that are a bit too dynamic for my tastes, it feels a bit normal, a bit well-behaved, and it really tickles me hardcore. This is the same feeling I'd expect on other Italian supercars but with a bit of "tea party" spilling through my driving fancies. This car will make you as fancy as an village idiot from a family of geniuses.

A dynamic point of view

I love this kind of Zagato machine so what on Earth have been thinking when this coachbuilder's joining forces again with Alfa Romeo when they made this?

Combination of Italian design with American powertrain

This is the TZ3 Stradale Zagato. This car is part of the April Top Gear Pack on Horizon and by the looks of it, it's not half bad, knowing the fact that it looks more like a modern equivalent of the Giulia TZ2 Zagato from the past. Good thing, the producers did the right thing, featuring an Alfa Romeo that was never been taken by a rival video game and that's the result. I'm starting to feel that I like this more than the Giulia TZ2 Zagato from a rival game but more importantly, it's a Dodge Viper underneath it!

Timeless beauty

Really?! This car was a Dodge Viper underneath it?! So this must be the first time I drove an Alfa Romeo that combines the design of Italian coachbuilder with the powertrain of an American sportscar. Sure, Chrysler was owned by Fiat so this is the cunning result of what happens when two worlds collide. Therefore, it still has the same V10 engine from the Viper, the same 6-speed manual from the Viper, the same interior from the Viper, and overall, the same dangerous driving feel that I can expect on the Dodge Viper SRT-10. Interesting...

Beat it, kid! Mine's more valuable than yours!

For car with an awkward-looking design, this car requires a skilled driver to master the fundamentals of the TZ3 Stradale and unlike the V12 Zagato, the TZ3 Stradale is a monster of a machine with the same dynamic and challenging driving feel of an V10-powerer American sportscar. It can kill even the most unskilled driver when fallen to the wrong hands but with enough practice, this is more rewarding. It's really really, that rewarding when you're careful.

Those ZAGATO-designed cars are just one way that even in Horizon, there's still some time living the fancy life because of its rarity, its unique looks, its driving feel, and everything that treats you like royalty. If you were Colorado's Ridge, Rave, or Rage of a racer, those two really know how to change courses because they're both fancy cars for the speedo boys living the fancy life in car heaven. Oh, just don't get fancy too much because it's going to be quite a disgusting feat.

Forza Horizon: The 1000 Club

So, a whole new challenge unfolds in Horizon...

Sure, I may have conquered the Festival and the Horizon Rally but the party's not yet done for others because they want something more to keep the party going and this is what Horizon came up with...

It's called the 1000 Club and this new type of challenge brings players to bring their favorite car through series of challenges and for every challenge it cleared wins a medal to collect. This task isn't easy though because each car has either five or six challenges to complete and overall, there are a thousand challenges to complete. Some might be easy but others can be somewhat tricky and it requires about 120% of your skill in driving or tuning to get it done neatly.

Some challenges require you to pull some driving skills, especially drifting or jumping but others can be a lot of challenge like getting from point A to point B within the alloted time, stay within the top speed in an amount of time, drive clean, avoid triggering speed traps, so on, so forth. The challenges test your mettle as you go on.

For example, I'm driving the 2013 SRT Viper GTS and the challenges I'll be taking are the following;

1) Perform an ULTIMATE BURNOUT
2) Drive About 150mph for 10 seconds
3) Set a speed of 85mph or better at the Rt. 38 Speed Trap while drifting
4) Win a race at the Gladstone Cell Tower Street Race Hub
5) Drive from Red Rock Outpost to the I-70 Freeway within 3:10

Some tasks would be easy for me but some would be a lot difficult so if I manage to clear one of those challenge, I get a medal but if I want more, I have to play harder to collect and then swap for another car for more challenges.

The 1000 Club Expansion Pack is all about variety so if you have that car that's worthy on the challenge you're well suited for, give it a shot and then move on to cars with challenges you find it tricky. Try and try until you earned more and more medals for your bragging rights.

There are new achievements for you to complete on the Horizon 1000 Club DLC and if you were thinking "oh geez, I can't get that in so much!", here's a tip: One medal per car is enough to be counted. So if you're focused on collecting those new achievements, just do it. And when you're done with the achievements, you're free to complete all the challenges per cars.

Aside from new achivements, there are two new cars joining on the challenge and these are...

1) RUF CTR2 - a boxer sportscar with some stylish looks and spartan driving manners

The Spartan

2) Ford F-100 - a nostalgic pickup truck from the 1950's is an exquisite choice for the classic car connoisseurs

Woo! Look at me!

Remember, those two new cars have different challenges to take on and when you're in one of those, feel free to take on their challenges for the hunt of many medals as possible!

So there we have it. The Forza Horizon 1000 Club expansion is all about taking challenges in your favorite cars and I have to say, this is a great expansion for those who want to get to know about their cars better through series of challenges set for their cars. Are you in?

Forza Horizon: Barn Find: Shelby Daytona

The Brotherhood

By the moment you found the Shelby Daytona Coupe as a barn find, you are wielding a legendary machine that several class wins at Sebring and Le Mans, GT-class wins at Monza, Nurburgring, and Reims, and 23 land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

This car is perfect for such a Colorado landscape because the Daytona Coupe truly feels at home in the open road goodness in Horizon and no matter how long you've been driving with this timeless and priceless classic, the Daytona Coupe sure loves to play around in Colorado as long as you're not fiddling with its pristine inspiration. You can either go nuts or go concours with it but the Daytona Coupe loves to do either ways.

Forza Motorsport 4 - Shelby Daytona Coupe

Sebring Legend

While loosely based on the Cobra chassis and drivetrain, the Daytona Coupe from Shelby was made for motorsports purposes, mainly for GT-class racing where it targets the Ferrari and its other rivals of its class. Thanks to the Daytona Coupe, Shelby is the first American constructor to win a title at the FIA World Sportscar Championship in 1965.

Since Carroll Shelby's win in 1959 Le Mans, he wanted to return to this motorsport to defeat Enzo Ferarri again in his own game. Although, the Cobra is a successful GT racer, the open top looks is a problem when it reaches the Mulsanne Straight of Le Mans at the top speed of 157mph, almost 30 less than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Even with a special hard-tops, it wasn't quite enough to provide more aerodynamics than the Ferrari racers on the straights, so he enlisted former General Motors stylist, Pete Brock, to pen a low drag coupe body.

The Daytona Coupe is made out of aluminum body and tubular steel frame for its chassis so it weights about 1,043 kilos. Powering this is Ford's 289 90-degree V8 engine with OHV, which churns out 390BHP of power and 462Nm of torque while mated with a Borg-Warner T-10 M 4 speed Manual. It can do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and top speed of 191mph.

During its tenure, the Shelby Daytona Coupe garnered several class wins at Sebring and Le Mans. It even garnered GT-class wins at Monza, Nurburgring, and Reims. In 1965, it garnered 23 land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Forza Horizon: Are you disrespecting the house of Cooper?

The House of Cooper

Most of the car enthusiasts admit that a German carmaker like BMW did ruined the Mini heritage because a modern Mini is too German for its own kind. Some Mini enthusiasts defended that opinion saying that the Gerrys are staying loyal to the Mini's roots. I'm neither on one of their side because driving a Mini Cooper like these on Horizon rather seems fine for me because of its compact sizing that makes it for a nimble getaway. It is a swift car on the corners but for some of you who like the modern Mini, why not take a look back on memory lane in one of these?

Mr Bean at the House of Cooper!

This is a 1965 Mini Cooper S. It's not one of the cars that tickles my fancy on Horizon. It's not the nicest looking car in my mind, and also it's one of the most hideous-looking cars I have ever seen in my life. But, ever since I drove one of these in one of Horizon's Showcase Events, I am willing to take back what I said about the classic Mini Cooper because such sizing and agility REALLY tickles my fancy. On the right circumstances, it's a brilliant little car if you're in a mood for some fun and games. It's really really that fun to drive and such a superb lightweight body makes it a winning formula for those who want a good handling car.

Forza Horizon: For Driving Gods and Bad Winners

Now I think it's time to meet up with a special someone from Forza Horizon's April Top Gear Pack...

Nemesis

Now, fans of Top Gear might remember this is the Bowler Nemesis but this kind of Nemesis is a bit different than what it used to be. Thing is though that Bowler has a wide reputation of creating off-road ready vehicles based on Land Rover models. They were designed to survive tough, unforgiving, terrains worldwide, whether if its tarmac, gravel, snow, whatever floats their boat. The Defender-based Wildcat is made for those who want to be Driving Gods while the Range Rover Sport-based Nemesis was designed for the Bad Winners in mind, even Hammond when he kicked the butt of his German rival at the off-road segment of Top Gear vs. The Germans episode. You know what a bad loser feels like? For Hammond, there's a Bad Winner. Bowlers are made not just for off-road fun but for bragging rights.

It's a whole new Bowler awaits..

But this Bowler has gone up in the world. This is the EXR S model. Made as a direct response to customer demand for a road going version of the EXR rally raid car, the S model uses the handling, strength and weight distribution characteristics of the rally car but usable on public roads. It even has the same supercharged 5.0L V8 engine from the Jaguar XKR which develops 510hp of power and it weighs 1800kg. Zero to 60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a limited to speed of 155mph.

The Bowler EXR made an appearance on the Top Gear Apocalypse 2010 DVD, where Richard Hammond drives the Bowler to avoid the prying eyes of a photographer taking pictures of him while riding in a Jaguar XKR, a helicopter, a military vehicle, and a hovercraft.

Off-road ready

In the world of Forza Horizon, does this new Bowler stand up when things get rough? Thing is though, even when the EXR is a road-legal Bowler, it still carries the same essence from its Nemesis rally raid car. You can go off-roading and go mad when you're in a badlands rumble.

That's how you eat Eggs Benedict for breakfast

This comes with a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine that I got from the Jaguar XKR-S but because the Bowler has more power than the XKR-S (550HP > 545HP) and lighter, the Bowler's power to weight ratio is better than the JAAAAAG! In a straight line, the Bowler can take down the Jag on a quarter mile but on the corner, there's one bit problem regarding this...me. Thankfully, the Bowler can find racing lines whereas other sportscars don't. Therefore, it can vanquish any opponent on tarmac.

Desperate Chase

On a familiar Bowler territory, this is when it gets interesting because while the Bowler was born to be an offroader, it takes mastery and some skill to conquer this machine in such unforgiving conditions, especially on rally courses and playground games whereas infecting and King is possible. With this though, this meant more musical chairs from your opponents racing offroads.

DRIVING GOD!!!

I've been driven this Bowler on Horizon and I have to say that this is the best offroader in Horizon. You can forget about the Range Rover, the ML63, the Wrangler, the FJ, or the G65, becaue this Bowler will deifnitely eat them all for breakfast. This is truly Horizon's king of 4WD offroader. This is made for those who want to become Driving Gods or Bad Winners.

This is just one of the many cars why Great Britain is so reluctant on making one of those and with all the insanity hidden beneath the Bowler's personality, this makes me so proud to yell that I AM A DRIVING GOD! (Oops!)

Forza Horizon: VANQUISHing Horizon

You might imagine that driving the Aston Martins offered in Horizon such as the DBS, the Virage, or the V12 Zagato is somewhat an appreciating feat for an Aston Martin enthusiast like you. Sadly though, it's 2013 and the year 2013 marks the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin. Everybody's got their birthday present to the brand and because the Vanquish became the starring role of this birthday party, it even got a chance to be at the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Also, James May drove this one at Top Gear Season 19. This is really the most beautiful car I have ever seen but where's the Vanquish? All I want is to drive this beauty in Horizon just to find out how Centenary Spectacular this is when the Vanquish is on a video game like this...

Now, however, thanks to the April Top Gear Car Pack, the last DLC Car Pack to be covered on Horizon's Season Pass, the new Aston Martin Vanquish has arrived and it's about as interesting as an old-school video game they called R4. Ridge Racer Type 4 to you.

Helter Skelter

That is my idea of a perfect Aston Martin in a video game but it is very difficult to explain why. First of all, the car costs about a mind-blowing £189,995, which sounds a lot of money but in a game of Top Trumps, you can't use it to bash the likes of the Ferrari F12berlinetta, the Lamborghini Aventador, the McLaren MP4-12C, or the Ferrari 458 Italia. Let's just remember, even though it has a new 6.0L 565bhp V12 engine, it does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds (which is quicker than the Jaguar XKR-S) and a top speed of 183mph, that's about less than the outgoing DBS.

Wonder Hill

But don't be fooled by the headlines because this is the most graceful car I have ever driven in ages. Despite the fact that James Bond ditched this new one in favor of the DB5 in last year's Skyfall movie, this should have been the perfect Bond car for that film. Maybe next time, they'll feature it but never mind about that, because there's a sheer sense of beauty hidden in the already-beautiful design of the new Vanquish. That sheer beauty of the new Vanquish can be an equivalent of...three Chihaya Kisaragis...two Amy Ponds...and Ridge Racer Type 4's RTS Assoluto Bisonte.

Edge of the Earth

Out of Blue

Let me put it this way, being attacked by bisons is the sort of feeling when you are in an overpowered Italian exotic rampaging through the roads but here in the Vanquish, the only thing you're bothered is being tapped in the head by Puchimas' Chihya. She'll keep tapping your head as long as she wants but if you're prepared for the worst, you'd better be awake because savage bisons are coming to hurt you more than a bull run in Spain.

What's exactly wrong with this new Vanquish? Well, even though it's not as quicker than the old DBS, it doesn't really matter whether the things that were right were balanced out with the things that were wrong. Besides, this new V12 engine is a masterpiece. A true masterpiece classic when it comes to its exhaust note and its craftsmanship. It's also agile because it's 19mm lower than the DBS, every single panel was made out of carbon fiber so it's very light. 25 per cent stiffer than the DBS thanks to its new chassis. It's so aerodynamic! However, don't be fooled about being a suitable driver's car because when you really let loose, this car's too dynamic and a bit less grippy, meaning you can pull some amazing angles but difficult to exit. Whoa!

Phantom Mile

Brightest Nite

You know what this is like? It's like a Ridge Racer machine. It's like either an Racing Team Solvalou Assoluto Bisonte or a Bisargento with a Chihaya Kisaragi livery on it. You can almost call it crude. There's so many reasons why you don't want a Vanquish but there's one why you would because this is just fantastic. It's as harmonious as Asami Imai's voice but as savage as a wild boar. I love that. I really love that styling which nods to other Aston Martins. I love its V12 engine. I love its interior. I love the man who made it. I love Great Britain. I wanna move there and I wanna be The Doctor's companion or a Top Gear presenter...

Heaven and Hell

I also love the way that it feels like an Aston Martin, apart from that...and that...and that...and apart from the launch control and it's One-77-like interior, it feels normal. It kinda feels like Tekken's Lili because she maybe beautiful but she's definitely a bruiser that you don't want to get your bones crushed by her.

Shooting Hoops

There are so many cars in Horizon for those who want to be sensible but the new Vanquish is made for people who don't...