Game: F1 2010
Release Date: 24th September 2010
Platform: Xbox 360/PS3/PC

F1 2010 is the latest addition to the recently boring collection of F1 games. There are major improvements, which put F1 2010 ahead of the pack, and make it one of the best F1 games in recent memory. Developed by Codemasters Birmingham, F1 2010 boasts stunning visuals, deep and challenging handling, an addictive career mode and a heavily customisable multiplayer mode.

Presentation

F1 2010 is a fantastically presented game. Everything about the world of F1 has been beautifully recreated here, every car is identical to its real life model, and all of them look dangerously sexy. The circuits themselves are also expertly crafted with the highest level of detail, which make them an absolute pleasure to race around. Tracks such as Monte Carlo, the night race in Singapore’s Marina Bay, or Abu Dhabi’s sunset bathed Yas Marina are some of the highlights of F1 2010, boasting a beautiful array of environments. Naturally, tracks such as Bahrain are quite sparse, with nothing but sand to surround you, but this is expected.

Game: Splinter Cell: Conviction
Release Date: April 13th 2010
Platform: Xbox360/PS3/PC

Splinter Cell has been in production for an extremely long time. First officially announced in 2007 it has suffered several major delays and at one point was put on indefinite hold. It resurfaced with a major change in both its gameplay direction and visual style. The game completely reinvents the current take on the stealth genre, and is a fresh and addictive addition to the series itself. If you haven’t played the previous title, Double Agent, then that is no major problem here, the game fills you in on the basics of the back-story and you don’t feel like you are missing out on any past details having not played its predecessor. Splinter Cell changes the way the player views the stealth approach to games, you no longer have to wait in the shadows endlessly until you are able to silently take out your victims. The game makes you feel like a deadly weapon, with stealth kills and lightning fast attack combos at the touch of a button. The pacing is consistent and intense the entire way through.

Presentation

Splinter Cell has a few intuitive design features that make the presentation of the game quite unique. Throughout the campaign, your mission objectives and important information are projected onto nearby walls or the sides of buildings, thus discarding the need for an intrusive HUD. This is a really cool aspect of that game, which, while simple, is really effective. This feature is then expanded on in some points in the game where flashbacks are also projected, which fill in the player on some of the back-story.