When talking about photorealistic racing games, Burnout Paradise is another title in my long list of "games to play when I'm dead" (there are simply too many to enjoy in a normal life, really, so don't get me wrong with that!). Unfortunately, it's only available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, so I guess a few gamers will run from the PC to the console again due to this title, but let's see what makes Burnout Paradise so special, shall we?

Started back in 2001, the Burnout game series was developed by Criterion Games, and published by Acclaim in first place, and later by EA Games. Formerly known as Burnout 5, Burnout Paradise was released back in January, and its open world is set in the fictional "Paradise City," while the game's title track, also featured on the in-game soundtrack is - obviously - Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City." I don't know about you, but I can't go wrong with that one in my car. Some songs are made for driving, and most of those in this game match the theme perfectly!

To race, simply drive around in Paradise City, stop at any of the 120 traffic lights to be found in the game, and then apply the accelerator and brake at the same time. Pretty easy, don't you think? As you race and earn experience, you are going to earn higher and higher licenses, moving up from the Learners Permit (E-Class), all the way up to the Criterion Elite, also known as the SSS-class.

Do I really have to tell you about the online racing mode? I guess not, because that's something you have to enjoy, not read about it!

All in all, Burnout Paradise is one more reason for those passionate racers still hanging on to their PCs to move on and get a console, and a great racing game that may soon get new paid downloadable content available, but we'll talk about that one when we know something for sure. Until then, you could also spend some time comparing what reviewers think, and create a more accurate opinion about this game, but I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Discovering Nature is not one of the hardcore gaming enterprises which we’re usually reviewing. It won’t charge an arm and a leg for you to play and doesn’t even require you spending long vicious hours on a daily basis to provide a sense of achievement. In fact Discovering Nature is the kind of game you pass on to your kids when they are young, in the hope that they’ll learn something when the day is done. Maybe the girlfriend or wife will enjoy it, and rest assured, when you have a break at the office you’ll enjoy its catchy casual scent just the same, dear reader.

Discovering Nature has been released by the independent Croatian game developer Ocean Media on October 24th, 2007. Since we’re talking about discovering nature, expect the game to have a strong educational value coming from the myriads of creatures and plants from all over the world. As the story goes, blonde Professor Jane Pinckleport needs to follow the leads and get samples needed to cure a deadly virus. Players are going to be of assistance by helping her in specific locations all over the world. Jane meets about 60 animal species to save from mortal danger by pairing and moving them to the lab. As you might have guessed by now, Discovering Nature is a puzzle game where wits gain you more points and a quick solution to reach the next level.

Each encounter faces you with the challenge of pairing up a certain number of creatures belonging to three different types. The simple drag and drop process allows you link them together according to the current level rules. This is to say, it’s ok to group three little squirrels together and take them out of harm’s way if we’re on a matching trip. But if we’re in the predator game, your advancement relies on triplets like snake – guinea pig – grass, like a food chain condition. All in all you can link as many creatures as the setup allows you to, start the chain wherever you like, and end it as shown in the screenshots.

There are even great bonuses if you manage to link every creature belonging to the current selection in the entire level. The intriguing part is that huge chains will grant you more points but won’t get you closer to the final goal. The yellow box is your trap and it can only be activated when two creatures of the same type share its bonds. Thus the Tetris-like movement of your puzzle pieces needs to clear the way for such pairing.

What starts off as a relatively easy task turns into a real challenge later on. Animals begin to get stuck in spider webs which need to be cleared by collecting and using water buckets, only to see trappers showing up and stealing your prize. It’s a real jungle out there and only the smartest assistants can survive. Should you get stuck in one of your attempts, you can reverse the latest move or even roll the dice once more at a hefty score penalty. You start off in the Amazon and quickly make your way into similar natural habitats. Professor Jane’s friends eventually show up and guide your progress as the virus gets treated in the end.

Discovering Nature is addictive and a great time killer should you need a pause from normal and slightly boring activities. Your kids can delve into a pleasant, mind stimulating, activity and learn a thing or two about ecosystems at the same time, food chains and native animals from all over the planet. There’s a demo available for you to try out and who knows, maybe you’ll even make someone happy with this present. A little bit of casual gaming never hurt anyone.

I consider this The Return of the RTS King because the C&C series, from my point of view, is the best strategy game ever made…and plus KANE IS BACK!!!

Ever since I heard EA started working on Tiberium Wars I knew they were going to come up with a good, solid game but I have to say that they exceeded even my high expectations. Command&Conquer 3 is definitely one of the best RTS games in recent history.

<-120x240 Vertical Banner - right->Frankly I don’t even know where to start, there are just so many things to say about this digital masterpiece. In the single player mode you’ll be able to choose between the GDI campaign and the NOD campaign, both of which are very well structured and offer the same storyline from opposing viewpoints. The action takes place in a time when tiberium deposits have spread to the point where there are just few safe areas left. This doesn’t only mean the environment has gone straight to hell but also a war-torn world, for he who controls tiberium controls the future. The twist in the plot is represented by the Scrin, an alien race who invades Earth in search of tiberium.

Unfortunately you won’t be able to play as the Scrin in the campaigns, but you can enjoy this original and unusual faction in skirmishes and multiplayer battles. The campaign missions are very varied, you’ll need not only obliterate your enemy or defend, but also some bonus objectives like capturing buildings, taking out enemy defenses, prevent them from launching nukes, teaming up with arch enemies to defend against the alien invasion…one thing is foe certain, you won’t be bored.

The AI in C&C 3 is very resourceful and it will exploit your every weakness. Now you won’t realize this in the beginning but after the first two acts you’ll really have to come up with some kind of strategy to triumph over your foe. You won’t be able to keep attackers at bay just by building one powerful unit type or two because every unit(and I mean EVERY UNIT) has a weakness. Also players with a more defensive approach will have to rethink their strategy because the action in this game is lightning fast and it won’t allow you to build up an impenetrable fortress, you’ll have to take the action to the enemy as fast as you can.

The battle theaters are very impressive as well, you will travel from Washington DC to North Africa, Eastern Europe and even The Amazon Basin. They are all wonderfully designed with recognizable settings and landmarks that make them seem genuine.

The units look good, especially the Scrin, they are not so varied as in other games of the genre and the upgrades are also few, but meaningful. You’ll be able to increase units’ armor, equip them with jetpacks, equip tanks with better cannons…you know, all the good stuff.

The factions have a different fighting style and this is what makes them unique. The GDI have a very direct approach with their mammoth tanks and juggernauts while the NOD rely on sneaky and stealthy attacks using stealth tanks and viper bombers to infiltrate the enemy base and take him by surprise. Still the two are very balanced and if you master their fighting style you’ll win no mater what side you choose. The Scrin however are a bit unusual. While the ability to gather infinite tiberium without having to build silos might seem appealing they are a very complex race and you have to get used to their units, buildings and upgrades before challenging someone.

But the part where Tiberium Wars really signs is the multiplayer mode. Let’s be honest, this is what any RTS should concentrate most on. And the guys at EA have really outdone themselves with this one. There are almost 25 maps to choose from for up to 8 players…and all have strategically placed tiberium deposits and tiberium nodes that will make for intense battles that you won’t soon forget. The game features leader bords and clan support as well as a feature called Battle Cast which allows you to broadcast your game in real time to anyone who downloads the free Battle Cast client. You can even have a commentator coment the battle byusing the built-in telestrator…brilliant.

The audio is authentic, all the units make specific sounds when they’re given orders and the Scrin make a constant alien-ish noise. The voice acting is also very credible and adds to game intense action. Also the in-game movies are fine touch. Featuring an impressive cast of real life actors, including Hollywood legend Michael Ironside, they make believe you’re a aprt of a multi million dollars blockbuster…and that is no small feat.

C&C 3 is a must play for all RTS fans and should not be missed for any reason. It will keep you busy and satisfied for a long time to come. Weather you’re playing the single player or the multiplayer modes you’ll love it.