No comments about StarCraft: Dark Templar: Twilight (Starcraft).

No comments about Codes & Cheats Fall 2008: Prima Games Code Book (Codes & Cheats).

5 comments about Age of Empires III: Sybex Official Strategies and Secrets (Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets).

1. Online play and single player play are both very good. The variety of difficulty levels, maps, opponents, and development of card decks is fun and let's the game keep from getting stale. Other game features are good, like the naval combat. The graphics are excellent. The combat units don't require micro-management to do their thing, which is also good. The only weak point: storyline for the campaign missions sucks.



2. In a word: exceptional! I don't play many real time games, so a good strategy guide is a must for me. This one is really, really good. I wish the author wrote for some other games I foolishly bought.
   And now the rant: Most strategy guides I've purchased in the last 5-6 years are not worth the price of the paper they're printed on. And a lot of games that don't have one, truly should. I wonder if anyone else has noticed how rare good, clearly written, complete, illustrated game manuals have become?
   Anyway, if you're thinking of buying this guide: do!



3. AOE III tutorial gives you the basics, but then it gets hard. Not a game for a first time strategy players. Bought the book Age of Empires III Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets. The book is good as it describes all the campaigns, but you are really on your own when it comes to coming up with a strategy to defeat the enemy.



4. Rather essential as a guide to AoE3, with good descriptions of the various armies and their strengths and weaknesses and how to proceed. I can't seem to do what they recommend in sending out armies early and often, all I can do is maintain the home town and fend off the AI attacks--so far. Maybe I'm not being bold enough...



5. The book Contains very little information about "treaty' and multiplayer stragety and too much on the single player walk thrus. The advice given in the book otherwise was good, I was suprised to find so many "typos" in the book. Guess the editor was on Vacation!

2 comments about The Sims 2 Revised: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. If you don't get this book you won't fully understand all the featues of the sims 2. Everything you need to know is there.



2. When I ordered this, I was expecting a small, slim little guide with a few tips and strategies. I mean, how much could there be to a computer game? So as you can imagine, I was surprised when I pulled out a thick, 366 page book that broke down everything you could ever need to know (and more) about The Sims 2 into sections, explaining and describing everything, in detail, from Sim genetics, pre-made neighborhoods and the pre-made families that inhabit them, NPCs, Sim memories, Sim death, building a house... okay, I'm confusing myself (and probably you). Here is the complete chapter/section list:
   
   ---
   
   Part One: The Basics
   -Chapter One: Getting To Know The Sims 2
   -Chapter Two: Getting Started
   
   Part Two: Creating Families, Neighborhoods, And Sims
   -Chapter Three: Welcome To The Neighborhood
   -Chapter Four: Create-A-Sim And Genetics
   -Chapter Five: Simology
   
   Part Three: It's A Lot Like Life
   -Chapter Six: The Six Ages Of Sims: Playing The Generation Game
   -Chapter Seven: Needs
   -Chapter Eight: Aspirations, Wants, And Fears
   -Chapter Nine: Skills
   -Chapter Ten: Careers And School
   -Chapter Eleven: Social Interactions
   -Chapter Twelve: Family Life
   -Chapter Thirteen: NPCs
   -Chapter Fourteen: Community Lots
   -Chapter Fifteen: Objects
   -Chapter Sixteen: Disasters, Disease, And Death
   
   Part Four: All In The Family: Sims In Action
   -Chapter Seventeen: The Ex-Machina Family Blog
   
   Part Five:
   -Chapter Eighteen: Build Mode
   -Chapter Nineteen: Story Mode And Moviemaking
   -Chapter Twenty: Sim Autonomy
   -Chapter Twenty-One: The Sims 2 Body Shop
   -Chapter Twenty-Two: Custom Content
   -Chapter Twenty-Three: Appendix A: Cheats
   
   ---
   
   So, yes... if you play The Sims 2 at all, get this book. Even if you're just a casual player. I assure you, your Sim gaming experience will be much better. The only regret I have is not having this book around when I first started playing TS2.

5 comments about God of War (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. This book is EVERY detail you'll ever need to play this game. Game is so intricate, you'd miss so much without it.



2. I ordered this new direct from amazon because of the great ratings on the included DVD, however, after an extremely long wait, the DVD wasn't included with the guide, so I ordered a replacement copy, same problem! I ended up buying a used one because amazon couldn't supply it. At least they offered me a refund and return postage. Overall a great guide if you can find one with the DVD.



3. where have you been that you dont own this one and finsihed it twice yet lol a game both genders can love go get it now so you can get and finish GOWII lol



4. After finding more extensive walkthroughs online I regretted spending the money on this book. Could have bought a game. It is a very well done, glossy book. There are maps and explainations of weapons etc. The game is fantastic and this is a great collectable companion. However. It's not necessary in playing the game. As I mentioned before. You can get walkthrough and other information on the web.



5. its a good material for new players but unfortunately for myself I didn't find much about what I wanted for the "very hard" mode.

No comments about Prince of Persia Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

5 comments about The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. This book is a real time saver for LOTRO players. The maps are very usefull as are the descriptions of player classes, traits, deeds, etc. It gets the beginning player off to a fast start, and is still usefull at level 50.
   
   The game has a well developed PvP, in Monster Play. Any review that says that LOTRO does not have PvP is suspect.



2. It's always useful to have these Prima Guides for complicated games like LOTRO - the only shame is that I didn't get it until just around when the new expansion (Evendim) came out - I wish they would release a free supplement for people who have already bought the book.



3. If this book only had maps, it would be worth the price. The maps are excellent.
   
   However, the book also has information about each class, listing the skills and even diagramming how to use them at beginner and advanced level. And there is a large section on crafting.
   
   You can get an electronic version of this book (basically a passworded e-book) from the publishers website, which was updated. Personally, I prefer to have a paper copy. I can get updated information from many websites.
   
   I have read reviews that criticise this book because it's doesn't contain something they had in another game, and I nearly didn't get the book because of them. But the book is great, so I guess it was just a case of "you can't please some people".



4. This guide has some usefulness but is VERY VERY outdated. Many of the skills and map locations are just wrong or missing. It's an MMO. They change constantly and Turbine has been updating almost monthly. Bound guides just don't work for MMOs. Only option is to subscribe to some online strat guide that keeps up to date or just go to the LOTRO Lorebook.



5. With all the patches/"Book"s/updates/changes that have come out since LOTRO's release, this book is quite outdated in information. Some of the training guide info is off, map areas released after original release like Evendim are not included. Is still a good book for a beginner to get the hang of some of the basics and basic maps.

3 comments about The Book of Games Volume 2: The Ultimate Reference on PC & Video Games (Book of Games series).

1. I was privileged to be sent an advance PDF copy of The Book of Games Volume 2 by author Bendik Stang, and having now completed my reading of this volume in one evening, I am eagerly looking forward to the print version. The Book of Games Vol. 2 has matured exponentially over its previous incarnation, which I feel is very appropriate as Volume 2 has a very pointed focus on the maturity which the videogame industry as a whole is experiencing. While I am still disappointed in regards to the lack of coverage in regards to the Guild Wars properties, that is largely due to personal bias, as I am a casually hardcore Guild Wars player. Now that I have my only truly negative viewpoint out of the way, let's move on to the good stuff.
   
   I was extremely impressed with the amount of research which had obviously gone into the production of Volume 2, as well as the new features which had been added for the individual game listings and ratings. These additions show that the authors listened to those who took the time to give them feedback on Volume 1, and as such have made themselves a part of the gaming community in a way which some authors never achieve, no matter how knowledgeable they may be on their topics. Another interesting sidenote was seeing another book which I am in process of reviewing featured in a sidebar in this book. As a journalist with a heavy research addiction, I always consider how useful a publication will be to me on my endless quest for knowledge, and The Book of Games Volume 2 passed that consideration with ease. There are many, many sources for further reading and education.
   
   While The Book of Games Volume 1 was a handy reference for the parents and relatives of gamers, Volume 2 fully opens up the changing videogame industry, from development to tournaments and beyond. The authors have successfully put the industry into a nutshell - one which gamers, teachers, parents and even grandparents will appreciate. This volume has every component of the videogame world between its covers, and takes a look at every aspect in a well-worded, well-researched, and well-presented manner. Every chapter contains evidence of how videogames have become an integral part of our lives in the 21st century - from those who pick up a quick game of solitaire to those who travel the pro-gamer circuits. One photo I could immediately relate to was that of Norway's Olav Undheim, winner of the 2007 World Cyber Games Grand Final Warcraft III Tournament. I saw that match, along with all of the other events held on that final game day in Seattle this past October. I was there when Olav hoisted that $ 20 000.00 cheque over his head at the medals presentation - and that's what this industry called videogaming has at its core - a vibrant, global community - one which we experience at our own annual LAN tournament, and one which The Book of Games Volume 2 has opened to the world.
   
   I think that this book will do more to bring an understanding of the videogame culture to non-gamers than any collection of web sites and media articles could possibly do. Parents everywhere will benefit from this book, while gamers will embrace this book for the validation it brings to our gaming culture. The Book of Games Volume 2 is an excellent counter-weight to those who vocalize loud and long their negative views on the gaming industry as a whole. I challenge those who, without really understanding what videogames are truly all about to pick up this book and read it. Understand what draws those of us who game into our multi-pixelled worlds. The artwork is amazing, the music is incredible, and the passion insurmountable. As the owner of a company which has been trying unsuccessfully for three years to obtain a business license for a digital media centre for youth in our hometown, I would love to see the members of our Township council who oppose us, as well as those in the licensing department who insist on calling us an arcade, read this book. The Book of Games Volume 2, I believe, will become a very useful tool for those of us who are not only proud members of the gaming culture, we support the up and coming designers of tomorrow and all of the possibilities the world of gaming has opened to them, whether they become game designers, engineers, architects or even doctors.
   
   I whole-heartedly give The Book of Games Volume 2 a five star rating, and if there have been this many improvements in the series just between volumes 1 and 2, I can hardly wait until I get a look at Volume 3 which will be out in November 2008. To the authors I say "this is a work to be proud of, a job very well done."



2. The 2nd edition to this gaming reference series makes a fine coffeetable book or for a quick browse for short snippet info on gaming titles. By all means, this is not a book of in-depth reviews, the titles are covered very briefly (summarised) and categorised according to genre/replayability value/plot sypnosis. If you need comprehensive info on gaming titles, you'd do better on gaming mags or websites. However, it remains a good collector's item as most of your favourite games are included with nice colored screenshots, which makes it a fine addition to your gaming library for all gaming fans. I was very impressed by this 2nd edition in that it included some very recent games which I thought would not make it in before the release date. The only disappointment is that the 2nd edition came in paperback whereas my 1st edition was a hardcover.



3. If you are a gamer like my self then the Bookofgames books are something you should really pick up.The book goes into great detail when it comes to pictures of the games and it does a great job of telling you what the game is really about plus it tells how many people can play it and what types of reviews the game is getting.
   
   You really should check the book out its great for any gamer out there.

4 comments about Diablo Archive.

1. This is the best Kindle deal out there for the Diablo book series. The first original 4 Diablo books in one package. Exciting fantasy fiction novels from three different authors.



2. This is a paperback compilation of 4 books from the Diablo universe. For those of you who have not played the Diablo games, these books are pretty much D&D like stories with emphasis on demons and magic.
   
   I enjoyed this book overall, but I was mildly disappointed that there were not more references made to the games. A cameo from one of the games' characters ,here and there, would have been nice. Still, it is well written with good detail .



3. Very nice book. Good writing.
   As a blizzard fan, i must say i loved it.



4. An excellent (and cheap) compilation for all of us Diablo fans out there. Easy reading, able to make you forget about the time and simply lose yourself in wonderful world made by Blizzard folks. Worth every cent and my sincere recommendation for purchase!

5 comments about The Art of Mass Effect.

1. I found this book by chance at the local bookstore and decided to take a chance on it. I wasn't disappointed; however, the art isn't phenomenal. It offers a nice variety of designs for settings, vehicles, gear and, of course, characters for the video game Mass Effect (which I haven't played). Most impressive, form my standpoint, were the character designs, but these were not spectacular - just nice. This is, however, a very well-produced book, and would probably be best for fans of the game, rather than someone looking for a good "Art of..." book.



2. If you are looking at this book, you are most likely a fan of Mass Effect. The book is filled cover to cover with gorgeous artwork that was used to frame the overall look of the game. Is it worth owning? Well, if you are a fanatic then yes. If you are an artist I would say yes. It has little snippets of text, but they are mostly captions for the images.
   
   Not for everyone, but a nice piece to have if you are a big fan of the game.
   
   Joel



3. 1.
   it's nice book.
   i think it's worth the money..considering the price..
   
   2.
   but artworks in this book simply aren't state of the art
   comparing to other game artbooks.
   i purchased this book with art of assassin's creed,
   and art of midway and some others....
   
   i was more impressed with their artworks, not from mass effect.
   
   3.
   it was good to see their process,
   and how they developed their initial concepts.
   
   simply i loved the results. mass effect was truly so-called
   ground breaking next gen game experiences....
   they pulled off with very limited
   resources.



4. It is the first artbook which I have bought here. It is truly magnificent. I saw set of artbooks and I can tell, that this is made perfectly. A convenient cover and high quality of a paper - this book is simply pleasant for holding in hands. On a shelf it also is looked good.
   Wonderful set of illustrations, sketches and beautiful pictures. All it is supplied with comments of developers. In my opinion in detail enough.
   
   Must have for Mass Effect fans)
   P.S.Except for that here it is cheaper than in shop;) And yes, I'm Mass Effect fan)))



5. Even if you're not a fan of the game, this book is great for inspirational purposes. Many times in video games I want to stop and look around the environment. But, you're usually limited to the restrictions on your game character in regards to where he can go. But, with books like this you can not only see how the designs were formed, but you get to enjoy them without restraints of the game. If you're a science fiction fan and artist like myself, you will find much to be inspired by from this book.