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| Mafia II is a 1945 gangster game, in which you help Vito Scaletta, the protagonist and his sidekick, Joe Barbaro, make their presence felt in Empire City. Developed by 2K Czech and Massive Bear Studios, the game is published by 2K Games. Even though the game is loosely based on The Godfather, in keeping with the present times there is plenty of gore and bloodshed. |
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Vito and his friend Joe have just got off the immigration ship. To make the ends meet, they resort to bank heist and mugging. Later, they take up hit contracts. One of their first hits is Clemente family |
capo, Luca Gurino, who is gunned down while having dinner. There are
over 15 chapters and in each of these, Vito has to complete a hit job. Over the length of the game, Vito would work with all the three crime families of Empire City: Falcone, Vinci and Clemente.
The shootouts are scripted and animated very well. Vito needs to make use of cover and wait till the target comes out and then it is a quick bullet to the brain or a burst from the Thompson sub machine gun.
The period scenery and music is wonderfully detailed and authentic, and this includes clothes, cars, telephones, furniture, buildings, streets and everything else. The background music also keeps changing with the years and one can listen to Little Richards, Chuck Berry, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Bo Diddley and many others. However, the missions are repetitive and a drag.
On a scale of 1:10, I would rate this game at 7 for action sequences, game play, rendering and storyline. The game is available on PS3, Xbox and PC and would cost about ` 2,500. Worth a try, if you are feeling mean and frustrated. |
Shashi Kadapa |
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Shaun of the Dead
` 199
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Simon Pegg,
Kate Ashfield,
Lucy Davis, Nick Frost,
Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy
Shemaroo
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| Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a frustrated but affable chap who has been dumped. Not only that, he hates his job. Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, everyone around him turn into the walking dead. Shaun’s first thoughts are to rescue his ex-girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), and so, with the help of his best pal (Nick Frost), he goes on a heroic quest through North London. Even though the
romantic side of this ‘romantic comedy with zombies’ or ‘zomcom’ doesn’t work too well, overall, this is a great little film. It is finely crafted and manages to be funny,tense, and dramatic, all at the appropriate moments. |
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Hum Yaadon
Ke Sang
Raeth
` 150
Universal Music
India |
Hum Yaadon Ke Sang is the second album of Raeth, the band that is remembered for Bhula Do. The album starts with title track Hum Yaadon ke Sang, a semi-rock with okay lyrics. At a higher volume, the song sounds better. Waada and Main Chala make for recommended listening. Tum Meri Ho is one of the best tracks of the album. Bolo Toh
is retro stuff. The music of the Jhoothi Kahani is good and singing is interesting while the lyrics are nice. Aag sounds pretty good and cool. Dil Ab Nahi Maanta is a feel-good, peppy number by the band with inspirational lyrics. This is a good end to the album as far as non-remixes go. Next, the remixes, Hum Yaadon ke sang – acoustic mix, is pretty good. It can be said that it is better than the original. Waada also is pretty okay. Overall, the album is definitely worth a listen.
Ravish Khapra |
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