Driving

There are few people more despicable than mercenaries. By definition, they are those who have chosen to indulge in acts of violence motivated only by personal profit. Mercenaries don't believe in anything other than getting paid, and while that attitude might be encouraged among musicians and professional athletes, when the person's primary job responsibility is murder, I can't imagine many people would defend it as a valid career choice.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Violence

Game Description: Are you searching for a driving game that offers more than just breakneck speed? Look no further than Gran Turismo 4. The most recent installment in this amazingly popular racing game brings realistic driving to a whole new level. With loads of new cars and a vastly improved physics engine, you'll be ready to tackle the roads in your favorite cars from the last century.

I always enjoy it when I'm able to learn something about myself when playing a game. It can be something as simple as, "Gee, throwing people through windows sure is fun," or as complex as "in a post-Cold War world, I'm more than a little uncomfortable playing a game where I shoot Russian soldiers." If Gran Turismo 4 taught me one thing, it's that I'd be quite a good driver if it wasn't for all those corners.

I had hoped that Forza would let me jump into the game with at least some reasonably beefy cars, but I hoped in vain and was forced to spend many boring hours trudging along with average cars before getting to the cool ones. Had I not had to do that, I certainly would have enjoyed Forza more than I did.

Game Description: Forza Motorsport revs up gamers who are passionate about cars and racing. It's the ultimate car-lover's playground, letting gamers buy, sell, trade, tune, modify and race their customized car collection. On the track, players experience an impressively accurate simulation, putting their performance-tuned creations to the test against the best the online world has to offer on Xbox Live! Take online racing from intense multiplayer wheel-to-wheel racing to challenging individual bests and beyond Gorgeous graphical showcase—well-balanced reflections, lighting, and shadows; Real camera effects like blooming, lens flare, heat shimmer, light rays, depth of field, and haze create TV-quality presentation.

It comes down to balance and harmony of the formula elements, and the Need for Speed Underground series has been the Zen master. The sequel, Need for Speed: Underground 2, continues the success of its predecessor and gets so many things right that after awhile I lost count and basked in gaming nirvana.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Lyrics, Suggestive Themes