Copying Xbox 360 Games – Create Copies on Yo...

Learning how to copy Xbox 360 games without hardware modifying your console might sound too good to be true, but the fact is that there are now software packages on the market that makes it not only possible but so incredibly simply.

There are many reasons people look to discover how to copy Xbox games, the vast majority want to avoid buying the same game more than once due to damaged/scratched discs or burrowed games that never quite made it back home.

If you are a serious gamer then you have doubt experienced the pain of having to buy your favourite game again after it stops working at the worst possible time?

We have all been there and nothing is more frustrating or costly than damaged or lost discs!

You are probably already aware of the encryption placed on every single game released on all the major console such as the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. This copyright encryption technology is used to stop piracy and to stop people copying Xbox 360 games.  It has put up a road block for honest gamers looking to make backup copies of their Xbox 360 games, a right they are entitled.

In the past the only way to overcome this was to hardware modify your console hardware and run the risk of being banned from online gaming networks like Xbox Live.

Luckily you don’t have to look far to find software that can get around this issue without hardware modding your console.

There are countless applications on the market today that claim that they can create working copies of Xbox 360 games and other console games.

Some do an amazing job and make the process so incredible simple and straight forward that it is frightening, others fail to deliver and/or require mods and tweaks to get up and running.

If you want to start making backup copies of your games and discover how to copy Xbox 360 games properly then the best software on the market is Easy Backup Wizard.

The Best Game Copy Software – Easy Backup Wizard

Website: http://www.easybackupwizard.com

Price: $29.95

Compatibility: PC & Mac

 

Easy Backup Wizard is one of the most simple and straight forward game copying software solutions on the market requiring no hardware modifications. The software will help you create perfect working copies of your console games including;

• Xbox 360 & Xbox
• Sony PS1, PS2, PS3 & PSP
• Nintendo Wii, DS (DSi), Gameboy/Gameboy Advanced
• Older Consoles such as the Gamecube, Dreamcast etc

While other software solutions can leave you pulling your hair out or frustrate you to the point of giving up, Easy Backup Wizard makes it incredible simple and straight forward to use. The great thing about the software is that it runs on both PC and Mac and doesn’t require the latest and greatest computer to run.

All you need to do to copy Xbox 360 games with Easy Backup Wizard is load up a game you want to backup, allow the software to bypass the encryption and sit and wait as it creates a perfect working backup image of your game.

You will need an ISO burning program to copy the games to a disc, ISO burning is a feature in almost all standard dvd burning applications. You are provided with step by step instructions for any “soft-mods” you may need to get up and running, very simple, very straight forward.

If you want to start copying Xbox 360 games with ease then you really can’t go past Easy Backup Wizard. Start creating perfect working copies of all your console games within minutes.

Copy Any Game 

Website: http://www.copyanygame.com

Price: $29.95

Compatibility: PC & Mac

Copy Any Game is another game copy program that has quickly become a favorite amongst gamers. Like Easy Backup Wizard, this software will make copying Xbox 360 games and other consoles incredibly simple and straight forward.

The software will allow you to rip your games onto your hardware. You will have to have your own ISO burning application in order to burn the backup images of the games onto disc, this feature is included in all of today’s DVD burning software packages.

You do not require any hardware modifications in order to create perfect working copies of Xbox 360 games and you are provided with step by step instructions for any “soft-mods” which are easy to follow and implement if needed.

The great thing about this program is it will allow you to backup and run your games on an external hard drive so you don’t need to backup all your games to disc if you have external storage on hand!

The software works well on both PC and Mac and is definitely worth the small investment for piece of mind for copying Xbox 360 games with ease.

 

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On The Final Homefront

Breaking into the first person shooter genre is no easy task, especially when there are so many fantastic games already on the market! If it’s going to be done, it has to be with a successful yet original storyline, likeable characters and great graphics. Did Homefront manage to live up to all the hype? Let’s find out!

Great Writing:

The story is written by the legendary John Milius who wrote the infamous Apocalypse Now and Red Dawn – but of course you knew that as it was the games main selling point! It’s set in the year 2013 when America becomes under siege from a unified Korea. You’re practically thrown into battle from the word “go” as you’re rescued from a prisoner truck by a group of resistance fighters who are on the hunt for a pilot. Upon joining the little resistance faction you then find yourself in a battle to save America from Kim Jong-un’s tyranny. It’s definitely original and by far one of the best stories any first person shooter has had recently.

Down To Business:

If you’re familiar with the way first person shooters play out, then you won’t find anything unexpected with Homefront. It still upholds all of the traditional first person shooter elements such as aiming down sights, throwing grenades, sprinting and regenerating health after being lit up by enemies. There are also a few fantastic cinematic instances where you’re shown the sheer brutality America is under from Korea. Unfortunately there are a few instances when gameplay lets you down, such as infinitely spawning enemies and aiming feeling a little loose. The game is also chockablock with collision detection problems, such as moments where you can’t move because team mates are blocking you in, or when you shoot someone that is bang on target but the game still registers an object in your way. If you can forgive these small flaws then gameplay should be fine.

More Ins and Outs:

There is of course a campaign mode with your typical difficulty settings which are changed in the options menu before starting. There is also something called Guerilla difficulty, which is essentially the equivalent to Call of Duty’s Veteran mode. You will die in two or three shots and you will tear your hair out at times, but it’s definitely not impossible.
There is also an online multiplayer feature which is impressive to say the least. With a team deathmatch that lets you play with up to 16 vs. 16 people, a ground control game where you have to strategically control locations, and a points system where you can even buy tanks, multiplayer really is the games gem.

A Bit of an Eyesore:

The graphics are a sore point for this game as they definitely don’t live up to the competition of today. With that being said, they are still impressive and manage to portray a dark environment effectively. The only problem is that you are never really blown away by the visuals the game has to offer.

Beeps and Hisses:

The music is brilliant in this game and you’ll find yourself humming along at times, but what’s even better is the voice acting! It’s not too dramatic, it’s not too dull – it’s just right. The voice acting is so convincing that you will literally feel like you’re watching a movie at times. Of course the thrill of battle is never far away.

Flaws:

Unfortunately the game does have a significant number of flaws which let it down, making me glad that I learned to copy xbox 360 games and didn’t pay for this one. Reduced movement speed that makes your character feel a little heavy, a glitchy collision detection and the inability to choose a tactical layout are but a few of its downsides. Of course none really compare to the hell that is unleashed at the end of Chapter 5 when you’re faced with what appears to be a broken infinite spawn of enemies – a nightmare on Guerilla mode.
Homefront is also renowned for being a short game as there are only 7 chapters. However, the hunt for achievements soon makes up for this as you can either try your hand at Guerilla mode or go through the entire game without dying.

The End Result:

All in all Homefront is an absolutely brilliant first person shooter with lots of fun to be had in it. Its gripping story, powerful music and fantastic multiplayer mode definitely make up for the games weaknesses. Unfortunately the fact that you can literally complete the entire game in under 6 hours means that it is better to rent than buy at full price, nevertheless it’s a must-play for any first person shooter fan.

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Top 3 Xbox 360 RPG’s

RPG’s have come a long way since the days of Terranigma, Secret of Mana and Alundra. Of course this isn’t always a good thing as that brilliant way of immersing you into a new world is generally lost in a concentration of good graphics and open world exploration. Nowadays we find ourselves drudging through weak storylines and horrendous gameplay, only to receive an ending that wasn’t worthy of our time – thanks Dragon Age! Thankfully there are a few fantastic RPG’s on the Xbox 360 that are definitely worth putting in the hours for;

Lost Odyssey

This genius game follows the protagonist Kaim who is a 1000 year old immortal who has lost his memory. Your quest involves seeking out other immortals that have also had their memory stripped from them to figure out what’s happened to you. It’s a typical Japanese story in which against all odds you and your party must stop Gongora from using the Grand Staff to destroy the world and become invincible. It’s a compelling story that really allows you to feel the pain and sadness that comes with being an immortal and it will really have you enthralled every step of the way – like an RPG should!

Turn based fighting, small puzzles and three discs worth of story and big monsters, it’s everything you could possibly want from a typical RPG! From immediately turning on the game you’re thrown into battle and from that point on the game is fast paced and fun. There are plenty of side quests and extra bosses to fill out the game as well as a fantastic ring building system and plenty of magic.

The visuals are stunning for such an early game due to it using the unreal engine and overall it’s one of the RPG’s on the Xbox 360.

Final Fantasy XIII

Of course you can’t have a top list of 360 RPG’s without Final Fantasy making an appearance! Final Fantasy XIII was of course the first in the franchise to grace the Xbox 360 and PS3. Much like any other Final Fantasy tale, XIII offers a magical story which is enthralling despite being a little melodramatic at times. The story takes place in a world known as Cacoon where civilians who have come into contact with Pulse are to be “purged”. The protagonist and ex-soldier known as Lightning sets out on a quest to save her sister who has been brandished an enemy of Cacoon. Of course along the way she meets some very likeable party members who help develop the story into the massive adventure it becomes.

Lightning’s personality will quickly remind you of Cloud Strife and you’ll no doubt grow attached to her and the rest of the characters in the game.

The graphical content in Final Fantasy XIII is absolutely phenomenal! From the stunning cutscenes to clean cut menus and from the lip syncing to the flawless environments, Square-Enix’s hard work is evident throughout its entirety.

As far as gameplay goes, the battle system is one of the most complex and challenging ever to have been in a Final Fantasy. Not only can you earn ratings for each fight but there is also a fantastic system in place that allows you to plan out a characters moves by using what’s known as paradigms.

Overall, Final Fantasy XIII may not surpass the likes of VII or VIII, but it is undoubtedly one of the best RPG’s of the more recent years. Challenging enemies, a captivating storyline and insanely impressive graphics make it a must-buy for any RPG fan.

Tales of Vesperia

Known for its brilliant story and inventive real-time battle system, it would simply be a crime not to include Tales of Vesperia in this list! The ‘Tales of’ series has always been popular, ever since the good old SNES days, so it goes without saying that Tales of Vesperia was a hit – so much so that you’ll be hard pressed to find an existing copy anywhere for under $70. This time around the game was given illustrated anime styled visuals with pretty much the same game mechanics as others in the series.

Of course the games selling point is the battle system. Unlike other RPG’s where you just cast and wait for your next turn, you’re thrown into full on fights that require speed, skill and total awareness. Its other selling point is its enormous play-time. In fact it can take you around a whopping sixty hours to finish the game without actually doing any of the side quests available!

Overall Tales of Vesperia deserves to be on this list simply for its fabulous gameplay, gorgeous anime visuals and brilliant character development. Sure, the story isn’t anything original in terms of its JRPG genre, nevertheless it is an absolutely fantastic game that must be owned by all die-hard RPG fans.

Check out more awesome xbox games at: http://www.xbox.com

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Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Review

It goes without saying that Dues Ex: Human Revolution was one of the most anticipated games of 2011. We were promised a prequel to the original that is filled with stunning visuals, incredible gameplay and a story that would have us on the edge of our seats throughout its entirety – but is that what we got? Let’s find out…

Story
As I mentioned, the game takes place 25 years before the events of the original Deus Ex and is set in a world where augmentation technology is sweeping the globe and Adam Jensen is caught in the middle of it. Without choice, Adam gets a hands-on look at humanity’s future when eighty percent of his body is replaced by augmentations after a fight left him near death. It then becomes your job to investigate the attack on Sarif industries and learn the conspiracies of augmentation. Travelling far and wide in search of answers, you see through the eyes of Jensen just how crippled the cyberpunk world is in 2027. The story is as gripping as can be and has you hooked from the word “go”.

Gameplay
Take Metal Gear Solid, mix it with a bit of Mass Effect and then sprinkle a dash of Alpha Protocol on top, stick it in the oven for thirty minutes and out pops Deus Ex: Human Revolution! This is a game where your very survival depends on your own initiative and a whole load of stealth. The game encourages your own creativity to get past certain areas, either by using the environment around you, augmentations or all out war with the guards.
As the game is predominantly story based you are given multiple options of what to say during conversations. If done correctly, you can actually diffuse certain situations without getting your hands dirty.
The augmentation tree is what makes this game as it allows you to design your character the way you want him to be. From a hacking master with superior strength, to useful skills such as the Icarus landing system which really helps you out halfway through the game, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Graphics
Character modeling in this game is as flawless as the environments around you and you’ll struggle not to fall in love with the stunning visuals it has to offer. What’s fantastic about this game is that it doesn’t need to spell things out to you because all you have to do is look at the environment around you to pick up on the state the world is in.

Sound
Voice acting in this game is absolutely brilliant! Adam Jensen sounds as rough and gruff as he looks and you never really feel like conversation is over-dramatized. It’s perfect and easily immerses you into the wonderful world of Human Revolution.
As far as the soundtrack goes, it definitely has that Metal Gear essence to it. Tense moments are filled with tense sounds and battles have got that adrenaline fuelled music to them.

Downsides
Pretty much everything in the game is perfect apart from the boss fights. They just felt a little tedious at times and even on the hardest difficulty they can be beaten with minimal effort. With that being said, it was clever how they turned the augmentation upgrade into a hindrance during the Namir boss fight – reminded me of the Psycho Mantis fight from Metal Gear Solid.

Overall
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one of the most thoughtful and engrossing games of 2011. Almost all objectives in the game can be handled in several different ways and this definitely allows you to feel more like you’re in the game rather than just playing it. Yes, some of the boss fights are little cheap and easy but just about everything else in the game is a success! It’s a definite 9 out 10.

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Essential Xbox 360 Accessories

In a gaming world where we are bombarded with accessories we’re told we must buy, just which do we choose? How can we possibly know the good from the bad? Do we really need all of these accessories? The answer is “no”, you don’t “need” them, however certain accessories are essential to enhancing your gaming experience;

Chatpad

Those of you who are familiar with trying to type out a message on Xbox Live will probably know how frustrating it is using just the on-screen keyboard and your control pad. A five minute chat on msn messenger can quickly turn into thirty minutes of frustration, simply because of how slow it is! The Xbox 360 chatpad is supposed to eliminate this problem and basically provide you with a keyboard in the palm of your hand. It’s simple, it’s effective and it is pretty much fits perfectly into the controller without posing a problem whilst gaming. It’s also backlit which really comes in handy, especially in the dark! You can of course just plug in a USB keyboard into your Xbox 360, but it’s slightly more inconvenient and is an eye sore to the console.

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset

So you’re thinking why the wireless and not the wired right? Well, the wireless headset has a sound quality which is far superior to the wired and of course it has no pesky wires! Wired headsets are also prone to breaking really easily so you actually end up spending more than what this simple wireless headset would set you back. The wireless headset works simply by synchronizing it with your Xbox 360 and then clipping it to your ear – it really is that simple! Volume control is located on the ear piece and there is also a mute button which is very handy when n00bs start complaining about how easily you beat them. Overall it’s a fantastic little gadget and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves online multiplayer gaming.

Xbox 360 Wireless N Network Adapter

This brilliant little gadget has two antennas which means it has twice the reception as the old wireless network adapter – which of course means no more lag! It works simply by plugging it into the back of your Xbox 360 and then following the on-screen prompts. Sure, the adapter is quite pricey but it’s definitely worth it if you do a lot of online gaming or media streaming. You also have the added bonus of no Ethernet cable snaking its way through your house.

Play and Charge Kit

There is nothing worse than being in a heated battle with a giant boss that’s making life hell, only to see the words “please re-connect controller” right before you see the words “game over”. This nifty little piece of machinery does exactly what it says on the tin. It charges your controller up whilst you’re gaming – ultimately ridding you of unreliable disposable batteries. It’s a must-have for anyone that doesn’t like spending big bucks on batteries!

Xbox 360 Hard Drive

Sure, you can still play and save games with just the arcade console, but you won’t get far! A 20GB hard drive is sure to last you throughout the years you’ll spend gaming on the Xbox 360, whereas anything bigger is more suited towards those of you who intend on downloading everything in sight. Basically, a 360 isn’t quite a 360 without a hard drive!

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