NO GUTS, NO GORE-Y! By Owen Anslow

                                                Viking: Battle For Asgard

FORMAT: Xbox 360/PlayStation 3

GENRE: 3^rd Person Action Adventure

RATING: 18 (lots of blood ’n’ guts)

OUT: Now

Verdict: EN-GROSS-ING

Score: 8/10

BLOODY hell – well, you kind of end up in one in this Norse little hack ’n’ slash. You are sword and axe-yielding Skarin, the last hope for the good folk off Midgard in the battle against Hel, an aptly-named evil goddess. To be honest, you’ll forget the story once you start button bashing. Sega have come up with a fun slasher that will have you perfecting your Viking war cry in front of the telly. Controls are simple enough and as time goes by you’ll learn more of the combos in which to chop up the bad guys (orc-like monsters). The good news is there’s always someone to fight and you won’t get tired of the superb slow-mo death move cut-aways. The bad news? Well, it’s only bad news if you’re a hardcore hack ‘n’ slash fan, in which case you might find Viking a tad easy. But it’s the quick loading, simple maps and arcade feel that makes the game successful. So what are you waiting for? Go out and get a slice of the action – chop, chop.

GTA IV TEASER

HERE, as promised, is the latest (and possibly last) Grand Theft Auto IV preview. Watch, love, then watch again . . . then check your diary for April 29, when this RockStar belter hits the shelves, and make sure you’ve got the week off work!

http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/g/grandtheftautoiv/

IT'S A GAS, GAS, GAS!

WE went along to the wheely cool Gran Tourismo 5: Prologue Pit Lane teaser at an underground car park near London’s Marble Arch this week. It was packed full of beautiful cars (Ferraris, TVRs, Jags) and beautiful women – really was great bodywork all round! Oh, and the game, of course. GT5 Prologue is a little taster of what’s to come in the full version next year - and it’s gonna be a long wait! The release marks the 10th anniversary of the Gran Turismo series, which has sold 50 million copies worldwide. Graphically, it's hot and the gameplay is fantastic too – can’t wait to lap it up.

WIN Vegas 2

WE'VE got 18 copies of Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 to give away PLUS an exclusive Limited Edition poker set. We've teamed up with our friends at GAME.co.uk and Ubisoft to bring you copies of this year's biggest hit so far.

To find out more about the game, scroll down to see our review.

For your chance to win, email the answer to this question to comps@notw.co.uk, with your name, address and age by midnight Saturday March 29. Please also state which format you require, PS3, Xbox or PC.

Question: Vegas 2 is made by a) Ubisoft, b) Disney, c) Microsoft.

First lucky winner out of the bag wins the Limited Edition poker set and a copy of the game. Next 17 win a copy of the game. Winners selected at random. Usual rules apply. Editor's decision is final.

Vegas 2 hits the jackpot, by Owen Anslow

Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
FORMAT: Xbox 360/PS3/PC
GENRE: Tactical shooter
RATING: 16+
OUT: Now

THIS one will make your heart beat quicker than a Vegas wedding. Ubisoft have raised the stakes yet again with this ace sequel to their award-winning next-gen FPS. The eagerly-await Vegas 2 takes us back to Sin City to thrash the terrorists and shoot-up some slot more machines. So what's changed? Well, not a lot actually, but that's not a bad thing. You still get all the great, tactical genius gameplay that made Vegas 1 so successful and with sharper graphics and a deeper plot, the experience is enhanced. One key change however are the bad guys - they've grown a brain since the last time we met. Improved AI means terrorists don't hang around in the line of fire like sitting ducks waiting to be picked off. In V2 they are tougher, somewhat organised and make YOU move from hiding with some deadly accurate frag grenades (oh, incendiary devices much improved too). For fans of Rainbow, a smile will creep across your face when you hear a familiar war cry from the bad guys of, "Who's with me?" Ubisoft have also introduced a system (similar to Call Of Duty 4 online) which tracks your style of gameplay and rewards you with experience points and weapons in all modes of play. And it's a nice touch to be rewarded after all that hard work - getting your boys to stack up, target a couple a bad guys with your snake cam and then breach and clear the room to save the hostages. During all the madness, the new PEC system informs you of successful kills (headshots, frag etc) and in what category (marksman, close-quarters or assault) you'll gain points in. The game’s improved online too (new maps, better multiplayer) and sucks you in and doesn’t spit you out till the early hours of the morning. In fact, it's hard to find fault with V2 and be warned - just like poker, this is an addictive game! But, if you're hooked, then sit back, screw in a silencer and let rip a burst from your MP5 . . . it's Vegas, baby!
VERDICT: This odds-on favourite is a sure-fire winner!
RATING: 9.3

Titanic in HD

Sky have added a third HD channel and to celebrate they’re showing Titanic in high definition for the first time in the UK tomorrow night.
James Cameron’s multi Oscar-winning blockbuster will be given a special screening on Sky Movies Premiere and Sky Movies Premiere HD at 6.30 pm.
Titanic also celebrates its 10-year anniversary this weekend after winning 11 Academy Awards, including Best Director for James Cameron and Best Picture in 1998.

Style call for stars

EVER wondered which phone celebs choose?
Well, Gadgits was at this week's Sony Ericsson Empire Awards and we got talking to a "phone stylist" who teamed up the stars of the show with a phone to suit them.
So, if these mobiles aren't what the big names use to call their nearest and dearest, or text their agent from the movie set, they'll know what to ask for next time they're in Carphone Warehouse.

WIN a PS3 and five games

LOCK and load! We're giving away a PS3 gaming console and FIVE copies of Turning Point: Fall of Liberty. We've teamed up with game makers Codemasters and Spark Unlimited to celebrate the launch of this new exciting first- person shooter. Designers have dared to imagine a dark world in which Winston Churchill died before rallying the Allied forces to victory in World War II.
As a result Nazi forces occupy Europe and the United States. So you must save the country, and the world, by joining the resistance and using guerrilla tactics to overcome superior Axis weaponry.
You take on the role of construction worker Dan Carson, who finds himself thrown into the fight for survival when the Nazis launch a surprise attack on New York City on September 23, 1953.
The global battle takes in New York City, Washington DC and London and features "cinematic gameplay", plus a soundtrack from TV's Lost composer Michael Giacchino.
Out now on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows.

For your chance to win a copy, answer this question on an email and send to comps@notw.co.uk by midnight Saturday March 22. Which year did World War II end a) 1939, b) 1918, c) 1945. Please supply your name, address and phone number. Over 16s only. First correct answer selected at random wins the console and a copy of the game. Next four win a copy of the game. Usual competition rules apply. Editor's decision is final.

Review by Owen Anslow

Frontlines Fuel Of War

Format: Xbox 360

Genre: FPS

Rating: 16+

Out: Now

OKAY, so it’s not Call Of Duty 4 but Frontlines Fuel Of War is still a slick little FPS. Set in 2024, the Western Coalition (US & Europe) battle the Red Star Alliance (Russia & China) over the last scraps of oil left on Earth. With its arcade feel, nice graphics, fun guns and nifty gadgets, Frontlines is an enjoyable blast. Single player is rather easy but online is a riot with tank and helicopter scraps.

Lost

THE new version of Lost is flying off the shelves for PS3 and Xbox—and we have TEN copies to give away. Featuring top graphics and challenging mindgames, you find yourself in the jungle with the cast including Sayid and Kate. And you must piece together clues to advance through the game.
Just mind out you don’t get sucked into the blazing jet engine on the beach.
For your chance to win a copy, answer this question on an email and send to comps@notw.co.uk by midnight Saturday March 22. On which island is Lost set a) Fiji, b)Oahu, c) Sumatra. Please supply your name, address and phone number. Over 16s only. First ten correct answers selected at random win. Usual competition rules apply. Editor's decision is final.

Spock off in a coffin

WHEN Trekkies do finally go, they can now boldly go forever—in a Star Trek coffin or urn.
For around £400 the Starfleet-styled globe will keep your ashes safe for hundreds of years. The coffin was inspired by the Photon Torpedo which beamed up Mr Spock to Vulcan heaven in the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. And it goes on sale later this year, price to be announced. See www.eternalimage.net

Stream your music all over the house

Wi-fi music sytems are the way to go and the Philips Streamium WACS7500 hits the right notes.
The music centre stores upto 1500 cds on its 80GB hard disk, plays FM and internet radio and accesses music from a PC or MP3 player.
It even shows album art and short music videos on a high resolution LCD screen.
But the best bit is that, using Wi-fi, it streams sounds to up to five remote music stations anywhere in the house. And by pressing a button your favourite song will follow you anywhere you go in your house.
Available exclusively at Currys and Dixons £699.99. www.currys.co.uk

Xbox 360 console price slashed

MICROSOFT today announced it is slashing prices of its Xbox console range with an entry-level price of just £159.99.

From Friday (March 14th) the Xbox 360, which includes a 20GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will sell for £199.99 – a saving of £50 on current prices.  The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a 120GB hard drive, will cost £259.99 – a saving of £40.  And the Xbox 360 Arcade console will go for just £159.99 – a saving of £40.

Give us a bling

THE mobile world’s gone blinging mad—rich geeks are pimping up their iPhones with luxury cases like this one worth a staggering £12,000.
Studded with 42 3.5-carat diamonds, the hand-crafted gold fibre leather outer from Case Mate will protect your phone. But you’ll need to keep it in a safe. You’ll see it in Harrods soon but if you can’t wait, Case Mate have a range of covers from £24.99. If you are seriously big into bling, you might want to check out the limited edition “Golden Age” Macbook Air, covered in 12,000 gold-coated Swarovski crystals. It will set you back £20,000. But hurry, there are only 20 in the world. They’ll have one in Selfridges next week, but in the meantime you can drool over it at the Bling My Thing website (www.bling-my-thing.com) where we also found cameras and even an Xbox given similar treatment. The customised look is big with Hollywood A-listers including Bruce Willis and Paris Hilton. If you really must have it, you could always try a DIY version with peel-and-stick crystals that we’ve found for just £13.99 at www.fonefun.co.uk

Wi-fi up your sleeve

YOU’LL always be able to find out wear there’s a wi-fi signal with this daft T-shirt. It flashes when you’re in a zone thanks to a battery pack hidden in the seam.  It’s cheaper than virtually all other wi-fi gadgets at £19.95. It's just that you can’t make calls or download tunes with it. www.firebox.com.

Read your voicemails

GET voice messages sent to you as texts and emails with SpinVox—a new service which translates speech into type. We’ve tested it and the accuracy is amazing. SpinVox is built on a system known as D2 (The Brain), combining artificial intelligence, voice recognition and linguistics. Voice-to-screen software is set to be one of the biggest trends this year, with Microsoft and Google developing products. Soon you’ll be able to voice-search Google on your mobile phone. Check out the SpinVox website at www.SpinVox.com   Another handy phone service is www.nowthen.com — a free mobile picture-sharing service which lets you send one MMS to all your friends’ mobiles for the cost of one message. It also stores your pics in an online profile like social network Facebook.

Vodafone speeds ahead

MOBILE giant Vodafone have launched this ultra-fast USB Modem Stick which allows you to surf at 7.2mbps on its upgraded network. It’s 22 times faster than current 3G phones. And speedier than most wi-fi networks which average about 5mbps.  It’s aimed at business users where Vodafone’s HSUPA (high-speed mobile broadband) is running in London and some airports. But it’s a sign of things to come as mobile broadband competes with wi-fi networks for traffic.  Mobile has the advantage of virtually national coverage but wi-fi is limited to urban areas.  The stick modem is the smallest and slimmest yet and plugs into a laptop’s USB slot, supporting Windows Vista, XP and Mac OS X. Free on 18-month £25 Mobile Broadband Business unlimited plan—three months free line rental. See www.vodafone.co.uk/thestick

TomTom bang on time

THE best sat-nav just got better with the TomTom Go 930T—boasting the most accurate route timings ever. It chooses roads based on real average speeds rather than using speed limits to estimate times. TomTom have used anonymous data from millions of customers’ devices on more than 10 billion kilometres of roads. This model also has brilliant lane guidance at junctions. Stores are confident deliveries will arrive punctually in May.

Games reviews by Owen Anslow

Lost Odyssey

Format: Xbox 360

Genre: RPG

Rating: 16+

Out: Now

SPELLBOUND

THIS is a magical RPG with hocus-pocus and loads of focus on a fantastic story. The main character is a hero warrior called Kaim, a somewhat silent but deadly lead man (oh, and he’s immortal too). Along with his immortal buddies, Kaim fights all sorts of nasties in a turn-based combat system which is quite fulfilling. When you’re not casting spells and picking up abilities, you delve deeper into the mysterious Lost Odyssey plot. This is told through a series of memories and dreams – but don’t skip the seriously long speeches or you’ll miss out on the beautifully told story. There are a couple of glitches, including boring non-battle tasks and random loading screens. All this interrupts your Odyssey adventure and will have you hurling a battered 360 controller across the room. This latest offering from Final Fantasy creators Mistwalker isn’t out of this world but is certainly worth a look

VERDICT: GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

SCORE: 7/10

Let us know if you Rate It or Hate It . . .

FIFA Street 3

Format: Xbox 360/PlaySation 3/DS

Genre: Sports

Rating: Everyone

Out: Now

FIFA SCORE NICE LITTLE WON-TWO

PRO Evo fans, look away now – FIFA Street 3 has got some skills. It’s jumpers for goalposts as the world’s best players showboat their serious tricks. Overall, this is a surprisingly slick game with easy menus and a trademark EA soundtrack. You can choose from hundreds of superstar footballers, each with customised moves and skills. In FS3 matches, the goal isn’t just to hit the back of the net, but to do so in style and leave your opponent nut-megged and in tears. Games take place in all sorts of strange places (car parks, oilrigs) which always results in a slight change of tactics. Although the solo setting is somewhat disappointing, the online matches make up for it. While FIFA struggles to keep up with Pro Evo regarding “proper” footie games, it’s Streets ahead with this fast-paced kickabout.

VERDICT: THE REST CAN’T KEEPIE UPPIE

SCORE: 8.2/10

Let us know if you Rate It or Hate It . . .

You've goat to be kidding

A COMEDY website has posted this bizarre video of an attempt to send out a replacement “wife” to a man mourning the loss of his goat bride.
Charles Tombe was forced under local law in Juba, southern Sudan, to marry a goat named Rose after he was caught making amorous advances towards her. Sadly, after a year of marital bliss, Rose died in a tragic accident.
So www.buzzmygoat.com – a new personal comedy service for web and mobile – has offered Mr Tombe one of its mascots, a British Toggenburg breed of goat named Daisy.
“It’s been almost a year since Rose died so tragically," says Buzz My Goat’s Justin Wickham.
“We feel Mr Tombe has endured enough mourning. The time is now right for him to move on to pastures new.”
The video shows Buzz My Goat taking Daisy to the Sudan Embassy in central London to ask for help shipping the goat out there.
But officials don’t seem to realise he’s only kidding.

Football Manager ready for Xbox

BRILLIANT news for Xbox owners . . . SEGA Europe and Sports Interactive announced today that Football Manager 2008 is ready to load on 360 consoles.
The fastest-selling version of the game has gone gold, as they say, and will be in the shops by the end of the month.
You'll be able to use Xbox Live to challenge friends to one-on-one matches and even host tournaments, and is a multi-region game, so European copies will work on Xbox 360’s around the world.

iPhone's the business

APPLE are releasing business-friendly software that will transform the iPhone into a one-stop device for work and leisure. From June,  iPhone customers will be able to access Microsoft Exchange and sync office emails, contacts and calendars to the device.

And Blackberry makers RIM will start to feel Apple breathing down its neck for business customers.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that it will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery.

BT to release extra festival tickets

BT is sponsoring this year's Isle of Wight Festival and will be releasing tickets held back for the sellout gig. This year’s headliners are The Kaiser Chiefs, Sex Pistols, and the Police. The high profile deal with festival organisers SOLO will allow BT to promote its involvement via its Voice, Broadband and Vision products and use its branding across the 250 acre festival site as well as competitions and an official BT chill-out zone. BT will also be offering the public a last chance to buy tickets for the festival. Details will be announced shortly.  Also appearing throughout the weekend is Grammy Award nominee Lily Allen,

Make it yours

A SONY are celbrating their briliant new Vaio TZ laptop with a coffee table book called Making It.  Featured in the glossy pages are 11 of the UK’s most influential entrepreneurs, along with the secrets of their success. Among the 11 businesses captured by acclaimed portrait photographer Amelia Troubridge are interior designer to the stars Kelly Hoppen, luxury jeweller Stephen Webster and Soho Group founder Nick Jones. Photographer Amelia Troubridge says: “The photographic illustrations are designed to capture the personality of each business. Chaining Stephen Webster to a lamppost using his exquisite jewellery and capturing the glamour of Kelly Hoppen in a run-down environment was a challenge but we are really excited about the results.”

Make calls from PSP

SONY have teamed up with BT to give PSP users free video calls worldwide via their handheld console.
Gadgits was given a sneak preview of Go Messenger this week and was impressed with how easily the service works.
To make the most of it you need a Go!Cam, the attachable video camera and microphone for PSP which costs around £35, and a wireless broadband connection.
Then you are free to video, voice and instant message other gaming buddies from anywhere in the world from your PSP.
Developed in partnership with BT, users can also connect to wireless broadband at over 2,500 BT Openzone hotspots and in and around city centres.
And you can download the software to a PC if you haven’t got a

PSP and stay in touch that way. That’s great for parents or partners who need to get through to a PSP addict.
On the PSP you get a software interface which lists your community and tells you who is online. You then simply call them and talk into the cam for a video call. If your buddy is not online you can leave a video voice message.
The system works a bit like Skype. Not just anyone can start contacting you. You have to accept other users’ requests to join your community before they can call you, which makes it pretty secure.
And if you want to start talking to someone else, you have to send them a request which they must accept before you can have a conversation.
It also makes the whole set-up very easy for parents to keep an eye on —especially as they can see exactly who is calling.
Other gaming consoles have a chat facility but the real beauty of this is the mobility.
It virtually turns your PSP into a free phone, if you already have broadband.
And this system offers a great cost-saving potential for youngsters who might think it better value to buy a PSP than shell out for a pay-as-you-go phone.
They’ve got the world at their fingertips . . . for free.

For more click here

Laser keyboard

HERE’S a new type of keyboard that’s light work for your fingers. It projects the letters onto your desk with a laser. Launched by Maplin, it’s designed for PDAs so you can type on the go.
It creates a fully functional keyboard by optically tracking finger movements. But we couldn’t make it work straight from the box, so geeks will have to surrender to their fears—and read the manual. Light years ahead though. £119.99 at maplin.co.uk