Quick Review: Saitek ST290 Pro Joystick

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Website: http://www.saitek.com
Platform: PC
Price: $20 - $25

Saitek is a popular and solid manufacturer of game controllers from joysticks to wheels to gamepads, ranging from budget-buy to top-line. I decided to buy the ST290 Pro and see if it was worth just $20.97.

Features
- (semi)adjustable and programmable stick
- rapid-fire trigger
- 5 buttons
- 8-way point-of-view hat switch
- lever throttle

One thing to notice about the ST290 is this curved, plastic bit that is screwed to the side of the stick, with a flat plastic piece below it. This is simply a hand/palm rest, of which you can raise or lower to fit your hand height, regardless if you are left or right handed (it can fit either side). The actual flat piece/palm rest can be removed if you just want something for the side of your thumb to rest against. At the top of the stick are 5 thumb buttons, with a POV hat switch in the middle, providing 8 directions, and ahead is the trigger. All buttons have a travel of about a mouse-click, except for the trigger which travels a bit farther. The clicks are audible and not annoyingly loud. Stick action is smooth and unhindered, allowing good manueverability. The stick also features a twisting action (Z-axis) for rudder control, which is a very welcome feature you don't usually find in $20 joysticks. At the base is a wide throttle lever you can push up and down. It's resistance is perfect - it's not loose and it's not real tight, just the right amount of friction for the right feel. Although, I think I would've preferred the throttle to be on the left of the stick, but I assume it is behind it to suit both left or right-handed players.

Overall the stick is lightweight plastic, with no real weight to the base. This may turn you off if you use your stick heavily. I haven't had any problems with the base lifting up though, but it's always nice to have a weighty feel at the bottom. So what might be the problems? If you look at the top 3 thumb buttons below the hat switch, it looks as if you could adjust their angle as we see some sort of axle that they are held onto. This is merely part of the aesthetic design, the buttons are not adjustable. It would be nice if they were, provided anyone finds their angle too shallow. While the joystick does not come with any software (as it is Plug-And-Play), Saitek mentions in the paper guide that you can download drivers and programming software for it. I downloaded the 30 MB drivers, of which would not install - it would ask me to plug-in my joystick before proceeding with the next step. The joystick was plugged in (a blue-light indicator at the top shows if there is any power going to it, by the way) but alas, no luck installing the drivers via the setup program. I had to right-click and choose "Install" on the WinXP driver .INF file, and copy all the rest of the files (.DLL's etc) into C:\Windows\System32. I've no idea what functionality these drivers are to provide, if any - since the stick is Plug-And-Play. Along with the drivers came Saitek's stick programming software. Their website mentions the ST290 Pro is programmable, but the software told me it couldn't find a supported stick! Regardless I was able to get the ST290 working in "Operation Flashpoint" and it was a relief to finally fly without a keyboard and mouse.

For $20 the Saitek ST290 Pro is a well featured joystick that outdoes competitor joysticks of the same price range.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros: 5-buttons + trigger, hat-switch, rudder-twist action, ambidextrious design, good build and price
Cons: Driver and programming software installations didn't work, light-weight

Quick Review: Thief: Deadly Shadows

Website: http://www.eidosinteractive.com/games/embed.html?gmid=141
Screenshots/Demo: http://www.3dgamers.com/games/thief3/
Platform: PC CD-ROM, X-Box

The "Thief" series is carried on in part 3, "Deadly Shadows". Having no real prior experience with the past 2 Thief games, I still found this to be an enjoyable game on it's own. You take upon the role of the infamous thief Garrett, and throughout the story you unravel a mystery of the dark ages, eventually combatting the forces that brought it about to "The City". It is your choice whether to play from third-person or first-person, or both. A very welcome feature for to suit people with different playing styles and preferences.

I liked the interweaving of subplots throughout the main plot. The submissions you do for particular, larger missions have a connectivity that gives a sense of accomplishment, and not entirely a spontaneous romp through various loot runs. Although, you are free to sway away from the main progression and loot shops and homes. This loot can be sold for money, and in turn, you can buy items and weapons (from various types of arrows that gas, explode, shroud/choke (moss) or douse fire (water), to explosive mines, flash grenades, health potions and more).

I found variation in enemies to be fairly satisfactory, from city watch guards, always looking to catch Garrett, to plot involved organizations such as the Pagans, Hammerites or the Keepers. Of course, there are civilians to whack n' loot if you wish. Guards seemed fairly determined to find you, and will sometimes stick around away from their usual patrol in case they may see you again.

There are various ways to evade and deter your enemies from dousing torches/candles with a water arrow, tossing a flash grenade to temporarily blind them, or even hiding in the shadows or clinging to a stone/brick wall with climbing gloves. They come in handy so very often, and as such it's a good item to buy once you can. Combat and such was fun, if you choose to get into it instead of evade conflict. I thought the AI was a generally good challenge, actually. Depending on how well you can sneak past them or cover your tracks, this will vary. AI will notice if a comrade is missing, or if a torch nearby has been doused, or even if there are puddles of blood. This will then trigger them to search around the perimeter for the bloody "taffer" - which is usually you, but not always - as NPCs will get into occasional conflict, allowing you another means to evade under the distraction.

Your weapony ranges from the blackjack (a heavy blunt object to whack people out cold from behind), a dagger, a bow and an assortment of arrows, and as mentioned above, various tossable weaponry. Sniping guards with broadhead arrows for an immediate-kill head or chest shot never tires, although aiming with a bow will take some practice, even when you zoom in.



Your main item is of course a set of lockpicks, and you will be using them to open locked chests and doors. The ease of use varies from simple to a bit harder, but nothing really stumping. It's all about finding the right spot in the lock, which is represented on screen. Once Garrett's right hand is steady, wiggle around and pop each tumbler (from a few to several).

Locales aren't just within the cramped city streets and alleyways, though. You'll be visited landmarks such as a city clocktower, church, graveyard, a haunted sea ship and an abandoned, burned down, haunted orphanage a wealthy museum, underground caves and more. I believe it was Audale that had some fairly high buildings and rooftop walkways you could traverse and hunt from. While you'll find variation in your thieving cover and locations, everywhere you go is shrouded in darkness or dim light. While this is great for a thief, it gets tiresome quick. You just want to see some sunlight to break the oppressive mood because it never lets up.

I thought Thief 3's graphics were just a notch below Doom 3, with it's convincing use of bump-mapping, shadow casting and lighting. The occasional graphical bug will occur, such as NPC's hair changing color or style even. I rarely clip through walls, but I have fallen into a "void" a couple times after climbing in a tight area. Animated cutscenes are also present to tell more of the story throughout, which most seem to be 3D but rendered as if they were a live-motion painting. Audio and voice acting is well done and generally convincing, never with a too serious tone, but nothing laughable either. I did sometimes experience multiple NPCs or narrative talking on at once, which makes it tough to focus on what you want to hear. Music is a fairly subtle ambient deal that really helps bring together the mood and especially tension in some moments.

Thief 3 is a good game, but it's constantly dark environment really hampers it's appeal after several hours. Despite this, it's a keeper with an ample amount of slow to medium paced missions that should give you at least `16 hours of loot n' whack fun.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pros: Good, detailed graphics, fun and enticing AI, memorable weapon and items to use, intriguing storyline, ambient score
Cons: The dark, the dark, the dark! I demand more light than torches! Multiplayer would've been fun but it's not here!