Driving games differ in a number of different ways, not just because they contain different kinds of vehicles (cars, bikes, Formula 1) but also in the type of challenge they present.

In the case of Pure the main objective is not only crossing the line in the first place, but also performing as many jumps, tricks and other acrobatics while you’re on air, flying at top speed over bumpy trails with your quad bike.

Before actually starting the race, Pure makes you go through a training session that also works as a kind-of tutorial. It's a good way to get used to the game's quite confusing controls, which inexplicably mix up keys from the standard WASD combination and the arrow keys.

After you learn how to preload, boost and do a basic trick, you're ready to go: it's time for a real race! This time the track is much more fun, because it enables you to compete against other drivers and also includes higher jumps in which you'll be able to show off everything you learned during the tutorial stage. The realistic, highly detailed graphics in Pure serve to make it even more enjoyable, and a lively rock-style soundtrack adds the final touch.

Pure requires a bit of dexterity, so if you don't get any trick during the first few minutes of gameplay don't panic. Also, note that you’re supposed to perform different tricks on each jump (repeating penalizes) and that if you’re successful with the basic ones, you’ll unlock more advanced tricks.

On the downside, I must admit Pure let us down for various reasons. The first one is the file's size, which is simply too heavy for such a short demo. They could have removed all those promotional videos and include at least another track. The controls are also a bit complex: just performing a basic trick involves four different keys, which are usually configured very far apart from each other on the keyboard. Finally, the game has some absurd restrictions. I don’t know what’s wrong with going a bit off the track or even trying to turn around and racing in the wrong direction, but you simply can't. Pure interrupts the game and puts you into track again. Seriously, a bit more freedom for the player wouldn’t hurt, even if that means I don’t win the race.

Pure is not just about racing: it's also about performing the craziest airborne tricks during the race. Too bad the demo is so short that you hardly have time to enjoy it.

Download Pure in Softonic

UltraMon is a utility for multi-monitor systems, designed to increase productivity and unlock the full potential of multiple monitors.

Features:

• Efficiently move windows and maximize windows across the desktop
• Manage more applications with the Smart Taskbar
• Control application positioning with UltraMon Shortcuts
• Multi-monitor support for desktop wallpapers and screen savers
• Mirror your main monitor to secondary monitors for a presentation

Download UltraMon 3.0.3 Beta in Softonic

OK, so the storyline is a little far-fetched - you take control of the cleverly-named Rickard Bronson and must save the planet from an afterlife in hell using nothing but your hot air balloon - but Afterlife actually provides you with hours of fun. It can take a little while to master your craft but the controls can be customized and after a frustrating couple of first levels, the game turns into an action-packed romp through the dimensions of hell.

Afterlife isn't going to win any awards for its graphics, and the blocky ghosts and badly-rendered fireballs aren't exactly scarey. However, there's a decent soundtrack of music composed by the software developer with lots of tunes that can be hand-picked by you. It's a highly original adventure game, that if you have the patience to practice at will become something you can come back to time and again.

Download Afterlife 1.7.3 in Softonic

Orbz is an action/arcade game set in colorful 3D environments. The object of the game is to shoot your orb at targets located throughout 14 distinct courses in a race to score the most points. Game play contains both intense action and also strategy in planning the best scoring shots. Power-ups, like the "Money Shot" and "Curse of the Goober", are also available to either give you a scoring advantage or to slow down your opponents.

In Solo Mode, the player completes a series of progressively difficult challenges that focus on scoring the most points in different scenarios. Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals are awarded for scoring performance and high scores for each challenge are tracked world-wide against all other Orbz players. For every 5 gold medals achieved, the player will also unlock a fancy new Orb to use in Solo or Online mode. Finally, there is a tutorial mode that will teach the player basics controls and scoring strategies.

The Online Mode allows Orbz players to compete against each other over the Internet or Local Area Network. Up to 10 players, including computer opponents called Botz, can join a Lobby where the matches will be coordinated by selecting the course to play, number of rounds in the match, and a per-round time limit. A world-wide ranking system is also available for those who wish to compete for the ultimate title of Orbz Champion.

Download Orbz 2.1 in Softonic

KeyPass is a versatile password manager that types your passwords for you. Unlike other password managers that require tedious cut-and-paste or drag-and-drop operations to enter your passwords, KeyPass types the passwords for you when a user-defined "hot key" is pressed. As such, it works with any browser or application, including web browsers, terminal emulators and corporate services.

The information is encrypted using 448-bit blowfish algorithm and a master password is required to unlock the information in the database. This means that only you can access secret information such as passwords, credit card details, PIN numbers and any sensitive documents you have.

Unlike other password managers that write configuration information to the Windows registry, KeyPass stores everything in the encrypted database so that it can be run without prior installation. This allows you to carry all your sensitive information with you wherever you go. Simply plug the device into any PC and immediately access all your information and passwords.

Download KeyPass 4.7.4 in Softonic

WebcamXP offers unique features and unequaled ease of use to let you broadcast/manage your video sources or secure your company with up to 10 video sources per computer. The software supports all video for Windows/WDM sources and most file-based or ip based sources. You can unlock an unlimited and free version by joining and sharing your cam on http://www.myvideochat.net.

Download WebcamXP 2008 5.3.1.264 in Softonic

Music is great for dancing to, but did you know that it's also makes the perfect accompaniment to chopping wood, playing tennis and making sandwiches? Install Jaybot's Catchy Cadence on your device and you'll find out why.

Catchy Cadence is a free game where you must test your rhythmic abilities by tapping the screen to the beat of a song. It includes more than a dozen games each with its own song and unique storyline and graphics.

What I loved about Catchy Cadence is the sheer diversity of the gameplay. One minute you find yourself hopping on pipes as a robot in a futuristic world to techno music, while the next you're entering a latin dancing competition in a Simple Simon-style beat-matching game. The graphics in Catchy Cadence are colorful and well rendered and all the scenarios are wonderfully presented.

In terms of the music, Catchy Cadence doesn't contain any licensed tracks, so you won't recognize any of the tunes. Nevertheless, the original songs are very catchy and you'll find yourself humming many of them for some time after you've finished playing.

The control system is ultra-simple and you just need to tap the screen in the right place at the right time. Mastering the games in Catchy Cadence is not so straightforward though, as they move at a very fast pace most of the time. Because you can't progress to the next game until you've completed the previous game, this can become frustrating.

Although there's no two-player mode to speak of, Catchy Cadence still has enough to keep you coming back for more, and the novel Extras menu, where you can unlock songs and other goodies provides a good incentive to stay glued to your screen.

If you're a fan of games like Guitar Hero, Rockband or Frets on Fire, then you'll love playing Jaybot's Catchy Cadence.

Download Catchy Cadence 1.0 in Softonic

Lock My PC is an easy to use and compact tool for quick computer locking when you leave it unattended. It shows a lock screen, disables Windows hot keys and the mouse. You can lock your PC with a hotkey or from the system tray. To unlock the computer you must enter correct password only. The program can log invalid password entry attempts and has option to keep your PC locked even if power failure occurs or someone switches it off and on.

Download Lock My PC 4.7 in Softonic

Firewalls can be frightening things to work with if you don't know how to configure them - blocking traffic you need and letting in those that you don't.

Privatefirewall is a comprehensive firewall that monitors your system 24/7. It has a highly intuitive interface that makes it one of those firewalls that you can use easily. It's easy to use for beginners although it will also appeal to advanced users because it has so many configurable options if you want them. If you do need help configuring these, the program has an extensive online documentation on the author's homepage. You can choose from three levels of firewall security which range from protection at home, at work, travel and mobile equipment. It monitors up to eleven areas divided into four areas: network, DCOM, browser and access control. These levels can be customized and completely preconfigured, but if you wish, you can set your own configuration rules made to your liking and tailored to your needs. The program features packet filtering, port analysis, tracking IP, e-mail etc in addition to developing detailed reports on monitoring results.

An excellent and powerful firewall that will fulfill the needs of all but the most demanding users.

Download Privatefirewall 6.0 in Softonic

Racing through the streets of a big city like Paris or London is completely illegal. This is probably why street racing games are so popular these days.

French Street Racing is one of those games, which is set – as you can guess by its name – in the most important cities of France. You're given the opportunity to race those streets with your shiny sports car, competing against other drivers to reach the finishing line in the first position.

Exciting as it sounds the game fell quite short of expectations when I tried it. To begin with, menus are dull and difficult to use. Then, graphics are just fine, but they get blurred and confusing while playing the game. Last, but not least, the game's physics is far from being realistic.

French Street Racing features interesting elements, such as the possibility to customize your car and support for online multiplayer games. It’s a pity though that the whole gaming experience is ruined by the graphic quality and gameplay.

French Street Racing seems a very promising driving game that lets you race along the streets of important French cities. Too bad it still needs lots of development in graphics, gameplay and physics.

Download French Street Racing in Softonic

The SimCity saga is a classic in the world of videogames. Its attractive mixture of strategy and simulation elements along with a high level of detail has made a real success from it.

SimCity Societies is one of the last representatives of this popular series: a new title that follows the SimCity line, but adding more and more elements from The Sims, the other successful saga created by EA. In a way, we could say the game is now easier to play – something which newcomers will be thankful for – while still keeps the same addictive elements for hardcore SimCity players.

In SimCity Societies you have the possibility to create very different towns, not only in aspect, but also in their values. From creativity to spirituality, from knowledge to production, the values of your city will affect its general design and layout.

Another distinctive feature is the attention paid to your citizens, not just as a crowd of people, but actually caring about their individual needs and feelings. You can click on anyone of them and see how they're doing, where they work and whether they're happy of not.

We also find this incredible level of detail in the game's graphics. You can freely move around with your mouse and use the wheel to zoom up to street level, until you're able to see your citizens' faces. There's also a huge array of objects (homes, workplaces, shop and the like) you can choose from and combine anyway you want. On the downside, this means that you have so much information in the game's interface that it can become really overwhelming for first-time players.

SimCity Societies is, in short, a very entertaining game: the kind of title that you can play for hours without noticing the passing of time. Also, it's a great chance for you to start playing the SimCity saga if you haven't played any of these titles before.

SimCity Societies is the evolution of the original SimCity saga: a strategy building simulator that will get you hooked before you can even notice it.

Download SimCity Societies in Softonic

Along with Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat is one of the all-time great fighting games. It was also probably the first 2D title to that succeeded in simulating a 3D experience. In the late 80s, the game seemed so realistic that people thought it was unsuitable for younger players. Looking at it now, surely you wouldn’t say it is ‘realistic’, but you can still say it’s really violent. The final attacks, called ‘fatality’ or ‘brutality,’ definitely fit into this back this up.

In the third version of Mortal Kombat, the 'Ultimate' one, you can choose between 24 characters, each with their own special moves. To configure the keys you’d like to use, go to the Options > Set Config > Controllers menu; at this point, choose '6btn Pad' in the Port1 line and click Define. Now press the keys you would like to use to jump, move right, left, punch and kick by following the directions you see at the bottom of the frame.

If you are brave enough to face the bloody characters of Ultimate MK3, give this faithful reproduction of the game a try and see how close you get to the cliff’s edge.

Download Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in Softonic

There's only a week left until Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull hits cinemas worldwide, a moment all true Indy fans like me have been desperately waiting for. If you're also among them, let me show you a trick to relieve your Indiana Jones anxiety: play the videogame!

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is an original mix-up of the three previous Indy movies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), turned into a fun 3D platform adventure with some mind-twisting puzzles and a very unusual element: it's all made of Lego blocks.

This means that all characters, enemies and objects you'll find along the game are Lego style, which sometimes makes the game simply hilarious. You can for example build necessary elements - such a bridge to cross over a gap - out of a bunch of Lego pieces. Also, when you kill enemies or destroy objects with your whip, they're all torn down to Lego blocks. Backgrounds are the only thing in the game that don't follow the Lego style and have been created in a 3D style instead.

Despite being made of Lego, Indy is quick and agile. You can jump from one platform to another, fly over deep cliffs with your whip and avoid all sorts of obstacles quite easily. What's more, the game lets you carry two simultaneous characters (Indy and his friend) and change between them at any time, depending on what you need to do (remember: Indy doesn't have a shovel, but his friend does!).

Be aware though that the game is not just about jumping platforms and using your whip like Tarzan's vines. You'll have to solve various riddles and puzzles in order to gain access to certain areas during your adventures. The game's also quite easy to control, even if you're not very skillful with platforms, though I missed having a bit more control over the camera.

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is an hilarious 3D platform game which will let any Indy fan relive the most famous movie scenes featuring their favorite archaeologist.

Download LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Demo in Softonic

Has it ever happened that you try to delete a file, only to receive an error message telling you that the file is in use, or that you don't have permission to access the file, or that the file is write-protected: you can't delete it!

But now you have a new ally. It's called Unlocker and is a simple program capable of detecting the applications and processes that are blocking the file you want to delete, free it and allow you to delete without any problems.

Download Unlocker 1.8.7 in Softonic

You've probably seen a ton of online racing games already, but Trackmania Nations Forever is quite different from anything you have seen so far.

To begin with, this great game is completely free. No trial periods, no disabled functions, no nagging windows. It's for you to play and enjoy for free, as long as you want, as much as you feel like it. Also, Trackmania Nations Forever is not that much about arriving first to the finish line, but rather about having fun along the way; hence the extensive social component of the game and the incredible jumps and spins you'll be able to perform. Last, but not least, it also enables you to customize the game, featuring a complete editor with which you can create not only tracks, but also design your very own car.

Trackmania Nations Forever includes three different gaming modes (Solo, Online and Party play) which give you a different approach to the game: you can either play against the PC and try to break your personal records, play with friends on the same computer or in a local area network or play against other Trackmania drivers from all over the world with its superb online multiplayer mode. The Solo mode works with a system based on medals (the best your racing times are, the more medals you get and the more tracks you unlock) while the Online mode uses a worldwide ranking to measure players's achievements.

In a way, we could say that the most important element in Trackmania Nations Forever is gameplay. Everything has been carefully planned and designed to be as easy for the player as possible: for example, you can register your profile by simple filling in a two-field form, or control the car with just the arrow keys. This simplicity is what makes the game so much fun and so wickedly addictive.

Despite this apparent simplicity, however, you'll find a very elaborate game. Track and car design are simple, but realistic and very accurate. An excellent soundtrack adds the final touch to a game that, in my opinion, sets a turning point in online racing games.

Trackmania Nations Forever is probably one of the greatest online racing games you'll ever see: fun races, customizable elements, an extensive user community and excellent gameplay.

Download Trackmania Nations Forever 2.11.11 in Softonic

Today you need to remember many passwords. You need a password for the Windows network logon, your e-mail account, your homepage's ftp password, online passwords, etc. The list is endless. Also, you should use different passwords for each account. Because if you use only one password everywhere and someone gets this password you have a problem... A serious problem. The thief would have access to your e-mail account, homepage, etc. Unimaginable.

KeePass is a free/open-source password manager or safe which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole database. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish).

Download Keepass Password Safe 2.05 Alpha in Softonic

Now that Blu ray has finally arrived, there's going to be a deluge of programs and utilities that attempt to crack the sophisticated region encryption it uses.

This program does exactly that by removing Blu-ray regional codes from Blu-ray discs thus allowing playback regardless of your wherabouts or from what country your Blu-Ray is from. This is great for those people in Europe that want to say, buy Blu-Ray discs on Amazon in the USA and play them in Europe (and vice versa of course). Blu-ray discs can feature various methods of encryption and this program is specifically aimed at removing "Blu-ray Disc Ripper 1.2 for .NET" encryption. However, it also supports removal of encryption by BD-J script. Version 2.0 supports removing of region code from ALL current and future Blu-ray titles, both with BDMV and BD-Java navigation. To keep up with Blu-Ray, the latest versions of this program have been updated with facilities for the removal of "Prohibited User Operations" on Blu-ray titles which enables you to do all those things that the disc previously wouldn't allow you to. Note that Blu-Ray region code remover requires .NET Framework 2.0 to run before you install it.

A handy Blu-Ray decoder for all those that want to buy and view disks from different regions although according to the forum, it can't unlock all discs so it comes with no guarantees.

Download Blu-ray Region Code Remover 2.3 in Softonic

At a time when every computer game released seems to add more levels of detail and complexity to the world of gaming, it’s good to see that some developers make the effort to bring out titles designed for a bit of mindless enjoyment. Icy Tower looks like a game that could have been made ten years ago, and even then, wouldn’t have looked particularly impressive. The game play consists of the single-minded pursuit of reaching the top of the tower in which our homeboy character finds himself by jumping onto the ledges throughout.

This might not sound like much and frankly, it’s not. The only controls you need are left, right and jump. What makes this game fun is the speed of play, the wacky sound effects and messed-up way that you can jump three stories at once if you happen to get the perfect run up! You gather points by beating the clock to the top of each level and also by building jump combinations. The result is a quick, enjoyable game that you could come to at anytime and play for a minute or half-an-hour.

Download Icy Tower 1.3.1 in Softonic

Project Torque could be defined as a free online clone of Gran Turismo – if PlayStation fanboys would excuse such audacity.

Now, before you start throwing your sixaxis controllers at me for being such a daring reviewer, let me explain: Project Torque is not Gran Turismo, that's right. But it is an awesome online racing game, seasoned with a very attractive social component that's contributed to build a very active user community around the game. Add to that a complete driving license system, several game modes, online competitions and a shop where you can upgrade and customize your car, and you get an excellent game that's definitely worth a try.

Bear in mind, however, that it may take a while before you can actually start taking part in races. First, the game file will download an extra 456 MB patch before allowing you to launch the game. Then, I advise you to follow the tutorial, which teaches you all the basics in less than 5 minutes. And finally, you'll need some time to get used to the game's interface, which looks a bit cluttered with all those available options and tools. One tip: add your favorite MP3 files to the game's music folder and you'll be able to enjoy your favorite music while playing Project Torque.

So how's racing itself? Pretty fun, indeed. The game allows you to drive from different perspectives (inside or outside the car) and in all of them, the level of realism is going to make your jaws drop. This goes also for circuit environment, light effects and physical effects as well, the later being especially noticeable when you bump against a lamppost. Luckily you can repair your car on the spot with the backspace key.

As you unlock tracks, obtain different driving licenses and take part in races against players from all over the world, you'll earn experience points that you can later on invest in your baby, I mean, you car, to make it the fastest machine on earth. Project Torque will also give you the chance of meeting very friendly people online, who you can add to your buddy list. The game features embedded chat and email clients to keep in touch with them.

Project Torque is a free online multiplayer driving game, clearly inspired by Gran Turismo, where you can take part in exciting races, earn experience points, improve your car and have loads of fun!

Download Project Torque in Softonic

In Hidden Relics you get to turn yourself into a worldwide explorer hunting for antiques.

Hidden Relics provides an original story, which will take you to very different locations all over the world. The main outline of the game is to hunt for antiques and artifacts in very crowded areas. The game will give you clues along the way to help you out in finding artefacts. The funnest part though is probably all the mini puzzle games that you'll play, which will unlock all sorts of gadgets, like magnifyer goggles or a diamond detector, to help you out uncovering anitques.

However what really makes Hidden Relics enjoyable are the graphics, particularly all the details you'll find when hunting around for antiques.

The game is very fun to play, and finding antiques in crowded scenes is a real challenge. The only real downside though is the lengthy installation process. The game has to go through the Big Fish Games installation engine, which can take some time in downloading the game. Users might also get a little turned off by having to provide their email just to try out the game.

Despite the long installation process, Hidden Relics is a very enjoyable game with great graphics, a good story and lots of mini games to keep you excited. Recommended if you like solving puzzles.

Download Hidden Relics 1.0.1 in Softonic