Thursday, July 8th, 2010 | Posted by Dane D | Comments Off
For those of you like myself who are wondering why Dragon Age 2 wasn’t announced at E3, we’ve finally received the official word that Dragon Age 2 is indeed coming. Shocker! I know. It was never a matter of if, but of when. Will the following information about this game make you salivate or take a step back in thought? Let’s find out!
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 | Posted by Sela Davis | 6 Comments
The Nintendo 3DS is coming, and you’d better prepare yourself for it.
When it was announced back in March, Nintendo’s new handheld console sparked a flurry of excitement and brought forth a number of questions. Could the 3DS really work without glasses? How much more powerful would this new device be? And, most importantly, what would be the flagship titles for the device?
Nintendo's new 3DS in a gorgeous red color.
All of these questions were answered at E3. The Nintendo 3DS does work without a special pair of glasses, and it works marvelously. There’s no need to worry if you have prescription glasses or contact lenses, as the 3D effect will still be very apparent. Nintendo was also kind enough to fit the device with a slider on the top screen, allowing you to adjust the depth of the 3D (a lower depth gives you a wider margin of error for your viewing angle) or even turn it off entirely at any point. Think of it as the volume slider on the DS Lite. 3D is available only on the top screen, which is wider than the DS’s, while touch capabilities will only be available on the bottom screen. Nintendo has also announced backwards compatibility with DS/DSi cartridges.
The difference between 3D and 2D was striking, though. Nintendo has prepared some classics for release on the 3DS, and it’s very easy to see how effective the 3D is when you have the opportunity to play one of these rereleases. Star Fox 64 3D, for instance, makes very good use of the 3D effects. The world feels much more detailed and immersive, even when compared to the same game with 3D turned off. There’s a visible “snap” from 2D to 3D if you adjust it on the fly, allowing you to see the difference very quickly.
Star Fox 64 3D, one of Nintendo's classics reworked for 3D.
Unfortunately, it’s up to the developers to make the 3D effect feel right, which will be an extra challenge for each release. Most of us have seen poorly-utilized 3D effects in movies, and it can be slightly disorienting and annoying if done incorrectly. Games like Star Fox feel like they’ve been rebuilt from the ground up to make use of the 3D, but the classic Xevious didn’t hold up as well. The 3D effect gave a feeling of height, but it looked more like paper cutouts laid on top of one another rather than a true 3D effect. That’s not to say that 2D games can’t be made well in 3D; instead, it’s just a matter of design.
The 3D effect isn’t all that the 3DS has going for it. Visually, the 3DS appears at least equal to if not superior to the PSP. The familiar rereleases don’t show the true capability of the device, but previews such as Kid Icarus: Uprising were stunning. Nintendo has also included a new interface element familiar to all PSP gamers: the slide pad, which acts like a small form factor analog stick. Fortunately, it feels much more natural than the PSP’s slide pad, which many have found awkward to use. We’ll see what happens when the device actually releases, but for now it’s safe to say that it’s a good time to be a handheld gamer. And with its massive list of currently announced titles, including Kid Icarus Uprising, the new Mario Kart 3DS, remakes of Star Fox 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the 3DS looks more and more like a day-one purchase as time goes by. It’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo has learned any lessons from the Wii’s manufacturing and release.
Nintendo's flagship 3DS title, Kid Icarus: Uprising.
The 3DS is also capable of much more than games: it takes the best of the DSi (cameras, downloadable content) and expands upon it. The device now has two outward-facing cameras, allowing you to take 3D pictures. These pictures can be viewed in 3D on the device, and hopefully will be compatible with other 3D cameras on the market. The 3DS will also have access to an online shop, where players can purchase downloadable games and other content. At this time, it appears that downloaded content cannot be redownloaded onto a 3DS without paying for it again; however, this may change at some point before release.
The 3DS will be available in a selection of colors, much like the DS, and will be released by the end of March 2011. It’s likely that they are (or were) pushing for a holiday release, but may not make it there. No price has been set, but it will ideally be priced about $199.99 in the United States. Look for more details later this year online or at your favorite brick-and-mortar store.
Monday, June 7th, 2010 | Posted by Gavin Greene | Comments Off
Look Mr. Bubbles, misleading sales statistics!
One financial distinction that many gamers may not release is that “units shipped” does not mean “units sold.” Look no further than 2K’s Bioshock 2 which, according to the developer, shipped over 3 million units, but may have sold significantly less. Arvind Bhatia of analyst firm Sterne Agee released a statement on the Q1 statements in which 2K released the shipment statistics. However, no official statistics or predictions on how much Bioshock 2 actually sold have been released.
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 | Posted by Gavin Greene | 1 Comment
The grassroots gamer-political organization the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) has just reached the 200,000 member milestone, according to its parent Entertainment Software Association. The coalition was founded in 2006, and represents the gaming community in matters of state and federal interest, most recently including bans or increased taxes on game software and misrepresentation of the community within the mainstream media.
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 | Posted by Gavin Greene | 2 Comments
Even if you managed to not succumb to homicidal rage by the internet account/access loopholes required to play titles like Assassin’s Creed II or Silent Hunter 5, a recent malfunction over the weekend left even legitimate copies of the software unplayable. Considering the already heated response the developer has received from the fanbase, Ubisoft was quick to issue a statement on the situation.
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Thursday, December 24th, 2009 | Posted by Randy Yasenchak | 1 Comment
Making a great game is only half the battle. Many forget that without a great original score, the experience of the game becomes more complete. It also makes it more memorable. Composing a great work is an art in itself. There is nothing comparable than being able to translate emotions through the use of music.
Borderlands (Gearbox Software, 2K Games)
Demon’s Souls (From Software, Sony Computer Entertainment)
Dragon Age: Origins (Bioware Edmonton, Electronic Arts)
Halo 3: ODST (Bungie, Microsoft Games Studio)
Nostalgia (Matrix Software/Red Entertainment, Ignition Entertainment)
The most epic RPG of 2009, Dragon Age: Origins, is supplemented with the award of Best Original Score of 2009. Composed by the award-winning composer, Inon Zur, who wrote the score for 2008′s notable RPG, Fallout 3, as well as other Bioware titles such as the Baldur Gate series, the soundtrack for Dragon Age: Origins provides great music that accompanies the mammoth gaming adventure. Each individual melody adds different feelings depending on the situation such as battle sequences, the various environments, and simple dialog. With the talent of the Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra, the soundtrack of Dragon Age: Origins gives the game a unique experience reminiscent of a film on the big screen.
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 | Posted by Randy Yasenchak | Comments Off
Why waste gas, time, and worry about parking when you can just download some amazing titles directly to your PC or home console? As time goes by and digital downloads become more and more the norm, this category will likely morph and possibly disappear. But for now, here are your nominees for Downloadable Game of the Year.
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City (Rockstar North, Rockstar Games)
Flower (ThatGameCompany, Sony Computer Entertainment)
Shadow Complex (Chair Entertainment/Epic Games, Microsoft Game Studios)
Tales of Monkey Island (Telltale Games, Telltale Games)
Torchlight (Runic Games, Perfect World Entertainment)
The competition was pretty tough this year, especially since online stores like Steam and Direct2Drive offered some amazing titles that didn’t even make it to the top 5 nominations, but in any other year, they’d likely win this award. Flower was special though. Taking the role of the wind, players’ objectives were to pick up flower petals and bring back life to an otherwise grey landscapes. Flower‘s soothing environments and relaxing sounds almost make it feel like it belongs in a beauty spa and the game dances the line between art and video game. ThatGameCompany created something fresh, original, and beautiful. It’s a journey that all gamers should take.
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 | Posted by Randy Yasenchak | 2 Comments
Co-op. Versus. Capture the Flag. King of the Hill. Sometimes the only thing more fun than blowing away the computer is digitally conquering obstacles alongside friends or making new online enemies. Though online co-op and versus will never replace the hands-on experience of arcades, what it does deliver is something that is equally irreplaceable.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog, Sony Computer Entertainment)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve Corporation, Valve Corporation)
Borderlands (Gearbox Software, 2K Games)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward, Activision)
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising (Codemasters, Codemasters)
While Left 4 Dead 2 didn’t bring much new to the table this year, what they have delivered is the most balanced game between cooperative play and versus play. Teams of four can compete with hordes of the undead for who gets to keep their brains at the end of the day. In versus modes, two separate teams compete for the same thing, except one team controls the gruesome undead as they coordinate their attacks to separate the survivors and make their lives a walking hell. While playing on the PC has its advantages for playing user made maps, mowing down crowds of zombies is equally satisfying on the Xbox 360.
Monday, December 21st, 2009 | Posted by Randy Yasenchak | 1 Comment
The Nintendo Dual-Screen continues its record of the best software library on the market with its plethora of excellent titles for literally every possible gamer type. From those that just have fifteen minutes on the train, to those that want to make five hour car trips disappear, it’s impossible not to find a handful of titles to sate your specific tastes. But even with a library of thousands, these five games have emerged as the best the system has to offer.
Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (AlphaDream, Nintendo)
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (Level-5, Level-5)
Scribblenauts (5th Cell, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment)
Suikoden Tierkreis (Konami, Konami)
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier (Banpresto/Monolith Soft, Namco Bandai Games)
Nothing on the portable gaming scene has matched that almost-embarassing moment of glee one feels when testing Level 5’s immense word compendium. Sure, attached to the massive in-game dictionary were creative level lay-outs and an amusing art style; but when you spend hours making fantastic title matches like God vs. Cthulu (and you will,) the outside world can disappear around you. For forcing us to come to grips with the limits of our creativity, Scribblenauts takes home the DS gold for 2009.
Monday, December 21st, 2009 | Posted by Randy Yasenchak | 7 Comments
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | Posted by Mats Paasche | Comments Off
Virtua Tennis will now also be available on Wii, and it will use Wii Motion Plus.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | Posted by Kipp Pietrantonio | Comments Off
June 2, 2009
Wii Sports Resort includes, frisbee, ping pong, golf, basketball, archery, sword games, wave runner…and more
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | Posted by Kipp Pietrantonio | Comments Off
Includes a Skateboarding game, perfect ten (brain age for your backside) and new fitness features.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | Posted by Kipp Pietrantonio | Comments Off
June 2, 2009
Following their success bringing their titular franchise back to its roots on the DS, Nintendo kicked off their press conference at E3 with a reveal of New Super Mario Brothers Wii. Bringing back the classic look and feel of the plumber’s glory days, the title comes equipped with up to 4-player co-op multiplayer, with a variety of new suits and abilities to use for and against your friends.
Monday, June 1st, 2009 | Posted by Kipp Pietrantonio | 1 Comment
Halo ODST has a release date: 9/22 and the newly announced Halo Reach will have a beta included.
Top Cheats from VGChartz.com
