Develpoer Candygun Games’ new robbery title Dollar Dash will be launching on PSN, Xbox Live Arcade, and PC this October, publisher Kalypso Media announced. This official statement below:
“Dollar Dash is a frenetic, multiplayer digital game that has players in the role of a cartoon thief who must make use of extravagant weapons to grab bags of cash and deposit it in a getaway vehicle before it disappears. Developed by Candygun Games, Dollar Dash offers a huge amount of customization and personalization as players attack, defend, and outrun their fellow thieves with comedic tactics to achieve victory.”
Dollar Dash will launch with drop-in and drop-out online and offline multiplayer for up to two to four players. The game will have a total of three game modes that are said to be hilarious, and it will also feature loads of customization options to help make the robber to your liking. Now go grab your loot bags and get to robbing.
It seems that we may be getting a WiiU version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. According to the Linkedln page of a tester for Treyarch named Randall, QA testing for Black Ops II has been in the works since May. His responsibilities included:
“QA testing on PS3 and Wii U, multiplayer testing while collaborating with team, ad hoc testing, and regression. Bug writing, research, and documentation are performed with each issue that is found.”
This is not the first time we have heard rumors of Black Ops 2 releasing on Nintendo’s next generation console due to magazine scans and comments suggesting this. Also, there is more evidence implying this because video game analyst Michael Pachter recently predicted that Nintendo developed its WiiU Pro Controller specifically to convince Activision to make a Wii U version of Call of Duty.
Activision has made no comment yet so stay tuned for more information regarding this matter.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 releases on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on November 13, 2012, with a WiiU version predicted to come out sometime during the console’s launch window.
I’m the kind of guy who listens to the audio commentary on things I love, and The Simpsons is right up there. One concept I’ve heard come up regularly in those commentaries is what they call “rubber-band reality”: the way that the creators can move bits of Springfield around at will, to serve a story or an individual joke. That’s why in one episode, the Power Plant parking lot backs up to the Simpsons’ yard, for a joke about how far away Homer has to park. Or in the movie, where Moe’s and the church are suddenly neighbours, so the patrons of each venue can flee into the other when townwide devastation is imminent. Consistency be damned!
EA’s iOS app, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, lets you play with that rubber band however you want, through a city-building sim. You want to put the Simpsons’ house next door to Moe’s? I’m sure Homer has no problem with that.
The story goes that Homer has accidentally wiped out Springfield in a nuclear meltdown, and must reconstruct it from scratch. In the process, he will discover where the citizens have been hiding, and get them performing tasks to earn donuts to expand the town.
The app was actually released a few months ago, but was pulled from the store due to bugs and severe lag. Apparently it’s been fixed up, and EA have re-released it. So far, it’s only available on the US iTunes app store, but we’ve been promised that it’ll be rolled out to other regions “soon”. How soon remains to be seen, but when it gets to Australia, I’ll jump right on that.
New Super Mario Bros. 2 Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo 3DS Release Date: August 19, 2012 Price: $39.99 – BUY NOW
Overview
New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the successor to the blockbuster for the DS known as New Super Mario Bros., which was released all the way back in 2006. To date, this makes the 3rd in the line of “New” themed Mario titles, which offers a throwback experience to the franchise with 2D styled gameplay and 6 magical little worlds. To dampen the repetition that one might expect, Nintendo are offering up a new gimmick of coin collecting, as well as a brand new Coin Rush Mode that works with the 3DS’ Streetpass function. There really isn’t much question if we’d expect New Super Mario Bros. 2 to be solid, but does it do enough to stand out to warrant a purchase?
Gameplay
After Peach is kidnapped by the Koopa Kids, Mario must set out on a journey to save his damsel in distress. You know the story, as we’ve seen it time and time again but I must say that 27 years after the original, it still puts a smile on my face to see Princess Peach whisked across each world as our round little plumber makes chase. Much like the…well…everything within New Super Mario Bros. 2, the layout within is also very familiar, as players simply platform across each level until they reach the flag, facing a mid and main boss within each set of levels before progressing forward. Yes, its nothing too flashy or special compared to the heights this franchise has climbed, but in true Mario style, the journey to the finish is what makes this coin-filled adventure shine.
Controls for a Mario game are never too difficult, and not surprisingly the quality continues with this title as players are given a simplistic yet solid control scheme to jump onto moving ledges, paddle through scenic underwater routes, and plop through those classic warp pipes. The slide pad yet again proves its worth by making the experience feel effortless, while the face buttons are all mapped out intuitively, allowing for easy access to newcomers and veterans alike. Mario still boasts all of his usual standard abilities, such as picking up and tossing Koopa shells, while retaining his latter learned tricks such as wall jumps and ground pounds. The wall jumps work especially well when the player finds themselves plummeting towards a pit, as all that is needed out of the player is to muster up a quick bounce off a wall in order to rocket upwards and get back to sturdy ground.
As far as those famed power-ups go, players can expect to see fire-flowers, mushrooms, stars, and 1-UPs scattered throughout their quest. Making a return this time around is the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3 as well, which now lets this newer Mario fly throughout levels after a quick run and jump. I think we all remember how awesome it felt to get a Super Leaf years ago, and that epic feeling of flight holds true even more so within these levels as any area can be revisited at a moments notice, leaving the player with several opportunities to float back in and search for more coins and secrets.
Speaking of coins, gold is truly where New Super Mario Bros. 2 attempts to define itself from the rest of the lot. Players have always collected coins to get an extra life in Mario games, and you honestly could just do that an get a good portion of entertainment here. The thing is, the completionist in my own self could not leave one coin behind. You see, as you play, each coin you collect is counted at the bottom of the screen. As you reach higher numbers, the game will take a moment to congratulate you on your feats, while trying to get the player to aim for one million in total. This number is high and could take several playthroughs to hit, but there are more than enough tools to assist you on your quest for coins.
New power-ups such as the golden flower turn Mario into solid gold, and every fireball he fires out transforms both bricks and enemies into coins. The golden block can also appear from time to time, giving our hero a block of gold for a head that feeds players more coins for speeding through a stage. Mario can also get the Koopas and other foes into the giving act as well, turning everyone into gold and collecting the coin projectiles they vomit profusely. Yes, it’s different and definitely gimmicky, but I personally became obsessed with snagging up every cent as this formula is both addictive and enjoyable. Coin Rush mode adds to this collect-a-thon, giving the player one life to get through three random stages. Of course the purpose is to get as much gold as possible – and to test the strengths and skills of passing players as they battle to top your score.
Those who have friends will also be able to complete the game via co-op with Luigi through multi-card local play. Now, I do feel like an online mode would have been ideal for this type of game, but local has it’s own benefits so most should have no problem buddying up to get some extra life out of their experience.
Visuals and Audio
Bright, colorful, and warm are the words that best describe the energetic worlds within New Super Mario Bros. 2. Every world is full of life and animation, pulling the player into green flowery fields, hot pools of Lava, and menacing Boo houses. Yeah, I know…we have seen these same type of designs three times now (four if you count the similar yet still wonderful Super Mario 3D Land), but it’s hard to hate perfection. The 3D effect however does very little to improve this aesthetic, except for adding a little more “pop” to the moving environments in the background. Considering that this game is a 2D platformer, most should be able to easily overlook that very minor shortcoming.
As far as the soundtrack goes, not much has changed. Each level is still treated to the same tunes we have heard time and time again, but this is Mario and as I stated, you really don’t need to fix what isn’t broken. Mario still lets out his little howls when dying or claiming a flag, and all of those classic sound effects have lingered in to make sure the nostalgic crowd will feel right at home when collecting power-ups or chomping up the delicious coins.
Overall
Everywhere I go, I hear people saying that New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a rehash, or that it has been done too many times. Both statements may be true to an extent, but I feel that the best rebuttal to those critics is simply… “why not?“. This is the first entry of the “New” Mario series on the 3DS, and one of near perfection that nails every aspect it effortlessly delivers from beginning to end. The new coin collection gimmick is a superb one that not only fits in perfectly, but also pours incentive to keep on playing the game long after that final castle has been cleared. If Nintendo know anything, it’s that their fans love nostalgia, which is exactly what this game and the “New” series as a whole plays to. Collecting coins, stomping Koopas, and saving the Princess won’t keep Mario’s grey hairs disguised, but those looking for some guaranteed entertainment and quality are sure to find it in yet another golden delivery from the world’s favorite mustached plumber.
Microsoft and 343 Industries proudly released a new Halo 4 video today which provides a look behind the scenes at the making of Halo 4 while also comparing it to how a movie is made.
Launching on Nov. 6, 2012 exclusively on Xbox 360, Halo 4 is the next blockbuster installment of the iconic franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, Halo 4 continues the story of the series’ iconic hero the Master Chief as he returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 takes the series in a bold new direction by delivering its most epic and exploration-filled campaign yet, alongside an emotionally resonant story and a groundbreaking multiplayer offering unlike anything before it, which will set the stage for an epic new sci-fi saga.
The “Halo 4” Limited Edition, announced earlier today, maximizes your multiplayer experience and puts you in the boots of a Spartan-IV aboard the UNSC Infinity – the hub of your “Halo” multiplayer career. The “Halo 4” Limited Edition includes:
War Games Map Pack Access – The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps – three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE. (A detailed release schedule for the map packs will be announced at a later time)
Specializations – Receive early access to six Specializations, available at launch on Xbox LIVE, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. Purchasers of the “Halo 4” Limited Edition will get access on launch day, while others will have to wait as Specializations are released over time.
UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet – Includes an armor customization schematic, a blueprint of the massive ship itself, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: the Spartan-IVs.
The Limited Edition will also feature the following exclusive digital content-
Spartan-IV “Recruit” In-Game Armour
Spartan-IV “Prime” In-Game Armour Skin
Assault Rifle “Prime” In-Game Weapon Skin
“Prime” In-Game Emblem
Xbox LIVE Avatar “Recruit” Armour
Cryo-Tube Xbox LIVE Avatar Prop
“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition – An extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series that will bring the “Halo” universe to life as you’ve never seen it, and provide an enthralling backstory leading up to the events of “Halo 4.”
-“Halo 4” Limited Edition also includes the following bonus videos:
-Bonus in-fiction content expanding the characters and stories of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”
-Special Featurette: Bringing Gaming into Reality
-Making of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”
The also announced that the “Halo 4” War Games Map Pass will be released as a stand alone product that will include access to nine multiplayer maps that will be released post launch. The season pass also includes three in-game exclusives which are the Spartan-IV “Scanner” and “Strider” Helmets and then also the “Falcon” in-game emblem. The map pass will be available for purchase at the same time as Halo 4 launches.
The “Halo 4” Limited Edition will be released on November 6, 2012 for $100 and for those restricted spenders, you will be able to pick up the standard edition for $60 at the same time.
If you ever thought that you just didn’t have enough news or media when it comes to Bethesda and all of the game’s that they happen to develop or publish, but don’t want to look at various other websites and learn from second hand sources?
Well you will be happy to hear that Bethesda has launched a new website called Bethsoft.com which allows for easy access to info, screenshots and trailers for all of their games, both recently released, upcoming and old. But you know, you should totally still visit our site for Bethesda news as well as other information because…reasons…
Today Capcom had a few pieces of information to reveal for their upcoming game, DmC Devil May Cry. The most obvious of these reveals is the fact that they have revealed the final box art of the game which can be seen to the right. Also revealed today was some pre-order information concerning those who want to get the game from Amazon.
Anyone who pre-orders the title from Amazon will receive the exclusive “Bone Pack” which will allow players to “transform Dante’s shotgun, scythe, and axe into precision crafted bone weapons” and a “Character Perk” that will allow Dante to “upgrade and enhance” his gear and combos faster.
Also revealed today was a nearly half hour long video demonstrating practically all of DmC Devil May Cry’s combat mechanics. The video itself can be seen below, though perhaps you may want to watch it a few months down the line, so you don’t forget all the things you learned from it by the time the game comes out on January 15.
It has become commonplace for a LEGO game of any kind to have a multitude of characters ranging from important ones ranging from Gandalf, Aragorn and Frodo to Orc #6 and that guy who served you beer once. It seems that LEGO: Lord of the Rings is going to be given that same treatment, as Polygon has discovered that the title will have 85 playable characters, some of which never appeared in the films.
Currently it is unknown what characters will be included from the books that never appeared in the movies, though we will likely learn more once the title hits every playable system imaginable this October.
One thing that the PlayStation Vita is sorely lacking (at least in North America) is RPGs. Thankfully it seems that a great RPG will be making its way to the PlayStation Vita if a recent listing on a Taiwanese retailer’s website is concerned. First discovered by Japanese website Game Jouho, the listing shows that Atelier Totori: The Adventure of Arland may be coming to the PlayStation Vita.
The website, Books.com.tw has listed both the standard and special editions of a game called Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer of Arland for a November 29 release on the PlayStation Vita. Of course this is the very first news we’ve heard about such a port and with a relatively close release date of November 29, this should be taken as a very unconfirmed rumor at this point. Those curious about what we thought about the original PS3 release of Atelier Totori can find our review of the game here.
The “Halo 4” Limited Edition, announced earlier today, maximizes your multiplayer experience and puts you in the boots of a Spartan-IV aboard the UNSC Infinity – the hub of your “Halo” multiplayer career. The “Halo 4” Limited Edition includes:
Today Capcom had a few pieces of information to reveal for their upcoming game, DmC Devil May Cry. The most obvious of these reveals is the fact that they have revealed the final box art of the game which can be seen to the right. Also revealed today was some pre-order information concerning those who want to get the game from Amazon.
