Over six years ago, Sniper Elite raised eyebrows by taking a war tactic and crafting an entire experience around it. We have seen a few decent clones since then, but fans of the classic can now rejoice as Rebellion and 505 Games have now announced a follow-up by the name of Sniper Elite V2, which will hit the Xbox 360 and PS3 in early 2012. Set in World War II, this pure sniping experience will place players in the middle of a war-torn Berlin amidst the frenzied final battle between German and Russian forces.
Got your attention yet? That’s only the start.
The revolutionary “bullet cam” introduced in Sniper Elite will also see a return, allowing your skilled shots to be rewarded with a slow-motion sequence of the bullet running its full trajectory from barrel to target as well as featuring graphic detail of the effects of the bullet entering and destroying a target.
More features include:
• Sniping Simulation – Sniper Elite V2 features detailed sniping simulationwith advanced ballistics, taking into account gravity, wind, velocity, bullet penetration, aim stability and more. Guaranteed to provide players with the most realistic simulation of military sharpshooting yet available.
• X-Ray Kill Cam – Amazing “kill cam” technology showcaseswhat really happens when abullet entersan enemy’s body, allowing players to see hearts and lungs tear, livers burst, bones and teeth shatter and entrails fall out.
• Authenticity – The game features authentic World War II Berlin locations as well as vehicles, weapons such as the Springfield M1903, the Gewehr 43 and the Mosin-Nagant 1891/30and uniforms modeled after the original versions.
• Use The Environment – The slightest changes in the environment need to be taken into account to move into the perfect position, observe the quarry, take the shot and slip away unnoticed.
• Snipers Choice -Players will often find themselves facing a choice of the perfect shot that leaves them catastrophically exposed or a more difficult route that means they can continue their mission.
I recall my time spent with the original Sniper Elite quite well and as some of you might know, the raw skill needed to succeed is what lead the game to becoming an instant cult classic. At the moment, details on this sequel’s multiplayer are scarce, but based on the screenshots (which you can view below) as well as the little fact sheet above, Sniper Elite V2 is looking to start 2012 off with a bang.
Ever wanted to talk to famous stars like Tom Cruise and get a taste of celebrity life? Well now’s your chance! Paramount Pictures and Coke Zero have announced they will be hosting a red carpet live movie premiere for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in Brazil, and a live streaming of the event will allow fans to ask cast members questions directly via Livestream chat!
The event is being held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and fans will be able to tune in to the red carpet event online on December 14th. The premiere will air online beginning at 4:00 pm EST/ 1:00pm PST and will feature the film’s star and producer Tom Cruise, as well as other special celebrity guests answering fan’s questions directly via Livestream chat.
As well as the chance to talk to the cast, the event will also feature a live performance from Grammy-nominated DJ Producer Tiësto who will preform his brand new remix of the classic Mission: Impossible theme song and even get to witness a multi-city global tour the cast and filmmakers have completed, including stops in Japan, Korea, India, Dubai, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Russia and Italy.
This is a must see event for all movie-buffs! Remember the details: Tomorrow, December 14th, 4:00 pm EST/ 1:00pm PST.
Apples to Apples Publisher: THQ Inc. Developer: ImaginEngine Platforms: XBLA (reviewed), PSN Release Date: December 7, 2011 Price: 800 MSP – Available Here
Overview
Apples to Apples is one of the only games that can include the person “Adolf Hitler” and the adjective “honorable” and somewhat get away with the correlation. The beauty of the game is that it can be played a variety of ways at any given moment. As a card game, it has been a game that brought family and friends closer together. Now that the game is available on Xbox Live Arcade, Apples to Apples enables players to experience that same fun-filled environment through online play.
Gameplay
The user interface for the single player mode is easy to understand. A list of three red cards are shown on the left or right side of screen, and the player can choose the best fit for the green card shown on the opposite side. The screen’s center has a scrambled letter puzzle along with a timer above it. The player has the ability to move up, down, left and right on the puzzle board and may also select/deselect letters with (A). To progress gain the green card, the player must correctly select the letters on the board to match the correct identifying red card. If the player chooses the wrong card’s letters, he/she will then be docked an allotted amount of time. Choosing correctly will give the player additional time and progress to the card.
Failing to complete a puzzle in the time resets all of the cards you might have acquired during that round. Once the round resets, players may encounter the same cards. This is where skipping cards can prove useful. Players can skip a green card by pressing (Y) and try to solve the next available card. Skipping cards might dwindle the time down a little bit, but can prove invaluable against restarting rounds. There is nothing more annoying than losing a round when you have already completed 5 out of 6 green cards.
The single player mode incorporates a puzzle format that becomes increasingly challenging. As the rounds progress, the ability to decipher the correct red cards is harder. The more advanced levels masked a portion of the red card with question marks making the player guess at the very word you are trying to create on the puzzle board. This is probably the most frustrating area of the game. I would advise all players to have a pencil and paper beside them while taking on these difficult puzzles. If you really feel you are short on time, feel free to pause the game by accessing the dashboard. Going back and forth will slow down the timer and give you a longer chance to figure out a card.
Apples to Apples is unquestionably meant to be played as a multiplayer game. For those unfortunate enough not to own the board game, players can have local matches on the Xbox 360. Two different modes are available for local matches – Pick A Card and Classic. Classic mode plays out normally with three players that alternate judging. The judge picks the “best” card to their liking. Pick A Card is slightly different. Still having at least three players with one judging, the non-judge players individually choose three cards scattered on a grid. Once the players have picked three cards each, the judge receives one random card from each player. Note that the player does not get to choose the card, so pick cards wisely. The round will finish as it normally would in Classic mode.
Personally local multiplayer does not trip my trigger. I believe privacy of cards is essential in Apples to Apples to make the game more exciting. Classic mode on the console reveals all of the player’s card and can hurt anyone’s chances of winning. If an opponent is about to win and you know their cards, you will obviously choose the other person to win that round. Pick A Card offers an unique feature of randomizing the cards that show at the judging phase but still enables a player to cheat. I do not see any way to combat against cheating unless you tell your friends, “close your eyes I’m picking my card.”
Online play can be extremely fun. My one recommendation for anyone playing online is to have a headset. Quite regularly Apples to Apples requires the player to be sneaky and/or explain their card choice. For an example if I wanted the judge to pick my card, I would glorify another person’s card and not my own. This may confuse the judge and propel him/her to choose my card. As for explaining your card, the judge might not understand why you choose “hedgehogs” for “revolutionary”. I might explain that hedgehogs are revolutionary because of the effect that Sonic the Hedgehog had with the company SEGA. Without a headset you would not be able to have that conversation and potentially lose the round. Additionally, players would miss out on the fun social experience that is Apples to Apples.
Audio/Visual
The graphics are bright and colorful. During the single player gameplay, you can unlock new avatars for each stage you complete. With many avatars available, my personal favorite is the lion apple – RAWR! Alongside the lion is a witch, ballerina, and pirate to name a few. Each peculiar apple has its own funny animation suitable for “Everyone 10+”.
With a combination of strengths and weakness, sound effects do not greatly affect the gameplay. Once again the avatars offer amicable sounds that fit the game’s corky persona. A cowboy apple will jump up and down on his horse and the lion will proclaim triumph in a gentle roar once a stage is completed or hand is won.
Alternatively, the most annoying aspect of the game is the sound of the timer. The reason for its annoyance is that players will lose a lot during the single player mode. The sound is like a loud choo choo train whistle. The shriek is still resonating in my head… Try taking a break between stages to deter yourself from this lasting effect.
Overall
The main feature that ImaginEngine shot for when creating this game was the online multiplayer. With multiple online modes to explore, the experience itself can be varied depending if players are using headsets. Even though Apples to Apples is not normally considered a verbal game, the social interaction can drastically enhance the gameplay. Plus, no one can yell at you for being anti-social if you’re talking to people online.
Single player is available for gaming substance if no one is available to play online. However, the puzzle format can become repetitive and ridiculously difficult in the later stages. I completed the single player once, and I had a pen and paper next to me with correct word correlations. Feeling accomplished I didn’t feel the need to go back and test my luck against the cards I gladly skipped.
The concept of adapting the card game to consoles was an intuitive idea. As long as the social interaction is available, the console version emits a relatively similar experience to the physical game. Without using a headset, Apples to Apples feels uneventful. I would add under the online multiplayer, “Headset Recommended”. And gameplay is definitely subject to change during online play.
Charging Rhinos and Flying Monkeys give Apples to Apples
GET OVER HERE! After a popular launch on the Xbox Live Arcade earlier this year, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection has now arrived on the PlayStation Network! Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection gives players a chance to go back in time and see how it all started, with the first 3 games that started it all. For only $14.45 on the PSN, kombatants will get the brutal Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 with now added online play, leader boards, achievements and trophies! The game is developed by Other Ocean in conjunction with NetherRealm Studios and marks the first time all three games have been brought together.
This Saturday, the Playstation Vita will finally makes its debut in the public when it launches in Japan. While we in the Western World will have to wait until February (unless you decide to import it), the hype train is in full gear over in Japan. This includes a sleuth of gameplay videos. First released on the Play Community site, a Japanese Youtube subscriber has uploaded the more recent videos.
The amount of videos released amounts to over one hour of gameplay, according to Siliconera. Quite a lot, I say. They include but not limited to games such as Gravity Daze, Disgaea 3 Return (Absence of Detention in the West), Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom and Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
Below are videos from a selection of games. All of them are in Japanese:
Uncharted: Golden Abyss:
[pro-player]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJQvyD9Rb0&feature=youtu.be[/pro-player]
Happy holidays everyone! The Poid Pipper is back with some exciting news. First, I would like to point out the neat attire I have donned for the holiday season. Ever wonder what an ugly sweater would look like on an extremely handsome avatar? Well, at least the Santa hat looks good…
Deals of the Week
This week we have three games at a discount prices. All of the following games can be found at half price: Prince of Persia (400 MSP), Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime (400 MSP), and Lara Croft: GoL (600 MSP).
New Releases
Here are the new releases for the Xbox Box Live Arcade for December 14:
Name
Game Type
Microsoft Points
Orcs Must Die! Lost Adventures
Add-on
320
PBFX2 – Marvel Vengeance and Virtue Table Pack
Add-on
800
Joe Danger: Special Edition
Game
1200
Fruit Ninja Kinect – Holiday Pack
Add-on
FREE
Magic the Gathering 2012: Deck Expansion Pack 2
Add-on
240
The Gunstringer – Real Big Shootin’
Add-on
240
And that about wraps up the deals and releases for this week. Check back next week for more holiday specials. Thank you for joining me on Xbox Live News with Pipper!
Don’t forget to get your holiday spirit on with items on the Avatar Marketplace. Share your avatar by typing (http://avatar.xboxlive.com/avatar/YOUR-GAMERTAG-HERE/avatar-body.png) below.
The long anticipated Men In Black 3 has been dwelling in the back of the minds of it’s dedicated fan base for a while now, but now Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones have returned to reprized their roles as Agent K and Agent J! A new trailer has been released (which you can see below) and the film is looking like it’s staying very true to the groundwork previously set out by the two predecessors before it. The humor and presentation are of a similar taste, so fans should feel right at home with this film. It appears the plot will revolve around time travel-sounds interesting! Make sure you keep an eye out for this film, which is coming to a cinema near you May 25, 2012.
The critically acclaimed Bastion, which we gave a perfect score for in our review, will now be recieving downloadable content. The DLC is set to head into the Bastion on the 14th of December under the title ‘The Stranger’s Dream’.
Supergiant Games released to following information concerning the details of the DLC’s new features:
– The Stranger’s Dream: a new fully narrated Who Knows Where sequence, bigger and more challenging than the others. You’ll gain a bit more insight into Rucks’ backstory as well as the history of Caelondia if you can survive this fight.
– Score Attack Mode: a challenging new way to play through the story! You start at level one with all Spirits and Idols unlocked. Your combat performance is rated for efficiency, and all areas are repeatable.
– No-Sweat Mode: for those who just want to experience the story of Bastion, this mode provides unlimited chances to carry on from where you left off if you’re defeated in battle.
That is undoubtedly a pretty hefty amount of new content for the little XBLA game that could. The DLC drops tomorrow, at the incredibly low price of 80 microsoft points. Now that is a bargain right there. Supergiant Games originally planned the DLC to be absolutely free but due to a clause with Microsoft they had to give it a price, so they opted for the lowest price they were allowed.
Will you be picking up ‘The Stranger’s Dream’ DLC for Bastion? Let us know in the shoutbox and comment section.
While you could go through all of the various related articles below and look for all the new additions to Final Fantasy XIII-2, Square Enix has saved you all of that trouble because today they have released a new trailer which covers everything new in the title. This includes the new story, new system updates, new additions, monster abilities and even the better graphics.
Besides the trailer you can find below, you will also see a handful of screenshots that show various gameplay sections including a “Beginner’s Primer” which will let players catch up on what happened in the first game. Check them out below.
From what we have seen of Army Corps of Hell the title looks absolutely crazy and hectic and so far that has only been the single player mode. But now we have footage from Square Enix themselves which shows us just how crazy everything will look when players hop on the multiplayer part of the title.
Now the title will support 4 player local co-op play which is something of a shame as, although Japanese gamers usually can take huge advantage of local co-op with handhelds, in North America local only co-op on handhelds usually means that the mode will see little actual use. Catch the trailer below.
