It’s been all quiet on the XCOM front for quite a while now, but finally 2K Games have broken the silence by revealing the release date of the sci-fi thriller. It will come to the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on March 6, 2012 in North America and March 9, 2012 internationally. Maybe we’ll hear more about it from 2K Games at E3.
XCOM has been in development at 2K Marin studio for some time now, set in mid-century America, where the player leads an elite field team of specialised government agents into battle – combining gunplay with supernatural powers to prevent the invasion of an otherworldly enemy who plan destroy the face of the Earth and rebuild it in their own image.
Instead of a ‘no-guts, no-glory’ approach, though, XCOM pits Special Agent William Carter and his veteran team go against the alien adversaries in tactical battle. To save the Earth, precision is key and by the science of desperation, you will use every opportunity turn the invaders’ weapons against them and capture their technology for your own intents. The front lines of this war: Main Street, USA.
I’ve loved this place ever since I’ve seen it, and even if I can’t buy everything in the store (because I often want to), I do love to just go in and look around. If you’ve never been or haven’t been for a while, it’s probably the best time to go as they are having a 50% of selected item sale!
Yes, I know you might have been expecting an accomplished rally driver having a go at the Gymkhana mode of Codemasters latest title, DiRT 3, but we’ve got something even better to show you; Mikko Hirvonen doing what he does best…only, it’s not what he does best. Despite racking up over 180 Rally Stage wins in his WRC career, Gymkhana is a very different kind of driving and this showcase was actually Hirvonen’s first time.
He had flown in that morning from Finland especially for the DiRT 3 event and after arriving at Battersea announced that he had never done anything like this before, was given a quick briefing on the course with no practice time before a blogger jumped in the passenger seat ready for their ride along. Proving why Mikko is one of the World’s best, he nailed the course first time – inch perfect.
90 minutes of Gymkhana and 12 ride alongs later, Mikko departed Battersea for the Jordan Stage of the World Rally Championship, leaving behind a crowd of thrilled spectators, a whole lot of burnt rubber but grabbing himself a few copies of the game to keep himself entertained en route to the various rally stages.
DiRT 3 preview event took place at London’s Battersea Power Station, a location featured in the actual game as the DC Compound, and the two Ford drivers at the heart of the action were Gymkhana superstar Ken Block with his Gymkhana Ford Focus plus the Ford Fiesta RS WRC car, driven by Mikko Hirvonen.
To-Fu: The Trials of Chi Developer: Team To-Fu Publisher: HotGen Ltd Genre: 2.5-D Platformer Platform: iPhone/iPod Touch, iPad Release: May 26, 2011 Price:$0.99 iPhone (for a limited time) $2.99 iPad
Overview:
I love nothing more than a good 2D platformer. Sadly, most entries to the genre on mobile devices leave a little to be desired. The problem with most platform games on a smartphone is the lack of buttons. I’ve played far too many apps shoehorning in a d-pad and buttons onto a touch interface instead of trying to develop something designed specifically for the device. To-Fu: The Trials of Chi is the latter, not the former. This is a game that wouldn’t be capable on any other platform. You control a small little piece of ninja-tofu as you fling him around the environment dodging spikes, saw-blades and lasers in a mad attempt to get to the fortune cookie at the end of the level. Why a fortune cookie you ask? Well To-Fu needs not explain himself to the likes of you. Just do what you’re told and read the review.
Mechanics:
I can’t help but think that To-Fu: The Trials of Chi is the iOS answer to Super Meat Boy. As where Meat Boy perfectly takes advantage of it’s platform with fine tuned twitch controls and network integration, so does To-Fu with it’s touch based flinging mechanic. You simply grab To-Fu with your finger, hold him in the direction you want to go and let go to fling. There are metal plates for you to bounce off and glass for you to slide down in addition to the wood that you stick to. Control in To-Fu is really a huge selling point. There was never a time where I died and felt it was the fault of the game and not my own. Which is a fine thing to find in a platform game and pure magic in an iOS title.
The levels aren’t too long, never taking more than a minute or so to get through which is perfectly suited to gaming in bite sized chunks. There are a total of 100 levels in To-Fu, with added replay for finishing within the allotted amount of moves and collecting all the orbs. I have to say, going through the game again and finishing everything with a limited amount of steps really showcases how good the level design is. There are some stages where you really have to think outside of the box as to how you’ll get to the end with just a couple of moves.
Tragically, there’s no Game Center support. I really would have loved to have a healthy achievement list to egg me on, and leaderboards to compare completed levels and minimum movements with my friends. I’m already going through the game again and finishing everything because gameplay and level design is just that good, so I suppose I don’t really need that carrot on the stick to keep me going. But I sure would have liked to have that cherry on top.
Presentation:
I’m at odds with the presentation in To-Fu. Don’t get me wrong, the game is beautiful. The design and direction is fantastic. To-Fu is wonderfully animated, the game is rendered in a beautiful 2.5D (characters are in 3D as the environment is 2D) and everything is just chalked full of charm; but the look of the levels never really change. When I started the game I was enamoured with how everything looked. But over the course of 100 levels I never really saw that mixed up at all. I understand that it’s supposed to be a series of trials, but they could have changed the look up a bit. The other minor problem I had was with the music. Again, when you start off the game it all seems very charming, but once I realised that it’s basically one song on repeat I quickly turned the music off. I find that I play a lot of iPhone games this way anyway as I’m usually playing as I commute so this may not be a big problem for most people, but I figured I should make a note of it. The truth of the matter is though, I’m being extremely nitpicky here. None of these small gripes I have with the game really deterred me from finishing it, nor did it hurt my overall opinion of the game that much. It’s just that the game is really, really fantastic. And with a couple of small little things added in, I feel it could have been a true groundbreaking classic.
Conclusion:
I’m not going to lie. I LOVE To-Fu: The Trials of Chi. It’s a fantastic experience that I would recommend to just about anyone. Anywhere. Anytime. Any small gripe I may have had with it is just that; a small gripe. Nothing should dissuade you from picking up this beautifully crafted gem. I implore you. Go now. Fling that To-Fu. You deserve it.
August is the month that signals the beginning of winter Down Under, and that means plenty of nights in with popcorn and DVDs while it’s pouring with rain outside. However, if that’s not for you then let me preface Madman’s August lineup by saying that one of the releases is that 3D porn movie that beat Avatar in the box office in Hong Kong. Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy is definitely one to get your hands on just to see what the fuss was all about. Other than that, there are a ton of great films, docos, series, and anime to keep you busy in front of the TV. To find more releases or to pre-order, check out Madman’s official site here.
Brighton Rock
Starring the luminous Helen Mirren (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY), rising star Andrea Riseborough (NEVER LET ME GO) and CONTROL’s Sam Riley, BRIGHTON ROCK is a tense and moody thriller based on Graham Greene’s 1938 novel of the same name.
Brighton, 1964. Ambitious young gangster Pinkie Brown (Riley) is determined to stop other gangs taking over his patch, but when he knifes a rival, vital evidence falls into the innocent hands of Rose (Riseborough), an impressionable young waitress. Pinkie romances Rose to keep her quiet, but her employer Ida (Mirren) is increasingly suspicious. Can Pinkie trust Rose not to betray him? And can Rose trust Pinkie not to make her his next victim?
Release date: 17 August 2011
Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy
A new chapter in the legendary 90s Hong Kong cinema staple, this raunchy romp hit $1 million at the Aussie box office on extremely limited release, and smashed sales records in Hong Kong, knocking AVATAR out of the park. Clearly, sex still sells!
As a conceited scholar of the Ming Dynasty, Wei Yangsheng believes that life is short, and that it should be centred on pursuing the ultimate sexual pleasure . One day, Yangsheng encounters Tie Yuxiang, the daughter of a Tao priest, and it’s love at first sight. However, it doesn’t take long for Yangsheng to discover that his performance is extremely “premature”. Thus begins his quest to become the ultimate lover…
Release date: 10 August 2011
A Cat in Paris
From the creators of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE comes this delightful French animation, which was the most popular film at the Alliance Française French Film Festival this year.
Dino is a common house cat who lives a double life. He’s the loyal pet of Zoe, a lonely little girl who lives with her busy single mother Jeanne, a police officer. But after sundown, he clambers over the rooftops of Paris in the company of Nico, a skilled thief with a big heart. Eventually, Zoe discovers what Dino is up to and becomes drawn into a thrilling adventure involving jewels, gangsters and capital-T Trouble!
Release date: 10 August 2011
Robot Chicken Star Wars III
They’re baaaaawk! With a few new voice actors chucked in for good measure – FAMILY GUY creator Seth MacFarlane as Emperor Palpatine and the dreamy Zac Efron as the dim-witted Anakin Skywalker just to name a few – the Emmy Award-winning ROBOT CHICKEN returns to DVD with its third send-up of the STAR WARS universe.
In this all-new special, four very different characters – Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and, uh, Gary the Stormtrooper – reveal untold stories that weave and interconnect throughout all six STAR WARS films. Set your phasers to “fun”! Oh wait, wrong franchise…
Release date: 3 August 2011
Digimon Data Squad Collection 1
Lovers of DIGIMON rejoice: the long-awaited original series, and most-requested title from fans, is finally available on DVD!
With cute characters sure to rival the critters in POKEMON, DIGIMON focuses on seven kids at summer camp who are mysteriously transported to another reality. In this parallel universe they are befriended by a group of strange creatures who call themselves “Digimon”, Digital Monsters. The seven children are now dubbed as the DigiDestined, tasked with protecting the Digital World from evil Digimon-like Devilmon. Can they save the Digital World and find a way back home?
Have you played Doodle Jump? Then you’ve played Let’s Jump. Simple as that.
Oh, fine. I guess I should elaborate on that. Let’s Jump functions as a decent enough iPhone app, and has the potential to be addictive, although I didn’t feel it myself. It’s a polished game, and it looks distinctive. The problem is, it’s a fairly shameless clone, unmistakably cut from the same cookie-cutter as Doodle Jump, just decorated with different coloured gum-drop buttons.
Gameplay
In theory, every game should be judged on its own merits, ignoring any (obvious) influences. Unfortunately, the nature of the games industry is that for every super successful game, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of lesser titles that swarm out of the woodwork soon after, trying to feed off the crumbs. Let’s Jump is, unfortunately, one of the swarm, and despite emulating the simple gameplay of Doodle Jump rather well, it will likely not see anywhere near the same level of success.
But relentlessly comparing it to another title isn’t entirely fair. I’ll let you make up your own mind. The gameplay consists of guiding your little blob creature up an endless tower of small platforms. Miss one and fall, and the highest point you reached is saved as your high score. So, you get back up there and try to beat it. Simple. The controls are intuitive enough, utilising the gyroscope of the iOS devices well. The blob will bounce repeatedly on its own; all you need to do is tilt the device to direct it left or right.
Sounds ok so far, right? But replace the word “blob” above with “doodle” and I’ve described Doodle Jump as well. Oh, see? I’m doing it again! I really can’t help it.
Let’s Jump has no enemies, which in Doodle Jump could be dispatched with a tap on the screen firing a projectile of some kind. In fact, apart from platforms that will break on contact, Let’s Jump has no obstacles. The main point of difference between the two is Let’s Jump‘s implementation of a multiplayer component. The two player Race mode is an interesting feature, but seems like something Doodle Jump would include in a free update or a second version of the original game, and doesn’t seem to warrant a new IP. Basically, two players can race to a set height, either by passing the one device back and forth, to race against ghosts of each other’s last session, or connecting via Bluetooth or online to race simultaneously. Unlike the single player mode, which is endless and keeps score based on the height reached, the multiplayer scores by who reaches a certain height faster. If you have a friend with the game on their device, this could be what sells the game to you; there is some fun to be had here. If you’re on your own, the Race mode won’t hold your attention long.
Presentation
The too-familiar gameplay could be excused if Let’s Jump had an interesting new setting or art style. Unfortunately, there isn’t much here either. The blob creature is quite cute, looking like a water bomb with expressive eyes and mouth, but other than that, the game doesn’t have much in the way of personality. Its colour scheme is bright and basic, with a blue background and character, and mostly red platforms. This gives the game the appearance of targeting a very young audience. Doodle Jump at least had a unique setting, as the character bounced his way up someone’s notebook, complete with ragged edges, drawn-on enemies, and rips in the paper to avoid. It wasn’t too childish, and even hinted at the kinds of times you would play it –when bored at school, for instance.
The sound is also nothing to write home about, with rather forgettable music and nothing more than simple bouncing sound effects. The only unique sound seems to be when your blob guy falls – his little scream is kind of funny.
Conclusion
As is the nature of the medium, games are always drawing on previous formulas. Doodle Jump itself isn’t an entirely original concept, owing elements to the old freeware game Icy Tower and indeed, almost any high-score-chasing 2D platformer. But it made an effort to present itself as a new interpretation of an existing concept, with its interesting setting, clever use of the iPhone’s gyroscope, and by being the first major game of its type on the App Store.
So yes, I know it’s not fair to keep comparing Let’s Jump to a classic iPhone title, but when a game is this clear about its influences, it would be a huge oversight to not draw comparisons. Their marketing strategy seems to be based on the hope that inattentive customers will mistake their product for the more well-known one. But while Doodle Jump will be remembered as a classic app for a long time to come, Let’s Jump, like so many other shameless clones, will be forgotten by most in the very near future.
Square Enix, like all of our friendly, worldwide publishers, is going to E3. What can we expect them to bring out and show off there? Lets find out!
Dead Island
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Ship Date: 2011 (NA)
Dead Island made a huge splash with its very first trailer earlier this year. Ever since then, it has been one of the gaming communities most hotly anticipated titles. Full of epic slicing zombie action, this is one to watch for during E3. Working with Deep Silver, the publisher, to promote the game, this game will surely make you weep with joy when seen at the expo.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, OnLive
Ship Date: August 23, 2011 (NA)
The return of one gaming’s most critically acclaimed franchises is being trumpeted as a contender for Game of the Year. Hopefully, we can learn more about the cybernetically augmented character and the world of 2027 when Square trumpets this game at the show.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Ship Date: June 21, 2011 (NA)
Nearing release on June 21, this game also recently had a demo available for download on the major consoles. If your still not satiated with info on this game though, look for more coverage at E3. Or go here: http://www.dungeonsiege.com/
Heroes of Ruin
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Ship Date: Early 2012 (NA)
Coming out for the Nintendo 3DS, Heroes of Ruin aims to engross you in a curse filled world where you will play as mercenary who can join with up with others of his ilk, or he can conquer the world by himself. Your choice.
Tomb Raider
Platforms: Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Ship Date: 2012 (NA)
Earlier, there was a video premiering the new, reinvented Lara Croft. Blowing our minds, this video was epic, showing off all the originality that this Tomb Raider will have. We can’t wait to see more at E3.
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac and Linux Ship Date: Open Beta Starting Summer 2011 (NA ONLY)
14 customizable character class. Supreme allegiance to one nation. Defend. Conquer. Politics. Tactical MMO. Player driven economy. “Its ALL up to you!”http://www.WAKFU.com/
Keep it locked to Capsule Computers, as we will have more info on Square Enix games coming soon. What are you most excited for in Square Enix’s lineup?
After running it on Spike, Square Enix kindly put the Tomb Raider trailer on Youtube for everyone to enjoy. And what a trailer it is. In fact, going by the looks of the trailer, this may be the best Tomb Raider mankind has ever seen:
The graphics in the video are spectacular.
The story seems taut with suspense. The idea of grittier, younger Lara focused on survival adds a huge emotional impact to everything. Hopefully, more of her tortured, mysterious, albeit lavish, life story will be revealed.
And finally, Lara looks as fine as ever.
All will be found out when the game launches in Fall of 2012.
Coming soon from Konami, MLB Bobbleheads Pro is all set to make you laugh hysterically. Featuring real rosters from all the MLB teams, gamers can play an entire 162 game season with their favorite bobbleheaded player. Full strategic gameplay mechanics are also present. For example, you can switch up the lineup or use a relief pitcher. Online multiplayer is also included. Of course, the bobbling nature of the character assets are played up to the full:
“Fans can blame bobbling the ball on the funny and quirky model for each player which has an oversized wobbly head that moves at all times. Stadium P.A. also is given with a humorous twist to give players a laugh while swinging for the fences.”
Bobblehead Pros is only the first game though. A DLC pack, call Bobblehead Stars will be debuting soon after release. A third full game, named MLB All-star Game will be premiering later in the year. Currently, Bobbleheads Pro is set to release on the XBLA soon.
Hopefully, we can show you show screenshots of the game soon!
Hunter x Hunter volume 2 Author: Yoshihiro Togashi Release Schedule: 27 volumes at time of posting and on hiatus. Publisher: Viz Media Release Date: May 01, 2005 Available for Purchase at: The Book Depository
Overview: The hunter exam continues in this volume and Togashi begins to peel back some layers and reveal what is underneath it all, what I found though is somewhat disturbing. There is a darkness underneath the surface of Hunter x Hunter and some horrifying acts of ultra violence are proof of that, but it never feels out of place or as though it were a mis-step. What this volume explores is not just a continuing quest to become a Hunter, no no no, it’s far deeper than that. What we have here is Togashi exploring the value of life and that harsh brutality of both our world and that of his creations which mirrors our own, yet slightly distorted.
The world of Hunter is extremely brutal, but it seems to be more a commentary on our own world and the fact that people don’t ever think about their own mortality. Yes we all know that one day we will die, but we never stop to think of how fragile we truly are. Through Hunter x Hunter volume 2, Togashi conveys the frailty of life to perfection.
There is an abnormally high death toll in this series which on the surface and cover art appears to be a fun adventure about a kid trying to become a hunter. But to me that is saying something, so often do we have characters being near invincible and rarely are faced with their mortality where as in Hunter, death is all around them. There is always something threatening the protagonists life, whether it be beasts, traps or psychopathic hunters. Hunter x Hunter does not shy away from the heavy stuff, with some deaths depicted quite violently. Yes it’s disturbing, but there is substance to it all that makes it a cohesive piece of art, and that is exactly what Togashi has created here – a work of art.
Story: Volume 2 of Hunter is rather interesting in the way it tells it’s story, we get the continued tasks of the exam but with a rapid shifting of moods between each chapter. One chapter we have a light-hearted cook-off challenge, mainly played off for laughs, the next we have a 12 year old child brutally dismembering characters for simply accidentally bumping into him. It is all rather wild and does indeed give the person reading mixed feelings. I noted that some people may find it disheartening to see such a young child who up until now seemed like a cutesy companion to the hero, suddenly performing the most horrific act seen thus far in Hunter x Hunter. But it all flows with the story and we get a hint at a much darker past for him. Killua is his name and as he seemingly jokes to the hero, Gon, he is from a family of assassins. You don’t think much of this until he proves it true a few pages later.
This is what Togashi is rather brilliant at. He can provide some information which at first we disregard, then suddenly it comes back up like a flash to reveal what we had disregarded to be pivotal to the story and it’s characters. It is just perfectly executed foreshadowing on his part and it works out better that we aren’t left waiting for the pay-off of the foreshadowing. He makes sure the idea we disregarded is still clear in our mind and then lets out the big reveal. This is were many other series fail, they provide the information yet, it does not become pivotal until you have forgotten or do not care about it any longer. Togashi has obviously realized this common trapping of many manga series and chose a much better path with Hunter.
This volume ends in a scene reminiscent of the Fortune Teller Baba battle in Dragon Ball, a clear homage to Toriyama’s work. We have a dank dungeon-like arena with little room to fight with each team member heading in one by one to battle in a best of 5 match-up. Along with the threat of the chance of the characters falling to their deaths, it’s both ostensibly very Togashi-like and very much so a homage to Toriyama that would fly under the radar of many readers. We end this volume with 1 win to each side and time wearing thin, the tension has been built for a blockbuster volume 3.
Characters: Togashi continues the trend of impeccable characterization from the first volume here, with the focus shifting now to that of Killua and Hisoka, revealing more of their intentions and personalities. That’s not to say the focus characters of volume 1 take a back seat here. Gon, Leorio and Kurapika each have there own moments to shine such a when Gon becomes the first and only person to land a hit on Hisoka, which both thrills him and horrifies him. To his surprise Hisoka, reacts with respect and allows Gon to live. It was a great moment that resonates with the audience whom feel the same thrill and horror as Gon and the same relief when Hisoka reacts with respect.
It is a great volume for characters as we are introduced to several new characters such as the old master Netero and the gourmet hunters (I swear Toriko stole the idea from here!) Menchi and Buhara. But the real stand-out for me was definitely Killua, which I have to say is the most literal naming of a character I have seen in years. He is an assassin and has “Kill-U” in his name? I find that both humorous and rather clever. It’s another example of Togashi’s fore-shadowing even though it’s a much lighter example than some others.
Artwork: The art has maintained the same level of quality as the first volume, perhaps surpassing it in some cases. I expect it to continue to improve over the series, that’s not to say it needs improving, but as Togashi comes more and more into the thick of it, the art will naturally develop. But what we have now is simple and detailed, 2 things that a lot of manga lack. Being simple allows easy understanding of what is occurring. Being detailed allows for another depth beyond what is simply the focus of the piece. Rarely does a manga series accomplish this, Hunter had accomplished it from the first chapter of the series, heck even the first panel.
There isn’t much else to comment on besides the fact that the fights are wonderfully composed, and really give the sense of action. Nothing is worse than reading a fight in manga that seems so stationary, fights need movement and action, Togashi achieves this like it is second nature. I look forward to see what else he has in store with the artwork for future volumes.
Overall: Hunter x Hunter volume 2 is an excellent volume of shonen manga. It has action, emotion and depth beyond easy comparison. It begs to ask many questions, such as the nature of what it means to be alive and even the very virtue of cherishing life itself. Togashi tells us through Hunter that those who do not cherish life will regret it. We are all mortal, some of us are too blind to see that. It is all done in good taste and never becomes preachy. What it does become is a work of art and boy is it something to behold.
In conclusion; Hunter x Hunter volume 2 is an exceedingly compelling volume of the series and provides much food for thought and continues what is no doubt one of the greatest manga series of the past decade. I can not recommended the series and this volume enough, but I must say: this one is not for kids, not in the slightest. It is very violent but not without reason. Read it at your own behest, if you aren’t a fan of blood and violence. But I implore you to read regardless, it’s a must-read series, not just for manga fans but for nearly anyone.
