If you aren’t overwhelmed with tomorrow’s Many presents, or maybe if you got Rockband 3 for Christmas; this list will keep the fun going. Maybe if you still have family mooching off of you, you can convince them to buy the tracks this time. Just make sure you make them extremely addicted to the game first, and then use your smooth talking to do the rest.
Celebrating ‘Band on the Run’ Pack – 560 Microsoft Points (160 Microsoft Points each)
Paul McCartney – “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Paul McCartney & Wings – “Band on the Run”
Paul McCartney & Wings – “Helen Wheels”
Paul McCartney & Wings – “Let Me Roll It”*
Single tracks – 160 Microsoft Points each)
Inhabited – “Open My Eyes”
Siouxsie and The Banshees – “Cities in Dust”*
*80 Microsoft Points extra per track for a Pro Guitar/Pro Bass upgrade
These tracks will roll out on the Xbox Live Marketplace on December 28th.
There was a rumour floating around that Microsoft was planning to update Kinect through a firmware update. This update would let Kinect detect wrist rotations and finger movements, supposedly by simply doubling the device’s resolution output from 320×240 to 640×480. A Microsoft spokesperson has recently stated that this is not the case, and that they are happy with Kinect’s specifications as they are. (Because everyone is happy with where they are and no one ever tries to improve anything //end sarcasm)
The Spokesperson stated, “We’re constantly working to expand and improve on experiences for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE; however, this rumour is completely unsubstantiated. We couldn’t be more pleased with the fidelity of the technology and clearly consumers agree given we sold more than 2.5 million units around the world in the first 25 days Kinect was on the market.”
I guess our dreams of more precise movement within Kinect games will have to wait.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit has been hailed as the one of the greatest racing games in the series. You can now expand that experience with 3 new cars available for purchase. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, GUMPERT apollo s, and Porsche 911 GT2 RS can each be had for 240 ($3) Microsoft Points each. Or get all three in one for 540 Microsoft Points (about $6). When you buy one car, it is available as a cop and a racer model. If you want to buy the vehicles now for Xbox 360, the link is right here. In addition, there is sure to be more DLC, so save those Microsoft Points/monies for some more cars. These are also available on PS3.
Game:Epic Mickey Developer: Junction Point Publisher: Disney Interactive Release:15th November Price: £39.99 (UK) $79.99 (AU)$25.00 (USD) Format: Wii
Being a massive fan of all things Disney I literally jumped at the chance to review the much talked about and speculated over Epic Mickey on Nintendo Wii. Without even laying a hand on the controller I had a distinct feeling that this particular release, something of a throwback as it turns out, would be right up my street.
Gameplay
In Epic Mickey you play as perhaps Uncle Walt’s most beloved character one Mickey Mouse who finds himself mysteriously transported to the “Wasteland”, basically an alternate reality version of the Disneyland theme parks. It is here that the game’s designer, Warren Spector, gives us an opportunity to see the familiar and often cutesy world of Disney from a vastly different perspective. Before moving on with the review it’s perhaps important to note that there is a slightly sinister, albeit magical, tone to Epic Mickey that whilst perhaps off-putting to younger players looking for more familiar Disney fare is also quite enchanting.
The Wasteland is inhabited by brilliantly designed, beautifully animated and often recognisable characters that continue the mysterious theme of the game as poor Mickey doesn’t always remember even the most familiar of faces despite the fact that they not only know him well but have in many cases starred alongside him in some classic animated exploits. This is of course a great concern for the amiable mouse with Mickey displaying guilt about his inability to remember them. Oswald the Rabbit, the great ruler of the Wasteland whilst envious of Mickey’s fame also has a grudging respect for our hero as over the last fifty years he and the rest of the Wasteland have watched from the shadows as Mickey has garnered love and admiration the world over. On the flipside Oswald with his band of Mickey’s former co-stars and also ran animated fodder have been left out of the limelight to the point where they have become completely forgotten. In this land it is Mickey who is the outsider and at times treated as a villain.
Whilst structured like a fairly traditional platformer there are many different, although often optional, objectives that can help you greatly along your adventure. One particularly intriguing side-quest sees you helping a disembodied Goofy to reassemble himself as his body parts have been scattered across the Wasteland! Another nice touch is the addition of some great side-scrolling 2D levels which serve as a portal between areas of the game ‘proper’. Within these levels you can find hidden collectable film reels of Mickey Mouse cartoons which can be unlocked in Mean Street, serving as the hub and the Wasteland’s answer to Disneyland’s own Main Street. These micro-levels will have players interacting with locations and scenarios from old black and white cartoons such as Steamboat Willy as well as many of the more modern classics. The nostalgia factor here is literally through the roof and really puts a new spin on what were otherwise entertaining but non-interactive experiences.
Mickey is armed with a large paintbrush this acts something like a magic wand and can be used in a variety of ways. The main aim of the paintbrush is to perform certain tasks, for example, if you use the wand to thin out a painted wall you may be lucky enough to find a hidden room. Another use sees you repair a broken bridge by using your brush to repaint the missing section so it can be crossed. Control of the wand is very intuitive using the Wii-Mote and I found this interaction to be a particularly fun part of the overall experience. Your paintbrush can also be used in combat against the Wasteland’s more nefarious characters and during fights you will have the option to either eliminate your foes altogether by erasing them completely with paint thinner or simply splashing them with paint. Splashing them with paint will convert former foes over to your side where they will help you take down any other nearby enemies. This is something of a plus as some particular sticky combat situations will see you otherwise overwhelmed by enemy forces. Mickey’s other abilities range from the old platform standard double jump to a deadly spin attack (performed by shaking the Wii-Mote) that in most cases will render an enemy unconscious for a short period of time.
However it is something of a let down that when as a good mouse you quite literally re-paint the town only to find it returns to it’s usual somewhat drab appearance should you exit and later re-enter a level. This does render the paintbrush good/evil aspect a little redundant and the game itself less of a unique user experience.
Developers Junction Point have provided players with a moral choice to accompany the often stunning levels and unique puzzles. Will you embrace the dark side by using thinner to eliminate or stay true to Mickey’s past form by using paint to convert and enrich the characters’ and locations? Your decisions will alter the story and the world around Mickey – even changing Mickey’s appearance…
Graphics and Sound
The graphics are absolutely spot on with some quite stunning 3D levels sitting alongside some nostalgic and well implemented 2D side-scrolling sections. Although not a huge issue given the otherwise lavish appearance the framerate does occasionally drop and sometimes animation on some of the Wasteland folk can be a bit spotty, with some looking absolutely great and others a little underworked and lost within the environment.
Perhaps the only real downside to the game is the camera which throws you more odd angles than Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo! Trying to perform tricky jumps can be extremely frustrating as the camera angle often auto-adjusts to the most awkward and unhelpful position possible resulting in some very unfair deaths and much repetition and guesswork. Even manually adjusting the camera does produce the desired result more often than not and getting caught in a corner and not being able to move the camera into a more favourable position is downright awkward and almost made me give up on some occasions. Almost but not quite as the storyline is gripping and the beautifully realised environments enough to keep most players interested and plowing onward. Checkpoints are also plentiful within the game so even many, many untimely and frustrating deaths caused by the camera are not insurmountable.
The soundtrack is fun and ranges from the ambient and atmospheric to some really catchy, and sometimes recognisable, tunes. I am pretty sure I caught the Small World theme in there somewhere although i’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing! Sound effects are also plentiful and well realised with Mickey’s familiar tone and catch phrases perfectly implemented.
Overall
Spector and the team at Junction Point have really worked hard to harness the magical imagination of Disney within this game. There is a lot to love in Epic Mickey and those lucky enough to have visited one of the theme parks will no doubt be delighted to see some familiar areas and even rides, notably Space Mountain & The Pirates of the Caribbean, given a fresh spin.
Although there is much to enjoy, Epic Mickey falls slightly short of being a true epic with the sum of it’s parts being greater than the whole. That said players will find an addictive and well realised platform adventure awaiting them and with around ten hours of solid gameplay and a fair bit of replay value there is plenty of fun to be had. The deal-breaker here for some will be the camera which can be incredibly frustrating at times but again the love and attention heaped on the game will make most overlook this, no matter how tetchy it gets. Those that persevere will find much to enjoy in Epic Mickey which as it turns out something very special indeed.
Nintendo proudly announces this week that everyone’s favourite portable console, the Nintendo DS (including the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo DSi and the Nintendo DSi XL) has sold through three million units, keeping its reputation as the biggest selling video game console of all time in Australia. The DS has been the number one selling video game console for the last four years, and is on target to be number one again in 2010, which would make it five years in a row.
2005 saw the launch of the original Nintendo DS, introducing touch screen controls to hand-held gaming, before we ever saw ideas like the iphone and Wii Motion. Many were scared by the idea of having not one, but two screens, but we all soon fell in love with them. 2006 saw the launch of the DS Lite, with the DSi to follow in 2009, an upgrade which included a camera, SD card slot and online connectivity. This year introduced the DSi XL, which came with larger screens as well as pre-installed software and games. Also released this year were three bright new colours for he DSi XL-Blue, Red and Yellow.
The philosophy Nintendo has been going by in the last few years has been to draw in an audience that wouldn’t normally even play video games, and to invite people of all ages to enjoy them, regardless of age or gaming experience. Nintendo has proven successful with this, with their most successful line of big-selling games having a lot of diversity, ranging from the Super Mario and Pokemon franchises for the hardcore gamers, and series like Brain Age and Nintendogs lending a paw for the more casual gamers.
You have played the games. Now play them again! Now available on the Playstation Network for digital download and in retail stores on Blu-ray, the Prince of Persia pack will incorporate the following features:
3D graphics (with compatible 3D TV.)
HD remastered graphics.
Action, swords, bad guys, sand and buildings in 3D!
Jake Gyllenhaal action figure.*
The same beloved gameplay you yearn for, in 3D!
Has anybody picked them up yet? Are you enjoying them so far? Tell us in the comments and look out for our review coming soon!
Tecmo Koei America has some pretty sweet release plans for the first quarter of 2011. Hold on to your hats! The release list is as follows:
Trinity: Souls of Zill ‘Oll – PS3 Exclusive – February 8, 2011
Warriors: Legends of Troy – PS3 and Xbox 360 – March 8, 2011
Dynasty Warriors 7 – PS3 and Xbox 360 – March 22, 2011
Looks like 2011 will another stellar year in gaming history. Also announced were two new titles for the Nintendo 3DS. Release dates for Dead or Alive Dimensions and Samurai Warriors Chronicles will be coming soon. So, uh, who is excited about Dead or Alive in 3D? Raise your hands please.
Our good friends over at Gameloft are celebrating the release of Asphalt Adrenaline, they have organized a one of the kind competition. Ladies and Gentlement start you engines for the The Asphalt 6 Adrenaline Challenge!
The Challenge will take place from December 29th to January 3rd, and you’re going to have to be on your toes and prepared as Gameloft will be mixing up the challenges each day. So practice your driving skills now and prepare for the ultimate battle !! Do you have what it takes to supercharge your way to the finish line and leave your competition in the dust ??
Check out full details over at the Gameloft blog. Also if you havent already got the game well you have 6 days to do so. Check out our review here and then make your way over to the iTunes store and pick it up !!
Looks like another great old school RPG will be making its way onto the iPhones early next year. This is because Square Enix just took and placed up a little teaser site that hints that Chrono Trigger will be coming to mobile phones in Spring of 2011. Originally enough the game is called Chrono Trigger Mobile and there currently isn’t much information about the game itself.
After the Appstore has just been graced with the Secret of Mana it shows that Square Enix is looking to bring a lot of their most popular older titles to phones. Considering the teaser site is also only in Japanese it could mean that the release date is currently only set for Japan, but considering the success that Chrono Trigger received overseas in the past it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to assume that a Western release date didn’t come immediately after.
While you may not mind your eyes witnessing plenty of blood and heads getting blown off by guns your ears may still be just as sensitive to all of those nasty curses. Ever since Bulletstorm has been announced we’ve seen countless trailers and videos that showed parts of the game where the characters swear up so much of a storm that a simple F-bomb doesn’t even cut it to what they say compared to what we’ve seen.
Thankfully it seems that Bulletstorm will have a feature that not only gives the game subtitles (in case you like to read your curses as well as hear them) but also an option to turn on a language filter that will tone down the excessive swearing. There aren’t too many details involving this so that means that this filter could just cut down the extra swearing during gameplay but not in cut-scenes, or it could cut the swearing down all together. This means that as long as you aren’t worried about all of the blood and stylistic killing doesn’t bother you but creative swearing does then you won’t have to worry when Bulletstorm comes out February 22nd next year.
