What can I say about Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit?
1. Cars. Cars are cool. VROOM!
2. Fast cars are awesome!
3. Cops can drive sick cars now? WHY AM I NOT A COP?!
4. The internet is crazy sweet. It lets me taunt my friends.
5. If I preorder the limited edition of NFS: Hot Pursuit it doesn’t cost me anything extra, and I get free stuff. Check.
6. Demo will be released on October 26, 2010.
7. ‘Nuff said.
2K Sports has blown my mind with this trailer. What if Michael Jordan played Kobe Bryant in a 1 to 1, man to man basketball game? I think the world would explode, or a bull would wreck LA. I’m kinda leaning towards Michael Jordan winning, for the sake of nostalgia and ’cause he is that rad. What do you think? Also, let us know what happens when you pit Bryant against MJ in NBA 2K11.
Finally, here is a link to another trailer for NBA 2K11, Chef Pooh be Straight Cookin’! (I swear I did not make that up.)
Do we really need to encourage MMO players to play outside of their homes? Well according to Panasonic, portable online gaming is indeed a market worth targeting. “The jungle” as officially named by Panasonic has the tag line “new mobile device concept designed specifically for online gamers,” a “mean little machine features a kick arse display, touch pad, keyboard, and other gaming controls”
The jungle hopes to play host to a mix of content and experiences. It’s compatible with browser based MMO’s, like for example Runescape or something as childish as say Club Penguin. The device has a small touch pad and D-pad, including a full keyboard, but obviously quite compact in size. It’s rumoured to run on Linux (oh shii), which could complicates things as most games are developed on different OS and would need to be ported over. For example World of Warcraft would need to be ported, which caters for a giant slice of the market.
No details are confirmed, however it’s rumoured to have Wifi, 3G capabilities and possibly a HDMI port. Reports also indicate the screen resolution is quite impressive, which could mean a quick little processor inside. As the device has just been announced, no pricing or release details have been confirmed. However judging by the reports of the screen resolution and assumed processing power that goes with, we could be looking at a high price tag.
At first glance the device looks like a different version of the GBA; however it scores points for portability. It may be a good thing pulling hardcore MMO gamers out of their apartments, or it may scare the general public. Who knows? But one thing is for sure, Panasonic are taking a brave and bold step with this handheld. The failure of the 3DO must be well behind them. But the question remains if developers and publishers will back it. Check out the video from the official site, more details as they’re confirmed.
Just a reminder for all of you Pokefans out there that Pokemon Ranger Guardian signs is now available for the the Nintendo DS! Set in the Oblivia Region, players take control of the newest hero and must stop the Pokemon Pinchers who have been chasing and stealing Pokemon.
Pokemon titles usually have a lot of depth to them and this one looks no different.
Players use the Capture Styler to draw loops and capture Pokémon on the touch screen. The deeper into the story players progress, the more powers and abilities their Capture Styler gains. Players can also summon Pokémon that they have befriended, including Legendary Pokémon like Raikou, Entei and Suicune, to help them progress in the game by drawing special Ranger Signs on the touch screen. .
Up to four players play on certain Wireless Multiplayer Missions using a local wireless connection,with the multi-card wireless mode.
“Pokémon fans are always looking for new ways to experience their favorite Pokémon,” said Marc Franklin, Nintendo of America’s director of Public Relations. “Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs delivers a lot of excitement and will keep players engaged.”
For those who are dying with anticipation for Pokemon Black & White to release in the U.S, this title looks to offer enough content to hold over your appetite for months to come. For more information about Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, visit http://www.pokemonranger.com.
Doesn’t bother Konami one bit that their upcoming release of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is tomorrow, they came right out with a demo the day before and are hoping to grab a bit of extra spotlight just before release. Sure the PS3 demo has been out for quite some time but it’s good to see a demo for each console now.
You can queue up the demo download here, but bear in mind that you have to be a Gold member to download the game. Also 2GB of free space on your hard drive so you know this demo is going to pack a wallop. Catch the game out on shelves tomorrow for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in the US and on Friday everywhere else.
Much to comic book fans’ dismay, the hugely anticipated DC Universe Online has suffered a delay in it’s release date. Instead of receiving the proposed November 2nd date, instead the game will be reaching customers sometime in Spring of 2011. The reason for this delay has been stated by Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley to address feedback and fix any bugs discovered during the beta:
“As the game heads into external beta testing, this extra time will allow us to address community feedback in a meaningful way. When we get deeper into external beta, we’ll be able to share more information regarding the new launch date.”
This is also a blow not only to PC users but PS3 users as well due to the fact that this MMO was also to be released for the PS3, bringing the console it’s first MMO experience. However just as before with Bangai-O, there is a small ray of hope in most fans’ darkest hour. And that is the fact that Beta access to the game will start beginning on November 30th in America.
How would one obtain a beta invite you may ask? The guarenteed path to success is if you were to pre-order DCUO before November 15th and you will receive a beta invite with the instructions included in the game. However if you so happen to not pre-order by that time, you will still receive a beta invite a week prior to the game’s official launch.
Whenever people hear about a game being delayed it is usually met with sighs and the feeling that it was delayed simply for better release date sales without anything added to the game itself. Well this time around D3 and Treasure have unfortunately delayed Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury until Spring 2011 on the XBLA. But the silver lining to this dark cloud is that they are also taking this time to incorporate co-op mode and an online multiplayer mode that otherwise would not have been included in the Bangai-O.
From early appearances Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury places the player behind the controls to a gundam-style mecha warrior that is in a side scrolling shmup. This shoot’em up style will include hundreds of bullets and enemies all over the screen as they try to destroy your robot and put an end to your fight. We’ll know more as time goes on, but at least it is good to see that while the game has been delayed, more features are being added.
Upset with the news that Gears of War 3 has been delayed by a collosal 5 months? You’re not alone, there are many others that feel the same way, but never fret for recent announcements may be more to your liking.
Over the weekend, both lead designer Cliff Bleszinski and Epic Vice-President Mark Rein hinted on their Twitter that the delay wasn’t all bad news. To reward fans of the franchise and cheer them up after the news of the delay, Bleszinski promised a pleasing announcement coming next week via his Twitter feed: “Yep. Gears 3 has been moved to Holiday 2011. News incoming shortly that will be quite the silver lining. Have faith.”
Mark Rein added on his Twitter: “Re: Gears3 coming out in holiday… there are some nice silver linings hiding in this cloud. More news next week.”
Personally, I think the double mention of ‘silver lining’ was no coincidence. Anyone have any ideas what this could be about? We’ll have more on it as it progresses.
All of the WoW fans out there can now have an official date on the highly anticipated expansion, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. Blizzard has officially announced the expansion will be available in stores on Dec. 7th of this year. The expansion will be available on DVD-ROM for Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7 and Macintosh and will also be offered as a digital download from the Blizzard Store. A special collector’s edition packed with bonus items will be available exclusively in retail stores.
“Cataclysm includes the best content we’ve ever created for World of Warcraft. It’s not just an expansion but a re-creation of much of the original Azeroth, complete with epic new high-level adventures for current players and a redesigned leveling experience for those just starting out,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With the help of our beta testers we’re putting on the final polish, and we look forward to welcoming gamers around the world to enjoy it in just a couple of months.”
In Cataclysm, the face of Azeroth will be forever altered by the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing. Players will explore once-familiar areas of the world that have now been reshaped by the devastation and filled with new adventures. In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races – worgen and goblins – will join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde. As players journey to the new level cap of 85, they’ll discover newly revealed locations, acquire new levels of power and come face to face with Deathwing in a battle to determine the fate of the world.
For those who still can’t wait to December 7th, you still have a chance to get into the closed beta.Visit the official Battle.net website at eu.battle.net to set up a Battle.net account and sign up for a chance to participate. To learn more about World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, visit www.wow-europe.com/cataclysm.
Game Name: Comic Jumper
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher(s): Xbox LIVE Arcade
Developer(s): Twisted Pixel Games
Genre(s): Action
Release Date: 10/6/2010
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Cartoon Violence Crude Humor Language Suggestive Themes
Price: 1200MSP
Story
“Threatened with becoming just another failed superhero, Captain Smiley is rescued by the fine folks at Twisted Pixel who provide him with a base of operations and Comic Jumping technology allowing him—and his back-talking “chestkick” named Star—to leap into other comic books and save misguided plotlines, so that they may earn enough cash to catapult their superhero careers back into the limelight. From the creators of the award-winning titles Splosion Man and The Maw, Comic Jumper is the team’s most ambitious game yet.” [ Via Xbox.com]
Captain Smiley is on the verge of being washed out of the Comic Super Hero business. Out of money, and out of villains; Comic Jumper must find a way to reboot his career. Twisted Pixel helps him out (yes they are in the game, literally) by supplying him a device that lets him jump between comics. It is now Captain Smiley’s job to enter other comics and help the heroes in those comics with whatever they need help with… for a reasonable fee, of course.
Gameplay
This is not a kid’s game. The art style may seem cartoony, but a huge chunk of the humor is intended for an older audience. There are many jokes within the game from old movies, such as “Total Recall”, “Bloodsport”, and many more that I can’t recall the films’ name; there are even jokes placed in there from other games both their own, and not their own. There are even a few jokes at the expense of their own games, such as The Maw. Simply put, there are a whole bunch of jokes. The humor is spot on and I laughed during the entire game. Sadly, since the entire game depends on the jokes, there isn’t much replay value located in the game. If you do replay it, you will just hear the same jokes over again; and if you are lucky you might catch a few that you missed the first time around.
The gamestyle is a sidescrolling arcade shooter. This gamestyle is also a throwback to the older generation. You know, the ones that actually grew up playing these types of games, and not the ones who are used to “More Modern” Shooters. The arcade shooters that were intended to be really hard, and almost impossible not to die in. Comic Jumper is primarily a sidescrolling shooter, where you jump, slide, and climb all while shooting at everything that pops out to kill you. Not getting hurt in this game is almost impossible, as there are tons of things trying to kill you. The bosses are also a lot of fun, with patterns to memorize and tons of health to slowly dwindle down.
Freebies are abundant in this game. Twisted Pixel loves to give away as much free stuff as they can, and they have broken boundaries on it before. There are free gamer pictures, a free theme, and even free DLC for their previous game: “Splosion’ Man”. If you thought that wasn’t enough, there is tons of in game concept art, videos, comics to read, and much much more. I say it is all free, but it actually costs in game money that you get by beating levels and challenges; but this is just a small price to pay for so much free stuff. It also adds a small amount of replay value, if you can’t manage to get all the money in one playthrough.
Audio & Graphics
There are actually four unique art styles in this game. Even though the overall gameplay style stays consistent throughout the whole game, the art style freshens up the game at regular intervals. Every time there is an art style change, it is like getting a fresh new game to play. It isn’t just the art that changes either, the jokes and the audio change as well.
The game’s music was composed by a few different guys, and this gives a unique sound to every different comic. There is even more comedic original music located in this game. More of the awesome funny that only “Chainsaw” can provide. Yes, the same guy that composed “Donuts Go Nuts” from “Splosion’ Man” is back with even more original epicness! Just wait, till you hear Brad’s Theme song, or the other various songs by “Chainsaw”. Also, on a side note, the lipsyncing in this game is horrible; no attempt to even do it at all. On the plus side, the game was so much fun, I didn’t even notice it until I was almost done with the game. It seriously, isn’t that big of a deal.
Achievements
The achievement list in Comic Jumper is actually extremely easy. A large chunk of them can be achieved in one playthrough of the game. You could actually get all of them in one playthrough if you are really good (or bad, in the case of the bullets fired). There are a few tricky ones, however. For instance, “Shut Star Up” only has two locations in the game where you can get it, but you can always go back to those levels and replay them. “Collection of a True Fan” and “I Took Performance Enhancers” both require you to spend your in game money on unlockables and upgrades. If a normal player goes immediately for the upgrades, you can’t get it in one playthrough; on the other hand, if you buy the unlockables, you get a bonus multiplier which keeps adding up based on the unlockables you buy. If you keep buying unlockables, you’ll eventually get a huge amount of bonus cash after each level for simply owning those unlockables. Finally, “Pressed X a lot” is actually missable; and you do not want to miss this achievement. If you don’t go through the base after each mission, you will run out of chances to do it and have to start the entire game over; and you do not want to do that. So make sure to talk to everyone and everything within the base after each mission, until you get the achievement. It does add more funny lines to the game, which is a bonus; and there are also some easter eggs that you might miss unless you talk to them.
Below is the achievement list:
There are also three avatar awards available in the game
Overview
Comic Jumper has a huge emphasis on the in game humor. The player really determines how much they get out of the game. If a player doesn’t catch any of the references, and just runs through the game; the game is in turn going to seem like a stupid piece of junk. On the other hand, if the player takes their time and catches a huge amount of references; the game will be an awesome piece of pure gold comedy! It is as simple as that. In my opinion, the game isn’t really meant to be played, but instead it should simply be enjoyed. Sadly, this also means there is almost no replay value in the game, since you will only hear the same lines over again and see the same things again. I can say that there were a few things I missed the first time through, that I caught the second time but I don’t think I need a third replay at all. If you like Twisted Pixel and like their sense of humor, then you will probably enjoy this game. Sadly, if you don’t have speakers on your TV and aren’t old enough, you won’t like this game that much. Twisted Pixel has even hinted within the game at possible future DLC that they would like to have. This isn’t a guarantee, but DLC supported games are always nice.
I give Comic Jumper
