Today was the launch of Half-Life 2 and its episodes for the Mac OS platform.
Together with this news, Half-Life 2 and Episode One received an updated version of the Source Engine (on both platforms) from Episode Two, which adds new models, high quality textures, water and lighting effects, some new optimizations and finally some achievements for Half-Life 2 and Episode One, as Episode Two already had them. The Half-Life 2 titles now features cross-platform and Steam Cloud too, allowing players to keep their game progress on Steam servers, then resume from Mac or PC.
To celebrate the launch on the Mac, Half-Life 2, Episode One, Episode Two and even The Orange Box are all available for 30% off, for a limited time.
After releasing the remake of Amiga’s classic Alien Breed for the Xbox 360 as Alien Breed Evolution, Team17 will now release the remake for the Playstation 3 and PC during summer 2010.
Alien Breed: Impact will be released digitally on the PSN (PS3) and Steam (PC). This version is a heavily expanded edition of the XBLA arcade hit “Alien Breed: Evolution”, with suggestions from the community being translated into brand new features by the Team17 developers.
Alien Breed: Impact is now tougher and requires more individual exploration than its predecessor. It features expanded customisability, with upgrades available for weapons that can be purchased using cash looted from corpses and lockers. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, there are enhancements to the co-operative gameplay experience for you and a shooting buddy, not to mention the “Prologue” campaign, which takes players through an updated and expanded introduction to the world of Alien Breed. Alien Breed: Impact is a testament to Team17’s ongoing desire to improve and to recognize the community as important contributors to their games. Studio Head Martyn Brown echoes these sentiments: “We’re always very keen to hear what our communities are saying about our titles and greatly consider feedback. For Alien Breed: Impact, it was great that we went back to the design and improved the game in many areas, meaning a much tighter gameplay experience for all.” – Team 17
Below you can check some gameplay from the Xbox 360 version.
Last year the Tokyo Game Show’s advertisement and logo was just a simple catchphrase. “Game, it’s so energetic!” It was very colorful and that was about it. There was no real mascot and was pretty lame in my opinion. This year though they have done a complete 180. Above you can see their new mascot and advertisement. She’s what looks like a console-tan but is a mixture of all the various game consoles and peripherals. Also their new catchphrase is “GAME, to the next chapter!” Still a bit odd but at least they have accompanied the gaming android girl to make the advert interesting.
The artist is Ippei Gyoubo and has designed this console/peripheral-tan girl for the show. The Tokyo Game Show will be taking place between September 16th and September 19th.
What type of peripherals do you see on her? Anyone notice anything console specific?
Nippon Ichi has brought western audiences some of the most popular Strategy RPG’s to date in the form of Disgaea. Now they have teamed up with Idea Factory and Gust who both are experts in the creation of SRPGs to create Trinity Universe for the PS3.
Even though these three companies are known for their SRPGs, Trinity Universe is actually an action RPG. The battle system will be using Action Points and appear similar to Tales of Vesperia’s battles. There will be attacks set to different buttons on the PS3 controller and each one will use your AP for the fight. However with full blown combos that will devastate your foes you will gain AP, pretty much style points. The higher your damage the higher the AP received. There is also the factor of time in the battles. There will be a multitude of points in the game where you must finish the fight quickly due to a timer counting down before a place blows up or before it becomes locked down and you will fail.
The main character is a Dog King named Kanata. Though he is humanoid with dog ears and looks essentially like a half demon as seen in most anime. However he isn’t the highlight of the game. Instead the crossover characters will take the spotlight. Seen in the trailer below there will be characters coming from both Disgaea and Atelier. Gust’s characters will be seen as goddesses, and Nipon Ichi with the demons. The game is in full 3D which will be a plus for fans of the various games which have usually been in sprite form and pixelated. Major fan favorites such as Etna, Flonne, Pamela, and the penguin demons the Prinnies will make appearances in Trinity Universe.
Trinity Universe is set for US release on the PS3 on June 29th.
Looks like 2K games has announced the special collector’s edition that is available for Mafia II. After a very long developmental period with some troubles, the game is finally slated for release on August 24th. The collector’s edition won’t include anything that will set it apart from everything else however.
An art book, soundtrack, and fancy steel case will round out most of the material aspects. But it also comes packaged with a “high quality, tear-resistant map” of Empire Bay. Something similar to what we’ve seen in Oblivion’s special edition however that map was hardly tear resistant and I’ve seen people tear the edges simply by unfolding it. For digital in game contact there is a Made Men Pack that will include two fancy cars and a tuxedo to look expensive when you shake down a business.
If you pre-order from gamestop you will receive a “Vegas Pack” and a “War Hero Pack” which features military vehicles and a uniform, and then some cars you would see in Vegas including suits.
Amazon is providing the “Renegade Pack” including cars from the 50s and leather and lettermens jackets for Vito
Best Buy is giving pre-orders the “Greaser Pack” which provides two speedster vehicles and racing outfits.
Wal Mart is offering a $10 gift card, which can be used only at Wal Mart of course but essentially takes $10 off the price tag
AUS
Vegas Pack (EB Games – Australia and New Zealand): Get a taste of old school Vegas in this new DLC pack from Mafia II. Bring a taste of Vegas to Empire Bay as you cruise through the town in two new cars with smooth handling and timeless lines. Vito shows his Vegas style in two new suits inspired by movies and music of the time.
Renegade Pack (GAME and Mighty Ape New Zealand): Show off your inner renegade in this new DLC pack. Start with two new cars, one with the slick styling and tight handling of a small sports coupe and the other with the revved up engine of a ‘50s hot rod. Outfit Vito in two new suits, including leather and lettermen’s jackets to fit his renegade persona.
GreaserPack (JB Hi Fi – Australia and New Zealand): Free access to the in-game downloadable content pack that is all about speed. These two new hot-rod speedsters will win you pink slips every time. Pair them with two new outfits for Vito — a leather jacket with heavy boots, and a leather racing suit — and get your engines revving.
War Hero Pack (Independent Retailers): The ‘40s wouldn’t be complete without a war hero. Vito plays the role well in the War Hero DLC pack. Drive two military style vehicles and notice the superior handling in all weather conditions. Vito looks sharp in two new military outfits, including fatigues and a dress uniform.
Mafia II Pin Up Posters: Pre-order Mafia II at EB Games and receive four A2 Limited Edition Pin Up Posters. Gamers will also have the opportunity to vote for which four of the twelve posters will get included in the pack. Head to http://mafia2.ebgames.com.au/ or http://www.ebgames.co.nz/events/mafia2/ next week to select the four favourite calender girls you want to take home with your copy of Mafia II. Images of the twelve posters are attached.
Depends on what you are looking for in a bonus then if you want to pre-order the game. Gamestop offering the military style vehicles and outfits should make for an interesting game addition. Nothing says authority like doing a drive-by in a military jeep and uniform.
A bunch of Kane and Lynch 2 pictures have been released. Check out the gallery below for some ogling material. Shiny pictures! Enjoy. I have nothing else to type here.
SEGA has announced today: Sonic Colours, a brand new high speed action adventure in which Sonic the Hedgehog races through incredible theme park inspired worlds to rescue a colourful alien race from the clutches of Dr Eggman. Why does Eggman always have to cause so much trouble !!!!
So basically an extraordinary amusement park has been seen orbiting around the home planet of Sonic the Hedgehog, and rumours are spreading that an alien race of Wisps, who have a unique colourful energy, are being held captive there by the evil Dr Eggman. Soon after arriving at the amusement park Sonic discovers he is able to use these mysterious alien forces to help the Wisps escape! Sonic Colours for the Wii seamlessly combines both 3D and classic 2D game play perspectives, whilst the Nintendo DS version takes full advantage of the console’s dual screen.
“The vibrant alien world of Sonic Colours enables players to race at top speed through incredible looking planets, each with their own unique visual style.” commented Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing, SEGA. “In addition to the classic Sonic game play style, the colourful new Wisp power ups offer a fresh new way of exploring these worlds and helps make Sonic faster than ever before!”
As always Sonic Colours sees Sonic accelerating to adrenaline-pumping super speeds and blasting through obstacles in ways never before seen in a Sonic game. The alien Wisps in Sonic Colours each have a unique “Colour Power” that, once freed, Sonic is able to absorb whilst speeding through the various theme park inspired planets. The Wisp energy enables Sonic to create new paths through the stages by drilling through the ground (Yellow Drill) for example, or speeding through the stage as a laser (Cyan Laser). Stringing the Wisp power ups together creates a combo that increases Sonic’s boost gauge even more quickly and exclusive Wisp power ups will be available for both Wii and the Nintendo DS versions, ensuring a unique and super speedy gameplay experience for Sonic fans everywhere.
Sonic Colours will be available on the home video game system Wii™ and the Nintendo DS™ system late in 2010.
Social matchmaking update accompanies price drop of “All Fronts Collection” content pack along with Triple Experience Weekend kicking off on Xbox LIVE
Starting today, Title Update 6 gives a new reason for “Gears of War” fans to load up their Lancers and rev their chainsaws. The title update, available today on Xbox LIVE, introduces a new public multiplayer match feature called Social Matchesthat allows you to jump in or out of games without disruptions, including Horde mode matches. Social matchmaking also lets your party join a match already in progress or start a new match if there are no suitable matches to be found.
Social matching is open to anyone who owns all four downloadable map packs, available as a single download by purchasing the “All Fronts Collection,” now at the new discounted price of 800 Microsoft Points. Those looking for specific map packs to round out their collection will also find individual map packs on Xbox LIVE Marketplace at a new lower price as well.
To celebrate the new title update, Epic and Microsoft have also announced a Triple Experience Weekend on Xbox LIVE. Starting tomorrow, Thursday 27 May, at 2PM GMT, fans can earn triple experience in any “Gears of War 2” multiplayer mode on Xbox LIVE. The Triple XP weekend will run until Tuesday 1 June at 2PM GMT.
In addition, the title update includes a host of general fixes, improvements, and balancing changes which are available to all players. Visit http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/tu6.htm for a complete list of Title Update 6 changes.
With the improvements in Title Update 6 and the wide availability of the “All Fronts Collection,” players have plenty of time to hone their skills before the launch of “Gears of War 3” in April 2011. I know I don’t need to hone my skills .. IM MASTER “FRIKEN” ABBOTT … you I was born with a LANCER in my hands !! WOOOOOO I’m in the ZONE BABY !!! AIN’T ENUFF FREAKS TO STOP THIS ABBOTT !! 😉
Great news from Rockstar Games today that have announced the release of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Lite for the Apple iPhone™ and iPod® touch. Chinatown Wars Lite is your introduction into Liberty City’s criminal underground. As Huang Lee, help Uncle Wu “Kenny” Lee in his quest for revenge and control of the Triad Gangs of Liberty City. Immerse yourself in the first three missions from the full game and get ready for hotwiring, reckless driving, heart-pounding gunfights and plenty of hot pursuits.
Download this exciting experience for free at the iTunes App Store and get behind the wheel of one of the most critically-acclaimed handheld titles of this generation.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch Firmware 3.12 and above.
Hey! you on the couch, eating your potato chips and playing halo 3 still. You know what you need? you need to get active and play the upcoming Namco Bandai game for the Wii Active Life Explorer. Don’t have a Wii? oh, never mind then, go back to Halo 3. Below is the press release for Active Life Explorer.
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Jump into action as a fearless adventurer searching for treasure the world over. Explore an array of intriguing themed locales including dense twilight jungles, ancient ruins, lava-flooded caves, frozen ice packs and more each with their own traps, hazards and challenges. A veritable thrill-ride of activities will keep the whole family moving as they run across falling bridges, dodge perilous booby traps, escape from savage beasts, chase down bandits, and much more as they ride off into the sunset with a bounty of loot and rewards.
ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER includes dozens of action-packed adventures with support for up to eight players in fun cooperative or competitive challenges with multiple difficulty options to cater to all skill levels. In the multiplayer Party Mode, up to eight players can play in a series of activities that gives everyone a chance to get in on the action. One to four players can play through a Treasure Adventure Mode filled with dozens of missions as they uncover new uncharted lands on a world map. A versatile Free Play Mode offers easy access to individual challenges, while gamers looking for a challenge can put their skills to the test in the Treasure Trials Mode with a variety of objectives to complete. With plenty of rewards such as medals, different outfits for their in-game characters and high score rankings, players will want to play again and again.
“ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER takes the ACTIVE LIFE series’ signature full-body motion gameplay to new frontiers,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “With a fresh set of challenges based on exhilarating treasure hunting quests, great escapes and thrill-seeking crusades, the game keeps pulses pounding and offers a fun way to get everyone active.”
ACTIVE LIFE EXPLORER for Wii will be available as a bundle including the game and one ACTIVE LIFE Mat Controller, or as a stand-alone game by itself for Active Life fans that already have the Mat Controller. For more information, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.
