In a bit of mysterious release notification, the Xbox Live Newsbeat has stated release information for a brand new ‘DLC’ for Dragon Age: Origins on may 18th. Said DLC is called the “DarkSpawn Chronicles” and will cost 400 MSp($5).
There is literally zero information released about the download content, and the game’s own website has no information either on the game. As well as no official information from Bioware or EA, this is quite the mysterious bit of DLC. Though it is safe to assume that there will be the involvement of the darkspawn, and considering it is the chronicles it may even be the history of the darkspawn themselves.
All I can say is that we can let the speculation run rampant on what this DLC will include, however notice the price range of this one compared to previous DLC. This could mean that either A. Bioware has started charging less for newer DLC, or B. the content will be much smaller than any of their previous DLC. What do you guys think this will entail?
On the game’s official Facebook Page it looks like the official release date for Star Wars The Force Unleashed II has been unveiled. On October 26 2010 we shall continue the story of Starkiller after the events of the first game. There has been no information released yet on what the story will consist of, or what planets we will see. Also curious enough, it will be interesting to see how they will continue the story after the endings of the first game.
Slightly ironic that the news was released today, as today is the unofficial Star Wars Holiday of May 4th. Even the announcement itself uses the phrase saying “May the fourth be with you,” rather than the classic phrase “May the Force be with you.”
G’day Everyone. MasterAbbott here to bring you the video un-Barrel’ing of Capcom super cool Final Fight Double Impact Press Kit.   This limited edition Press Kit was sent to press all around the US. Capsule Computers was very fortunate to get one as well from the fine people at Capcom. This video un-Barrel’ing runs you through what you get in the barrel.  There is a link just below that will take you straight to the Capcom store to buy this ultra-rare collectors item(s).  Watch the video below and if you really like what you see click on the link and buy it now !!
Details :
This is the Final Fight™: Double Impact Press Kit that everyone wants! Capcomhave a lot of fun coming up with these exclusive kits and now they can offer them to Capcom fans.
Limited Edition break-apart barrel made from high-quality rubber foam
Can of spray-on temporary pink hair color celebrating infamous Final Fightâ„¢ character Poison “For Men, Women, and Everything in Between”
Double-sided t-shirt featuring Re-Elect Mike Haggar For Mayor on the outside and Magic Sword art on the inside
1 inch Mike Haggar for Mayor badge pin
Retro cassette tape featuring the remastered soundtrack to Final Fightâ„¢ and Magic Sword by acclaimed remixoligsts (includes a download of the digital files)
Classic arcade tokens featuring Final Fight® on one side and Magic Sword on the other
Overview
For my review I have chosen to do Halo 3: ODST, the latest instalment in the Halo series released late last year. For those of you unfamiliar with the ‘Halo’ series, firstly I’m glad to see you found your way out of that deep, dark cave after ten years, but I’ll briefly explain. In the first 3 titles, you play as Master Chief, the last standing Spartan soldier left with the mammoth task of protecting humanity from the ‘Covenant’ as well as a number of other alien races. However, Halo 3: ODST takes a slightly different turn.
Surprisingly, in ODST, instead of playing as the ever faithful Master Chief, you play through the single player campaign as an ‘Orbital Drop Shock Trooper’ along with your fellow squad members. Subsequently, there a few minor changes which differentiate ODST from the other games in the series, such as a silenced SMG and a new visor/HUD. However, these are merely quirks and change the gameplay very little. The storyline fits in around Halo 2, expanding on the plot in a bit more detail, making it a must for owners of the previous games. Unfortunately, the campaign is more of an expansion pack than a full blown story and although you won’t be able to complete it before you can say “Orbital Drop Shock Trooper”, it is rather short and once completed, there is little incentive to go back and do it again.
The other part to the first disk is ‘Firefight’ mode. This is basically a more advanced version of GOW 2′ s Horde mode, only on Halo. This again is fun while it lasts and a good laugh when played with a bunch of mates online. Although this too lacks replayablility, and once you and your friends have achieved the achievements you need to unlock the highly coveted ‘Recon’ armour for multiplayer play, you’ll find you play it very rarely.
On the other hand, this could be because your so busy with the second disk, playing what is in my opinion and many others’ opinions, the greatest online multiplayer experience available. I am of course talking about the Multiplayer disk, the second half of the Halo 3: ODST bundle. There is a massive 21 maps in total, promising to keep you occupied at the very least until the next instalment in the series is released. On a side note though, only 3 of these were exclusive ODST owners upon release, and since then these 3 have been released on the marketplace for 800 Microsoft points (Mythic Map Pack 2). For those of you who already own some of the map packs, this part of the ODST package is somewhat less spectacular as you are getting less new content, and for those of you who have already purchased them all, this disk offers nothing, other than a handy disk that contains them all.
Graphics
The graphics in this game are up to the same high standards of Halo 3, as it runs on exactly the same engine. Because of this, there are very little changes graphics-wise. The graphics and design on weapons looks good, and they range from some of the human guns looking realistic, to some of the Covenant weapons looking unique to the Halo series with their plasma, outer-space design. At times, some textures can look a little grainy in certain areas and on certain scenery, but other than that, the graphics are good, but nothing special.
Gameplay
The gameplay, similarly to the graphics, remains fairly unchanged in Halo 3: ODST in comparison to Halo 3. The first disk is the only place where new gameplay additions can be found, as the second multipayer disk is just Halo 3 with a complete set of maps.
As previously mentioned, there are two modes available for single player: Campaign mode and Firefight mode. The campaign is short but enjoyable, feeling more like an expansion pack than a full story. There is also the addition of a new HUD, which tries to create a more futuristic, advanced weaponry feel with the enemy tracking system. However, this has little impact in the game, and it will probably irritate you more than it will help. The other mode is Firefight which is a new offering to the Halo series. It plays similarly to Gears of War 2’s Horde mode with the attack of wave after wave of numerous enemies of gradually increasing.
However, it is only when these modes are played multiplayer that they really come into their own. They can both be played on split-screen, or over xbox live, which tends to make them much more fun, especially when played amongst a group of friends. Overall, both modes lack replay value once completed, but the intervention of multiplayer can help to stretch the lifespan a bit further.
Audio/Sound
The Halo series generally has a good soundtrack, and this game isn‘t one to disagree with that trend. It features the same stirring orchestrated music as you progress through different parts of the levels in campaign, and has range of themed music from classical to rock in different levels, subtly playing in the background, which adds to the atmosphere and builds tension, without being overpowering.
As for the other areas of sound and audio effects, these are also up to a fairly high standard. The voice acting is high quality and helps to immerse you in the story, and the sounds of weapons and enemies of the Halo universe are interesting, and believable at the same time. With the help of surround sound, you can even feel part of the action in Halo 3: ODST. For example when you hear one of your comrades over the radio, it sounds very authentic, like you are listening to them from the radio transmission.
Pros
-More of the same brilliant Halo FPS action
-Interesting change of plot with alternative characters
-Great multiplayer on both disks
Cons
-Campaign is too short, it is more like and expansion pack than a full story
-Less value for those who already own the DLC
Conclusion
Overall Halo 3: ODST is another solid Halo offering. The Campaign and Firefight are entertaining, but lack replayability while the multiplayer aspect is one of the best on offer for both casual and serious gamers alike. It is a must-have for anyone for who has yet to delve into any of the Halo titles, if only for the multiplayer disk alone and even though the storyline of the campaign may not be quite so accessible, it should generate some enjoyment nonetheless. It is also highly recommended for owners of Halo 3 who didn’t get round to purchasing any of the map packs as there will be a lot of new content to be explored. The same cannot be said for the those who have already bought the DLC though as there is slightly less when it comes to new material for these people.
I hope everyone is enjoying the new site layout, and the easier to read organization of everything. In order to celebrate the update I am holding a small contest. Continue reading to learn more. Be warned; however, this is not a simple comment contest. On the other hand, any active users should see no problem completing the contest.
Over the next four days I will be placing a word the that just doesn’t belong in a random post.
Each day you will have to find another word in the 5 word long sentence.
Each word will be crossed out so it will be clear when you find the word but not always clear to read it.
The words will not be given in order.
They can be located in anyone’s post, not just mine.
When you have located all 5 words unscramble the sentence in the most logical way you can. Then come back to this post and leave a comment that has the sentence clearly displayed (ex. The Sentence for the contest is: “__________”). The first person to comment with the correct sentence wins a random code from the Xbox Live March Block Party. This means it can either be “Toy Soldiers”, “Scrap Metal”, or ” Perfect Dark”.
The contest starts now, and one of the words is in this post. The rest will be discretely revealed in the following days. Good luck to all of you, and may the best reader win. While you are at it, you might as well comment on all the posts you read. It will help you win the active member contests we hold as well. Also, bookmark this page so you can easily return when you have completed the entire phrase. Or check the Competitions tab in the menu above.
Normal Contest Rules Apply. Only one entry per user, so make sure you have the sentence in the right order before guessing it. Make sure you reply to this post with a valid email address. The code will be sent out from [email protected]
Any questions or comments (that do not include a request for the sentence, hints, or free codes) feel free to leave a comment.
The latest Alan Wake trailer shows the technical side of the game and how they built Alan Wake’s fictional setting, Bright Falls, through on site research and over 60,000 pictures.
Alan Wake is out May 14th in Europe and May 18th in North America. We will be releasing a review as well as gameplay footage at some point this week so keep your eyes peeled.
Capcom have released the 2nd EPISODE for Lost Planet 2 “Cinematic Selects” Check it out below.
Make sure you Watch, Enter and WIN !! Just by taking part and following Capcom’s Lost Planet 2 Social Networks !!
Capcom have provided us with part 2 of their exclusive, never-before-seen “Cinematic Selects” series highlighting Lost Planet 2 gameplay. This is ultra cool and also very limited to certain sites.
Check out the Episode 2 below then make your way over to all three Lost Planet social community locations and enter to win great prizes !!
Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling @fourzerotwohas announced that Playstation 3 owners will be able to pick up new Modern Warfare 2 “Stimulus Pack” tomorrow on May 4th via the Playstation Network (PSN) Store.  Along with the Stimulus Package being available Infinity Ward will be switching on Double XP on all playlists, for all players !!
So if you want to work on getting to those higher Prestige levels make sure you login and get cracking. Everything you do will be earning you twice as many XP points, kills, objectives noob toobing, care package stealing, you name it.Â
Thoughts:
The game is fun at first, but has 55 levels of increasing difficulty and by yourself it just becomes tedious. Bring in some friends for a little more fun, but after a while the party will just fall silent, and you get into the droll of beating each day. The achievements are pretty easy and just require a lot of patience to get through every day. The 7 days of hell achievement is the hardest one but even that isn’t that hard with patience. It just takes a long time.
Gameloft have sent through some exclusive Prince Of Persia screenshots on both iPhone & iPad. At the moment we don’t have much information, but by the looks of these screenshots this version of Prince of Persia is looking as good if not better than the PSP version.
Check them out for yourself and let us know what you think.
