HD versions of Chess Classics and Brain Challenge were released this week for the iPad:
Chess Classics HD
The ideal chess simulation game for both beginners who want to learn and advanced players looking for expert opponents: Turn your iPad into an amazing HD chess board!
Grab it here for $5.99
Brain Challenge HD
The best-selling, critically acclaimed brain training franchise arrives on the iPad!
Grab it here for $5.99
*Note* Below you can check a hands-on trailer for Brain Challenge HD.
As we all know, two days ago Steve Jobs officially presented the new iPhone 4 to the world onstage during his keynote at WWDC. The response to the new hardware has been overwhelmingly positive, and I for one can’t wait to get my hands on one when it’s released in Australia in July!
When it comes to new features, let’s talk highlights:
The new hardware feature I really wanted to focus on is the gyroscope. Everyone knows that the Accelerometer revolutionised handheld gaming on the original iPhone, but the Gyroscope has the potential to take things to the next level.
What is a Gyroscope? To answer, let’s defer to the definition on Wikipedia:
“A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of conservation of angular momentum. A mechanical gyroscope is essentially a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation”
When you combine this with the existing iPhone Accelerometer, what you are left with is essentially a 6-axis controller capable of reading the pitch, yaw, left, right, up, and down movements of the device, along with establishing how quickly those movements are. In the demonstration Jobs also showed how the Gyroscope could also combine with the in-built compass to orient with gravity. Exciting stuff!
This will give the iPhone 4 a massive advantage over it’s handheld competition like the PSP and Nintendo DS, devices that having nothing like this. If anything, the addition of the Gyroscope puts the iPhone into a class more related to the Nintendo Wii with Motion Plus, or perhaps a PS3 Six-Axis controller.
During the keynote Jobs demonstrated the difference between Accelerometer and Gyroscope by showcasing a simple, Jenga-like game. CNET were there and recorded the demonstration, check it out below!
So guys, what sort of games do you see in the future of the iPhone? Nintendo have a new device supposedly coming out (i.e. not officially presented yet) that has elements of this technology, so how do you see this affecting the other handheld gaming devices?
When BioWare announced that Mass Effect 2 would feature a solo campaign only, there was something of an uproar in the community of faithful Mass Effect followers. Complaints were voiced, repeatedly and vehemently.
It now appears that BioWare took these complaints to heart.
BioWare Montreal has hung a “help wanted” sign on the EA Job site, recruiting for a Lead Multiplayer Programmer. At first, the job listing stated that the job would be working on the Mass Effect franchise, but it was later changed to simply state that they would be “working on BioWare’s top franchises.”
We also know that BioWare isn’t really against the idea of multiplayer in Mass Effect. Said Ray Muzyka, co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp.,”Multiplayer is something that, at a broad level, BioWare is interested in exploring in our games in the future.”
Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s Mass Effect 2 that’s getting the multiplayer treatment. It could just as easily be Mass Effect 3.
I suppose we’ll just have to wait for an official announcement to see if we’ll be getting our multiplayer Mass Effect fix sooner rather than later.
2K is displaying their E3 2010 line-up as the Biggest and Most Powerful Lineup Ever:
“By delivering only the hot list-dominating games that we want to play, 2K will take on E3 2010 with its strongest lineup to date across all of its divisions,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “The benefit of our strategic approach to this year’s roster of delivering fewer, bigger titles – featuring games like Mafia II, NBA 2K11 and New Carnival Games – is that we can focus on delivering the most engaging and entertaining experiences for today’s broadening gaming audience. From core to casual, 2K will have something for every gamer this holiday season.”
Their lineup is as follow:
2K Games
2K Sports
2K Play
I’m mostly excited for Mafia 2, being a big fan of the first game i can’t wait to play this sequel. What about you?
LucasArts has unveiled the collector’s edition for their upcoming sequel Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. It will be arriving on shelves the same time as the normal edition on October 26th and will cost $80 US on either the PS3 or the Xbox 360. It will include the following additions, which are quite a few to be honest:
The challenge mode levels, character skin, and lightsaber crystal will definitely attract some fans of the series itself. But it also begs the question as if the levels will be available for download at a later time for those who didn’t pick up the C.E.? Plus the material rewards are definitely interesting with the unique Starkiller USB drive.
This week on Steam you can get one of the best games from 2009 for a nice deal:
Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY Edition on Steam – 50% off ($39.99 $19.99 USD)
The Game of the Year Edition features 4 extra Challenge Maps. The additional Challenge Maps are Crime Alley; Scarecrow Nightmare; Totally Insane and Nocturnal Hunter (both from the Insane Night Map Pack).
The offer ends this Thursday at 4pm PDT. So, be fast!
There will be blood. Yes there will be blood in the name of love this Fall. In the below trailer we discover what is behind Rick’s bloody journey. Your path will be covered in blood as you try to get her back from those that have kidnapped her. Namco Bandai is definitely releasing an interesting one here, catch the E3 trailer below.
Video Source: (IGN)
Dragon Quest IX’s release is just a month away and here is the perfect trailer to watch to find weather or not you will pick up this game. It is one of the most popular games in Japan at the moment and it has a large following across the world. It has outsold every other game in Q3 sales and that is just with Japan sales only. When the game expands to the rest of the world that number will jump even higher.
So will you be picking this one up? Bear in mind it is a DS game but it has to be what shall be one of the best DS games to date that isn’t just a Pokemon game. I will definitely be looking into getting this one.
Games on Demand is expanding greatly with a large amount of titles being released for Windows PCs. They are adding many new titles today alone, which can be seen below. Also they are saying that the Windows Games on Demand will expand to over one hundred different titles by the end of the year, with day and date releases from all of the industry’s biggest companies such as Capcom, Rockstar Games, THQ, 2K Games, Microsoft Game Studios and Ubisoft.
Some of these games are quite old, but it is still interesting to see that some newer releases are now available with the Games on Demand option.
Game : Soccer Superstars
Platform : Apple iPhone / iPod Touch
Developer / Publisher GAMEVIL USA, Inc.
Price : $4.99 : BUY NOW
Manage or guide your Soccer Team to Superstardom !!
Take your team to world success in Season Mode, bring home the trophy in Cup Mode, or relive memorable international soccer moments in Dramatic Mode !! That’s what GAMEVIL’s Soccer Superstars is all about !!
Those familiar with GAMEVIL’s Superstars series of Baseball Superstars games will need little introduction to their latest title Soccer Superstars. If you are new to this style of game play from GAMEVIL you are in for the ride of your life as you get to experience cool features and modes which will have you managing a team and rookie character which you mould and shape just the way you like in this action packed RPG Style game.
GAMEVIL has implemented a very easy to use control setup for Soccer Superstars when playing matches. On the left side of the screen you have the virtual control stick which you use to move your player around the field. One thing I did find a little annoying was the size of the analog was a little small and manouvering my Superstar was a little fustrating. There are 3 other buttons. The A which is used to pass when you have the ball and request the ball when your team mate is in possession. You can also challenge for the ball when your Superstar is close to the opponent and you want to take possession of the ball in a fair challenge.
The B button is used to shoot for goal when you have the ball, if your team mates have the ball and they are close to the goals pressing the B button will send a request to them to take a shot at goal. Also when off the ball and your superstar is close to the action you can press the B button to go in for a hard slide tackle, but beware this could and most of the time end up in a penalty, yellow card and sometimes RED card. The third button is called the S button which allow your Superstar to use his super-powered goal attack. Starting off as a rooking you will need to earn popularity, similar to experience which you get by playing well in games or going to special events etc. Once you reach a certain level of popularity you can then train and buy super power attacks. There are a total of 4 levels of super power attacks. Level 1 starts off with a standard high powered kick towards the goal that most of the time smashes though the net. Reaching level 4 will have you setting the ball on fire sending the ball screming into the goal, totally ignoring the goalkeeper.
GAMEVIL have also introduced a semi-automatic control system which can be used to assist in moving the active player, it’s a decent attempt at helping out the new comers to the game but personally, I recommended switching back to the manual control system which gives you full control of the SuperStar / players and you can go wherever they desire.
The biggest selling point for Soccer Superstar is its emphasis on the heavy team management mode, here you can create you very own team, and lead them to victory, which ever way you think is best. The other big selling point is the player’s career. With the use of strong RPG style mechanics you can train your superstar and increase their ability in shooting, running, technique and stamina. All are very important but you can only pick one training session activity before each game. (this is covered further in the video review) You can also increase your superstars ability by purchasing items which will upgrade their skills and improve the teams overall chances to win.
Now sit back and enjoy the video review which will cover in more detail further aspects of the game.
Superstar soccer is a great first attempt at a soccer RPG game from GAMEVIL. The control system is lacking a little and will take a bit of time to get used to. The RPG elements are great but it would of been nicer to see more options to choose from and more interactions and choices. If you are a fan of soccer and like a twist of RPG then Soccer Superstars will keep you busy for HOURS and HOURS !! The amount of modes and features available will make your head spin. Casual gamers might find Soccer Superstar a little complicated at first but give it a chance and everything will slowly fall into place and you’ll be a pro in no time !!
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