Batman Arkham Asylum!

Batman a world famous superhero synonymous with fear, power and rich people with too much time on their hands. The legendary vigilante isn’t a stereotypical hero and that’s probably why people love him so much. Bound by only one rule he watches over the troubled city of Gotham lurking in the shadows and protecting the citizens who are unable to fend for themselves.

Surprisingly enough however this is one DC legend who has had his reputation and image almost destroyed in past years. Due to poor game releases and even poorer attempts at movies, times have changed however. The past two movie releases became more than just box office hits they became movie legends with some even saying the dark knight helped save the movie industry.

The Batman game, soon to be released, ties in with the last movie following on straight from the jokers capture. The game has had more than enough effort put in to make it a success. It was written by Paul Dini, the Emmy award winning Batman writer, and voiced by Mark Hamill the voice of joker in the animated T.V series. Having the right team behind the game is often more than enough but Eidos and WB continued there strive for glory by ensuring the design was close to the dark themes of the comics.

 

I’d say they’ve managed to stay close to the dark themes of the comics wouldn’t you?

The storyline looks set to be something to remember as well, after Batman takes the joker to Arkham in order to keep him locked up out of the way of Gotham’s citizens. However keeping within the Jokers truly maniacal, but amazingly well organized, personality he reveals the whole thing as a trap. Soon after the Joker is brought to the Asylum he breaks free and starts his sadistic game of cat and mouse with Batman holding the city at ransom. This is where the fun begins, the asylum is notorious for it’s architecture and massive scale meaning you’ll have a lot of interesting ground to cover, imagine a less colorful Rapture. As well as all that the joker has managed to sneak in a collection of henchmen and weaponry for the escapee’s.

To regain order in this chaos Batman has to face off against some of the ugliest henchmen you’ll ever see , seriously it’s no wonder you knock these guys around. You’ll also have to develop some of the finer skills of Batman, you didn’t think this was really just another punch em up game did you? As you make your way through the game you have to keep hidden and in the shadows, striking out at opponents without them realizing what’s hit them. You need to remind them why they should be afraid. 

Arkham is famous for holding a multitude of Batman’s rivals some of whom are scheduled to make an appearance in the game. Some of these unusual guests, on first glance, promise to deliver an interesting fight that will no doubt require players to stay on their toes.

The game also features tons of unlock able gadgets, and I think combos, meaning the more you play the more you get from the game. The gadgets in the game are some of the classics such as the grappling gun, bat vision and of course the baterangs. You’ll have no limit to how you’re capable of talking on the foes in this game. The game also features a detective, stealth predator and combat mode helping to fuel the excitement for this title. These features mean players can go from a large brawl with multiple enemies to silently stalking one, before making your move.

The detective mode is also an interesting feature to help you throughout the game, once in this mode players can survey there surroundings and pick up on the small details around. This isn’t just a feature for helping to notice the small cracks on the wall or interesting tattoos your victims have. It can be used to strategize as the detective mode shows the opponents moods, possible attacks around the room and points of interest such as a light switch or gas canister.

The combat features of the game are capable of so much it’s sure to keep you entertained just finding new ways to tackle and finish off bad guys. From button mashing the basic attack button to making strings of combos and attacking multiple targets it’s an exciting thought to have so many bad guys to practice on. As well as this there are unlock able side missions you can play in the game called challenge rooms. These rooms focus on specific points such as stealth or combat and give you goals to achieve in each room, helping you either practice or show off. Your scores can be submitted to the world leader boards and you can see just how you measure up against other batmen in the world.

The game is set for release in summer but has already caused controversy for some gamers by announcing that PS3 players will be able to play as the joker in some side missions. There hasn’t been any word on whether or not Xbox players will also have this feature but for now it doesn’t look like it. As the release date draws near the website has gone live and a large selection of screenshots have become exposed all over the internet. It was tempting to try and post them all on here but I managed to restrain myself to those few, if you want to see more check out the site. It features extra a developers blog ad the latest news so if you’re as excited about this game as I am keep your eyes peeled on the site. Or just wait for me to blog, either way the game looks golden and the trailer is a perfect example of what to look forward to.

Ghostbusters New Trailer

 

The once orphaned game Ghostbusters, recently saved by Atari, is set for release in June 19th. In the lead up to the games release Atari have released another game play trailer of the game, already looking to be a blockbuster hit.

The latest trailer footage shows new weapons and the sort of monsters you can expect to face in the game. It also shows how these weapons can expect to be used against the undead creatures that terrify most normal citizens.

The trailer is preceded by a small introduction from one of the cast as well as a brief description of what the game is about for those of you who don’t know. Everything looks set to be worthy of gaming gold and with the game featuring original cast members and interesting new weapon choices it should be something to keep any hardcore gamer interested.

As an extra treat I managed to get the opening scene of the game to wet your appetites a little more. It’s just like watching the movies themselves and as soon as you hear that classic song you’ll wish the game was in your hands already.

Dead Rising Vegas!

Some said it wouldn’t happen and some hoped that it wouldn’t but whatever your opinion it has happened. The sequel to the original hit game has been announced, with a glimpse of what to expect in the new version of this zombie killing fun time game. Apparently un-phased by last years lawsuit from the creators of “dawn of the dead” on copyright claims, Capcom have bounced back with a new zombie killer game. 

Little has actually been said about the new game in regards to storyline and other features although rumors have been circulating that the sequel will feature the classic 72 hour mode like the original. The sequel features a new selection of inventive weapons, locations and even a new hero. The trailer released focused on the creative new things you can use to kill the undead pursuers and revealed the glitzy new location of Las Vegas, well it’s a Vegas look a like. The new location is called fortune city but the scenery speaks for itself this location is based off Vegas. That’s right folks DR2 is in Vegas which means your total death count is probably going to be insanely high!

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With little else being released about the game other than a selection of screenshots, all found within the actual trailer itself, all one can do is watch the trailer and think of all the different ways to use these weapons. If you liked the first one then the sequel looks set to get your heart pumping, check out the trailer and jump around with excitement you know you want to.

Slash or Scratch?

That’s right kids it’s time to forget about guns and other cool weaponry as we pull out the claws and go feral. It’s time for Wolverine, everyone knows this character and I believe in some way everyone loves him. Wolverine is one of the better known Marvel heroes not just because of the x-men but because there’s something amazing about the character that makes you say wow. A hit in the x-men movies, and often the main focus point of the movies, he is not someone to be taken lightly. The latest x-men instalment is out already and the game is set for release in May 1st, the major question however is what can we expect?

From the look of these shots, I guess we can expect lots of airtime.

The game, a direct release from the movie, looks as though it has already followed in Hollywood’s footsteps and delivered cinematic effects, I mean seriously look at those graphics they’re the reason HD gaming was invented. Is this enough however? As I’m sure everyone knows movie release games often have a tendency to show a lot of flash and fail on the game play. It’s common practice for gamers in the know to approach the games of a movie release with the same caution as approaching someone with small pox. That being said I approached this game with the same cynical views but it’s starting to look like a winner.

Gamepro already said that this game was “the most authentic ever seen outside of his comic-book origins.” so that needs to count for something right? The game mentions the use of features such as feral instincts, mutagens and feral senses oh and did I mention the combat system was an unreal engine? How well this means the game is going to work out is still to be seen, the story line should at least be bearable seeing as it’s based on the movie so at least there’s one aspect not to worry about. When you see the screenshots, think of the movie and hear it’s the most authentic wolverine character representation outside of the comics the game does get you a little excited.

Especially when you see shots like this, wolverine in another David versus Goliath something that helps get any gamers heart pumping and the victory so much sweeter. From what has been released about the game so far it does look to stand out from the rest but is that impressive considering the last wolverine games?

With no demos on Xbox live it makes one wonder why it is Raven are keeping this game so secretive before the launch. It could be because the game is so immense that they want to keep the gamers waiting to make the release all the more spectacular. Or maybe it’s because playing a demo could reveal a repetitive combat function and shallow game play lacking enough depth to keep any gamer interested for more than a couple of minutes. Either way the game hardly looks set to set the gaming world on fire but at least it’ll shake things up a little if it’s good. If you’re an x-men fan or if you enjoy fighting action/adventure games then I’d consider it for purchase but otherwise it wouldn’t hurt to wait and see the reviews first.

Updates and quick news

First thing in my quick news update is the announcement from Rockstar that not only will there be a Max Payne 3 but that it is to be released this year! The game has been announced with a short description of the story and although it follows the same lines as the other Max Payne games,regarding bloody violence and firefights, you’re no longer with the police. Max has left the force and even New York but still “searches for truth” in the third installment. My guess is when the action happens and the bullets start flying you’ll have to deal with cops trying to take you in as well as gun totting bad men. 

 

Next on the news list is the eagerly anticipated game Ghostbusters, a short while ago I mentioned how the game was set for release after some turbulent times. This update is just to say the game is definitely on it’s way! Atari recently released some game play footage and this game looks like a real hard hitter. The graphics are immersive and the action looks set to keep players on their toes throughout each level. As well as letting us see the amazing finished package of the game it also shows some extra things about the game some may not have known before. It explains the HUD and how your proton backpack works, just saying that gets me excited. The HUD is much like the dead space HUD combined with that of most shooters. The pack has a health gauge and a heat meter, if you’re pack over heats you need to wait for it to cool before you can reload and use it again. So keep an eye on your power and heat meters folks reloading and cooling in a jam is a sure way to make your ass the next ghost in the game. For those interested in seeing the trailer and finding out more about the game play and what the game looks like here’s the link.

 

That’s right kids Bioshock that amazing fps with a little twist of horror is coming back, because to be frank you just weren’t scared enough the first time. Now the success of many games is measured in a lot of different ways but no matter how you view it to make a movie out of a game is a sure sign it’s a winner and that’s what happened to Bioshock. The sequel Bioshock 2 set for release soon and is already picking up hype and excitement, which is no mystery really considering they have announced big sister.

Yeah I said it big sister, you had little sister in the original well in Bioshock 2 she’s all grown up and has very much decided to follow her big daddy’s footsteps.  Look at it, terrifying and as I’m sure many of you have noticed smaller than big daddy, my guess is sister’s going to be fast, and when something looks that nasty you really don’t want it to be able to chase you.

As exciting as all this is however the Bioshock franchise has hit one snag in it’s rise that snag being a halt for the movie. The reason for this being the budget, it’s going to cost way too much money to make the movie and so currently the director Gore Verbinski, pirates of the Caribbean director, has said they are trying to figure out a way to make the movie more budget friendly. Gore also promised the movie wouldn’t follow the fate of the halo adaptation but time will tell.

 

That’s right this is no joke oddly enough the two major games Rockband and Lego are for some odd reason joining up? I’m not sure how that happened though I expect it’s some kind of drunken mistake. Odder still is the fact it sounds pretty good, Lego haven’t said much but what they have announced sounds pretty good. Lego have said that much like the game Rockband players will be able to create their own rockers, although this time you’ll also be able to make rockers, managers, sound guys, etc and change them whenever you like. Keeping within the fun of other Lego games and their ability to not get serious about gaming, they have also announced that players will have to collect bricks from each gig to create vehicles before they can travel to the next. As if that’s not enough they also say “Play killer riffs to destroy a giant robot, summon a storm, and demolish a skyscraper using the power of rock!”Now I’m not entirely sure how this works or what it means but it’s the one line that makes me want to play this game.

 

Finally Bethesda have shown they are capable of listening to their fans! Now if you haven’t played fallout 3 but you plan too not only are you really late but you’re also reading something you don’t want to. Seriously look away now if you don’t want any spoilers, for those of us who have played let me fill you in. Fallout has released some good add ons for the game in their DLC like the pitt and operation anchorage. However when you get to the end of the game you’re actually at the end no more playing for you, so you better make sure you get your quests and bobble heads collected right? wrong. With fallouts new DLC broken steel your game doesn’t end, this is the spoiler kids, you can choose to send someone in to the room instead of you and keep playing. You’ll be a bastard but you’ll be alive, or you can go in yourself even if you do this you don’t die! You wake up in a hospital a few weeks later and you can do what you like. so you can continue to explore to your hearts content, look for bobble heads, kill ghouls, trade whatever and you don’t have to worry about radiated water any more so break out those swimming trunks.

Of course the add on also comes with it’s own quests and tasks as well as added achievements for all you who love to improve that gamer score. The quests involve things such as dealing with what’s left with the enclave and other troublesome fools, oh and your level cap has been moved up to 30 so there’s more reason to get out there. The last DLC was announced around the same time as the announcement for fallouts new game fallout New Vegas. Nothing much has been said about this game other than it still has rpg roots and is being looked after by the people of obsidian, the team who worked on the original fallout games. More news is expected to be released at E3 but we might get lucky and find out something before. All in all fallout fever is back to a high and people are desperate to get their hands on the newest DLC and with scenes like this it’s easy to see why.

 

Champions online

Every now and again a game comes along that shocks people and lives on far past the shelf life of some radioactive materials, champions online looks set to be one of those games. Now that I got that over excited statement out of my system I’ll continue, champions online does look set to be an immense game but you have to really like the genre to get swept into it. I’m not saying that Champions online is the best game out there and people will all rush to buy it like the madness of GTA IV. What I’m saying is if you like MMORPG, as well as comics, then you better start saving your pennies because your holy grail is set for release.

I’d heard rumours about champions a while ago now and figured it for a city of heroes clone but I was wrong, dead wrong. Although COH can still be seen in many aspects of the game Champions goes that little bit further to really make this a stand alone title. The game setting is a world gripped by fear and chaos, all because of the classic “bad guys”, seriously they’ve thrown everything in there.

Let me explain, when you start champions you choose your hero and when I say choose I mean you really choose everything. You choose their sex, look, powers, costume the whole deal and champions offers a massive selection. You choose height, weight literally everything to create the hero of your dreams. You choose whether or not they have powers, magic, gadgets any other hero gifts.

 

As well as this you can create your hero’s arch nemesis so every now and again they’ll pop up causing you havoc. Another interesting thing to note about this feature is that your nemesis will randomly generate into other hero’s missions meaning they get to share your burden too. The plus about this is you will have the chance to face some truly original, and downright weird, villains. However as I’m sure people will remember from creation sharing on spore you could also face people made to look like a huge penis, it’s stupid but it happens.

Originally there were concerns that the game was to be released on just the PC but the creators have assured everyone that the game is being released on xbox, I promise. As well as full custom creation regarding appearance, powers and even your nemesis there is another feature that champions has in the bag. It’s the enemies you face and the areas you explore. Fighting of a couple of muggers, thieves, gangs, etc is all well and good but not worthy of champions. 

To help make your champion worthy of park statues you have to face, evil corporations, aliens, monsters from other dimensions and spell totting bad guys people that your run of the mill hero just can’t handle. This means as well as getting to explore your heroes world, you get to explore space and other dimensions. All this and the game is created using “live ink” giving that extra comic book feel so even if you’re character is getting their ass kicked you still can’t help to stop and think this looks just like a comic book scene. Best wait till after the fight though, so because of all these incredible features and rich detailed game world champions is definitely something to keep your eye on.

Even if you’re not that into superhero stuff but like rpg’s this is still the game for you, with so much to explore and so many adventures to be had it’s a game with hours of solid game play. I can’t say for definite when the release date for this little gem is, for xbox anyway, but the PC versions are being released on July 14 so I’d imagine the xbox versions will be close behind.

Red Faction: guerilla

Red Faction is a well known series that has gone from strength to strength with each release. The original red faction was a fun all be it mediocre game, the second however increased on this and red faction became a much stronger franchise because of it. Giving improved game play, graphics and missions as well as an alternate ending depending on how you played the game. It listened to it’s players and delivered what they loved and what they wanted to see proving red faction was a worthwhile label worthy of greatness.

The next installment of the red faction franchise seems set to do the same. Guerilla, unlike the others before, involves a different style of warfare. The hint is in the name people that’s right it’s guerilla tactics. This isn’t the only thing that separates this game from the others in the franchise but before we get into the destruction and mayhem of the game, we’ll enjoy some details about the game itself.

Red faction: Guerilla is set 50 years after the original game the EDF, Earth Defence Force, has swooped in to help Mars. However as they were seen to be the shinning light of good at the end of the first game they are now the enemy in this game. This is because rather than flying in to save Mars from there captors Ultor, they instead took control and continued the work and slavery. So instead of the miners being exploited by a fat cat business they are being exploited for “the good of Earth.”

 

After the EDF seized control they split mars into 6 sectors 4 of these are colonies and the remaining 2 are military zones or “badlands” meaning these two sectors will be the most difficult and require the best weapons and skill you have. The point of the game is to remove the control of the EDF and this is where things get interesting. This means depending on which sector you choose to play and what action you choose you could be freeing a small town from military control, or ambushing a military outpost to weaken control and gain supplies. Another interesting point to make about this game is that just like guerilla warfare each attack against your enemy does actually give you supplies. As you kill enemies and destroy buildings you can steal ammo, weapons or scraps to buy, build or upgrade your weapons. It really is a case of guerilla by name guerilla by nature, well game play at least.

 

The game play of this red faction is set to be non stop action that involves explosions and gunfire requiring quick thinking and fast reflexes. Red faction has always promoted the ability to destroy the environment in their games however this game takes it one step further than before. It use to be a case of if you were stuck at a door you could blow a way through the wall, or destroy your enemies cover and riddle them with bullets. Red Faction took that further in Guerilla by giving you the ability to destroy entire buildings and installations. They even went so far as to make this destruction and mayhem count towards your morale, almost making it a crime to leave EDF property in tact.

Although many might see this as a gimmick to make the lovers of violence quiver with excitement it actually serves a greater function. For example if you’re having trouble with snipers in a tower, set a charge at the base and watch it fall to the ground. Guerilla is also chock full of choice and selections with regards to missions and weaponry. To complete the game you need to remove EDF control but it’s you that decides how to do this, you can complete missions, guerilla actions or even just destroy all EDF buildings and troops in mars. This means you play the game the way you want to and you choose how the rebellion unfolds.

If destruction is your thing then the possibilities are endless in this game as it features not just a wide selection of weapons and mining tools to wreak havoc it also features a selection of vehicles from small transport cars to large walkers. Not to mention a series of upgrades for the weapons you do have, guerilla knows what they’re doing when it comes down to causing chaos and mayhem. However it is not just a game that is based around destruction time was taken in the storyline and character development.

In fact as hard as it is to believe when you are running around smashing skulls with a sledgehammer or destroying tanks in a walker you’re character, Alec, is actually a reluctant hero doing what he has to because nobody else will. If you download the demo from Xbox Marketplace you can even see the beginning movie itself appears to be that of a movie trailer. Or you can just check out a trailer below not so cinematic as the other but a perfect example of the action packed game play you can expect from the game.

All in all this is one game that offers excellent, although exaggerated, action game play that will get anyone’s heart pumping as they find new and more catastrophic ways to blow things up. The storyline appears to be solid and if the missions and guerilla warfare live up to the taster in the demo and the promises of Volition this is one explosive game to definitely get in your collection. Eagerly awaiting it’s release in June this is one gamer who says congratulations to Volition and who wants to taste my hammer?

Saboteur!

One of the new games to be released it’s already picking up momentum and has been labeled by some as the cooler older brother of assassins creed. Unlike most WWII games this isn’t you in the life of a soldier fighting for your side against the allies or the Nazis. The game has a different point of view in more ways than one the major factor being the stealth aspect of the game as opposed to the run and shoot WWII life of a soldier.

As many of you will have come to realize from the name Saboteur the game isn’t about your average soldier in fact you’re not a soldier at all, you’re just a guy swept into the world war against your will. A classic reluctant hero, pandemic have continued this unusual game premise with the day to day goings on as you make your way around this Nazi filled world. It’s pretty heavy going, mood wise, to show the other side of the war other than what you would see playing call of duty world at war or any of the medal of honor series. It sometimes features acts of random violence by Nazi’s on civilians  and can be hard going from that point of you, but you get your chance to reek vengeance.

As well as having the feel and look of the game different from that of the others this game is also a new stealth game. Technically it’s a “re-envisioned” version of a much older game. However it’s looking so sleek and well made this time around were not afraid to label it new. One of the interesting features of the game is the black and white to colour ideas of the game. Giving it a visually interesting look that heightens the feeling of depression or seriousness of the game. Pandemic have really gone all out to make this game stand out from other WWII games.

 

  

 

Don’t this game is just all fancy graphics though it has a pretty solid storyline and unlike some stealth based games there can be a fair amount of violence, action and explosions. Saboteur doesn’t necessarily end if you get caught it just means you need to work a lot harder to get back to your invisible status. So in some ways it mirrors the game play of assassins creed, but also the style of hitman in that each level can be approached from a stealth or action idea. This is a major bonus for many reasons as the game then appeals to a wider market of gamers and can also be played time and time again by completing the levels in different ways each time.

All in all the game looks set to be both visually stunning and exciting in game play, all everyone can do now is hope that the mix of hitman, assassins creed and GTA can help make this WWII open world game a hit. If not it’s still set to be a fun game either way and well worth keeping an eye on.

Ghost busted?

It’s that time again when the Ghostbusters announcements start flying but will this time be any different from the last? When the Ghostbusters game had first been announced last year it was seen as an instant success and quickly labeled as one of the most anticipated games. This was helped by finding out the games script was written by the original cast members of the hit movies, who would also voice their characters in game. If you back that with the game being made by vivendi games and backed by gaming giants Activision, it all looked set to be a game to remember rather than another movie license game with little gaming quality.

However that roar of premature success and congratulations was short lived as the games release date was postponed. Then once Activision and Blizzard combined they dropped the Ghostbusters game from their list of releases to make space for other games in their schedule. As did blizzard, however this left the once golden child of Activision homeless. It was believed that the game was now a finished article and only had to find a publisher, this is when the old time giants we all know as Atari decided to step in.

Atari took Ghostbusters under their wing after a long decision process, a game with this much hype was always set to be finished the only question was who would have the honors. It’s no secret that once the game was known to be without a publisher calls were coming from everywhere to seal the deal. Now the game is set to be released again and despite it’s previous set backs and long anxious wait it seems to have retained it’s anticipation. Teaser clips have shown the game to have astounding graphics and interesting game play as well as the original humour of the movies which helped us fall in love with the franchise to begin with.

To further enhance the gaming experience players will play as a new recruit to the ghost busting team. So rather than taking over the characters you will have your own character to interact with them all making you feel more like you just entered the Ghostbusters world rather than just playing it. The games new date has been set for June so all we can do now is sit with crossed fingers and hope that it makes it to the date without any more hiccups and that when it is released the game delivers something worth the excruciating wait.

Mass Effect the Second Coming!

Mass Effect was an Xbox original RPG that attracted millions of followers after its initial release, it’s no secret that the game was set out to be a trilogy and after the block busting success of the first millions are eagerly awaiting the second. The good news is that Bioware have announced that the next installment should be released early in 2010. The question on everyone’s mind however is will the next chapter of the trilogy be worth the wait or will it be something that will detract from the quality and originality of the first game? Bioware released a gripping story line and deeply detailed and intricate storyline. This was backed up by extensive side missions and secrets placed throughout the galaxy. It looks like Bioware are set to start the next with the same feeling. A recent teaser trailer released on the internet will be sure to get the fans excited as well as keeping them asking what has happened?

The first game was pioneering in many ways and will have to up its game in many aspects to keep the second interesting and unique like the first. This should be no problem for Bioware however who have been more than open in receiving feedback from it’s desperately awaiting fans. Fans have criticized many aspects of their much loved games including length of main story and unimaginative planet landscapes. Bioware have mentioned the comments have been taken on board but aren’t giving anything away as to what they plan to change. There are already many rumors circulating about the second and it’s new aspects and functions. The most anticipated is the idea you can take the character created, as well as the story you led, into the second game. This aspect alone would be a ground breaking new approach to gaming in itself.

The idea of creating a character and forging your own story is often what attracts most to playing an RPG, however Bioware’s idea of having this character, and story, transferable to the next chapter is astonishing. This means not only would someone be able to play the game their own way but they would be able to play the entire series with their own path and story. This means that instead of someone enjoying a game their own way they could enjoy an entire series their own way with their own personal character. Bioware have set the bar high with the first installment of Mass Effect and seem set to do the same with the second, but will the risks pay off or are Bioware setting up their trilogy to fail like the silicon knights nightmare of Too Human?