Our latest game previews - PlayStation 3
11 months ago - 
Metro: Last Light
THQ may not have had the big flashy booth this year, but they were still present at the show with a few gems in tow. Metro Last Light was on hand, and after my quick hands-off demo, it was obvious that this entry is getting a lot more love than the last one. The section of the game we were taken through included a dilapidated subway tunnel, as well as some of the above ground locales. This is where I would talk about the post apocalyptic nature of the environment, but developer 4A Games made...
Metro: Last LightTHQ may not have had the big flashy booth this year, but they were still present at the show with a few gems in tow. Metro Last Light was on hand, and after my quick hands-off demo, it was obvious that this entry is getting a lot more love than the last one. The section of the game we were taken through included a dilapidated subway tunnel, as well as some of the above ground locales. This is where I would talk about the post apocalyptic nature of the environment, but developer 4A Games made...
1 year ago - Rage
With RAGE being so close to launch (at the time, it was still slated for September, although now the release date has since slid into October), we walked into the Bethesda booth at E3 both curious and excited. Without having an opportunity to actually play the game up until this point (last year at E3 it was only available as a hands-off demo), we wanted more than ever to pick up the controller and feel the vibe id’s latest creation was going bring once it hit store shelves. So the...
RageWith RAGE being so close to launch (at the time, it was still slated for September, although now the release date has since slid into October), we walked into the Bethesda booth at E3 both curious and excited. Without having an opportunity to actually play the game up until this point (last year at E3 it was only available as a hands-off demo), we wanted more than ever to pick up the controller and feel the vibe id’s latest creation was going bring once it hit store shelves. So the...
1 year ago - The Darkness II
A couple of months ago at PAX East, David had a chance to preview The Darkness II; which had just been announced a few weeks prior. During E3, we received an updated look at the work in progress that is set two years after the events in The Darkness. Jackie Estacado returns in The Darkness II as the head of the Franchetti crime family. As our previous preview revealed (you can read it here) Jackie has some opposition from The Brotherhood and their leader Victor Valenti. They are trying to...
The Darkness IIA couple of months ago at PAX East, David had a chance to preview The Darkness II; which had just been announced a few weeks prior. During E3, we received an updated look at the work in progress that is set two years after the events in The Darkness. Jackie Estacado returns in The Darkness II as the head of the Franchetti crime family. As our previous preview revealed (you can read it here) Jackie has some opposition from The Brotherhood and their leader Victor Valenti. They are trying to...
2 years ago - WWE All Stars
A few weeks back we had the privilege to be apart of THQ’s Gamers Event in New York City where, among several titles showcased, we gained a better look at their upcoming WWE arcade brawler, All Stars. During that visit to the Big Apple, we had quite an extensive play session with the title, absorbing all the slams, flying elbows and over-the-top signature moves the stylistic gameplay had to offer. However, we only had a portrion of the roster at our disposal and strictly the multiplayer...
WWE All StarsA few weeks back we had the privilege to be apart of THQ’s Gamers Event in New York City where, among several titles showcased, we gained a better look at their upcoming WWE arcade brawler, All Stars. During that visit to the Big Apple, we had quite an extensive play session with the title, absorbing all the slams, flying elbows and over-the-top signature moves the stylistic gameplay had to offer. However, we only had a portrion of the roster at our disposal and strictly the multiplayer...
2 years ago - L.A. Noire
Cole Phelps slowly pulls up to the alley that’s been cordoned off by the patrolmen. He exits the car, but his new partner Rusty Galloway isn’t done giving him an earful just yet. Phelps is sure this is yet another murder by the Black Dahlia killer, though Galloway isn’t convinced and as the veteran officer on the case, he’s making sure his opinion is heard. It’s nearly midday, and whatever shadows are being cast completely miss the disfigured body hidden off the...
L.A. NoireCole Phelps slowly pulls up to the alley that’s been cordoned off by the patrolmen. He exits the car, but his new partner Rusty Galloway isn’t done giving him an earful just yet. Phelps is sure this is yet another murder by the Black Dahlia killer, though Galloway isn’t convinced and as the veteran officer on the case, he’s making sure his opinion is heard. It’s nearly midday, and whatever shadows are being cast completely miss the disfigured body hidden off the...
2 years ago - MotorStorm: Apocalypse
Regardless of your affinity for the racing genre, the biggest challenge for any game's success is innovation and longevity. For the Motorstorm series, the reason it has been so popular has been its stunning visuals and frantic racing options. After spending some time with the upcoming Motorstorm Apocalypse, it still has the same feel of the previous games which should continue to satisfy long time fans. At the same time, small touches here and there could be what the series needs to entice...
MotorStorm: ApocalypseRegardless of your affinity for the racing genre, the biggest challenge for any game's success is innovation and longevity. For the Motorstorm series, the reason it has been so popular has been its stunning visuals and frantic racing options. After spending some time with the upcoming Motorstorm Apocalypse, it still has the same feel of the previous games which should continue to satisfy long time fans. At the same time, small touches here and there could be what the series needs to entice...
2 years ago - Bulletstorm
With Portal 2, Crysis 2 and Kirby at E3 this year, I’ve had a bunch of folks question my choice of Bulletstorm as "Best of Show". To be completely honest, when I made that pick, I really had to consider my choice simply to be able to defend it. Fortunately, People Can Fly (the group behind Painkiller) and Epic Games (um...you should already know who these guys are) made that very easy for me. No complex controls learn, no in-depth narrative to process and no banks of...
BulletstormWith Portal 2, Crysis 2 and Kirby at E3 this year, I’ve had a bunch of folks question my choice of Bulletstorm as "Best of Show". To be completely honest, when I made that pick, I really had to consider my choice simply to be able to defend it. Fortunately, People Can Fly (the group behind Painkiller) and Epic Games (um...you should already know who these guys are) made that very easy for me. No complex controls learn, no in-depth narrative to process and no banks of...
2 years ago - Call of Duty: Black Ops
Like many of my fellow Call of Duty fanatics out there, I have known for quite awhile that I’m going to purchase Black Ops when it releases, no question about it. I was hooked early on by the brief but intense trailers, and I was later convinced by details of the new customization and replay options. So last week when Activision announced Call of Duty was going to feature 3D capabilities, I thought it was little more than an added bonus. But after getting a sneak peek at the stunning...
Call of Duty: Black OpsLike many of my fellow Call of Duty fanatics out there, I have known for quite awhile that I’m going to purchase Black Ops when it releases, no question about it. I was hooked early on by the brief but intense trailers, and I was later convinced by details of the new customization and replay options. So last week when Activision announced Call of Duty was going to feature 3D capabilities, I thought it was little more than an added bonus. But after getting a sneak peek at the stunning...
2 years ago - nail'd
We probably have to thank the MotorStorm series for the resurgence of off-road racing, especially the arcade-oriented ones. When riding exotic cars gets too mundane, it’s nice that there are other options available for you to choose from. Polish Developers Techland, have had their hands dirty in the past with Xpand Rally for the PC and now their hoping to take ATVs and dirtbikes to new heights (literally) with the upcoming Nail’d. For those looking for some incredible jumps, fast...
nail'dWe probably have to thank the MotorStorm series for the resurgence of off-road racing, especially the arcade-oriented ones. When riding exotic cars gets too mundane, it’s nice that there are other options available for you to choose from. Polish Developers Techland, have had their hands dirty in the past with Xpand Rally for the PC and now their hoping to take ATVs and dirtbikes to new heights (literally) with the upcoming Nail’d. For those looking for some incredible jumps, fast...
2 years ago - (PSN) Slam Bolt Scrappers
The Puzzle genre is usually the best choice when it comes to picking a game that the entire room can enjoy. When it manages to offer enjoyment for large groups, you can easily lose track of the time. The Boston studio Fire Hose Games is hoping they have the next go-to party game with their upcoming Slam Bolt Scrappers, an amalgamation of a number of different styles that has you trying to combine blocks to create weapons in order to destroy your opposition. It still might be a few months...
(PSN) Slam Bolt ScrappersThe Puzzle genre is usually the best choice when it comes to picking a game that the entire room can enjoy. When it manages to offer enjoyment for large groups, you can easily lose track of the time. The Boston studio Fire Hose Games is hoping they have the next go-to party game with their upcoming Slam Bolt Scrappers, an amalgamation of a number of different styles that has you trying to combine blocks to create weapons in order to destroy your opposition. It still might be a few months...
2 years ago - Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Castlevania is such a long-running and prolific franchise that it has attracted hordes of loyal followers over the years. The stylish 2D combat and exploration has brought fans of the series back again and again. With the latest installment, Konami is attempting to lure in even more gamers with vastly updated gameplay and a fresh storyline. But will it still satisfy longtime fans? Castlevania: Lords of Shadow takes place in a medieval world that is coming to its end. The...
Castlevania: Lords of ShadowCastlevania is such a long-running and prolific franchise that it has attracted hordes of loyal followers over the years. The stylish 2D combat and exploration has brought fans of the series back again and again. With the latest installment, Konami is attempting to lure in even more gamers with vastly updated gameplay and a fresh storyline. But will it still satisfy longtime fans? Castlevania: Lords of Shadow takes place in a medieval world that is coming to its end. The...
2 years ago - Supremacy MMA
I'm an unabashed MMA fan. While I'm by no means an expert, I do enjoy watching the sport no matter what brand it carries. Even though the sport hasn't seen a ton of mainstream popularity until the last 5 years or so, it has made the transition to video games many times. Most of you will mentally refer to THQ's UFC Undisputed franchise, but we cannot forget the one that started it all, Ultimate Fighting Championship for the Dreamcast and PSOne. That developer (Anchor Inc) may not be around...
Supremacy MMAI'm an unabashed MMA fan. While I'm by no means an expert, I do enjoy watching the sport no matter what brand it carries. Even though the sport hasn't seen a ton of mainstream popularity until the last 5 years or so, it has made the transition to video games many times. Most of you will mentally refer to THQ's UFC Undisputed franchise, but we cannot forget the one that started it all, Ultimate Fighting Championship for the Dreamcast and PSOne. That developer (Anchor Inc) may not be around...
2 years ago - (PSN) Kung-Fu Live
We might not realize it but the PlayStation 3 already has motion capabilities even without the use of the PlayStation Move. The PlayStation Eye, which has been around for years and has essentially made it possible to put yourself into a game. The only problem has been that developers haven’t put any real effort in taking advantage of this peripheral. This will quickly change later this year when Finish developers Virtual Air Guitar bring their PlayStation Eye game, Kung-Fu Live, to...
(PSN) Kung-Fu LiveWe might not realize it but the PlayStation 3 already has motion capabilities even without the use of the PlayStation Move. The PlayStation Eye, which has been around for years and has essentially made it possible to put yourself into a game. The only problem has been that developers haven’t put any real effort in taking advantage of this peripheral. This will quickly change later this year when Finish developers Virtual Air Guitar bring their PlayStation Eye game, Kung-Fu Live, to...
2 years ago - Splatterhouse
I walked into the Namco booth with no pre-conceived notions of Splatterhouse as I was not yet aware of the title [Editor’s Note: That’s because you were 3-years old when the original released in the US]. As I played the game it took some time to sink in that this was a remake of the classic series that brought horror action to the arcade, PC and TurboGraphx-16. The original game featured a main character that looked eerily similar to Jason from the Friday the...
SplatterhouseI walked into the Namco booth with no pre-conceived notions of Splatterhouse as I was not yet aware of the title [Editor’s Note: That’s because you were 3-years old when the original released in the US]. As I played the game it took some time to sink in that this was a remake of the classic series that brought horror action to the arcade, PC and TurboGraphx-16. The original game featured a main character that looked eerily similar to Jason from the Friday the...
2 years ago - Twisted Metal
David Jaffe is a bad, bad man. Well, not really, but many gamers out there did cry foul when Mr Jaffe came out and announced the next Twisted Metal game at E3, when just a week or two before he had vehemently denied that it was coming. For those not familiar, Jaffe is one of the co-creators of the franchise, one that’s become almost synonymous with the PlayStation brand during its first two console cycles. After four core titles and numerous spin-offs, the series has yet to see an...
Twisted MetalDavid Jaffe is a bad, bad man. Well, not really, but many gamers out there did cry foul when Mr Jaffe came out and announced the next Twisted Metal game at E3, when just a week or two before he had vehemently denied that it was coming. For those not familiar, Jaffe is one of the co-creators of the franchise, one that’s become almost synonymous with the PlayStation brand during its first two console cycles. After four core titles and numerous spin-offs, the series has yet to see an...
2 years ago - Rock Band 3
The music game genre needs an infusion of innovations, STAT! Seriously, with the market flooded last year with Beatles, Heroes and more DLC than you can afford to buy, the entire category has gone stagnant. To be honest, I think it’s drifted back into a niche market, just as it began. With that said, after some time spent with Rock Band 3 at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Harmonix seems to have seen these issues and most certainly brought the innovation with...
Rock Band 3The music game genre needs an infusion of innovations, STAT! Seriously, with the market flooded last year with Beatles, Heroes and more DLC than you can afford to buy, the entire category has gone stagnant. To be honest, I think it’s drifted back into a niche market, just as it began. With that said, after some time spent with Rock Band 3 at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Harmonix seems to have seen these issues and most certainly brought the innovation with...
2 years ago - Red Faction Armageddon
It pleases me to see THQ’s Red Faction franchise make such a fabulous return to the current generation. I adored the first game back on the PlayStation 2 because of it’s unique (for the time) destructible environments and fantastic action. It’s sequel, Red Faction II, left a bit to be desired. It was considerably shorter than its predecessor and just felt rushed overall. Then the franchise disappeared for a few years until making a triumphant return with 2009’s...
Red Faction ArmageddonIt pleases me to see THQ’s Red Faction franchise make such a fabulous return to the current generation. I adored the first game back on the PlayStation 2 because of it’s unique (for the time) destructible environments and fantastic action. It’s sequel, Red Faction II, left a bit to be desired. It was considerably shorter than its predecessor and just felt rushed overall. Then the franchise disappeared for a few years until making a triumphant return with 2009’s...
2 years ago - John Daly's ProStroke Golf
There are only a few sports that can really benefit from the use of motion controls. The first would be baseball, but none of the bigger companies have put much of an effort in releasing a solid title. Another is golf. Golf simulators have been around for over a decade and last year’s Tiger Woods on the Wii showed what is possible in the comfort of your home. O-Games’ upcoming John Daly’s ProStroke Golf looks to give golfing fans another option when it comes to playing in...
John Daly's ProStroke GolfThere are only a few sports that can really benefit from the use of motion controls. The first would be baseball, but none of the bigger companies have put much of an effort in releasing a solid title. Another is golf. Golf simulators have been around for over a decade and last year’s Tiger Woods on the Wii showed what is possible in the comfort of your home. O-Games’ upcoming John Daly’s ProStroke Golf looks to give golfing fans another option when it comes to playing in...
2 years ago - Portal 2
Without a doubt one of the most beloved games in recent years has been Portal. What started off as a mere test project quickly became one of the most talked about games of 2007 and one that so many people are still enjoying. From its wonderful mechanics, varied puzzles and terrific dialogue, it was a game that really pushed the limits of what could be done in a video game. Three years after its first appearance, Aperture Science is back and you’re once again thrown into...
Portal 2Without a doubt one of the most beloved games in recent years has been Portal. What started off as a mere test project quickly became one of the most talked about games of 2007 and one that so many people are still enjoying. From its wonderful mechanics, varied puzzles and terrific dialogue, it was a game that really pushed the limits of what could be done in a video game. Three years after its first appearance, Aperture Science is back and you’re once again thrown into...
2 years ago - True Crime: Hong Kong
I have never been a fan of the True Crime franchise. Not that there was anything wrong with it mind you (although I’ve seen some of the critics complaints over the years). It was just something that always felt second fiddle to me. There was always something else to occupy my time, most notably the fabulous RPGs from the last console generation. Hence, I wasn’t very thrilled when I saw the John Woo-esque trailer that debuted during Spike’s VGA awards last year...
True Crime: Hong KongI have never been a fan of the True Crime franchise. Not that there was anything wrong with it mind you (although I’ve seen some of the critics complaints over the years). It was just something that always felt second fiddle to me. There was always something else to occupy my time, most notably the fabulous RPGs from the last console generation. Hence, I wasn’t very thrilled when I saw the John Woo-esque trailer that debuted during Spike’s VGA awards last year...
2 years ago - Deus Ex: Human Revolution
I didn’t expect a ’pre-alpha’ build of Deus Ex: Human Revolution to blow me away. Pre-alpha is usually when a game is between the stage where it can be played and when it’s feature complete. From where I was sitting behind closed doors at Square Enix’ E3 booth, it’s easy to see how this prequel to the previous Deus Ex games is quickly shaping up. As the lights dimmed, a member of Deus Ex developer Eidos Montreal picked up the controller and started...
Deus Ex: Human RevolutionI didn’t expect a ’pre-alpha’ build of Deus Ex: Human Revolution to blow me away. Pre-alpha is usually when a game is between the stage where it can be played and when it’s feature complete. From where I was sitting behind closed doors at Square Enix’ E3 booth, it’s easy to see how this prequel to the previous Deus Ex games is quickly shaping up. As the lights dimmed, a member of Deus Ex developer Eidos Montreal picked up the controller and started...
2 years ago - Shaun White Skateboarding
There was a time when Tony Hawk was the only game in town when it came to successful skateboarding franchises. Since then, the Skate games stole some of that audience because they craved more realism. Now, Shaun White is poised to take over the other side of the spectrum with a more over-the-top skateboarding game than we’ve ever seen before. Shaun White Skateboarding can be described as a mix between Tony hawk, Saboteur and Fracture. The game presents the...
Shaun White SkateboardingThere was a time when Tony Hawk was the only game in town when it came to successful skateboarding franchises. Since then, the Skate games stole some of that audience because they craved more realism. Now, Shaun White is poised to take over the other side of the spectrum with a more over-the-top skateboarding game than we’ve ever seen before. Shaun White Skateboarding can be described as a mix between Tony hawk, Saboteur and Fracture. The game presents the...
2 years ago - Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
One of the main attractions at this year’s Namco Bandai booth was Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. The game was built by Ninja Theory, the same team responsible for Heavenly Sword, a title which offered solid hack and slash action but received some notoriety for its short campaign. Enslaved brings some new innovations while attempting to retain the best parts of Heavenly Sword, and while it looks like the full game could be fun, it’s definitely not all it could be. ...
Enslaved: Odyssey To The WestOne of the main attractions at this year’s Namco Bandai booth was Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. The game was built by Ninja Theory, the same team responsible for Heavenly Sword, a title which offered solid hack and slash action but received some notoriety for its short campaign. Enslaved brings some new innovations while attempting to retain the best parts of Heavenly Sword, and while it looks like the full game could be fun, it’s definitely not all it could be. ...
2 years ago - SpecOps: The Line
As I walked into the demo room for Spec Ops: The Line, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The somewhat mysterious trailer 2K Games had shown prior to E3 was enough to pique my curiosity, but I still had limited expectations. However, by the time I walked out of the room, I was ready to walk right back in to see some more. Spec Ops is a squad-based shooter set in the not-too-distant future and takes place in a sandstorm-ravaged Dubai. As such, the city’s buildings have...
SpecOps: The LineAs I walked into the demo room for Spec Ops: The Line, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The somewhat mysterious trailer 2K Games had shown prior to E3 was enough to pique my curiosity, but I still had limited expectations. However, by the time I walked out of the room, I was ready to walk right back in to see some more. Spec Ops is a squad-based shooter set in the not-too-distant future and takes place in a sandstorm-ravaged Dubai. As such, the city’s buildings have...
2 years ago - Def Jam Rapstar
If you’re a long time GameFocus reader, you may already know how much I enjoy playing music/rhythm games, particularly those that involve singing, despite the fact that I’m terrible at it. While I enjoy LIPS and its shiny microphones on Xbox, my favorite remains SingStar on the Playstation. I’m not into the community side of things (surf the official game site and you’ll see how much gamers enjoy putting themselves in video form) very much, but when the...
Def Jam RapstarIf you’re a long time GameFocus reader, you may already know how much I enjoy playing music/rhythm games, particularly those that involve singing, despite the fact that I’m terrible at it. While I enjoy LIPS and its shiny microphones on Xbox, my favorite remains SingStar on the Playstation. I’m not into the community side of things (surf the official game site and you’ll see how much gamers enjoy putting themselves in video form) very much, but when the...
2 years ago - Mafia 2
Mafia II was the main attraction at 2K’s booth this year as titles like Spec Ops and XCOM were being shown behind closed doors (watch for GF’s upcoming previews on those as well). While the first Mafia game received praise for its realism and atmosphere, its commercial success on consoles was hampered by hype for the GTA series, as San Andreas was released the same year. It’s been 6 years since then and Mafia 2 arrives in two months to take another shot. ...
Mafia 2Mafia II was the main attraction at 2K’s booth this year as titles like Spec Ops and XCOM were being shown behind closed doors (watch for GF’s upcoming previews on those as well). While the first Mafia game received praise for its realism and atmosphere, its commercial success on consoles was hampered by hype for the GTA series, as San Andreas was released the same year. It’s been 6 years since then and Mafia 2 arrives in two months to take another shot. ...
2 years ago - Warriors: Legends of Troy
At my first first E3 in 2009, one of the first games I got to see behind closed doors was Tecmo-Koei’s Warriors: Legends of Troy. It was being developed by their Toronto studio and was looking to build on the popularity of the Dynasty Warriors series, while shifting the focus to Greek Mythology and popular films like 300. My initial thoughts on the game were that it felt nothing more than a Dynasty Warriors title with a different coat of paint. While the E3 demo this...
Warriors: Legends of TroyAt my first first E3 in 2009, one of the first games I got to see behind closed doors was Tecmo-Koei’s Warriors: Legends of Troy. It was being developed by their Toronto studio and was looking to build on the popularity of the Dynasty Warriors series, while shifting the focus to Greek Mythology and popular films like 300. My initial thoughts on the game were that it felt nothing more than a Dynasty Warriors title with a different coat of paint. While the E3 demo this...
2 years ago - Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2
Mildly tweaking a gameplay formula is a disappointing future for a franchise, but it seems that Ubisoft is willing to go a little further with HAWX 2, the second iteration of their approachable flight combat game. Ubisoft’s hands-off demonstration opened with the player sending the fighter jet arcing off of an aircraft carrier and into the clouds. They weren’t flying high for the fun of it: An on-screen prompt coldly stated that going below a certain altitude would result...
Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2Mildly tweaking a gameplay formula is a disappointing future for a franchise, but it seems that Ubisoft is willing to go a little further with HAWX 2, the second iteration of their approachable flight combat game. Ubisoft’s hands-off demonstration opened with the player sending the fighter jet arcing off of an aircraft carrier and into the clouds. They weren’t flying high for the fun of it: An on-screen prompt coldly stated that going below a certain altitude would result...
2 years ago - Homefront
In domestic films, there is often a trend with the enemies that the "Great American Hero" must face off against in order to save their country and all of mankind. Be it Russians/Communists, Nazis or even Robots, there seems to be a few films released in close proximity that all have the same foe. Now days, the enemy of choice are from "evil Asian" nations, specifically the rising powers of China and North Korea. In THQ’s upcoming FPS from Frontlines-developer...
HomefrontIn domestic films, there is often a trend with the enemies that the "Great American Hero" must face off against in order to save their country and all of mankind. Be it Russians/Communists, Nazis or even Robots, there seems to be a few films released in close proximity that all have the same foe. Now days, the enemy of choice are from "evil Asian" nations, specifically the rising powers of China and North Korea. In THQ’s upcoming FPS from Frontlines-developer...
2 years ago - Driver: San Francisco
Ubisoft was showing off the newest installment in the Driver franchise at E3 this year and the title seemed to be passed over by a lot of attendees, as there was barely any lineup at all. Those skeptic gamers can hardly be blamed though, after the series went downhill with Driv3r and Driver: Parallel Lines. However, the Ubisoft presenters seemed to acknowledge those missteps and claimed the series is returning to its roots. At the beginning of the presentation, I...
Driver: San FranciscoUbisoft was showing off the newest installment in the Driver franchise at E3 this year and the title seemed to be passed over by a lot of attendees, as there was barely any lineup at all. Those skeptic gamers can hardly be blamed though, after the series went downhill with Driv3r and Driver: Parallel Lines. However, the Ubisoft presenters seemed to acknowledge those missteps and claimed the series is returning to its roots. At the beginning of the presentation, I...
2 years ago - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Over at the EA booth at E3, an unexpected thing happened: My attention was spellbound by the new Harry Potter game. Despite the fact I’m not a big Harry Potter fan, and I was surrounded by blockbuster franchises like Need for Speed and Medal of Honor, my eyes were continuously drawn to screen previewing the the latest game adaption, Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Even at first glance, I knew this is not a typical Harry Potter game. It was obvious something was different... Normally, games...
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1Over at the EA booth at E3, an unexpected thing happened: My attention was spellbound by the new Harry Potter game. Despite the fact I’m not a big Harry Potter fan, and I was surrounded by blockbuster franchises like Need for Speed and Medal of Honor, my eyes were continuously drawn to screen previewing the the latest game adaption, Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Even at first glance, I knew this is not a typical Harry Potter game. It was obvious something was different... Normally, games...
2 years ago - Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring
I haven’t played a wrestling game since the N64 days when wrestling games were about using a few face buttons to make two polygonal muscle men smash each other in the face with chairs. However, developer Immersion Games is doing something with their latest game, Lucha Libre AAA Heroes Del Ring, that has me interested in donning a set of virtual tights for the first time in a while. One of the main reasons I haven’t gotten back into wrestling games since the N64 days because...
Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del RingI haven’t played a wrestling game since the N64 days when wrestling games were about using a few face buttons to make two polygonal muscle men smash each other in the face with chairs. However, developer Immersion Games is doing something with their latest game, Lucha Libre AAA Heroes Del Ring, that has me interested in donning a set of virtual tights for the first time in a while. One of the main reasons I haven’t gotten back into wrestling games since the N64 days because...
2 years ago - DJ Hero 2
I was one of the few folks that were actually extremely excited to see a new DJ game hitting the market. In an attempt to re-visit a niche genre first touched by Konami with Beatmania years ago, DJ Hero surprised many gamers last year with its euphoric ambiance, addictive gameplay and killer soundtrack. While the early adopters enjoyed it considerably, there was still room for improvement. Luckily, the team over at FreeStyleGames are more than ready to please fans while also looking to...
DJ Hero 2I was one of the few folks that were actually extremely excited to see a new DJ game hitting the market. In an attempt to re-visit a niche genre first touched by Konami with Beatmania years ago, DJ Hero surprised many gamers last year with its euphoric ambiance, addictive gameplay and killer soundtrack. While the early adopters enjoyed it considerably, there was still room for improvement. Luckily, the team over at FreeStyleGames are more than ready to please fans while also looking to...
2 years ago - Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Ghost Recon Future Soldier was creating quite a buzz at E3 judging by the large line of gamers it attracted to the Ubisoft booth. Gamefocus was led to the front of that line for a preview of the next installment in the iconic franchise. So far, Future Soldier is looking beautiful and promises to do the series justice. The winding lineup for Future Soldier was filled with eager fans One of the developers from the Ubisoft Paris team was showing off the game,...
Ghost Recon: Future SoldierGhost Recon Future Soldier was creating quite a buzz at E3 judging by the large line of gamers it attracted to the Ubisoft booth. Gamefocus was led to the front of that line for a preview of the next installment in the iconic franchise. So far, Future Soldier is looking beautiful and promises to do the series justice. The winding lineup for Future Soldier was filled with eager fans One of the developers from the Ubisoft Paris team was showing off the game,...
2 years ago - Dead Rising 2
I was never able to spend the time I wanted to with the original Dead Rising. Since its release, the title has been labelled as a very fun game with some serious problems. For example, the zombie survival game was lauded for the sheer diversity it illustrated in methods of undead disposal. Unfortunately, it was also afflicted with a less-than-stellar save system that had plenty of players frustrated with its unforgiving nature. Knowing about it but not being able to...
Dead Rising 2I was never able to spend the time I wanted to with the original Dead Rising. Since its release, the title has been labelled as a very fun game with some serious problems. For example, the zombie survival game was lauded for the sheer diversity it illustrated in methods of undead disposal. Unfortunately, it was also afflicted with a less-than-stellar save system that had plenty of players frustrated with its unforgiving nature. Knowing about it but not being able to...
2 years ago - LittleBigPlanet 2
When LittleBigPlanet hit the PlayStation 3 in October of 2008, it enthralled gamers with its "Play. Create. Share." philosophy. The ability to create new levels and then share them online was one of the best ideas to hit the platforming genre since mustachioed men jumping on turtles. This one idea has spawned millions of levels and a reason for fans to keep on picking up the controller. Now as Media Molecule prepares LittleBigPlanet 2 for consumers, it hopes to recapture the magic...
LittleBigPlanet 2When LittleBigPlanet hit the PlayStation 3 in October of 2008, it enthralled gamers with its "Play. Create. Share." philosophy. The ability to create new levels and then share them online was one of the best ideas to hit the platforming genre since mustachioed men jumping on turtles. This one idea has spawned millions of levels and a reason for fans to keep on picking up the controller. Now as Media Molecule prepares LittleBigPlanet 2 for consumers, it hopes to recapture the magic...
2 years ago - DC Universe Online
Without seeing the full picture, it’s hard to say how DC Universe Online (DCU) will fare as an MMORPG. But what can be taken from the Player vs Player mode on display at E3 this year is that Sony Online Entertainment is aiming to expand the MMO crowd with ’making the game more accessible’ their main pathway to that goal. This will be accomplished by taking some of the the RPG out of MMORPG. The most popular online games right now revolve around a combat system that...
DC Universe OnlineWithout seeing the full picture, it’s hard to say how DC Universe Online (DCU) will fare as an MMORPG. But what can be taken from the Player vs Player mode on display at E3 this year is that Sony Online Entertainment is aiming to expand the MMO crowd with ’making the game more accessible’ their main pathway to that goal. This will be accomplished by taking some of the the RPG out of MMORPG. The most popular online games right now revolve around a combat system that...
2 years ago - Mortal Kombat
Regardless of who you ask, it’s a clear fact that the Mortal Kombat franchise has lost its touch. In what used to be the game that parent’s feared and fighting fans loved has now become nothing more than "just another fighter". For this iteration, Warner Bros. and NetherRealm Studios are going back to the series’ roots in the hopes brining back memories of throwing in quarters at the arcade and talking smack to your friends on your SNES. The next edition...
Mortal KombatRegardless of who you ask, it’s a clear fact that the Mortal Kombat franchise has lost its touch. In what used to be the game that parent’s feared and fighting fans loved has now become nothing more than "just another fighter". For this iteration, Warner Bros. and NetherRealm Studios are going back to the series’ roots in the hopes brining back memories of throwing in quarters at the arcade and talking smack to your friends on your SNES. The next edition...
2 years ago - Lord of the Rings: War in the North
After the success of Dragon Age: Origins, it was only a matter of time before other studios would take a similar approach in their games. Snowblind Studios, the guys behind the successful PS2 series Champions of Norrath and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, are taking their brand of Action-RPGs to latest game based on the Lord of the Rings series of books, entitled Lord of the Rings: War in the North. Based on events taking place in the Lord of the Rings mythos, you will be able to take...
Lord of the Rings: War in the NorthAfter the success of Dragon Age: Origins, it was only a matter of time before other studios would take a similar approach in their games. Snowblind Studios, the guys behind the successful PS2 series Champions of Norrath and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, are taking their brand of Action-RPGs to latest game based on the Lord of the Rings series of books, entitled Lord of the Rings: War in the North. Based on events taking place in the Lord of the Rings mythos, you will be able to take...
2 years ago - (PSN) Blacklight: Tango Down
GameFocus got some hands-on time with Ignition’s upcoming FPS, Blacklight Tango Down, and the title easily secured a place in my best of E3 list. At first glance, Tango Down looks and plays very similar to Call of Duty. But for those of us that have been following the news on this game, we know the main feature is the Hyper Reality Visor, which allows players to see through walls. The HRV provides indicators showing enemies and pick-up locations. The catch...
(PSN) Blacklight: Tango DownGameFocus got some hands-on time with Ignition’s upcoming FPS, Blacklight Tango Down, and the title easily secured a place in my best of E3 list. At first glance, Tango Down looks and plays very similar to Call of Duty. But for those of us that have been following the news on this game, we know the main feature is the Hyper Reality Visor, which allows players to see through walls. The HRV provides indicators showing enemies and pick-up locations. The catch...
2 years ago - Need For Speed Hot Pursuit
When gamers found out that Criterion was making the next installment of the Need For Speed franchise, many racing fans were hoping for a return to the game’s roots. With the official reveal at EA’s press conference on Monday, that’s exactly what they got. But how does it play? The best aspect of Need For Speed Hot Pursuit as envisioned by Criterion is that it takes you back to a time when the NFS license didn’t have so much baggage. There was no Carbon or Most...
Need For Speed Hot PursuitWhen gamers found out that Criterion was making the next installment of the Need For Speed franchise, many racing fans were hoping for a return to the game’s roots. With the official reveal at EA’s press conference on Monday, that’s exactly what they got. But how does it play? The best aspect of Need For Speed Hot Pursuit as envisioned by Criterion is that it takes you back to a time when the NFS license didn’t have so much baggage. There was no Carbon or Most...
3 years ago - Naughty Bear
After the cool and fun (but heavily underrated) WET, it seems like the boys and girls from A2M are going to attract lots of attention this year with what promises to be one of the funniest and addictive games of 2010, Naughty Bear. You play as an outcast teddy bear, named Naughty Bear, living on the Island of Perfection. All the bears on the island are gathering for a big birthday party and everyone is invited, except Naughty. Tired of being rejected, our main protagonist decides to take...
Naughty BearAfter the cool and fun (but heavily underrated) WET, it seems like the boys and girls from A2M are going to attract lots of attention this year with what promises to be one of the funniest and addictive games of 2010, Naughty Bear. You play as an outcast teddy bear, named Naughty Bear, living on the Island of Perfection. All the bears on the island are gathering for a big birthday party and everyone is invited, except Naughty. Tired of being rejected, our main protagonist decides to take...
3 years ago - Darksiders
The world may end in 2012 but according to THQ and developer Vigil Games, the Apocalypse could arrive even sooner. January 5 in fact, the day Darksiders is released. It’s one of the coolest action/adventure games that’s coming out in 2010. I first saw this game at E3 2009 and it grabbed my attention right away. I mean, when was the last time you got to play as one of the Four Horsemen? After spending about ten hours with the latest build last week in Los Angeles, Vigil Games...
DarksidersThe world may end in 2012 but according to THQ and developer Vigil Games, the Apocalypse could arrive even sooner. January 5 in fact, the day Darksiders is released. It’s one of the coolest action/adventure games that’s coming out in 2010. I first saw this game at E3 2009 and it grabbed my attention right away. I mean, when was the last time you got to play as one of the Four Horsemen? After spending about ten hours with the latest build last week in Los Angeles, Vigil Games...
3 years ago - MX vs. ATV Reflex
Two years after Untamed, THQ & Rainbow Studios are ready to rock your socks off this December with ATV vs. MX Reflex. I recently got some hands-on time with the latest build of the game and while I was a fan of Untamed, I was more than impressed to see what Rainbow managed to do. With Reflex, Rainbow went and reworked the control scheme in order to deliver something more organic. Instead of the same-old control scheme, you will now control the handle bars with the left thumbstick,...
MX vs. ATV ReflexTwo years after Untamed, THQ & Rainbow Studios are ready to rock your socks off this December with ATV vs. MX Reflex. I recently got some hands-on time with the latest build of the game and while I was a fan of Untamed, I was more than impressed to see what Rainbow managed to do. With Reflex, Rainbow went and reworked the control scheme in order to deliver something more organic. Instead of the same-old control scheme, you will now control the handle bars with the left thumbstick,...
3 years ago - Just Cause 2
Eidos along with Avalanche Studios are following up their Best Adventure Game of E3 2006 with Just Cause 2. The game takes places shortly after the events of the first as protagonist Rico Rodriguez has been tasked to find his former colleague Tom Sheldon who has gone rogue and at the same time, overthrow the evil dictator Evil Panay.Just Cause 2 is implementing an open-world adventure on the fictional island of Panau located in the South Pacific. The world is absolutely massive with plenty...
Just Cause 2Eidos along with Avalanche Studios are following up their Best Adventure Game of E3 2006 with Just Cause 2. The game takes places shortly after the events of the first as protagonist Rico Rodriguez has been tasked to find his former colleague Tom Sheldon who has gone rogue and at the same time, overthrow the evil dictator Evil Panay.Just Cause 2 is implementing an open-world adventure on the fictional island of Panau located in the South Pacific. The world is absolutely massive with plenty...
4 years ago - Red Faction: Guerrilla
It’s been seven long years since the last Red Faction game was released. Back in 2001 Red Faction debuted on the Playstation 2. It utilized the then-new Geo Mod technology, its selling point being real-time terrain deformation. In other words, just about everything in the game could be blown up. Welcome to Mars! Red Faction and its sequel, Red Faction II took a decidedly revolutionary approach to the first person shooter. Instead of forcing gamers into a linear level structure,...
Red Faction: GuerrillaIt’s been seven long years since the last Red Faction game was released. Back in 2001 Red Faction debuted on the Playstation 2. It utilized the then-new Geo Mod technology, its selling point being real-time terrain deformation. In other words, just about everything in the game could be blown up. Welcome to Mars! Red Faction and its sequel, Red Faction II took a decidedly revolutionary approach to the first person shooter. Instead of forcing gamers into a linear level structure,...
4 years ago - SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation
SOCOM has always been kind of a weird shooter. It has always had too much action to be a stealth game, and had too many fast paced objectives to allow players to sneak around. The sneaking and creeping worked well in the single player mode, but failed miserably online. That single player campaign has been completely excised from the upcoming edition of the series; SOCOM: Confrontation pitches 32 players against each other in an online-multiplayer-only version of the franchise...
SOCOM: US Navy SEALs ConfrontationSOCOM has always been kind of a weird shooter. It has always had too much action to be a stealth game, and had too many fast paced objectives to allow players to sneak around. The sneaking and creeping worked well in the single player mode, but failed miserably online. That single player campaign has been completely excised from the upcoming edition of the series; SOCOM: Confrontation pitches 32 players against each other in an online-multiplayer-only version of the franchise...
4 years ago - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear, and Metal Gear Solid, have been around for a dogs age. It is one of, if not the, longest gaming series to feature the same character (Solid Snake). Hideo Kojima has been there every step of the way, he created the MGS series, and has directed each one. It’s been a 20 year ride, and finally, MGS4 is almost here. Old man, coming through! The year is 2012, five years after “Big Shell Incident”, featured in MGS2, and Solid Snake, is a rapidly aging stealth and...
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsMetal Gear, and Metal Gear Solid, have been around for a dogs age. It is one of, if not the, longest gaming series to feature the same character (Solid Snake). Hideo Kojima has been there every step of the way, he created the MGS series, and has directed each one. It’s been a 20 year ride, and finally, MGS4 is almost here. Old man, coming through! The year is 2012, five years after “Big Shell Incident”, featured in MGS2, and Solid Snake, is a rapidly aging stealth and...
5 years ago - Haze
There are not many FPS (First Person Shooters) on the Playstation 3, so when one of the biggest publishers in gaming is releasing a game exclusively (or is it? No one seems to know for sure.) on Sony’s console it raises a few eye brows and it leaves the gaming public with many questions, especially ’Why is it only on the PS3?’ Haze is being developed by Free Radical who cut their teeth on the classic Time Splitters franchise and if you are familiar with the Time...
HazeThere are not many FPS (First Person Shooters) on the Playstation 3, so when one of the biggest publishers in gaming is releasing a game exclusively (or is it? No one seems to know for sure.) on Sony’s console it raises a few eye brows and it leaves the gaming public with many questions, especially ’Why is it only on the PS3?’ Haze is being developed by Free Radical who cut their teeth on the classic Time Splitters franchise and if you are familiar with the Time...
5 years ago - Alone in the Dark: Inferno
Alone in the Dark is the grand-daddy of the survival horror genre. Released in 1992 by Infogrames, Alone in the Dark created a sensation, and a ream of survival horror games in it’s wake, Resident Evil being the chief title to this day. While Alone in the Dark has seen it’s ups and downs, it is back and awaiting it’s big coming out party on the current generation systems. This version of the game sees Edward Carnby in Central Park, when all heck breaks loose. I think the...
Alone in the Dark: InfernoAlone in the Dark is the grand-daddy of the survival horror genre. Released in 1992 by Infogrames, Alone in the Dark created a sensation, and a ream of survival horror games in it’s wake, Resident Evil being the chief title to this day. While Alone in the Dark has seen it’s ups and downs, it is back and awaiting it’s big coming out party on the current generation systems. This version of the game sees Edward Carnby in Central Park, when all heck breaks loose. I think the...
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