Our latest game previews - Xbox 360
2 weeks ago - 
Far Cry 3
Fans of shooters are rarely indifferent when it comes to the Far Cry series. Shown for the first time at E3 2011, the all-too-short presentation of Far Cry 3 left us with more questions than answers. With an open mind and and a thirst for information about the project, we head up to Ubisoft Montreal hoping to discover a bit more about what we should expect from the third entry in the Far Cry franchise, which still has quite a bit of development ahead of it. After a few warnings, reminding us...
Far Cry 3Fans of shooters are rarely indifferent when it comes to the Far Cry series. Shown for the first time at E3 2011, the all-too-short presentation of Far Cry 3 left us with more questions than answers. With an open mind and and a thirst for information about the project, we head up to Ubisoft Montreal hoping to discover a bit more about what we should expect from the third entry in the Far Cry franchise, which still has quite a bit of development ahead of it. After a few warnings, reminding us...
3 weeks ago - Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
When Ghost Recon: Future Soldier was announced by Ubisoft back at the beginning of 2009, Tom Clancy fans began to gasp. They were already gearing up for the then soon-to-be-released Splinter Cell: Conviction, so having another entry on the Ghost Recon franchise was part two of Ubi’s stealthy/shooting-trifecta (with Rainbow 6 being the third piece of the puzzle). It had been two years since Advanced Warfighter 2, so gamers everywhere were more than ready to jump back into the boots of...
Ghost Recon: Future SoldierWhen Ghost Recon: Future Soldier was announced by Ubisoft back at the beginning of 2009, Tom Clancy fans began to gasp. They were already gearing up for the then soon-to-be-released Splinter Cell: Conviction, so having another entry on the Ghost Recon franchise was part two of Ubi’s stealthy/shooting-trifecta (with Rainbow 6 being the third piece of the puzzle). It had been two years since Advanced Warfighter 2, so gamers everywhere were more than ready to jump back into the boots of...
4 weeks ago - Darksiders II
Death. The Pale Rider. The Reaper of Souls. Arguably the most famous, and most omnipotent, of the Four Horseman. No matter what belief system you look at, Death is always present. He is the end. The final destination. Everything that lives must eventually die, and the one who dons Death’s mask will be there waiting to reap the soul of the recently deceased. And after seeing Vigil Games’ interpertation of the mythical figure at a recent Darksiders II press event in San Francisco,...
Darksiders IIDeath. The Pale Rider. The Reaper of Souls. Arguably the most famous, and most omnipotent, of the Four Horseman. No matter what belief system you look at, Death is always present. He is the end. The final destination. Everything that lives must eventually die, and the one who dons Death’s mask will be there waiting to reap the soul of the recently deceased. And after seeing Vigil Games’ interpertation of the mythical figure at a recent Darksiders II press event in San Francisco,...
1 month ago - UFC Undisputed 3
Last week I got to take a look at one of my most anticipated games of 2012, UFC Undisputed 3. Though the game is merely a month away from release, this was the first time I was able to try my hand at THQ’s latest entry in the MMA fold. While I didn’t get to spend as long as I wanted to with UFC Undisputed 3, I did manage to spend quite a bit of time with the revamped career mode. Despite only getting a mere taste of what the full game has to offer, what I saw showed lots of...
UFC Undisputed 3Last week I got to take a look at one of my most anticipated games of 2012, UFC Undisputed 3. Though the game is merely a month away from release, this was the first time I was able to try my hand at THQ’s latest entry in the MMA fold. While I didn’t get to spend as long as I wanted to with UFC Undisputed 3, I did manage to spend quite a bit of time with the revamped career mode. Despite only getting a mere taste of what the full game has to offer, what I saw showed lots of...
8 months ago - Bioshock Infinite
One of my favorite franchises of this console cycle is BioShock. The world it exposed me to was nothing short of wondrous. It wasn’t about Andrew Ryan. It wasn’t about the various Splicers. It wasn’t even about the different versions of Big Daddy. It was the city of Rapture itself. Rapture was just as much of a character to me as any person who made the city their home. The stepping back in time, traveling to what was almost an alternate future/past, and the design itself...
Bioshock InfiniteOne of my favorite franchises of this console cycle is BioShock. The world it exposed me to was nothing short of wondrous. It wasn’t about Andrew Ryan. It wasn’t about the various Splicers. It wasn’t even about the different versions of Big Daddy. It was the city of Rapture itself. Rapture was just as much of a character to me as any person who made the city their home. The stepping back in time, traveling to what was almost an alternate future/past, and the design itself...
8 months ago - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Regardless of all the various “leaks” that have surfaced since its May 13th reveal, I still roamed the gaming landscaping knowing next to nothing about what Infinity Ward has lined up for us in their upcoming Modern Warfare 3. I was actually one of the few who not only disregarded the “leaked” info, but I (along with our EIC Jay Acevedo) refused to report on said leaks nor did I read any of the articles that did cover it. Simply put, I wanted official information or...
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Regardless of all the various “leaks” that have surfaced since its May 13th reveal, I still roamed the gaming landscaping knowing next to nothing about what Infinity Ward has lined up for us in their upcoming Modern Warfare 3. I was actually one of the few who not only disregarded the “leaked” info, but I (along with our EIC Jay Acevedo) refused to report on said leaks nor did I read any of the articles that did cover it. Simply put, I wanted official information or...
8 months ago - Sonic Generations
Oh Sonic, how I’ve missed you! You defined part of my childhood right next to Mario. Yet somewhere along the way you changed, went through a dark phase, and became a stranger to me. With Sonic Generations, Sega hopes to pull in jaded gamers like myself who miss the old school 2D Sonic from the Genesis era, in addition to fans of the hedgehog’s recent adventures. During E3, Sega had 3D-enabled demo kiosks setup for Sonic Generations and despite some technical hiccups, I got a...
Sonic GenerationsOh Sonic, how I’ve missed you! You defined part of my childhood right next to Mario. Yet somewhere along the way you changed, went through a dark phase, and became a stranger to me. With Sonic Generations, Sega hopes to pull in jaded gamers like myself who miss the old school 2D Sonic from the Genesis era, in addition to fans of the hedgehog’s recent adventures. During E3, Sega had 3D-enabled demo kiosks setup for Sonic Generations and despite some technical hiccups, I got a...
8 months ago - (XBLA) Bastion
For the past few years, Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion has introduced gamers to action packed titles like Trials HD and Shadow Complex, which are some of the best to be found Xbox Live Arcade. However, my favorite part of these promotions are discovering unique gems like Braid and Limbo that surprise with their artistic styles and unique gameplay. Based on my time with Bastion during E3 last week, it looks to become one of the most distinct titles on XBLA. Bastion features...
(XBLA) BastionFor the past few years, Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion has introduced gamers to action packed titles like Trials HD and Shadow Complex, which are some of the best to be found Xbox Live Arcade. However, my favorite part of these promotions are discovering unique gems like Braid and Limbo that surprise with their artistic styles and unique gameplay. Based on my time with Bastion during E3 last week, it looks to become one of the most distinct titles on XBLA. Bastion features...
8 months ago - Metro: Last Light
I think I am one of the few people to have completed Metro 2033. Yes, it had it’s fair share of problems, but it also took chances and would have fared significantly better had publisher THQ marketed the game better. To my surprise, a follow-up, Metro: Last Light, is scheduled to hit all major consoles in 2012 and I had the opportunity to see the game in a brief presentation at E3. Although we were only given a minor snippet of what to expect, the early look is quite positive. Metro:...
Metro: Last LightI think I am one of the few people to have completed Metro 2033. Yes, it had it’s fair share of problems, but it also took chances and would have fared significantly better had publisher THQ marketed the game better. To my surprise, a follow-up, Metro: Last Light, is scheduled to hit all major consoles in 2012 and I had the opportunity to see the game in a brief presentation at E3. Although we were only given a minor snippet of what to expect, the early look is quite positive. Metro:...
8 months ago - NHL 12
EA Sports is continuing to evolve their sports franchises in a number of different ways. The most prevalent is the addition of a more realistic approach towards each sport offering. This is very clear from the moment you start playing NHL 12, which both improves its realism from a broadcast perspective and the product on the ice. I had the chance to play a bit of the game at E3 and it’s shaping up to be yet another strong release from their Vancouver-based studio. The demo gave us the...
NHL 12EA Sports is continuing to evolve their sports franchises in a number of different ways. The most prevalent is the addition of a more realistic approach towards each sport offering. This is very clear from the moment you start playing NHL 12, which both improves its realism from a broadcast perspective and the product on the ice. I had the chance to play a bit of the game at E3 and it’s shaping up to be yet another strong release from their Vancouver-based studio. The demo gave us the...
8 months ago - (XBLA) Orcs Must Die!
After being converted into a big fan of tower defense games over the past few years with Plants vs Zombies, Toy Soldiers, Defense Grid: The Awakening, and many more, the announcement of Orcs Must Die! months ago had my gaming senses tingling. Robot Entertainment’s Orcs Must Die! was playable on the E3 show floor and the developer kindly walked us through the demo of this new take on the genre. Orcs Must Die! is a mixture of tower defense and action genres with a touch of role playing...
(XBLA) Orcs Must Die!After being converted into a big fan of tower defense games over the past few years with Plants vs Zombies, Toy Soldiers, Defense Grid: The Awakening, and many more, the announcement of Orcs Must Die! months ago had my gaming senses tingling. Robot Entertainment’s Orcs Must Die! was playable on the E3 show floor and the developer kindly walked us through the demo of this new take on the genre. Orcs Must Die! is a mixture of tower defense and action genres with a touch of role playing...
8 months ago - (XBLA) Toy Soldiers: Cold War
Toy Soldiers: Cold War jumps forward in time, ditching World War I in favor of the Cold War. What it maintains is the adorable, seemingly self-made battlefields, albeit with more advanced technology for the United States and USSR armies. Players buy units to protect the toy box from encroaching enemies. For each kill, money is earned, which can be used to purchase more forces or upgrade existing ones. What sets the franchise apart is that gamers can get their hands dirty by stepping into...
(XBLA) Toy Soldiers: Cold WarToy Soldiers: Cold War jumps forward in time, ditching World War I in favor of the Cold War. What it maintains is the adorable, seemingly self-made battlefields, albeit with more advanced technology for the United States and USSR armies. Players buy units to protect the toy box from encroaching enemies. For each kill, money is earned, which can be used to purchase more forces or upgrade existing ones. What sets the franchise apart is that gamers can get their hands dirty by stepping into...
8 months ago - Mass Effect 3
Million of units sold worldwide, a memorable hero, a rich cast of supporting characters, numerous awards and universal gamer acclaim. To Mass Effect fans, this sci-fi space opera is just as great as Star Wars or Star Trek. At least, it is for me. Travelling to distant worlds and building key alliances, among other things, while saving the galaxy and fighting for freedom...all are ingredients for success, provided it’s done right. And BioWare’s dedication to deliver the best gaming...
Mass Effect 3Million of units sold worldwide, a memorable hero, a rich cast of supporting characters, numerous awards and universal gamer acclaim. To Mass Effect fans, this sci-fi space opera is just as great as Star Wars or Star Trek. At least, it is for me. Travelling to distant worlds and building key alliances, among other things, while saving the galaxy and fighting for freedom...all are ingredients for success, provided it’s done right. And BioWare’s dedication to deliver the best gaming...
8 months ago - Batman: Arkham City
In 2009, Batman: Arkham Asylum surprised many people and managed to swoop in and take numerous Game of the Year Awards from different publications, including our own. With the follow-up, Batman: Arkham City, scheduled to release later this year, we had the chance to watch a demonstration of the game that showcased a bit of the combat Batman will encounter, the look of Gotham City and of course, the inclusion of Ms Feisty Pants herself, Catwoman. For starters, Arkham City promises to be a...
Batman: Arkham CityIn 2009, Batman: Arkham Asylum surprised many people and managed to swoop in and take numerous Game of the Year Awards from different publications, including our own. With the follow-up, Batman: Arkham City, scheduled to release later this year, we had the chance to watch a demonstration of the game that showcased a bit of the combat Batman will encounter, the look of Gotham City and of course, the inclusion of Ms Feisty Pants herself, Catwoman. For starters, Arkham City promises to be a...
8 months ago - Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
When Halo CE debuted it proved that first-person shooters could work well on consoles. With that in mind, 343 Industries has maintained the classic gameplay by running two engines (the 2001 original and last year’s Halo: Reach) simultaneously. Remember how powerful the magnum was? It’s back along with the same physics and AI. What the dual-engines also means is that you can swap between the new HD graphics and “Classic Mode” by pressing a button on the fly, just like...
Halo: Combat Evolved AnniversaryWhen Halo CE debuted it proved that first-person shooters could work well on consoles. With that in mind, 343 Industries has maintained the classic gameplay by running two engines (the 2001 original and last year’s Halo: Reach) simultaneously. Remember how powerful the magnum was? It’s back along with the same physics and AI. What the dual-engines also means is that you can swap between the new HD graphics and “Classic Mode” by pressing a button on the fly, just like...
8 months ago - Saints Row: The Third
Since we last saw them, the Saints have catapulted into international celebrities with their own brand name (energy drinks, merchandise, etc.) and flocks of adoring fans. This time, they’ve jumped ship, leaving Stilwater for the lovely Steelport. There are still multiple gangs the Saints will take on, but the major opposing force is The Syndicate (whom is still in full control of Stilwater as well) that wants to further their dominance across the world. It’s like Biggie said...
Saints Row: The ThirdSince we last saw them, the Saints have catapulted into international celebrities with their own brand name (energy drinks, merchandise, etc.) and flocks of adoring fans. This time, they’ve jumped ship, leaving Stilwater for the lovely Steelport. There are still multiple gangs the Saints will take on, but the major opposing force is The Syndicate (whom is still in full control of Stilwater as well) that wants to further their dominance across the world. It’s like Biggie said...
8 months ago - (Kinect) Rise of Nightmares
For all those complaining that there are no mature titles available for Microsoft’s Kinect, SEGA’s in-house studios might have what you need with their upcoming horror-film inspired Rise of Nightmares. After getting to spend a bit of time with the game, it certainly accomplishes the goal of being a mature Kinect game... The E3 demo of the game doesn’t divulge too much regarding the premise other than a small little clip before you begin playing. You find yourself held...
(Kinect) Rise of NightmaresFor all those complaining that there are no mature titles available for Microsoft’s Kinect, SEGA’s in-house studios might have what you need with their upcoming horror-film inspired Rise of Nightmares. After getting to spend a bit of time with the game, it certainly accomplishes the goal of being a mature Kinect game... The E3 demo of the game doesn’t divulge too much regarding the premise other than a small little clip before you begin playing. You find yourself held...
8 months ago - FIFA 12
I don’t hide the fact that I am a soccer fan. I am a season ticket holder of my local MLS side, I play the sport in real life and I always try to get my hands on any soccer video game release. Last year, EA Sports did a fantastic job with FIFA 11 and the pressure is on to keep up with the competition that’s hot on their heels with FIFA 12. Thanks to the introduction of their new player impact engine, precision dribbling and tactical defending, the virtual version of the...
FIFA 12I don’t hide the fact that I am a soccer fan. I am a season ticket holder of my local MLS side, I play the sport in real life and I always try to get my hands on any soccer video game release. Last year, EA Sports did a fantastic job with FIFA 11 and the pressure is on to keep up with the competition that’s hot on their heels with FIFA 12. Thanks to the introduction of their new player impact engine, precision dribbling and tactical defending, the virtual version of the...
8 months ago - XCOM
A lot of scrutiny was initially made when 2K Games decided to re-imagine the famed XCOM series, taking it from its roots as a strategy game to a first-person shooter. To some, this shift was only to appeal to a larger audience, rather than appeasing its loyal fan-base. After experiencing just a fraction of what developer 2K Marin has to offer, fans should put their worries aside and enjoy the ride. During this week’s E3 presentation, we were immediately shown some of the strategic...
XCOMA lot of scrutiny was initially made when 2K Games decided to re-imagine the famed XCOM series, taking it from its roots as a strategy game to a first-person shooter. To some, this shift was only to appeal to a larger audience, rather than appeasing its loyal fan-base. After experiencing just a fraction of what developer 2K Marin has to offer, fans should put their worries aside and enjoy the ride. During this week’s E3 presentation, we were immediately shown some of the strategic...
9 months ago - Red Faction Armageddon
Red Faction, as a franchise, is somewhat of a rarity these days. A series that made its debut during the last generation of consoles, spawned a lackluster sequel, then promptly disappeared only to make a dashing return almost two years ago to praise from critics and fans alike. While it was far from perfect, Red Faction Guerrilla basically reinvented the franchise, taking place on the surface of Mars (instead of the dark underground of its predecessors) and going with an almost open sandbox,...
Red Faction ArmageddonRed Faction, as a franchise, is somewhat of a rarity these days. A series that made its debut during the last generation of consoles, spawned a lackluster sequel, then promptly disappeared only to make a dashing return almost two years ago to praise from critics and fans alike. While it was far from perfect, Red Faction Guerrilla basically reinvented the franchise, taking place on the surface of Mars (instead of the dark underground of its predecessors) and going with an almost open sandbox,...
9 months ago - MX Vs ATV Alive
It can be quite a challenge to set subsequent releases of an annual franchise apart from each other. This is especially true with titles rooted in the sports genre. The core of the game rarely has much wiggle room for change and there’s only so many things that a developer can do to improve upon the experience. Take THQ’s MX vs ATV franchise as an example. Motocross is still motocross with each new rendition. With the latest version about to hit retail in less than a month, THQ...
MX Vs ATV AliveIt can be quite a challenge to set subsequent releases of an annual franchise apart from each other. This is especially true with titles rooted in the sports genre. The core of the game rarely has much wiggle room for change and there’s only so many things that a developer can do to improve upon the experience. Take THQ’s MX vs ATV franchise as an example. Motocross is still motocross with each new rendition. With the latest version about to hit retail in less than a month, THQ...
10 months ago - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
If there’s one title amongst THQ’s 2011 line-up that had my curiosity piqued the most, it’s Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. I mean, first you have the fact that it’s the 40K universe delving away from the RTS genre, something we haven’t really seen before. Second, out of Relic’s previous ten or twelve games, this will be only the second one to get a console release (The Outfit being the first). Compound that by the fact that I’ve only seen this one in...
Warhammer 40,000: Space MarineIf there’s one title amongst THQ’s 2011 line-up that had my curiosity piqued the most, it’s Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. I mean, first you have the fact that it’s the 40K universe delving away from the RTS genre, something we haven’t really seen before. Second, out of Relic’s previous ten or twelve games, this will be only the second one to get a console release (The Outfit being the first). Compound that by the fact that I’ve only seen this one in...
11 months ago - The Darkness II
Even though most of the folks pretty much knew that a sequel to 2007’s The Darkness comic book adaption was coming at some point or another, it still created quite a bit of buzz when 2K Games made it official last month. The first entry garnered some considerable love from mainstream critics and fans alike, so seeing the anti-hero Jackie Estacado don the tentacles for a second round holds a lot of promise. What was even better was that just a scant few weeks later, 2K let it be known...
The Darkness IIEven though most of the folks pretty much knew that a sequel to 2007’s The Darkness comic book adaption was coming at some point or another, it still created quite a bit of buzz when 2K Games made it official last month. The first entry garnered some considerable love from mainstream critics and fans alike, so seeing the anti-hero Jackie Estacado don the tentacles for a second round holds a lot of promise. What was even better was that just a scant few weeks later, 2K let it be known...
1 year ago - Homefront
One of the scariest thoughts for any patriotic person is to have their home turf invaded. While the closest modern Americans have had is via film (read: Red Dawn), other nations are dealing with it on a daily basis. Considering the US hasn’t had to witness it first hand since the Revolutionary War, it comes as little surprise to fine Kaos Studios - the guys behind Frontlines, one of my favorite shooters in recent years - is exploring such a concept with their next title, Homefront. At...
HomefrontOne of the scariest thoughts for any patriotic person is to have their home turf invaded. While the closest modern Americans have had is via film (read: Red Dawn), other nations are dealing with it on a daily basis. Considering the US hasn’t had to witness it first hand since the Revolutionary War, it comes as little surprise to fine Kaos Studios - the guys behind Frontlines, one of my favorite shooters in recent years - is exploring such a concept with their next title, Homefront. At...
1 year ago - WWE All Stars
Regardless of which era, ask any WWE (or WWF depending on how far back you go) fan about their most cherished memories of the venerable Sports Entertainment brand and you’ll find they come in the form of high flying acts, crushing blows, and utterly crazy stunts. The day-to-day storylines end up being cannon fodder, as hindsight skims them over, relegating them as nothing more than bridges between one outrageous spectacle and the next. Undertaker tossing Mankind off the Hell in a Cell,...
WWE All StarsRegardless of which era, ask any WWE (or WWF depending on how far back you go) fan about their most cherished memories of the venerable Sports Entertainment brand and you’ll find they come in the form of high flying acts, crushing blows, and utterly crazy stunts. The day-to-day storylines end up being cannon fodder, as hindsight skims them over, relegating them as nothing more than bridges between one outrageous spectacle and the next. Undertaker tossing Mankind off the Hell in a Cell,...
1 year ago - (XBLA) Stacking
To see Double Fine pull away from the retail world and venture into the downloadable realm was a bit concerning for me. Don’t get me wrong, I had no doubts about the talent on the roster. I just felt like it was a bit of a step back and didn’t want the less-than-optimal performance of Brutal Legend causing any lasting stigmas. However, after announcing their two-game deal with publisher THQ and then finally getting some hands-on time with Costume Quest, my position began to change...
(XBLA) StackingTo see Double Fine pull away from the retail world and venture into the downloadable realm was a bit concerning for me. Don’t get me wrong, I had no doubts about the talent on the roster. I just felt like it was a bit of a step back and didn’t want the less-than-optimal performance of Brutal Legend causing any lasting stigmas. However, after announcing their two-game deal with publisher THQ and then finally getting some hands-on time with Costume Quest, my position began to change...
1 year ago - Two Worlds II
I had high hopes for Reality Pump’s Two Worlds when it launched back in the Fall of 2007. It had been a bit over a year since Oblivion hit the market and I had hoped that Two Worlds would fill the high fantasy RPG void left in its wake. Unfortunately, a clunky battle system, the generally poor controls overall, terrible voice acting and numerous bugs prevented it from ever reaching its potential. Not that I expected it to best Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls behemoth mind you. I just saw...
Two Worlds II I had high hopes for Reality Pump’s Two Worlds when it launched back in the Fall of 2007. It had been a bit over a year since Oblivion hit the market and I had hoped that Two Worlds would fill the high fantasy RPG void left in its wake. Unfortunately, a clunky battle system, the generally poor controls overall, terrible voice acting and numerous bugs prevented it from ever reaching its potential. Not that I expected it to best Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls behemoth mind you. I just saw...
1 year ago - nail'd
The smell of the exhaust as the engines rev up. The wet slap of the mud as it flings off the nobby tires. Knuckles turning white from gripping the handlebars way too tight. The heightened anxiety as you fly over a hill crest, not knowing what’s on the other side. All of those are things that help describe the feeling of racing off road on an ATV or motorbike. The rush of flying through canyons at breakneck speeds as the wind is whipping by is second to none. Except maybe the bragging...
nail'dThe smell of the exhaust as the engines rev up. The wet slap of the mud as it flings off the nobby tires. Knuckles turning white from gripping the handlebars way too tight. The heightened anxiety as you fly over a hill crest, not knowing what’s on the other side. All of those are things that help describe the feeling of racing off road on an ATV or motorbike. The rush of flying through canyons at breakneck speeds as the wind is whipping by is second to none. Except maybe the bragging...
1 year ago - WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2011
As a WWE fan for going on 25 years now, I’ve watched the brand evolve many times. What began as a minor weekly show on Saturday nights, filled with jobbers putting the names over week in and week out has become a vast production, with global programming spanning several primary shows and monthly PPV events. If there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do, it was live the production. No, I don’t mean sitting in the van directing the camera angles. I’m...
WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2011As a WWE fan for going on 25 years now, I’ve watched the brand evolve many times. What began as a minor weekly show on Saturday nights, filled with jobbers putting the names over week in and week out has become a vast production, with global programming spanning several primary shows and monthly PPV events. If there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do, it was live the production. No, I don’t mean sitting in the van directing the camera angles. I’m...
1 year ago - (XBLA) Nexuiz
There is a lot of hype surrounding the upcoming CryEngine3 and when you’re intending to be the first downloadable game using the heavy-duty engine to hit the the market, you’re sure to garner a ton of attention. The upcoming Arena-FPS game Nexuiz by Illfonic has a lot of pressure on it to not only deliver on all this talk, but could also give us a taste of what to expect when Crysis 2 arrives in March 2011. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Nexuiz and early...
(XBLA) NexuizThere is a lot of hype surrounding the upcoming CryEngine3 and when you’re intending to be the first downloadable game using the heavy-duty engine to hit the the market, you’re sure to garner a ton of attention. The upcoming Arena-FPS game Nexuiz by Illfonic has a lot of pressure on it to not only deliver on all this talk, but could also give us a taste of what to expect when Crysis 2 arrives in March 2011. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Nexuiz and early...
1 year ago - Battle vs Chess
Had you said to me four weeks ago that I would be leaving PAX excited about a chess game, I would have probably slugged you. Not that there is anything wrong with chess, mind you. It’s just that the vast majority of electronic chess games are geared toward the Bobby Fischer set and that is definitely not me. However, Topware Interactive has managed to put together a chess game that has a little something for everyone and left me anxious to spend some more quality time with it. A LOT...
Battle vs ChessHad you said to me four weeks ago that I would be leaving PAX excited about a chess game, I would have probably slugged you. Not that there is anything wrong with chess, mind you. It’s just that the vast majority of electronic chess games are geared toward the Bobby Fischer set and that is definitely not me. However, Topware Interactive has managed to put together a chess game that has a little something for everyone and left me anxious to spend some more quality time with it. A LOT...
1 year ago - Duke Nukem Forever
Duke Nukem was a phantom. I mean, after 12 years, the beefy, cigar chomping teddy bear pretty much defined the term “vaporware”. The development of 3D Realms’ sequel to Duke Nukem 3D was plagued with lawsuits and missed release dates - among other things - which ultimately led to the entire project getting scrapped and the 3D Realms brand being dissolved. However, Duke wasn’t quite as dead as we thought he was... Even though rumors began to swirl around the web...
Duke Nukem ForeverDuke Nukem was a phantom. I mean, after 12 years, the beefy, cigar chomping teddy bear pretty much defined the term “vaporware”. The development of 3D Realms’ sequel to Duke Nukem 3D was plagued with lawsuits and missed release dates - among other things - which ultimately led to the entire project getting scrapped and the 3D Realms brand being dissolved. However, Duke wasn’t quite as dead as we thought he was... Even though rumors began to swirl around the web...
1 year 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 stats to...
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 stats to...
1 year 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...
1 year 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 their...
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 their...
1 year 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...
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...
1 year 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 the...
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 the...
1 year 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...
1 year 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 (I was...
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 (I was...
1 year 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...
1 year ago - Dead Space 2
I’ll admit, Dead Space launched at a bad time for me. Releasing during a holiday season packed full with titles like Gears of War 2, Fable II, and Fallout 3, it was a tough sell. Combine that with a brief stint with the demo (of which I didn’t care for at all), and you have a game that totally passed me by. Over the course of the last 2 years the positive buzz surrounding the title eventually made me go out and get it, even though it still sits on my shelf, collecting dust with...
Dead Space 2I’ll admit, Dead Space launched at a bad time for me. Releasing during a holiday season packed full with titles like Gears of War 2, Fable II, and Fallout 3, it was a tough sell. Combine that with a brief stint with the demo (of which I didn’t care for at all), and you have a game that totally passed me by. Over the course of the last 2 years the positive buzz surrounding the title eventually made me go out and get it, even though it still sits on my shelf, collecting dust with...
1 year ago - Crysis 2
In a sense, Crysis was the Holy Grail for PC gamers. Offering cutting edge tech combined with an interesting story and tight first-person shooter action, it set a new benchmark. Unfortunately, many didn’t get to enjoy it as along with the cutting edge tech was the need for a killer rig to run it. It came as a pleasant surprise when Crytek and Electronic Arts announced the sequel, Crysis 2, would indeed be coming to home consoles as well as PC. The next obvious question is if it’ll...
Crysis 2In a sense, Crysis was the Holy Grail for PC gamers. Offering cutting edge tech combined with an interesting story and tight first-person shooter action, it set a new benchmark. Unfortunately, many didn’t get to enjoy it as along with the cutting edge tech was the need for a killer rig to run it. It came as a pleasant surprise when Crytek and Electronic Arts announced the sequel, Crysis 2, would indeed be coming to home consoles as well as PC. The next obvious question is if it’ll...
1 year ago - (Kinect) Dance Central
Call it DDR 2.0 or whatever other tag you want, there’s no denying Harmonix upcoming Kinect title, Dance Central, made a surprising splash at this year’s E3. While the idea of dancing in front of a camera that captures your movements crossed my mind back in the day of the EyeToy, apparently it required a much more advanced technology to make it really work. Games like this have been present on the Wii (Boogie and recently Ubisoft’s Just Dance) but it required you to...
(Kinect) Dance CentralCall it DDR 2.0 or whatever other tag you want, there’s no denying Harmonix upcoming Kinect title, Dance Central, made a surprising splash at this year’s E3. While the idea of dancing in front of a camera that captures your movements crossed my mind back in the day of the EyeToy, apparently it required a much more advanced technology to make it really work. Games like this have been present on the Wii (Boogie and recently Ubisoft’s Just Dance) but it required you to...
1 year ago - Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
Beneath all of the dubious awards and unnecessary ’booth babes,’ E3 is about games that show potential. Some games make bold promises with well executed showings on either side of a closed door while others make you wonder why the developer and/or publisher felt the need to bring their E3 build in front of the critical eyes of the press. Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, from developer Eidos, is one of the latter titles. The first Kane and Lynch game was a third person shooter with a...
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog DaysBeneath all of the dubious awards and unnecessary ’booth babes,’ E3 is about games that show potential. Some games make bold promises with well executed showings on either side of a closed door while others make you wonder why the developer and/or publisher felt the need to bring their E3 build in front of the critical eyes of the press. Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, from developer Eidos, is one of the latter titles. The first Kane and Lynch game was a third person shooter with a...
1 year ago - Rage
What happens if you took one part Borderlands, one part Fallout 3 and a healthy dose of Burnout, shook it up real good and served it on the rocks? You would have id Software’s next title, Rage. While I’ll freely admit that I wasn’t impressed with the initial announcement at QuakeCon back in 2007, since then a lot has surfaced that has made me change my position on it. That is especially true now, following a lengthy hands-off presentation at E3... Rage is set in...
RageWhat happens if you took one part Borderlands, one part Fallout 3 and a healthy dose of Burnout, shook it up real good and served it on the rocks? You would have id Software’s next title, Rage. While I’ll freely admit that I wasn’t impressed with the initial announcement at QuakeCon back in 2007, since then a lot has surfaced that has made me change my position on it. That is especially true now, following a lengthy hands-off presentation at E3... Rage is set in...
1 year ago - Call of Duty: Black Ops
With the record-shattering success of the last Call of Duty title (Modern Warfare 2), FPS fanatics have been clamoring for every tiny piece of information they can get on the next game, Call of Duty: Black Ops. While I was at E3, Activision didn’t show me much more than what everyone saw during Microsoft’s Press Conference. Although, there is one point that was driven home while I was sitting there that I didn’t anticipate... We all know that Black Ops is chronologically...
Call of Duty: Black OpsWith the record-shattering success of the last Call of Duty title (Modern Warfare 2), FPS fanatics have been clamoring for every tiny piece of information they can get on the next game, Call of Duty: Black Ops. While I was at E3, Activision didn’t show me much more than what everyone saw during Microsoft’s Press Conference. Although, there is one point that was driven home while I was sitting there that I didn’t anticipate... We all know that Black Ops is chronologically...
1 year 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...
1 year 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...
1 year 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 year...
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 year...
1 year 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...
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