G4 TV - TheFeed - PlayStation 3

James Cameron's Avatar Multiplayer Trailer

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Video Game drops you into the war-torn planet of Pandora where humanity is locked in a death struggle with the planet’s native race, the Na’vi. Obviously, this means that players will get to experience two drastically different combat styles, and this new multiplayer trailer demonstrates how this dichotomy plays out in the game’s multiplayer mode.

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X-Play's Holiday Buyer's Guide: The Best PlayStation 3 Games

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

The PS3 has really come into its own lately, and many of the exclusives this year pushed the hardware to its limits and really showed us what the console was capable of.

In the video below, Adam Sessler gives our picks for the Top 5 PS3 Games this holiday season including Killzone 2, InFamous, Demon's Souls, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

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The Reviews of 2009...In Review: Day 3

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0800

With Black Friday lingering and just a small handful of games left in 2009, it’s high time to take a refresher course in some of this year’s biggest and best reviews. I’ve broken down most of our most illustrious verdicts, platform by platform, to pick out some samplings of read (and watch) worthy material. On Tuesday, I focused on handheld and PC highlights from 2009. Yesterday, I lasered in on the best multiplatform and downloadable games. And, because you need something to do either before eating turkey or before camping out in the freezing cold for a $200 game console and free games (I've been watching those Black Friday specials too, y'know), today brings the best reviews across platform exclusives. Also, please feel free to send me links of awesome Flip cam videos of people fighting over sale items.

Put on your reading glasses; without further ado, here’s the grand finale of G4’s The Reviews of 2009...In Review!

PlayStation 3

The days of Lair and Haze are long behind the PlayStation 3. The PS3 has seen a strong year of console exclusives in 2009, including a visually gorgeous first-person shooter, a masterfully-crafted open world encounter, and the maturation of a rugged explorer. Oh, and some Japanese game where you die a lot. Here’s a sampling of some of PS3 titles from this year:

Killzone 2 - 5/5

“Do you like shooters? Do you hate things with red eyes? Have you posted in forums every day for the past month about how Killzone 2 was forged on the peak of Mount Olympus by the hand of Zeus himself? If your answer to any of these questions is even remotely affirmative, we suggest you play this game.”

inFamous - 5/5

“Open-world sandbox games have a depressing tendency to stick to the mundane. For all the over-the-top violence and mayhem of games like Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row, you’re still just a guy or girl with a gun. Outside of the occasional licensed game, few sandboxers dare to tackle the idea of superpowers, and those that have tend to be disappointments, with the notable exception of Crackdown. It’s time to expand that exceptions list by one, thanks to Sucker Punch’s exceptional inFamous.”

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - 5/5

“Uncharted 2 delivers on what so many other games just promise: Immersion. Lost not just in a world but in a collective fantasy of the impossible made viable. That 8-year-old me in the movie theater sat yearning for the adult world to be as filled with adventure, discovery and importance as what I saw on screen. Well-situated in my 30s, content with good health and a paycheck, I pine nostalgically for when life still held that pre-adolescent potential. For the hours I played Uncharted 2, those two selves were bridged in a wonderful equanimity, a digital compromise.”

Demon’s Souls - 4/5

“In general, this isn’t an adventure for the faint of heart. You’ll do your share of grinding to build a character before it’s over, and suffer plenty of heart-breaking deaths. Demon’s Souls has its rewards as well, though – beautiful sights, exciting battles, tons of replayability. They’re more than worth the challenge.”

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time - 5/5

“Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time is a remarkable achievement that makes the case for the series’ longevity and determined adherence to form. The game’s basics work so well and the improvements and changes are brought in to take advantage of one of the most solid gameplay foundations available.”

Xbox 360

Although Microsoft has worked to shed the Xbox 360’s image as a shooter console, 2009 was largely a year of blowing s*** up, Forza Motorsport 3 being an exception to the rule. Whether it was the sticky bombs of The Ballad of Gay Tony or the intense action of Halo 3: ODST, there was no shortage of explosive exclusives on the console. Not that Viva Pinata’s not fun or anything.

Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned - 5/5

“Now that you’ve heard everything that awaits you in The Lost and Damned, there should be no doubt that it’s worth every last penny of its $20 price tag (and in fact, could have been sold for a lot more, given the amount of content that is here). The 8-10 hour story mode alone would be worth a crisp Jackson, but the fact that it comes packaged with new rides, new music, new forms of entertainment, new side missions and a handful of new multiplayer modes is simply outrageous for that price.”

Halo 3: ODST - 5/5

“Is Halo 3: ODST an overpriced expansion or is it Bungie's “Call of Duty Killer,” as many gamers have presumed? It's neither...One of the gents at Bungie mentioned to me that ODST was initially a much smaller affair. But as the game progressed, the campaign became more than just a bunch of shootouts in New Mombasa; it became a story that stood on its own. Once the confusion subsides and gamers sit down with a controller, they’ll see that ODST is indisputably one of the year’s finest shooters.”

Forza Motorsport 3 - 5/5

“If you are a car lover or sim fan, you owe it to yourself to go out and get Forza Motorsport 3. The entire package drips with polish and the physics-based gameplay is solid across all game modes. This title transcends a pure gaming experience to become something of a virtual driving tool. Forza 3 is a deep simulation experience and it’s the best racer available on any platform right now.”

Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony - 5/5

“At this point, there’s a good chance that you know if you’re in the target audience for The Ballad of Gay Tony. If you wrote off Grand Theft Auto IV before finishing “Three Leaf Clover,” there’s a chance that you might overlook Rockstar North’s final effort in the Liberty City story arc. And that would be a shame. Although I found The Lost & Damned to be a more unsavory experience than GTA4, Gay Tony fires on all cylinders and delivers both solid storytelling and the same sort of over-the-top mayhem found in the best moments of GTA: San Andreas. It’s arguably the finest episodic content found in a console game this year.”

Wii

Arguably the only thing more annoying that a store shelf full of derivative rip-offs of Wii Sports and Wii Fit is a pack of people saying “there’s nothing to play on the Wii.” 2009 gave gamers a variety of opportunities to play some unique experiences that still can't be replicated anywhere else, and an unexpected trifecta of three great survival horror shooters on the platform. There was no shortage of solid games; arguably, the shortage was in gamers willing to play them.

MadWorld - 4/5

“Far from a perfect game, MadWorld is perhaps the answer to gamers’ pleas for a hardcore title to arrive on the Wii. You’ll be able to clean up the city in a little under seven hours without breaking a sweat – but it’s seven hours of pure bloody mayhem that you won’t find in most twenty-hour games. If you don’t need a parent’s permission to buy this game, strap on your chainsaw arm and prepare to have a bloody good time.”

House of the Dead: Overkill - 4/5

“House of the Dead: Overkill does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s addicting and accessible to gamers of all abilities, though not all age groups. Beginners will be able to make it through the game, but those with a competitive edge will strive to achieve ‘Goregasm’ (a point multiplier you earn for hitting the targets consecutively), as well as, earning high scores... If you want a game with rewarding, blood gushing headshots, the HOTD arcade feeling at home and a Wii game that doesn’t try to be cute or even remotely family friendly, this is a good one to pick up.”

Excitebots: Trick Racing - 4/5

“If you can find a way to get past its cotton candy exterior, Excitebots offers a frantic and fun ride for even the most novice riders. This little racer is practically packed to the exhaust pipe with mini-games, items to collect, and even a poker puzzle game for players out there that still hunger for something different. Play for more than a couple of hours and you’ll find that the game quickly wears on you, however, with repetitive environments and mini-games. Put your pride aside and give the game a spin. Excitebots may just be that gateway game you’ve been looking for to get the whole family into gaming.”

Punch-Out!! - 4/5

“Punch-Out!! is a brutal yet incredibly satisfying stroll down memory lane. The cartoonish presentation and character designs are slick and vibrant, and the controls (minus the balance board) stay faithful to the ease and responsiveness of the original. Of course, the thing that NES fans will appreciate the most is the fact that even though the game is basically a remake, it still packs an unrelenting punch, and it could very easily scar an entirely new generation of kids for years to come. Well done Nintendo. Well done.”

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 - 5/5

“Videogames based on golf have often been viewed as, to mangle a phrase, a good walk through a virtual world spoiled. Connecting with your virtual golfers has often been as hard for gamers as understanding the sport itself. With Tiger Woods PGA Tour moving to the Wii, EA has tried to make the connection by replicating the golfing action through the Wiimote. Good presentation and a lofty cast of golfers can only take you so far when the controls are not up to par. But this is the year everything changes with the introduction of the Wii Motion Plus, a device aiming to put the swing back into golf.”

Boom Blox Bash Party - 5/5

“It’s no secret that we here at X-Play loved Boom Blox. It was a refreshing destructo-puzzler that actually made good use of the Wii Remote. Initially, upon hearing about Boom Blox Bash Party we were a bit concerned that EA wouldn’t have enough new stuff to put in the game… or that Spielberg would suddenly want to turn all the bomb Blox into walkie-talkies or something. Happily, our fears were unfounded.”

Little King’s Story - 4/5

“It’s easy to dismiss Little King’s Story as another kiddie game for Wii. The cute box art, saccharine character design and adorable name are enough for most enthusiast gamers to give this title a pass. That would be a monumental mistake. After you get past the cutesy (but well done) trappings, the game offers a brilliant experience, combining real-time strategy, role playing, kingdom building, and disarmingly witty dialogue. You know that saying about not judging a book by its cover? Little King’s Story shows that it applies to games too.”

Wii Sports Resort - 5/5

“Wii Sports was a proof-of-concept that turned into a phenomenon, propelling the Wii up the sales charts, heralding the new future of videogames, opening up the industry to a brand new audience, and further such hyperbole. And while its successor, Wii Sports Resort, can't possibly make the same initial impact, it's significant in another way: it completely renders the revolutionary Wii Sports obsolete.”

Dead Space: Extraction - 4/5

“Dead Space: Extraction is a perfect example of what can happen when a developer approaches the Wii in the right way and maximizes the console’s capabilities to fit with the game’s style and design. Everything from the “shaky-cam” presentation to the brilliant remote implementation keeps you thoroughly engaged and immersed every second of the game. It’s quite an accomplishment, and one that will grab hold of you and not let go of you until the end credits roll.”

Wii Fit Plus - 4/5

“Wii Fit has undergone a bit of a cosmetic makeover and emerged as Wii Fit Plus, a more robust collection of mini-games utilizing the Wii Balance Board. Wii Fit Plus will not magically make you skinny; however, its offerings are fun enough to get your lazy butt up off the couch.”

New Super Mario Bros. Wii - 4/5

“It’s good to know some things never change. Mario jumps. He lands on platforms and enemies. Occasionally, he throws fireballs. If you’ve been playing with Mario since the days of blowing on your cartridge, then New Super Mario Bros. Wii will feel just like throwing on a Members Only jacket. The game retains every part of what made the original great -- solid platforming, the need for precise timing, and just enough whimsy to make falling down the same pit for the tenth time hurt a little bit less. While the idea of hitting a series of jumps or waiting for the perfect moment might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are still enough of us out there who remember the joys of the original Super Mario Bros.”

A Boy and His Blob - 4/5

“If you are the kind of gamer who thinks bloodshed, explosions and bullets are necessary to enjoy a game, Blob isn't the title for you, but if you like a challenging puzzles, beautiful, stylish graphics and a touch of wistfulness in your gaming, you'll find a lot to love in A Boy and His Blob.”

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - 4/5

“Let's just get this out of the way right up front: fans of the Resident Evil series who have spent anxious hours guiding Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield through Raccoon City and beyond will find lots to love about The Darkside Chronicles. And if you have a Wii and an insatiable desire to splatter zombie skulls like Pollack paintings, this game should be on your wish list without question. Its only flaws are the limits of its genre and hardware, and even then, it's still the best game of its kind ever made.”

X-Play Predicts Today's Football Games

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Ah, Thanksgiving football. Truly there is nothing greater! There are a lot of great games on today:

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants at Denver Broncos

Clearly, the only thing to do was use Madden NFL 2010 to determine which teams will emerge victorious today. Please do not use the results in any gambling or gambling related activities. Watch the video and go ahead and leave your predictions in the comments section.

(Go Giants!)

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Feedback -- Thanksgiving Edition

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:41:00 -0800

As many of us head to the airport, headphones firmly in place (with a DS in a pocket, naturally), for this week's round of holiday travel, take solace in knowing this: there's another edition of Feedback to keep you company this week. Whether you're starting to plot out gifts for the rest of the holiday season or contemplating an impulse-buy during the slew of Black Friday sales, Adam Sessler, myself, Abbie Heppe and Dana Vinson gathered earlier this week to discuss the best of the best from 2009!

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Here's what the crew talked about on this week's Feedback:

For the PlayStation 3 owner in your life, how do you pick between Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Rachet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time, inFamous and Killzone 2? We're here to help.
But what if they only have a Wii? Don't worry, we help you sort through both New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Metroid Prime Trilogy for a balance between cutting edge and nostalgia.
It's pretty likely they're going to have an Xbox 360, too. With Halo 3: ODST and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 populating the online leaderboards, there's some serious competition.

Feedback, suggesting violent games for the holidays since...well, ever. Bring joy and subscribe:

Video: iTunes | XML | Audio: iTunes | XML

The Reviews of 2009...In Review: Day 2

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800

With Black Friday lingering and just a small handful of games left in 2009, it’s high time to take a refresher course in some of this year’s biggest and best reviews. I’ve broken down most of our most illustrious verdicts, platform by platform, to pick out some samplings of read (and watch) worthy material. Yesterday, I focused on handheld and PC highlights from 2009. Today, I'll be focusing in on the best multiplatform and downloadable games. And, because you need something to do either before eating turkey or before camping out in the freezing cold for a $200 game console and free games, tomorrow brings the best reviews across platform exclusives.

Come back tomorrow at 1pm PST/4pm EST for our final day of recaps.

Put on your reading glasses; without further ado, here’s G4’s The Reviews of 2009...In Review!

Multiplatform

People will argue back and forth over the Internet for eons about what version of a game is better and which game console sucks. And then there are people too busy playing games to sweat the platform pie fights. Here’s a look at games across multiple platforms (and before the tin-foil hats come on, I pulled the review links based on pagination, not platform preference):

Street Fighter IV - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“The fighting game has evolved considerably since Street Fighter II exploded the genre into superstardom in the early ‘90s. Street Fighter IV proves that Capcom still has what it takes to dominate the genre almost two decades later. The fourth installment may, at long last, have trumped the second. Anyone with even a passing interest in one-on-one brawling owes it to him or herself to get into Street Fighter IV. Even if you haven’t touched a fighting game since the 16-bit era, one match of Capcom’s new masterpiece will remind you why you spent so many hours at those now long-shuttered arcades.”

Skate 2 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“While it’s basically just a more polished version of the first game with a few additions here and there, Skate 2 is easily the best skating game on the market. The city is massive, the trick system still feels like butter on wheels, there are endless challenges, events and places to discover, and the online features are plentiful. It would have been nice to have seen a truly new city, more fluid off-board controls and maybe a more engaging narrative, but in terms of giving players plenty of skating bang for their bucks while being consistently fun and satisfying, Skate 2 is a worthy addition to any library, especially for anyone who missed the first ride.”

Red Faction: Guerilla - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Overall, Red Faction: Guerrilla manages to distinguish itself enough from the competition to be a fun change of pace. The sci-fi atmosphere and destructive landscape are great, and there's plenty to do. While the story itself is fairly linear, the ways to accomplish your objectives are anything but ordinary. Grab a hammer and get out there. There are a lot of walls and even more heads to crack if you’re hoping to liberate this little red planet.”

Fight Night Round 4 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“Fight Night Round 4 offers that all too rare experience of seeing stunning visuals have a profound effect on gameplay – yes these boxers look amazing, but the way that you box move will have an effect on how long you’re standing. Factor in a highly improved career mode and an in-depth online title chase and you’re looking at one of the years finest titles across any genre. The franchise is in new hands, and after several hours of jabs and hooks, I’m happy to say that it’s in good hands.”

Batman: Arkham Asylum - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Ultimately, Batman: Arkham Asylum succeeds because it’s a great game, with or without the license. It seamlessly transitions between beat-‘em-up brawler, intense stealth action, and exploration-friendly adventure without missing a beat. When broken up, they’re not necessarily strong enough to stand on their own -- Challenge Mode is an afterthought – but together, the components make for a lean, tight experience. If you’re a huge fan of the Dark Knight, this will go down as one of the best games you’ll play in 2009. If you’ve got a passing interest, there’s still plenty to dig into and enjoy.”

Guitar Hero 5 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

“It's hard to believe we're already on Guitar Hero 5. I remember sneaking into Red Octane's pint-sized E3 booth years ago to see the first Guitar Hero prototype. There was no hype. These days, music games are a dominating force in the industry. The Guitar Hero series has been playing catch-up since Harmonix split to make Rock Band, however, and while Neversoft has admirably picked up the slack, each edition since the divide has been a little…off. Guitar Hero 5, however, is a return to form for the series.”

The Beatles: Rock Band - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii

“It could be argued that The Beatles: Rock Band transcends being ‘just a game’ and is more of an experience, but at heart, it is simply an exemplary casual game that capitalizes (possibly literally) on the love and admiration people share for the world's biggest music sensation. The Beatles iconography readily lends itself to a standalone title, and what it lacks in difficulty, it makes up for in charm and sheer authenticity.”

Need for Speed: Shift - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“There’s always something to strive toward in Need for Speed: Shift beyond finishing first, and the actual driving is rewarding thanks to the amazing cockpit camera (the best I’ve ever experienced in a racing game) and spectacular controls. If you’re a racing game fan, go ahead and pick up Need for Speed: Shift. It brings back a lot of the fun that has been missing from sim-oriented racers for a while.”

FIFA Soccer 10 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC

“FIFA 10’s rich subtleties reward everyone. If you’re looking to pick up a soccer game in time for next summer’s big tournament and kick a ball around, there’s something here for you. If you’ve tracked every evolutionary change year-by-year, there’s an embarrassment of riches... FIFA 10 renders the Beautiful Game more beautifully than ever before.”

Brutal Legend - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3

“It’s got some bumpy moments, but overall, Brutal Legend is an absolute blast. Between the excellent voice talent, the heavy metal-driven universe and mythology that Tim Schafer and Co. have crafted, and the totality of the game’s vision make this a truly unique and worth addition to the Double Fine canon. That said, there are some plot stumbles, and control issues, and the multiplayer could be much deeper. However, for those willing to embrace the game’s tone and style, you’re in for one hell of a ride.”

Borderlands - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Despite (some) issues, the game is incredibly fun and still offers a good amount of loot satisfaction for the treasure-monger in all of us. Above all else, the shooting is incredibly polished and would stand on its own in a game without randomized guns and RPG elements. Borderlands is meant to be played co-operatively and should not be enjoyed alone. Not everyone will rush to start their second playthrough, but it’s definitely worth playing at least once with a few buddies.”

Dragon Age: Origins - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Dragon Age: Origins is a triumph of RPG design for BioWare -- albeit one that takes some work to truly appreciate. What at first glance seems like a standard-issue fantasy universe with a typical save-the-villagers-from-the-horde plotline eventually morphs into an amazingly deep RPG experience that invites the player to explore and re-explore this rich and incredibly well-drawn alternative reality. You’ll come for the sword-fighting and spell-slinging but you’ll stay because of characters you care about and an amazing world that rewards patient exploration.”

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 5/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC

“Nobody does war like Infinity Ward. Its Call of Duty titles have evolved from excellent examples of the first-person shooter genre to a redefinition of what gamers expect from a war title. With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward takes the already solid foundation laid in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and polishes it to a jaw-dropping shine.”

Left 4 Dead 2 - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PC

“Left 4 Dead 2 is a worthy sequel and at no point comes across as a game that should have been released as a downloadable expansion to the original. You are getting a true sequel here. Valve may have produced Left 4 Dead 2 in a single year, but it's a game smartly engineered for fans of the original and meant to frustrate you in the most entertaining way possible while you bleed out on the floor screaming for help.”

Assassin’s Creed II - 4/5
Available on Xbox 360, PS3, PC version coming 2010

“It's not uncommon for a developer to take criticism to heart and incorporate changes in ensuing games, but the structural overhaul done in Assassin's Creed II exposes the indefensible flaws of the first game. Some older things didn't get fixed, and some new things were broken in the process, but the Montreal studio is definitely sending a message: ‘This is what we really wanted to do from the beginning.’ It shows.”

Xbox Live Arcade & PlayStation Network

Summertime is usually a period of gaming doldrums. Most of the big blockbusters are still under development, and if you’re lucky, an unlikely game emerges as the “must-play” experience. Fortunately, thanks to initiatives such as “Summer of Live” and a more flexible release schedule, we saw plenty of great pint-sized games this year that delivered the goods.

Battlefield 1943 - 4/5

“All in all, Battlefield 1943 is a steal. Great sound, great graphics, great fun, and great price. That about sums up what we’re all after, right? It inherits some minor ticks from its big brother, but it’s tough to beat the price.”

‘Splosion Man - 4/5

“‘Splosion Man is a quirky, challenging, stylish platformer with tons of replayability that every Xbox 360 owner should check out. There are few minor issues here and there, but overall, it’s an absolute blast.”

Fat Princess - 4/5

“It’s a fun romp that allows you to use more serious gameplay mechanics in a fanciful world and let’s face it: who doesn’t love force-feeding a woman giant slices of magical cake? The strong core game opens the door for future expansion with more maps and modes, so for $15, Fat Princess is a safe bet for gamers craving some off-beat action.”

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 - 4/5

“Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is unquestionably one of the high points of Capcom’s golden era of fighting games. It’s accessible, vibrant to look at even today, and online play alone makes it a must buy. Sure beats paying $80 on eBay for the PlayStation 2 version.”

Shadow Complex - 5/5

“When you add in how gorgeous the game is -- a fantastic display of Unreal Engine 3 grafted onto a 2D template -- to the rest of the game’s accomplishments, Shadow Complex might be the most deceptive game of the year. It plays so well, looks so good and offers so few obstacles to enjoyment that the elegant crafting of the game disappears behind the veneer of breezy simplicity. It’s a subtle deconstruction of the core elements of excellent game design and should not be missed.”

Come back tomorrow at 1pm PST/4pm EST for our final recap, which covers platform exclusives!

Sessler's Soapbox: 4 out of 5 vs. 5 out of 5

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

This week, we have much to be thankful for. One thing we should all be thankful for is the fact that Adam Sessler takes the time out of his busy schedule each week to let us know what's on his mind. This week, Adam is going to respond to some of your ciricisms about the recent scoring of Assassin's Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2. Many of you pointed out that these sequels have improvements over their predicessors, but got a lower score. Press play to find out why.

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Final Fantasy XIII Japanese Pre-Launch Trailer Is Like Thanksgiving For Your Eyes

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:59:00 -0800

There isn't that much to say about this new pre-launch trailer for the Japanese version of Final Fantasy XIII other than to prepare hearing nothing but “THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” from your eyes for the next hour or so. New stunning cinematics and a solid bit of new gameplay sit just behind that little play button. Click now you fool!

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BioShock 2 Multiplayer Trailer: Sinclair Solutions Recruits You!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:09:00 -0800

The fall of Rapture. Could there be a more compelling and stylistic multiplayer setting? I honestly don’t think so. And to prove my point, check out this latest BioShock 2 trailer and witness the glorious civil war that tore Andrew Ryan’s underwater utopia to plasmid-defiled shreds.

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Darksiders Hellbook 2 Video: War's Arsenal

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:24:00 -0800

Slicing and dicing your way through the Apocalypse in THQ’s action title Darksiders ain’t going to be easy (nor should it be; it is the Apocalypse after all), but luckily for you will have plenty of delicious weaponry at your disposal to deal with the twisted beasts ravaging the world. If you thought being one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse was sweet, wait until you see some of the job's gloriously violent perks.

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Nirvana And Night Ranger Tracks Coming To Rock Band

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:55:00 -0800

Should you find yourself having a quite timely and specific craving for some Nirvana and Night Ranger next week, then be sure to check out the Rock Band store, because two new track packs will be available for your downloading pleasure.

Here are the details:

Nirvana Pack 2

“Come as You Are (Live from MTV Unplugged)”
“Lithium (Live at Reading)”
“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Night Ranger Pack 1

“Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”
“(You Can Still) Rock in America”
“You’re Gonna Hear It From Me”

Price: $5.49/440 Microsoft Points per pack, or $1.99/160 MP/200 Wii Points per track

Really? No “Sister Christian”? Inconceivable.

Black Friday Deal: LEGO: Rock Band "Free" At Old Navy

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:02:00 -0800

While I feel that my list of some of this year’s best Black Friday deals includes many a great deal, I have just learned that there will in fact be another rather good bit of savings to be had over at Old Navy on the most civil shopping day of the year. The clothing retailer will be handing out free copies of LEGO: Rock Band when you spend $20 or more.

Of course, supplies will be extremely limited, so don’t be surprised if you end up with a copy of the game on a console you don’t own, if you get a copy at all. Still, LEGO: Rock Band isn’t a throw away title by any means, so if you can walk away with a new hoodie and a copy of the game, then hold your head high; for you will have hunted and claimed one mighty bargain, my friend.

Great Gifts For Gamers

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:43:00 -0800

Deciding what to buy can be a daunting, stressful endeavor. Especially in these challenging economic times. The gaming industry has expanded in recent years and, as a result, offers even more choices on where to spend your hard-earned and ever-more-precious money. If you haven't already, take a gander over at X-Play's Holiday Buyers Guide for our game recommendations, then look below at some more specific gift ideas for the gamer in your life (and yes, you can count yourself).

Gifts For Giving With General Purpose

A/V switchbox -- Depending on your TV (or your audio receiver), you might be running out of A/V inputs if you're running multiple consoles. If you've used up all your plugs, look into a switchbox and get multi-tasking. Make sure it's component at least...the HDMI boxes are going to be a bit more expensive.

Harmony remote -- Admittedly, the Harmony remote is kind of ridiculous. But in that "I can't remember how I ever got along with out it" way. One simple press of a button will activate all of your electronic components and Xbox 360 (the Wii doesn't support it, and the PS3 needs an adapter), set them to the correct inputs, and you don't have to leave the couch. Setting it up via your computer is not quite as simple, but the reward of reduced movement is worth it.

Cheap cables -- Do not, repeat, do not, pay full retail price for A/V cables. If you do, we will be sad, because that's less money you can spend on actual games. Instead, check out monoprice.com or Amazon for reasonably-priced equipment (HDMI and component cables, specifically).

Netflix subscription ($8.99 one disc/month + streaming or $10.99 one/disc month + streaming + Blu-ray access) -- The PS3 just joined the Xbox 360 as a Netflix-enabled movie stream machine. You'll need to request a disc from Netflix for the PS3, but when it arrives, there's a feast of television and movies waiting for you. Save money by taking the 1-disc option...you'll have plenty to stream while you wait for your next disc.

Gifts For The Xbox 360 Gamer

Xbox Live Gold Card (3 month/1 year)
Marketplace Point Card: 1600 ; 4000
Text Messaging Kit
Quick Charge Kit
Wireless Headset

Gifts For The PlayStation 3 Gamer

Bluetooth Headset
PlayStation Eye
Blu-ray Remote Control
Longer USB cables (for more convenient charging)
PSN Card $50.00

Gifts For The Wii Gamer

Wii Classic Controller Pro (Japanese import)
Extra Wii MotionPlus
Wii Points Card (2000)
Nyko Wii charge station

Gifts For The Musician

Rock Band and Guitar Hero inevitably come out of the closet around the holidays. What better way to awkwardly bond with the cousins you haven't seen in years? Inevitably, however, there's the one guy who keeps playing by himself...long after the rest of the family band has moved onto greener pastures. We've got recommendations for every step of the process. These suggestions will amp up the stage presence of your inebriated-driven performance, make everyone else sleep a little better when that one cousin starts a solo gig at 2:00 a.m. and even something to get him everyone away from the plastic instruments.

Gifts For The Historian

No, video games haven't been around as long as books, movies and music, but they have a long and noteworthy history to them. Unfortunately, the video game industry hasn't done a very good job at making it easy to access that nostalgia. Games are spread across countless platforms and just because it has a "3" or a "360" attached to it doesn't mean it'll play the games from the last piece of hardware. Until there's one box to rule them all, here are some ways you can access the tomes of video game history and remember what gaming used to be like (pixelated, lots of continues and broken controllers mostly).

PS3/PS2 Memory Card Adapter
Wii Memory Card
Wii Points Card (2000), for Virtual Console
Xbox Live Marketplace Points (4000), for Xbox Originals
PS3 60GB (backwards compatibility)
PSN Card ($50.00), for PSone classics

Gifts For The Traveler

Most of us will be traveling somewhere during the holidays. Personally, not only will I be flying from Los Angeles to Chicago, but from Chicago to Maryland (and a few days later, all of that in reverse!). I'm well equipped technologically to survive the many hours in the airport headed my way, but someone you love (or care enough to monitor their sanity) may not be. Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of what you should be picking up for that very person. The gift receiver may not understand why they're getting all these accessories at first, but when they're stuck on the tarmac...they'll understand.

PSN Card ($50.00), for PSP games and Videos
Memory Stick Pro Duo (4GB)
A Good Pair of Headphones
A Tin of Altoids -- Opinions on carrying cases vary greatly, but if you've only got a few UMDs or a handful of DS games, nothing beats a circular Altoids tin for durable game storage.

The Gaming Newbie

Nintendo is responsible for getting many of our loved ones involved in video games that otherwise would have never considered picking up a controller. These people have some serious catching up to do. What better way to give them a direct deposit of the best gaming has to offer from some cheap downloadable games? Whether you're on an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii or PC, each platform provides exactly that, so here are some recommendations on what to put in their download queue. The best part? There are literally hundreds of great games we didn't pick. You (and who you're buying for) can't go wrong.

If you're on Wii, Wii Points for Virtual Console and some must have games (Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid)
If you're on Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace points and some most have games (Braid, Castle Crashers, Shadow Complex)
If you're on PlayStation Network, PlayStation Network points and some must have games (Flower, PixelJunk Eden, Echochrome)
If you're on the PC, Steam gifts for must have cheap games for $9.99 or less (Audiosurf, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, Peggle Deluxe)

Namco: If There Is Tekken 6 DLC, It Will Most Likely Be Free

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:07:00 -0800

Tekken 6 fans have a little bit extra to be thankful for today thanks to a recent PlayStation Europe Q&A in which Namco Bandai revealed they are strongly considering releasing downloadable content for their wacky brawler somewhere down the line. Best of all though, the DLC will be absolutely free when/if it’s finally available.

Granted, this doesn’t ensure the DLC will be substantial or even worth the hard-drive space, but at least price won’t be an issue when its finally released.

Source: PlayStation Europe

Just Cause 2 Release Date Announced

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:02:00 -0800

Open-world action game Just Cause 2 will be available for purchase on March 23rd, 2010, in North America.

We've been holding our breath for a long time for Just Cause 2; originally, the game was announced for a Christmas 2008 release. Judging from what Square Enix says, it will be worth the added wait. Just Cause 2 features over 1000Km (400miles) of South East Asian island landscape in "one of the richest, most realistic game worlds ever seen." Terrain includes snow-capped mountains, beaches, dense jungle and arid deserts.

Now as long as there's a great game that takes place in all that open-world space, we're all set. I don't know about you, but I would rather play a game that takes place in a "linear world" but has an awesome story and exciting gameplay than play a game with minimal story but a huge map.

Of course, in a perfect game, a big, interesting map and exciting story co-exist in awesomeness-- Fallout 3 did it perfectly -- so let's hope Just Cause 2 can hit that sweet spot.

Check out this brand new gallery of pretty, pretty screenshots!

Square Enix Doing Cinematics For Deus Ex 3

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:16:00 -0800

Square Enix has announced that the first collaborative effort between the Final Fantasy publisher and the (fairly) recently purchased Eidos Interactive will in fact be Eidos Montreal’s next installment in the Deus Ex franchise.

As Square Enix general manager Stephane D’Astous told Edge Online, “Deus Ex 3 is going to be the first project which will be a concrete product of joint effort between Square Enix and Eidos. The cinematics—by which I mean any CGI pre-rendered cinematics — are going to be done in Tokyo by Square Enix, and that's going to be amazing."

D’Astous went on to say that the Square team is especially excited about the project since it will be their “first project…that’s a non-Final Fantasy title – they even want to work on Thief 4 too, so everyone is really excited.”

When I think of Deus Ex cinematics, the first thing that comes to mind if the opening of Deus Ex: Invisible War, because I can still remember being floored by it (When that goo melts down that guy's arm and goes on to consume all of futuristic Chicago? Come on!). So the thought of Square Enix creating “at least the trailer and the introduction cinematic” has me thoroughly intrigued.

I haven’t thought about Deus Ex: Invisible War in a long time, but I remember really digging it. Am I misremembering?

Source: Edge Online

Tony Hawk Hints At Future Games Using Ride Peripheral

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:17:00 -0800

In a recent interview with GameSpot UK, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk revealed that the unique skateboard peripheral that comes with Tony Hawk: Ride may be used in a future Tony Hawk game or even other kinds of games.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's all systems go with trying to make at least a sequel for this," Hawk said. "I feel like we've only just really tapped what's possible with this technology."

Of course, Hawk isn't the end-all decision-maker when it comes to what games Activision is going to make, but, for the record, Hawk would love to see the board peripheral used for a snowboarding or a surfing game. According to the vert-master, snowboarding "would lend itself [to the board] a little bit easier [than other genres], and beyond that I'd love to do a surfing game. I always thought that Kelly Slater's [Pro Surfer] was an underrated title for the PlayStation 2."

Wait, what about hoverboards?

The critical reaction to Tony Hawk: Ride has been not-stellar (and I'm being charitable here; X-Play gave the game one out of five stars it), so I gotta wonder if the game's sales will ultimately reflect this. Time will tell whether the famous Tony Hawk name and the series' reputation is enough to earn the sales needed to inspire future Tony Hawk games, with or without board peripherals. At some point, you have to stop wringing out the sponge of an over-the-hill series; either that, or you re-boot it into something awesome. What do you think is the future of Tony Hawk brand skateboarding games?

Source: GameSpot

Adon, Cody And Guy To Appear In Super Street Fighter IV

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:57:00 -0800

Final Fight and Street Fighter Alpha fans will be pleased to hear that Cody, Adon and Guy will all be appearing in Capcom’s expanded and improved Super Street Fighter IV. The news comes via some scans from Japanese gaming mag Famitsu (via Event Hubs), which also confirms that the characters are in full Street Fighter Alpha mode.

As some keen-eyed observers have noticed, one of the scans features Guy defending himself against a kunai, which I know I don’t have to remind you is the weapon of choice of Street Fighter III’s Ibuki. While Ibuki isn’t mentioned, it’s a pretty good bet that she will also be making an appearance in the new game.

Are you particularly excited about any of these characters showing up in SSFFIV?

Source: Event Hubs

Black Friday Gaming Deals Round-Up

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:34:00 -0800

If there’s one thing gamers love it’s getting quality games on the cheap, and that’s why we’ve gone ahead and compiled the following list for you (with some help from TheBlackFriday.com, and Black-Friday.net), and highlighted some of the deals being offered at several major retailers on the upcoming Black Friday at the end of the week. I've whittled the lists down to what I felt were the most noteworthy, so expect to see plenty more deals than the ones listed if you decide to brave the crowds. Before I get to the full list though, I want to turn the spotlight on some of the deals that caught my eye, because the lists can kind of blend into one another after a while, and really, I'm just here to help.

By far, the best deal from any of the following retailers is Walmart’s “doorbuster” offer of a 120GB PlayStation 3 bundled with Infamous, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and The Dark Knight on Blu-ray for $299. Of course, if you have either game or the movie already, you probably won’t think it’s such a good deal, but as far as straight-up bang for your buck, this bundle wins. A close second would have to be Best Buy’s 120GB PS3 bundled with Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time and LittleBigPlanet Game of the Year Edition for $299.

The 120GB Xbox 360 Elite bundle being offered by Best Buy is impressive too, because it comes with LEGO Batman: The Video Game, Pure, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2, WALL-E, Sonic the Hedgehog and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, all for $299.

Game wise, there are tons of great deals. Best Buy is offering Brutal Legend, Dragon Age: Origins, FIFA Soccer 10, Left 4 Dead 2, NBA Live 10, and Need for Speed: Shift for $34.99 each, Fallout 3 for $20 and BioShock on PC for $5. If for some reason you haven’t picked up Grand Theft Auto IV, head over to Walmart and grab it for $10. And while you’re there, definitely think about picking up Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for Wii, NBA 2K10, or Madden NFL 10 for just $25 each.

As you can see, there tons of great deals out there, and all you have to do is read on to find out where you'll be spending your money this Friday. Savings ho!!!

$20 Gift Card w/Any DSi Game System Purchase
Assassins Creed (PC Game) $4.99
Bash Party (Wii) $14.99
Bioshock (PC Game) $4.99
Brutal Legend (PS3) $34.99
Brutal Legend (Xbox 360) $34.99
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PS3, Xbox 360) $19.99
Civilization IV (PC Game) $4.99
Cooking Mama (DS Game) $9.99
Cooking Mama (Wii) $14.99
Dragon Age: Origins (PS3/Xbox 360) $34.99
Fallout 3 (PS3/Xbox 360) $19.99
Far Cry 2 (PC Game) $4.99
FIFA Soccer 10 (PS3/Xbox 360) $34.99
HAWX (PS3/Xbox 360) $19.99
Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360) $34.99
Madden 10 (PS3, Xbox 360) $34.99
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Wii) $14.99
My Sims Kingdom (Wii) $9.99
NBA Live 09 (Wii) $9.99
NBA Live 10 (PS3/Xbox 360) $34.99
Need For Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360) $34.99
NHL 10 (PS3, Xbox 360) $34.99
Nintendo DSi Brain Age Bundle (White) w/$20 Gift Card $169.99
Nintendo DSi Mario Bundle (Metallic Blue) w/$20 Gift Card $169.99
Pikmin Classic (Wii) $14.99
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii) $9.99
Resident Evil 5 (PS3, Xbox 360) $19.99
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PS3, Xbox 360) $19.99
Sony PlayStation 3 Package w/120GB Console, LittleBigPlanet and Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time $299.99
Spyro (DS Game) $9.99
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (PC Game) $4.99
The Bigs 2 (PS3, Xbox 360) $19.99
Wii Ski & Snowboard (Wii) $14.99
World Of Warcraft (PC Game) $4.99
Xbox 360 Elite 120GB Bundle w/ Four Pack Game Set (includes Pure, LEGO Batman: The Video Game, Sonic the Hedgehog, WALL-E, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2) $299.99

AC/DC Track Pack Free w/Rock Band Purchase
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
The Beatles: Rock Band (Xbox 360) $49.99
Borderlands (PS3, Xbox 360) $49.99
Buy 2 Get 1 Free On All Pre-Owned Games and Accessories
Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Xbox 360) $19.99
Crisis Core: Final Fantasty VII (PSP) $9.99
Dead Space (Wii) $19.99
Dirt 2 (Xbox 360) $49.99
Dynasty Warriors 6 (Xbox 360) $19.99
Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) $39.99
Gears of War (Used) (Xbox 360) $9.99
Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, Xbox 360) $19.99
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3) $29.99
Guild Wars Trilogy (PC) $24.99
Guitar Hero 5 (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Used) (PS3, Xbox 360) $7.49
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Used) (PS3, Xbox 360) $4.99
Guitar Hero World Tour (Used) (PS3, Xbox 360) $14.99
Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) $39.99
Left 4 Dead 2 (PC) $29.99
Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360) $39.99
LEGO Rock Band (Xbox 360) w/Free Lego Keychain $49.99
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (PSP) $19.99
MySims Agents (Wii) $19.99
Naruto Shippuden Ninja Destiny 2 (DS) $19.99
NCAA Football 2010 (Xbox 360) $49.99
Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii) $19.99
Need for Speed Shift (Xbox 360) $39.99
Nintendo DSi Limited Edition Brain Age Bundle (includes Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock) $169.99
Nintendo DSi Limited Edition Mario Bundle (includes Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator, Mario Clock) $169.99
Nintendo DS Lite Pre-owned System $59.99
Nintendo DS Original Pre-owned System $49.99
Prototype (PS3, Xbox 360) $29.99
PS3 120GB Holiday Bundle with LittleBigPlanet and God of War Collection $299.99
Rainbox Six: Vegas (PSP) $9.99
The Sims 3 (PC) $29.99
Spore Hero (Wii) $19.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smash-Up (Wii) $29.99
Tekken 6 (Xbox 360) $39.99
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Used) (DS) $19.99
Wii Sports Resort with Free second MotionPlus Controller $49.99
World of Warcraft Battlechest (PC) $19.99
World of Warcraft (PC) $4.99
Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle with three games (includes LEGO Batman and Pure, plus either Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition or Bakugan: Battle Brawlers) $299.99
Xbox Live 3 Month Gold Card $19.99

$25 Nintendo gaming coupon with any DS system purchase
Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines PSP Entertainment Pack w/ Assiassin's Creed II for PS3 $199.99
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) $39.99
Brutal Legend (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Dirt 2 (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Dragon Age: Origins (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) $39.99
Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) $39.99
Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360) $39.99
LEGO Batman: The Video Game (DS) $14.99
Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360) $39.99
Nintendo DSi bundle w/ five pre-installed games $169.99
Spore Hero (Wii) $29.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smash Up (Wii) $29.99
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 (PS3) $39.99
Xbox 360 Elite Bundle (includes LEGO Batman, Pure and Halo 3: ODST) $299.99

$10 Gift Card With Select Video Game Purchases
$20 Gift Card With Any DSi System Purchase
Animal Crossing (Wii) $27.00
Assassins Creed II (PS3, Xbox 360) with $10 Gift Card $59.99
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, Xbox 360) $37.00
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, Xbox 360) with $10 Gift Card $59.99
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Super Elite Xbox 360 System Bundle with $50 Gift Card $399.99
Call Of Duty: World At War (Wii) $27.00
DSi Game System With Free $20 Gift Card $169.99
Guitar Hero 5 (Wii) $37.00
Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) $37.00
Marvel Super Hero Squad (DS) $17.00
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360) $37.00
Need For Speed: Nitro (Wii) $27.00
Need For Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360) $37.00
Rock Band (PS3) $7.00
Star Wars: Clone Wars Republic Heroes (PS3, Xbox 360) $37.00
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up (Wii) $27.00
Wii Sports Resort with $10 Gift Card $49.99
Xbox 360 120GB Elite Bundle (includes LEGO Batman and Pure) with $50 Gift Card $299.99

Dead Space: Extraction (Wii) $24.99
Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) $34.99
Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) $34.99
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Nintendo DS) $17.99
Need For Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360) $34.99
PSP Accessories 50% Off
Spore Hero (Wii) $24.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up (Wii) $29.99
Xbox 360 Arcade System With Carrying Case And Three Games $229.95

NBA 2K10 (Xbox 360) $25.00
Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) $25.00
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Xbox 360) $7.00
Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) $10.00
Madden NFL 10 (PS2) $25.00
Midnight Club: Los Angeles (Xbox 360) $10.00
MX vs. ATV: Untamed (Nintendo DS) $10.00
Need For Speed: Undercover (PS3) $10.00
Nintendo DS Lite $98.00 *
Nintendo Wii Value Bundle With Console, Remote, Nunchuck, 2 Games And An Extra Set Of Nyko Controllers (Online Only) $249.00
Over 30 Games For $25
Over 40 Games For $10
Over 50 Video Games For $7
Playstation 3 Console with Infamous, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and The Dark Knight on Blu-ray $299.00
Rock Band Special Edition (PS3, Xbox 360) $50.00
The Godfather II (PS3) $10.00
The Sims 3 (PC/Mac) $25.00
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Nintendo Wii) $25.00
UFC 2009 Undisputed (Xbox 360) $25.00
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (PS3) $25.00

Electronic Arts Committed To Pandemic Brand, Announces Mercs Inc

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:17:00 -0800

In the middle of writing up a story about superannuation discovering an early video for the currently unannounced follow-up to Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, Electronic Arts decided to make the whole situation official. Mercs Inc, which EA says is very much a working title for the project, is currently in the early stages of development at Pandemic's "new home" within EALA.

Mercs Inc will be the first Pandemic-branded game from EA following Pandemic's official dissolution. It will be produced internally at EA but carry the Pandemic branding.

EA released no details on Mercs Inc, but the leaked video suggested the next game would adopt a focus on cooperative and competitive multiplayer amongst more than two players.

It's currently unknown how many of the original Mercenaries team are on this project.