Lazy Ass Gamer

Moved To New Location

2011-08-13T22:29:00.001-07:00

Our new site has been moved to:

See you there!

Minecraft Being Sued By Bethesda For Use Of Word "Scrolls"

2011-08-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

According to Notch, the creator of Minecraft, Bethesda is suing Mojang over the use of the word "Scrolls" in their expansion. The reasoning is that it's too similar to their use of the word in "The Elder Scrolls".

This isn't really unexpected. When Mojang's lawyers told them to register the name "Minecraft", they also told them to register "Scrolls" as well to avoid any trouble that might cause in the future. After applying for it, they were contacted by Bethesda's lawyers as to the intention of their use of the word "Scrolls" in their product. Notch told Bethesda's lawyers that their intention was to use it as a precursor to the name of expanions i.e Scrolls - The Banana Edition. To Notch's knowledge, he doesn't know if Bethesda had agreed to the terms.

Today, Mojang recieved a 15 page cease-and-desist letter from Bethesda's layers saying that if he does not stop using the word "Scrolls" in this work, that they are threatening to sue them should the need arise. Notch doesn't seem too concerned, noting that "I love Bethesda. I assume this nonsense is partly just their lawyers being lawyers, and a result of trademark law being the way it is."

Myself, I'm hoping that this is just something of a misunderstanding. "Scrolls" is such a general term. The patent system is a joke in its current state. The two games aren't similar in any ways, and don't share any of the same appeal to people. It's not like using the word "Scrolls" will somehow hurt Bethesda's business. I know product awareness and saturation is one thing, but this is just a ridiculous situation. Also, I don't think Bethesda wants to be know as the people who sued beloved "Minecraft".

Borderlands 2 OFFICIALLY Confirmed

2011-08-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Gearbox Software and 2K Games have OFFICIALLY announced the sequal to the Xbox 360 hit Borderlands. While the news broke early yesterday that the game is being worked on (which, I think we all kind of expected considering it's 3 million sales), Gearbox's boss was quick to point out that it was not official, and accused the people who leaked the news to the world of "shoddy journalism". So, not wanting to be the last to the party, Gearbox and 2K Games officially announced the game via their websites.

I'm excited as hell to play this. Having played well over 100 hours with my friends on this game, I'm anxious to see what improvements can and will be made. The promise of new characters, weapons, enemies, missions, and story line are more than welcome.

Below is the announcement from Gearbox website:

2K Games and Gearbox Software Announce Borderlands™ 2 in Development

Fans can get their first glimpse of the bold evolution of the Role-Playing Shooter at Gamescom and PAX Prime 2011 this month

New York, NY – August 3, 2011 – 2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today that the sequel to the extravasplosive breakout hit, Borderlands™, is currently in development at world-renowned developer Gearbox Software. Coming to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC during Take-Two's fiscal year 2013 beginning on April 1, 2012, Borderlands 2 is the epic sequel to the ultimate four-player Role-Playing Shooter loot fest. Combining invention and evolution, Borderlands 2 features all new characters, skills, environments, enemies, weapons and equipment, which come together in an ambitiously crafted story. Players will reveal secrets, and escalate mysteries of the Borderlands universe as they adventure across the unexplored new areas of Pandora.

2K Games and Gearbox Software are taking this show on the road, and fans and media will be able to get their first look at the game at Gamescom 2011 from August 17 – August 21, and at PAX Prime (Booth #3417) from August 26 – August 28. Eager gamers can learn more about Borderlands 2 right now by picking up the latest issue of Game Informer Magazine, which has the worldwide exclusive cover story on the title. Readers will find many game details inside the issue, including the first reveal of one of the several new character classes being introduced in Borderlands 2.

About Borderlands

Taking the gaming world by storm, Borderlands delivered its unique flavor of humorous and lovable characters and addictive non-stop collaborative loot-hunting gameplay on an unsuspecting populace. The critically acclaimed and best-selling Role-Playing-Shooter, as well as its four downloadable expansion packs, captured the imagination and attention of single-player and cooperative gamers around the world.

Borderlands 2 is not yet rated by the ESRB.

Microsoft Plans To Release Monthly Kinect Titles

2011-08-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

With Fruit Ninja: Kinect releasing in just a week, Microsoft has announced that they aim to release new Kinect exclusives on a monthly basis, according to an interview between Robin Burrowes and CVG. With a few great titles out already such as Kinect Sports and Child of Eden, plus some amazing games coming out such as (of course) Fruit Ninja: Kinect, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, the reboot of the Steel Battalion franchise titled "Heavy Armor", The Gun Stringer, Minecraft and even Mass Effect 3 there seems to be good reason for 10 million Kinect owners, such as myself, to be excited.

"Obviously we have Xbox Live Arcade exclusives running through the Summer of Arcade programme, but yes, you can expect far more exclusives coming to the platform in future," Robin Burrowes, Xbox Live product marketing manager for EMEA [Europe, Middle East and Africa], told CVG."

Though he couldn't divulge the name of the titles he is refering to, he did mention that we should "trust the legacy of titles in the past". He also mentioned that they are working on games that will be released on Xbox Live Arcade Game downloads, as well traditional, core games which include sequels to successful titles already on the platform.

Blizzard Implementing "Cash-For-Items" Scheme In Diablo III

2011-08-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

Developer	Blizzard Entertainment
Release Date	To Be Announced

Blizzard has recently announced a new type of Auction House for its newest iteration of the Diablo franchise. This new AH will feature weapons and armor available for purchase using cold, hard cash. They will run along side (though separately) from the traditional auction houses like World of Warcraft's that use in-game currency.

Like the World of Warcraft auction houses, Diablo's cash-only AH will require the user to pay a fee to put it up for sale, then they will be required to pay a transaction fee when the item is sold. The seller then may keep the money on his (or her) account to use for in-game or other Blizzard products, or cash out for yet another fee. The fees are at this moment still being negotiated, though I'm sure on such a grand scale and with such a dedicated fan base that it won't matter. At all.

This poses a scary situation. I can see many people, especially a few friends I know, making this a full time job. I'm already picturing my friends trying to make a living off of playing and selling items in-game. I suppose it remains to be seen on how much in-game items will cost. Blizzard has a tendancy of pumping out some really expensive, rare or even one-off items that may end up costing hundreds or thousands on the new marketplace. After all, Blizzard will profit off of every item sold.

I'm not liking what this game is implying for the future of games. Micro-purchasing seems to be the way of the future. Look at games like Farmville (or any Zynga, or even any facebook game), any iOS game, and many Xbox or PS3 games like Record of Agarest War where in-game purchases will give you an edge over the average Joe pinch-penny. The era fair, balanced gaming is over. Hail your new King, Disposable-Income Man.

Happy Heritage Day, Alberta

2011-08-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

August 1st, 2011 - Happy Heritage Day, Alberta!

Dead Space on Iphone, Ipad on sale until July 31st

2011-07-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

Developer	EA Redwood Shores
Publisher	Electronic Arts
Platforms	iOS
Genre	Survival horror, third-person shooter
Modes	Single-player

Until July 21st, Dead Space will be on sale on the iPhone and iPad for $2.99 and $4.99, respectively. You can find more information regarding the game and the storyline, as well as links to the Apple iTunes Store where you can purchase one or both copies for your iOS devices.

Immerse yourself in events that set the stage for the action-horror storyline of Dead Space 2. Featuring a hardcore game experience and a rich audio environment specifically designed for your iPhone & iPod touch, this is an original vision of the acclaimed franchise and a true landmark game on the App Store. THE FIRST DEAD SPACE STORYLINE EVER DEVISED FOR iOS Three years have passed since the destruction of the Marker in the first Dead Space story. Now, experience first-hand the events that unleash the Necromorph hordes once again. You’ll find yourself on a mission of uncertain purpose in the Mines of Titan. Soon, however, the truth of your situation will become grotesquely clear… A CHARGED SENSORY EXPERIENCE WITH VIVID SOUND AND VISCERAL GRAPHICS Featuring a fully voice-acted stereo soundtrack, plus a movie-quality score and sound effects, we recommend experiencing the game with headphones for full immersion. Hear every footstep in the empty passages and feel the tension build as you are pulled deeper into danger. With cutting-edge visuals, rich in effects and atmospheric lighting, Dead Space reproduces the cinematic horror of the console experience and sets a new benchmark for graphical fidelity on the iOS platform. SPECIALLY DESIGNED CONTROLS KEEP YOU FOCUSED ON THE ACTION Intuitive controls have been conceived to maximize the immersive experience of the game on iPhone & iPod touch. The on-screen HUD is seamlessly integrated into the game environment. Navigate 6 varied environments and battle Necromorphs with simple swipe and tap controls that offer accessibility without sacrificing depth. Nothing will break the spell of the story’s adrenaline-driven suspense. INTRODUCING 2 EXCLUSIVE WEAPONS & FEATURING CLASSIC MODULES Access the ALL-NEW Plasma Saw and Core Extractor, plus 3 more weapons from the Dead Space universe – and get on with the business of strategic dismemberment. In addition, utilize true physics-based Kinesis and Stasis Modules well-known to players of the original Dead Space console game. BUY AND DOWNLOAD UPGRADES IN THE IN-GAME STORE Built into the context of the Dead Space environment, the in-game Store enables you to instantly purchase and download upgrades to help you survive the Necromorph onslaught. Get additional Power Nodes to enhance weapons at the Bench or to unlock sealed doors. Increase your offensive and defensive capabilities with Weapon Output and Armor Integrity Modules. Or get the Credit Booster to scavenge more credits from dismembered Necromorphs. ALSO LOOK FOR A SPECIAL UNLOCK IN DEAD SPACE 2 FOR CONSOLE Don’t forget to register your Dead Space game for iPhone & iPod touch

Dead Space for iPhone: ~~$6.99~~ - $2.99 (-$4.00)

Dead Space for iPad: ~~$9.99~~ - $4.99 (-$5.00)

Duke Nukem: Forever on sale at selected Wal-Marts for $39.99

2011-07-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

Developer	3D Realms
Publisher	2K Games
Platforms	Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X
Release date	June 14, 2011
Genre	First-person shooter
Modes	Single-player, multiplayer

After a recent cruise to my local CANADIAN Wal-mart, I noticed that the oft-criticized, yet well-to-do-in-sales raunchy classic Duke Nukem was on sale for only $39.99. I was on the fence about buying the game after hearing so many different views of the game and without playing/renting it first. I ended up buying it anyways, since it was only $40. So, if you've been on the fence buying it as well, maybe this dip will be the incentive you needed to check it out.

The Duke Nukem: Forever seems to also be available for $39.99 in the AMERICAN Wal-Mart.

3DS Drops to $169.99

2011-07-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Nintendo recently announced the drastic price drop of their newest handheld, the Nintendo 3DS. The handheld consoles original MSRP was $249.99. The price is now sitting at a meager $169.99, (an $80 drop for you non math-wizards). Considering how great some of the games are on this, plus the glasses-free 3D, as well as the ability to watch Netflix on it, the Augmented Reality games, web browser and backwards compatibility, it's hard to pass a deal like this up. The price change is expected to take place on August 12th, 2011.

Also, according to Nintendo, In addition to the system receiving a price drop, consumers who bought the system at its original price will have access to 10 Nintendo Entertainment System (Original NES) games as well as 10 Game Boy Advance at no charge before they are available to the general public.

View the press release after the break.

Nintendo 3DS price drops to $169.99, as great value and new 3D games come together

2011-07-28

REDMOND, Wash., July 28, 2011 – Nintendo of America today announced plans to drop the suggested retail price of its portable Nintendo 3DS™ system to $169.99 in the United States, as new games based on some of the world's most beloved video game franchises head to the system. The new price, down from the suggested launch price of $249.99 and effective Aug. 12, makes an outstanding value even better and sets up a strong holiday season for the system.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games."

Nintendo 3DS has the strongest software lineup of any video game system this holiday season and the new price now opens up the glasses-free 3D experience to many more consumers. Building on the popularity of The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, which launched June 19, the upcoming game calendar is a Who's Who of iconic video game franchises. Star Fox 64™ 3D arrives on Sept. 9, followed by Super Mario™ 3D Land in November, Mario Kart™ 7 in December and Kid Icarus™: Uprising during the holiday season.

In addition to great games, Nintendo 3DS has a host of attractive features* that make it the must-have video game system this season:

The new Nintendo Video™ service automatically delivers short 3D videos from the worlds of music, comedy, animation and Hollywood.

A free application allows Netflix members with unlimited streaming plans to instantly watch TV episodes and movies streaming from Netflix.

The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color "Virtual Console" games in their original 2D glory, and more than 350 Nintendo DSiWare™ games. Visitors can also view video game trailers, screen shots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.

Since Nintendo 3DS launched in the United States on March 27, more than 830,000 people in the U.S. alone have purchased one to enjoy 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. These Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo's most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.

By the end of 2011, Nintendo will provide Ambassadors with 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games. These include games like Yoshi's Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™. These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.

More details about this program will be announced in the future.

Big Sales On Xbox Live

2011-07-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

Mass Effect 2

This weeks Xbox Live Deals of the Week Features Mass Effect 2's download content in the spotlight. All of the DLC from the newest iteration of Mass Effect is on sale now, for half off.

Mass Effect 2: Shadow Broker - 800MP - 400MP

- Invade the secret lair for 50% off

Mass Effect 2: The Arrival - ~~560MP~~ - 280MP

- Discover the truth at the galaxy's edge

Mass Effect 2: Stolen Memory - ~~560MP~~ - 280MP

- Get the master thief half-off

To add to the atmosphere of great sales, Microsoft Studios has put up several games and DLC's from their biggest hits for a great discount. Featured games are Halo 3, Halo: Reach, Halo: Wars, Gears of War 2, Forza 3, Fable 3, Kinect Sports, Alan Wake and Crackdown 2. Those are some pretty great games, and to be able to download the DLC for 50% off, there is no reason not to pick up any of these if you were holding off. Check after the break for more info.

- Halo 3 - Mythic Map Pack – 400MP
- Halo 3 - Mythic II Map Pack – 400MP

- Halo: Reach - Defiant Map Pack - 400MP
- Halo: Reach - Noble Map Pack – 400MP

- Halo Wars -  Strategic Options Pack - 400MP
- Halo Wars -  Historical Battle - 400MP

- Gears of War 2 - All Fronts Collection - 400MP
- Gears of War 2 - Flashback Multiplayer Map Pack - 400MP
- Gears of War 2 - Snowblind Multiplayer Map Pack - 200MP
- Gears of War 2 - Dark Corners Multiplayer Map Pack - 280MP

- Forza 3 - Community Choice - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Autoweek Car Show Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Nurburgring - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Jalopnik Car Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Road & Track Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Summer Velocity Car Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - World Class Car Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - VIP Car Pack - 400MP
- Forza 3 - Motorsports Legends Car Pack - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Benchmark High Speed Ring - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Sidewinder Proving Grounds - 200MP
- Forza 3 - Hot Holidays Car Pack - 200MP

- Fable 3 - Traitor's Keep Quest Pack - 280MP
- Fable 3 - Understone Quest Pack - 200MP

- Kinect Sports -  Calorie Challenge Pack - 160MP

- Alan Wake -  The Writer - 280MP
- Alan Wake -  The Signal - 280MP

- Crackdown 2 - Toy Box – 280MP
- Crackdown 2 - The Deluge – 280MP

Resident Evil 4 HD, Code Veronica Dates Revealed

2011-07-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica have finally had their release dates announced. Resident Evil 4 will be landing in the US on September 20th, 2011, while Resident Evil Code Veronica will be seeing a release date on September 27th, 2011.

Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica will be download-only on XBL and PSN, but it will will feature all of the bonus content from the previous console version, such as the "Separate Ways epilogue"

Review - Dead Space 2 and Dead Space: Ignition

2011-07-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

This is a new regular segmnent I will be featuriug on my site. As an avid gamer, I love to play as much as possible. I will be reviewing the games I've played here, so look out for my new posts. My first games that I will be reviewing is Dead Space 2, as well as Dead Space: Ignition.

Developer - Visceral Games
Publisher - Electronic Arts
Platform - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genres - Survival horror, third-person shooter
Modes - Single-player, multiplayer
MetaCritic - 90
User Ratings - 86
My Rating - 85
Achievements - 900/1000
Hours Played - 10

Dead Space 2 was an all-round great game. The story picks up where Dead Space 1, or more recently, Dead Space: Ignition, left off (more on that later). You continue as protagonist Isaac Clarke, awakened from stasis by Dead Space: Ignition "protagonist" (I use that term loosely) Franco Delille. The game takes place on Saturn's now-shattered moon Titan, on a humanized colony called "The Sprawl". This time around, the story pits you against multiple adversaries; EarthGov, Unitologists and, of course, the Necromorphs.

The fate of Franco

The updated graphics are a welcome addition to the new iteration of the Dead Space franchise. Its visually rich and effective at setting an unsettling environment. The music is dramatic, and queued to indiviual events, even some as small as things being knocked over in an area beyong your vision being seen only by casted shadows on poorly lit walls creating a crescendo of nervousness and anxiety. Of course, this game makes its best use in low lit rooms, with full 5.1+ surround sound, and on the largest HDTV you can find, with your chair or couch only two feet away.

Though the game is one of the best I've played so far, it has had its flaws. My biggest dissapointment was the lopsided multiplayer. It just seemed unbalanced in favor of the Necromorphs. It was, however, fun. I spent a few hours playing through it and have had just as many fun moments, as I have had frustrating moments. Another thing I couldn't get into was Isaac's new appearance and personality. I liked how in the first one, he was a faceless hero. It was easier to personify him. With his own personality, and his own struggles, it seems like they are just trying to dramatized and romanticize the whole story. The story itself seemed to make next to no progression into the Dead Space Canon. It also seems, other than the now face-ful Isaac, the game has a Halo-like storyline. An be-all, end-all object that threatens the galaxy, and it turns out there are more, and the faceless hero has to save the day, and all this occurs in space. The length of the game was also kind of odd, considering it takes two discs. I ended up getting 90% of the achievements in less than 10 hours.

As far as the controls game, I couldn't be happier. The sluggish movements pay homage to the greats of the survival horror genre like Dino Crisis, Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The lack of a HUD makes the game much more immersive and cinematic, thus drawing the gamer in and setting up the inevitable scare-tactic that will make you wonder why you play the game at all. Though there is a selection of weapons, I again found that by the time I found my next weapon, I never used it at all because my original weapon had all my nodes in it, and was superior in almost every way. This isn't a major concern, but it seems that for all the work put into diversifying weapons, there isn't any real reason to take any others other than achievements.

My copies of Dead Space

I ended up only getting 900 out of the available 1000 achievements. The last two are just too frustrating to try. One requires you to play the game on the hardest difficulty, which provides little to no ammo or health, makes each enemy seem like a boss, and you only get three saves for the entire length of the game. When you die, it sends you back to the last save point, not a checkpoint. Hours of work could be lost. Maybe some day I'll go back and try again, but not likely in the near future.

Overall, I think the game is easily one of the best for 2011, so far. I've never really felt so much anxiety playing a game. It is scary, but it's also fun and rewarding. I could easily recommended this game to anyone who loves FPS or Survival Horror games.

Developers - Visceral Games, Sumo Digital
Publisher - Electronic Arts
Platforms - Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network
Genres - Survival horror, puzzle, action
Modes - Single-player, multiplayer
Metacritic - 35
User rating - 47
My rating - 49
Achievements - 200/200
Hours played - 2

One of the major gripes I've had with this game was it's repetitiveness. It's three mini-games over and over again, with learning curves steeper than Mount Everest. While the games were fun initially, they quickly got annoying and difficult past the point of frustration. The only redeeming qualities of this game are the story, and the bonus suit for Dead Space 2. It tells the tale of Franco Delille, the man who sets you free from your cell at the beginning of Dead Space 2, as well as his motives and fate. Upon completion of the game

"After completing the game players will receive bonus items for Dead Space 2, including a hacker-themed suit with 15% armor and 15 inventory slots, as well as a bonus to the hacking portions of the game Players also receive a hacker-themed Contact Beam weapon, extra power nodes, health packs, ammo, and audio logs. These bonuses are found in "conduit rooms" unlocked with a Dead Space Ignition completed save file"

Hardware Crack

Hardware Crack is a fairly traditional puzzle solving mini-game in which you redirect various colored lasers in to their respective exit points. You are time limited in this one and thus required to think fast.

There are various components in the playing field each with different functions.

Trace Route

Trace Route involves controlling an electrical signal in a race against other signals to the finish line. You are required to dodge obstacles - walls and other moving objects that will slow you down to a near stop whilst also aiming for various power-ups that grant you the ability to reverse the AI opponents controls, drop walls behind you or simply give you a speed boost.

System Override

System Override is a simple Tower Defense minigame in which you are not only required to block enemy attackers but do so whilst advancing troops to an objective on the other side of the playing field. You have multiple unit types - one of which has the ability to slow down incoming enemy units

Over all, this game was nothing more than a stepping stone to Dead Space 2, and should be avoided unless you plan on playing Dead Space 2 immediately after.

Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011

2011-07-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

Xbox Live's annual Summer of Arcade has begun. This years theme is the plainly named "Summer Fun Pack". Last years Summer of Arcade themed "Beat the Heat" featured some great games such as Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light, Limbo, Monday Night Combat, and Hydro Thunder Hurricane. This year it seems like they are taking it up a notch, with a notable nod towards Kinect, by introducing 5 new titles as well as a FREE 6th title for those who purchase all 5 before August 23rd, 2011. The games have staggered releases, which fall on the next 4 following Wednesdays. For a The titles are:

Bastion - 1200MP
- Available Now
- Supergiant Games

From Dust - 1200MP
- July 27th, 2011
- Ubisoft Montipellier

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - 1200MP
- August 3rd, 2011
- Shadow Planet Productions

Fruit Ninja: Kinect 800MP
- August 10th, 2011
- Halfbrick

Toy Soldiers: Cold War - 1200MP
- August 17th, 2011
- Signal Studios

And as a bonus for those who purchase all five games:

Crimson Alliance - Free
- Must buy all games before August 23rd, 2011
Certain Affinity

The total cost will run you a cool 5600 MP, which is roughly $70.00. Considering that most games now cost that much on their own, it seems like this is a fair deal. Granted, a lot of the games are casual, pick up and play games, but you're more likely to spend more hours playing these, than most single $70 games. Unless it's Fallout. Or Oblivion. After the break is a short description, details, a summary of the game, and a picture for each game to give you an idea of what to expect.

Bastion - 1200MP

Developer - Supergiant Games
Publisher - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform - Windows, Xbox Live Arcade
Release date - Xbox 360 (XBLA) July 20, 2011
Genre - Role-Playing
Metacritic Score - 88
User Score - 82

The game takes place in the aftermath of the Calamity, a catastrophic event that suddenly fractured the world as people knew it into many pieces and led to an infestation of hostile creatures. Players take control of the Kid, a silent protagonist who awakens on one of the few remaining pieces of the old world and sets off for the titular Bastion, where everyone agreed to go in troubled times. He finds almost nothing left upon arrival, but is told by a wise old man that together, they could build something special. The Kid then embarks on a quest to reconstruct the world the way it used to be, while the old man narrates his adventure and provides details on what exactly has happened.

From Dust - 1200MP

Developer - Ubisoft Montpellier
Publisher - Ubisoft
Platform - Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 (XBLA), PlayStation 3 (PSN) OnLive
Release date - Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 (XBLA)- July 27, 2011
Genre - Puzzle

In From Dust, players assume a god-like first-person perspective from which they manipulate an archipelago environment in an effort to save, and enlighten, a nomadic tribe. With a spherical cursor, the user controls certain types of matter, namely soil, lava, water, and vegetation, in real time. Lava cools to form solid rock, vegetation propagates in soil, and moving water quickly erodes terrain. Physical changes to the world occur extremely rapidly, allowing players to restructure islands within minutes.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - 1200MP

Developer - Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International)
Publisher - Microsoft Studios
Platform - Xbox Live Arcade
Release date - August 3rd, 2011
Genre - Action

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is an upcoming action video game in development by Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International) for Xbox Live Arcade. The game has been in development since 2007 and was first demonstrated in March 2011 at Penny Arcade Expo East. The game is set on an alien planet and includes exploration elements similar to Metroid and Castlevania. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is planned for release in the summer of 2011. The game features music by Dimmu Borgir during cinematics.

Fruit Ninja - Kinect 800MP

Developer - Halfbrick
Platform - iOS, Android OS, Windows Phone 7, Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release date - August 10th, 2011
Genre - Arcade
Modes - Single-player, Multiplayer (iPad and Kinect for Xbox 360)

In Fruit Ninja the player slices fruit with a blade controlled via a touch pad. As the fruit is thrown onto the screen, the player swipes their finger across the screen to create a slicing motion, attempting to slice the fruit in half. Extra points are awarded for slicing multiple fruits with one swipe, and players can use additional fingers to make multiple slices simultaneously. Players must slice all fruit; if three pieces of fruit are missed the game ends, but upon reaching scores that are multiples of one hundred (i.e. 100, 200, 300, etc), the player will gain an extra life (unless they have not missed a piece of fruit already). Bombs are occasionally thrown onto the screen, and will also end the game should the player slice them.

Toy Soldiers: Cold War - 1200MP

Developer - Signal Studios
Publisher - Microsoft Studios
Platform - Xbox 360 (XBLA)
Release date - August 17, 2011
Genre - Action/Strategy
Mode - Single-player, Multiplayer

Announced on March 9, 2011, Toy Soldiers: Cold War is Signal Studios' follow-up sequel to the immensely popular game, Toy Soldiers. Toy Soldiers: Cold War takes a look into what might have happened had military aggression escalated in the 1980's between the USA and then USSR. Toy Soldiers: Cold War features a blend of first-person action and strategy, similar to the original Toy Soldiers, but with added features and gameplay.

Crimson Alliance - Free

Developer - Certain Affinity
Publisher - Microsoft Games Studios
Platform - Xbox Live Arcade
Release date - September 7 2011
Genre - Action role-playing game
Modes - Single-player, Multi-player
Genre - Action Adventure

Crimson Alliance is an upcoming co-op action role-playing game developed by Certain Affinity and published by Microsoft Games Studios. The game is scheduled for release on Xbox Live Arcade in September 2011 in conjunction as part of Microsoft's annual Summer of Arcade promotion.

Party with up to three friends and battle the sinister Cult of the Soul Siren in this fast-action RPG title from Certain Affinity and Microsoft Game Studios. Play one of three classes each with a host of special abilities from the Assassin’s time-bending attacks, to the Wizards elemental mastery, to the Mercenary’s sweeping whirlwind strikes. The World of Crimson features labyrinthine crypts, ruined cities, deadly traps and hidden treasures, populated by elite mini-bosses and the hordes they control. You’ll soon discover that the three main characters have their own motivations, revealed in a story-driven cooperative campaign of betrayal, foul magic and ancient secrets.

Turtle Beach announces Modern Warfare 3 Headsets.

2011-07-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Just shortly after Madcatz announced their theme Gears of War 3 theme headsets, Turtle Beach announced some of their own for Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 3. Like the Madcatz headsets, the Turtle Beach Modern Warfare headsets will be emblazoned with the Modern Warfare 3 Logo, and will be staggered in price, from high-end expensive headsets, to low end budget headsets. Having owned several Turtle Beach headsets, I can honestly say I'm only looking forward to the wired ones, just based on my past experience with the Turtle Beach Earforce X31. There was an annoying, loud click every few seconds because of the rampant Wireless N signals cruising through my apartments airways, just jamming up my valuable airwave real estate. Though, my wired Turtle Beach headset has never had a problem. I would wait for reviews to see if their new wireless headsets to see if the issue has been resolved. Also, who is going to spend $70 on a game, and $300 on the headset for it? If you are, buy me one too since you have so much disposable income.

Ear Force DELTA (EFD) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3-Optimized Programmable Wireless

Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset with Bluetooth Chat

MSRP - $299.95

Ear Force DELTA (EFD) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3-Optimized Programmable Wireless
Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset with Bluetooth Chat. The top-of-the-line EFD headset
comes packaged in a specially-themed carrying case and is pre-loaded with unique custom
Modern Warfare 3 presets and voice prompts. Ear Force Delta is the ultimate Xbox 360 and PS3
weapon for the most avid Modern Warfare 3 players. MSRP: $299.95.

Ear Force BRAVO (EFB) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Programmable Wireless

Universal Gaming Headset.

MSRP - $179.95

Ear Force BRAVO (EFB) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Programmable Wireless
Universal Gaming Headset. Featuring the same custom Modern Warfare 3 presets as the EFD,
the EFB provides players with the same optimized experience in a universal headset that’s the
perfect Call of Duty® companion on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. MSRP $179.95.

Ear Force CHARLIE (EFC) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Multi-Speaker Surround

Sound PC Gaming Headset

MSRP - $129.95

Ear Force CHARLIE (EFC) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Multi-Speaker Surround
Sound PC Gaming Headset. With eight amplified, acoustically-angled speakers delivering
discrete surround sound, this tournament-grade, Modern Warfare 3 optimized wired headset is
the perfect choice for competitive PC gamers. MSRP $129.95.

Ear Force FOXTROT (EFF) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Universal Gaming

Headset.

MSRP $99.95

Ear Force FOXTROT (EFF) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Optimized Universal Gaming
Headset. For Modern Warfare 3 players seeking effortless cross-platform performance, the EFF
provides gamers with high-fidelity amplified audio along with several key features to set it apart.
MSRP $99.95.

New themed headsets for Gears of War

2011-07-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

Madcatz has recently announced some themed headsets for the upcoming blockbuster game Gears of War 3. They are offering both high and low end headsets, for all price ranges. They will all have emblazoned Gears of War Logo's on them, and be "officially licensed" for Gears of War. My history with Mad Catz has been spotty. I've had some gems for headsets, but I've had some paper-weights for controllers. In fact, the controllers were so bad, I used them once then put it on my desk as an actual paper-weight. It's been a while since then, and it seems like they've improved the quality of their stock ten-fold. Check out the new headsets below the break.

Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360®

Price - $179.99

Join the fray and obliterate the competition with TRITTON’s Gears of War 3 Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset. Powerful Dolby Headphone technology thrusts you into the middle of a 3D warzone where the sounds from every whizzing bullet and booming explosion are heard with pinpoint accuracy. Optimized for transmissions over Xbox LIVE, the detachable, flexible microphone broadcasts crystal-clear voice commands to your squadron.

Official artwork taken directly from the game elevates the headset rank to collector’s item. Pulsating LEDs glow red to make the graphics spring to life. And with the distinct Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM) feature, you have the option of hearing your own voice through the headset. Featuring independent game and voice volume controls to customize your gaming experience and a pair of high-fidelity speakers to enhance in-game acoustics, you get the control and power required for domination over the Locust Horde.

Emblazed with official Gears of War 3 artwork
Performance-tuned for Xbox LIVE® Voice Communication
Immersive 3D Directional Audio using Dolby® Headphone Surround Sound
Transmit Crystal-Clear Voice Commands to Your Squadron
Independent Game and Voice Volume Controls
Pulsating LED Lighting Effects
Multi-function in-line control with breakaway design
Detachable, flexible microphone with mute
Digital optical input
Precision-balanced 40mm audio drivers
BONUS: Choose to Hear Your Own Voice Through the Headset with Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM)
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Dolby® 7.1 Surround Sound Headset
Dolby Digital EX / Dolby Pro Logic IIX / Dolby Headphone Decoder Box
In-Line Audio Control Module with Cable
Removable Microphone
Xbox LIVE® Communication Cable
Optical Cable
Digital Audio Adapter
USB Cable
Extra Earpad and Headrail Pad Set with Cap Removal Tool
User Guide
Quick Start Guide
Dolby® Digital EX / Pro Logic IIX / Dolby Headphone Decoder
2 Full-Range 40mm Drivers
Xbox LIVE® Communications Port
THD: -97db
SNR (Db/V): 106db
Frequency Response: 20Hz–22kHz
Sampling Frequency: 8kHz–192kHz
Magnet Type: Neodymium
Ear Coupling: Noise Isolating Circumaural

Gears of War 3 Performance Stereo Gaming Headset for Xbox 360®

Price - $99.99

TRITTON’s Gears of War 3 Performance Stereo Headset sets a new standard for gaming headsets. Connecting to the Xbox 360 console via USB and equipped with a host of innovative features, notable attributes include an advanced communication system with independent game and voice volume controls. With the distinct Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM) feature, you have the option of hearing your own voice through the headset. Precision-balanced speakers provide rich, full stereo audio, while the detachable, flexible microphone— optimized for transmissions over Xbox LIVE —delivers crystal-clear voice commands to your squadron.

Emblazed with official Gears of War 3 artwork
Noise isolating headset with adjustable headrail and plush padding
Choose to hear your own voice through the headset with Selective Voice Monitoring (SVM)
Independent game and voice volume controls
Multi-function in-line control with breakaway design
Detachable, flexible microphone with mute
Precision-balanced 40mm audio drivers
PACKAGE CONTENTS
Performance Stereo Gaming Headset
In-Line Audio Controller
Removable Microphone
Xbox LIVE® Communication Cable
RCA Cable Adapter
Analog A/V HDMI Adapter
User Guide
Xbox LIVE® Communications Port
2 Full-Range 40mm Drivers
Magnet Type: Neodymium
THD: -97db
SNR (Db/V): 106db
Frequency Response: 25Hz–22kHz
Resistance: 32Ω
Ear Coupling: Noise Isolating Circumaural

Gears of War 3 Throat Communicator for Xbox 360®

Price - $29.99

Transmit clear-clear voice commands to your squadron with the Gears of War 3 Throat Communicator for Xbox 360. Utilizing a military-inspired behind-the-neck design, skirmishes become immersive as you go head-to-head with hostiles on Xbox LIVE. Lightweight, comfortable, and complete with an adjustable neckband boasting foam-rubber inserts for a custom fit, the Throat Communicator provides hands-free messaging for warriors of all sizes.

Officially licensed for Gears of War 3
Military-inspired behind-the-neck design
Customizable neckband with foam-rubber inserts
Transparent sound tube blends in with surroundings
Provides lightweight, comfortable hands-free messaging
Crystal-clear communication and sound quality
Integrated volume/mute controls
Perfect for use with Xbox LIVE®

Zenonia 3 Free on Android Marketplace!

2011-07-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. I saw Zenonia 3 on the Android Marketplace today for Free, while the first two remain priced at $0.99. This game is ad supported. I would pick this up as soon as possible, before they decide to change it to a one time purchase like the first two. Click the link on your mobile phone, or use the QR code found below to download the game on to you Android phone.

Zenonia 3: The Midgard Story

Developer - Gamevil
Publisher - Gamevil
Platform - iOS, Android
Genre - Action RPG
MetaCritic Score - 70

Chael, the adopted son of the first Zenonia game's protagonist Regret, tries to find his way home after being transported against his will into another dimension, called Midgard, or the middle realm. On his quest, he is accompanied by a girl from the Divine Tribe called Celine, and a sarcastic fairy named Runa.

"Mega Man Legends 3 Cancelled" - Gregaman

2011-07-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

Megaman Legends 3, the Action RPG that so many of us had looked forward to for years, has been cancelled. According to "Gregaman" on the Capcom-Unity Forums, the game has been cancelled due to not meeting certain criteria (possibly not enough fan anticipation or projected sales). This serves as a huge loss to the action RPG genre. With all the advancements in the genre since the last iteration, I could have only imagined how this game would have turned out, even though it was only going to be on the 3DS. Lets hope in the future this game will get some next-gen console justice. Read Gregamans statement after the break.

"A Message from Capcom
Monday, July 18, 2011, 8:02 PM [General]

We'd like to thank you for your ongoing loyal support of Mega Man Legends 3. Today, however, we must regrettably announce the discontinuation of this project.

From the outset the MML3 Project was intended to give gamers across the world insight and input into the development process. Part of this process includes an assessment of whether the title will go into full production, and is based on a number of criteria with input from different sectors of the company.

Unfortunately it was not felt that the Mega Man Legends 3 Project met the required criteria, and it is with regret that we must announce that the Mega Man Legends 3 Project has been cancelled, meaning that Capcom will not be releasing the Prototype or the full game. Additionally, updates of the Mega Man Legends Developer Room will cease as of today, though the North American Developer Room and its forums will remain open indefinitely.

We can only express our deepest apologies to all of you who have lent us your unending support, including participation in the Mega Man Legends 3 Developer Room. On behalf of the entire Legends team, please accept our sincere apology for failing to meet the expectations of the fans.

We thank you all so much for your extended support of this title and this community, and we hope that you will continue to support the Mega Man franchise as well as other Capcom games.

If you have any questions, please see the FAQ below.

Q: Are there plans to restart the Mega Man Legends 3 Project in the future?

A: Currently there are none.

Q: I want to maintain contact with the people I met through the Devroom.

A: The Dev Room will remain open in a limited capacity, so you can PM those people now and in the future.

Q: Is there a chance the ideas recruited in the Devroom will be used in future games?

A: No, I am afraid not.

Q: Will it be okay to upload the ideas we contributed to the Devroom elsewhere?

A: Yes, you may reuse your ideas elsewhere, including those ideas that were selected as winners in Devroom events.

Q: Will the people whose ideas were supposed to go in the game receive something else instead?

A:Yes, those whose ideas were to be implemented in the game will receive a commemorative gift, which will be shipped at a later date.

Q.Can you please give me more information on why the MML3 project was cancelled so close to the launch of the Prototype?

A. The project was cancelled for the reasons outlined in the statement.

Q.Will the Prototype Version still be distributed via the Nintendo eShop?

A.No it will not.

Q.Is the cancellation of MML3 related to the departure of Inafune-san?

A. The cancellation of the MML3 project is in no way related to Inafune-san leaving the company.

Q. This is the second Mega Man game cancelled this year, what does this mean for the future of the Mega Man Franchise?

A. Mega Man is still an important franchise within Capcom’s portfolio and we will continue to pursue opportunities to create new titles in the series.

Q. The Dev Room was a place where fans were supposed to be deeply involved in the creation of this product, why were they not involved in the decision to cancel this product?

A. We thank all those who were involved in the Developer Room, but the decision to continue or cancel the MML3 ultimately had to be made by Capcom.

Q. What will happen to the ideas and input participants have given to the Dev Room?

A. Content will remain viewable on the Devroom, but will not be utilized for any future projects.

Q. Will there be any future projects that involve fan participation in this manner? Or was this a one time experiment?

A. We will certainly continue to welcome suggestions and comments from Capcom’s community on current and future titles although right now there are no projects with plans to replicate the same level of interaction.

L.A Noire on sale at Amazon For only $37 - QUICK!

2011-07-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

L.A Noire, the 1940's film-noire style detective thriller has been spotted on Amazon.com (and.ca, for those who are wondering) for only $37. That's an amazing deal. I'd jump on this as soon as possible. The amazon listing can be found here (L.A. Noire) for all three consoles. For Canadian residents, the game comes to around $47 after shipping and taxes, still a good $15 off of retail price.

Developer - Team Bondi - Rockstar Games
Publisher - Rockstar Games
Platform - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre - Open world, third-person shooter, action-adventure
Modes - Single-player
Metacritic Score - 89
User Score - 77

L.A Noire takes place in 1947 Los Angeles, a city of glamour, fame, and wealth, but also where crime, vice, and corruption are rife. The player assumes the role of LAPD Police Officer and later Detective Cole Phelps. The game starts with Phelps as a uniformed patrolman, and follows his career as he advances through the police department bureaus of Traffic, Homicide, Vice, and finally Arson. Each new desk gives the player a new partner who will help Phelps in his investigations.

The game blends investigative elements such as mystery and crime solving, with fast-paced action sequences, including on-foot and car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and gunfights. In addition to the storyline missions, the player can work on optional side-investigations following a call from dispatch, known as Street Crimes. The player can travel on foot, as well as in various cars that are unlocked as Phelps progresses through the police departments. The player also has a total of ten detective suits available; an initial six, plus another four downloadable ones. The suits are equipped with special abilities, such as increased damage protection and increased aim when firing a gun.

If the player is having trouble completing the action sequences, after three failed attempts, they will have the option to skip past and continue through the narrative.

Unlike Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series, the player cannot freely create chaos and kill civilians with weapons and cars, as the character is a police detective. Weapons are only allowed in appropriate circumstances and only when a player is working on a case where a weapon is warranted.

Xbox Live - Deals of the Week

2011-07-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

~~1600MP~~ - 1000MP (40% off)

Developer - Rockstar San Diego

Publisher - Rockstar Games

Platform - PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Genre - Open world, third-person shooter, action-adventure, Western, Survival horror

Modes - Single-player, multiplayer

MetaCritic Score - 87

User Score - 81

Seemingly overnight, an Undead plague ravages the once bountiful frontier, decimating the landscape and reawakening the dead. In towns, settlements, and outposts throughout the world, the uninfected citizens are left to fight for survival against waves of the undead. John Marston must ride out into the vast and terrifying world and survive long enough to find a cure for his wife and son. Along the way; through frontier towns, deserts, prairies, and mountain passes, Marston will help survivors, cleanse towns and put an end to the ever-growing undead hordes.

Dead Rising 2: Case West

~~800MP~~ - 400MP (50% off)

Developer - Capcom, Blue Castle
Publisher - Capcom
Platform - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre - Action adventure
Mode - Single-player, online co-op, multiplayer
MetaCritic Score - 74

User Score - 77

Case West features the return of Frank West, the hero of the previous Dead Rising, in a new story that occurs after the events of Dead Rising 2. Frank must team up with Chuck Greene, the protagonist of Dead Rising 2, in order to investigate the connection between Phenotrans, the pharmaceutical company responsible for manufacturing Zombrex, and the Fortune City outbreak, and clear Chuck's name of any involvement.

The episode includes a co-op feature allowing two players to complete the game as each character. Case West features new challenges, enemies, items, and the ability to create a number of new combo weapons. The photography element from the first Dead Rising also returns; both Frank and Chuck are able to take photographs in order to provide indisputable proof of Phenotrans' part in the zombie outbreaks.

Left 4 Dead 2 - The Passing

~~560MP~~ - 280MP

Developer - Valve Corporation
Publisher - Valve Corporation
Distributor - Electronic Arts (retail)
Platform - Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360
Genre - First-person shooter, survival horror
Mode - 4-player Cooperative multiplayer, 4-vs-4 multiplayer, Single-player
MetaCritic Score - 75

User Score - 80

The Passing is the first DLC campaign in Left 4 Dead 2, which includes a new campaign and "new co-operative challenge modes of play" and introduces a new firearm, the M60; the Golf Club, and a new Uncommon Infected called the Fallen Survivor. It was released April 22, 2010.
The Passing takes place between Dead Center and Dark Carnival and is set in the suburban town of Rayford, Georgia.

One of the most highly advertised features of this campaign is a meet-up between the Left 4 Dead 2 Survivors and three of the Survivors from Left 4 Dead. However, the original Survivors are not playable and have only very minor cameo roles at the beginning and end of the campaign.

The campaign is playable in all of the current game modes, as well as the newly featured ones. It is free for PC, and costs 560MSP on the Xbox 360. On Xbox 360, the download size is 284.04 MB.

The campaign is called "The Passing," which could be interpreted in several ways. It may simply be referring to a brief, chance meeting as each party of Survivors pursues its own survival strategy, in which sense it may a play on the old sayings "two ships passing in the night" and "two strangers on a bridge". It could also be idiomatic in the sense of denoting a "passing of the torch" from one set of Survivors to the other (i.e. the depleted and worn-down Left 4 Dead Survivors pass from the player's sight and control, leaving the Left 4 Dead 2 group to continue the struggle), a hypothesis which is reinforced by an Achievement unlocked upon completing the campaign. Finally, it may also refer to the "passing" of Bill who gave up his life to save the others. Bill's death and the appearance of the Fallen Survivors could also explain why the campaign's tagline is "Nobody survives forever."

By way of explanation, Valve released a DLC for Left 4 Dead called The Sacrifice in which the players work through a new campaign featuring a bridge-with-failed-generator scenario that demands one player give up their life to let the other three Survivors escape.

A digital comic book released by Valve at the start of the fourth quarter of 2010 shows what happened to the original Survivors before and after the events of Left 4 Dead.

Stubbs The Zombie: Rebel Without A Pulse

~~1200MP~~ - 800MP

Developer - Wideload
Publisher - Aspyr
Platform - Xbox, Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox 360
Genre - Action
Modes - Single-player, co-op multiplayer (Xbox version only)
MetaCritic Score - 75

User Score - 80

In 1933, Eddie Stubbs is a poor traveling salesman during the Great Depression trying to make a living. He temporarily finds happiness with a girl named Maggie Monday, but he meets his unfortunate end when Otis, Maggie's father comes home, chases him outside, and shoots him, leaving him to die in the wilderness.

years later in the fictional city of Punchbowl, Pennsylvania at its opening ceremony in 1959. It happens that the city, founded by Andrew Monday, Maggie's son, has been built directly on top of Stubbs' not-so-final resting place. Stubbs rises from his grave as a zombie and decides to get his revenge by eating the brains of the inhabitants of Punchbowl, quickly creating his own army of the undead, causing increasing amounts of havoc as the zombies clash with the various militant factions of the area. During the chaos, Stubbs kills Otis Monday by blowing up his house after a brief reunion. Shortly before this, in a spoof of the war film Patton, Stubbs stands in front of an American flag hanging from a barn wall and gives a speech to his zombies. Though the speech consists only of the word "Brains" said in many tones with limited gestures his zombies apparently understand him well enough to let loose a cheer of "BRAINS!" before shuffling away.

Stubbs eventually reunites with Maggie and the two lovingly embrace - with Stubbs promptly eating her brain. Before her brain was eaten, Maggie revealed Stubbs was in fact Andrew's father. Andrew tries to avenge his half-destroyed, zombie-infested city, and his mother, by killing Stubbs from behind a force field. Stubbs, however, destroys the force field and looms toward Andrew, but Maggie, now a zombie, convinces him to spare their son. The game ends with Stubbs and Maggie sailing off on a small rowboat, kissing as Andrew and all of Punchbowl are destroyed by a nuclear bomb to cleanse the undead infestation, and they both "live" happily ever after.

Twin Blades

~~400MP~~ - 200MP

TwinBlades is a frantic shooter game set in a medieval era with unique manga-like graphics. Help the nun defeat evil with some heavy zombie-killing action across multiple environments, venture through the city market, the cemetary, a chapel in ruins and the city's outskirts to purge the town of all its living-dead inhabitants!

Saints Row: The Third

2011-07-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

Developer: Volition, Inc.
Publisher: THQ
Engine: CTG Engine / Havok Physics
Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date: November 15, 2011
Genre: Third-person shooter, action adventure, sandbox
Mode: Single-player, co-operative play

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Having defeated the rival gangs of Stilwater at the end of Saints Row 2 and overthrown the influence of the Ultor Corporation, the Saints have found themselves with free rein in the city. They target a bank, attempting to airlift the vault out of it, but the alarm alerts the Stilwater PD and the Saints are incarcerated. In prison, they learn that the bank they tried to rob was owned by a huge international crime organization called the Syndicate, led by Phillipe Loren. After bribing the police, the Syndicate capture the Saints' leader, Johnny Gat, and Shaundi to try and negotiate a business plan with them, aboard Loren's private jet. While in-flight, Loren tells them they will be allowed to live if they turn over two-thirds of their territory in Stilwater. The leader of the Saints rejects this offer, and a gunfight breaks out, with the Saint's leader thrown from the jet.

With the Syndicate in full control of Stilwater, the Saints relocate themselves to the city of Steelport. Pierce is instructed to remain in Stilwater to make sure everything runs smoothly. Steelport is a city that was created as factories flourished with little city planning, and since has suffered from economic failure, contrasting the glamour of Stilwater. The Syndicate has already begun to take control of some parts of Steelport, focusing on vices like gambling and prostitution. To extend their reach, the Syndicate had divided their control of the city through three gangs. The Morning Star, lead by Loren directly, are typically European men with impeccable taste, selling guns and handling the prostitution rings. The Mexican wrestler Killbane controls the Luchadores who deal with selling drugs and gambling. The Deckers, led by hacktivist Matt Miller, are computer geniuses, and handle the money laundering. The Saints see the opportunity to take control of Steelport from these groups. As the gang wars intensify, a fourth group, the government trained Special Tactical Anti-Gang (STAG) units will attempt to halt any gang activity whether it be the Saints or the Syndicate.

-Professor Genki/Season Pass DLC-

The Professor Genki's Super Ethical Reality Climax "Hyper Ordinary Pre-Order Pack" includes in-game items like Prof Genki's Super Ballistic Man-a-pult truck, Prof. Genki's "Octopuss" cannon that fires baby octopi, and Prof. Genki's Leisure Stunt Suit with Genki mask. Admit it, you still want the giant, purple, rubber phallus.

According to the THQ website, the first 3,000 people who pre-order the game through it's online store will be eligible for a "season pass", which entitles you to three free downloadable mission packs. That's not a bad deal, so I'd be quick to jump on it. Full details below:

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From the creators of Professor Genki’s Super Ethical Reality Climax comes Professor Genki’s Hyper Ordinary Pre-Order Promotion!

Pre-order Saints Row: The Third and receive Professor Genki's Hyper Ordinary Pre-Order Pack absolutely free!

Professor Genki's Hyper Ordinary Pre-Order Pack includes:

* Professor Genki’s Super Ballistic Man-a-pult: Cruise Steelport in style with this vacuum-action human-cannonball truck. Suck up pedestrians and use them as live ammunition against the forces of evil, and everyone else.

* Professor Genki’s "Octopuss" Weapon: Fire baby octopi onto your enemies’ heads! Watch as the octopi massage their scalps and your enemies fight for you! Enemies can be friends too!

* Professor Genki's Leisure Stunt Suit: The ultimate in comfort and tight-fitting apparel, the Genki Leisure Stunt Suit is perfect for skydiving over Steelport or to wear while ejecting from high-flying fighter jets. Free Genki mask included!

But wait! That’s not all! In North America, for a limited time only, the first 3,000 players to purchase Saints Row: The Third from the THQ Online Store on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC or Steam will receive the Saints Row Season Pass absolutely free.

The Saints Row Season Pass includes three, count ‘em three, downloadable mission packs, valued at more than $20. It’s all the Saints Row you can handle!

Years after taking Stilwater for their own, the Third Street Saints have evolved from street gang to household brand name. The Saints are kings of Stilwater, but their celebrity status has not gone unnoticed.

The Syndicate, a legendary criminal fraternity with pawns in play all over the globe, has turned its eye on the Saints and demands tribute.

Refusing to kneel to the Syndicate, you take the fight to Steelport, a once-proud metropolis reduced to a struggling city of sin under Syndicate control. Take a tank skydiving, call in a satellite-targeted airstrike on a Mexican wrestling gang, and defend yourself against a highly-trained military force using only a sex toy in the most outlandish gameplay scenarios ever seen, igniting a city-wide war that will set Steelport on fire.

Saints Row®: The Third™ gives you control of the Saints at the height of their power, and you live the life to show for it. Now Steelport is ripe for the taking, and it’s up to you to make the city your own. Mold the skyline based on your choices, outfit your crew in classy gangster gear or furry costumes, and make life-or-death decisions that will change Steelport, and the Saints, forever. This is now your city. These are now your rules. Strap it on.

** Over The Top – Like a lapdance from a porn star, the action is naughty, fun, and better than anything you’re getting at home.

** City of Sin - Disrupt and dismantle the Syndicate stranglehold on weapons, cybercrime, and sex trades. Discover the secrets of Steelport, where there is action on every street corner, for better or, more likely, worse.

** Weapons of Crass Destruction – It’s one thing to defeat your enemies. It’s another to humiliate them. Hover jets, human cannonball cars and sex-toy warfare are all part of the fun.

** Co-op Madness – Give naked skydiving a try, landing in your partner’s flaming pickup as you make a suicide run toward a heavily armed Syndicate brothel. Steelport is more fun with a friend.

** Initiation Station – Create, share, and download the most outlandish characters every seen, from washed-up celebrities to naked ninja pirates. Inside every sinner, there is a Saint.

Halfbricks "Age of Zombies" Free on Amazon Appstore

2011-07-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

Halfbrick

Single Player
Shoot 'em Up

MetaCritic Score: 81

From the makers of "Fruit Ninja" and "Raskulls", comes "Age of Zombies", a Shoot 'Em Up instant classic for the iOS, PSP and now Android devices. For today only, you can pick this game up on your Android phones through the Amazon Appstore for free. That's not a bad deal for a game that normally would put you back $2.99. To quote the Halfbrick websites description:

Lock and load through the history of time as a tough-as-nails commando named Barry Steakfries, who is looking for nothing more than to shoot some zombies and make it back in time for a hearty dinner.
The evil Professor Brains has sent hordes of undead to the furthest reaches of time to destroy mankind, but Steakfries won’t be taking that lying down. He’ll take it with a gun and witty remarks.

Shoot up ninjas, mummies, cavemen and all manner of historical undead zombies!
Five time periods to eliminate the zombie invasion!
Massive bosses and a huge variety of weapons and explosives!
Bonus Survival mode to take your zombie-blasting skills to the next level!

So head on over to the Amazon Appstore on your Android Devices and pick up this game for free. Alternatively, you can load this page on your phone and click this link to bring you right to the page to download it.

2011-07-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

Xbox Live Arcades Deal Of The Week "Heat Up Your Summer"

July 5th - July 11th

This week kicks off the "Heat Up Your Summer" Xbox Live Deals Of The Week. The selection, as usual, is hit and miss. Compared to last weeks loosely themed deals, at least this one follows a trend. There is also a deal on Double Fine's "Stacking". All details below:

Torchlight - 800MP (33% off)

Runic Games

Single Player

MetaCritic Score: 81

User Score: 79

In the fantasy world that serves as the setting of Torchlight, Ember is a mysterious ore which has the power to imbue people and items with magical power. The mining boomtown called Torchlight is built above a rich vein of Ember, and adventurers are drawn there seeking the magical substance and the enchanted items it creates. However, as the player character explores the dungeons below Torchlight, they discover that Ember has a corrupting influence which led to the fall of past civilizations and endangers those who use it in the present.

The player character arrives in town and is recruited by Syl, a sage who is searching for her mentor, an alchemist named Master Alric who has disappeared in the nearby mine. At the bottom of the mine tunnels, the player finds a passage into older, crypt-like chambers below, eventually discovering that the entire dungeon is a "layer cake of ruined civilizations."Alric ambushes the player and reveals he has become evil due to the corrupting influence of Ember. After fighting a series of monsters and henchmen, the player reaches the bottom of the dungeon and must face Alric and an ancient creature named Ordrak who is the source of the Ember's corruption.

Medal of Honor - Hot Zone DLC - 400MP (50% off)

Danger Close

Online Multiplayer

MetaCritic Score: 74

User Score: 68

The gameplay is designed to be realistic, and to this end EA had hired several consultants from the United States military in order to give inspiration to the developers. Typical in-game objectives are similar to those issued in real life such as raiding terrorist hideouts, hostage rescues and undercover operations. The game is loosely based on parts of Operation Anaconda; specifically, the events surrounding the Battle of Roberts Ridge.

The single player campaign takes place in Afghanistan, in 2002. For half of the game, players assume the role of a DEVGRU operator codenamed "Rabbit", of AFO Neptune. For the remainder, the player alternates between the roles of a Delta Force sniper code-named "Deuce", of AFO Wolfpack, as well as Army Ranger Specialist Dante Adams of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and AH-64 Apache gunner Captain Brad "Hawk" Hawkins.

Dantes's Inferno - Dark Forest Pack DLC - 200MP (50% Off)

Visceral Games

Single Player

MetaCritic Score: 73

User Score: 78

Dante's Inferno tells an adapted story that focuses on delivering a blockbuster 3rd person action game experience while bringing Alighieri's depiction of Hell to the medium. Players assume the role of Dante, who descends into Hell after returning home to find his beloved Beatrice murdered, with Lucifer seducing her soul into the underworld. Dante sets out on a rescue mission to save Beatrice, but he soon realizes he is also in Hell to face his own demons and ultimately to redeem himself. Players take Dante through nine unique circles of Hell as mapped out and described by Alighieri: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Each circle showcases its own distinct look, with demons, monsters, damned and geography that are crafted straight from the poem's vivid descriptions. To take down the demons of Hell, Dante is outfitted with two primary weapons: the Scythe he takes from Death and the Holy Cross given to him by Beatrice, which has spiritual powers that will help Dante collect souls and spells from the creatures he defeats on his journey. The game also features a deep upgrade system so gamers can customize their abilities to their specific gameplay style, something they'll need as Dante comes face to face with Hell's fiercest beasts and bosses. If successful, Dante will be able to tame certain beasts, exacting their will and turning Hell’s punishments back on itself.

Rock Band - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik Album - 1200MP (33% Off)

Harmonix

Multiplayer

MetaCritic Score: 93

User Score: 80

The entire "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" Album for Rock Band is available for download for only 1200 Microsoft Points (Originally 1600 Microsoft Points)

TNT Racers - 400MP (50% Off)

Keen Games

Multiplayer

MetaCritic Score: 64

User Score: XX

18 action-packed courses, up to 4 simultaneous players (online or offline), and winning requires much more than just being the best driver. The decisive factor is being the best racer - you must collect the pickups and cleverly use the powerful weapons to catapult your opponents off the track!

*Family Pack Deal*

Stacking - 600MP (50% Off)

Double Fine

Single Player

MetaCritic Score: 84

User Score: 84

The story is set during the industrial age, where an evil industrialist named The Baron is forcing children to work. The Blackmore family, whose father mysteriously disappears, comes into debt, with the whole family forced into work to pay it off, with the exception of the smallest Blackmore, Charlie. Soon, Charlie learns that his family is being forced to work as slaves with no chance of escape. Using his ability to hop into and control other dolls and use their unique abilities, it is up to Charlie to rescue his family, stop The Baron and put an end to child labour once and for all.

Unlock Left 4 Dead 2's "Dead Air" Early

2011-07-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Left 4 Dead 2 - Dead Air

Developer: Valve Corporation

Publisher: Valve Corporation

Platforms: PC (Steam)

Release date: July 22, 2011 (if promotion is successful)

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According to Valves Left 4 Dead 2 Blog, they plan on releasing the new DLC for Steam "Dead Air" early, if 20,000 people achieve the Stream Crosser achievement. All the achievement requires of you is to complete the level "Cold Stream" on any difficulty.

Instead of having the whole development team sit down and play the game to hammer out all the bugs and glitches in "Cold Stream" they are asking players to help contribute to the debugging process. A few people have told me that they disagree with this method of essentially releasing an incomplete game and having players debugging it, which has led to lots of problems with other games in the past, I have to agree with this particular method in that the benefits highly outweigh the hindrances. For what little bothersome bugs one may find, you will be unlocking a new DLC, as well as being able to find Left 4 Dead 2 on sale on Steam for $4.99 (75% off) for today only.

Dead Air is a five-chapter Left 4 Dead campaign. On first release, it was the third campaign in the game but moved to fourth position in the wake of the subsequent issue of the Crash Course campaign.

The campaign opens, somewhat bemusedly, in a rooftop greenhouse when a low-flying C-130 sparks the idea that the local airport may still be operating evacuation flights. Thereafter, the campaign follows the challenges and travails of The Survivors as they make their way through Newburg to its Metro International Airport.

Along the way they must traverse rooftops, apartment buildings, becubicled offices, defy health and safety regulations by lowering a dumpster using a crane, shoot their way through a deconstructed construction site, surmount the manifold dangers posed by an electrical sub-station, find somewhere safe in short-term airport parking, deliver various keynote addresses at the airport's conference center, attempt to check in, discover what really happens to lost airline luggage, battle crowds in the departure lounge, check their economy boarding passes before proceeding to the departure gate, and (in true budget airline tradition) ensure the airplane is prepped to fly before finally boarding their flight through the rear exit.

Ms 'Splosion Man to cost 800 Microsoft Points

2011-07-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Ms 'Splosion Man
Developer: Twisted Pixel Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Platforms: Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade)
Release date: July 13th, 2011
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Ms. Splosion Man is a video game in development by Twisted Pixel Games, and is slated for release on Xbox 360 on July 13, 2011. It is the sequel to 2009's Splosion Man. The cost will be only 800 Microsoft Points.

The game is set immediately following 'Splosion Man. The character 'Splosion Man is finally captured by Big Science. As the scientists celebrate in their lab, one scientist accidentally spills a bottle of liquid onto some electrical wiring. This causes a surge of energy to flow to a nearby experimentation platform where a yellow bow is falling. As the bow touches the platform the surge of energy is released, and Ms. Splosion Man is created.

XBLA - Deals of the Week "Mutants And More!"

2011-06-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

Xbox Live Arcades "Mutants And More!"

June 28th - July 4th

I consider this weeks Xbox Arcade Deals Of The Week to be mediocre at best, but I am happy to see "Lara Croft And The Gaurdian Of Light" on sale. I had a blast with this game, I'm hoping that this sale will promote the game even more than its 150,000+ downloads already. Below is a list of all the games on this weeks Xbox Live Arcades Deals Of The Week, with the very loosely themed "Mutants And More!", along with a brief description and a MetaCritic Score.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Reshelled - 400MP(50% off)

Ubisoft

4-Player Co-op

MetaCritic Score: 60

User Score: 75

Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is a side scrolling beat 'em up. Players control the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Raphael. Each playable character has his own strengths and weaknesses. Up to four players can play simultaneously, and can play any combination of local and online multiplayer. Players are given a basic control setup, with jump, attack, and special attack buttons in addition to movement. Certain button combinations can execute special moves, such as a sprint, dash attack, or special attack. New to the remake is the ability to attack in eight directions, as opposed to the two directions of the original version.

Other enhancements were made to Re-Shelled over the original game. The graphics were recreated completely in 3D, with players now moving in and out of a true 3D camera. The opening and closing cinematics were redesigned with a stylized comic book feel. The vocal quips of the arcade version return, albeit re-recorded by the cast of the 2003 cartoon. The music has also been updated, with the original theme song from the being replaced. Re-Shelled also features Survival and Quickplay modes as well as leaderboards which track a player's high score.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light - 400MP (50% off)

Square Enix

2-Player Co-op

MetaCritic Score: 85

User Score: 86

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is a departure from the main series as being a third person adventure game. Instead it is a non-linear "arcade-inspired" action game played from a raised viewpoint similar to isometric games using a fixed camera.The game also features cooperative gameplay, and players can take control of either Lara or an ancient Mayan tribesman named Totec. Each playable character possess unique weapons and skills. Like with some previous installments, Lara retains her dual pistols with infinite ammunition and a grappling hook, which she is able to use to cross gaps and which Totec can tightrope walk across. Totec carries spears which can be used both as a weapon and on the environment, for Lara to climb on. Both characters carry unlimited "bombs" that can be dropped and detonated. Tombs can be explored and some have "booby-trap puzzles" to solve. The game does not have any loading screens once a level is started.

Guardian of Light may be played with a single player, and a second player may join at any time, whether online or locally. In the single-player campaign the only playable character is Lara; Totec cannot assist and Lara has all the tools required along with new abilities to make it through her own unique adventure. Puzzles and parts of the map are also different. Creative director Daniel Neuberger said that this was because he did not want the player to get frustrated by having to rely on AI. The campaign features eight to ten hours of gameplay.

X-Men Arcade - 400MP (50% off)

Konami

4-Player Co-op

MetaCritic Score: 70

User Score: 53

The object of X-Men Arcade is to progress as far as possible while surviving attacks from Magneto and his minions. The character is controlled with a standard joystick, an attack button, a jump button, and a mutant power button. In addition to right and left, the character can move up and down the screen as well which adds a three-dimensional feel to the game. Every character is able to fight with punches, kicks, or other close combat attacks. Each character also has a unique mutant power which can be used to defeat all or nearly all enemies on the screen. The use of a mutant power is very effective, but also costly since it causes a character to lose three health points. Normally, a character who drops below four health can no longer use any mutant powers, but it is also possible for characters to obtain bonus mutant powers which can be stored like items (similar to Golden Axe 's magic powers). In the Japanese version, the power items are used up before the health, and there are also power-ups and health packs throughout the level.

Comic Jumper: The Adventures Of Captain Smiley - 400MP (50% off)

Microsoft Studios

Single Player

MetaCritic: 74

User Score: 69

Comic Jumper: The Adventures Of Captain Smiley is a 2.5D action game in which the player must defeat enemies to progress. The main gameplay revolves around using Captain Smiley's dual pistols and platforming across levels broken up by various segments which include melee combat, on-rails shooting and quick time events. In keeping with the game's abstract humor, Captain Smiley can call on the game's developers to perform a special attack, in which live action footage of Twisted Pixel employees is shown over the gameplay, with the developers destroying nearby enemies.

By performing well in each issue players can earn extra cash on top of their base fee. Additional bonuses can be earned by fulfilling reader expectations, which involves things such as completing a certain section without getting hit. Cash can also be earned by completing special challenge levels or exploring the main base and conversing with characters. Money earned from the levels can be spent on upgrades to Captain Smiley's abilities or to unlock various content, including concept art, interviews, gamerpics and two additional levels for 'Splosion Man. Purchased items and abilities also increase the amount of money Captain Smiley earns from missions.

Hard Corps: Uprising - 600 MP (50% off)

Konami

2-Player Co-op

MetaCritic Score: 75

User Score: 65

Hard Corps: Uprising features two main game modes, Rising and Arcade. In Rising Mode, players can collect points throughout levels which are then used to purchase various upgrades and customizations for weapons, armor and character abilities. Rising Mode also features a health bar, similar to the Japanese version of Contra: Hard Corps, allowing the player to take more than one hit before losing a life. Arcade Mode is a harder game mode in which the power-up shops are removed.

Many new moves have been added. The character can dash, dash in mid-air, double-jump and deflect enemy projectiles by bouncing them back. Additional moves can also be purchased in Rising Mode.

Weapons include the standard rifle, the machine gun, the spread shot, the crush gun (shoots arcing grenades), the heat gun (shoots large blasts of fire) and the chain laser (homes in on enemy targets). As in Contra III: The Alien Wars, the player can carry two weapons and switch between them at any time. By collecting the same weapon several times the player will improve its firing rate and power. Other weapon upgrades are available in Rising Mode as well.