Short And Sweet Reviews

S&S News: Call of Duty: Ghosts Reveal Trailer

2013-05-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

The first in game footage for Call of Duty: Ghosts has been released, and it showcases the brand new engine the game will utilize. You can check it out below.

S&S News: Forza Motorsport 5 Debut Trailer Released

2013-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

The first gameplay footage from the upcoming Forza Motorsport 5, and it shows off just a glimpse of the power featured in the Xbox One.

S&S News: EA is Working on Games For the Wii U

2013-05-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

EA has recently went back on their comments about the Wii U, saying that they do have a number of games in development for the Wii U.....

Speaking at the Stifel Nicolaus 2013 Internet, Media and Communications Conference today, EA chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen noted that the publisher does have content in the works for the Wii U, just not as many titles as PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

Jorgensen also said the following about Wii U during the event:

“You know, I think Nintendo’s business was more [an] extension of their last console. I think what the consumer will find is a lot more powerful gameplay with the new boxes that are coming out, and a lot of excitement, but it’ll remain to be seen as to the services associated with those as to how consumers decide which direction they might want to go.”

S&S News: Sony Releases a Blurry Teaser for the PS4

2013-05-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

In an attempt to offset the hype for Microsoft's upcoming next Xbox event, Sony has released a teaser showcasing the final design for the PS4. The only catch is that it's pretty blurry, check it out below, and you'll be able to get a clear view of it at this year's E3.

S&S News: Batman: Arkham Origins Full Reveal Trailer

2013-05-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Warner has finally released the full reveal trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins, and it's looking very interesting so far. I would have liked to see some actual in game footage, but it's still cool to see some of the villains that will be in the game...

S&S News: Splinter Cell Blacklist -- Coop Trailer

2013-05-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Ubisoft has given us some more footage from the upcoming espionage shooter, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and it focuses on cooperative play, check it out inside.

S&S News: Kevin Conroy Confirmed for Batman: Arkham Origins

2013-05-20T08:30:00.000-04:00

In case you guys were still wondering about if Kevin Conroy would be returning for Batman: Arkham Origins, you don't have to worry anymore, Conroy has just announced that he will indeed be returning for a third go-round....

Conroy announced the news during a Dallas Comic con, saying the following:

"I can talk about it now," he said during a panel. "We've been working for about nine or ten months on the next Arkham game. We all signed contracts so we weren't allowed to talk about it. The studio likes to completely control the rollout of any product, so they don't like us to talk about anything, but it's now been announced.

"It's an unbelievable game, I still can't say anything about it, and you don't want me to anyway because it will ruin it for you, but it's amazing. It's a huge, huge cast, and a big story. It took almost a year of writing to put it together. They've been working on it a long time."
The game will be launching on October 25th, for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC.

S&S News: New May PS3 Deals for This Week

2013-05-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of new deals going on for the PS3 this week, which you can check out inside. Some of the notable games include Injustice: Gods Among Us, Defiance, Crysis 3, and Dead Space 3. The full list is inside.
Walmart -
2 Games for $30
Battlefield 4 Pre-Order w/ Premium Expansion Pack & free Battlefield 3 – $59.96

Amazon
The Last of Us (Pre-Order) + $10 Video Credit + Sights and Sounds Pack – $59.99
GRID 2 (Pre-Order) + $15 Amazon Credit – $59.99
The Witch and the Hundred Knights (Pre-Order) – $39.99
Fast & Furious: Showdown (Pre-Order) – $35.02
Madden NFL 25 Anniversary (Pre-Order) – $99.99
Dead Island Riptide Special Edition – $39.99
BioShock Infinite – $39.99 [Today Only]
Assassin’s Creed III – $29.99
WWE 13 – $29.99
Just Dance 4 – $19.99
Injustice: Gods Among Us Collector’s Edition – $79.96
Injustice: Gods Among Us – $49.99
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – $32.98
Defiance – $50.49
Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel – $33.60
God of War: Ascension – $39.96
Tomb Raider – $38.35
Aliens: Colonial Marines – $29.99
DMC: Devil May Cry – $39.50
Crysis 3 – $39.29
Dead Space 3 – $39.48
2K Sports Combo Pack – MLB2K13/NBA2K13 – $69.99
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale – $33.49
Call of Duty: Black Ops II – $39.98
Battlefield 3 Premium Edition – $37.97
LittleBigPlanet Karting – $30.25
FIFA Soccer 13 – $39.98
PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller (All Colors) – $43.99
Pulse Elite Edition Wireless Stereo Headset – $127.00
PS3 250GB Amazon Exclusive Family Entertainment Bundle – $249.99

PlayStation Move Accessory Sale:
PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter – $19.99
PlayStation Move Navigation Controller – $19.99
PlayStation Move Motion Controller – $31.99

GameStop -
Star Trek – $39.99
Dead Island Riptide – $39.99
Army of Two The Devil’s Cartel – $39.99
Metal Gear Rising Revengeance – $49.99
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – $39.99
Assassin’s Creed III – $39.99
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $39.99
Battlefield 3 Premium Edition – $39.99

Toys R Us -
Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel – $39.99

Gamefly – All games used.
Prototype 2 – $14.99
Max Payne 3 – $14.99
Resident Evil 6 – $14.99

Target -

5/19 – 5/25
Skylanders Giants Starter Pack – $59.99
Tomb Raider – $39.99
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 – $39.99
Assassin’s Creed 3 – $29.99
Far Cry 3 – $29.99
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – $29.99

Frys -
NBA 2K13 – $29.99 + $3 S&H
Call of Duty: Black Ops II – $29.99 + $3 S&H
MLB 13 The Show – $29.99 + $3 S&H
God of War: Ascension – $39.99 free in-store pickup
Skylanders Giants Starter Pack – $39.99 free in-store pickup
NBA 2K13 Dynasty Edition – $49.99 free in-store pickup
Aliens: Colonial Marines Collector’s Edition – $49.99 free in-store pickup
Borderlands 2 Deluxe Vault Hunter Collector’s Edition – $49.99 free in-store pickup

Cowboom -
160 GB PS3 – $149.99

Sears -
Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure Starter Pack – $29.99 free in-store pickup

Groupon -
320 GB PS3 System [Refurbished] – $199.99

Newegg -
Disney Infinity Starter Pack Pre-Order – $64.99 with code ‘EMCXRWP235’

Game Deal Daily -
XCOM: Enemy Unknown – $13.95

Source: 6aming

S&S News: New PS Vita Deals This Week

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

There are some new PS Vita deals going on as well, which you can get all of the details on the deals below.

Amazon -

Batman Arkham Origins (Pre-Order) + $10 Amazon Credit – $39.99
Soul Sacrifice – $34.99
MLB 13 The Show – $33.95
Persona 4 Golden – $33.40
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation – $29.99
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $29.99
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale – $35.96
LEGO Lord of the Rings – $14.99
Persona 4 Golden – $33.40
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $29.99
Gravity Rush – $33.49
Lumines: Electronic Symphony – $12.99
Uncharted: Golden Abyss – $34.95
PlayStation Vita Travel Pouch – $13.37
PlayStation Vita Starter Kit with 4GB Memory Card – $27.98
PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Bundle – $249.99

Fry’s -
PlayStation Vita (Wi-Fi System) – $199.99
MLB 13 The Show – $29.99 + $2 S&H

Best Buy -
16GB Memory Card for PlayStation Vita – $29.99 (Store Pickup)

GameStop -
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation – $29.99
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $29.99

Target -

PlayStation Vita 7-in-1 Starter Kit – $9.99
PlayStation Vita LEGO Batman 2 Bundle – $224.99
PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle – $299.99

Newegg -
Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation – $33.99
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – $34.99
Madden NFL 2013 – $34.99
Little Big Planet – $36.99
Street Fighter X Tekken – $34.99

Tiger Direct -
Hot Shots Golf World Invitational – $9.99 + $1.99 S&H

Cowboom -
PS Vita PCH-1001 Wi-Fi System – $139.99 [Used]
PS Vita PCH-1101 3G/Wi-Fi System – $139.99 [Used]

S&S Review: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

2013-05-18T11:24:00.000-04:00

Title: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Format: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Release Date: May 1st, 2013
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Price: $14.99
ESRB Rating: Mature

"Get The girl, Kill The BAd guys, Save the world"

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a stand alone expansion for Far Cry 3, meaning you do not have to own Far Cry 3 to play this. This is a complete and total spin off from the game. Taking you back to the 80's in every way possible, so welcome to an 80’s VHS vision of the future.

Story & Presentation:
The story in Blood Dragon does not correlate with Far Cry 3's story. You play as Sergeant Rex Colt, you are part man, part machine, all American. You are a state-of-the art Mark IV cyber-commando on a mission, of vengeance. There isn't too much story, which isn't problematic. Other than kill just about everything you see, your mission is to take down your old commanding officer. You will be sent around this mysterious acid tripped island to complete tasks or to liberate Garrisons. Rex has a bad ass American voice that cracks terrible jokes often. I have never laughed so much during a game.

Loading screens are swapped with "tracking" screens as seen from old VHS cameras. It's the little things that add up in Blood Dragon that complete this masterpiece. Every color is maxed out with inverted neon palettes. Shot gun blasts seem like firework explosions. The weapon choice is simple but each weapon is fun to use and always leaves enjoyment when getting a head shot. Filled with everything 80's, nostalgia meters will go through the roof with this one.

I completed the main campaign missions in under three hours, and completed everything else in under five. I had no problem with the length, it's actually a huge reason I love it. I liked the short length because once I finished the main missions, I wanted more. I didn't feel burnt out. That allowed me to do all the side missions, liberate all Garrisons, and kill everything else.

"Blah blah blah, kill blah blah"

Game play:
While there isn't much of a story, the game play takes cares of that in all ways. You are thrown right into action instantly when starting the game. From start to finish the action never stops. With the same mechanics, all Far Cry fans will feel at home with controls. Your super humans powers come in handy and to your advantage throughout the game. As you naturally play, you level up. With each level up you earn upgrades and perks. Which means less trips buy ammo or weapon upgrades. Playing with the difficulty on hard was a fun challenge. The harder the difficulty, the smarter the AI is. You will come across actual "Blood Dragons", these things are nasty. Giant fire breathing dinosaur like dragons murdering anything it senses. Using them to your advantage is thrilling and hilarious.

Final Thoughts:
You will laugh, you will cry, and you will kill, for America. I love everything about this game. When moments get tense, 80's techno music comes on to match the race of your heart. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon takes you to another place. It's a disappointment that when you take a break from playing and look outside to see you aren't actually living in the world you have been playing in. Everyone should experience this spin off.

S&S Rating: 10/10

@BlanketsWilson

S&S News: Trion Worlds Hit With Layoffs

2013-05-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

Trion Worlds, the studio behind Defiance, has been hit with layoffs.

The exact number is still unclear but Trion has officially stated that there have been layoffs within the studio. Trion's San Diego studio was hit the worst, with people stating that workers were being escorted out of the building. Whether this statement is true though is not yet known.

An official statement was released just after the layoff announcement,

"To best position Trion in a rapidly changing industry, we have reorganized our teams and are expanding our free to play offering. With Defiance, we delivered a great game that more than one million gamers registered to play and continue to enjoy. As we progress from launch to ongoing development of the game, we are adjusting our staffing levels to deliver new content and improved features. RIFT, and our other titles in development, were unaffected by these changes. We are very much looking forward to the free to play release of RIFT and are excited by the other new titles currently in development."

At the moment we know very little so stay tuned for more updates. We would also like to wish the best of luck to all those affected by the layoffs.

S&S News: Batman Arkham Origins Teaser Trailer Released

2013-05-17T11:03:00.000-04:00

Warner Bros. has given us just a little sneak peak of Batman: Arkham Orgins, it's only a 40 second clip, but still give it a peek if you're interested.

S&S News: Game and Wario Release Date Set

2013-05-17T10:56:00.001-04:00

Nintendo has locked in a release date for Game and Wario on Wii U, and it's a lot sooner than you think...

The game will launch on June 23 in the US and on June 28 across Europe. That's definitely a lot closer than I thought it was coming, but I know Wii U owners will be excited to play something new on their systems.

S&S News: Assassin's Creed 4 Under the Black Flag Trailer

2013-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

It was just only a day after Ubisoft released the True Golden Age of Pirates trailer for AC4: Black Flag, and they have given us yet another trailer to watch. This one is titled Under the Black Flag, and it shows off even more of the pirate life than before.

S&S News: Madden 25 Defensive Control Gameplay Trailer Released

2013-05-16T08:30:00.000-04:00

EA has released another Dev Diary for Madden 25, and this time the focus is on defense, check it out inside.

S&S News: Borderlands 2 - Krieg The Psycho Pack DLC Launch Trailer

2013-05-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Krieg The Psycho Pack for Borderlands 2 has arrived, and you can begin playing through the game again as Krieg. The trailer for the him is below.

S&S News: No More Online Passes Coming From EA

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

A bit of good news coming out of EA today, the company has confirmed that they will no longer be including online passes in any of their future games...

“Yes, we’re discontinuing Online Pass. None of our new EA titles will include that feature,” senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg told VentureBeat.

“Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format. We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.

“We’re still committed to creating content and services that enhance the game experience well beyond the day you first start playing.”

This is great news in my mind, used games will always be around as long as they're are stores like Gamestop around. Publishers might have to find another strategy to try and battle the used games market, a battle they have been losing for quite some time now.

S&S News: Gran Turismo 6 Announced

2013-05-15T14:22:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks, we've heard rumors that GT6 was coming to PS3. Today, Kazunori Yamauchi head GT Director, announced the truth behind the rumors.

Just recently on Twitter, PlayStation tweeted this, “Gran Turismo 6 is real, and it's coming this holiday to PS3.” The announcement was also made by Kazunori at the game's 15 year anniversary Silverstone event.

On the Official PlayStation Blog, some details were given out about the game. “GT6 for PlayStation 3 will see many enhancements, improvements and additions to the game. bringing new levels of authenticity to ‘the Real Driving Simulator’. Features revealed today include stunning new tracks and cars and an overhauled user interface. There’s also a new engine, which will improve game operation. Meanwhile, we are set for expanded connectivity with other devices, and increased social and community functions.”

So what does this mean for you? Are you going to buy Gran Turismo 6? Let us know in the comments below.

S&S Review: Metro: Last Light

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Title: Metro: Last Light
Format: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Deep Silver
Developer: 4A Games
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: M

Metro: Last Light is the sequel to the post-apocalyptic FPS, Metro: 2033, and it improves upon an already solid foundation. The sequel ended up being one the most visually stunning games I've ever played, and also one of the most remarkable.

Story and Presentation:
Metro: Last Light is a direct follow up to Metro 2033, so if you played the first game, then the story will be pretty familiar to you. These games follow the Metro universe created by author Dmitry Glukhovsky, but the game doesn't really follow the books narrative, so if you haven't read the books, you won't be missing out on anything. The game follows the story of a post apocalyptic Russia, after a nuclear holocaust swept across the country. Years have passed since the original events, and everyone is now packed into the underground tunnels and caverns. You're cast as a Ranger named Artyom, the same protagonist from Metro 2033. He and his group of Rangers are thrown into this world, and the game's aesthetic will quickly draw you in, and it won't let go. This is probably one of the best looking games to date, especially if you can play it on a great PC. I got to see the game on both the PS3 and PC, and even though the PS3 version looked great, the PC version really blew it out the water in terms of the visuals. If you got a strong enough rig, definitely play the PC version, the devastated environments will constantly leave you in awe. The game also has a ton of detail, especially in the NPC's. You can literally spend hours just observing the dozens NPC's around you, listening and learning about their stories. The music is superb, a good mix of melancholic tunes that will force you to feel something for these troubled characters. The presentation is top notch, inside and out.

Core Gameplay:
Metro: Last Light is a pure first person shooter at it's heart, but the fact that the atmosphere is so strong in the game, it can even pass as a horror game as well. The gameplay is solid, but it just doesn't match up to the game's presentation. There isn't a ton of action in the game, in fact, there are a ton of scenarios where you'll want to take the more stealthy approach. Especially if you're on the harder difficultly settings, the game can get pretty challenging if you want to go in guns-blazing for each encounter. The A.I. can easily be manipulated by the environments, unscrewing light bulbs and blowing out oil lamps can throw your enemy off their game, and give you the upper hand. When you come across the mutated creatures in Metro, there is no stealth option. You have to shoot your way through those encounters, and it ends up being a lot of fun to do. When you're not out shooting at Russian soldiers and mutants, there are a lot of shops to visit to purchase shops to purchase weapons, explosives, and other gear for Artyom. You can also upgrade your various weapons. The vending systems feel a little underused at times, but it's still nice to have.

Final Thoughts:
Metro: Last Light is a visually stunning game to play, and only if the gameplay matched the presentation, this game could've easily been considered as a GOTY contender. If you have the option, definitely play the PC version. Even if you don't have a PC, the console versions are still a blast to play.

S&S Rating: 8.5/10

@whatsPlay

S&S News: God of War Ascension: Primordial DLC Trailer Released

2013-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

The latest DLC for God of War: Ascension has received a new trailer, which you can check out inside.

S&S News: Nvidia Shield Priced and Ready For Pre-Order

2013-05-14T12:50:00.002-04:00

At the last CES, Nvidia showed off one of the most powerful, PC like handhelds to the gaming market we've ever seen. After high anticipation, Nvidia has finally announced the handhelds price.The Nvidia Shield will cost $349 at launch, making it one of the most expensive handhelds out there. So with the announcement of its price, Nvidia has made the Shield available for pre-order on there site. All you have to do is sign up for notifications. If you're looking to pre-order the handheld at GameStop, Newegg, Micro Center, or Canada Computers though, you'll have to wait until May 20th. Shield is expected to start shipping in June.

I was able to play the Nvidia Shield at PAX East and I have to say that the handheld has the potential of blowing the others out of the water. At $349 though, many might see this great handheld as an overpriced box. Let us know what you think of the device or price in the comments below.

S&S News: New PS Vita Deals for the Month of May

2013-05-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

There are some great PS Vita games getting discounted this month, and you can check out the huge list of games below.

Amazon -

Batman Arkham Origins (Pre-Order) + $10 Amazon Credit – $39.99
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation – $29.99
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $29.99
Persona 4 Golden – $33.44
MLB 13 The Show – $36.99
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale – $35.96
Call of Duty: Black Ops – Declassified – $42.80
Smart As – $17.98
Street Fighter X Tekken – $22.67
Silent Hill: Book of Memories – $26.99
FIFA Soccer 13- $34.96
Gravity Rush – $33.49
Unit 13 – $28.25
PlayStation Vita Travel Pouch – $13.29
PlayStation Vita Starter Kit with 4GB Memory Card – $27.98
PS Vita Portable Charger – $39.52
PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Bundle – $253.00

Best Buy -
16GB Memory Card for PlayStation Vita – $29.99
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – $17.99 [Used]

GameStop -
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation – $29.99
Need for Speed: Most Wanted – $29.99

Target -

PlayStation Vita 7-in-1 Starter Kit – $9.99
PlayStation Vita LEGO Batman 2 Bundle – $224.99
PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle – $299.99

Newegg -
Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation – $33.99
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – $34.99
Madden NFL 2013 – $34.99
Little Big Planet – $36.99
Street Fighter X Tekken – $34.99

Tiger Direct -

Hot Shots Golf World Invitational – $9.99 + $1.99 S&H

Cowboom -

Sony Portable Charger for PS Vita – $28.00
Wi-Fi PS Vita System – $139.99 [Used]

S&S News: US PS Plus update Brings Metro: Last Light discount

2013-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sony has unveiled the next batch of content coming for US Plus subscribers, including discounts for Metro: Last Light, as well as discounts for Grid 2 pre-orders...

You can pick up Metro: Last Light up for 20% off, which is a great deal for a brand new game. You can also pick up a free copy of Knytt Underground, a PS3 and Vita cross-buy title. It's definitely not the biggest update to the Instant Game Collection, but most of you are probably still playing Sleeping Dogs, the free game we received free last week. For more informaiton, visit the PlayStation Blog.

S&S News: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - Gameplay Trailer Released

2013-05-13T12:55:00.002-04:00

2K Marin has finally given us some gameplay footage in a new trailer for The Bureau: XCOM: Declassified. If you can get past all of the government footage, you might be able to get a little glimpse on what the full game will be like.

S&S News: Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag -- True Golden Age of Pirates Trailer

2013-05-13T12:49:00.000-04:00

Ubisoft has released yet another new trailer for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, and it shows off a little from the what to expect when the game comes out in later this year.