With Paranormal Activity, Oren Peli helped usher in a flood of “found footage” horror movies. This year, with Chernobyl Diaries, he does something all previous films have lacked: add in some historical fact. Sadly, he didn’t add  much in terms of entertainment.

If you ask me, the only “found footage” film that’s actually enjoyable was Cloverfield, due to its focus on character development, sense of urgency, and it’s memorable ending. Chernobyl Diaries tries to hit all three of these marks, but ends up missing them.

We do get introduced to the movie‘s cast of characters, albeit quickly. Chris, his girlfriend Natalie, who he plans to propose to in Moscow, and their friend Amanda are all travelling across Europe. They meet up with Chris’ brother Paul in Kiev. It’s here we learn that Chris and Paul haven’t always exactly gotten along, helping to cause a rift between the two when instead of travelling to Moscow, Paul suggests they go on an “extreme tour” of the city of Pripyat, which was abandoned after the Chernobyl disaster. Remarkably, actual tours of the city are going on today, meaning that instead of dealing with monsters, ghosts, or witches, we’re getting a found footage film that deals with actual historical tragedies and current events.

The movie is at its best when it uses the eerie silence of Pripyat in it’s favor. Being a piece of fiction, Chernobyl Diaries can get away with featuring mutants of all kinds; the movie is at its best when it uses the town’s silence and builds suspense of an oncoming scare as Director Bradley Parker throws off our timing to keep us on the edge of our seats. We’re waiting for the source of that distant sound to be revealed…we know something’s going to appear…eventually…maybe…probably not–aahh!! Sadly, the movie decides to shift the focus of its scares to running, screaming, and predictability, leading up to an ending that has premise until it follows throw, landing flat on its face.

Had we been allowed to spend all 90 minutes exploring the characters, the city, anxiously waiting each “jump scare,” Chernobyl Diaries could of been successful. Ultimately, the movie boils down to killing off each character one by one, succumbing to the pitfalls of the modern horror genre.

Remember that new Game Informer cover we teased yesterday that was going to unveil a new entry in the Gears of War franchise? Unable to wait until E3, Game Informer has spilled some details.

Sadly, it is not Marcus Fenix being escorted by COG soldiers, but instead Damon Baird. And Augustus Cole. The game’s name is Gears of War: Judgement

And they look extremely young, which begs the question: where exactly is Marcus and are we seriously getting a game that will focus on Baird and the Cole Train? I mean sure, they both have strong personalities, but as leading characters?

The timing of the reveal seems a little off, as we’re only three short days away from Microsoft’s E3 press conference. While official details on what’s actually in store for Gears of War: Judgement remain unknown, this is one less surprise we’ll see Monday.

One week before the highly anticipated sci-fi flick Prometheus hits stateside theaters, Amazon has gone ahead and opened up preorders for the Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray releases.

You can choose the standard Blu-ray release which includes a digital copy and DVD version of the film for $27.99 or the 3D Version which includes all of the previously mentioned items as well as the 3D Blu-ray disc for $34.99. These prices are pretty standard for a new movie release, but there is something more when you preorder it as soon as you can.

If you are one of the first 5,000 people to preorder Prometheus starting June 1st, you can receive $10 towards a movie admission ticket. This is only valid at participating movie theaters and will need to be redeemed between June 8th, 2012 to August 31, 2012.

Head over to Amazon right now to lock in your copy of Prometheus and snag that $10 so you can check even more movies in a theater near you.

Released today, a new 60 second trailer gives movie-goers and fans alike a glimpse at one of the summer’s highest anticipated action flicks, The Expendables 2. Check it out below!

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren),Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) — with newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) aboard — are reunited when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) enlists the Expendables to take on a seemingly simple job. The task looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries but when things go wrong and one of their own is viciously killed, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time — six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium; enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that’s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary who savagely murdered their brother.

Be sure to check out The Expendables 2 this summer on August 17th.

As many comic readers know, a “fifth Wednesday” is a ‘free” day for comic books. It allows comic book readers and retailers to pick up any comic books they may have missed out on earlier throughout the month. In this particular instance, both Grim Leaper and America’s Got Powers, which sold out Wednesday, May 30th.

The debut issue of Grim Leaper, written by Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST, DEBRIS) and Aluisio Santos, follows Lou Collins who is caught in a cyclical curse of violent, gruesome deaths and new beginnings in the bodies of strangers. With no clue why, Lou desperately searches for a way to break the curse and cross over peacefully to the other side. Then equally doomed Ella comes along… It’s a love story to die for.

America’s Got Powers, written by Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch, follows a generation of super-powered teens battling to be The Hero on the biggest TV event in history but Tommy Watt’s dreams of fame and fortune might be over even if he survives The Trials. Someone is coming and he’s going to destroy the show and everybody in it!

Released by Image Comics, reprints of both comic books will be available June 27th, the same day as Grim Leaper #2 and America’s Got Power’s #3.

A big announcement from PowerA is the planned unveiling of MOGA™ next week at E3. MOGA™ is a mobile gaming system that is going to bring console quality games to the mobile environment.

While mobile gaming is attracting more attention than ever these days, this is a niche that many feel isn’t being sufficiently filled at the moment, and PowerA plans to change all that.

The strongest arguments for the MOGA™ are a robust SDK that will provide powerful tools to developers interested in utilizing this new platform, as well as a system for users to browse available titles in what promises to be an easy and efficient fashion.

The third stand out feature is the fact that utilizing MOGA™ will require the use of a compact controller in conjunction with your mobile device. The controller will be wireless and possess the features modern gamers have come to expect out of controllers, such as duel analog sticks and so forth. Whether or not this feature is a bonus will depend a large part on individual willingness on the part of the user.

Some very prominent figures are expressing a good bit faith in the new platform:

“MOGA opens the door to a whole new generation of great Namco Bandai mobile gaming opportunities and experiences,” said James Kucera, Head of Mobile Gaming, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.

On top of that, a number of top developers are already looking to present some titles. Industry leaders Gameloft, MachineWorks, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Atari, and Ratrod Studio Inc. have committed to deliver a wide range of new and classic favorites. It’s got a substantial amount of support, and is looking to capitalize on an untapped avenue of gaming. MOGA™ is something to keep your eye on if you’re a serious mobile gamer, that’s for sure.

Some might say it is far from the “most authentic soccer game of all time” but FIFA Street 2012 is a great sports game to enjoy. This title is a sports soccer title as Blitz is to Madden. Far from realistic game play but that’s ok, that is what FIFA 2012 is there for.

The new ball control system is very fast and smooth, but in my opinion the best addition – aerial skills paired with plenty of skill moves, this game can become a gateway to friendly gamer trash talk and quick. Even blowing yourself away sometimes this is some real fast paced gameplay. Sometimes it can take you by surprise unlike other sports games.

Pick a team or create your own players, but your bound to be excited by the fantastic super moves your frantic button mashing can provide… until you master ball control and attack dribbling. There’s Futsal, there’s Panna, its got it all plus some sweet unlockables and its all a welcome change when glued to the original FIFA titles. Plus the new “Last Man Standing” mode is a blast! It isn’t the best mode added to any of the titles but it sure is fun.

Once again thanks to the new Game Face Generator, nothing can compare to the custom players in this title. Most players look very convincing just as in FIFA 2012. Great job compared to the previous FIFA Street 2012 titles. Don’t get confused there is tons more skill involved here and it might take you longer than you expected to master. This title has really stepped up by being introduced to the same engine as FIFA 2012 does.

UNPACKAGING:

The PS Vita box is small, measuring something like half a foot in length. As soon as I folded back the top flap of the box, I realized how much I appreciated Apple packing. The Apple philosophy for packaging is simple: you slip off the top cover and the first thing you feast your eyes upon is your product. Nestled underneath is your charger. There isn’t a ridiculous amount of paper strewn about covering your product.

The PS Vita packaging isn’t an absolute mess, but presentation is something that Sony really needs to improve upon. The PS Vita is a nice looking product, so there’s no reason to bury it underneath a mess of manuals, warranty notes, and AR cards like it’s the shame of the PlayStation family. That’s all secondary and should be tucked away at the bottom of the box. What a customer cares about is the product and maybe the charger.

AESTHETICS:

Anal un-packaging observations aside, the PS Vita is really a product that’s easy on the eyes. The only problem is that the Vita is constructed out of the same material that the original PS3 was crafted with. Any smudges will show up and besmirch the otherwise flawless obsidian surface of the Vita.

Learning from the mistakes of past handhelds, Sony wisely included a second analog stick onto the handheld. For such a small surface area you’d think a d-pad, face buttons, and two analog sticks might clutter up the Vita. However, Sony’s managed to maintain a nice balance between size and spacing on the Vita so that none of the joysticks or buttons feel too small and are still spaced comfortably.

I have relatively small hands in comparison to most adults. The Nintendo 3DS isn’t so small that my hands feel like they’re engulfing the handheld, but my palms do cramp up after extensive playtime due to the 3DS’s strangely rectangular shape. It’s just not a comfortable console to hold.

The Vita is strangely the opposite. It’s incredibly lightweight. Balancing my Droid Incredible in one hand and the Vita in the other, the difference in weight is hardly discernible despite the size difference. Combining its weight with the fact that it’s shaped to perfectly fit into your hands, the PS Vita is something I don’t fear playing with. Fear might be a bit of a strong word, but there’s really nothing more fear inducing than terrible hand cramps from playing a hard-to-hold handheld for a little too long.

The interface of the hardware of the PS Vita is intuitive and easy to navigate. You have your standard d-pad, select, start, and face buttons. On the left hand side, underneath the analog stick, is a button with a Sony logo which has functions analogous to the iPad/iPhone’s home button. If you press the button while the handheld is powered on, but asleep, it’ll bring the console out of hibernation. When it’s pressed while you’re in an app, it’ll bring you out of the app and give you the ability to change screens.

On the top of the device is the Vita’s power button. Next to it are the slots for games and memory cards, and then the two audio adjustment buttons. The interface is basically self-explanatory.

Hitting the power button on the Vita brings up the console’s home screen. It’s designed with the PlayStation Home service on the PS3 in mind (and plays the same irritating elevator music). Somehow, Sony’s managed to make the home screen both clean and cluttered at the same time. The app icons look absolutely great on the home page, but I think their nonlinear placement screws with my OCD. This is all made up for by the fact that switching between different pages (you can do so by a flick of your finger in the direction you want to go) is absolutely slick. Even with a game and two or three apps open, the interface is still as responsive and smooth as if you’d just turned on the device.

Although it took me a while to figure out how to close apps, mostly because I’m a bit of a grandma around technology, I absolutely love the concept. For those of you who can’t figure it out (so that maybe I’m not alone…), it’s done simply by swiping diagonally on the small dog-ear in the corner of the app when you’re zoomed out of it.

Overall, aesthetically, the PS Vita is as smooth as butter. It’s completely polished, for both hardware and software. I’ve yet to find anything that’s tripped up or frozen the Vita. It’s never unresponsive. Sony’s done a good job with this one so far.

SOFTWARE:

My biggest point of contention with the PS Vita is with its software support. It’s also no doubt part of the reason why the Vita is selling so slowly.

The Vita is meant to be a portable all-entertainment center. Through the PS Store app it has access to Music, Movies, Apps, and Games available for download. Unfortunately, because the Vita’s memory card is proprietary, you’re going to be dishing out quite a few dollars if you want anything more than the 4 GB memory card, which is hardly adequate for the device. If you truly want to achieve the Vita’s intended purpose of being an ultra-portable entertainment center, then expect to be shelling out at least $60 for the 16 GB memory card. The Vita’s games come on small chips that aren’t exactly portable and yet are small enough to easily lose. Your best bet is to download and install your games on your Vita. I think Sony really made a mistake by making the memory cards for the Vita proprietary. Regular SD cards are relatively cheap enough that having a 64 GB memory card is actually viable, meaning that hard copies of Vita games wouldn’t even really be necessary.

In terms of apps, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, and Skype are the only ones that are worth any mention. The PS Vita is equipped with both a front and back facing camera, making Skype while you’re on-the-go a possibility. The Twitter and Facebook apps are both pretty standard and nothing really to be raving about. The keyboard on the Vita is just as annoying as an all-touch keyboard on a smartphone is, although you can usually access the keyboard on a smartphone with one hand. Unfortunately, because of the Vita’s bulk, you’ll have to be typing with two hands. However, if you’re going to be Facebooking or tweeting on-the-go, you’ll probably want to be doing it via your smartphone anyway.

Netflix is the only video-streaming app that’s currently available for the Vita. I don’t know how much you want to be watching videos on the small screen, but it’s a definite step up from your smartphone.

Sadly, there aren’t really any other apps that you’re going to use when you’re on the Vita. Sony’s promised more app support, and I’d really love to see more video-streaming apps up in the store. For now, I think Sony’s done a decent job at adding the apps that most folks would at least use.

On the game-end, the Vita’s only recently been released, so it’s not a surprise that the lineup is pretty scant. There are even fewer Vita-only games that I would recommend people buying with a clear conscience. Sony’s attempted to cushion the small amount of releases by quickly porting over PSP games. There are a few hundred PSP games that are up in the store for download, but none of them feature the touch controls, which are definitely a huge draw for the console as they’re generally well-placed in the games in the Vita’s lineup and very responsive.

Sony’s also added a few “Minis” on the PS Store, which are small titles that are available for download on the PS Vita. Those do feature touch support, but aren’t full-fledged games. One that comes to mind and is the best example for describing a Mini is Montezuma Blitz, which is essentially Bejeweled for Vita.

OVERALL:

I think Sony’s done a solid job with the Vita. It’s a good piece of hardware. Unfortunately, the slim lineup of games is really why Sony’s making headlines for poor sales in Japan. Honestly, with its current lineup, is there anything that would motivate Japanese gamers to actually want to buy the console? Even for the non-Asian markets, the only games I can really recommend to buy right now are Touch My Katamari, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Escape Plan. BlazBlue makes the list, at least for hardcore fighting game fans, but I think one of the most important bits of a fighting game is that it’s a multiplayer experience.

Hopefully, as more games make their way to the console, more gamers will be drawn to buy it. Nintendo’s already stolen Monster Hunter away from Sony, which is a huge draw for Japanese gamers to buy. However, titles like the new Assassin’s Creed coming to Vita is definitely energizing enough for me to want to take out my Vita again and hopefully, for new people to get excited about the console enough to buy it. If Sony waits too long, the Vita might flop harder than the PSP did.

MonkeyPaw Games has partnered with GAIJINWORKS to bring the localized version of the JRPG dungeon crawler Class of Heroes II to North American audiences.

Class of Heroes II features “numerous hours of strategic gameplay, branching story lines and quests” that offer “a rewarding experience with rich replayability.”

Class of Heroes II takes the standard wizardry dungeon crawler and twists it by making all the characters of your party be drawn from one pool.  There are 10 classes to choose from, including Novice, Fighter, Swordsman, Ranger, Monk, Ninja, Sorcerer, Puppeteer, Idol, and one Mystery Class.  Once your party has been created, quests will be offered to you which will offer differing paths, unlocking more and more content.  With regards to the combat, MonkeyPaw Games says that “monster parties can be more than one level deep in a single combat episode, leading to epic encounters of up to 12 or more monsters at a time.” Bosses haven’t been forgotten about either, and Class of Heroes II promises to deliver.

You can watch the trailer for Class of Heroes II below:

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Konami held their pre-E3 press conference this morning and one of the key highlights was a detailed look at the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2013. The footage features Real Madrid maestro Cristiano Ronaldo and highlights the new ‘Player ID’ system’, where 50 distinctive football pros have been accurately modelled to reflect their real-life mannerisms on the pitch. This comes in response to criticisms levelled at last year’s game concerning the lack of player originality.

The trailer also talks about ‘PES Full Control’ – which encompasses tighter dribbling, passing and shooting mechanics – as well as a new ‘Proactive AI’ system that focuses on more intelligent off-the-ball movement. For full details of the new gameplay additions, check out the trailer/developer interview below.

Loyal fans of the Resident Evil franchise can now experience survival horror in a whole new way. Capcom has announced that a remastered, PlayStation Move-compatible Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection will be available from the PlayStation Store on June 26.

PS3 players will pay a mere $26.99 USD for the Resident Evil archive, which includes  Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. Both titles feature high-definition graphics, a co-op mode, and the ability for players to use PlayStation Move controllers as their weapons.

Play as Rebecca Chambers, Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine among a total selection of eight characters. Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are revisited with The Darkside Chronicles as gamers are taken back to Raccoon City and the truth is revealed behind the hostility between Leon and Krauser.

Each game is available independently for $14.99 from PlayStation Store as soon as July 17^th. Check out just how up close and personal you get with the infected in the screenshots below.

Source: Capcom

Rockstar Games’ Max Payne 3 has finally hit the PC today, June 1st, packed with PC specific extras.

Console gamers may have gotten Max Payne 3 before PC players, but Rockstar Games hasn’t forgotten about the keyboard wielding crew. Max Payne 3 is the third part in the Max Payne series and features staple gameplay mechanics that the original Max Payne pioneered, such as bullet time and a film noir styling.

Furthermore, PC users will be able to enjoy “advanced graphics options, scalable high-resolution textures and character models, DirectX11 features, LAN support, multi-monitor support and stereoscopic 3D compatibility.” Stay tuned to The Game Fanatics for more news and updates on Max Payne 3 here to come!

Dishonored is a new first person action game brought to us by Arkane Studios.  After watching the trailer and reading the storyline, I have to admit that I’m excited for Dishonored to release!

If you’re like me and you haven’t heard about this game yet, you will be able to hear all about it at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this coming week.

You start the game off as a trusted bodyguard until you are blamed for murder.  The game then goes assassin mode on you!  You will have the choice how to play each mission and the way things turn out is determined by those decisions.  It kind of feels like a cousin to the Assassin’s Creed series to me, except for the first person play style and they add more elemental abilities.

If you like what you see below, then they are offering some pre-order goodies to upgrade in game along with a nifty phone decal.  The game is set to release October 9, 2012 on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the PC.

Pre-order incentives for Dishonored:

• Game Stop – Arcane Assassin Downloadable Upgrade Pack & Dishonored Tarot cards
• Best Buy – Shadow Rat Downloadable Upgrade Pack & Whale Oil USB Lamp
• Amazon – Backstreet Butcher Downloadable Upgrade Pack
• Walmart – Acrobatic Killer Downloadable Upgrade Pack
• Target – Smart Phone Dishonored Decal

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Sources: Dishonered Website  |  Bethesda

Valve‘s highly anticipated MOBA, DotA 2, has been confirmed to launch as a free to play title sometime this year.

While Valve is keeping mum on the exact date of release, the latest news from the creators of Half Life seem to indicate that the time is drawing near.

First of all, DotA 2 will definitely be a free to play title.  Valve had made remarks earlier that DotA 2 may have used a unique style of pricing where some players have to pay and others don’t based on their community rating, which was controversial to say the least.

Valve also goes on to comment in their press release that there will be a DotA Store that offers items created by both the Valve team and members of the community. Which I think we all know means hats. Lots of hats.

Finally, those who purchase the DOTA 2 Early Access Bundle will get immediate access to game as well as a few goodies. Icefrog, design lead on DotA 2, states, “By making the game Free to Play, we hope to give gamers the ability to decide how – and how much – they want to invest in the game.”

Keep it here for the latest information on DotA 2 and let us know if you think the DotA Store is a good idea in the comments below.