Far Cry 2

BOTTOM LINE:8 out 10

CONCEPT:
Wander the deserts and grasslands of Africa in one of the largest
first-person shooters ever made
GRAPHICS:
Breathtaking
vistas and fantastic lighting effects make this a sight to behold

SOUND:
Evocative voice work weaves its way
throughout the game, which is punctuated by an ever-adapting soundtrack that
changes with the flow of action

PLAYABILITY:
Some
complicated controls aren’t always mapped in the most intuitive ways, but you’ll
have many hours to get the hang of them

ENTERTAINMENT:
A mammoth game, it is nonetheless hampered by some iffy enemy AI,
repetitive combat, and strange design choices in regards to the frequency of
enemy encounters

REPLAY:
Moderate

FAR CRY 2 TRAILER



Via: www.gameinformer.com

FABLE II

BOTTOM LINE:9.25 out of 10

CONCEPT:
This sequel to one of the premier Xbox RPGs lets you control a
character who ages and evolves based on your actions

GRAPHICS:
An amazing and colorful art design helps
push this game forward

SOUND:
The game has a great
score, but the voice work isn’t particularly noteworthy

PLAYABILITY:
The three different combat styles feel
a little more balanced with each other, but once you get powered up nothing
offers much of a challenge

ENTERTAINMENT:
Even with
its simple story and minor imperfections, it’s easy to lose yourself for days in
Fable’s world

REPLAY:
Moderate

Fable 2 Trailer



Via: www.gameinformer.com

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

BOTTOM LINE:9 out of 10

CONCEPT:
Bring Midnight Club to next-gen systems, and add an enormous virtual Los Angeles

GRAPHICS:
Demonstrates the power and versatility of Rockstar’s Rage engine. It’s nearly as detailed as GTA, but moves at jaw-dropping speeds

SOUND:
Skim on familiar hits, but it’s a nice selection of underground dance, hip-hop, and rock tracks

PLAYABILITY:
Rockstar delivers an arcade-style racer that gives racers control in the midst of chaos

ENTERTAINMENT:
It’s not a huge step forward, but rather a gorgeous and exhilarating reminder of Midnight Club’s appeal

REPLAY:
High

Midnight Club: Los Angeles - Trailer


Via: www.gameinformer.com

Saints Row 2

BOTTOM LINE:
8.75 out of 10

CONCEPT:
Take the GTA template in a completely
gonzo (and often ridiculously entertaining) direction

GRAPHICS:
The first Saints Row benefited from being the first next-gen
sandbox-style game. This time around, it suffers in comparison to the gorgeous
GTA IV

SOUND:
A very solid soundtrack balancing
well-and little-known tracks in a variety of genres. The voiceovers won’t win
any Oscars, but they are fine in context

PLAYABILITY:
It’s a bit rough around the edges, especially online, but you can
drive and shoot things just fine

ENTERTAINMENT:
In
its own silly, b-movie way, it’s a damn fun game

REPLAY:
High

Saints Row 2: Activities Trailer


Via: www.gameinformer.com

Dead Space is Out! The Reviews Are In!

The Reviews!

Game Spot- 9.0
“An incredibly atmospheric and disturbingly gruesome deep-space adventure that will haunt your dreams and leave you begging for more.”

Game Informer- 9.25
“Dead Space is technically a survival horror game, but it should really be compared to motion picture juggernauts The Thing and Aliens, as it channels the essence of those films more than it does any other game. If horror is your forte, dim the lights, crank up the surround sound, and take the deepest breath you ever have. I think you’ll agree, no game has ever been this frightening.”

Daily Game- 8.8
“Dead Space, a new franchise and a new genre for EA, is downright incredible. The sci-fi game flirts with two genres, action and survival horror, and injects some much-needed intrigue to both. We've frankly grown tired of the "same old, same old," and Dead Space is anything but stale.”


UGO- A
“Dead Space is a stellar experience, one which should be enjoyable for fans of survival horror and third-person action alike. The game doesn’t really fit neatly into either category, instead straddling the two by delivering the heightened tension and horrifying ambience of the former alongside the run-and-gun splatterfest of the latter. In 2008’s too-crowded holiday release season, Dead Space distinguishes itself as one of the few essential pickups.”

IGN- 8.7
“Call it science fiction survival horror, but Dead Space does the genre proud with an engaging story; action that's tense, fast-paced and extremely violent; as well as atmospheric qualities that will get under your skin and make you jump…If you like survival horror, action or sci-fi, Dead Space needs to be on your radar.”

XboxDomain- 9.5
“Dead Space is a real treat. If you love story lines which include alien’s mixed with some horror, this game is for you. Dead Space ranks up there as one of the best single player experiences this year and must be played by every fan of the action/horror survival genre.”

Sarcastic Gamer- A+
“I have never played anything like Dead Space. There has not been a minute since the game arrived that I wasn’t feeling the pangs of desire to get back to it. It is a crown jewel in the horror/shooter genre, and many facets of its design will no doubt find implementations in future titles. From the opening moments, until it’s bitter end this is one game that over delivers on the hype that has surrounded it for over a year now.”

Unscripted 360- 9.3
“Dead Space is a freakishly disturbing game that makes hell seem like a day at camp. It looks great and has a deep enough story to keep you checking your video files and clues throughout just to uncover the truth. Did the game scare me? Yes. Did I survive? So far. Will I play this game again despite no multiplayer? Hell yeah. There were a lot of intense moments that EA managed to capture perfectly with a blend of quality sound and detailed environments. I’m already preparing myself for Dead Space 2.”

CHUD- 9.1
“…truly one of the best games of the year so far. It's got just the right mix of action and horror and playability to please any video game fan.

Buy Now

Weekly Round Up: 10/21/08

As we ease ourselves into the holiday season, it’s almost as though someone has finally opened up the new-release valve a teeny bit. This week sees the release of Fable II and Midnight Club: Los Angeles, as well as Wii Music. Don’t be completely fooled by the long list of new releases, though. As tasty as they might be, it looks like PlayStation 3 and PC owners are getting a heaping helping of reheated leftovers.

Games
RETAIL GAMES
Fable II (Xbox 360)
Far Cry 2 (PC)
Dead Space (PC)
Bully: Scholarship Edition (PC)
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Xbox 360)
Midnight Club: Los Angeles (Xbox 360)
Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP)
Midnight Club: LA Remix (PSP)
Rock Band 2 (PS3)
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS)
NBA 2K9 (PC)
BioShock (PS3)
Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 (Wii)
Wii Music (Wii)
Eternal Sonata (PS3)

DOWNLOADABLE GAMES
PlayStation 3

Xbox 360
Portal: Still Alive

Wii
Tetris Party

DLC
PlayStation 3
Rock Band—Nirvana Pack. Songs include "Breed," "Lounge Act," "On a Plain," "Polly," "Something in the Way," "Stay Away," and "Territorial Pissings." Tracks are available for $1.99 individually or as a set for $10.99.

Xbox 360
Rock Band—Nirvana Pack. Songs include "Breed," "Lounge Act," "On a Plain," "Polly," "Something in the Way," "Stay Away," and "Territorial Pissings." Tracks are available for 160 Microsoft Points individually or as a set for 880 Microsoft Points.

Movies
THEATRICAL
Saw V
Synecdoche, New York
Passengers
Pride and Glory

DVD
The Incredible Hulk
The Strangers
A Threevening with Kevin Smith

BLURAY
The Incredible Hulk
The Strangers
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

MIDNIGHT CLUB LOS ANGELES In Stores This Tuesday 10-21-08

"Dead Space" Video Game Review

Bottomline:
9.25 out of 10

CONCEPT:
Suspense and gore collide to create a horrifying, atmospheric experience that will leave you gasping for air

GRAPHICS:
The texture work is remarkable (especially on the twisted flesh and rusted metals), and the array of lighting techniques deceive your eyes

SOUND:
The ambience messes with your mind, often making you question “what was that?” The voice actors do a decent job making cringe-worthy dialogue flow better than it should

PLAYABILITY:
A satisfying mix of precision targeting and boot stomping. Sadly, most of the objectives fall into the “lead player from point A to point B” category

ENTERTAINMENT:
I’m a horror fanatic, and I’ve never jumped this much during any movie or game

REPLAY:
Moderate

Dead Space trailer

Ads for Obama campaign: ‘It's in the game’

Too busy playing video games to watch presidential ads on television? Barack Obama has found you, too, by becoming the first presidential candidate to buy ad space inside a game.

Nine video games from Electronic Arts Inc., ranging from the extremely popular "Madden 09" football game to the street racing "Burnout: Paradise," feature in-game ads from the Obama campaign. The ads — they appear on billboards and other signage — remind players that early voting has begun and plug a campaign Web site.

The idea of embedding advertising temporarily inside a video game is relatively new, having only begun about 18 months ago, and Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy space, company officials said...

The man is a genius, and his campaign manager isn't too far behind. They just continue to preach there message and fight for change. Its a breath of fresh air. And no one ever complains about that.
Via: www.msn.com

NBA Live 09' VS. NBA 2k9

NBA Live 09'

7.75 out of 10

CONCEPT:
Bring the NBA to life with daily updates that keep the game results on par with the real Association

GRAPHICS:
New defensive animations make the on-court action look more realistic

SOUND:
Steve Kerr and Marv Albert’s relaxed voiceovers give the game a broadcast feel

PLAYABILITY:
Refined controls boost gameplay outside of the tricky new pick and roll system

ENTERTAINMENT:
The core game continues to improve, but the new modes aren’t as impressive as they are in NHL 09

REPLAY:
Moderately High

NBA Live 09' Trailer


NBA 2k9

8.25 out of 10

CONCEPT:
Continue to refine an already great title with the deepest franchise mode in any sports game

GRAPHICS:
Amazing crowd animations make you feel like you’re in the arena

SOUND:
New additions to the broadcast team gel well

PLAYABILITY:
Controls well until you’re in the low post

ENTERTAINMENT:
Still the best basketball game around for hoops aficionados

REPLAY:
High

NBA 2k9 Trailer


Via: www.gameinformer.com

Weekly Round Up: 10/13/08

This week sparks the beginning of the end. The end of your bank account that is. We have Saints Row 2 and Dead Space dropping as well as Age of Booty on the digital side. Theaters are getting the possibly awesome “Max Payne” movie along with Oliver Stone’s “W.” and the great looking “What Just Happened”. Music also has a good variety from Ashanti to The Secret Machines. Enjoy!

Games
RETAIL GAMES
Dead Space (PS3, X360)
FIFA Soccer 09 (PS3, X360)
Saints Row 2 (PS3, X360)
Sam & Max: Season One (Wii)
Golden Axe: Beast Rider (X360)
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
Rock Revolution (PS3, X360)
Shaun White Snowboarding (PC)
Blitz The League II (PS3, X360)

DOWNLOADABLE GAMES
PlayStation 3
Age of Booty

Xbox 360
Age of Booty

Wii
World of Goo

DLC
PlayStation 3
TBA

Xbox 360
TBA

Wii
TBA

Movies
THEATRICAL
Max Payne
Morning Light
The Secret Life of Bees
Sex Drive
W.
The Elephant King
Filth and Wisdom
What Just Happened

DVD
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Mongol
Standard Operating Procedure
War, Inc.
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Stuck

BLURAY
American Gangster
Casino
The Code
Constantine
Eastern Promises
Gangster Giftset
IMAX: Coral Reef Adventure
IMAX: Cosmic Voyage/Destiny In Space
IMAX: Dolphins
IMAX: Space Station/Mission to Mir
IMAX: The Living Sea
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Jewel of the Nile
Mongol
Poltergeist
The Rocker
Romancing the Stone
Standard Operating Procedure
The Ultimate Matrix Collection
The Universe: Season One
War, Inc.

Music
Ashanti The Vault
Boo and Boo Too No Tempo
Nikka Costa Pebble To A Pearl
Curumin JapanPopShow
Jo Dee Messina Unmistakable
Gojira The Way of All Flesh
Keane Perfect Symmetry
Kinetic Stereokids Have A Nice Day EP
Ray Lamontagne Gossip In The Grain
Lotus Hammerstrike
Menahan Street Band Make the Road By Walking
The Secret Machines Secret Machines
Sixpence None The Richer The Dawn of Grace X-Mas album
Lucinda Williams Little Honey

Via: www.gameinformer.com

Footlocker House of Hoops - Los Angeles Opening

Making its way out West, the highly anticipated Footlocker House of Hoops lands at the Beverly Center Mall in Los Angeles. Celebrating all things basketball, the location will house some of the most exclusive P.E. kicks in the game including product from Nike, Jordan and Converse. Making its grand opening tomorrow October 10th, the HOH will play host to a performance from Ice Cube as well as exclusive player edition shoe releases of Lakers Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher. The release of NBA Live 09 on PS3 and X-Box 360 will take place the following day in conjunction with a special Tony Parker Nike Hyperdunk model.

Crazy, fans in LA are so lucky. You can't order any of the exclusive stuff over the phone. Only get it off of Ebay for 5 times the original amount. Jeez!

Via: www. hypebeast.com

Hot Video Games for the Holidays

Description:
"E for All" sure didn't illuminate much, but AP's weekly Video Game Video spotlights the holiday season's hottest upcoming games, from "Mirror's Edge" to "LittleBigPlanet."...

Rockstar x Jordan Brand - Midnight Club: Los Angeles

This special collaboration is in honor of the upcoming game Midnight Club: Los Angeles. The collaboration will be limited to only 40 pairs and will include the Jordan Classic 87′ in a custom-made etched acrylic collectors box along with a copy of the game, the package will retail at $380. The package will be given away online at the Rockstar Games Social Club or through a promotion with Foot Action Star Club and lastly through a DUB campaign, but not available retail. VIA: Sneaker Files

Marshall Faulk on Madden & Devin Hester

Description:
Colts and Rams RB legend on his gaming powers @ Major League Gaming
Toronto, Canada
Summer 2008

Rappers Dominate NBA 2K9 Soundtrack

A number of popular Hip-Hop acts will provide the soundtrack to 2K Sports’ 2K9 it was announced today (October 6).

The Beastie Boys, Gnarls Barkley, N.E.R.D.,Santogold, The Pharcyde and others contribute previously released material, while The Cool Kids contributed a new recording titled 2K Pennies and DJ UNK contributed the new song “In Yo Face.”

Rappers and artists like Aceyalone, Bobbito Garcia, ?uestlove and A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg are also featured in 2K9, as in game characters...

Below is the track listing for NBA 2K9:

Beastie Boys -- Root Down
Blackwizard -- Dem Nah Ready fe We
Blockhead -- Duke Of Hazzard
Bloody Beetroots -- Mac Mac
Dangerdoom -- Sofa King
Dawn Penn -- You Don’t Love Me (Extended Mix)
DJ Rasta Root -- RootZilla Beez
DJ UNK -- In Yo Face
Gnarls Barkley -- Going On
Jamalski -- That Undaground (Remix)
Mochipet -- Sharpdrest
Mommy and Daddy -- Pretty Loser
Money Mark -- Silly Putty
N.E.R.D. -- Spaz
Nickodemus -- Funky In The Middle
Santogold feat. Switch & Freq Nasty – Creator
Skeewiff -- Light the Fuse
Spank Rock & Benny Blanco -- Loose (inst.)
The Brand New Heavies -- Jump ‘N’ Move
The Cool Kids -- 2K Pennies
The Heavy -- Coleen
The Limp Twins -- Moving Closer to The Sofa
The Meters -- Cissy Strut
The Pharcyde -- Passing Me By
Ursula 1000 -- Step Back (Deekline & Ed Solo Remix)

NBA 2k9 Trailer(Laker Purple Edition)



FYI: I've own the last 2 games and anyone in Iowa who grabbed a controller and played me. This year will be no different buddies as the Laker's are even more dominant. Oh and it goes on sale tomorrow. Hi Haters!

Via: www.allhiphop.com

Nintendo announces the new updated DSi

At Nintendo of Japan's Fall Press Conference, the big N confirmed the rumors of a new DS that emerged earlier in the week. Kotaku reports that the new upgrade, named the DSi, features a 640 x 480 resolution camera, an SD card slot for storing pictures and other downloadable content, "audio enhancements," larger 3.25-inch screens, and a slimmer body.

In addition to the hardware upgrades, the new DSi adds connectivity to a "DSi Shop," where users can use Nintendo points to purchase downloadable content via Wi-Fi, similar to the Wii console. Expect to see a free Web browser and a constantly growing library "DSiWare" games.

Those of you with a GameBoy Advance collection of games, there's one problem: The new DSi removes the second game slot, thus removing compatibility to the older generation of games. This is the only missing feature when compared to the DS lite and the original DS.

The DSi will hit store shelves in Japan on November 1 for ¥18,900, or about $180. Initial colors will be black and white, and will hit other worldwide markets sometime "next year."

Need one before the holidays? Expect to go through an import shop and pay a pretty hefty premium. Or, you could always use a vacation to Japan.

So, are you going to upgrade?

Kotaku - Nintendo Announce New DS: The Nintendo DSi

Nintendo of Japan - Nintendo DSi (Japanese)

VIA: Yahoo!

Wii 2 on tap for 2011?

It's a big week for Nintendo rumors. First talk of a Nintendo DS with MP3 player and camera starts to make the rounds. Now comes an even bigger rumor: Nintendo will release a follow-up to the Wii in 2011.

The news comes from What They Play, an online video game guide for parents. In its story, the site describes the neew Wii console as a "true 'next generation' Nintendo" and "far more than a simple refresh of the current hardware." Currently dubbed "Wii HD" (a name that's no worse than "Wii" to begin with, I guess), it is said to revolve around the same kind of gameplay while upping the ante in the performance department. That would likely mean graphics that finally crawl out of the 1990s as well as real internal storage like a hard drive.

What's the proof of all of this? What They Play cites the usual "multiple sources" in the game industry but also notes that Nintendo is now spending $370 million on R&D in a year vs. just $34 million in 2003. You don't spend that kind of money without something in the pipeline.

And, of course, a new console makes nothing but sense. The Wii has captured the imagination of the world... because that's what you have to use to fill in the gaps where the Wii's graphics aren't up to snuff. Casual gamers are totally sold on the Wii, but hardcore gamers—the ones that spend all their disposable income on this stuff—are still playing their Xbox 360 and PS3. Can a next-gen Wii offer the best of both worlds: Innovative gameplay combined with an immersive audio-video experience? 2011 is barely two years away...

VIA: Yahoo!

Weekly Roundup 9/29

Things are looking slim this week – but there are most certainly a few hidden gems in the list below that are worth checking out. Silent Hill Homecoming is a perfect way to usher in October. In addition, Iron Man comes out on DVD and Blue-Ray this week – which you can watch while putting the finishing touches on your sad attempt at a cardboard Iron Man Halloween costume. Its okay – you get an A for effort. Read on to get the info on all the media releases this week.


Games
RETAIL GAMES
Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft (PC)
We Cheer (Wii)
Baseball Mogul 2009 (PC)
Silent Hill Homecoming (360, PS3)
Sonic Chronicles: Dark Brotherhood (DS)
Unsolved Crimes (DS)
Sniper: Art of Victory (PC)
Margot’s Word Brain (DS)
Pop Cutie: Street Fashion Simulation (DS)
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (Wii)
Mount & Blade (PC)
Zoo Tycoon 2 Ultimate (PC)
Princess Debut (DS)
Onimusha: The Essentials (PS2)
SAS: Secure Tomorrow (PC)
Dark Horizon (PC)
Mobile Ops: The One Year War (360)
Valhalla Knights 2 (PSP)

DOWNLOADABLE GAMES
PlayStation 3
TBA

Wii
WiiWare: Art Style: Orbient – 600 Wii Points
WiiWare: Bomberman Blast – 1,000 Wii Points
Virtual Console: Super Turrican 2 – 800 Wii Points

Xbox 360
World War – 800 Microsoft Points

DLC
PlayStation 3
TBA

Xbox 360
TBA

PC
TBA

Movies
THEATRICAL
An American Carol
Ballast
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Flash of Genius
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Humboldt County
Just Buried
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Rachel Getting Married
Religulous

DVD
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Chapter 27
CSNY Deja Vu
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Iron Man
My Name Is Earl: Season 3
My Three Sons: The First Season, Volume One
Numb3rs: The Fourth Season
Pulse 2: Afterlife
Rest Stop: Don't Look Back
Taxi to the Dark Side
When We Left Earth

BLU-RAY
The 40 Year-Old Virgin Unrated
Angel in the Family
Bellini: Norma
Can't Hardly Wait 10th Anniversary Edition
A Christmas Visitor
Daredevil Director's Cut
Dawn of the Dead Director's Cut
Forgetting Sarah Marshall Unrated
Halloween Starter Pack
Iron Man Ultimate Edition
Knocked Up Unrated
Land of the Dead Director's Cut
The Man Who Saved Christmas
Puccini: Gianni Schicci
Pyongyang Concert
Re-Cycle
Rest Stop Dead Ahead
Rest Stop: Don't Look Back
Roy Orbison: Black & White Night
Salem Witch Trials
The Sixth Sense
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Thing
The Ultimate Unrated Comedy Collection
Verdi: La Traviata
When We Left Earth
Windtalkers

Music
Mercury Rev Snowflake Midnight
Travis Ode to J. Smith
Amon Amarth Twilight of the Thunder God
Anberlin New Surrender
Bayside Shudder
Flecktones Jingle All the Way
Ben Folds Way To Normal
Jack's Mannequin The Glass Passenger
Kinky Barracuda
Tom Morello The Fabled City
Polysics We Ate The Machine
Porter Batiste Stoltz MOODOO
Pete Seeger At 89
T-Pain Thr33 Ringz
Connie Talbot Over the Rainbow
James Taylor Covers
T.I. Paper Trail
Trivium Shogun
Various Artists Les Paul & Friends-A Tribute To A Legend

Via: www.gameinformer.com

Lets FIFA 09 Manchester United vs. Real Madrid TV Ad

Description:
The full 4 minute FIFA09 commercial featuring the football clash between Rooney and Higuain. See even more at fifa09.ea.com