Short and to the point, here's the complete set list for the upcoming Nintendo DS version of RB3, set to hit stores along with the console versions this October. While there are only 25 tracks, you'll get some great ones here for your virtual (and portable) band to play. Having missed out on the previous DS installments, I'm intrigued by how the experience will differ from the peripheral-centric PS3, 360 and Wii versions. Guess I'll find out soon enough…
“Disturbingly spectacular” were the first two things I thought of upon seeing Dead Space 2 in action and after playing through the demo build, let’s just say that Visceral Games is going to be responsible for a lot of wet couches and floors when the game finally ships early next year. The demo was both fantastic to look at and great, challenging fun that had the small area always packed with editor-types crowded around watching other play as they waited their turn. As great as the original was, Visceral is going all out to insure that the sequel is even more cinematic without pulling players out of the action.
Platform: PlayStation 3/Xbox 360
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
# of Players: 1
Rating: M (Mature)
Official Site
Score: A
Has BioWare ever made a bad game? I’m inclined to shout a defiant “No” towards the heavens, as I’ve enjoyed everything they’ve ever done, warts and all. Hell, I may be somewhat biased here, but at least I’m definitely right (that’s a little in-joke, by the way). Anyway, in terms of their RPG output, the company has a superb track record with everything from the Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights games to Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire and even oddities such as Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Of course, their two current console projects, the upcoming Mass Effect 2 and the recently released Dragon Age: Origins will be the games on RPG fans’ lips and minds for quite some time thanks to the developer’s ability to craft completely different sub-genres while consistently bringing gamers superb storytelling and deep, challenging gameplay.
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Developer: Eurocom
Publisher: EA
# of Players: 1 – 2
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Score: A
In case you’re staring at that cover art and wondering (raised eyebrow and all), Dead Space Extraction works brilliantly on the Wii as both a solid horror game as well as a technical showpiece for Visceral Games and Eurocom. This “guided FPS experience” as it’s been dubbed manages to be scary as hell, spectacular to look and absolutely nails it in terms of the aural assault. In terms of story, the game dishes up an excellent prequel to the events in the PS3/360/PC horror hit Dead Space packed with some great emotional moments that make the original game’s plot all the more poignant. Of course, if you don’t have a PS3 or 360 and your PC can’t run Dead Space, all of this may mean nothing. However, what’s here is certainly solid enough that I could see a few formerly Wii-only gamers eyeballing a new console just to catch up on the first game’s descent into sci-fi themed fear.
Meet Subject Zero… don’t ogle her tattooed glory too long or she’s the last thing you’ll see… and no, you probably won’t die with a smile on your face, either. Mass Effect 2’s latest character reveal is this deadly lady who has “been around, ran with gangs, wiped out some gangs.” Yikes.
Updated intel from BioWare notes this:
How’s this for fan service? Just in time for today’s launch of the Wii-exclusive Dead Space Extraction, Visceral Games is hosting an hour-long live webcast featuring gameplay demos of the cinematic sci-fi horror/action hybrid along with a Q & A session with members of the game’s development team that you (yes, you) can be a part of. The fun begins at 12 noon, PST (that’s 3pm Eastern Time if you’re in New York), so click away on that link above and enjoy the show.
We’ll have a full review of Dead Space Extraction after our review copy arrives.
In this latest Dragon Age: Origins character reveal, we meet up with one of the game’s more interesting personalities and yes, he can be part of your party, i hear. Check out the bio on this guy and check to see if you still have your wallet afterward…
G’day to all my UK, Aussie and NZ readers! In case you’re wondering about the status of Left 4 Dead 2’s ratings, here you go – news directly from Valve. Let’s all hope cooler heads prevail thanks to a dose of simple common sense. Note to ratings boards around the world: It’s a GAME, folks – there are no real-life zombies and this isn’t going to inspire someone to run around looking for them with a squirrel gun.
Of course, if there’s someone out there that’s THAT far off the rails, well… there’s a pill for that, I hear. Or therapy… Anyway, off the soapbox and on with the news…
Platform: PS3/Xbox 360/Nintendo Wii
Developer: Harmonix Music Systems
Publisher: Electronic Arts
# of Players 1 – 6 (Online: 2 – 6)
Rating: T (Teen)
Score: A
You don’t need to be a die-hard Beatles fan, hardcore Rock Band groupie or even a blazing fast Guitar Hero to appreciate The Beatles: Rock Band. Harmonix has come up with a supremely accessible Magical Mystery Tour through some of the best of the Fab Four’s catalog and thanks to the stellar presentation, this is one Ticket to Ride that will leave you Feeling Fine up to Eight Days a Week. If you’re a Rock Band fan looking for the game to be a big step forward, you may find Something lacking. The experience isn’t quite the Revolution you’re probably expecting, but after A Hard Day’s Night of rocking, you’ll find the game has its ways of making you Twist and Shout ’til the cows come home.
Visceral Games in on a two-part mission with its upcoming Dead Space Extraction and it’s an important one. The first part is done: they’ve gone and created a great-looking, dynamically frightening console game designed to scare you right under the couch (while also laying the groundwork for future Dead Space titles). The second part is a bit tricky, meaning it’s all up to YOU to assist by buying the game and experiencing all that hard work put into the project for yourself.
I had the great opportunity to sit in on a live (and informative) Q & A session with a few members of the dev team, who all spoke passionately about the game while dropping a few interesting facts about developing it as a Wii exclusive.
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 