Preview: Mafia II Hands-On

Posted on July 28, 2010 by geelw

With 2K Games set to strong-arm Mafia II into stores on August 24, I had the opportunity to play a demo of the PS3 version at Sony’s Holiday showcase in NYC. The build had a brief taste of game’s driving and shooting mechanics and featured spectacular visuals, deadly enemy AI, partially destructible environments and some excellently acted and voiced cinematic sequences. So far, 2K’s Czech studios has crafted a dynamic, violent crime saga with what’s looking to be a richly developed plot. Granted, a great deal of what’s here is clearly inspired by Rockstar’s epic GTA juggernaut. However, the time period and overall visual quality of Mafia II’s Empire Bay looks as it will be a bit more realistic in some aspects.

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Preview: Dead Space 2 Hands-On

Posted on July 25, 2010 by geelw

“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.

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Preview: Bulletstorm Hands-On

Posted on July 22, 2010 by geelw

Picture this: eight grown watching another grown man playing a video game while yelling “Shoot him in the ass! Shoot him in the ASS!” at him in unison as the guy is indeed trying to do just that to some poor virtual gun-toting goon. A few shots later, the guy flies head over heels and as he’s spinning, a shot hits him right in the butt as the words “FIRE IN THE HOLE” appear above his rotating corpse. Ouch. Well, it’s either some sort of Deliverance meets Dirty Harry-inspired fever dream or you’re watching someone play EA’s upcoming lead filled blast-fest known as Bulletstorm.

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Preview: Medal of Honor

Posted on July 21, 2010 by geelw

After plenty of WWII installments on consoles, PC and handheld platforms, Electronic Arts is looking to get shooter fans excited about the Medal of Honor series by taking the FPS into present day Afghanistan. While this might seem controversial to some, it’s another way of looking at a war that’s become part of everyday life for some in more ways than one. This new Medal of Honor is not only looking amazing in demo form, it’s also managed to capture the unpredictability and chaos of war as it focused on things going right and wrong in a short period of time. At EA’s Hot for the Holidays press event, a non-playable PlayStation 3 demo build drew a constant crowd of editors who sat and watched a producer put the build though its paces.

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Gallery: Kung Fu Rider

Posted on July 21, 2010 by geelw

Here are a set of screens from the hilarious-looking PS3 exclusive office furniture mayhem stunt racer. Hey, wasn’t there some free PC game download and/or a budget PS One title in Japan that used this wacky idea some years ago? I’ll have to look this up, but I’m guessing that perhaps some of the folks that worked on those games ended up here. Ah well, whatever – the game is absolutely insane, fast and funny as hell. It may be a super niche title, but it’s a total blast and good for some rolling off the couch hysteria once you give it a whirl. The difficulty is a bit challenging, but that’s a good thing in my book…

(E3 2010) Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Trailer/Gameplay Footage

Posted on July 20, 2010 by geelw

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is shaping up to be one of the nicer surprises in Namco Bandai’s 2010 lineup. Here’s a quick look at the E3 trailer which just so happens to feature looks at some excellent gameplay footage featuring lead character Monkey and his lovely AI partner, Trip. Ninja Theory is really on a roll with this one and yes, I can’t wait to see how the final version turns out.

Gran Turismo 5 E3 Trailer

Posted on July 20, 2010 by geelw

Other than ” It’s FINALLY coming out this year!” What else is there to say?

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

MotorStorm Apocalypse Trailer

Posted on July 19, 2010 by geelw

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

Evolution Studios takes the vehicular chaos of its PS3 exclusive racer to the urban wasteland in this action-packed trailer. Now, if only Sony would revive the Rally Cross license and let the team have their way with it (hell, they did FIVE great WRC games, four of which never came out in the U.S. of A.), I’d be an even happier camper.

James Bond 007: Blood Stone Reveal/Credit Sequence

Posted on July 19, 2010 by geelw

Here are two very cool videos from Bizarre Creations’ currently in progress James Bond title for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Nice work indeed, guys and gals (now if only we’d get some info on when a new Bond movie is actually in the works).

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

Gallery: The Last Guardian

Posted on July 17, 2010 by geelw

Here are standard-sized screens along with some unique portrait sized, ethereally lovely images from Sony’s guaranteed masterpiece. This one is on my absolute must-have list and should be on yours as well. Don’t have a PS3 yet? Well, here’s a hell of a great reason to own one, I say.