Update: Tron Evolution Hands-On (NYCC)

Wow. The last time I played a build of Tron Evolution, the game looked Ok, but definitely needed a bit more visual polish. In the time since, Propaganda Games has indeed buffed up the game to a super-shiny finish, adding reflective surfaces, tons of detail along with a bit of motion blur and depth of field effects. The light cycle portion I tried at NYCC from a good part into the game was fiercely challenging, but focused and very fun to play. Between the tons of stuff dropping from the skies and the many jumps and cures along the roadway, expect to feel that adrenaline pumping away as you try and make it to the next checkpoint.

Also tightened up were the parkour-based platform sections and the fast-paced combat. The same layer of visual shine exists in these stages and the already tight action areas feel even more fluid. Interestingly enough, Disney only had the game and Epic Mickey playable on one station each, making it the smallest game-related booth at NYCC. The rest of the Disney booth was set up for books and a few films, which was surprising 9well, at least to me). Both games definitely had crowds gathering around to ogle or try them out. Not as HUGE crowds as the Capcom, Square Enix, Rockstar or Sega booth, but still…

Overall, this is yet another licensed game that’s going to surprise those who think ALL movie-based games stink. I say those ladies and germs that fall into that particularly negative camp just need to play more good licensed games. Anyway, short and sweet update this time. back later with more on the game shortly.

TRON: Evolution PAX Gameplay Footage

Nice update here with a bit more polish to the game world and movement. So far, so good…

TRON: Evolution Video Overview

So, what can you expect from Propaganda Games’ upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 action game? Well, click on that PLAY button and find out. It’s looking better and better with each update, huh?

Review: Halo: Reach


Platform: Xbox 360

Developer: Bungie


Publisher: Microsoft

# of Players: 1-16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)


Official Site


Score: A

If you even thought Bungie was going to make their final Halo title for Microsoft some sort of rushed to market affair with a big “seeya, suckers!” plastered into the end credits, you'd be dead wrong. Halo: Reach closes up shop more than nicely enough to be an instant classic no fan of the franchise should miss. From the solid campaign mode to the ridiculous amount of customization and user-creation options that guarantee the game's place among the most played Xbox 360 games, there's nothing that should stop you from owning (and keeping) this one in your collection. Granted, if you're a straight-up Halo hater for some reason, the game won't do much to sway your opinion. On the other hand, it's impossible not to recognize how solid Reach is as a total package.

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TGS 2010: Microsoft Announces Five Japanese-Developed Kinect Titles, XBLA FirePro, Radiant Silvergun, More!


Well, TGS is turning out to be full of interesting surprises, isn't it? Among other big news, it looks as if Microsoft's Kinect peripheral is getting some love from developers in Japan and all of a sudden, I'm actually thrilled that I can do a lot more than dance or exercise in front of my TV (yes!). I knew the “core” games were coming anyway, but it's nice to see the return of Steel Battalion, NanaOnSha back in action, a nice Sega surprise and (finally) another game from the director of Phantom Dust. Of course, I'm most thrilled about grasshopper manufacture and SUDA 51's new Kinect project, so I'm doing the happy dance in my chair as I type this post.

A bit from the press release below (clickety click!)…

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Sega Rolls Out Vanquish Demo for PS3, Xbox 360


Sega has finally unleashed the incredible Vanquish demo onto PSN and Xbox LIVE to-day, so you know what you need to do, right? If you're a supported of the retail rinse cycle, GameStop is offering up a nifty pre-order bonus in the form of an exclusive Tri-Weapons Pack, so you also know what needs to be done there as well (right?). Hell, based on the screen shots alone, methinks Sega and Platinum Games will go platinum on this one, folks…

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GameStop’s HaloFest Gets Underway


Want a chance to get together with other Halo: Reach fans, enter a contest or two and WIN some cool Halo related swag? Well, read on, MacDuff!

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TRON Evolution Hands-On Preview

Propaganda Games is toiling away like mad on two licensed games I'm really looking forward to: Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned and TRON: Evolution. While both titles are being published by Disney Interactive Studios, core gamers in the loop are anticipating each game for a number of reasons. I got to try a bit of the PS3 version of Evolution at Sony's excellent Holiday showcase and came away impressed by what's looking to be the rare licensed movie game that goes above and beyond the call.

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Preview: Bulletstorm Hands-On

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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N3II Promo Posters 1 & 2

Two very cool promotional posters for the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive N3II: Ninety-Nine Nights II show off a nicely grim aesthetic I’m hoping the game manages to pull off a bit more than the original (well, a LOT more, actually).

Konami has the publishing rights this time out, but I’m guessing they more than likely had not much at all to do with the development on the sequel. I’ve got my fingers crossed anyway that the game will be at least equal to the first one in terms of massive waves of enemies and very tough bosses. We shall see, I suppose…