Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Breach Review

     
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Breach Review
January 31, 2011 at 6:54 PM
 

Breach delivers some excitement, but its generic online first-person shooter action and a number of performance issues prevent it from standing out from the crowd.

     

Score: 6.5 / fair

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Breach Review" was posted by Carolyn Petit on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:54:49 -0800
   
   
Breach Review
January 31, 2011 at 6:54 PM
 

Breach delivers some excitement, but its generic online first-person shooter action and a number of performance issues prevent it from standing out from the crowd.

     

Score: 6.0 / fair

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Breach Review" was posted by Carolyn Petit on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:54:41 -0800
   
   
Call of Duty: Black Ops - First Strike Screens
January 31, 2011 at 6:36 PM
 

11 new shots posted.

     

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"Call of Duty: Black Ops - First Strike Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:36:00 -0800
   
   
Aqua Screens
January 31, 2011 at 6:18 PM
 

2 new shots posted.

     

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"Aqua Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:18:09 -0800
   
   
Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland Screens
January 31, 2011 at 6:18 PM
 

6 new shots posted.

     

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:18:00 -0800
   
   
Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword Screens
January 31, 2011 at 6:12 PM
 

42 new shots posted.

     

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"Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:12:01 -0800
   
   
Monday Night Combat Review
January 31, 2011 at 5:57 PM
 

Clever combat mechanics and diverse soldier classes make this third-person shooter addictive and entertaining.

     

Score: 8.0 / great

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"Monday Night Combat Review" was posted by Chris Watters on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:57:13 -0800
   
   
Tap Studio PRO Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:53 PM
 

5 new shots posted.

     

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"Tap Studio PRO Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:53:49 -0800
   
   
Smash These Aliens Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:53 PM
 

1 new shots posted.

     

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"Smash These Aliens Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:53:40 -0800
   
   
The UnderGarden Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:42 PM
 

6 new shots posted.

     

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"The UnderGarden Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:42:18 -0800
   
   
The UnderGarden Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:42 PM
 

6 new shots posted.

     

Get the full article at GameSpot


"The UnderGarden Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:42:11 -0800
   
   
The UnderGarden Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:42 PM
 

6 new shots posted.

     

Get the full article at GameSpot


"The UnderGarden Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:42:00 -0800
   
   
Horror Master Trivia Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:23 PM
 

5 new shots posted.

     

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"Horror Master Trivia Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:23:16 -0800
   
   
Rolo Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:20 PM
 

4 new shots posted.

     

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"Rolo Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:20:05 -0800
   
   
Towers Of Hanoi Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:20 PM
 

1 new shots posted.

     

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"Towers Of Hanoi Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:20:28 -0800
   
   
PlayStation Move development coming to PCs
January 31, 2011 at 5:20 PM
 

GDC 2011 session promises to take wraps off "Move Server project" which will allow "academics and hobbyists" to develop motion-control software on their PCs.

Since its release, Microsoft's Kinect has been hacked by a host of academics for a variety of uses, ranging from a floor-bound robot to mini-helicopter guidance system. The software giant initially threatened to take hackers to court, but eventually relented, allowing an open-source Kinect driver community to flourish amongst academics and amateur programmers.

Now, it appears Sony wants its PlayStation Move to be the subject of similar underground innovation. A visual arts session for the forthcoming 2011 Game Developers conference titled "Update on PlayStation Move Development"--sponsored by Sony Computer Entertainment America--says it will reveal what sounds like open-source development for the LED controller- and camera-based system.

"We will discuss the new Move Server project that will make it possible for academics and hobbyists to develop software using the PlayStation Move controller on their own PCs," reads the description. (Emphasis added.) The session will also cover developing for the PlayStation Move Sharpshooter peripheral.

What exactly the Move Server project is is unclear. The session, which will be held on Wednesday, March 4, will be hosted by John McCutchan, SCEA's lead of game systems in developer support. His duties at SCEA focus on system programming and game engine development for PlayStation platforms.

As of November 30, 2010, some 4.1 million PlayStation Move controllers had shipped worldwide.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"PlayStation Move development coming to PCs " was posted by Tor Thorsen on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:20:30 -0800
   
   
Pyramid Solitaire Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:19 PM
 

4 new shots posted.

     

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"Pyramid Solitaire Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:19:57 -0800
   
   
Lights Out Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:18 PM
 

5 new shots posted.

     

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"Lights Out Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:18:34 -0800
   
   
Wordzle Screens
January 31, 2011 at 5:17 PM
 

2 new shots posted.

   

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"Wordzle Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:17:53 -0800
   
   
This Week on Wii Shop Channel - Divination, Zombie Invasions, Races, and More Video Feature
January 31, 2011 at 4:08 PM
 

This week, we look at Magic Destiny, Zombie Panic, and Crazy Racers among other titles.

 

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"This Week on Wii Shop Channel - Divination, Zombie Invasions, Races, and More Video Feature" was posted by sampsona on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:08:23 -0800
   
   
Sound Byte: Meet the Composer - Command & Conquer 4's James Hannigan
January 31, 2011 at 3:37 PM
 

From Command & Conquer 4 to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, find out how James Hannigan handles it all.

 

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"Sound Byte: Meet the Composer - Command & Conquer 4's James Hannigan" was posted by Sophia Tong on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:37:32 -0800
   
   
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 Meet the Composers: James Hannigan
January 31, 2011 at 3:30 PM
 

Learn what makes the composer of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 tick!

 

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"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 Meet the Composers: James Hannigan" was posted by Tyler on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:30:59 -0800
   
   
IGF Spotlight: e7
January 31, 2011 at 3:07 PM
 

We take a look at a student showcase winner from this year's Independent Games Festival.

 

Get the full article at GameSpot


"IGF Spotlight: e7" was posted by Mike Tao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:07:13 -0800
   
   
Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy bundling up March 22
January 31, 2011 at 2:54 PM
 

Sands of Time trio will join Ubisoft's Splinter Cell triple-pack on PS3 in two months; HD, 3D remastering confirmed.

 

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy bundling up March 22" was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:54:40 -0800
   
   
Shadow Harvest: Phantom Ops Extended Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 2:47 PM
 

Check out the extended trailer for Shadow Harvest: Phantom Ops.

 

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"Shadow Harvest: Phantom Ops Extended Trailer" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:47:28 -0800
   
   
Next Generation Portable (PSP2) Official Concept Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 1:59 PM
 

Check out this official concept trailer showing how the world will be a better place with the NGP (PSP2).

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"Next Generation Portable (PSP2) Official Concept Trailer" was posted by takeshi on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:59:44 -0800
   
   
Fight Night Champion Demo Sizzle Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 1:39 PM
 

This trailer highlights the Fight Night Champion demo details.

 

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"Fight Night Champion Demo Sizzle Trailer" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:39:48 -0800
   
   
Monday Night Combat - Gunner on the Money Ball Gameplay Movie
January 31, 2011 at 12:53 PM
 

A gunner makes a go at the upper story of a map.

 

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"Monday Night Combat - Gunner on the Money Ball Gameplay Movie" was posted by sampsona on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:53:16 -0800
   
   
Monday Night Combat - Juice Bot Gameplay Movie
January 31, 2011 at 12:53 PM
 

The juice bot gets a tank excited.

 

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"Monday Night Combat - Juice Bot Gameplay Movie" was posted by sampsona on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:53:03 -0800
   
   
Monday Night Combat - Doing What Snipers Do Gameplay Movie
January 31, 2011 at 12:52 PM
 

A sniper holds off enemies from his money ball.

 

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"Monday Night Combat - Doing What Snipers Do Gameplay Movie" was posted by sampsona on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:52:53 -0800
   
   
Sega Rally Online Arcade pulling up to XBLA, PSN
January 31, 2011 at 12:04 PM
 

Publisher bringing Rally Revo, Rally 3-inspired racer to downloadable platforms later this year.

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Sega Rally Online Arcade pulling up to XBLA, PSN" was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:04:26 -0800
   
   
Union Awards Voting Phase
January 31, 2011 at 11:51 AM
 

Cast your ballots for some GameSpot profile points!

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"Union Awards Voting Phase" was posted by Jody Robinson on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:51:17 -0800
   
   
Skyward Sword in 'final completion stage,' will trail Ocarina of Time
January 31, 2011 at 11:31 AM
 

The next Wii Zelda game is headed into the homestretch--but isn't expected ahead of the 3DS remake of the N64 classic, due after early June.

 

When Nintendo dated and priced the 3DS for the West earlier this month, it said to expect the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake between the March 27 launch of the handheld and early June. Later, though, in an interview with MTV Multiplayer, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said not to expect the game--as well as the Kid Icarus reboot--until after the Electronic Entertainment Expo, which runs June 7-9.

Now, Nintendo has revealed the launch timing of another of its major 2011 titles. In a supplemental presentation to the company's financial report last week, company president Satoru Iwata went over his company's plan for the coming year. One of the topics touched upon was the release timing for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the second all-new Zelda game for the Wii console after 2006's Twilight Princess.

Speaking of game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who is overseeing development of Skyward Sword, Iwata said that, "His team is now entering into the final completion stage of the game." However, that doesn't mean it will arrive soon. Switching to the subject of the Ocarina of Time, Iwata said that that game is "expected to hit the market earlier" than Skyward Sword, which still has a general "2011" release window. The latter game had originally been slated for an "early 2011" launch.

For more information on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS remake, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"Skyward Sword in 'final completion stage,' will trail Ocarina of Time" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:31:15 -0800
   
   
Next Generation Portable (PSP2) Official Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 11:29 AM
 

Check out this official trailer for the NGP (PSP2). New detailed video of the newly announced console.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"Next Generation Portable (PSP2) Official Trailer" was posted by takeshi on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:29:31 -0800
   
   
e7 Screens
January 31, 2011 at 11:18 AM
 

5 new shots posted.

     

Get the full article at GameSpot


"e7 Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:18:00 -0800
   
   
Okamiden Shiranui and Isshaku Gameplay Movie
January 31, 2011 at 11:17 AM
 

Here's some gameplay footage featuring Shiranui and Isshaku.

 

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"Okamiden Shiranui and Isshaku Gameplay Movie" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:17:48 -0800
   
   
Okamiden Shakuya Gameplay Movie
January 31, 2011 at 11:15 AM
 

Here's some gameplay footage featuring Shakuya.

 

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"Okamiden Shakuya Gameplay Movie" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:15:45 -0800
   
   
Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland Developer Interview
January 31, 2011 at 11:10 AM
 

This video highlights some of the new content to come and insights on the development itself.

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"Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland Developer Interview" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:10:08 -0800
   
   
Chime Super Deluxe Teaser Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 11:09 AM
 

Check out the teaser trailer for Chime Super Deluxe.

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"Chime Super Deluxe Teaser Trailer" was posted by MikeTao on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:09:23 -0800
   
   
Pokemon Black Version Review
January 31, 2011 at 10:23 AM
 

We didn't catch them all, but we did meet a few new faces in the upcoming Pokemon game.

 

You may have already caught them all, but that doesn't really matter in Pokemon Black and White. Legendary pokemon Reshiram and Zekrom are the mascots in the Black version and White version, respectively. And to level the playing field, Game Freak has decided that you can't import your previous-generation pokemon into the game--not until you've completed it at least. This encourages (well, forces) players to become acquainted with the 150-plus fresh new faces and gives newcomers a chance to play with experienced pokemon trainers without too much of a disadvantage. Everyone's going to have to try to track them all down and learn their new abilities, as well as find out how they evolve. We recently went over to Nintendo's office in Redwood City to see what the game has to offer.

Our demo was the Black version the core gameplay mechanic remains the same as you wander the Unova region in search of exotic pokemon. In Pokemon Black and White, the main antagonist is Team Plasma, a group of Pokemon trainers that seeks to liberate the pokemon from captivity (by using pokemon of its own.) Regardless of how you feel about the state of pokemon, there are several new features added to the game to enhance the overall experience. One of the major changes is that seasons now come into play. Each calendar month represents a new season, so you'll be able to access certain areas and encounter different pokemon depending on the season. In the winter, snow drifts will cover certain parts of the town where you'll be able to climb over and explore new areas. The once-inaccessible pond will also become ice, so you can slide across to see what's on the other side.

Fans of the series will notice a huge improvement when they head to the flagship city of Castelia. While this is not the case with all areas of the game, as you're walking around Castelia, the dynamic camera pans out to give you the feeling that you're walking through a bustling 3D city. There are plenty of happy little people milling about to give you a sense that you're in the big city. The high-rises tower over you so that you feel like you're lost in Manhattan. Even as you cross the Skyarrow Bridge, the camera pushes back to give you a nice view of the skyline. It makes the metropolitan area feel and look much bigger, giving you some variety as you head from town to town.

You'll become acquainted with the new pokemon as time goes on, but you begin your adventure with the reptilian grass-type Snivy, the water-otter Oshawott, and the fire-pig Tepig as your starters. One thing you'll notice is that the pokemon are now lightly animated in battle, so they're no longer static images. Turn-based combat remains the same, but Black and White introduces a system called triple battle. You can now have three pokemon out, but they can only attack an opponent that is directly across and one over from them. This means that you'll need to stick your buffest pokemon in the center because it can take a beating from all three enemies. The other two on the side are good for support.

On your touch screen below, you have access to your new C-gear. The C-gear lets you easily access your wireless, Wi-Fi, and infrared features immediately. Menus have been streamlined and friend codes can be exchanged via infrared so you don't have to punch in your friend code manually. Another new addition is the ability to have random battles over Wi-Fi with anyone in the world. Your info is synced with the Pokemon Global Link website (which will launch when the game ships) that will give you access to minigames and items, as well as let you earn worldwide ratings. You can even enter the Pokemon Dream world online that lets you customize your pokemon's home and befriend other pokemon. It looks like this version is focused on getting the community to band together to share and play. If you have a DSi, there's also the ability to do a video chat with up to four players locally and with another player via Wi-Fi. If you don't have a DSi, it will be audio-only, but you can record messages and send them to your friends.

While you're playing locally, you can seek out other players in the area and see what they are doing. If you want to give them a helping hand, there is the ability to give your friends a boost in experience or heal their pokemon. In tag mode, you can share info with other pokemon players that will unlock new items for you in game. Like previous games, the two versions come with their own unique pokemon so you will need to work with others to trade if you want to collect them all. In the Black and White versions, however, there are areas that don't exist in the other version. For example, White Forest is only in the White version, and Black City is only in the Black version. You will need to buy both versions if you want to experience all the new areas.

There's more to Pokemon Black and White, but that was all that was revealed to us in our demo. In the meantime, stay tuned to GameSpot for more updates leading up to the game's release on March 6.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"Pokemon Black Version Review" was posted by Sophia Tong on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:23:50 -0800
   
   
PSP re-releases planned for NGP - Report
January 31, 2011 at 9:49 AM
 

Japanese blog Gigazine says Sony is readying cartridge re-releases of UMD titles for its new handheld.

When Sony unveiled its Next Generation Portable (NGP) last week, it said that downloadable titles for the PSP could be re-downloaded on the new handheld. As for games on the UMD format, the company offered no word on backward compatibility or replacement solutions.

Today, speaking with Japanese blog Gigazine (translated by Andria Sang), the company revealed that it does indeed have plans to rerelease PSP UMD games on the NGP's proprietary flash-based data cards. It did say, however, that rights issues may prevent the rerelease of some games onto the new format.

As for those with large existing libraries of UMDs, Sony told the blog that it is looking into possible solutions. However, it has nothing to announce at this time other than it is trying to get more PSP games onto the PlayStation Store. Sony offered similar statements when it launched the PSP Go in 2009, but ultimately opted not to offer UMD transfers or vouchers. The company also reportedly said that it has no plans to offer a UMD reader device for the NGP.

US Sony reps had not responded to requests for further comment on the Gigazine article as of press time. For more information on the NGP, check out GameSpot's complete NGP coverage and NGP FAQ.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"PSP re-releases planned for NGP - Report" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:49:43 -0800
   
   
Magic Destiny soars to WiiWare
January 31, 2011 at 8:44 AM
 

Nintendo Store Update: Astrology title and a pair of demos added to download hub; DSiWare welcomes All-Star Air Hockey, Mahjong, myDiary, and 101 Dolphin Pets.

 

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Magic Destiny soars to WiiWare" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:44:55 -0800
   
   
PS3 cloud saves incoming - Report
January 31, 2011 at 8:41 AM
 

Unconfirmed report pegs firmware v3.6 as bringing online save to PlayStation Plus members.

From online e-mail to Google documents, cloud computing is all the rage these days. The trend has even extended to the game community in the form of Steam Cloud, which lets players of Valve's titles save their games and other data (keyboard shortcuts, and the like) on servers.

Now, according to a Kotaku report, the PlayStation 3 may soon be getting server-side game saves as well. Citing unnamed sources, the gaming blog says the forthcoming v3.6 firmware update will bring cloud saves to the console--or to its premium subscribers, anyway. The service will apparently be limited to PlayStation Plus members, who pay $50 per year for the privilege of being part of the top-tier service.

The report says that Sony will brand the cloud saves as "Online Saving" and will play up the fact that it will let players access their saves anywhere via their PlayStation Network ID. The report did not mention the possibility of saving PS3 games and then playing them on Sony's just-announced Next Generation Portable. Such functionality was heavily hinted at Sony's press event last week by Metal Gear Solid series director Hideo Kojima, who said he was working on such a project for an Electronic Entertainment Expo reveal.

As of press time, Sony had not responded to requests for comment on the report. However, Kotaku said that the cloud save ability will be optional for developers, allowing studios concerned about copying of saves to opt out should they so choose.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"PS3 cloud saves incoming - Report" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:41:54 -0800
   
   
Digital copies of PC Bulletstorm to require persistent Internet connection?
January 31, 2011 at 6:45 AM
 

EA product disclosure page says People Can Fly's first-person shooter/kicker follows precedent set by Ubisoft in sporting "always-on" DRM; retail copies exempt; lead producer refutes claim.

 

Get the full article at GameSpot


"Digital copies of PC Bulletstorm to require persistent Internet connection?" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:45:10 -0800
   
   
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee HD in development
January 31, 2011 at 6:40 AM
 

Series creator Lorne Lanning reveals original title getting updated re-release; Stranger's Wrath Xbox Live Arcade launch in limbo.

 

Fans of the Oddworld series have been treated to sweet morsels of news in the past few months. In July, developer Just Add Water announced it was currently creating multiple projects for a variety of platforms. In September, a remake of 2005's Stranger's Wrath was announced for release on the PlayStation Network. And in December the developer released an Oddworld compilation pack for the PC.

Now, the Oddworld is primed to be re-populated once more. Series creator Lorne Lanning told Electronic Gaming Monthly, in a preview teaser announcement, that Just Add Water is currently beginning production on a high definition remake of the first title in the franchise: Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee.

"Abe HD is going into production. It's basically Abe's Oddysee being redone in a 3D physics engine as a 2D side-scrolling platformer," Lanning said. "So the way Just Add Water wants to approach it, we thought was very smart; they are not trying to reinvent any wheels. It’s like, 'Can we make that experience in a new engine, with new tech, in the old way?'"

The interview was light on details concerning the HD remake of Abe's Oddysee, but Lanning did offer a statement concerning a possible Xbox Live Arcade version of Stranger's Wrath.

"We have Stranger all ready to go on XBLA, but the answer keeps being no. We're still talking to them and we're hoping to work it out," he said.

For more on titles in the series, check out GameSpot's reviews of the original Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot


"Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee HD in development" was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:40:15 -0800
   
   
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Trailer
January 31, 2011 at 6:00 AM
 

Learn what dark secrets await you in this new trailer for The Lord of the Rings: War in the North.

 

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"The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Trailer" was posted by DanM on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:00:00 -0800
   
   
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Q&A
January 31, 2011 at 6:00 AM
 

We speak to Ruth Tomandl at Snowblind to see how Tolkien's world comes together in this upcoming action role-playing game.

 

In our last couple of visits to Middle-earth, we were struck by how much more brutal the action has been recently. It is interesting that this is the first time Warner Bros. has been able to use the rights to Tolkien's books in conjunction with Peter Jackson's movie trilogy. Another feature to point out is that this action role-playing game features a strong cooperative element as you delve into Middle-earth's violent conflict. We spoke to Ruth Tomandl about Lord of the Rings: War in the North to find out more about the story, the added features, and what the game has in store for fans of the lore.

GameSpot: This is the first time that you've been able to work with the movie license while you have the rights to the books. How does this change your approach to a new Lord of the Rings game? What can you tell us about the story?

Ruth Tomandl: Having both the rights to the films and the books has definitely allowed us to take the approach we want: We're not restricted to just what was shown in the films and can work with the entire background of the world as revealed in the books. We really wanted to use the opportunity to go to new areas of Middle-earth that players haven't seen before and to tell a new story. Everything in our story is based directly on the books, which have tons of detail and history to draw from, and we're very careful that all of our work fits within the lore.

The story of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North takes place during the War of the Ring, but instead of following the Fellowship of the Ring, you'll be sent on your own quest to the north to investigate the gathering armies there. You'll encounter characters that appeared in the films, but as the game progresses, you'll go farther north as Frodo and the One Ring travel farther south. Basically, you're fighting the same war but different battles.

Having the film license is great as well because the films set a very high bar for visual quality, and we're excited to work in that style. The films have been what most people think of when they visualize Middle-earth, so we've worked to make the new locations and characters in War in the North look like they're from the same universe as the films.

GS: What can you tell us about Agandaur, the story's main enemy?

RT: Far back in the history of the men of Middle-earth, a group of Numenoreans basically went over to the dark side and became servants of Sauron. Like the mouth of Sauron, Agandaur is a descendant of that group. He's Sauron's top lieutenant, sent to the north to organize an army and attack the free peoples on another front. Agandaur is ambitious and ruthless and is unfortunately doing his job very effectively.

GS: How hard is it to balance the narrative and the action? Does one outweigh the other?

RT: Particularly with a license like The Lord of the Rings, where narrative is so important, it's vital that the story and action support each other. Because The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is an action role-playing game and combat is what you're spending most of your time doing, we make sure that what you're doing during combat helps tell the story. For example, conversations in town unlock new areas and battles. The Lord of the Rings is the story of a war, so we're trying to do what J.R.R. Tolkien did so well and tell that story.

GS: The game appears to be much more violent than anything we're used to in this franchise. Why did you decide to take the bloodier route?

RT: We're really glad that we're able to show the brutality of combat the way that The Lord of the Rings books did. The War of the Ring was a violent, dangerous time in Middle-earth, and like the films, we're able to show that danger by making the combat more realistic. We haven't added gore just for its own sake but to reemphasize the danger of your quest along with the price of failure.

Middle-earth is a beautiful place, but it's also a very dangerous place, and it's important to stick with your allies and protect your home from your enemies. J.R.R. Tolkien didn't sugarcoat that, and we're not either.

GS: Tell us about this "interdependent co-op" in War in the North. What was the reason behind focusing on cooperative play rather than single-player?

RT: We wanted to focus on co-op for The Lord of the Rings: War in the North for two reasons: First, that's where Snowblind's strengths really lie; and second, working together as a fellowship is one of the major themes of The Lord of the Rings.

Snowblind Studios has a long history of great co-op action RPGs, and The Lord of the Rings is the perfect match for that kind of game. We want to make a game that's fun to play with your friends on the couch, so you can experience more of Middle-earth together. The co-op is a blast, and the AI allies that take over in single-player are pretty smart, so all the work we're doing to make the co-op great will directly translate to single-player as well.

The story of The Lord of the Rings really emphasizes how important it is to have allies you can trust, work with, and rely on, especially during wartime. So working as part of your own fellowship helps tie the gameplay back into the overall narrative.

GS: On the subject of co-op, will there be offline split-screen or online?

RT: We're supporting two-player split-screen on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, or you can play online with two other players, or you can play split-screen on one console and have someone else join you online over Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network. You can play online on the PC, too. We want to let you play multiplayer however you like, and we're making it really easy to get into a multiplayer game.

GS: What kind of areas will we be visiting in the game? How much of Middle-earth do we get to explore?

RT: We've revealed very few of the areas in The Lord of the Rings: War in the North so far, but if you look at a map of the northern part of Middle-earth, there are very few places on that map that players won't be traveling to. At the beginning of the game, you're close to the Shire, but as the game progresses, you'll travel all over the north as part of your fight against Agandaur's armies.

GS: Could you tell us a bit about the three classes and their features, as well as how they evolve throughout the game?

RT: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North's three main characters are all fighting against Agandaur for their own reasons and in different ways.

Eradan is a Dunedain ranger and part of the Grey Company, and he's a master tracker, quick fighter, and an expert archer. One of his unique skills is evasion, which allows him to move undetected by enemies. This not only lets you flank enemy groups, but can also let you revive your fallen allies without being seen.

Andriel is an elf from Rivendell; she's an agent of Elrond, sent to investigate the armies gathering in the north. She has more crowd-control abilities than the other two, but she can be customized to be very effective in melee combat as well. She has the ability to create a shield that protects the whole fellowship from enemy ranged attacks that can also slow down, damage, or stun enemies, depending on what choices you make in her skill tree.

Farin the dwarf is from the Lonely Mountain, Erebor, and has come to help repay his people's debt to Bilbo Baggins. He's the best tank of the three and has abilities that let him draw aggro and increase his armour and stamina. He has some crowd-control and ranged abilities, but his strength is really wading into a battle and fighting in close quarters.

GS: What do you have in store for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's work?

RT: Being fans of Tolkien's work ourselves, we're very excited to travel to new places in Middle-earth. There are a couple of places in particular that I've always wanted to see, and I'm thrilled with what they're like in the game! I think that'll be one of the most exciting things for Tolkien fans. Seeing more of how the events of the War of the Ring have affected Middle-earth and how wide-ranging those effects were will resonate with fans too. The books tell of many battles in the war; Lothlorien, Erebor, the Shire, all came under attack and had to be defended. Playing the role of one of the heroes called upon to fight those battles will be very exciting for those of us who love The Lord of the Rings.

GS: Thanks for your time!

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"The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Q&A" was posted by Staff on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:00:00 -0800
   
   
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"Lord of Arcana Grendel Boss Fight Trailer" was posted by AlexCoby on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:10:57 -0800
   
   
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"Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy Screens" was posted on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:54:00 -0800
   
   
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