Critical Reception: Nintendo’s Master of Illusion
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
This week’s edition of Critical Reception examines online reaction to Master of Illusion, a unique magic trick instructional title for the Nintendo DS that critics describe as “this generation’s magic kit.”
Bomberman Live Bomb-Up Pack 3
Xbox Live Marketplace :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The new Bomberman Live Bomb-Up Pack 3 adds ten new characters, two new levels and leaderboards, and a new game mode.
Snakeball™
Sony Games :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Snakeball™ is a funky, futuristic sport set in a vibrant arena where you glide across the dazzling disco floor on your hoversnake, collecting balls and scoring goals. Watch out for the other snakeballers desperate to knock you for a spin with a flick of their tails or a blast from their fiendish weapons. Chaotic action and energetic music bring together up to 8 players in entertaining online matches for a fun, unique gameplay experience. Key Features Frantic Action – A collection of single and multiplayer modes. Loads of Weapons – Snatch up power-ups such as rapid-firing blasters and heat seeking missiles, and use the SIXAXIS™ wireless controller for better aiming. Personalize – Choose among 16 different Snakeball riders or map your face onto your Snakeballer with a PlayStation® Eye or Eye-Toy® USB camera. High Definition Graphics – Dazzling and vibrant disco arenas rendered in full 1080p. Online Features – Full online support with up to 8 players.
Looking Back – 2007 Events That Will Shape Future Of Chinese Game Industry
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
In the latest China Angle column, Pacific Epoch’s Shang Koo looks back at the biggest events in China’s games industry for 2007 and how they will affect its future in 2008, from top companies listing publicly overseas, EA’s partnership with The9, and Ubisoft’s future in the region.
Release This: UT3, Orange Box Premiere for U.S. PS3s
Gamasutra Columns :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Gamasutra’s latest “Release This!” sees Unreal Tournament III and The Orange Box hit the PlayStation 3 in the United States, while Japan gets a first look at Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari.
MX vs ATV: Untamed
Sony Games :: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Welcome to the Unpaved! MX vs ATV kicks it up a notch and shifts into high gear as the best selling offroad franchise returns. Rainbow Studios has evolved their legendary Rhythm Racing™ engine to include throttle based power slides, near upside down whips and new scrubs. Compete in the first ever “X-Cross” tournament, which brings 8 unique racing series and crosses them into one ultimate offroad championship. X-Cross demands players master a variety of powerful vehicles through treacherous trails in the new Opencross mode, while then shifting gears to navigate boulders, logs, and water pits in Endurocross, and then conquer 6 other championship modes. Players can take control of the new ORV Sport and other vehicles, including Monster and Trophy Trucks, as they blaze through massive environments to determine which vehicle owns the offroad. Welcome to the unpaved. X-Cross – An innovative career mode brings together 8 unique racing series (Endurocross, Opencross, Supercross, Outdoor Nationals, Supermoto, Freestyle, Waypoint, and Minimoto) and crosses them into one ultimate offroad championship. Championship Mode – Earn trophies in 8 individual event championship series and master each unique racing style. Own the Offroad – The 8 baddest all-terrain machines battle it out to determine which vehicle owns the outdoors. MX vs ATV Rivalry – Go bar to bar against the top MX and ATV professional riders in SX, Outdoor Nationals, Supermoto, and Freestyle. Rhythm Racing™ – Rainbow Studios’ revolutionary real world physics has evolved to handle tougher terrain, turns, and weather by introducing an all new “edge of control” power slide, whip, and scrub. Massive Outdoor Environments – Rip through swampy everglades in a Monster Truck, blitz through rough rivers with a Trophy Truck, and blaze through the desert dunes in the brand new ORV Sport. Freestyle Challenges – Natural environments provide launching pads that can’t be created elsewhere to throw down more than 40 tricks. Customization – Amp up your vehicle’s power, handling, and acceleration with more than 100 sponsor parts and accessories. Mini-Games – Put your tires on the ice in ATV Hockey, trap your opponent in a game of Snake, and avoid getting caught in Tag during one of 5 mini games. Multiplayer – Fire out of the gates in 12 player online competition or in 2 player split screen.
SimCity Societies PC Review
Gamepyre :: Thursday, December 20, 2007
SimCity Societies is not the traditional SimCity game, but it is fun. The ability to build different style societies rocks, but overall, the game was just too simple for my taste. I got used to setting up tax rates, dealing with traffic, and making deals with other cities and building as much underground as above ground. None of those aspects are available in this game, but then again this game does not need them. SimCity Societies caters to graphics and simplicity.
Pirates of the Burning Sea hands-on preview
YouGamers :: Thursday, December 20, 2007
“One facet of PotBS that really stands out when compared to the current MMO competition is the economy system. The game very much follows the player-driven sandbox model made popular by EVE Online, where everything is player-made. While you can buy some items off NPCs, they are of inferior quality, and are generally not worth bothering with. Instead of using the character to craft different things while grinding up your “crafting skill”, you act as a “business tycoon”, and just direct the gathering and manufacturing operations.”
Wii vs. Xbox 360
Digital Trends :: Wednesday, December 19, 2007
“Not sure which game console to get for your family? The Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii may be the answer.”
Spider Man Friend or Foe PC Review
Gamepyre :: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Spiderman – Friend or Foe will make an excellent gift this holiday season. If your kids love Spiderman, then they will love this game, and love you for getting it for them. Furthermore, this game can be enjoyed by adults as well. Activision did a great job of putting this game together, but once again, let me just say that if you just don’t like Spiderman, there is nothing that Activision can do to make you enjoy this game.
SimCity Societies
Driver Heaven :: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
SimCity is a game series with a very fine lineage. For nearly two decades, the concept of micro-managment expanded and diverged into multiple Sim spin-offs. However, once Maxis and EA created The Sims series and the bazillion new expansion packs (essentially a legalized form of printing money), they seemed to abandon the whole SimCity concept ever since. I guess EA thought they could milk the golden “Sim”-goose a bit more by returning to the city building concept with SimCity Societies, but they’ve done so without Maxis on board.
The basic concept of SimCity is simple – you are the mayor, you get a piece of land and some funds, and you are given the task of building a city, while keeping your citizens happy and the population growing.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune PS3 Review
Tweak Town :: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
TTGamer have today posted a review of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune for the PS3. This one of few PS3 exclusives proves worthy of praise but not without a few let downs.
Come try out the 3rd Space Vest from TNGames
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, December 17, 2007
Hey-Hey…If any of you are from Pittsburgh, or close to Pittsburgh… I’ll be at the Pittsburgh Cyberconxion tomorrow (Saturday December 15th) from 4pm to 8pm demonstrating and letting people try out the TNGames 3rd Space Vest. I’ve got it for review and I thought what better way to test it out than let gamers use it. I’ll be recording their experiences and reactions to be used for part of the actual review to be posted over at DSM.Of course I’ve got a bunch of stuff to give away while I’m there as well to random people who help me out to test the vest.
Playing in Harmony with Rock Band
Xbox 360 Games :: Monday, December 17, 2007
We cover Rock Band fundamentals from instrument-specific tips to overall strategy, and get you to play with confidence.
NCAA March Madness 08
Sony Games :: Monday, December 17, 2007
Feel the fervor for your college team — and the bragging rights that come from victory with NCAA March Madness 08. Think strategically and execute flawlessly through Dynamic Post Control, a new feature where you take complete control over running your offense through the post, and defending your opponent in the paint. For the first time, you have complete control over dozens of new offensive and defensive post moves, from up-and-unders, to hook spins, pump fakes, and every combo in between.
The Orange Box
Sony Games :: Monday, December 17, 2007
The Orange Box delivers five innovative games from Valve®, creators of the blockbuster Half-Life franchise, in one action-packed box. The Orange Box includes Half-Life® 2: Episode Two, Portal™, and Team Fortress® 2 in addition to full versions of the award-winning Half-Life® 2 and Half-Life® 2: Episode One for an engrossing first-person action experience.
The Assassin’s Achievements
Xbox 360 Games :: Monday, December 17, 2007
We unearth the secrets to some of Assassin Creed’s most troublesome achievements.
