Most Recent: Articles

Science says casual games reduce depression and anxiety

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

A year-long study by East Carolina University suggests casual video games have a strong potency in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic had 60 subjects play three PopCap games: Bejeweled, Peggle, and Bookworm Adventures. The study found a 57% reduction of depression symptoms in the experiment group, a significant reduction in anxiety, and improvements in all aspects of mood. Dr. Carmen Russoniello, professor in charge of the study, claimed “in my opinion the findings support the possibility of using prescribed casual video games for treating depression and anxiety as an adjunct to, or perhaps even a replacement for, standard therapies including medication.” He also noted that playing the games had both noticeable short-term effects (in as little as 30 minutes) as well as long-term effects (after one month). This reminded me of the “Mapathy” campaign for Modern Warfare 2 DLC. Apparently the chick above was misdiagnosed; all she needed was a little FarmVille.

Take it how you want it, but personally, I’ll be dealing with my anxiety by plunging into Killzone 3 multiplayer next week, while the rest of you bow before your gilded altar of Reason.

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Spongebob Squigglepants ‘draws’ a new crowd

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Ryan Littlefield

I apologize for that headline pun, but really, what do you expect when talking about Spongebob Squarepants? THQ has recently announced an April 2011 release date for Spongebob Squigglepants, a Wii title that will use THQ’s uDraw peripheral. At first glance, the game gives off a Wario Ware vibe, an accurate depiction of what the game promises to bring to the tablet. Erm, table. Ahem.

Players can expect to plow through a series of “nanogames” by utilizing the uDraw’s drawing capabilities. The nanogames begin to increase in speed and skill as time passes, requiring players to complete more difficult actions in the allotted times given. According to THQ, Spongebob will be shown through several never-before-seen art styles, including “Comic Book Bob” and “Pixel Bob.”

Really, it is like Wario Ware. But if you have kids who aren’t old enough to appreciate the deep psychological truth contained in Wario Ware’s odd array of puzzles, pick up a uDraw and check out Spongebob Squigglepants.

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Lego Battles: Ninjago trailer sets up the tale of two brothers

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Warner Bros. released a new trailer for their upcoming Nintendo DS title Lego Battles: Ninjago today. The trailer introduces us to the story of two brothers fighting the war between good and evil, rendered in some seriously awesome Lego CG The game also gives us a few glimpses of gameplay footage, as well as a narrator who gets you more and more stoked for what apparently is an unbelievable Lego epic. The Lego series of games lately have all been well received, so it’s really nice to see them working on series’ that aren’t based on other licensed properties. We still don’t have a firm release date but Spring 2011 is still scheduled as the release window.

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Sega Genesis classics arriving individually on PlayStation Store, free for PlayStation Plus

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

If you didn’t buy Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection, shame on you. Seriously. It’s a beautiful time capsule letting you experience firsthand in high definition and surround sound what things were like in a simpler, arguably better, time for gaming, before the console war was determined by sales numbers. If you held off because you only wanted a few of the games, PlayStation is here to help. Starting March 29, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe 2, Comix Zone, and Altered Beast will be arriving one after another about every month or so, up to August 16. Each game will cost $4.99 and have its own set of trophies, instead of just having at most one on a disc. Even better news is that all of these games will arrive early for PlayStation Plus subscribers, for free.

It’s getting harder and harder to resist that PSN Plus subscription, and if I didn’t already own the Blu Ray with these games, it might have been enough to push me over the edge. If they announce something crazy like Shining Force III, all episodes, for PSN Plus free and early, I might have to run to my local gamestop, knocking over racks and shelves, completely oblivious to the fact that I could have bought the subscription online… Hit the jump for the full details on the games. (more…)

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Deep Silver brings Dead Island back from the grave

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Developer Techland had a lot of interesting projects in the pipeline, but most seemed to be put on hold, seemingly indefinitely after the Call of Juarez series began. Fortunately, one of those projects, Dead Island, is being brought back by independent publisher Deep Silver. IGN had a lengthy preview of the game, which will still be open-world, first-person, and having a heavy focus on melee combat. You play on a resort island, so there’s not really caches of military weapons lying around. You’ll have to rely on everything and anything you can get your hands on, which is certainly reminiscent of Dead Rising. However, Techland sets its game apart with a physics engine that makes every strike you land result in a very specific injury to the undead, taking off a certain piece of skin or breaking bones.

When I first heard of Dead Island, it was billed as a PC/360 title as Techland’s Chrome 4 engine apparently didn’t support PS3 back then. That seems to have been cleared up, as the game’s now on track for release on the three main high definition platforms and slated for a 2011 release. Hit the jump for the new teaser trailer. (more…)

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Hard Corps: Uprising Review: A Contra Game By Any Other Name…

Posted on February 16, 2011 by John Scalzo

The definition of a “shooter” game has changed greatly since the days of the NES. In those days, a “shooter” was a game like Contra: a side-scrolling, brutally hard, assault on wave-after-wave of enemy soldiers, followed by a screen-sized baddie that flashed red when you shot its weak point. Today, a “shooter” more likely means a first person shooter as visions of Halo, CODBLOPS and Gears of War dance through your head.

But Konami has shown that the old ways don’t have to fade away as the publisher has taken great care to bring the Contra series into the 21st century. Recognizing the franchise’s trademark stlye, the most recent Contra games have been 2D side-scrollers that specialize in controller-throwing difficulty. There was the grittiness of the PS2 entries, the portability of Contra 4, and the 16-bit stylings of Contra ReBirth. Now, there’s the anime-inspired Hard Corps: Uprising, the first game in the series not to carry the Contra name. (more…)

Posted in PS3, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood leads BAFTA noms with seven

Posted on February 16, 2011 by John Scalzo

Somebody alert the world, a Brotherhood of assassins has infiltrated the British Academy Video Games Awards. Ubisoft’s stealthy sequel, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, garnered seven nominations, more than any other game, including one for Best Game.

Other big honorees from this year’s Video Games Awards include Call of Duty: Black Ops, Heavy Rain (six nominations apiece) and Mass Effect 2 (four nominations).

Awarded annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the winners of this year’s Video Games Awards will announced in a ceremony on March 16.

The full list of every nominee and every award up for grabs can be found after the break. (more…)

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Arcana Heart 3 gets punched onto PSN this spring

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Ryan Littlefield

Wow, okay, that sounds kinda painful. No, but really. Hot on the heels of Marvel vs Capcom 3‘s recent release, Arcana Heart 3 may accidentally get overlooked, though it shouldn’t. Aksys has localized the game for release on the PlayStation Network, due out sometime this Spring.

The game will utilize 23 fighters, which includes three newcomers to the series. Ironically but not unintentionally, there are 23 unique arcana types as well, which will be used to match each player’s specific fighting style. Arcana Heart 3 will also be implementing “Simple Mode,” where casual players can get a leg up on the combat. The game will offer a full arcade-style story mode, training mode, and online multiplayer – replete with online leaderboards and ranking systems.

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