Most Recent: Xbox 360

Daily Scoop: January 19, 2012 – Let it not snow

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Snow is on the forecast for Philadelphia! This makes me a slightly sad panda. The only time I really enjoy snow is when I’m strapped into a snowboard on a mountain. Other than that, it’s mostly just a nuisance. Whatever! I’m going to lock myself inside and do some improper dancing.

What’s up for today? I’m glad you asked. Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games is a $50 promotional credit when you purchase an Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect. This could pay for an Xbox Live subscription, or another controller, or that copy of Modern Warfare 3 you’re dying for. Their PC game download deal of the day is Crysis Maximum Edition for $7.49.

Again, no gamer t-shirts, but I’m smitten with this one: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, PC, Xbox 360 |

Doom is once again available on the XBLA

Posted on January 19, 2012 by John Scalzo

Back when Bethesda completed their purchase of id Software, the developer’s most famous game, Doom, was pulled from the Xbox Live Arcade. No reason was ever given for the delisting, but it more than likely had something to do with the title originally being published by Activision.

But all that’s in the past as the greatest FPS of all-time (for those not paying attention, I mean Doom) is once again available to download from the XBLA.

Doom is available to download for a supercheap (and totally worth it) 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Test your heroic being in BioShock Infinite’s ultra-hard 1999 Mode

Posted on January 19, 2012 by John Scalzo

Have you ever thrown down your controller in disgust because a game was just too easy? Then listen up, because Irrational Games wants to talk to you.

In addition to several different difficulty levels, the developer’s next game, BioShock Infinite, will include an additional challenge known as 1999 Mode. In 1999 Mode players will have to really think about the choices they make, as the wrong move will spell doom (which the bruised Elizabeth to your left can attest to). 1999 Mode players will also have to endure “demanding” weapon, power, and health management, permanent stat specialization, and the return of the Game Over screen “if he or she lacks the resources to [respawn].”

“We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots,” said Ken Levine, Creative Director of Irrational Games. “In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.”

And instead of saying “Good luck,” Irrational has chosen to tell gamers “[1999 Mode is] not for the faint of heart.”

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

XBLA Today: Haunt, Scarygirl

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John Scalzo

It’s “things that go bump in the night” day on Xbox Live Arcade today with the release of Scarygirl (priced at 1200 Microsoft Points/$15) and Haunt (priced at 800 Microsoft Points/$10).

Scarygirl, based on the graphic novel of the same name, is a side-scrolling platformer where a one-eyed girl with tentacle arms has to save the Tree of Knowledge:

Scarygirl is a wondrous adventure through a beautifully-bizarre world based on the Scarygirl graphic novel created by acclaimed artist Nathan Jurevicius. Scarygirl, an abandoned girl, dressed like a pirate, with a tentacle arm, is sent on a quest to discover what happened to the Tree of Knowledge. Along the way, she’ll be aided by a giant octopus, a mystical kung-fu rabbit, and vendors who sell new attacks. She can also enter a shadowy version of the world to unleash truly wicked attacks.

And Haunt is a Kinect-powered, first-person, haunted house sim:

Welcome to Benjy’s Mansion – a spooky haunted house where you are the first visitor for a generation! Haunt leverages the power of Kinect to enable you to freely explore the house using just your body as the controller – you’ll need to stay on your toes in order to outsmart the mansion’s host of fiendish ghosts and unravel the sinister secrets that shroud the mansion in mystery!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Daily Scoop: January 18, 2012 – Board games are fun!

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Tonight, my dashing boyfriend and I are heading to a friend’s for delicious food and board games. We’re going to play some Pandemic and try to cure the world of all of its horrible viruses! Considering I’ve only won the game a small fraction of times I’ve played it, I’m not optimistic. But it’s still fun! You should check it out.

Amazon’s got another EA PC download for today’s Deal of the Day in video games – this time it’s $6.99 for Battlefield Bad Company 2. This is a great deal on a solid game, so scoop it up! Amazon’s also got new weekly deals going in games as well. First up is 40% off Disney Universe for the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360, bringing it down to $29.99. Next is $50 off the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector’s Edition, bringing that down to a more reasonable $99.99. If you buy a 250 GB Xbox 360 Holiday Kinect Bundle, you can get Kinect Sports Season Two and a Fitbit Wireless Activity/Sleep Tracker for free. And in the Warehouse, you can get Halo Reach for $17.99 used. Scoopity scoops!

No gamer shirts (what did you expect after having four yesterday!) but there is a hilarious “Army of Darkness” one I’m tempted to buy… (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 |

Borderlands 2’s new trailer features Lilith in the game and in real life

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John Scalzo

Gearbox Software has completed their search for a real life model to portray Borderlands 2‘s Lilith. And thanks to this exclusive video from G4, we get to perv on see Yasemin Arslan as she’s transformed from a non-tattooed blonde into the inked, fiery redhead.

More importantly, we also get our first glimpse at Lilith within the cel-shaded world of Borderlands 2. No disrespect meant to Ms. Arslan, but I had kinda hoped this “real life model” trend was dead.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

See how Mass Effect 3 is “Better With Kinect” in new trailer; Demo dated for February 14

Posted on January 18, 2012 by John Scalzo

Are you still curious how Mass Effect 3 will work with the Kinect sensor? Then you should definitely check out the trailer above, which features the BioWare team showing the world why the game is “Better With Kinect.”

Oh, and it also confirms that the Mass Effect 3 demo will be available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace on February 14, making the question “Commander Shepard, will you be my Valentine?” much less awkward.

The demo will also be available on the PC and PS3, but a release date was not confirmed and I’m going to take a wild guess and say those platforms won’t have Kinect support either.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Hands-On Preview: What’s Old, What’s New, and What’s Fantastic

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Nicole Kline

There’s a lot to love about what Square Enix has shown us so far in Final Fantasy XIII-2. Many fans complained about the linearity of the first one, as well as the fact that there were no towns (in a Final Fantasy game? Sacrilege!). Fans didn’t like the Paradigm Shift system and thought the Eidolons were pointless. I tend to disagree with much of what’s been said – I love Paradigm Shifting, and enjoyed the story and the aesthetic of Final Fantasy XIII. Much of what made the first game strong is still there, but there are a lot of new features that may reignite faith in what some consider to be a hackneyed franchise. (more…)

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