XBLA Today: Doritos Crash Course 2

Posted on May 8, 2013 by John Scalzo

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I never thought I’d be excited for a sequel to a game with “Doritos” in the title, and yet, here we are. Doritos Crash Course 2 is now available to download from the Xbox Live Arcade and, just the first game, it’s a free download for all Xbox Live users.

Once again developed by Behaviour Interactive, the second Crash Course promises a bigger game and the ability to unlock all of the courses and bonus items by spending a few Microsoft Points on in-game Coins. Yes, Doritos Crash Course 2 is one of those “free-to-play” games. But you only have to pay if you don’t want to play. And who doesn’t want to play Doritos Crash Course 2?

Doritos Crash Course 2 is the sequel to the XBLA smash hit Doritos Crash Course. Run, jump, slide and wall jump your Avatar through 4 new worlds of irreverent obstacles, traps and pitfalls. In this 2.5 platformer, compete for medals and find stars to progress. Use your stars to unlock new courses, power-ups and vanity items. Compare your best time against up to 3 asynchronous game clips of your friends.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

EA will release The Sims 4 in early 2014; 10 other titles planned for 2013/2014 release

Posted on May 8, 2013 by John Scalzo

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EA announced earlier this week that The Sims 4 would be released sometime next year. Yesterday, company President Frank Gibeau confirmed that the next entry in the popular franchise will be available for the PC and Mac in early 2014.

The Sims 4 will be joined by ten other titles in EA’s “fiscal 2014” lineup. All of these games will be in stores before March 31, 2014, but most are already on the schedule for 2013:

  • Fuse (May 28)
  • NCAA Football 14 (July 9)
  • Madden NFL 25 (August 27)
  • NHL 14 (September 10)
  • FIFA Soccer 14 (September)
  • FIFA Manager 14 (October)
  • Battlefield 4 (Fall)

They’ll be joined by the free-to-play Command & Conquer (which is expected to be released sometime in 2013), the next Need For Speed game (NFS games are typically released in the Fall), and NBA Live 14. Many of these titles were also confirmed for release on the PS4 and the Xbox 720/Durango during the same briefing.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

EA to reveal next-gen games from BioWare, DICE, Need For Speed, NBA Live at E3 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by John Scalzo

EAlogoFor more than a decade, Electronic Arts has greeted the launch of a new console from Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft with a huge lineup of new games. This Fall’s release of the PlayStation 4 and (presumably) the Xbox 720/Durango will be no exception.

Speaking at the company’s quarterly financial briefing yesterday, EA President Frank Gibeau announced that the publisher will release multiple games that are “breakthroughs in graphics and gameplay for some of our biggest franchises” on the PS4 and Xbox 720 this year. Gibeau specifically confirmed that Madden [NFL 25], FIFA [Soccer 14], Battlefield [4], and a new game in the Need For Speed series will be available this year.

All four of these titles will make their worldwide debut at this year’s E3 Expo along with new next-generation games from BioWare, DICE, and the EA Sports group. A smattering of “brand new games” will round out the comapny’s next-generation announcements at E3.

The 2013 E3 Expo begins on June 11.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

EA has no plans to publish a Star Wars game this year

Posted on May 8, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Electronic Arts held their quarterly financial briefing yesterday and the publisher revealed that it has no plans to release a Star Wars game in 2013. EA and Disney announced the Star Wars deal on Monday, confirming suspicions that Disney would look outside their Disney Interactive label to create future Star Wars games after closing LucasArts.

Blake Jorgensen, EA’s Chief Financial Officer, announced that they won’t be releasing a Star Wars game during the company’s 2014 fiscal year (which runs from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014). So the absolute earliest a new Star Wars game could be released is April 2014. Jorgensen didn’t want to pin down a release date, but EA President Frank Gibeau was able to reveal that both DICE and Visceral will be using the Frostbite 3 engine to create the next chapter in the Star Wars video game saga.

While it went unsaid, this news also likely spells the end for Star Wars 1313 and Star Wars: First Assault.

Posted in News | Tagged , , ,

PSN Today: Fatal Frame II, A Trio of PSone Imports

Posted on May 7, 2013 by John Scalzo

playstationstorelogoAfter what feels like months of massive updates, the PlayStation Store is taking it a bit slow with today’s update. Unless you’re looking for PS2 Classic Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly that is. The 2003 horror title is joined by three PSone Imports, at least two of which include a little mahjong.

A full rundown of this week’s new game add-ons can be found at the PlayStation Blog and more details on all of this week’s releases can be found right here:

PS2 Classics

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly ($9.99)
Twins Mio and Mayu enter a haunted village after falling under its spell. Mio must follow Mayu with the Camera Obscura to protect her from the evil spirits.

PSone Classics

Motto Trump Shiyouyo! ($5.99)
Enjoy the new and improved Trump Shiyouo!

Zero Kara No Mahjong Mahjong Tamago-Gumi 2: Taikai E Ikou! ($5.99)
This sequel to Zero Kara no Mahjong retains all the accessibility of its predecessor but greatly refines the experience.Take lessons based on actual matches to help learn the correct mannerisms and etiquette involved in true mahjong games. Once your lessons are done, you’ll be armed with all the techniques needed to beat your friends in real life. Unleash the mahjong master deep inside you!

Zero Kara No Shogi Shogi Youchien Ayumi-Gumi! ($5.99)
This is the mahjong game for everyone who’s wanted to learn how to play but just couldn’t find the time! The “Tamahiyo” mode lets players take basic lessons and advancement tests so they can ease into the game. Once the rules are mastered, it’s time to challenge other unique players. The tournament and free modes are perfect for putting players’ skills to the test.

Posted in News, PS3 |

Fire Emblem: Awakening Review: A Wonderfully In-Depth Strategy Experience

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Nicole Kline

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Fire Emblem: Awakening is the latest addition to the Fire Emblem franchise, a series which has only left the shores of Japan in the last decade. It’s also the first to launch on Nintendo’s 3DS, with full 3D capabilities. This strategy role-playing game is rich in character development and has a robust plot. You play as the Avatar, a character you get to customize yourself, and befriend Chrom, prince of Ylisse and captain of the Shepherds, a group of soldiers who protect the realm. As you make your way through the story, you level up and gain more characters to use in your battles, and also gain the chance to develop relationships. Permadeath is the norm in Fire Emblem games, but Awakening has a Casual mode that is more lenient for newer players. Does this destroy the integrity of the series?

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in 3DS, Reviews, Top Story | Tagged

Daily Scoop: May 7, 2013 – Board game night

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Nicole Kline

I’ve been so busy the last few weeks that I haven’t made it to a single board game night at Redcap’s Corner. But it looks like that’s going to change tonight! Hopefully it doesn’t rain too hard, because I’ve got on canvas sneakers. It seems like that’s when it rains the hardest!

Amazon’s having some deals on Disney games this week. The biggest deals are Brave on the DS (41% off at $11.83), Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force on the DS (42% off at $11.50), Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on the Wii U (49% off at $25.58) and PlayStation 3 (50% off at $19.99), and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on the Xbox 360 (75% off at $9.99) and the PlayStation 2 (70% off at $8.98). Scoop ’em up!

There are LOTS of t-shirts today!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Check out Resident Evil Revelations’ Wii U-exclusive features in this trailer

Posted on May 7, 2013 by John Scalzo

Resident Evil Revelations is making the jump to consoles this month and the Wii U is not only getting the high definition remake, but a special version of the game that includes a variety of Wii U features. Check out the trailer above to get a look at all the ways the Wii U will be the way to play Revelations:

  • A quick way to view the map and change weapons.
  • Use the touchscreen to interact with the environment.
  • Off-TV Play
  • Miiverse support including a customized “Game Over” screen that shows messages from other players who died in the situation.

Resident Evil Revelations will be released for the Wii U on May 21. PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 editions will also be available.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged