XBLA Today: Home Run Stars

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

The San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers will resume their battle for the 2012 World Series crown on Saturday. But if you need to feed your baseball fix tonight, there’s always Home Run Stars, a new Kinect-powered title now available on the Xbox Live Arcade:

Step up to the plate and swing for the fence in Home Run Stars, featuring Avatar Fame Star! Progress through the League mode through all three unique stadiums! Each one features a vast number of spectacular targets to aim for and earn big points. Compete with your friends in multiplayer for the highest score. Use your device supported by SmartGlass to compete in a Duel with a friend!

Home Run Stars has been priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10). However, the costs of swinging a bat around your living room could turn out to be much greater.

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Need For Speed: Most Wanted announced for Wii U

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

Another one of this Fall’s biggest releases will make it to the Wii U as EA has confirmed that Need For Speed: Most Wanted will be released for Nintendo’s next console in 2013.

“We are very excited to deliver Need for Speed: Most Wanted on more platforms and to more gamers,” an EA spokesman said. “Starting October 30, Most Wanted will be available on [Xbox 360], PS3, PS Vita, Android and iOS. Then in 2013, Nintendo fans will be able to experience what it means to be Most Wanted amongst their friends on the Wii U.”

[Source: Polygon]

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Watch Episode 4 of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn now

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

The fourth episode of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn has arrived and the Master Chief has come with it. It may not be a Halo movie, but the super soldier also known as John-117 has certainly been making the live action rounds over the last two weeks. Here’s where we’re at this week:

While Corbulo Academy is being destroyed by the Covenant invasion, the surviving cadets fight bravely alongside their only hope: The Master Chief.

And don’t forget, next Friday, November 2, marks the conclusion of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, four days ahead of Halo 4‘s launch on the Xbox 360.

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Daily Scoop: October 26, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Anytime anyone says “Hurricane Sandy,” all I can think about are pecan sandies, and it makes me hungry. I don’t know if that’s the normal reaction – I guess most people think “get to the store for bread and milk!” But for me, it’s all about cookies. And besides, I prefer calling it the Frankenstorm, if I must refer to it.

Not much going on deals-wise, other than the 72 hour sale at Square Enix. They’ve discounted a bunch of games, including Final Fantasy XIII-2, Sleeping Dogs, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. I’ve wanted that last game since PAX East but it’s always so darn expensive! Maybe this weekend I will cave and pick it up.

I’ve got a couple of cute game-related shirts for you today!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

GTA: Vice City hijacks its way onto mobile devices this Fall

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

Rockstar Games was so pleased with last year’s mobile re-release of Grand Theft Auto III that they’re doing it again. Today, the publisher announced plans to bring a special 10th anniversary edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to iOS and Android devices later this Fall.

“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City gave players the freedom of a massive open-world in one of the most iconic and vibrant settings ever realized in a game,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “It was a defining moment in the series and we’re delighted to be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a stunning, updated version for phones and tablets.”

Rockstar also plans to support the 10th anniversary of the open world classic with a new series of “commemorative assets including never-before-seen artwork and a brand new anniversary trailer highlighting some of the most iconic scenes and music from the game.” A limited run of Vice City collectibles will also be added to the Rockstar Warehouse soon.

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged

Hitman: Absolution is absolutely full of Hollywood actors

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

Having a cast full of Hollywood actors isn’t quote the big deal it used to be, but leave it to Hitman: Absolution to collect one of the strangest groups of thespians I’ve ever seen.

David Bateson returns to portray the voice of Agent 47, but the motion capture work to bring the assassin to life was done by Lost‘s William Mapother. Ethan Rom did always walk in a creepy manner.

Other members of the cast include an extraordinary badass (Powers Boothe), the world’s most famous former porn star (Traci Lords), one of Bill’s Deadly Vipers (Vivica A. Fox), Bill’s real-life brother (Keith Carradine), and the deranged child star of Orphan (Isabelle Fuhrman).

The complete cast list can be found after the break. Hitman: Absolution will be released for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on November 20.

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Borderlands 2 Review: There’s No Place Like Pandora

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Nicole Kline

When Borderlands came out in 2009, it blended together the perfect mix of role-playing elements with first-person shooter fare. Affectionately referred to as an FPSRPG, the game’s Diablo-style loot system had players upgrading their guns and shields while working their way up levels and through skill trees. Each of the four characters – Brick the Berserker, Lilith the Siren, Mordecai the Hunter, and Roland the Soldier – were enjoyable in their own way, adding some flavor to the somewhat utilitarian story. Gearbox Studios bragged that Borderlands 2 was going to take everything about the first game and made it bigger – bigger characters, deeper story, better loot. Do these ambitious changes work in the sequel?

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

Halo 4 War Games Pass, map pack schedule announced

Posted on October 25, 2012 by John Scalzo

Another game has jumped on the “Season Pass” bandwagon as Microsoft announced the Halo 4 War Games Pass yesterday.

The War Games Pass will give purchasers free access to three Halo 4 map packs, which will be released in December, February, and April. The pass has been priced at $24.99 (2000 Microsoft Points), which garners you a 15% discount over buying all three map packs individually. A War Games Pass will also be included with the Halo 4 Limited Edition.

As an added bonus, the War Games Pass includes “two unique in-game helmets (Scanner and Strider) and an exclusive in-game emblem (Falcon).”

You can read all about the upcoming map packs after the break.

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