Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon Review: The Only Good Bug is a Dead Bug

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

In certain corners of the Internet, you’ll find a group of gamers who are very enthusiastic about Earth Defense Force 2017, a budget third-person shooter released in the early days of the Xbox 360. The game featured poor graphics and some absolutely baffling gameplay choices, including several mazelike underground levels and terrible vehicle control. But it has also developed a cult following due to its insane enemy count and the awesomely arcadey “kill ’em all” vibe that runs through the action. Four years later, D3 Publisher has finally seen fit to release a sequel, Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon. Can they catch lightning in a bottle twice? Well, they did name the main character Lightning Alpha…

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

CoD Black Ops Annihilation map pack now available on PC, PS3

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

All you Call of Duty: Black Ops players on the PC and PS3 won’t have to wait any longer, the Annihilation Map Pack is now available to download.

In case you missed it, the pack includes four new multiplayer maps: “Hangar 18” (located within Area 51), “Drive-In” (a 60s American Drive-In theater), “Silo” (a massive secret Soviet nuclear missile site) and “Hazard” (a coastal golf course on the cliff sides of Cuba). A new Zombies Mode map, “Shangri-La,” resurrects everyone’s favorite undead monsters in an island paradise.

“Annihilation delivers four of the best Black Ops multiplayer maps, and a mind blowing new Zombies experience with Shangri La,” said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. “With Annihilation, fans are really going to have a lot of fun continuing to play Black Ops online for a long time to come.”

The Annihilation Map Pack will be available to download for $14.99.

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THQ ends development of Red Faction franchise

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

THQ (and their Vice President of “Core Games” Danny Bilson) have discussed the company’s dedication to bigtime franchises many times in the past. Sadly, it looks like that number was reduced by one yesterday.

During the company’s quarterly financial presentation, THQ CEO Brian Farrell revealed that the Red Faction franchise has become too much of a niche title to continue. This is hot on the heels of the June debuts of Red Faction: Armageddon and the Syfy movie Red Faction: Origins.

“Given that [the Red Faction franchise], now in two successive versions, has just found a niche, we do not intend to carry forward with that franchise in any meaningful way,” Farrell said.

But don’t feel too bad for developer Volition. They’ve got their hands full with Saints Row: The Third (which will be available this November) and Guillermo del Toro’s Insane trilogy.

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

Updated rosters in Madden NFL 12 launch day update

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Donovan McNabb to the Vikings! Reggie Bush to the Dolphins! Albert Haynesworth to the Patriots! Carson Palmer retires!

The NFL has seen a flurry of free agency activity since the lockout ended on Monday. But how will this affect the impending release of Madden NFL 12? According to the game’s Twitter feed, all will be well come launch day:

For those of you asking, there will be a full downloadable roster update at launch that will reflect all the various free agency changes.

Madden NFL 12 will be available in stores on August 30.

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Nintendo Download: Let’s Golf 3D, Brawl Brothers

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has updated their online shops and made a variety of new games available to download on the 3DS, DS and Wii. This week’s additions include:

Let’s Golf 3D (3DS eShop)
Choose from eight customizable characters and play in exotic locations, including the Mayan jungle and a winter wonderland. The 3D visuals will let you view your ball’s trajectory like never before.

Brawl Brothers (WiiWare)
Rick and Doug know all the moves, from martial arts to pro wrestling throws, and they don’t hesitate to use them. You really don’t want to mess with them!

Burn the Rope (WiiWare)
Try to burn as much of the rope as possible in each level. But there’s a catch: The fire only burns upward, so you must rotate the levels to keep your flame alive.

  • Go Series: Portable Shrine Wars (DSiWare)
  • Oscar’s World Tour (DSiWare)
  • My Australian Farm (DSiWare)

More information on all of these titles can be found at the weekly Nintendo Download newsletter.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii |

Daily Scoop: July 28, 2011 – Nintendo, Nintendo, Nintendo

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Ah, the weekend is almost upon us. And there’s a lot going on in the world of video games! Well, ok, mostly it’s just people getting brutally slaughtered in Catherine. Seriously, I took a beating last night. And the sad thing is, I can’t wait to get home and play some more! Even on Normal it’s gut-wrenching.

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Namco’s Active Life: Explorer With Mat for the Wii. It’s on sale for $23.99, which isn’t really much of a sale, sad to say. But Amazon’s also got a fine list of bonus order stuff, including $30 credit on Wii console bundles (in white or black). Mix that with a 3DS price drop and it’s a Nintendo Christmas in July!

No video game t-shirts again today D:. But I can’t say I’m disappointed about the number of Monty Python and the Holy Grail shirts that have been available recently. “Black Knight Coat of (No) Arms” over at shirt.w00t is straight awesome:

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Posted in 3DS, Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Resident Evil 4 HD, Code Veronica X HD gameplay is looking pretty good

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

On the upcoming episode of the Warp Zoned podcast, we talk about Ashley from Resident Evil 4, and how she’s one of our most hated characters in gaming. If you’re someone who loathed her, you better get used to the idea of spending a lot more time with her, as you’re probably going to want to pick up the high definition remake of RE4. It’s looking really great, as is Resident Evil Code: Veronica X HD, which you can see after the jump.

Resident Evil 4 HD releases on the PlayStation Store and Xbox 360 Games on Demand on September 20, with Resident Evil Code: Veronica X HD arrriving on both platforms a week later, on September 27.

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Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Microsoft launches MyStats for Xbox Live Rewards members

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has expanded with their Xbox Live Rewards program with the new MyStats page.

Just point your browser to Rewards.Xbox.com/my-stats to bring up a wide selection of stats on your last six months of Xbox 360 activities. You’ll find out how your most played games compare to the community, how many Achievements you’ve unlocked, single-player versus mulitplayer play and how many entertainment services you’ve used.

Apparently I’ve put 43 hours in Mortal Kombat. Think that’s impressive? The average Xbox Live Rewards member has played NetherRealm’s latest for 123 hours.

So let out your inner stat geek today!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 |