“Killzone Universe” shows a different side of Helghan

Posted on March 31, 2011 by John Scalzo

Sony has been working hard to expand the Killzone universe, including through a detailed backstory, a series of novels and a new short film posted on the PlayStation.Blog.

“Killzone Universe” is said to tell the tale of two friends, one on Vekta and one on Helghan, before the war began. The war hasn’t started yet, but the two friends comes from different backgrounds and their separation causes them to become increasingly alienated from one another.

Give it a watch for another take on the Killzone universe.

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Mafia II takes the cannoli and leaves a Director’s Cut

Posted on March 31, 2011 by John Scalzo

2K Games has announced that Mafia II has become a “made man” and is now available as a “Director’s Cut” on the PS3 (as part of the “Greatest Hits” line) and Xbox 360 (as part of the “Platinum Hits” line). The re-release, which will retail for a wallet friendly $29.99, should be available in select stores now and will be more widely available in April. As a bonus, the Mafia II “Director’s Cut” now includes all of the game’s previously released downloadable content.

With the “Director’s Cut” version, Xbox 360 players will be able to play the “Betrayal of Jimmy” expansion for the first time. It’ll be joined by the further downloadable adventures “Jimmy’s Vendetta” and “Joe’s Adventure.” A quartet of style packs will round out the bonus content in the re-release.

The Mafia II “Director’s Cut” will also be available for the PC “in the coming months.”

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Rush ‘N Attack, Strania, Islands of Wakfu on XBLA this week

Posted on March 30, 2011 by John Scalzo

The Xbox Live Arcade was updated today with three new releases. All three titles are available to download for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) apiece.

Konami’s Rush ‘N Attack: Ex-Patriot brings their other side-scroller shooting series into the 21st century. Strania: The Stella Machina is a shooter from G.Rev designed for those of us who are nostalgic for arcade shooters from the 1980s. And Islands of Wakfu is an action/adventure spin-off of the Wakfu MMORPG.

More information on all three games is available after the break.

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Cars 2: The Game races into 3D on PS3

Posted on March 30, 2011 by John Scalzo

Disney’s Cars 2 will be racing to theaters this Summer and, as expected, the Pixar production will be towing a video game adaptation behind it.

Cars 2 on the PS3 will take things a step further by bursting out of the screen in full 3D. If the game detects a 3D TV, the it will automatically adjust so gamers “experience 3D in every aspect of gameplay” including combat racing, menus and multiplayer.

“The advancement of 3D technology will allow us to immerse the player into the Cars 2 game environment in a whole new way,” said John Blackburn, vice president and general manager of Avalanche Software, developer of Cars 2. “The 3D effects will ratchet up gameplay in ways that will have fans’ hearts pounding when they embark on dangerous spy missions, while our innovative multiplayer with four simultaneous 3D ports will bring a whole new dimension to PS3 gaming.”

Cars 2 will be available for the DS, PC, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 on June 21st.

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

Interview: Zipper’s Kevin Schmitt Talks SOCOM 4 Multiplayer

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

At PAX East 2011, Senior Editor Nicole Kline and I got to have a lengthy chat with Kevin Schmitt, Lead Multiplayer Designer for SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy Seals. We got to talk extensively about the multiplayer, from game modes to progression paths, and how the buddy system plays a large role in the game. We also got some interesting insights from Schmitt, including what it’s like to be a lead designer on his first game at Zipper and the challenges and benefits of dealing with a long established fan base, whom he affectionately refers to as free labor. Playing the game got me really excited for its release and talking with Schmitt only compounded it. Hit the jump for the full interview on one of the most anticipated games of April.

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Posted in Features, Interviews, Previews, PS3 | Tagged ,

Daily Scoop: March 30, 2011 – Let me count the ways

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Nicole Kline

There are so many ways to show someone you care. And if your loved one is a gamer, well, it’s easier than ever, especially with deals like those running over at Buy.com. They’ve got Xbox Live 12-Month Gold Subscription Cards for $39.99, Mafia II for PS3 and Xbox 360 for $14.99, Halo 3: ODST for $12.99, 250GB Hard Drive for Xbox 360 Slim for $54.99, and…well…way more stuff. Go check it out. And remember: you never need an excuse to buy your gamer some goodies.

The only thing more exciting than those hot prices is today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games, which is THQ’s Jeopardy for the Wii. It’s $19.99 down from $29.99, and features multiplayer Jeopardy fun for the whole family. It even has Alex Trebek! It’s no Celebrity Jeopardy, but if you’re looking for something to do with a group, this might be a good game for you.

We are sadly bereft of a good daily t-shirt, but hey! Jinx now has an entire section dedicated to Minecraft shirts. This one is my favorite:

Three Creeper Moon = LOL.

Posted in Daily Scoop |

The dinosaurs return in new Jurassic Park dev diary with Telltale Games

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

I haven’t kept too close an eye on the upcoming Jurassic Park: The Game, but hearing that signature music come on in this trailer actually gets me pretty excited for it. It seems you couldn’t have picked a better studio than Telltale, as the team describes collaborating with paleontologists, details the impact the reptiles have in gameplay, and overall just reminisces about that first time seeing Jurassic Park. The episodes will begin rolling out in April for Mac and PC, with console versions due out in September later this year.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City teaser shambles to unlife

Posted on March 30, 2011 by John Scalzo

Do you pine for the days of Resident Evil 2? If the idea of a city overrun with the undead is your idea of a good time, the recently announced Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City surely tickles your zombie bone. So the newly released teaser trailer above is sure to get your blood pumping (unless you are a zombie that is).

Give it a watch for a glimpse at Leon Kennedy’s appearance in the game and check out the large, trenchcoated figure at 0:41 into the video, which is definitely Nemesis.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City will be released for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Winter.

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