Spike TV Video Game Awards 2009

Spike TV is back with the Video Game Awards on December 12th, 2009 and you can vote now for your favorite games. Head over to the website to vote for all your favorite titles in the catergories like Game of the Year, Best Soundtrack, Best PC Game, Best Downloadable Content and more.

This year is packed full of amazing titles and I personally had a hard time picking my favs. Just take for example the 5 games up for game of the year:

1. Batman: Arkham Asylum
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
3. Assassin's Creed 2
4. Left4Dead 2
5. Call of Duty 2: Modern Warfare 2

How the hell do you choose one game from a list that full of great games? I choose Uncharted 2 but it was a close tie with Batman and Assassin's Creed 2.

VGA 2009 Mystery World Premiere #1 | SpikeTV | SPIKE.com

Spike TV has also been showing off their award show exclusives this year via commercials which includes a mystery shooter game from 2K Games (shown above), Halo Reach, Tron: the Movie and a new Star Wars game.

Sesame Street Makes Fun of Bill O'Reilly on his Show

If anybody can do an impersonation of Bill O'Reilly on his show and get away with it, it would be a muppet. Apparently some Conservative groups recently got upset over a parody of Fox News on a re-aired episode of Sesame Street where a grouch character referred to a news channel known as Pox News as trashy.

Funny how is an old episode and people are now just getting upset over it.

More Then Meets the Stomach: Megatron Cake

megatron cake, originally uploaded by debbiedoescakes.

My favorite cake artist, Debbie Does Cakes is at it again - this time she made an amazing Transformer cake featuring Megatron.

The shading on this cake is fantastic. Whoever purchase this cake is a lucky person. I really wish I lived near Debbie so I could purchase something from her.

[Via Flickr]

ToMI - Episode 5: Rise of the Pirate God Available December 5th for PC

If you've been playing the Tales of Monkey Island games like I've been, you know Episode 4 finishing on a cliffhanger and the outcome was not good for our hero, Guybrush.

On December 8th, Telltale Games will release the 5th and final episode in the Tales of the Monkey Island series, Rise of the Pirate God. Fans will finally get to find out the fate of our favorite mighty pirate.

I really hope that Telltale decides to create another block of episodes for the Monkey Island franchise like they did with the Sam & Max franchise. I have been massively impressed with their reboot of the series and don't want them to stop.

If you haven't checked out any of the Monkey Island games yet, please do. You can now purchase single episodes of the game for $8.95 or the full package for $34.95. There's also a demo available for the first episode. You can find everything here.

Planet 51: Trailer

This movie is not even plausible but the trailer is so funny and cute, so who really cares that the movie is actually suggesting there's a distant planet full of Aliens that just happen to talk English and live exact like humans did in the 1950s.

Planet 51 is out in theaters now.

After These Messages - Chiptunes Preview

I have the utter joy of being friends with a genius when it comes to chiptune music and pixel art, Doctor Octoroc, just one of the masterminds behind 8-bit Keyboard Cat. Doc produced a wonderful chiptunes Christmas album called 8-Bit Jesus a while back and now he's back with a new album called After These Messages.

The new album will feature 30 TV show themes from the 70s, 80s and 90s that have been redone in retro game style music. Doc has decided to post a few tunes from the album as well as the artwork for the album online flash player. You check out the preview tunes here.

The artwork for the flash player are all the TV Shows game title screens if they were really videogames back in the day.

Poker Face Mash-up Featuring Lady Gaga, Christopher Walken and Cartman

This is what the internet was made for.
Honestly this is still my favorite version of the song though - Poker Face - Chris Daughtry

Star Wars in a Notebook

Star Wars in a Notebook!

Atom.com: Funny Videos | Animation | Star Wars Fan Movies

Oscar Triana recreates the entire first Star Wars movie in 3 minute using fake cut-out figures, cotton and his notebook.
Winner of the Best Animated Movie in the Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge 2009

2009 Holiday Gamer Gadget Gift Guide

DJ Hero
Activision Blizzard, Freestyle Games
Available for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2 and Playstation 3

Breaking the band music game mould this holiday season is the newest game from Activision Blizzard and Freestyle Games, DJ Hero which allows players to test their scratching and mixing skills on a turntable style controller. The game has 80 exclusive, original mixes by some of the best DJs in the biz like DJ Grandmaster Flash, DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more. DJ Hero also sports some custom guitar riff tracks which allow players with a Guitar Hero controller to team up for a rocking DJ and guitar duet. Bring the party home this holiday season with DJ Hero.


Suggested Retail Price: $129.99

Lips: Number One Hits
Microsoft Games Studio, Inis
Available for Xbox 360

Sometimes you’ve just gotta sing your heart out and Lips: Number One Hits lets you sing to the biggest chart toppers from Coldplay to Rihanna to the Black Eyed Peas. You can sing on your own, sing a duet with your best friend or battle it out in a vocal fighters’ mode. The game comes with 40 songs to choose from but you’ll be able to purchase and download more tunes from the Lips music store or you can choose to sing karaoke to your own music sans the lyrics via freestyle mode. As a bonus feature, Lips Number One Hits comes with a microphone which is compatible with other music games. This game completes any girl’s night in and makes for a great gift for the “hard to buy for” woman.

Suggested Retail Price: $69.99


[Read more]

Super Mario Bros. - Pulp Fiction Style

Jeremie Duval put together a sweet animation staring Mario in the style of Tarantino. Poor Mushroom Kingdoms bastards never knew what hit them.
[Via You Tube]

When This Baby Hits 88MPH ....

I wanted to post this since I've been playing Ratchet and Clank: a Crack in Time. It seemed so appropriate. The artist behind this cool piece is Michael Turvey aka Mikey from the Dtoid C-blogs. I love the Back to the Future theme here. So cool!

[Via Dtoid C-Blogs]

Space Invaders are Stealing My Mail - Updated

I have this perfectly white mailbox outside and now I know what I want to do it - cover it in videogame art!

Nim over at Geekcrafting and Uberdorking clarified the situation on the mailbox for me. (Thanks Nim!) Nim put up a post for her mailbox post in preparation for her own Space Invaders mailbox (pictures above) and the neighbours decided to give her a plain white mailbox because they were too impatient to wait for it. Thanks but no thanks! White is dull - game designs are in.

Thanks for the info and the inspiration, Nim. My white mailbox is doomed.

[Via Technabob]

Hack Twitter Avatars

Adam Koford took the little Twitter bird's outline and morphed it into some sweet avatar for his account. From Yoda to the stretchy Fry from Futurama above, Adam came up with a little bit of everything.

 

 [Via Flickr] 

Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy XIII Release Date

Pretty much all I need to know. I'll be buying this for my PS3 the first day it comes out.

Playstation Store Downloads for November 11, 2009

Updates
Tank Battles Price Drop (now $6.99)

Downloadable Games
Braid ($14.99)
Braid is an artful puzzle-platformer where the player manipulates the flow of time in strange and unusual ways. In each world, time behaves differently, and it is time’s strangeness that creates the puzzles. The time behaviors include: rewinding, independent time streams, time that is tied to space, parallel realities, time dilation, and perhaps more.
Braid treats the player’s time as precious; there is no filler. Each puzzle shows the player something new about the game world.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 240 MB

Star Trek: D-A-C ($9.99)
Star Trek: D-A-C is a fast-paced, top-down space shooter inspired by the new motion picture. This pick-up and play game allows you and your friends to choose from 5 classes of starships (from a list including the all-new U.S.S. Enterprise) and battle it out solo or online! Enlist in Starfleet or join the Romulan Empire as you battle with up to 11 friends in game play modes including: Solo Play, Online VS, and Online Co-op. Choose your side, fire your weapons, boldly go!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 134 MB


PSone Classics: PS3/PSP
Command & Conquer: Red Alert ($5.99)
Re-live the glory of the first Red Alert in the Command & Conquer franchise with this downloadable PSOne classic. Imagine an alternate history where Hitler never existed, and the USSR and Stalin rose to power and begin a full scale invasion of Europe. Welcome to Red Alert, comrade. Wage World War II like never before as the Allied faction and restore freedom, or claim Europe for the glory of the Soviet Union in over 25 strategic missions.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 978 MB

Game Demos (free)
Inferno Pool Demo
Inferno Pool is a revolutionary, simultaneous multi-player Pool action game, where every ball you pot is dropped onto your opponents table. Battle against your friends locally or compete against the world online. Learn punishing skill shots to unleash Inferno Mode and humiliate your opponents. This is Pool on fire!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 267 MB

NCAA Basketball 10 Demo
See the game like it has never been seen before, with authentic broadcasting presentations from the all-star announcing crews of Dick Vitale, Brad Nessler, and Erin Andrews of ESPN, and Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery of CBS Sports. Enjoy ultimate control over your team’s strategy and style of play, including real Motion Offensive Systems. From the broadcast table to the hardwood – it’s all there in NCAA Basketball 10.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.01 GB

MX Vs. ATV Reflex Demo
Playable on either MX or ATV. 6 tutorial lessons, 1 National event, 1 Freestyle event.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 913 MB

Star Trek: D-A-C Demo
Star Trek: D-A-C is a fast-paced, top-down space shooter inspired by the new motion picture. This pick-up and play game allows you and your friends to choose from 5 classes of starships (from a list including the all-new U.S.S. Enterprise) and battle it out solo or online! Enlist in Starfleet or join the Romulan Empire as you battle with up to 11 friends in game play modes including: Solo Play, Online VS, and Online Co-op. Choose your side, fire your weapons, boldly go!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 134 MB

Add-on Game Content
PAIN Fat Princess Character (free)
You may recognize this launchable character from another PSN exclusive title, Fat Princess. Now that she’s in our world though, she’s not such a PAIN to move around! In fact, once you start launching her around, she’ll prove herself capable of taking her fair share of ooches while posing with royal style.
File size: 100 KB

PAIN Speed Oocher Mode ($1.99)
The second Naughty Bit mode is a straight evolution from the fan-favorite PAINLab of the same name. This is a Single Player race mode that features multiple courses, each with its own set of rules. Launch into the track and get ready for a fast-paced ride that just might “Ooch” you into the top of the Leaderboard!
File size: 100 KB

Rag Doll Kung Fu Mistress of Mime Character (free)
Add an extra fighter to your kung fu collection with this amazing additional character for Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic – created by the very talented Agnese from Italy as part of SCEE’s and SCEI’s special ‘Design Your Own Rag Doll’ competition.
File size: 884 KB

Rag Doll Kung Fu Shaolin Scarecrow Character (free)
Add a new fighter to your arsenal with this incredible extra character for Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic – created by the imaginative Mark from Hong Kong as part of SCEE’s and SCEI’s special ‘Design Your Own Rag Doll’ competition.
File size: 1.52 MB

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Costume Pack ($3.99)
Download the pre-order exclusive white costume for Ryu as well as all new costumes for Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel!
File size: 100 KB

Guitar Hero 5
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

“Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz ($1.99)
“Lady” by Lenny Kravitz ($1.99)
“Let Love Rule” by Lenny Kravitz ($1.99)
Lenny Kravitz Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Let Love Rule”, “Fly Away”, “Lady” by Lenny Kravitz. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
File size: 38 MB – 56 MB (singles), 133 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

“Club Foot”— Kasabian ($1.99)
“Employee of the Month”— SpongeBob SquarePants ($0.99)
“A Day Like This”— SpongeBob SquarePants ($0.99)
“Ridin’ the Hook”— SpongeBob SquarePants ($0.99)
SpongeBob SquarePants Pack 2 ($2.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: SpongeBob SquarePants Pack 2. This pack includes: “A Day Like This,” “Employee of the Month,” and “Ridin’ the Hook” by SpongeBob SquarePants.
“Smash it Up (Part II)”— The Damned ($1.99)
“Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground”— White Stripes ($1.99)
“Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine”— White Stripes ($1.99)
“Icky Thump”— White Stripes ($1.99)
White Stripes Pack 1 ($5.49) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: White Stripes Pack 1. This pack includes: “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine,” and “Icky Thump” by White Stripes.
File sizes: 8.72 MB – 26 MB (singles), 56 MB – 72 MB (track packs)

Game Videos (free)
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Launch Trailer
File sizes: 81 MB (HD) 135 MB (1080)

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Space Trailer
File sizes: 60 MB (HD) 103 MB (1080)

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Time Trailer
File sizes: 63 MB (HD) 106 MB (1080)

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time – Weapons Trailer
File sizes: 61 MB (HD) 102 MB (1080)

Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines Teaser Trailer
File size: 46 MB (HD)

The Saboteur Just Getting Started Trailer
File sizes: 53 MB (HD)

The Saboteur Pre-Order Trailer
File size: 21 MB (HD)

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Limited Edition Trailer
File size: 68 MB (HD)

Star Trek: D-A-C Trailer
File size: 63 MB (HD)

Themes
Ratchet & Clank Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 2.37 MB

Dita Von Teese Theme ($1.99)
File size: 1.07 MB

Deep Space Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.62 MB

Junkyard Girl Theme ($1.99)
File size: 5.8 MB

Road to China Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.74 MB

Wallpaper (free)
Tekken 6 Lars Wallpaper
File size: 1.41 MB

Tekken 6 Lilli Wallpaper
File size: 1.68 MB

Tekken 6 Nina Wallpaper
File size: 1.74 MB

Tekken 6 Yoshimitsu Wallpaper
File size: 1.63 MB

Tekken 6 Zafina Wallpaper
File size: 1.56 MB

PlayStation Store for PSP
Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 storefront)
Pinball Heroes – High Velocity Bowling ($3.99)
Virtual pinball game based on the hit PS3 downloadable game “High Velocity Bowling.”
ESRB Rated E
File size: 21.3 MB

Pinball Heroes – Hot Shots Golf ($3.99)
Virtual pinball game based on the hit video game series “Hot Shots Golf.”
ESRB Rated E
File size: 22.3 MB

Pinball Heroes – PAIN ($3.99)
Virtual pinball game based on the hit PS3 downloadable game “PAIN.”
ESRB Rated E
File size: 20.3 MB

Pinball Heroes – UNCHARTED ($3.99)
Virtual pinball game based on the hit PS3 series “UNCHARTED.”
ESRB Rated E
File size: 25.3 MB

Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble ($39.99)
As the toughest student in school, it’s up to you to prove your badassitude when all the schools in the nation get together for a weeklong trip to the historic city of Kyouto. In this free-roaming brawler, take to the streets and kick ass to rise to the top in the world of delinquents. Hunt down more than 45 boss enemies, each with their own schedules, and dispense righteous beatdowns before stealing their respect, territory, and special moves.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 401 MB

PSP minis
Bubble Trubble ($4.99)
ESRB Rated E
File size: 18 MB

Add-on Game Content
Rock Band Unplugged (also available from PS3 storefront)
Build your Rock Band Unplugged library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

“Excuse Me Mister”— No Doubt ($1.99)
“I’m Shipping Up to Boston”— Dropkick Murphys ($1.99)
File sizes: 14 MB – 16 MB

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce (free)
Quest Pack #7 – A selection of four brand new missions that will push your skills to their limit. Also includes all previous Quest Packs. To learn more about this pack and about Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce go to www.koei.com/strikeforce
File size: 1.13 MB

PSP Themes
Dita Von Teese PSP Theme 1 and 2 ($1.49 each) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File sizes: 199 MB – 213 MB

Deep Space PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 487 MB

Junkyard Girl PSP Theme ($1.99) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 605 KB
*Road To China PSP Theme ($1.49) (also available from PS3 storefront)
File size: 474 KB

10 Geeky Laws That Don't Exist ... But Should

Even though I am not a Geek Dad or Mom, I love reading the articles over at Wired's Geek Dad blog and today they had a great original post worth talking about. 10 geeky laws that don't exist, but should is a list of rules based on famous geeks that should exist in the world today.

These were my two favorites:

• Savage and Hyneman’s Law: Blowing stuff up is fun. Blowing stuff up in the name of science is AWESOME.

• Tolkien and Rowling’s Law: No reasonably faithful movie adaptation of a book will ever be quite as good as the book it adapts. Thus great movie adaptations can only be made out of truly amazing books.

If you don't know who these laws are based on, then you are not a true geek and should turn in your membership card now. Head over to Geek Dad to read the rest of the laws.

Videogames and Facing Controversy

Daniel Floyd talks about videogames and what happens when our favorite medium tries to take on a deeper mission than just getting people to have fun.

[Via Elder Geek]

Review: Wolfenstein

Wolfenstein
Activision, ID Software, Raven Software
Available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC

Nostalgia can be a huge motivator. You can see the effects of it in the market currently as a generation of 80s kids is now all grown up, and creating and buying icons from their childhood. The gaming industry is definitely one of those markets that is seeing more and more icons from my childhood return in sequels and re-makes. Sometimes this can be a good thing like the case of the Telltale Games and their revamp of the Sam & Max and Monkey Island franchises or a bad thing like the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise which really just needs to die.

One game series to get a next generation make over is the Wolfenstein series which was first created in 1981 by Muse Software with the game, Castle Wolfenstein. The newest instalment in the series is a direct sequel to the game, Return to Castle Wolfenstein which was made by Id software and created in 2001. Return to Castle Wolfenstein followed the story of an American soldier, William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, as he tried to escape from a Nazi stronghold and overthrow the regime.


Well, Blazkowicz is back in Wolfenstein and this time, he’s taking on the Nazi army from the outside. Set during World War 2, Agent Blazkowicz is sent to by the OSA to Isenstadt look into a mysterious medallion he finds on a Nazi warship during a mission to stop an attack on London but when he arrives, the Nazis not only knew he were coming but they have an ambush prepared for him. B.J. manages to escape but during the process sets off a strange weapon in the Nazi’s possession which removes the gravity from the area.

After B.J. meets up with his contacts in the area, you discover the Nazis have been looking into the occult and B.J. manages to steal another medallion from them much like the first one he found on the warship. This one, the Thule Medallion, allows you to enter a strange barrier dimension which stands between our world and the world of the Black Sun which is full of strange floating monsters.

The medallion also gives you special powers like veil sight which allows you to walk through walls or veil shield which protects you against bullets. In order to power up the medallion, you must find crystals called Nachtsonne to increase its power and they can only be found in Isenstadt.

Beyond the medallion powers, Wolfenstein plays pretty much like any other FPS game as you must run and gun your way through the levels. You will be given a multitude of weapons to find, purchase and upgrade throughout the game but I pretty much stuck to one gun throughout. You will have access to a black market to buy your weapons, ammos and more between each level.


The game at first starts out on a linear path but will soon open up to a sand box type world where you will have the opportunity to choose what mission you go on. After you complete a mission, you will be able to teleport back to base and purchase new weapons and upgrades. During missions, there are side items to locate like Nazi gold and intelligence reports.
The A.I in the game is horrible as most soldiers will stand still as you toss grenades at them. Honestly, the game is only really difficult because the developers decided to cram the game full of enemies and throw them at you in mass amounts. Some levels have so many enemies being thrown at you that the only way to pass them is with the use of the veil powers.

As I am not a huge FPS fan, I tend to base my love of the genre of the other aspects found in the game as shooting hordes of enemies for several hours is just not enough to keep me interested. I generally like a game with a good plot, graphics or some sort of hook. This game was lack quite a bit of those.

While the storyline in Wolfenstein is cool enough, the way it was present was poorly done in my opinion as it took forever to get the information across. Instead of giving the player a nice entertaining cut scene to explain the story, you have to instead talk to several informants and contacts to find out what is going on and you don’t get to talk to them just once – no, you have to talk to them multiple times which just seems to drag on and on.


Graphically the game is not bad with the occult special effects wowing you at every move but when you compare it to current games on the market like Halo ODST and even Call of Duty: WoW, the graphics could be better. The characters were incredible rigid in the cut scenes and there were a lot of glitches like walking partially through walls or enemies getting stuck in open doors. Such a shame that the graphics weren’t up to par since this game had huge potential.
The audio wasn’t much better as each unimportant character sounded stiff and similar as if they pulled the development team in to do the extra voiceovers rather than hire a real voiceover guy for them. The soundtrack was decent with a lovely epic battle music track following your every move as you blow those nasty Nazi soldiers away.

For a fan of the Wolfenstein series, this is a good game to pick up and relive your childhood but for players looking for something with a little more meat, I would suggest looking at other FPS games on the market before you head here. Wolfenstein is a decent FPS but decent is just not enough here to stand out in seas of Call of Duties and Halos.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Rent it

Epic 8-Bit Art: Super Monkey Island Bros.

Telltale Games still hasn't announced the winners of the Halloween contest but there are still so great entries showing up on the blog and in the forums from the contest.

This gem I found in the forums from a user named Yoshiwam. It's the Monkey Island gang dressed up as members of the Super Mario Bros. crew. LeChuck as Mario, Guybrush as Luigi, Elaine as Peach, Stan as Toad, Murray as Yoshi and even a rubber chicken with a pully is seen in the background as a power-up. Classic!

Epic 8-Bit Art: Half Life 2 - NES Style

Half-Life 2 - 8-bit Retroactive - NES style Magnets, originally uploaded by Arcade Art.

What if Half-Life 2 was created for the NES?

Arcade Artist has gone and answered that question with her NES style bead sprite magnets. The set includes four large magnets: Alyx Vance, Gordon Freeman with his faithful Gravity Gun (with glow in the dark action), the Black Mesa administrator turned Combine collaborator Doctor Breen, and everyone's favorite de-beaked headcrab: Lamarr.

You can currently buy these magnets on Arcade Artist's Etsy store.

The BBPS Sings The Beatles at X'09

At one point in my long blogging career, I work for a short time over the The BBPS.com and back in September when Mike (former Attack This editor) and I hit X'09 Microsoft annual Holiday event, I ran into some of the guy from The BBPS, both current and former writers. There were current staff members, Jim Squires and Bryan Wall there and former writer Ryan Hewson, all in attendance at the event.

After Jim Squires got a bit of liquid courage into him to take the mic, we all decided to jump onto the mini stage and play some Beatles Rock Band. Best of all, we recorded it so our readers could hear how bad we sound. Yes, we all started singing at some point in order to back up poor Jimmy plus it's the Beatles - how could you not sing.

I know I should have posted this video sooner but I forgot about it until now. 

[Via The BBPS]

Check out the rest of the videos after the jump.

Girls Go Geek: The Girl Gamer Talks 1 vs 100 with Amber Mac

After a long wait, my episode of Girls Gone Geek with Amber Mac has finally made its way to the You Tube channel. I can't embed it here but I can give you the link so you can head over to the You Tube channel and check it out for yourselves. The episode features an interview with Dr. Kiki and then a small Xbox tip segment at the end with me, Gamer Faith.

Check it out!

The Return of Alice?

This teaser video for the return of American McGee's Alice found its way onto the internet. So creepy looking ... I love it!

But this is not the official trailer for American McGee's Alice 2. This was meant to be an avertising pitch for EA and American McGee from Troy Morgan based on the artwork for the game in progress. Nothing more. American liked it but nothing has been approved.

[Via Return of Alice]

Playstation Store Downloads for November 5, 2009

Updates
Mercury Bundle 2 Sale – Includes Archer Maclean’s Mercury and Mercury Meltdown (now $9.99)
This is Shane Bettenhausen from Ignition Entertainment with a quick heads-up about a killer PlayStation Store promotion that kicks off today. For a limited time, you’ll be able to snag two great PSP games–the classic Archer Maclean’s Mercury and its supercharged sequel, Mercury Meltdown—for the shockingly low total of only $9.99. Check out this video!

TV Show King Price Drop (now $6.99)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Weapon X Arena Pack Price Drop (now $4.99)

Qore
Qore Episode 18: November 2009 ($2.99)
Episode 18 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network gets creative with ModNation Racers, goes behind the scenes at ILM and takes a closer look at Star Trek on Blu-ray, and revisits the world of Assassin’s Creed II.
File size: 1.63 GB

Qore Annual Subscription: November 2009 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a high-definition monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to upcoming titles from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and third-party developers across the globe.
File size: 1.63 GB


Downloadable Games
Military Madness: Nectaris ($9.99)
The Military is back for a new generation of recruits! The classic turn-based strategy series Military Madness, a.k.a. Nectaris, is exploding onto PlayStation Network. With an all-new graphical barrage, an all-new commander unit, online team and vs. multiplayer, and a platoon of other new features, this is the maddest game in the series yet!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 95 MB

Numblast ($4.99)
Prepare yourself for a number puzzle game that’s easy to play, totally addictive and laced with dreamlike, surreal undertones: are you ready for Numblast™?
ESRB Rated E
File size: 330 MB

[Read More]

Review: November's Downloadable Games

Shadow Complex
Microsoft Game Studio, Epic Games
Available on Xbox Live Arcade

In a sea of casual arcade games on Xbox Live, Shadow Complex tends to stand out with its stellar cut-scenes and visually impressive world. Sure, a lot of people will compare this game to the Metroid and Castlevanias of the past but trust me when I say; you haven’t played anything quite like this.

Shadow Complex follows the events from a book called Empire which centers on Jason Flemming as he attempts to save his girlfriend, Claire after she is kidnapped by a secret organization called the Progressive Restoration. Jason must work his way through the organization’s secret complex to find Claire and collect equipment to aid him in his efforts.

Though this is technically a side-scroller, the levels are more 2.5D than 2D since Jason has access to layers of the levels rather than just the typical up, down, left and right directions. This gives the player a feeling of 3D when really the game is still just 2D. Being a huge Uncharted fan, I was happy to hear Nolan North (voice of Nathan Drake) as the voice of Jason Flemming but it would given the game more of uniqueness if the character didn’t look so much like Nathan Drake too. Some of the in-game instructions were a little unclear which made some of boss battles hard but overall, the controls were pretty easy to pick up.

I know there was some mass controversy over this game because of the negative gay right views of Orson Card Scott, the author of Empire but honestly this is a great game and I don’t think anyone should let some closed-minded author’s views just in the way of enjoying a great videogame. Even I didn’t let my personal issues with Cliffy B get in the way of enjoying it.

Buy it!

Axel & Pixel
2K Play, Silver Wish Games
Available on Xbox Live Arcade

If you are looking for the next thing in indie art games, then look no further than Axel & Pixel, the new title from 2K Play and Silver Wish Games. This unique title looks like an oil painting come to life with the Monty Python animations. Be prepared to fall into this dream world and never come back.

Axel & Pixel follows a young painter and his faithful dog into a seasonal dreamland of fantastic life forms and environments as they attempt to steal back the key to reality from an evil giant rat. Axel & Pixel must interact with the objects in each level with their magical cursor in order to move onto the next level in pursuit of the rat. Both Axel & Pixel can affect objects which you can click on when your cursor becomes highlighted. Some objects must be clicked on in a specific order or at a specific time in order for them to work. Sketches, bones and paints can be found throughout the game for bonus achievements in the end.

Mini games have been placed in between the main levels of the game that require you to drive vehicles like a hot air balloon or car, and while they tend to break up all the pointing and clicking, I found them to be really hard to complete. The controls were unforgiving and each vehicle had a small health bar that took massive damage with each hit.

While you would think the highlighting cursor would take all difficulty out of this game, Axel & Pixel’s clever puzzles will have you constantly using your wits to help get the duo home. Don’t worry though; there is a nice little hint system to help you in your moments of need.

In a world of mainstream videogame hype, it really doesn’t hurt to check out an indie game or two once in a while and support the little guy. Obviously 2K Play saw potential in this game enough to back it so made you should too.

Buy it!

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Dark Lord
Square Enix
Available on Wii Ware

Tower defence games are now all the rage with everyone from Square Enix to South Park jumping on board with a game in the genre. Square Enix came to the table with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Dark Lord, one of many in the FFCC series, and surprisingly this game wasn’t what I expected.

Sure, I expected something decent as I always do from Square but with so many tower defence games out there following the same format as Pixel Junk Monsters; I expected something like that but with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle characters and monsters. Instead I found they went in a whole other direction with RPG elements, an evil main character and a vertical playing field rather than a flat one.

You play as Mira, the daughter of a fallen Dark Lord who is trying to regain her dark realm by taking revenge over the kingdoms that destroyed her Father, the previous Dark Lord and their tower. As she tries to rebuilt, heroes are sent from the nearby kingdoms to destroy her and her minions in their tower. You must defend your tower by adding new floors and monsters, both defensive and offensive in order to stop the heroes before the reach the source of your power, the tower’s crystal, which is posted on the top level.

I love how unique Square Enix was in creating this game as they opted for an evil female character rather than the typical male hero character and even made the assistant, Tonbetty (a Tonberry), a female as well. The monsters in the game were quite well designed and the goblins especially remind me of something from the Jim Henson Workshop. Be prepared though for lots of RPG experience grinding in order to advantage to higher levels and better monsters because points don’t come easy and you will have to replay levels in order to gain enough for advancement.

While I was happy to see something a little different from the rest, I still wasn’t overly impressed with this game like I was with Pixel Junk Monsters or even Plants vs. Zombies. Sure, this is still a decent game but you have to have the patience to play it and with a stack of review games to be just waiting to be played, I just don’t have the time to replay levels when I really just want to move on to new things.

Pass on it!

Plants vs. Zombies
Pop Cap Games
Available at Pop Cap Games & Steam

Along with tower defence games, zombies are also the big genre in games right now, almost to the point that you have to wonder if the t-virus was injected into the game industry and is now running rampant through the world of game design. Plants vs. Zombies takes both the zombies and tower defence genres, and manages to mash them so perfectly that I couldn’t imagine any other game laying claim to the throne in the Kingdom of Zombie Tower Defence Games from this point forward.

Plants vs. Zombies bring to life a garden full of plant life in order to protect you from a horde of zombies trying to eat your precious brains. You must plant one plant after another in different areas like your backyard, pool and roof in order to keep the zombies at bay. You will get to unlock an arsenal of plant life like pea shooters, tall nuts, cob cannons and more in order to defend against an evil undead army full of zombies with traffic cone hats, football player zombies and even thriller zombies.

Along the way you’ll get help from your crazy neighbour who will give you mini games to play and a store to shop in. You can buy items to help you from the store and also buy supplies for your Zen garden which will net you coins. As you progress through the game, you will also unlock puzzles, mini games and some endless survival modes which will net your more coins and items for your Zen garden.

For only $19.99, Plants vs. Zombie is probably one of the best valued PC games you could possible own on the market right now as its comes with a lengthy adventure mode which can be played over and over again for extra goodies and it also comes with addictive puzzles and mini games which are like two more games on their own. Once you played all those modes through, you then have the Zen garden to play around with and the endless survival modes to clear as well. The game is just full of stuff to do. I’ve been playing it for months now and I still haven’t got everything there is to collect in the game.

The whimsy cartoon graphics and humour in everything in the game will have you amused to no end. The game will continue to challenge you with its ever changing elements and endless supply of different game types. No game will give you as much choice and challenge as this one does for so little cash and as a bonus, the Steam version gives you achievements to work towards.

Pop Cap Games has a flash version available on their website currently for those who wish to check the game out before they buy but I highly suggest you download this game today.

Buy it!

Yummy Labbits!

potato, originally uploaded by motorbot.

Motorbots has me hungry for rabbit for the first time in my life but not for real rabbits - labbits!

His custom baked potato labbit and twinkie labbit are tasty looking, you almost want to take a bite out of them.

Check out more customs from Motorbots on his Etsy store and Flickr Page.