All posts by Brendan Griffiths

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WRC 4 Gets Light and Weather Trailer

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Last gen you couldn’t move for rallying titles, but recent years have seen only a handful of releases. We blame Sebastian Loeb hoarding all the silverware for killing off interest in the sport. Nevertheless, we can’t wait to get our tires muddy with Milestone’s latest WRC title.

This is the first time we’ve seen the game in action, with the trailer showing events taking place at dawn, noon and dusk. Fingers crossed night races will make it into the final game. Expect varied weather conditions too with rain and snow once again playing key parts in having fun sliding around U-turns. Continue reading WRC 4 Gets Light and Weather Trailer →

Action, PC, Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, Xbox 360

Lost Planet 3 (Review)

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After the slightly frosty reception the thawed out first sequel received, it would seem the Lost Planet series has been pining for those long cold winters again. So the third game is a prequel to the original, taking place many years before.

You are Jim, red-haired (finally!) and awesomely bearded-up for the cold. Jim has a wife and newborn son back on earth, but he’s taken this job on the frozen rock of E.D.N. III to earn some serious money as a Rig operator / go-to guy for exterminating the pesky Akrid wildlife while the NEVEC Corporation searches the planet for T-Energy.

Rather than the Vital Suits of the last two games, you get to romp around in a 50-foot high walking Rig. These huge mechs are essentially maintenance machines, hardly built for combat, but as you and Jim will find out, you’re stuck with what you have.

Continue reading Lost Planet 3 (Review) →

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KickBeat Launch Trailer Brings The Rhythm and Bruise

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Why has this not been done before? The rhythm action has literally had some inspiration beaten into it thanks to Zen Studios’ KickBeat. Merging the worlds of beat ’em ups with rhythm action seems like an enticing prospect to us and one look at this trailer had us scampering for the demo on the US PSN store.

Featuring  angsty tracks from the likes of Pendulum, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, the scene is set for the loudest of beatdowns. Better yet, why not play the game to the rhythm of your own music files? Kickbeat is out now in the States and is a Cross-Buy title for the PS3 and PS Vita. There’s no sign of the game on the EU store right now, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a release date soon. Continue reading KickBeat Launch Trailer Brings The Rhythm and Bruise →

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Leaked Logos Show Unannounced Ubisoft Titles

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Whoops, Ubisoft’s upcoming secret lineup has potentially just been leaked thanks to the likes of A9VG and (who else?) NeoGaf. Take a look at the above image and you can see a number of as yet unannounced titles. The fact these titles already have logos as opposed to the usual internet domain registrations could indicate they are already deep into development.  Continue reading Leaked Logos Show Unannounced Ubisoft Titles →

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Metal Gear Solid 5: Making Quiet 3D Scan Video

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Konami have released a new video showing behind the scenes footage of the 3D facial scans and motion capture for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, featuring Stefanie Joosten, the actress playing Quiet.

It’s been a somewhat strange week in the new news as Hideo Kojima’s been tweeting about making characters more ‘erotic’ (later changed to ‘sexy’) for marketing purposes. This video featuring new character, Quiet, seems to be acting as damage control. There’s no dev speak in it, just a soulful backing track that may as well be saying “See, we’re not just obsessed with cleavage!”

It’s worth a watch to see the imposing number of cameras the acting talent face for a 3D scan of their faces. The detail we’ve seen so far is undeniably impressive, making that wait for next-gen MGS all the harder to endure. Hopefully, by then Kojima and Suda51 will have stopped their body swap experiment. Continue reading Metal Gear Solid 5: Making Quiet 3D Scan Video →

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Capcom Release 70 Minute ‘I Am Street Fighter’ Documentary on YouTube

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Got 70 minutes spare to sit through a history lesson you’ll actually enjoy? Well, get comfortable and enjoy this new documentary Capcom have made available for free on YouTube – it was previously an exclusive with the pricey 25th Anniversary Collector’s Set.

The informative documentary focuses on the runaway success of Street Fighter 2 in the 1990s and how it ignited the fighting genre like nothing before or since. Expect interviews with key developers and pro gamers. We’ve got the whole thing lined up for you after the break. Continue reading Capcom Release 70 Minute ‘I Am Street Fighter’ Documentary on YouTube →

Action, PC, Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, Xbox 360

Splinter Cell: Blacklist (Review)

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When the best stealth experiences this generation have come from first person games -take a bow Far Cry 3’s machete and Dishonored- you have to wonder if grizzled vet Sam Fisher and Splinter Cell can still compete. Like any stealth master though, you don’t even notice how good he is until you’ve been completely drawn in.

The so-so wrapping of this long-awaited return belies the high quality within though. Fans of TV’s 24/anything with terrorists will be able to spot the plot a mile off. A rogue ex-military group attempt to start World War III by threatening terrorist attacks on America if they don’t pull all their troops from foreign countries. A few familiar faces from Sam’s past turn up, but newbies can play the game without feeling they’re missing important facts. Blacklist is a great standalone entry point to the series.

Continue reading Splinter Cell: Blacklist (Review) →

Action, PC, Platforms, PlayStation 3, PSN (PlayStation Store), Reviews, RPG, XBLA, Xbox 360

Mars: War Logs (Review)

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That’s One Red Dead Planet

Low cost downloadable RPGs are something of a rarity on consoles, with only Rainbow Moon coming to mind in recent years as anything vaguely worth your attention. Mars: War Logs would like to get involved with the genre too, despite being more of an action-RPG.

Set far into the future, Mars has undergone colonisation, but that new civilisation has long since collapsed. It has been replaced by warring water companies as everyone inexplicably fights over the dusty hellhole.

Continue reading Mars: War Logs (Review) →

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Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

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It’s going to take some hands-on time to convince us that Square Enix is doing the right thing by steering the Final Fantasy series in a more action-orientated direction. But after the disappointments of the last two FFXIII titles, we’re willing to listen.

This new dev diary goes behind the scenes at Square Enix, giving us some more details about the game’s story, locations and more. The staff are also keen to emphasise that new players will be able to pick up the story too. Even so, we’d advise checking a few wikis first. Who knows which of the last game’s multiple endings they’re resuming from.

Unlike the last two games, players will only be controlling Lightning this time around, but there will be lots of familiar faces popping up throughout the story. Third time’s a charm though right? Lightning strikes one last time February 14th. Continue reading Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII →

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Kingdom Hearts HD Gets New Combat Trailer

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This latest trailer gives us a better look at the Chain of Memories side of this upcoming compilation, namely the card-based combat, which looks a lot more energetic than it sounds. This HD release will include the original Kingdom Hearts game with the previously Japan-only Final Mix content. Chain of Memories was originally a Nintendo GBA title, which was later ported to the PS2, although we never saw a UK release for that one.

The disc also includes a newly crafted video of all the cinematics from the 3DS title 358/2 Days, meaning Sony gamers can start to catch up on the series’ Nintendo wanderings. We’re still a bit annoyed Kingdom Hearts II isn’t on the disc, but with well over 50 hours’ worth of content, we think we’ll cope for a while. Maybe the sequel and Birth By Sleep will get their own release next year?

Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix is out September 23rd. Continue reading Kingdom Hearts HD Gets New Combat Trailer →

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Rainbow Six Vegas and Magic 2013 Free For Xbox Gold Subs

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It’s taken a while for the promised free games to start rolling in for Xbox Live Gold subscribers, but we’re seeing mild improvement each month. From today until the 15th of September subscribers can pick up Magic 2013 (aka Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013). On the 16th until the end of the month Rainbow Six Vegas will be available as a free download too. Continue reading Rainbow Six Vegas and Magic 2013 Free For Xbox Gold Subs →

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Spawn and Heihachi Available on Both Formats for Soul Calibur II HD Online

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When originally released in 2003, Heihachi and Spawn were exclusive characters for the PS2 and Xbox respectively. However, the upcoming HD re-release of the best entry of the franchise will do away with exclusive rights and allow players on PS3 and 360 to enjoy both fighters.

Heihachi, the mental old dad from Tekken is something of a hard sell in SC seeing as he’s the only unarmed character, but anyone daring to rock that hair and start on people with swords is going to be worth a shot. Comic book star (of many years ago) Spawn, seems much more at home with a tasty-looking axe to cleave opponents with. Not so sure about the outfit. Voldo might take him on a date though. Continue reading Spawn and Heihachi Available on Both Formats for Soul Calibur II HD Online →

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Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness Gets New Trailer

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Got a hangover? Then this new trailer for Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness is probably going to make your face hurt. Coming to the PS3 later this year, the tactical RPG from NIS America looks set to be as crazy and colourful as ever.

It’s a little early in the day to make sense of it all to be honest, but this could fill the RPG-shaped gap in the Christmas lineup until Tales of Xillia 2 arrives next year. Continue reading Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness Gets New Trailer →

Action, PC, Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, Xbox 360

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (Review)

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The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is far removed from the strategy roots of last year’s much-loved XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It was off to a rough start when originally revealed as an FPS, before the internet threw its toys from the pram over a few minutes of footage.

Fans were appeased when 2K released Enemy Unknown, and since then The Bureau transformed into a third-person shooter and the tactical side of the game was given some much-needed emphasis in the build-up. After all the fuss and returns to drawing boards, 2K may end up annoying fans anyway. There’s no escaping that this is essentially a third-person shooter with squad commands stapled on.

The story is standard alien invasion fare, but with an unusual setting for most video games, the early 1960s. This gives the early parts of the game something of a unique identity. The sharp suits, the hats, the cars, the picture perfect suburban homes and even the music all feel spot on. Mad Men fans will adore it.

Continue reading The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (Review) →

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Star Composer Team Talk Beyond: Two Souls

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The cinematic production values of Beyond: Two Souls have been sky high since the first footage was seen. It’s not just visually though that the game is exceeding our expectations. Sony and Quantic Dream have drafted in some top talent to compose the game’s score. Lorne Balfe is the composer for the soundtrack and has done great work on Assassin’s Creed III and Modern Warfare 2. It’s also being produced by film legend Hans Zimmer who has worked on the likes of Gladiator, The Lion King, The Dark Knight, Inception and Pirates of the Caribbean.

This interview gives us some insight into the process of creating the game’s soundtrack, emphasising the similarities between games and films, while also respecting their differences. Balfe talks about not wanting to fall into the trap that many games do by having a theme score that’s always popping up. That’s fine in films, but when a player is maybe sitting there for six hours, they don’t want to annoy them with repetition. It really sounds like they’ve thought this through. Naturally, Beyond: Two Souls is right up there with our most anticipated games of the Christmas rush. Continue reading Star Composer Team Talk Beyond: Two Souls →

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New Shadow Warrior Gameplay Trailer

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Want an old-school shooter, but one that doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in the past? Quiet, Painkiller HD, nobody wants to play you. You really need to check out the new gameplay trailer for the reboot of Shadow Warrior. There’s a gory mess of first-person sword attacks and bloody massive rocket launchers against all sorts of opponents.

Plus, the protagonist is called Wang. Any trailer that open with “you’ve got Wang” when answering the phone has our attention. Childish? Most certainly. A much needed dose of silliness in a genre obsessed by realism? You bet. Enjoy the weird after the break. Continue reading New Shadow Warrior Gameplay Trailer →

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Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus Trailer Has an Xmas Gun!

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All hail the Winterizer! Ratchet’s new gun turns enemies into snowmen that give out health and ammo! Insomniac Games can’t help themselves, as they’re bringing yet another Ratchet & Clank game to PS3 despite  now working on multiplatform titles. It would seem they’re a long way off running out of ideas for new weapons too if this new trailer is anything to go by.

Into the Nexus is set to be a return to the classic games, carrying on the story arc from A Crack in Time. The last game focused on awful tower defence sections, so this is awesome news. Also, there’s some neat little 2D platforming sections to look forward to. This is looking like one of the best Ratchet games in years. Knack may have to wait. Continue reading Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus Trailer Has an Xmas Gun! →

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Killzone: Mercenary Gamescom Trailer Raises Our Hopes

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Boy does the Vita need a great game. Particularly a decent FPS as Resistance only managed a ‘meh‘ and Call of Duty was an absolute abomination. This looks like the real deal though. The transition to handheld doesn’t seem to have dumbed down the action at all with this trailer showing huge firefights in the skies and on the ground.

Playing as a mercenary, the aim of the game is to make as much money as possible, by taking any dirty job you can. Brutal kills and headshots net you even more cash along with completing your objectives. Money can then be used to buy new equipment and upgrades. With lots of quickfire missions, gameplay will be well suited to the handheld, and early reports are suggesting the multiplayer is shaping up nicely too. Enjoy the trailer after the break and don’t forget to take a peek at Jon’s hands-on preview too. Continue reading Killzone: Mercenary Gamescom Trailer Raises Our Hopes →

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Knack Gets A Gamescom Trailer

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Sony’s upcoming action platformer is looking pretty sweet so far. With Mark Cerny, the lead architect on the PS4, working on the game, we’re sure he’s going to try and get something special from the new console. Not to mention he has a rich platforming history including the best of the best: Sonic 2, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter. The guy knows his stuff.

Knack features a transforming hero that builds himself up by destroying objects, but he can become smaller to sneak through tighter areas too, which should break up all the goblin smacking. We’ve got high hopes for this one, especiallyseeing as it’s the only platformer in Sony’s launch lineup. Continue reading Knack Gets A Gamescom Trailer →