December 2010 Archives

Today, Microsoft has added Raskulls as a downloadable game for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade. Downloadable for 800 points ($10), the game is a platformer with skeletal protagonists saving the world across around 60 levels. By contrast, MicroBot is an 800 point ($10) game that has players indulging in arcade-style shooting action inside the human body. Developed by Naked Sky Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, the game has players battling a biomechanical infestation of the host's systems.

Capcom has released Dead Rising 2: Case West as a downloadable game for the Xbox 360. The game can be purchased for 800 points ($10) and takes place after the events of Dead Rising 2. The game has Frank West from the original Dead Rising joining Chuck Greene as he once again tries to clear his name while dealing with hordes of zombies.

Nintendo has released another group of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including a classic shooter and geography trivia game. Read on for more details...

Atari has appointed Jim Wilson as the company's Chief Executive Officer, replacing Jeff Lapin (who took on the CEO role around this time last year). Prior to taking on the CEO role, Wilson has served as Atari's deputy CEO, meaning that this should be a smooth transition. It's not clear what Lapin will be doing in the future.

Harmonix and Viacom confirmed that developer Harmonix (the folks behind the Rock Band games have been sold to Columbus Nova, an investment firm. Viacom owned Harmonix (as part of MTV Games), but when sales on the Rock Band franchise fell, Viacom decided to sell Harmonix. Harmonix is now, once again, privately held.

Linden Lab, the company behind the virtual world Second Life, has hired Rod Humble to serve as the company's Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Linden Lab, Humble has served as the head of the EA Play label (EA's more casual game label), and was a Vice President of Product Development for Sony Online Entertainment where he worked on EverQuest.

Telltale Games has released Back to the Future: The Game - It's About Time! as a downloadable adventure for PC and Mac gamers. This is the first episode in a five-part season based on the classic films starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The game is set six months after the ending of the third film in the series.

This week, the Xbox 360 sees the release of A World of Keflings and Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam (which is sort-of an expansion rather than just being generic DLC). Read on for more details...

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz has released its special inductive charger that features a six-inch-tall Sonic the Hedgehog figure. This is a numbered, collectible induction charger capable of charging Wii controllers with appropriate battery packs that depicts sonic in the classic Green Hill Zone.

In addition to releasing new downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, Sony has launched featured pages in the PlayStation Store for publishers such as Sega and SNK's NeoGeo platform. Because of these new stores, there are a lot of NeoGeo games flooding this week's releases. Read on for more details...

Matrix Games has released Battlefield Academy: Blitzkrieg France, together with Slitherine Strategies and the British Broadcasting Corporation. This expansion for Battlefield Academy is available as a download or mail order. The expansion allows players to take on the role of German forces during World War II on their route to conquering Paris.

Nintendo has released a new selection of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including a classic Mario Party party game and a touch of robo-exploitation.

Electronic Arts has released Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam as a download for the PC. This is (sort of) an expansion pack for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 in that it requires that game to play. Of course, it's hard to distinguish "DLC" (Downloadable Content) from an "Expansion Pack," so we're just going to call it "Eunice." Anyway, you can now download five new maps in which players battle as either the U.S. Marines or North Vietnamese Army with period-appropriate armaments. This "Eunice" should be released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this week.

Take-Two Interactive announced its financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and financial year ended October 31, 2010. Read on for more details.

Matrix Games, together with developer Code Force, is now offering Return of the Shakturi, an expansion for Distant Worlds, as a download for the PC. The game is also available as a mail order, and expands this 4X space-themed strategy game by adding two new alien races, expanding the game's story and adding plenty of new tech, units and structures to build.

Microsoft has released three new games for Xbox Live Arcade. These downloadable games for the Xbox 360 include a classic multiplayer shooter, a classic board game and a classic arcade-style brawler. Classic.

Sony has released a new selection of downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store. This week's selection includes a Little Big Planet spin-off, a classic Japanese game and pinball tables. Read on for more details...

PlayFirst has launched Soap Opera Dash for the PC and Mac as a download. This time-management game has DinerTown's Rosie producing her own soap opera, starting off filming in a garage and working up to a high-profile production in Dinerwood.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board has released a free app to help parents assess video games. By downloading the app, activating it and pointing the camera at a game box, parents can "easily look up a game's in-depth rating summary..." While we do strongly endorse the ability to get more information to help parents make better purchasing decisions, they can get quite a bit of information by physically lifting the box and looking at the back. Of course, that isn't as sexy as taking a picture of the box and getting information sent to your phone.

Paradox Interactive has released Europa Universalis III: Divine Wind, the fourth expansion for the PC game Europa Universalis III. The expansion requires the original game and is available as a download. It allows gamers to play as one of four daimyos in Japan, striving for influence over the Emperor.

Deep Silver's title New U Fitness First Yoga and Pilates for the Wii is available in stores in North America. The title combines yoga and pilates to create an exercise program for the Wii owner compatible with the Wii Balance Board.

Sony Online Entertainment, together with LucasArts, has launched the Mac version of Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures. Released in September for the PC, this is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game for the PC based on the animated television series of the same name. The game casts players as a hero of the Republic, exploring, attending social events and playing mini-games based on the animated series, with content updates linked to the release of new episodes.

Turbine, part of Warner Bros., has launched the eighth update for its massively multiplayer online game Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. Update 8, called "Attack on Stormreach," extends the siege on Lordsmarch Palace in Stormreach with players defending the city's outer ward, attacking Droaam minelayer ships and battling a medusa.

Blizzard Entertainment, part of Activision Blizzard, is eager to declare that in the first 24 hours it was available, the Cataclysm expansion for World of Warcraft sold around 3.3 million copies (more than the 2.8 million copies World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King sold in its first day). Blizzard also noted that World of Warcraft has around 12 million players globally.

Majesco Entertainment has hired Christina Glorioso for the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer where she will oversee Majesco's brand management and marketing initiatives. Prior to joining Majesco, Glorioso was Vice President of Marketing at MTV Games where she managed marketing programs for the Rock Band franchise. Not long ago, Viacom (MTV Games' parent) declared it planned to sell Harmonix, so it's no surprise the related staff are looking for new positions.

Nintendo has released a new slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including quite a few music-related titles. Read on for more details...

Nintendo has released the Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition for the Wii to stores. This edition has been released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., and is a compilation that includes ports of the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3. This compilation of classic Mario platformers also includes a CD with music and sound effects from various Mario games.

W!Games has released Greed Corp as a download for the PC. Previously released on consoles, this strategy game has players destroying the landscape itself as a means of acquiring resources.

Atari's Cryptic Studios division has launched the third major update for its massively multiplayer online game Star Trek Online, called Season Three: Genesis. Season Three includes an update to Sector Space, the ability to install Borg technology in existing starships, the ability to replay previously played mission and brings player-created content into beta testing.

Matrix Games, together with 2by3 Games, has released Gary Grigsby's War in the East: The German-Soviet War 1941-1945 as a download or mail-order. The game explores the battles of the European Eastern Front of World War II, and is a spiritual successor to the classic cardboard chit wargame Eastern Front.

Microsoft has released a variety of new games through Xbox Live Arcade, today, some of which are free, and Doritos-themed. Read on for more details...

DreamCatcher Games' title Learn Science for the DS is now available in stores. This title brings kids up to speed on certain concepts from the fields of Physics, Biology and Geography.

Touchmaster Connect for the DS, from Warner Bros., is now available in stores in North America. This compilation of games is based on the games found in Touchmaster machines in bars and includes a variety of puzzle, card, strategy and reflex games that can be controlled with the DS touch screen.

Sony has released new downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store. This week's releases include downloadable releases of several previously shipped titles, as well as an alien survival-themed shooter, a soccer management simulation and a camera-powered fighting game. Read on for more details...

Publisher: Zen Studios
Developer: Zen Studios

Platforms: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Reviewed on Xbox 360

The Marvel Pinball Collection for Pinball FX 2 offers four more superb pinball tables for the Pinball FX 2 platform, downloadable for 800 points ($10). Each of the four features a theme based on a classic Marvel character – Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine and Blade. The tables are masterworks of pinball, filled with tremendous fun for anyone, but particularly satisfying for fans of the Marvel characters found on their respective tables.

Disney's game Tron Evolution for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS and PSP is now available in stores (although the Wii version is called Tron Evolution: Battle Grids. While the precise content of the game varies by platform, all are based on the upcoming movie and sequel to Tron. The game is set prior to the events of the film and features combat as well as light cycle racing.

Konami's game Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Duel Transfer for the Wii is now available in stores in North America. Based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D animated series, this game features around 4,500 cards with which players can build decks and duel. The game supports Yu-Gi-Oh! duels both online and locally.

Deep Silver's racing game SBK X: Superbike World Championship for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Featuring both simulation- and arcade-style modes, the game lets players challenge around 90 licensed drivers from the SBK racing world. Competition is available in three classes of motorbike, and the game includes 14 licensed tracks.

D3Publisher's game Yogi Bear, based on the film of the same name, is now available for the Wii and DS. The game has players exploring Jellystone Park as Yogi Bear, attempting to save the park from land developers who want to privatize and develop the park.

Zoo Entertainment, together with Sanrio Digital, says that its game Hello Kitty Seasons for the Wii has arrived in stores in North America. The game includes a variety of Hello Kitty-themed activities, that change with the passing of the seasons. Mini-games include activities such as scooping ice cream, picking pumpkins or making cocoa.

PopCap Games has released Bejeweled 3 both as a download and as a retail edition for the PC and Mac. The classic gem-matching game Bejeweled is one of the most popular formats for casual puzzle games, and Bejeweled 3 adds new modes and improved graphics to that game . Bejeweled 3 offers new gems, new ("secret") modes, and 65 achievements to earn.

Sony has released the mandatory PlayStation 3 system software update v3.55. This mandatory update "adds a security patch." Some updates help your console work better. Other updates help your console work better... for Sony. Leave a little extra time next time you want to play online on your PlayStation 3.

Blizzard Entertainment, part of Activision Blizzard, has released the third major expansion for its massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft. The expansion, called Cataclysm, is available in stores and as a download for both the PC and Mac. The expansion reshapes the world of Azeroth, as "the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing has returned, and the world has been reshaped by the devastation left in his wake." The expansion transforms the landscape and available quests, adds two new playable races (worgen and goblins) and raises the level cap to 85.

Nintendo has released another slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including a DSi version of Space Ace a game in which Shoguns defend their castles and Fluidity. Read on for more details...

Publisher: Bandera Games
Developer: Bandera Games

Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC

Windows System Requirements: DirectX 9.0 compatible video card with 32 MB RAM, 50 MB HD space, internet connection, Windows XP or more recent operating system

War... War never changes – but your enemy can, every time you log into a different battle. Battle Dex turns war into a tactical exercise between two somewhat cute, opposing forces, supplemented by decks of cards representing special tactical powers, discounted units, mercenaries and heroes of the battlefield.

Publisher: Tozai Games
Developer: Timothy G. Martin

Platform: PlayStation 3
Reviewed on PlayStation 3

Real spelunkers are a rugged breed, nosing about in total darkness, squeezing into the narrowest of passages, often facing death in the form of deep deposits of scorpion-rich bat guano or dangerous pitfalls. Whether you call them "spelunkers" or "cavers," they are tough individuals, often delving deep into caves solely for the pleasure of experiencing an environment seen only by the few others daring enough to experience it. The eponymous character from the game Spelunker, by contrast, is caving in search of treasure, and is possibly the most fragile man ever to enter a cave mouth.

Rush, a puzzle game for the PC from Two Tribes, is now downloadable through Steam. The game has players guiding cubes through three-dimensional puzzles to help those cubes reach color coded exit points. Things quickly get complicated as puzzles add warps, conveyer belts and other challenges are introduced to the puzzles.

I-play, part of Oberon media, has released Dream Day: True Love as a downloadable game for the PC. This is a hidden-object style game that has players planning the 70th anniversary party for a couple based on the game designer's grandparents.

Mad Catz has shipped the Rock Band 3 MIDI Pro adapter for the PlayStation 3 and Wii to stores (the company expects to ship a version for the Xbox 360 in the near future). This adapter allows gamers to use many models of MIDI keyboards and drums with Rock Band 3. The adapter includes a d-pad and controller buttons for navigating game menus.

OnLive is now selling its microconsole for just under $100. While more of a service than hardware, OnLive offers a small TV adaptor, packaged with a wireless controller, that allows gamers to stream games from OnLive's service to their TV if they have a fast, consistent internet connection. The microconsole obviates the need to play through a PC or Mac, but not the cost of actually paying for games.

Artist: Winifred Phillips

The soundtrack for Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (the video game adaptation of the film of the same name) by Winifred Phillips has been released by the WaterTower Music label of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Fans can now download the soundtrack independently of the game for a total of $12.

Matrix Games, together with developer Hexwar, has released Field of Glory: Swords & Scimitars as a download for the PC and Mac. This is an add-on for Field of Glory that introduces 40 armies and 11 historical battles from the 11th to 14th centuries from around the Middle East.

Turbine, part of Warner Bros., is launching the latest major content update for the long-running massively multiplayer online game Asheron's Call. This update adds a new playable race (the Empyreans), a new school of magic (Void Magic), a new hunting area, a new end-game mechanic to allow high-level players to continue to improve (Luminance) and even the ability to jump into the game is an evil bug (one of the Olthoi).

Microsoft has launched the long-in-beta-testing Xbox Live Rewards Program. Xbox 360 owners can sign up to be part of the program. Both Xbox Live Gold members and free users can sign up to get different tiers of rewards, earning Microsoft points for engaging in certain activities.

Electronic Arts has shipped the Nerf "N-Strike" Double Blast Bundle for the Wii to stores in North America, most of which should have the bundle in stock later this week. The bundle includes two previously released Nerf-themed N-Strike Wii games as well as a Nerf Switch Shot Ex-3 blaster. The functional blaster fires up to three Nerf projectiles, and can work in conjunction with the Wii Remote. The bundle also includes a red decoder lens needed for aspects of the two N-Strike games.

Ronimo Games' clever 2D scrolling real-time strategy game Swords & Soldiers is now available for the PC and Mac. The game has Vikings battling in search of the best barbeque, while Aztecs grow peppers and the Chinese search for treasured toys.

This week's downloadable game for the Xbox 360 released through Xbox Live Arcade is Unbound Saga, a side-scrolling brawler set in a comic-book universe. Developed by Vogster Entertainment, the game can be downloaded for 800 points ($10) and allows players to turn tons of objects from the landscape into weapons.