Need for Speed gets a reboot

By James | January 30, 2009 4:12 pm

Need for Speed: Undercover

In 2003 with the release of Need for Speed: Underground, EA moved its aging franchise to the streets. Six years later and, as anyone who’s played Need for Speed: Undercover can attest, it’s long past time for something fresh. So in a move that’s bound to get fans revved up, EA have announced three new NFS games for 2009.

  • Need for Speed: Shift (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, PC) will be a “hardcore racing simulation” made by Slightly Mad Studios and will use real world racing drivers on the development team. NFS Shift will be an authentic simulation racer, featuring accurately modelled cars.
  • Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii, DS) taking full advantage of the Wiimote, NFS Nitro will be have a “fresh and unique visual style” and should feel “very Need for Speed but in a more mischievous, Nintendo way”.
  • Need for Speed: World Online (PC) is set to be a free online game launching in Asia in the summer and winter for the rest of us.

Boom Blox is back

By James | January 29, 2009 4:23 pm

Boom Blox Bash Party

EA and Steven Spielberg get together again to bring us, Boom Blox Bash Party.

Bringing over 400 new blox busting levels that will see players lobbing pretend projectiles at their tv’s in new settings such as underwater and zero gravity.

“BOOM BLOX Bash Party is a wild social gaming experience,” said Steven Spielberg. “We know families and friends really enjoyed playing the original BOOM BLOX together, so we designed more explosive multiplayer experiences with BOOM BLOX Bash Party.”

With twice as many multiplayer challenges available and the ability to download even more new levels….. Wiimotes at the ready!

Cold Turkey

By Chris | 1:40 pm

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Fable 2. It’s a love/hate relationship for 360 gamers. After finally settling into the rhythm of Blacksmithing (not long since starting) and earning my first few thousand gold, I trotted off to explore Bowerstone…..little did I know that I would soon learn to despise the game

My trusty companion sniffed out some treasure and I began to dig. What would I find? A small health potion? A few gold? A rusted club? Try a black screen followed by what was uncannily reminiscent of a spectrum loading screen.

Read on…

Ubisoft announces Prince of Persia ‘Epilogue’ DLC

By James | 12:26 pm

Prince of Persia

Scheduled for release Feb 26th, the downloadable content for Prince of Persia titled Epilogue continues the story of the Prince and Elika with a brand-new epic adventure.

Included in the pack is a new region, The Underground Palace, described as a corrupted underground palace from which the Prince and Elika need to escape. Players will be given a new power, Energize, allowing you to reconstruct destroyed areas to create a path, and also a new attack, Sprinting Clash, described as a duel move that lets you or the enemy trigger a sprint attack, charging towards each other, clashing your weapons fiercely.

Add to this a new trap challenge, and some new unlockable skins and we’re sure this will make for hours more game play.

Released February 26, 2009 for XBox360 and PS3, prices TBA.

The Chatpad, a wasted opportunity?

By Chris | January 19, 2009 11:46 am

chatpad

MMORPG and (as APB developer would have them distilled) MMOG are shaping up to take over online console gaming. AI routines are generally good, occasionally fantastic, but nothing beats the pure adrenaline rush that comes from player vs player (PvP)!

A major limiting factor that console gamers face when playing these types of games is the restriction the control pad creates. It’s never gonna surpass the flexibility a keyboard and mouse combo offers, but having no programmable buttons leaves a gaping hole in optimising the controls for our individual play styles.

Read on…