Trauma Team is the sequel to Trauma Center for the Wii and although the same core surgery mechanics are still here to please fans this new entry in the series is adding even more features to an already solid title. Trauma Team is broken down into 6 games, the classic surgery game being one of them and the other range from frantic game types to slow adventure styles.
Before diving into the gameplay players are treated with cutscenes that follow the story of the doctors and their lives as they provide care for their patients. The story is told through comic book style images so it definitly fits the art of the game. Cutscenes are also voice acted well and with good reason, much of the story is pretty dramatic and intense similar to watching an episode of the TV Show House, or CSI. The game is promising an indepth look at the doctors so there will be plenty of other reasons to play other than the gameplay itself.
Our preview demo consitted mostly of the new Diagnostics mode, this game mode plays similar to an adventure game somewhat similar to Pheonix Wright. Players are given a random patient who comes in hoping for your help. Like any other doctor you can check patient’s medical record and see if they have any pre existing conditions, if they do the gameplay might suitable change to the condition. After a record check you can go into a QA session, you can start asking questions if the patient is having certain pains and symptoms. Asking these questions actually help you diagnose the patient so you can proceed giving the care that’s needed. Next a stethoscope can be used to listen to any heart beat adnormalisties, also the patients eyes can be examined to see if there is any discoloration for example. While your doing all of them exams players make notes of these observations and log them into a journal where they can start comparing the symptoms with known aliments. To further diagnose patients players can get the sick into a CV scan to view any part of the patients body and from there can compare the image to a typcial healthy image, these can also help in the diagnoses of the patient.
From the preview that was shown it looks like Trauma Team is taking it’s series in new directions while still retaining the core gameplay, the previous Trauma Center games were solid titles and were a perfect fit for the Wii. Now Trauma Team looks like it’s going to be taking the step from solid title to must own for the Nintendo console. Trauma Team will be released May 2010.
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Trauma Team Preview
Now Shipping 2/28/2010: Modern weapons and double header edition
Mega Man 10
This Mega Man game is the tenth admission of the classic Mega Man series. Much like the previous game Mega Man 9, this game is created on the feel as the early NES titles. Mega Man 10 has three playable characters: Mega Man, Proto Man, and Bass (available through BASS MODE DLC online). The stage bosses which are also called Robot Masters are Nitro Man, Commando Man, Strike Man, Blade Man, Chill Man, Solar Man, Pump Man, and Sheep Man. Of course the game has a easy mode that changes the course of the level. In the game there is also a Mega Man Challenge mode where players can train their abilities.. For this week the game is downloadable through WiiWare. Next week you can download it through the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade as well.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter created by EA’s Digital Illusions CE and is being released for PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The game is a direct sequel to Battlefield: Bad Company. The gameplay in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is reminiscent of the original Bad Company. Within the game you will be taken to different environments across the globe. The new system labeled “Destruction 2.0”, takes destructible environments to a whole new level. Players can now totally cave in a building as opposed to destroying walls and roofs. There will be new vehicles in Bad Company 2, such as an AA-gun mounted on a light tank, UAV helicopter controlled via computer, two man patrol boat, and a quad bike. The Limited Edition comes with 2 weapon unlocks, and 4 vehicle unlocks, so be on the lookout for that.
Baseball season starts early with two games going for more than extra innings.
Major League Baseball 2K10
MLB 2K10 has a new “My Player” career mode similar to the “My Player” feature in NBA 2k10. In the game the player will guide a player’s career from the minors to the majors. “MLB Today” will be placed in My Player to help keep track of stats of real life baseball scores and news. Other parts of the game have been improved like pitching, hitting and commentary.
MLB 10: The Show
The Show has a whole line up of new features. Home Run Derby for the All-Star break. Users can call pitches and control pick offs. With the online gameplay improved the full online leagues will gain players. The new stadiums and old come with real time presentations, realism and authentic MLB experience.
3/01
Mega Man 10 (Wii)
3/02
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Major League Baseball 2K10 (PS3, Xbox 360)
MLB 10: The Show (PS3)
Lips: Party Classics (Xbox 360)
Alice in Wonderland (Wii)
Spongebob’s Boating Bash (Wii)
3/03
Toy Soldiers (Xbox 360)
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom Review – Pie Chasing is Fun!!
Who knew time and pie can be the cornerstone of a video game? Puzzle and platforming stretched to new heights. The Odd Gentleman’s “have created a fun game where pie is the only object of desire and thats all we really care about.
Originally on the PC and now making its way onto Xbox Live Arcade game Winterbottom begins with the star, Mr. P.B Winterbottom. A mild manner man in the day, Pie thief at night. He runs the streets of a London-esque setting, looking for all the pies. One night during his pie run, he comes across a mysterious looking pie but no matter how close he gets to it the pie keeps moving. Unknown to Winterbottom, the pie actually lures him to a time trap that sucks him into an alternative universe. When Winterbottom’s awakens, he realizes he can steal the mysterious pie by using switches and time. Learning how manipulate time by recoding himself and using the past action to get what he wants.
The puzzles in Winterbottom are fun and frantic. They will challenge you to think outside the box. Utilizing Winterbottom’s clones and timing will be the key ingredients to progress in the game. Some of the puzzles are easy while other will make you feel like pulling your hair out. Note that the game’s varying difficulty is not a fault, its actually what makes the game fun. Making the player think long and hard about solving the puzzle and actually succeeding will bring a huge sense of achievement which is a reward its own.
The Game also has Bonus challenges that you unlock as you progress in the game. Time Challenge is a mere example of this. Times are tracked and posted on Winterbottom’s XBOX Live Leadership board for players to compete in giving a solid amount of replay value once the game is completed.
The controls of Winterbottom are simple to use. X button to swing his umbrella, A button to jump, hold to float and lastly the Right trigger button is to record yourself. Simplicity is this game assets, no one should not have a hard time controlling Winterbottom. Menu’s are easy to navigate, presenting itself as a place where time and space stand still while jumping through events. The music and artwork in Winterbottom’s is what gives this simple game substance. The music borrows from the super old school 1920’s still movie tracks. In other words, its like an old Charlie Chaplin movie. Although throughout the game you will hear the same song over and over again but its infectiously catchy and you will find yourself humming along after awhile. Artwork can be described as a Tim Burton-like style, very sharp black and white with depth is what pretty much sums up the overall style.
To Conclude, The Misadventures of P.T. Winterbottom is great, fun simple, addicting yet frustrating game. The overall art style is what sets the game apart from others, while being able to appreciate the work that has gone into such a concept as the world of Winterbottom. Hardcore and casual players alike should get in on this gem. Great Puzzle and Platform elements and catchy old school tunes are plus. Do not sleep on P.B. Winterbottom or he may take your pie!
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
Overall = 8.4/10
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Aliens vs. Predator Review – Three games in one
The two extraterrestrials from the Aliens and Predator franchise are fairly familiar with each other having been in several games and movies together, most notable however is the FPS Aliens vs. Predator from about ten years ago. Now the two aliens alongside the space marines are locked in another war that looks to please fans and new comers.
Aliens vs. Predator is actually three games in one, each warrior has it’s own campaign and it’s own way of fighting. The Marine campaign plays like any other FPS complete with a wide arsenal to take out the aliens with. However the Predator and Alien campaigns play very differently and will therefore require a bit of practice until players get a good feeling for them. Unfortunately for many this might mean too much practice. One of the main differences from the space marines is that the aliens mostly use melee attacks which are tricky when it comes to FPSs. The predator attacks mostly with it’s blades and the Aliens attack mostly with their claws either way you almost always have to get in close to an enemy in order to do enough damage however a lot of times this will result in failure for those who just want to get into the game without practicing. Aliens vs. Predator is definitly a game that requires you to play the campaigns first before going online.
As mentioned before the Marine campaign is a very typical FPS, you have blast you’re way through waves of aliens that have made it their mission to do nothing but attack you. That being said the game is pretty scary especially in the beinging when you’re weapons are limited, there are also plenty of points when you’re adreline starts pumping as you walk down a dark corridor only to hear your radar beeping as it picks up alien movement ahead of you. Overall however it’s similar to so many other FPSs out there it’s hard to give it very high marks. The Predator campaign is different but not necessarily a lot more fun to play through, granted you can jump long distances and cloak, the problem here is that the campaign forces you to play stealthy which is understandable but it might not be for everyone. The Alien campaign requires even more patience because of it’s limited weapons and the fact that the Aliens are extremely fast and can walk on walls which means you’re view of the action is going to be all over the place. The three campaigns are each some what short but when you put them altogether you get the similar length of any other FPS.
Graphics are above average in Aliens vs. Predator, there’s a nice level of detail in the worlds which really brings the franchise up to date with the current generation of consoles. Lighting effects are also well done since they play a pretty big role in the atmosphere of the game. Artistically the game pulls directly from previous games of the series and the movies so if you were a fan of them before you’ll like them now as well. Although the graphics are technically well done there are a few textures around that look on the bland side however this isn’t too frequent.
Sound is also done fairly well, sound effects are again pulled directly from other sources in the franchise so the aliens will sound like they did in their movies. The voice acting is ok, nothing terrible but nothing great either most of the characters are stereotypes of other video game characters so you probably won’t care much about the characters or the story, but then again the game isn’t trying to create a deep story line, just enough of it to get the three species together and fight it out.
Online is where the game truely shines once you get past the learning curve of the aliens. Since the three species play so differently multiplayer matches can get very frantic but this is what Aliens vs. Predator is all about. Not many other FPS games give you the option to play as characters that are so different from the typical human, so for that alone Aliens vs. Predator gets points. It can be quite a thrill to play as an Alien crawling along the wall waiting for the time to strike a marine or as a Predator sneaking up on players. Overall the multiplayer is pretty good, it takes full advantage of the three specie’s abilities and brings them althogether to create an enjoyable experience.
Overall Aliens vs. Predator is good game just not a really great one. The game lacks a certain level of polish many great games have, the story line is kinda of boring, the menu’s aren’t designed very well and there a few times where the graphics look bland. However if you’re looking for a fresh multiplayer experience or a fan of the franchise then Aliens vs. Predator is definitely worth a look.
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
Overall = 7.4
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Split/Second release date announced and final box art revealed
Disney Interactive Studios announced today that Split/Second, the action racing game from Black Rock Studio, will be released in North America on Tuesday, May 18. The European release date is May 21. Split/Second will have players trigger explosive events that alter the track to take out opponents or create short cuts. The game will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. Here are also the final box shots for the game which look like a certain crash and burn racer we’ve played in the past.
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Bioshock 2 review – The return to Rapture is good
Bioshock back in 2007 was known to everyone as game of the year and better known for introducing the wonderful yet hellish underwater world of Rapture. The fallin city belonged to a man named Andrew Ryan, who’s ambition drove chaos and death amongst the people of Rapture. Almost 3 years later and we now have the sequel to that game but can it deliver on the same goods as before? In a short answer yes, but not without a few shortcomings.
In the original Bioshock you play as a man named Jack who’s plane mysteriously crashes into the ocean, leaving him stranded and left to uncover the already abandoned underwater city of Rapture. Finding out the cause that led to the cities destruction, you come to realize how the plane crash may have not have been as mysterious as once thought. Ten years after these events, we now have our setting for Bioshock 2, and a new force in control by the name of Sofia Lamb. Her movement is actually forming an alliance with splicers and whoever is left in Rapture which she calls “The Family. You pilot the suit of a once feared Big Daddy; Your mission is to find the little sister that you have been bound too and was taken away from you ten years ago by Sofia Lamb.
The city of Rapture is beautiful as it is erie to look at, the abandoned yet flooded streets are still being terrorized with adam craved splicers. New enemies are here, like the Brute Splicer, attacking head on and throwing things at you in a fiery rage. Aside the Big Daddies who make their return we also see the introduction of the Big Sisters, who are none other then the Little Sisters from ten years ago that were saved by Jack. These girls are no joke and are the fastest, wildest of the bunch. They jump on walls, attacking with plasmids and weapons alike. The enemy AI is definitely smarted this time around, running up to health stations if their running low or regrouping for team based attacks. They will keep you on your toes and even surprise you at time.
The most important thing to keep in mind about this game (if you have played the first one), is that while you may think its tantalizing to play as a Big Daddy, you are physically not any stronger then Jack was in the original Bioshock. You are actually just a prototype of the first Big Daddy that was produced , and while you can hold the weapons that Big Daddies do, you do not inherit the giant hulk like traits of the others. Now that we got that out of the way, the good news is that you are able to splice up which regular Big Daddies can’t do and can even control these new found powers with a weapon already on the other hand. New and old plasmids are here to take control of and can be upgraded as well. Purchasing the highest plasmid of something like the Winter Blast will let you charge up to completely freeze your enemy and sometimes break them into tiny pieces. New weapons are also in your arsenal. The infamous Big Daddy drill is at your disposal, a nail gun, machine gun and other weapons which are all upgradable by stations but more importantly is the bonus third upgrade for each weapon that gives it a special feature, after getting two from the same gun. For some it might take a moment of practice to shoot with one hand and use plasmids on the other but the two work extremely well and is necessary as you progress through the game.
Like the first one the Little Sisters play an essential part in this game. As a Big Daddy you will now have the decision of either adopting a Little Sister, allowing you to take her to corpses filled with adam to extract from. However this attracts junked up splicers from all over so you will need to defend her until the adam bar fills up. Filling her up with adam and taking them back to their vents gives you the option to either save them (the good guy approach) or harvest them, maximizing the amount of adam you can get from them, this can also be done if you do not want to adopt them as well. Before making any of these choices you will have to actually face the Big Daddy they have protecting them. No easy feet as their are a number of different Big Daddies and when all the Little Sisters are cleared out from a stage you now have the daunting task of facing a Big Sister.
Their is so much to do in Bioshock 2, what made the first one a huge success takes it a step further in this game. Gene tonics are back for special passive traits, camera research has been overhauled allowing you to take a recording in progress while fighting an enemy. Graphically has only been improved a notch up from the first, detailing what was already a great looking game. The sounds is also great quality, voice acting is some of the best seen in a video game and the music keeps the creepy tone for the entire game.
Everything is an upgrade here, the only thing that will kind of leave you disappointed is the actual story line and while not bad it just doesn’t deliver the wow factor you really got to enjoy in the first game. Characters lack a certain depth or a charismatic charm to them. Rapture’s new environments seems like the rest of the tour and while the return itself is good it doesn’t break from what has been seen in the past. Though added experiences like walking out into sea is here it doesn’t do much and won’t make you actually look forward to it. The improvements is what will keep you in the game and everything you loved in the original.
Coming from another 2K studio, multiplayer makes its debut in this game. This received criticism early on when announced, as the first game didn’t have one, leaving fans petrified that it might compromise the single player experience. We’re happy to report that its not the case here, infact it has its own back story which takes place before the events of Bioshock 1. They give you a lobby area to play with to change outfits, look at leader boards, change your weapon load out, all before entering an actual game. Resembling multiplay games like Modern Warfare 2 you gain points within a match that will level you up to unlock new plasmids, tonics and weapons that can be customized for different load outs you want to create. This is useful for either playing on the defensive or going all out on your opponent if you like to take the offensive. The modes are actually quite good and nothing is more thrilling then getting into the random Big Daddy suit (and we mean a real Big Daddy this time) that appears and pummeling everyone into the ground. We’re not sure the draw the multiplayer will have in the long run but it definitely makes for easy fun. It has already been said that 2K plans on releasing new DLC for multiplayer in the future.
Closing
Bioshock 2 is a good time all around and will bring those familiar with the first game back at home. Multiplayer does its job, not taking anything away from the experience. Hours can be had by completing the story in more then one way, you can spend a great deal of time just perfecting strategies and possibilities. The game is not as impressive graphically as others, the new improvements are a step up and keep a game which is essentially the same as its 2007 predecessor current. This will definitely satisfy veterans and new comers alike.
[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]
Overall= 9.2
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Resident Evil 5 DLC Lost in Nightmares review
“Ahh the memory of it all”, is likely something players will be saying once they fire up the first DLC chapter of Resident Evil 5. Originally meant to be in the game, this content was not finished and cut from the final version to add co-op into the game.”Lost in Nightmares” brings you back to that faithful day that Jill was said to be presumably dead and was only really shown in cut-scenes. The nostalgia is here, with an added mode via mercenaries reunion, it brings back some familiar extra’s. Fans of the series will surely want to get their hands on this.
You play the roll of Chris and Jill as they have a lead on Wesker’s whereabouts in this mansion. The minute you walk through the door it hits you how far we’ve come in video games. The amount of detail is something to really take note of. Walking around will make you realizing that Resident Evil is up to its old tricks of collecting cranks and shields to proceed in certain areas. Don’t expect things to be exactly the same as the first one, an example is walking towards the right corridor into the highway where dogs used to rip through the window for the first time is now replaced by small bats to mess with you head. Truthfully we prefer this, as you can expect the unexpected when coming around corners while remembering certain objects from the past.
“This feels like Resident Evil!”, the scared teenager that played through the first game that would be nervous, have sweaty palms and looked over his shoulder every 10 seconds was sitting where I was, playing through this chapter. It really does bring you back and the sense of fear is definitely imminent here. You will discover a new type of enemy here which is just as hideous as anything else you have seen in the Resident Evil series before this. When you think you have a handle on them they will attack by numbers so expect to stay on your toes and be smart in situations where you won’t get pinned down. The biggest disappointment is that this experience is short, for first runs it can take anywhere between 1 hour to 2 and only 40min’s their after.
Upon completion of your first play through you then unlock Jill which has her own set of skills like unlock picking and playing the piano which you will actually have to play this time around. Another great thing to be aware of is that no single play through is the same. Capcom made sure to change the experience every time, by casting different weapons, changing enemy locations, at some point in a play through an enemy appearred no more then 5min into the game on the top floor giving us the ‘WTF!?” moment. For the real nostalgia fans out there, an easter egg is placed right on the double doors that you entered from in the mansion. Engaging the doors three times will switch your view into the classic camera from Resident Evil 1. Character strafing is gone and you don’t realize how scary things can get until your ability to look behind is gone!. The only thing we were disappointed with is that you can not play the entire chapter with the static camera, only the first act and would seem this way do to the fact that beyond this is entirely new content that had only been made for resident evil 5.
Also added in this DLC is Mercenaries reunion which will bring back characters like Barry Burton who hadn’t been mentioned since his cameo in Resident Evil 3 (if you have also recovered the lost files explaining everyones whereabouts in RE3 it will also mention Barry) and Excella from Resident Evil 5. We would have liked to have seen Mercenaries reunion combined with the regular Mercenaries mode but its important to note that changes have been made, like more zombies, different weapon placement, time placement, dogs and other infected throughout the stages so this won’t feel entirely the same.
All and all this is a great experience to have for fans of RE, this content will also be available for Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition along with the second chapter Desperate Escape but for those who already own the game this is a perfect buy for 400 microsoft points or $5. While the experience is short in terms of the chapter, you do have the Mercenaries reunion and will find yourself doing multiple play through’s to uncover everything it has to offer.
Overall = 8.2
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Now Shipping 2/21/10: Stormy edition
Heavy Rain
This is not the type of game that most are use to, the game is about people who are in difficult circumstances with a delicate story. The main story deals with four different characters and their views. The game will have a unique control scheme along with quick time events and action sequences. The game holds some best graphics and emotionally driven storytelling to ever grace the PS3. Make sure to look out for this game.
Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing
A kart racing game with a variety of different characters from past Sega games. The game consist 24 different themed Sega race tracks littered with different power ups. Vehicles are stacked into 4 categories, racing, off-road, bike and hovercraft with drifting and midair tricks giving you additional boost. All characters have a All-Star Move that wrecks the competition. The game seems to be a good high-def kart racing game.
Last Rebellion
This role-playing game is created by Nippon Ichi Software and Hit Maker and exclusively for the PS3. Initially, in battle, it plays as a turn-based game, but the game switches to free- roam when exploring. The battle system allows the player to strike specific body parts of an enemy, so if you take out a enemy’s arm, their strength is weaken. Take out their legs, the enemies speed is shortened. Add this one to the PS3’s list of JRPGs.
Risen
The action role-playing game created by Piranha Bytes. The player can evolve through class setups, combat methods and different weaponry. Fighting features a battle system with dodging, parries, and blocks. Players can develop as a fighter, magician or combination of both. The game also carries a skills system for unlocking better combat moves and a profession system for lock picking and blacksmithing. Game sounds promising.
Greed Corp
Rounding out the end is Greed Corp, a turn-based strategy game for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network.
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2/22
Endless Oceans: Blue World (Wii)
Mouse House (Wii)
2/23
Heavy Rain (PS3)
Last Rebellion (PS3)
Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Risen (Xbox 360)
Winter Blast: Snow and Ice Games (Wii)
2/24
Greed Corp (Xbox 360)
Lazy Riders (Xbox 360)
2/25
Greed Corp (PS3)
HyperBalliod HD (PS3)
Super Street Fighter IV trailer – All of the new fighters including Ibuki, Dudley and Makoto
Here is the latest trailer showing off all 9 new characters added to the roster since Street Fighter IV. Within the newest additions being Ibuki, Dudley and Makoto. It is unsure that they will add anymore but if they were it would be just an added bonus to the already plentiful roster.
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom Contest
The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom has just released on Xbox Live arcade and to celebrate the launch of the game, 2K is hosting a tournament to test your skills. Players who enter will be able to compete against each other in one of the competitive levels of P.B. Winterbottom. The top ten ranked players on the leaderboard will be awarded with an exclusive Winterbottom tee shirt and 360 faceplate. The competition will run for the next four weeks with a new challenge level and new leaderboard refreshing each week to give players a fare chance. Sign up here and get in on this.
