Halo WayPoint is a new destination on Xbox LIVE for Halo fans around the world. It will inform fans of the latest Halo news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from interviews, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage and community content that you won’t find anywhere else. This along with more features is finally up today. Check it out link
Â
With the much anticipated release of the newest Halo game, Bungie has released a free premium theme. Available for all Xbox Live Gold users, this offer will be here for a limited time only. Don’t miss it, here’s the link.
Activision announced today that Blur, the company’s first the racing genre outside of Microsoft’s PGR series, is now scheduled to ship in 2010. The company is moving Blur from 2009 to give the development team more time to enhance the game’s innovative and distinctive online multiplayer gameplay. “We are committed to making Blur a great new racing franchise, and we are very encouraged by the game’s design,” stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO, Activision Publishing. “The additional time will allow the studio to fully optimize the vision they set out to create for Blur including a distinctive and groundbreaking multiplayer mode that will appeal to a broad audience.”
[nggallery id=23]
[viddler id-e09a408 h-337 w-525]
By now many of you have seen the Live action trailer to Halo 3 ODST and for those living under a rock we are happy to provide you with it here. However this a bit way cooler then the original trailer showcasing 60 seconds more of action. Take a look for yourself.
Unscripted, Unedited, Unrehearsed. The LVLONE crew discusses the madden curse, new game releases from 9/9/09, games getting pushed back to 2010 and our recommendation for the week
The Wii’s library has admittedly been lacking in regards to unique 3rd party games, in a sea of family oriented casual games Muramasa really stands out and shows what the Wii is capable of. Developed by Vanillaware, Muramasa takes players to a visually stunning world where players take control of two characters: the amnesia-stricken warrior Kisuke and ninja princess Momohime. At its core the game is a 2D sidescrolling action/adventure game similar to Super Metroid and Castlevania, however Muramasa does an excellent job of distinguishing itself from the crowd of other sidescrollers.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the game is that it’s visually beautiful, the game takes 2D graphics to an entirely new level of detail and design. Through out the game you’ll travel through open meadows, lush forests, dark caves, and everything in between, although some backgrounds repeat occasionally it never feels stale, there’s plenty of variety in game’s settings and you’ll always be looking toward the next level and its gorgeous setting. From a technically stand point the game also shines, every little detail is sharp to the point you would think it was in full HD, this is how 2D graphics should be done.
Sound is also an aspect Muramasa excels in, although some gamers might be turned off by the japanese voice overs, it seems like the developers made the right choice here. The voice overs fit very nicely with the setting of the game, and add a level of authenticity to the experience, it very much feels like you’re playing through a japanese epic. The music also blends in perfectly with the setting and gameplay, ranging from the calm melodies in the open fields to exciting sounds during a boss battle, the music in Muramasa works incredibly well.
The gameplay is where Muramasa begins to lose some depth, the fighting is fairly formulaic and although there are some RPG elements it most likely won’t be enough for more hardcore gamers. At its core Muramasa’s gameplay is simple: obtain the blades to reach new areas of the game. Of course the game adds variety along the way including challenge rooms where players are pitted against really tough enemies, like spirits and samurais. This is already on top of the hordes of enemies who’s job it is to stop you at every chance they get. However with the help of your blades you’ll be able to cut through these enemies and with some style to boot, the fighting mechanics are fairly simple with your usual attack and blocking abilities. The game does get more complex as you progress, with different blades having different strengths you have to carefully consider what to take with you since the game only allows you to carry 3 swords and 1 accessory at a time. The boss battles are also worth mentioning, each fight puts you against a very tough opponents especially on the harder difficulties, however this makes the boss battles feel like boss battles. While many games today seem to water down their bosses, Muramasa’s boss have little mercy for you and will definitely force you to think and act quickly.
Overall Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a welcome addition to the Wii’s library, the game’s visuals are beyond anything else on the console and alone makes the game worth a look. Some might not find the combat interesting enough, especially in the beginning of the game but for those who like the gameplay there’s plenty to do, with an almost 20 hour story and 108 blades to get this can keep you hooked for some time. Muramasa is definitly worth checking out.
Overall: 8.5
[viddler id-2a0e2a8d h-337 w-525]
[nggallery id=51]
[viddler id-1fd6856 h-337 w-525]
EA plans to bring its series of skating boarding back with the announcement of SKATE 3. This rendition plans to focus heavily on cooperative play. Whether online or offline, players can now team up to build the ultimate skate crew in the definitive skateboarding co-op experience. The game will also allow you to team up and complete challenges together while advancing each other’s careers. EA has also announced when we can expect it with a confirmed ship date of May 2010. We’ll give you more info as it comes in, for now enjoy the teaser trailer that was released today.
With the release of the highly anticipated Beatles Rock Band on September 9th, the question wasn’t if the game was going to be a success, instead how much success can this game have. As everyone is well aware, the Rock Band and Guitar Hero series have taken the country by storm, so it only seemed logical to have one of the more revolutionary video games ever created pair with the most revolutionary band in history. From the beginning, you are reassured about what kind of game you are about to play: a trippy, colorful, graphically amazing, psychedelic adventure that takes you throughout the Beatles career.
In my opinion, the Beatles Rock Band hosts the best story mode of any game in this genre. Since there are no other bands, you play as the Beatles in different landmark locations throughout their career; ranging from a hole in the wall pub, the Ed Sullivan Show, to Shea Stadium. All Beatles fans know about halfway through the Beatles lifespan, they stopped touring and became a strict album band. The story mode pays homage to this and half way through, you play the rest of the songs in the Abbey Road studio. To avoid this getting boring, during each song, the band enters a “dream like sequence” which ads to the visual dynamics of the game.
As many Beatles’ fans will tell you, the Beatles can be broken up in different times. Some people only like early Beatles while some people like later Beatles. Both groups of people’s needs will be met as they progress through the timeline that is the Beatles in the story mode.
Ironically, the Beatles’ music moves in the same way that the story mode in most of these music genre games do. The earlier music is “easier” and more fun to play while the later music, further in story mode, is much harder and complex. But the newest gameplay addition is the harmonization aspect that can be used with using up to three mics. Although a bit difficult at first, once you can master the harmonization, you will be surprised at how amazing you can sound.
The reward system in this game is based on historical artifacts. In the story mode, a picture is awarded after completing a song with 3 stars or higher, while another picture is given when you receive 5 stars. When you collect a certain amount of pictures, you receive other cool unlockables. These pictures and unlockables offer a view into several points of Beatles history. Although only a very small amount of history, these rewards offer a glimpse that many people would never have seen if it weren’t for the game.
Unfortuntaly, not everybody’s favorite Beatles song will be on the game (there are only 45 songs) but there is already a plan to release THREE full albums: Abbey Road, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Rubber Soul. I think this is a great idea based on the fact that Sgt. Pepper’s alone stands as one of the most influential album in history.
One major plus (or minus depending if you’re watching your funds) is the old style instruments available for purchase. With the package, you receive the basic drum kit (with a Beatles “bass drum” piece), a mic stand with a mic, the game itself, some post cards, and Paul McCartney’s Hofner Bass. You can also purchase (for approx. $100) the Rickenbacker 325 Guitar as well as the Gretsch Duo Jet Guitar. Although the older Rock Band guitars are compatible, I must admit, playing with the old style instruments makes the game a lot more enjoyable.
Overall I think this game is exactly what people expected it to be. A great game that has the ability to, and will, bridge the gap between generations. Go out, get the instruments for the full effect, and you will not regret it one bit.
Overall Rating – 9.5
[viddler id-ee38647a h-338 w-525]
[nggallery id=18]
We’ve seen this layout; a girl with two pistols, a bad attitude and who seems pissed at the world, can only lead to one thing. She’s Danger to anyone who stands in the way, but before you think this is just another game with a badass chick, you might want to think again.
Rubi, a mercenary, who isn’t much the cutesy, lovable character, is voiced by Eliza Dushku the star from Doll House. This foul-mouthed babe uses guns and a sword to get the job done. When a wealthy man hires her to get his son back from Hong Kong, she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Now looking for the man who double crossed her, Rubi wants nothing but the sweet release of death to come to her enemies and she plans to bring a whole lot of that and more.
Game play wise this game mixes gun play, sword swinging and a little bit of mirrors edge acrobatics in a third person shooter. There is the single player campaign, a challenge mode, which keeps score of your multi-players, time, and replaying the weapon challenges in Rubi’s hideout; which come from the campaign.
What this game does, it does well, offering different styles of game play to stir things up. Shooting on top of vehicles, escaping from falling debris, and fighting in a Mad World kind of mode within different parts of each chapter. There is a lack of a cover system and the ability to crouch, which can take a good minute to get used to. We do believe this was meant to keep the flow of game play at its maximum speed and having a cover system would possibly put situations at a screeching halt at times. Still it would have been nice to see some sort of coverage whether it would be kicking over a table or having your back against the walls.
The old film grain style layover adds to the Kill Bill/Grind house inspired theme, making the characters stand out. Graphics are detailed and vibrant, while the music and sound definitely serves the game play well. It is also noted that this game is a bloodbath to behold at times and frame rate doesn’t seem to hiccup even once.
WET is a cinematic over the top third person shooter, that delivers a good time to all. With Colorful characters and a girl that won’t take no for an answer, this ones worth picking up. The experience can seem to be short but its a good run and has the potential to grow. 8.0
[viddler id-6f832be6 h-337 w-525]
[nggallery id=50]
Sony released a new update for the Psp. PSP (PlayStation Portable) firmware update (v6.00) will be available soon. This is a minor update, but here’s quick head’s up on what to expect.
* For those of you looking to customize your XMB (XrossMediaBar), a few new colors will be added under the Theme Settings. These new theme colors can be used on PSP models 2000 or after (PSP-2000, 3000 and N1000).
* A security patch has been added.
* [Network Update] has been renamed as [System Update].
See the official site for more info here
