Preview Part 1 This is my official preview of an officially terrible game. I don’t know where to to start with the unoriginal idea concept itself or the monotone and washed out color palettes. Now if you happened to be living under a rock and missed my “you”ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge!” live twitter posting the other night, you’ll know that even then I thought the gameplay was a carbon copy of Killzone. Now mix in other games like Mirrors Edge, Infamous, Call of Duty and give a “space astronaut” kind of feel – BAM – you’ve got Crysis 2. Now granted I was only able to play for about an hour and what I did play, didn’t jump out and excite me in any way shape or form. And even if it did, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. Crysis 2 multiplayer is designed around team based gameplay between two factions – the C.E.L.L and the Marines and includes six gameplay modes and 12 maps set across recognizable locations in New York City. Apparently derived from a PC version of the original game, they should’ve left it on that platform. “Team Instant Action is Crytek’s version of deathmatch.  The mode pits two teams against each other as they kill as many opponents as possible to earn higher ranks.” Team Instant Action? Really? Couldn’t you just call it deathmatch and stop trying to pretend you’re on the forefront of original gaming? This video game was a great idea. When it was done the first time. When it was called “Halo”. I played multiplayer “instant action” amongst other colleagues that night and I didn’t notice a hint of “wow” or anybody actually talking to anyone about the game. The high point of the evening is when Veronica Belmont walked in and was going to do a “Qore” style piece on the game and suddenly realized that the development company had completely catered to XBOX – she actually posed with a PS3 controller to make it seem feasible whilst someone behind her actually played the game during the segment. Preview Part 2 I don’t think I’ve ever been insulted as a gamer before, but this game comes close to it. To top it all off, they declined me an interview – twice. I even tried to get an interview with “one of” the creative directors and he said I should talk to the PR lady who seemed to be running the show. Which i did – twice. So even if I wanted to ask them about the game or the facets I was concerned with – I couldn’t. I even tried to get redeem codes for the PS3 demo version – DENIED. I never played such a one dimensional attempt at a video game, although a few come to mind, I’m not going to even try to waste your time to even try to justify it by any means. You’ll have to try it out for yourself and make your own decision. All in all, it’s sad that companies will sell out to highest bidder, and in the end, the work suffers. I think the fact the demo is already out on XBOX and PlayStation folks have to wait until March 25th – is a blessing in disguise. That happens with a lot of money hungry companies who don’t put out a quality title because they want to make a quality product; it’s because they’re too tired from swimming around in Bill Gates’ money vault. There may be some people that actually enjoy mindless entertainment like this horrid title and don’t wish for anything more in life. Then again, I could be wrong. I’ve been known to make mistakes from time to time. Between you and me, I would expect to see this in the bargain bin real soon, so don’t waste your money. Did I mention I thought this game stinks? It stinks. UPDATE: Since writing this: In a statement printed on its website, Crysis 2 developer Crytek says it’s aware of issues regarding the Xbox Live-exclusive multiplayer demo, and is “working to resolve” them “as quickly as possible.” Known issues include sudden disconnects from servers and, for some, constant console freezing when first joining or concluding matches. Surprised? I’m not. Press Release Official Press for the game: EA AND CRYTEK ANNOUNCE  CRYSIS 2 MULTIPLAYER DEMO Xbox 360 Exclusive Demo Gives Gamers an Early Look at One of the Most Anticipated First Person Shooters of 2011 REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 21, 2011 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) and award-winning developer Crytek GmbH, today announced the  Crysis 2 Multiplayer Demo. Starting January 25, the multiplayer demo will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system for Xbox Live Gold Members and will allow them to experience the unparalleled gameplay variety offered by the franchise’s signature Nanosuit in a multiplayer setting. In 2010,  Crysis 2 was honored with over a dozen awards from critics around the world, in recognition of its intense, addictive and stunning multiplayer. Crysis 2 multiplayer catapults players into a war-torn Manhattan where two teams fight to the death; each using the powers of the Nanosuit to be fast, be strong and be invisible. Maps will be set across Crytek’s stunning recreation of New York City, presenting players with vertical gameplay that allows them to strategize, attack and defend from above and below. “ Crysis 2 offers a fresh, new take on multiplayer – one that will stand out and establish the game as a top contender in the first person shooter genre,” said Cevat Yerli, CEO of Crytek. “The Nanosuit gives gamers a sense of power they have yet to experience in any other shooter and having New York City as a backdrop will present a different type of playground with even more possibilities.” The  Crysis 2 Multiplayer Demo will feature the “ Skyline” map , and two game modes; “ Team Instant Action” and “ Crash Site” . “ Team Instant Action” pits two teams against each other as they kill as many opponents as possible to earn higher ranks. In “ Crash Site ”, players will battle for control of alien drop pods, earning points by guarding their pods and keeping enemies at bay . Developed by Crytek UK, Crytek’s specialist multiplayer studio,  Crysis 2 multiplayer will include six gameplay modes and 12 maps set across recognizable locations in New York City.  Throughout the campaign, players can earn up to 50 multiplayer ranks and a variety of different upgrades to their weapons and their Nanosuit. To learn more information on the  Crysis 2 Multiplayer Demo, please visit  http://crysis.ea.com/demo . Gamers who pre-order  Crysis 2 will receive a copy of the  Limited Edition of the game which includes bonuses such as a camouflage skinned SCAR assault rifle and early access to the Holo Decoy attachment, a weapon attachment that projects a moving holographic mirror of the player*.  Platinum Dog Tags displaying a player’s multiplayer rank and stats will also be available with the Limited Edition along with a Bonus XP award which can be used to boost a player’s rank*.

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Crysis 2 is Actually Quite a Crisis of a Game.

In total we had 144 entries. Here is the video of me randomly picking the winner, kane112!! Congratulations!! PM me your address and we’ll get it to you right away. Special thanks to Aubrey Norris of SouthPeak games for making this happen. Also, stay tuned for another givaway coming real soon! Real soon as in starting Tuesday!! Two Worlds II will be available in stores Tuesday, January 25th. Hit the jump for details on this amazing looking game. Game Details “Two Worlds II” offers a perfect RP symbiosis of sheer atmosphere and dazzling technology. A complex quest system with an exciting main story that leads you through the world of Antaloor, plus lots of secondary scenarios with their associated quest stories ensure that the followers of the main story AND the adventurous souls who love the danger of exploring unknown regions will ALL get their money’s worth and more! The many quests and video sequences, drenched in sheer atmosphere, drive the story mercilessly onwards. The sequences include ingame and render videos, all seamlessly integrated into the actual gameplay. Completely redesigned AI and Balancing standards, experienced authors, the flexible combat system and the fabulously intuitive management of magic are further guarantees of game enjoyment, for RPG professionals and newcomers to the genre. The realistic behavior of the NPCs and other opponents in the game world is the key to sophisticated way-finding parameters, an ingenious communications network between NPCs and a continuous comparison of game data. The player has many ways of getting to wherever he wants to go, like walking, running, sprinting, riding, swimming, sailing and teleporting. As far as combat is concerned, there’s a clever and artistic system of attack and defense moves available – all realistically integrated into the game by means of Motion Sensing. Active parrying, variable attack tactics with different hit results, and the reaction of the opponent to the selected strategy all ensure that every combat scenario becomes an unforgettable, individual experience. And the comprehensive magic system is also unbelievably flexible, thanks to the DEMONSTM technology. Players can use a complex card system to create almost as many spells as they want from the five mana sources of Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Dark Magic. An imposing particle system also ensures that the magic effects are implemented in spectacular fashion. And the same applies to Alchemy – thanks to the PAPAKTM method, players can brew unique potions for their experiments, using a huge spectrum of substances ranging from plants to minerals and animal ingredients. Flexibility is also the key word in the design possibilities for weapons and armament items during gameplay. The technical foundation behind this feature is the newly created CRAFTTM tool. Thanks to this system, the player can break down almost any item into its basic materials like steel, wood and leather. These materials can then be used in turn to upgrade other items. Artistic-minded players can even buy paints and design their own individual armor and weapons. Then there are magical runes and artifacts which can be incorporated into weapons and items of armor. The combination of these three basic types of customization will give players an almost endless range of possibilities for creating their own equipment designs! Then we have the GRACE engine, especially developed for “Two Worlds II”. In combination with the extremely flexible MoSens Cap system, it enables an almost unimaginable freedom of movement when the hero is walking, running, fighting and interacting with his environment. “Two Worlds II” is graphically superb, thanks to the powerful engine, which is packed full of technological highlights like an unlimited number of dynamic light sources, 24 bit HDR post-processing and Real Eye Adaptation. It will drastically reduce loading times, improve general game performance, and enable full gameplay with only moderate hardware requirements. FEATURES -A flexible combat system with variable attack moves, parrying and special tricks -State-of-the-art technology, thanks to a powerful GRACETM engine and special tools -Lots of mini-games for breaking up gameplay -Intuitive user interface for the DEMONSTM Magic system and the PAPAKTM Alchemy system -Mercenaries and magically-created beings accompany the player -Complex object management with movable and usable items -Special CRAFTTM tool enables the individual configuration of armor and weapons -Many Boss opponents, including special combat strategies and unique rewards -Flexible MoSens system guarantees realistic everyday and combat movements -Various ways of moving, like walking, running, sprinting, riding, swimming, sailing and teleporting -Captivating background story with numerous cutscenes -Extensive Multiplayer part including building/setup simulation Source and for tons more info see http://www.twoworlds2.com Game Trailers

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Two Worlds II for the PS3 Winner

Two Worlds 2 will be available in stores on Tuesday January 25th, but you can win it here before you can even buy it, compliments of SouthPeak Games and PS3blog.net. This contest is open to the world, but the game will be a NA copy. Hit the jump to enter and see more details on this amazing looking game that is getting rave reviews from around the world!! Contest To win this Exciting game, you must first be a member of PS3Blog.net. You can register here . This next part is a little different, so pay good attention!!! You will need to donate 100 points to ‘ Lottery2 ‘. You get 100 points alone for just joining PS3Blog.net! For all the ways to earn points, click here . You may enter a total of once per day, until the contest is over. To donate, just click our shiny new “Enter Contest Button” below, and donate your 100 points. If that doesn’t work for you for some reason, just make sure to donate to ‘ Lottery2 ‘ by clicking on your points above and typing in Lottery2. Be sure to come back everyday and enter again. I will randomly pick a winner on Sunday, January 23th about 5PM Pac time, so u have up to 10 chances to enter. Good Luck!! Game Details “Two Worlds II” offers a perfect RP symbiosis of sheer atmosphere and dazzling technology. A complex quest system with an exciting main story that leads you through the world of Antaloor, plus lots of secondary scenarios with their associated quest stories ensure that the followers of the main story AND the adventurous souls who love the danger of exploring unknown regions will ALL get their money’s worth and more! The many quests and video sequences, drenched in sheer atmosphere, drive the story mercilessly onwards. The sequences include ingame and render videos, all seamlessly integrated into the actual gameplay. Completely redesigned AI and Balancing standards, experienced authors, the flexible combat system and the fabulously intuitive management of magic are further guarantees of game enjoyment, for RPG professionals and newcomers to the genre. The realistic behavior of the NPCs and other opponents in the game world is the key to sophisticated way-finding parameters, an ingenious communications network between NPCs and a continuous comparison of game data. The player has many ways of getting to wherever he wants to go, like walking, running, sprinting, riding, swimming, sailing and teleporting. As far as combat is concerned, there’s a clever and artistic system of attack and defense moves available – all realistically integrated into the game by means of Motion Sensing. Active parrying, variable attack tactics with different hit results, and the reaction of the opponent to the selected strategy all ensure that every combat scenario becomes an unforgettable, individual experience. And the comprehensive magic system is also unbelievably flexible, thanks to the DEMONSTM technology. Players can use a complex card system to create almost as many spells as they want from the five mana sources of Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Dark Magic. An imposing particle system also ensures that the magic effects are implemented in spectacular fashion. And the same applies to Alchemy – thanks to the PAPAKTM method, players can brew unique potions for their experiments, using a huge spectrum of substances ranging from plants to minerals and animal ingredients. Flexibility is also the key word in the design possibilities for weapons and armament items during gameplay. The technical foundation behind this feature is the newly created CRAFTTM tool. Thanks to this system, the player can break down almost any item into its basic materials like steel, wood and leather. These materials can then be used in turn to upgrade other items. Artistic-minded players can even buy paints and design their own individual armor and weapons. Then there are magical runes and artifacts which can be incorporated into weapons and items of armor. The combination of these three basic types of customization will give players an almost endless range of possibilities for creating their own equipment designs! Then we have the GRACE engine, especially developed for “Two Worlds II”. In combination with the extremely flexible MoSens Cap system, it enables an almost unimaginable freedom of movement when the hero is walking, running, fighting and interacting with his environment. “Two Worlds II” is graphically superb, thanks to the powerful engine, which is packed full of technological highlights like an unlimited number of dynamic light sources, 24 bit HDR post-processing and Real Eye Adaptation. It will drastically reduce loading times, improve general game performance, and enable full gameplay with only moderate hardware requirements. FEATURES -A flexible combat system with variable attack moves, parrying and special tricks -State-of-the-art technology, thanks to a powerful GRACETM engine and special tools -Lots of mini-games for breaking up gameplay -Intuitive user interface for the DEMONSTM Magic system and the PAPAKTM Alchemy system -Mercenaries and magically-created beings accompany the player -Complex object management with movable and usable items -Special CRAFTTM tool enables the individual configuration of armor and weapons -Many Boss opponents, including special combat strategies and unique rewards -Flexible MoSens system guarantees realistic everyday and combat movements -Various ways of moving, like walking, running, sprinting, riding, swimming, sailing and teleporting -Captivating background story with numerous cutscenes -Extensive Multiplayer part including building/setup simulation Source and for tons more info see http://www.twoworlds2.com Game Trailers

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Win a Copy of Two Worlds 2 from PS3Blog.net!

Look what I stumbled upon. If you are anxiously awaiting Two Worlds 2 like I am, maybe this will keep you occupied for the next 2 weeks. Two Worlds II Castle Defense is a free downloadable Tower Defense type game, where you strategically place different warriors to protect the castle from approaching Orcs. “Two Worlds II Castle Defense” is a strategy and skill game in the Two Worlds Universe. The prequel to Part 2 of the Antaloor Saga tells of the thrilling duel between Gandohar and Rogdor in the winding corridors of Vahkmaars before the mighty Emperor struck the Orcs devastatingly. The player’s task is to protect Gandohar in reversed roles from the Orcs by committing and organizing his warriors strategically. It is available for both the PC and Mac, and can be downloaded from http://www.twoworlds2.com/cd . There was a competetion that has unfortunately ended, but the game can still be downloaded and played for fun. Enjoy!

Excerpt from:
Two Worlds II Castle Defense

I’ve been sitting here for the past 20 minutes looking at a blank screen on my iPhone4, not how to type this next article. Should I make it a “puff” piece? What should I do? Should I stick to the facts? Should I just base it on personal experience like I have with my past articles and hope you all don’t come after me with torches and pitchforks? What should I do? Should i just bombard you with sales figures and other overwhelming stats? What should I do? Should I NOT rip off Lebron James and just get to the point? That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Nathan Drake. Let’s face it, the man is like Indiana Jones on steroids. He’s a downright, no punch pulling – hero. He’s also quite brash when facing danger right in the eye. He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t run from bullets, but takes the shortest path to them. He’s got zingy one-liners and a chiseled jawline. He knows how to handle himself in a fight and knows his way around a weapon or two. If you’re planning on going into a gunfight, you’re going to want this cat on your team. He’s got past loves and current ones. He has enemies and then he’s got people that just want nothing more on this earth then to watch him die slowly – the purest of villains. He’s also a complete workup of fiction. Created by a small Santa Monica development studio – Naughty Dog, way back in early 2006. Now, I have to admit loyal reader that I’m a multiplayer junkie. Any game that has peaked my interest and as long as it has multiplayer – you can be sure I’ll be plopping down my duckets for that game. So when I heard the first Uncharted game came out, I saw it had no multiplayer. And to be perfectly honest, I thought to myself: what kind of a PlayStation game is going to come out and not have freaking multiplayer? Who do these people think they are? How dare they not take advantage of the awesome power of the PlayStation 3! Not only that, but as a requirement to even play the game I’d have to install and take up precious hard drive space on my already full 80gb PlayStation. Eventually, as with all games, PlayStation did release a demo of the game. The demo featured the usual jump, climb and shoot aspect of most platforming games and nothing really “wowed” to me. Something was certainly missing and I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. I really did try to get it into the game and everyone I knew pretty much felt the same way I did. As a collective, the gaming community felt very differently, rewarding it with coveted PS3 Game Of The Year award as well as several other awards. Then something happened that changed everything. A trailer for Uncharted 2 was unveiled at the Spike Video Game Awards in 2008 and it was nothing short of amazing. Our hero Nathan Drake is sitting in what seemed like some sort of gondola, gasping for air and holding his stomach bleeding like a stuck pig. Almost to the point of blacking out, Drake tries to gain his bearings in these unfamiliar surroundings. And at that point everything goes to hell, and he suddenly realizes he in a quite precarious situation. This gondola happens to be dangling off the side of a cliff and is about to break off it’s hitch and go straight down a steep vertical drop. Not enough for you? Let’s go ahead and and toss Nathan Drake tumbling over piles of broken chairs and have him cling to a severely twisted piece of railing in order to not go falling into what seems a giant abyss. Drake is hanging on for dear life and suddenly – the trailer ended. I sat there in my one bedroom I was currently renting and looked to my pug dog, Cashew – for answers. He stared at me blankly and then proceeded to lick himself. Cashew proving that he indeed was no help at all, I then decided on a semi-reliable source known as the interwebs and scoured for release info and possible pre-order bonuses. Weeks would pass before Naughty Dog would release any info of that type. But then success! The video game overlord retailer – Gamestop – announced you would be able to gain access to the very limited beta (if you pre-ordered) showing off an all new feature of Uncharted 2:  MULTIPLAYER . I was wired for sound and began to hound my local Gamestop for the coveted pre-order bonus card with the code redeemable for the Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Beta for days on end. The day finally came when Gamestop received the cards and I hopped in my car and tried to break every land speed record known to man just to get there. I finally was able to obtain the beta card and noticed in the fine print I had to wait another two weeks before it was even valid!! Oh cruel fate!! It was then at that point I had to merely play the waiting game… The day would come where the code was finally redeemable and I feverishly entered my beta code and begin to download it off the Playstation Network. In the two weeks I had waited for the validity of the beta card, Naughty Dog released an onslaught of Uncharted 2 footage, gameplay screenshots and complete details of every pre-order bonus available to anyone would who would listen. I was one of those people. I won’t lie. I drank the Uncharted kool-aid. I was completely roped in by every aspect that Uncharted 2 had to offer. I sat in my tiny one bedroom and pulled back the curtains, shut off my phone, avoided contact with sunlight as well as all humans and went into beast mode on the Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Beta. Now – by the time the actual game had come out, I was level 49 – just in the beta! The multiplayer portion officially had the hard-to-get FooBear408 stamp of approval for the rare day one purchase. Then came release day on one of the coldest October nights I remembered in a long time. Most Gamestops were having a midnight releases around the bay area. Some locations were even having contests for free copies of the highly anticipated game. I had chosen the Blossom Hill location in southwestern area of San Jose (where I lived at the time) and decided to brave the elements to get a possible free copy of Uncharted 2. I was the third fanboy in line and facebooking my entire endeavor for all to witness my craziness firsthand. I called all my buddies, or at that time of night, anybody who would answer the phone. Not limited to, but including my ever so patient and loving girlfriend. I was able to convince several of my friends to do what I was doing and told them to get a copy of this game before I would have to kill them for not having the game in their possession. And I’m glad to report, loyal reader, my efforts paid off and I indeed did win a free copy of Uncharted 2. The rest as they say is history… This is art. This hangs above my fireplace. In retrospect, having played endless hours of Uncharted 2 – both single player and multiplayer, I can honestly say it’s without a doubt my most favorite game of all time. I know to some that is a very bold statement, but I stand behind it. It’s the only game I have ever actually put forth the effort to get a platinum trophy, with the first one: Uncharted: Drakes Fortune only three trophies off. My rockstar girlfriend seeing that I was an Uncharted fan, actually was able to get me a poster featuring  Nathan Drake (see picture) hand signed by every person that worked on the game at Naughty Dog, including the actors that did the voices. Uncharted 2 has gone and broken many records in sales and reviews alike, scoring a bevy of something like twenty perfect scores. I’m glad I was able to be part of the hoopla that was quite possibly the best game that has ever come to the Playstation 3.  Anybody that I know or I hear of that thinks about getting a Playstation 3, I recommend the game outright. And with Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception coming out on November 11, 2011 – it’ll be time to get reacquainted with my treasure hunting pal, Nathan Drake – all over again.

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November Needs to Hurry Up And Get Here Already

WOW, we got a twofer today! First, we hear a little about how the PlayStation 3 is the machine for everything and second we hear how it’s great for the entire family. How it brings families together and how fake TV families smell nice. These commercials are going to start airing tomorrow, seems like SONY is pouring it on this Holiday Season!

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PlayStation 3: It Only Does Miracles!

WOW! Animated Assassin’s Creed!! I hope there are many episodes in the works. This was previously dubbed the Secret Project #3 by UbiWorkshop, for those that were following their news at www.ubiworkshop.com .

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UbiWorkshop Revealed a Teaser for Assassin’s Creed Ascendance

I believe this is a leak , but it looks legit: Still a non-final prototype. Believed to be Android 3.0 Slim chance of a 2010 launch. Early 2011 is more likely Looks like two finger multi-touch pad in between the face buttons. Classic shoulder buttons and face buttons are present. 1 GHz CPU, 512MB RAM (PS3 also has 512MB total RAM including video). No word on GPU. Wow! If I don’t have to break my phone contract, this is a must buy.

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PlayStation Phone

Here is a new preview of another Sonic the Hedgehog 4 level. Wow does this bring back memories. I actually can’t wait to play this game and am very much looking forward to playing some Sonic The Hedgehog in HD. I will probably wind up watching it more than playing it once my wife see it. Here’s another video of this game expected to hit the PSN within the next couple months.

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Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 – Casino Street Zone

South Peak Games brings us another hilarious episode of Sordohan’s Journey. Sordohan is from their upcoming game Two Worlds II . Aubrey Norris, the PR manager for South Peak Games describes it best here. Hello my good people! Listen – that Sordohan from Two Worlds II? He’s got a rough life. He’s got anger issues, a psychiatrist that’s just a bit too interested in his mom, an overbearing boss, and nobody can seem to pronounce his goddamn name right. Somewhere in a parallel universe, Sordohan is frolicking through a field of daisies and toiling peasants, his tongue flapping the wind, killing indiscriminately to his heart’s content. But not in *this* universe, friends. In *this* universe, we at SouthPeak have got him – *by the balls*. But, unfortunately, as part of our contractual obligations to Sordohan, we were required to publicly release the *secret hidden videotapes* of our negotiations with him in pre-production for Two Worlds II so that the world can witness our unjust and inhumane treatment, ridiculous demands, and the blatant theft of his girlfriend. Well, Sordohan? ARE YOU HAPPY? I hope you feel compensated for “pain and suffering” now, whiny baddie sidekick bitch. She also describes me best by saying, “Oly is an excellent name filled with win. ” They also released a Gandohar Calling ringtone for our amusement.. it is here http://sopk.us/9y7AH9 If you haven’t seen the other’s they are after the jump!!

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Episode #4 of Sordohan’s Journey (from Two Worlds II)