Review by: Cyril Lachel

Find out what Cyril thought of this year's biggest title. Here's a hint...he loved it. READ FULL REVIEW...

Review by: Dan Keener

Dan kicks some ass and takes some names with Rockstar’s Xbox 360 version of Bully Scholarship Edition. READ FULL REVIEW...

Review by: Nathan Murray

Nathan finds that while there are a few new things in this WWII FPS, there's not a lot of new stuff to gloss over all the problems this g... READ FULL REVIEW...

Send us news

Gaming Gibs for 5/16/98

by: Chuck - posted: 5/16/2008 9:34 AM - Comments (0)

Here are a few things I missed while reading the Foo Fighter's awesome tour rider:

Microsoft explains their policy on the word Gay in gamertags
Gory games cut crime? Expect new lows of real world violence when Ninja Gaiden II hits
CBS buys C|Net (owner of Gamespot) for way more than it's worth
Is Call of Duty 4 a MMO? I guess I missed the Morloc mission
Lucasarts gets pithy about the lack of multiplayer in Force Unleashed
Ars Technica takes Microsoft down a peg or two about the Xbox 360 numbers
New racing rig is totally awesome, Dave might have to sell the plane to get it though
Capcom wants to know which Street Fighter IV figure you want, no Stretch Armstrong Dhalsim available
Haze questions answered, I guess we find out next week if the game was worth the wait

New screenshouts show Jason Bourne being Jason Bourne

by: Chuck - posted: 5/16/2008 7:22 AM - Comments (0)

Here are seven new screenshots from The Bourne Conspiracy that show off all the fun things you'll be able to do in the game. Things like hitting people in the head with a wrench, throwing them into signs, and driving around Paris in a mini-Cooper while getting shot at (just like my last vacation there).

Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit demo now available on Xbox Live and PSN

by: Chuck - posted: 5/16/2008 12:26 AM - Comments (0)

I'm not sure why but I've never gotten into the Dragon Ball Z franchise but I'm guessing they are fairly popular as Atari keeps cranking out games based on the series (which Cyril ends up reviewing). If you want to get a taste of Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, the new high-def version of the game be sure to check out the demo which was released on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network this afternoon to see if the move to the HD era was good for the franchise or not.

Soul still burns in new Xbox Live Soul Calibur screenshots

by: Chuck - posted: 5/16/2008 12:18 AM - Comments (1)

Soul Calibur was the game that convinced me to buy a Dreamcast back in the day. The combat was fairly easy to learn but took a while to master and the graphics were drop dead gorgeous. I used to own the guys at work with Kilick and Cervantes except for the weird guy who liked to use Voldo all the time. Anyway, these ten new screens from the Xbox Live version are looking pretty good so far and I think this will certainly be a good warm up for Soul Calibur IV when it's released later this year.

Gaming Nexus' hometown hockey star Rick Nash appearing on the cover of NHL 2K9

by: John - posted: 5/15/2008 5:17 PM - Comments (5)

I don't know there's much of a "Madden Curse" for hockey cover athletes but Columbus Blue Jacket's own Rick Nash has been selected as the NHL 2K9 cover athlete. I'm sure Chuck's got something to say about this good or bad. It's nice to see the Columbus star headline the game so let's hope this leads to a playoff appearance next year for the Jackets and not being out for the year for Mr. Nash. [READ MORE]

Footy to make your foot hit the floor

by: Nathan - posted: 5/15/2008 1:57 AM - Comments (0)

Undeniably GRID is looking to be pretty if not pretty fun to play. Code Masters released this new trailer that showcases some of the tracks located in Japan and focuses on street courses and drift racing. You get a real feeling of bone crunch when you see the way collisions are done. Yet another racing game that I will play simply to destroy my collection of pretty cars. Muah ha ha ha.

[READ MORE]

More weapons to blast to Uranus

by: Nathan - posted: 5/15/2008 1:41 AM - Comments (0)

Blobber Bomber Lord Angelica Falcon Screw bomb. That may look like gibberish but it is in fact a short list of some of the new weapons and enemies available for Capcom's Rocketmen: It Came from Uranus. The expansion pack was released yesterday on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. The expansion will run buyers about $5 and will come with new maps, weapons and enemies. The screw bomb is my favorite. It is a rocket that turns into a proximity mine on impact. So even if you miss the enemy is still screwed. For a complete list click more for the press release. [READ MORE]

Picture of the Guitar Hero IV drum set

by: John - posted: 5/14/2008 12:20 PM - Comments (3)

Yes it looks like Guitar Hero IV is going the Rock Band route and adding drums and singing. So how do you make it different? Why move one pad to the cymbal area and add another cymbal. Joystiq has a picture from Game Informer showing off a prototype. This just means another drum set I need to keep in the living room because I bet this thing won't work with Rock Band. My house isn't big enough to hold all these faux instruments.

Rabbit virus infects windows, multiplies rapidly

by: Nathan - posted: 5/14/2008 2:08 AM - Comments (6)

Sierra Online has let the bunnies run loose and soon they will be running right onto your Windows PC. Boogie Bunnies is a causal match three puzzle game that recently came out on Xbox Live Market place that "...revolutionizes the popular genre with... wacky critters full of personality." The game didn't get horrible reviews on the Xbox 360 so here's hoping mouse controls, improved graphic capability, and more memory space make this port onto PC a real winner. Cost is $19.99, rating is E and the game is out now. Oh and there is a FREE TRIAL . [READ MORE]

News Roundup: Nuts & Bolts Gears of PixelJunk

by: Randy - posted: 5/14/2008 1:24 AM - Comments (0)

Demos

A new demo lifts off for the combat space simulator, Heresy War. (That first one's at AtomicGamer; this one's over at Strategy Informer.)
A block-tastic demo of LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is mirrored over at AtomicGamer. (Or you can grab it at Strategy Informer; your choice.)

Articles

Xbox America conference called Anthony Deluca, producer of Top Spin 3.
The Cooler Master Centurion 590 is a "new release for under $70 that looks to be jam packed with the features you are looking for."
"Obviously, it's not the first choice for enthusiasts..." TheTechLounge reviews the ATI Radeon HD 3850 256MB Video Card.
Cryptic Studios has added concept art origin pages for Defender, Doctor Destroyer, Menton, and Ironclad in Champions Online.
"This motherboard might offer something extraordinary." Here's Digit-Life's review of the Sapphire PURE CrossFireX 790FX Motherboard on AMD 790FX Chipset (Socket AM2+).
Techgage looks at the punch-packing Hypersonic Avenger AG12" Notebook.
AtomicGamer reports on some more time spent int the just-finished open beta of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.

Videos

Age of Conan Femme Fatale Video (WMV HD, WMV SD, WMV Web); Alone in the Dark Facade Sequence Trailer (QT HD, WMV HD); Skate It Wii Controls, Nintendo DS Controls (QT); Sins of a Solar Empire UK Teaser Trailer (WMV); Gears of War 2 Gamers Day 2008 Trailer (WMV HD); Fable 2 Gamers Day 2008 Video (WMV HD); FaceBreaker Steve Trailer; Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Trailer (WMV HD); The Incredible Hulk 2008 Trailer; Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise Trailer; Penny Arcade Adventures Episode One Trailer (WMV HD); Exteel Game Mode Video; Line Rider 2: Unbound TechDawg Trailer (QT); Ninja Gaiden 2 Gamers Day 2008 (WMV), Leap (WMV High, WMV SD); Too Human Co-op Video, Gamers Day 2008 Video (WMV HD).

Screenshots

Gears of War 2 (X360); Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Next gen, Wii, and cinematic shots); Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (X360); Velvet Assassin; Alone in the Dark; Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness (X360); FlatOut Ultimate Carnage (PC); Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals (PC); Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1 (PS2) [European release]; Falling Stars (PS2); PixelJunk Monsters (PS3) ["Encore" expansion]; Numen: Contest of Heroes (PC) [monsters]; Heresy Wars (PC) [demo shots].

Thanks to Xbox America, Techgage, TheTechLounge, Cryptic Studios, Digit-Life, and Strategy Informer for today's news roundup.

[Pictured: Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals]

Rock around the clock

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 5/14/2008 12:15 AM - Comments (1)

Blockbuster is hosting a 24 hour Guitar Hero 3 tournament at one of their Dallas, Texas stores. It goes from Friday the 16th to Saturday the 17th, with Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert starting the ceremonies. A donation of $5 will get you unlimited playtime, and even better, your donations go to improve children's education in Dallas. Oh, and there are some cool prizes for the winners too. I wish they were doing one of these in Columbus, although I probably wouldn't make it out of the medium bracket. [READ MORE]

Zoids Assault releases pics, video -- and needs to seriously consider a name change

by: Randy - posted: 5/14/2008 12:00 AM - Comments (0)

In what looks like a mecha-suited update to the classic alt-chess game, Arkon, in what sounds like an acne-medicated infomercial, Zoids Assault is bringing "an intense covert military campaign in the middle of a tense cold war." The video, however, doesn't make it look like "covert" is the tactic du jour, and the "cold" war is looking far beyond greasy politics and arms races. Zoids Assault is coming to the Xbox 360 on August 26th. We've extracted some video and screenshots to set things off.

Upcoming Rock Band downloadable content is nothing if not Disturbed

by: Randy - posted: 5/13/2008 11:54 PM - Comments (0)

We know exactly why you and your Xbox 360 may be feeling increasingly disturbed in the coming weeks. Individuals that pre-order Disturbed's upcoming (June 3rd) album, Indestructible, from Best Buy will receive two free downloadable Rock Band tracks from the album: The titular "Indestructible" and "Inside the Fire." Disturbed will be featured as Xbox LIVE's Artist of the Month for June. [READ MORE]

Rumor/Speculation: Gears of War 2 to go beyond two player co-op?

by: Chuck - posted: 5/13/2008 1:08 PM - Comments (1)

While surfing all the Gears of War 2 coverage I saw this short quote over at MTV's Multiplayer blog.

It came after I asked him to define what “Gears of War” is to him, and how it differs from “Halo.” He threw out words like “co-op” and “tactical” and then he said “squad,” which prompted me to ask about the number of players that could team up in a “Gears of War 2″ mission. He looked for help.

No.

Not something he can talk about at the moment.

While this certainly isn't proof that Gears will go beyond two player co-op it does look like that part of the game is in flux and we could see a bigger co-op experience in the game. Given that Halo 3 had four player co-op and Resistance: Fall of Man 2 is going to have eight player co-op it's nice to think that Epic will be expanding their experience as the co-op in the first game was so well done.

LEGO Indiana Jones PC Demo available now

by: Chuck - posted: 5/13/2008 10:27 AM - Comments (0)

Traveller's Tales has released a demo of the PC version of LEGO Indiana Jones. Since LucasArts's Indiana Jones game has been delayed this will be serving as your quasi-movie tie in game for the upcoming film. I'm interested to see how this one plays as Traveler's Tales did such a good job with the LEGO Star Wars games.

New Alone in the Dark trailer starts to shed light on the game

by: Chuck - posted: 5/13/2008 10:23 AM - Comments (1)

Here's the new Alone in the Dark trailer that finally starts to provide something other than pretty shots of central park at night with stuff on fire.

Gaming Gibs for 5/13/08

by: Chuck - posted: 5/13/2008 10:14 AM - Comments (0)

Sorry about missing yesterday's Gibs but real life intervened. That said here are a few things I missed while rocking out to a song composed of nothing but gun sounds from Call of Duty 4:

Gamerscore whores will be happy to know that their gamerscores will probably carry over to the next-gen Xbox 360
Destrucoid comes up with three reasons to care about the well being of the ESA
Joystiq talks to GameTrailers about their GRiD Snafu
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who doesn't really care about Doom 4
Is it time to wonder why Ubisoft de-featured the PC version of Assassin's Creed in the last patch?
RockStar big wig is cool with an EA takeover, maybe the only one in the Take Two empire
Getting old sucks, getting old and being a gamer...still sucks

Age of Conan scores with the beta testers

by: Chuck - posted: 5/13/2008 10:04 AM - Comments (0)

Funcom announced today that they have more than 1 million beta testers for Age of Conan. While that number is fairly impressive it will be interesting to see how many of the beta testers stick around to play the final game when it's released next week. Auto Assault had a ton of beta testers as well but when the final game when live (and people had to pay for the game) the servers were emptier than a K Fed/Vanilla Ice concert. [READ MORE]

News Roundup: Uranus LostWinds, Mister Slime

by: Randy - posted: 5/13/2008 2:06 AM - Comments (0)

Articles

TheTechLounge covers a "flagship budget" review of the ASUS 8600GT TOP Video Card.
Getting their hands on Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate, WarCry leaves no mystery about their impressions.
MMO travel time is covered in Steinhauer's Opinion: The Long Road, also over at WarCry.
Legit Reviews is game testing 2GB versus 4GB of memory on Vista 64-bit.

Videos, Screens

VIDEOS: Alone in the Dark Trailer #9 (MP4); Baja Physics and Suspension Dev Diary Video (WMV); Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 Trailer #2 (WMV, QT); The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian DS Trailer (QT); Rocketmen: It Came from Uranus Trailer #2 (WMV HD); Rig n' Roll Interview Video.

SCREENS: Ninja Gaiden 2; X-Blades; LostWinds (Wii); Rocketmen: It Came from Uranus; Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory (PC); Skate It (Wii and DS shots); Top Spin 3 (X360); Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition; Lineage II: Hellbound (PC); Total Extreme Wrestling 2008 (PC); Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 (DS); Mister Slime (DS); B-Boy; Grip: Warlord; Gothic 4.

Thanks to AtomicGamer, Strategy Informer, Legit Reviews, WarCry, and TheTechLounge for today's news roundup.

[Pictured: Gothic 4]
.

PCs get 'GRID'locked with Games for Windows demo

by: Randy - posted: 5/12/2008 11:44 PM - Comments (0)

With GRID's demo pulling up to pole position on the PC -- as well as Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Network last week -- the circle is now complete. The demo takes you to the streets of San Fran in a Ford Mustang GT-R, the Yokohama Docks of Japan in a Nissan S15 Silvia, and the BMW 320si touring cars in Spain's Jarama circuit. Then, find 12 racers and compete online at the European and U.S. locations. If you like what you see, be ready for GRID's June 3rd release, with a Nintendo DS version to follow.

Assault Heroes 2 on XBLA this week

by: Dan - posted: 5/12/2008 12:12 PM - Comments (4)

Microsoft announced today that Assault Heroes 2 will be this weeks Xbox Live Arcade game du jour. The game is a sequel to the award winning original and continues the storyline by revealing that the original boss was just a low-level stooge. The new objectivity is to seek and destroy the higher boss. Additional new features are a dodge-roll system, ability to hi-jack more powerful enemies and more firepower. Assault Heroes 2 will be available for 800 Microsoft points at 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday May 14th.

[READ MORE]

Clock in more TimeShift with free Futures-Past Multiplayer Map Pack DLC

by: Randy - posted: 5/10/2008 2:50 PM - Comments (4)

The altogether average TimeShift released a free pack of multiplayer maps, available via Xbox LIVE as of May 7th. The five new maps, entitled "Futures-Past Multiplayer Map Pack," sport One-on-One, Deathmatch, and Team Deathmatch modes, naturally, but TimeShift "reveals the future of multiplayer fragging" with its exclusive King of Time and Meltdown Madness modes. More details back at the official TimShift site.

Top Spin 3 trailer looks good, still doesn't cross the Uncanny Valley

by: Chuck - posted: 5/10/2008 9:38 AM - Comments (0)

2K Sports has released the debut trailer for Top Spin 3 which features such tennis stars as Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, James Blake, Bjorn Borg and Monica Seles. The game will features 40 different events and while the animations and gameplay look great the faces of the players remind me that once again we still have a way to go before we cross the Uncanny Valley.

Gears of War 2 footage

by: John - posted: 5/10/2008 6:47 AM - Comments (0)

So here's the first look at Gears of War 2. The video shows off some scenes from the first act, chapter three. I do like some of the new abilities such as using a Locust as a body shield and the chainsaw fighting. Epic does seem to be going for bigger scaled battles as one part has Marcus shooting down at a good number of Locusts. And when I say good number I mean in the high twenties or more. Hard to tell what graphical improvements there maybe in this video but fans who wanted more Gears should be happy at what they see.

News Roundup: LittleBigBusSimulator

by: Randy - posted: 5/9/2008 8:43 PM - Comments (0)

Demo

The new demo for Race Driver: GRID is mirrored over at AtomicGamer.
For all your driving/business sim needs, Bus Simulator 2008 demo v1.0 is out (also in German), plus Bonus Pack #2 for the game.

Videos, Screens

VIDEOS: LittleBigPlanet PlayStation Day 2008 Trailer (WMV); MotorStorm Pacific Rift Pre-Alpha Tech Trailer (WMV HD); Killzone 2 PlayStation Day 2008 Trailer (WMV); Resistance 2 Teaser Trailer (MPEG); Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Insider Video #3 (WMV SD; WMV Web); World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Zul'Drak, Vehicular Combat, Sholazar Basin, Borean Tundra; Battlefield: Bad Company B Company Trailer (QT); Burnout Paradise PC Trailer (QT HD); Top Spin 3 Trailer (WMV HD, MP4 HD); SpongeBob SquarePants: Drawn to Life Trailer (QT HD, WMV SD, WMV Small); Spectraball Gameplay Trailer (WMV); Enemy Territory: Quake Wars Stroylent Video #1, #2 (QT HD), Console Gameplay (WMV HD, QT HD, QT SD, WMV).

SCREENS: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (PC); Iron Grip: Warlord (PC); Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway; Spectral Force 3 (X360); X-Blades (PC) [user interface]; The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (PC) [Book 13 Epic Quest]; Roogoo; Grand Theft Auto IV; DOFUS (PC) [2.0 map pics];

Articles

The i3DSpeed, a project of iXBT.com and Digit-Life.com, is dedicated to informing you about performance on a large number of graphics cards under Windows XP and Vista.
Pi Studios has Video Game Testers/Quality Assurance positions available in their Houston, TX, office -- details on Craigslist.

Thanks to Pi Studios, AtomicGamer, and Digit-Life for today's news roundup.

Pictured: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar [Book 13 Epic Quest]
.