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Archive for September, 2009
Check Out The Making Of HALO 3: ODST LIVE-ACTION
BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2 – Don’t Sleep On This Game
The intense action of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is not to be underestimated. Development team DICE/EA is sparring no expenses in order to offer one of the most intense and realistic shooters for 2010. After watching this latest gameplay video, there is no denying that BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2 is high on our radar.
HYDROPHOBIA: New Trailer & Preview
While the premise to HYDROPHOBIA seems to be your typical blockbuster movie rental, this new title which is in development by Dark Energy Digital, has the makings for a new and exciting thriller as you battle against crazed terrorist and the most powerful element known as the ocean which have both take over the ship.
The story being simple enough allows users to take control of Kate Wilson, the games protagonist who ends up fighting for her life after unknown terroristed have take control of the incredibly massive cruise liner known as the Queen of the World. Yes, this is another story about a hot chick who goes against the odds and prevails however, it not that simple.
HYDROPHOBIA is focused around the way in which the user interacts with the elements around them. As Kate goes about her business to rid the ship of it’s unwanted guests her most formidable adversary come in the form of the ocean water itself which becomes extremely taxing for both Kate and the terrorist. As a movie this might seem generic but as an interactive game the possibilities are endless. The game is said to utilizing a new engine known as the HydroEngine which has the incredible ability to render the effects of water like never before.
According to the development team, the HydroEngine technology is only possible on next-generation systems. The new HydroEngine allows the development team the ability to model flowing water and other liquids, which behave exactly as you would expect in real life. Water can flow down corridors and stairs, and is entirely dynamic, which means you never get the same behavior twice.
HydroEngine Features:
-Water flows from one area to another
-Objects get carried realistically by the flow
-Surfaces and characters become wet when touched by the water, and dry out over time
-Emergent effects such as eddies and underwater currents occur just like real water
-Spray and splashes are generated dynamically according to forces acting on the water
-Surface foam and infinite underwater particles follow the flow
-Dynamic caustic lights cause walls and floor to shimmer as water passes through
-Water can apply forces to objects, walls, windows and doors, causing them to buckle under the pressure
No word on a release date has been set and currently there is no publisher. From the looks of the interesting trailer let’s hope this title can be fully realized and make it to retail store shelves sometime in 2010.
DEAD SPACE 2: Development Sequel Underway
Well if any of you have never heard me declare that DEAD SPACE is the best suspense horror game during this generation of consoles then let me remind you, “DEAD SPACE is the best suspense horror game this generation.” O.k. I needed to get that out, now on to some exciting updates.
Last year DEAD SPACE recieved our coveted “Sleeper Hit Of 2008 Award” and for most gamers with an A type personality who were courageuos enough to complete this amazing title, they were immediately begging for a sequel. Now it looks like all of our prayers have finally been answered as a sequel appears to be in the works based on a job posting on LinkedIn.
The job listing reads;
“Seeking a highly motivated Lead combat designer for the Dead Space franchise on Xbox360 and PS3. This is a major opportunity to contribute creatively to an exciting new franchise.”
“The previous installment in the Dead Space franchise received numerous awards for gameplay, visuals, and sound design, and the same core team is in place to create an even better follow up.”
“The game is in the later stages of pre-production, ready for production in the next few months, with many of the navigational and combat mechanics in place. We have complete autonomy and creative control over our own decisions.”
Well that’s sounds about as positive of proof as any but of course we wont jump to conclusions, right. Even though this appears to be rock solid evidence that DEAD SPACE 2 development is underway, let’s just keep out eyes and ears open as the coming months should reveal some nuggets on DEAD SPACE 2.
Austin 3:16: Pre order Smack Down Vs. Raw 2010 and Play as Stone Cold
We here at ThEvolution Network grew up watching wrestling and imitating the various wrestling moves on brothers, sisters, cousins, neighbors, and even on our parents. Wrestling was an important outlet that allowed us to be superstars in our neighborhoods and backyards. After Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior retired, we all thought wrestling would never be the same again, but we couldn’t have been so totally wrong.
When it was known as the WWF, the addition of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin boosted the franchise sales, not to mention the overall world exposure had tremendously magnified. The name “Stone Cold” fitted him to a “T”, because he was Stone Cold when laying down all that opposed him. I mean how many of you out there would love to take the president of your company, tell him were to shove it, and follow it with a “stone cold stunner”?
Therefore, since we can’t do it in real life, pick up the sticks, hop into the squared ring and get you some. If you do or don’t remember Steve Austin. here is your opportunity to open a can of whip ass and play as Stone Cold in the new Smack Down vs. Raw 2010. The only way to play as the Rattle Snake is by pre-ordering your copy of the game from GAMESTOP before the release date Oct. 20, 2009 (yes another pre-order bribe), which is available for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV: New Ryu & Ken Battle Trailer
This game has just been announced and is heading to the Xbox 360.
Microsoft Introducing Two New Bundles For The Holidays
Not to be outdone by the recent PS3 price drop craze, according to the MAJOR NELSON blog, Microsoft will be introducing two new bundles for the holiday season.
The Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle includes an Xbox 360 elite console and a full retail copy of Lego Batman: The Videogame and Pure. The Elite Holiday bundle will begin shipping to retailers in Canada and the US 9/29 and will sell for US $299.
Coming November, Microsoft will be also offering the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack which will go on sale in all Xbox LIVE regions for US $59.99. Bundle contains an Xbox 360 Black Wireless controller and copies of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Lumines LIVE!, Bomberman LIVE! and a downloadable token for Ms Pac-Man.
These are some cools deals. With some amazing Xbox 360 exclusives like FORZA 3, LEFT 4 DEAD 2 and MINER WARS coming this holiday season with some amazing multiplatform titles like CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2, OPERATION FLASHPOINT, ASSASSINS CREED 2 and many others, now is a great time to grab yourself an Xbox 360 Elite and join the fun.
CRACKDOWN 2: TGS ‘09 WALKTHROUGH BLOWOUT
BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2 – A Sleeper Hit In 2010
DEAD RISING 2: Over 10 Minutes Of Gameplay Footage
HALO 3: ODST Causing Disc Errors
Please say it isn’t so. Well, from a growing list of individual who recently purchased HALO 3: ODST they are unfortunately experiencing yet another gaming issue in the form of the repeated disc errrors.
IGN writes;
According to a thread on the website’s official forums, players have been met with disc read errors upon trying to load the game on their Xbox 360, saying the disc itself is unreadable.
Microsoft has also confirmed that this is indeed an issue however, what’s causing the issue has yet to be resolved. Just how many users has actually experinced this disc error is unknown.
MODERN WARFARE 2: No Demo Coming Confirmed
Unfortunately we will not be able to get our hands on any form of MODERN WARFARE 2 before the game officially launches 11/10/09. According to Infinity Wards recent Twitter post, the team will be adding all the much needed polishing right up until the game is released.
“The entire team is focused on polish all the way up to ship of the full game,”
For all of us hardcore MODERN WARFARE enthusiasts, that’s probably everyone on the planet at this point, of course it would’ve been great to get our hands on this exciting new title, but as long as we can play the full version in all it’s FPS glory in November, that’s all that really matters.
LOST PLANET 2: Fighting Inside The Ginormous Salamander
We recently took the LOST PLANET 2 demo for a spin and we are already disappointed we will not be able to get our hands on this exciting new sequel until 2010. Simply put, the game is a co-op dream.
CAPCOM recently released two additional levels for the PS3 demo and we got footage of the complete experience. The experience was crazy as we got footage of fighting from inside the massive salamander. The video is in two parts and if you want to go straight to the salamander battle check out video 2 at about the 7:35 point.
We hope you enjoy the action.
How Are Games Being Reviewed Today?
Before the times of photo-realistic graphics, pre-order exclusives, and astronomical software sales, I like to think that there was once a time when games were reviewed based on a set of realistic standards that all games were under based on their specific genre. Over time these set standards would of course be pushed to higher heights due to technological advances in gaming. Games which were once great, over time will become a thing of the past as more polished and gaming advances are inevitably experienced.
Oftentimes, review features such as presentation, graphics, gameplay, sound, replayability and value are key factors in breaking down a game’s core elements. Collaborating these elements with today’s benchmarks titles and standards should all play a major part in the overall review. Unfortunately, today many review systems that are in place seem to be in jeopardy of making a mockery out of one of the purest forms of entertainment.
As many game reviewers could attest, at the end of the day regardless of how a game is reviewed, fair or not, someone is not going to agree with a particular review. However, reviews are not in place to appease fanboys, developers or publishers. Reviews should be in place to offer a fair gaming assessment to consumers based on the aforementioned standards and core features.
Lately, the internet has been rampant with reviews of the next installment of the HALO franchise in the form of HALO 3: ODST. From great reviews to not so great reviews, there has been an uneven review assessment for this game. Who is telling the truth? Is it fair to just say “buy it and see” and someone ends up spending $60 on a game that quickly becomes a cup holder they are disappointed in? Or, do they forfeit their purchase because some unknown site gave poor remarks. Regardless, something needs to be done to allow for a more consistent and fair reviews across major gaming networks.
In today’s generation of gaming there are many great titles that have set benchmarks for their respective genres and it would seem obvious that many of these great titles would be taken into consideration when today’s reviews are published. Too often we find titles that offer so little in innovative creativity yet receive high review while many games which are truly trying to push the envelope and boundaries of a genre are looked at with a very critical eye and nitpicked for the slightest errors.
Never would one want to assume that reviews are being manipulated by the almighty dollar, however based on the review climate today, it’s becoming more and more difficult to overlook this foul possibility.
GAMESTOP’S HALO 3: ODST MID-NIGHT LAUNCH PARTY
Bioshock 2 Coming February 9, 2010
The highly anticipated sequal Bioshock 2 is coming PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC platforms on February 9, 2010. The sequel takes place a decade after the events of the original BioShock, with gamers assuming command of one of Rapture’s lumbering Big Daddy behemoths as they attempt to track down a mysterious creature that has been spotted kidnapping young girls along the Atlantic coastline. In addition Bioshock 2 offers a multiplayer component, which takes place during the fall of Rapture and acts as a prequel to the franchise.
HALO 3: ODST – The First 49 Minutes Of Gameplay
Check out the first 49 minutes of gameplay from HALO 3: ODST. This video gives a true representation of what you can expect from the early stages of this Xbox 360 exclusive.
