Latest Video Games News/ Entertainment and Review

We got to check out Eat Sleep Play's new vehicular combat game Twisted Metal during Sony's E3 Sneak Peak Week. The original Twisted Metal game was released over 15 years ago and the rebirth of the series seems pretty gnarly. Our own Kevin Kelly got to test out the multiplayer:

"The game mode that really impressed me was the revamped Nuke. Nuke is set up like baseball, according to Jaffe, and is played in innings. Previously, both teams were trying to score shots on their enemy's giant statues with nuclear missiles in an effort to bring them down. You fire a missile by capturing faction leaders and sacrificing them at a launcher to fire a missile, which you then steer towards its final target. Jaffe and crew have tweaked this mode so you're only on offense or defense, not both. Now you'll be either trying to protect your faction leaders, or capture them, while trying to shoot down missiles, or make sure the enemies don't shoot down your own."

Simply called Twisted Metal, it’s due for release October 4th and we got to spend some quality time with it during this week’s Los Angeles leg of Sony’s Worldwide Studio tour (see our coverage of Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One, and Resistance 3). Having made it through in one piece, we’re happy to report that it promises to be every bit as sick, offensive, exaggerated and insane-to-the-max that previous installments have been. After spending 4 hours with it, we are in love.

Release Date: 4th/ October/ 2011

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City delivers a true third-person team-based shooter experience set within the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe and a reinterpretation of the events depicted in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. The setting of the Resident Evil universe not only provides a rich backdrop to the action but delivers a unique and thrilling triple threat battle. Zombies and Bio-Organic Weapons (B.O.W’s) add to the mix as players not only compete against an opposing squad but also tackle this third unpredictable element, creating a brand new style of gameplay and breaking the conventions of traditional team-based shooters.

Expect the return of original Resident Evil enemies, iconic landmarks such as the Raccoon City Police Department, and fan favorite characters including Leon S. Kennedy, who as a rookie police officer in Raccoon City is on your hit list to eliminate. Players will experience a retelling of classic moments from past titles Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 and watch the events unfolding from the menacing perspective of the Umbrella Security Service, giving fans the chance to rewrite the history of the Raccoon City outbreak.

In addition, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City will deliver a number of competitive online multiplayer modes. Each one of these will provide a unique gaming experience thanks to the three-way combat among the Umbrella Security Service, US Special Ops, and the threat of zombies and B.O.W’s that could only exist in the deadly and twisted Resident Evil Universe.

Release Date: 12/ April/ 2011

Gears of War 3 is the spectacular conclusion to one of the most memorable and celebrated sagas in video games. Developed by Epic Games exclusively for Xbox 360, Gears of War 3 plunges you into a harrowing tale of hope, survival, and brotherhood.

Gears of War 3 is the epic third part to the Quadrilogy known as the Gears of War series, and boy, does it start to get really interesting now. Continuing directly from where the last game left off, you spend pretty much the first hour of the game on a boat.
That’s it, really. You’re on a boat.
You get to take a long, hard look at said boat, though, if it’s any consolation.

In Gears of War 3, fight on as Marcus Fenix, the grizzled war hero and leader of Delta Squad. Eighteen months after the fall of the last human city, the war against the Locust rages on. Meanwhile, deep beneath the surface, a fearsome new threat is infecting the planet from within. With survivors scattered and civilization in ruins, time is running out for Marcus and his comrades as they fight to save the human race.

Release Date: 20/ September/ 2011

Two of the greatest fighting game franchises of all time face off in the first of two cross-over melee games that mix Street Fighter and Tekken characters.

Street Fighter x Tekken makes history as fighters from these two bastions of the fighting genre come together for the very first time. Utilizing the same 2D viewpoint and technology that powered Street Fighter IV, this game allows for Tekken characters such as Kazuya Mishima and Nina Williams to make the transition into the Street Fighter universe having been re-imagined using Capcom's much-loved art style. Their looks may be different, but these characters have retained their own unique characteristics and signature moves as they go head-to-head with classic brawlers from the Street Fighter franchise in what promises to be an explosive match up.

Last year Capcom and Namco jointly announced a pair of crossover fighters involving the two companies flagship characters. Capcom has finally shown off their end of the title fight with Street Fighter X Tekken (the "X" is pronounced "cross"). While Capcom isn't spilling the full character roster beans just yet, they've announced the first 10 characters, which we've included below. As Capcom announces more additions to the final roster, which promises to number "in the dozens" according to the publisher, we'll update this list. Be sure to check back here during E3 and beyond!

Release Date: 12/ April/ 2011

The second installment in the RPG saga about the Witcher-2 Assassins of Kings, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration. In addition to an epic story, the game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics puts players in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game. A captivating story, dynamic combat system, beautiful graphics, and everything else that made the original Witcher such a great game are now executed in a much more advanced and sophisticated way.

Release Date: 17/ May/ 2011

Pre-order Battlefield 3 to receive the digital expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand at no extra charge! This themed multiplayer expansion pack includes four legendary maps from Battlefield 2 boldly re-imagined with Frostbite™ 2 physics, destruction and visuals. Completing the package are classic Battlefield 2 weapons and vehicles, unique rewards, new achievements/trophies, and more. Players anxious to start the fight can pre-order the Battlefield 3 Limited Edition now. Pre-order while supplies last.

*Conditions and restrictions apply. See EA Store for details.

Battlefield 3 leaps ahead of its time with the power of Frostbite™ 2, the next instalment of DICE's cutting-edge game engine. This state-of-the-art technology is the foundation on which Battlefield 3 is built, delivering enhanced visual quality, a grand sense of scale, massive destruction, dynamic audio and incredibly lifelike character animations. As bullets whiz by, walls crumble, and explosions throw you to the ground, the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before. In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding missions across diverse locations including Paris, Tehran and New York.

Frostbite 2 – Battlefield 3 introduces Frostbite 2, the incredible technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting, scale and audio to new heights. Built upon this powerful game engine, Battlefield 3 immerses players physically and emotionally to the world around them like never before.

Feel the Battle — Feel the impact of bullets and explosions, drag your fallen comrades into safety, and mount your weapon on almost any part of the terrain. Battlefield 3's cutting edge animation, spectacular visuals and real as hell battle gameplay attack your senses and make you feel the visceral warrior's experience like no other FPS.

Unparalleled Vehicle Warfare — The best online vehicle warfare experience gets even better with a fitting sonic boom as fighter jets headline an impressive lineup of land, air and sea vehicles. Other returning fan favourite features include 64 players for PC and prone.

Urban Combat — Take the fight to iconic and unexpected places in the USA, Middle East, and Europe including claustrophobic streets, metropolitan downtowns, and open, vehicle-friendly landscapes as you fight your way through the war of tomorrow.

Release Date: 7th April/2011

The Secret World is an in-development MMORPG by Funcom. An original story, it will take place in the modern day as well as ancient mythology and civilizations long gone, blending these elements into what is being called a dark fantasy with supernatural elements.

A battle between good and evil will unfold and players will be a part of it, building up their supernatural powers (there are no classes) and shaping their characters as they desire. The game will also include depictions of some real locations as well as fictional ones.

Not much else is known about the game or its possible release. In addition to the PC, it's also scheduled to come out for the Xbox 360.

Release Date: 06/03/2011

We've got a ton of Dungeon Siege 3 details to share with you today including a new trailer and screenshots, a release date, and some info on the co-op.

Dungeon Siege 3's official release date on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC is May 27th in Europe and May 31st in the US. There's no word on the official dates for other territories, but we imagine it'll be within the same time frame. When the game ships it'll have four player online and offline co-op with drop-in and drop-out support.

The game is actually quite a bit different than its predecessors, with a more action focused adventure RPG. Most people that have played it says it almost feels a bit like Fable rather than Diablo.

But one thing the game might be borrowing from Fable 2, that we'd rather not see it borrow, is the way it handles co-op. Namely the game isn't going to allow you to bring your own character and or experience into a friend's game, instead, you'll basically play as henchmen like guests.

Update

It has been eighteen months since this interview took place and sadly the release of Dungeon Siege 3 seems as far off as ever. Given the probable release of Diablo 3 in late 2010 / early 2011 this probably wouldn’t be the best time for a release of a fantasy RPG rival anyway. It looks like we’ll have to hold our breaths or get our RPG fix somewhere else such as the expansion packs below if you haven’t tried them (details accurate on day of posting):

Release Date: May 31, 2011

After centuries of Mortal Kombat, Emperor Shao Kahn has finally defeated Raiden and his allies. Faced with extinction, Raiden has one last chance to save Earthrealm. To undo the Emperor's victory, he must strike Shao Kahn where he is vulnerable...the Past.

Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favorite series is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. Mortal Kombat introduces a number of game-play features including tag team and the deepest story mode of any fighting game. Players can choose from an extensive lineup of the game's iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches, or take on several new game modes.

Mortal Kombat introduces a number of game modes as well as an online experience. Up to 4 players can battle "tag-team"- 2 players can team up in the new "Co-op Arcade Mode" or compete against another team online.

Release Date: April 19, 2011