In this full cinematic trailer, you get a glimpse of the dark world of Prototype.  Based in New York, the opening of this game shows a tactical team gunning down some type of mutant riot group that’s chasing a young woman.  After annihilating the mutants, the tactical team decides to go ahead and kill the girl that they just rescued from them.  Nice huh?  I am guessing they killed her because they were worried about her being contaminated by the mutants.  That is when the game’s protagonist Alex Mercer shows up and goes postal.

I found out about another one of Alex’s abilities in this trailer, that I was previously clueless about.  Alex is able to shape shift and take on the form of other people.  One scene in particular, Alex takes the form of a tactical agent to fool one of his pals, and then dispenses of him.

Prototype will be released June 9 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

In the latest trailer from Batman Arkham Asylum, what you will be looking at specifically, is Batman’s close combat skills. Which in the case of this game is totally BA! It’s nice seeing Batman laying out the bad guys in this game and not holding back.

The Combat styles are reminiscent of the classic Batman, and by classic Batman I mean anyone besides Adam West. The enemies you’ll see in this trailer are the typical henchmen, Bane and a very Killer Croc style looking enemy.

Be ready for this one, I have a feeling this will be the first epic Batman game. You can expect Arkham Asylum June 23 for PC, PS3, Xbox 360.

Whether you were a fan of the previous game or not, you can’t help but look at this trailer and say, “that looks interesting.”  Much like its predecessor, Dead Rising 2 seems to be free roaming, but this time the setting is equivalent to a Las Vegas knock off Fortune City.

Although the locations you will be frequenting are unclear, it appears you will be exploring the city’s main strip.  Chuck Greene will be replacing Frank West as our new Hero and zombie slayer.  A motor cross champ, Chuck is a daredevil and is quite resourceful.  He is able to use his skills as a mechanic to progress through the game.

What you can expect from Dead Rising 2 is chainsaws on staffs, chainsaws on motorcycles, and did I mention there would be chainsaws?  Of course you will be using other weapons as well, one of them a moose head that you wear to plow through zombies.

Currently being developed by Capcom and Blue Castle, Dead Rising 2 is expected for release this year and will be for multiple platforms.

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Yeah folks it’s true, Max Payne is coming back. Not the lame live action Max Payne, but the CG Max Payne we all love is returning. Expected to be released this winter, Max Payne 3 will be spread across multiple platforms.

Currently in development with Rockstar Vancouver, the third installment in the gritty franchise is said to be a new chapter in Payne’s life. Following the events of Max Payne 2, Payne is older now and retired form the police force but still up to his meddling ways. Returning to the themes of the previous games, Payne will once again be at the center of a plot based on corruption, and conspiracy.

It’s been awhile since we have seen or heard any information on the next installment in this franchise since Max Payne 2. Good news for the fans, we will be seeing Max Payne 3 this winter, and on multiple platforms.

Since the first glimpse of that glorious leaked trailer there have been rumors about BioShock 2 and what we can expect from it. Yesterday new info was released but could only be considered speculation at the time. Today the details for BioShock 2 have been confirmed as valid, thanks to ShackNews .

Confirmed! Confirmed! Confirmed! Here is what you can expect from BioShock 2.

• The game is set 10 years after the first BioShock.
• There will be a multiplayer mode, but no details were given.
• The Big Sister is a grown-up Little Sister, and she’s hunting you.
• Some levels take place on the sea floor outside of Rapture.
• The Big Sister will periodically pop up after you kill enough Big Daddies. Her arrival is apparently signaled by a Little Sister singing a song.
• The Big Sister is described as fast and “the hardest thing in the game.” She’ll utilize telekinesis to throw objects at you or use them as shields.
• Your drill overheats, and cannot be used constantly.
• As a Big Daddy, you’ll be able to do that nifty shoulder bash move.
• Upgrade trees are now more diverse.
• The Incinerate plasmid allows you to throw a fireball or shoot a stream of fire, depending on upgrades.
• Plasmids can now be combined. For example, mixing Incinerate and Cyclone Trap will result in a flaming trap.
• Weapons and plasmids can be used at the same time.
• You can now heal damaged turrets and bots.
• Players will explore Fontaine Futuristics, which is where the Adam energy is harvested from Little Sisters. Through this, you will learn how the Adam is recovered

Thank you ShackNews, much appreciated!

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As a Survival Horror fan and a huge Resident Evil fan I am constantly hearing from gamers that Resident Evil is no longer a Survival Horror franchise. The fan boy in me cringes at these remarks, but I must admit the basic themes of this franchise have been through a major revamp. Progressively, the series has shifted away from its Horror themes. I am not dropping any bombs here and saying Resident Evil 5 is not a Survival Horror game but what I will say is that this franchise is not as scary as it used to be.

5.) Where are the Zombies?

This is the big question fans have been asking since Resident Evil 4.  Resident Evil was originally THE ZOMBIE GAME, which made it terrifying. A putrefying corpse that knows nothing but hunger used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. Back in 1996 when the game was released Zombies were scary, now they are a novelty. Which is part of the reason they were nixed from the franchise I am sure.

Instead of Zombies in Resident Evil 4 and 5, we have LIVING individuals who are injected with parasites that attack the brain, making them totally psycho. The parasites continue to grow to the point of bursting from the head, killing the host. Although the concept of human experimentation is still quite frightening, I think the idea of a foreign entity growing in a person to the point of bursting out of them has been a long time Science Fiction theme. Alien is perfect example of this, although the splat was through the chest instead of the head.

4.) It’s a fine line between Sci-Fi and Horror!

Horror and Science Fiction are very closely related genres, and if you have a film with both elements you have to walk a fine line on which theme should be paramount. Films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Alien are films with fantastic horror elements, but the  Sci-Fi theme’s of Futurism, and Space Travel are much more overpowering; deeming them Sci-Fi films.

The Resident Evil franchise has had a consistent Science Fiction theme, one that is a vital part of the main plot line, which is Umbrella Corp. A super secret corporation that specializes in radical experimentation. If you drop the theme of a haunted mansion (or city in the case of Resident Evil 2, and 3), and zombies but keep the theme of Umbrella - than you have a story based on labs and experiments, which in and of itself (sorry people) is a Science Fiction based plot line.

3.) Survival Horror Street Cred

More and more, horror films are getting more violent, and more shocking. Today there are horror films in the movie theater that would have only existed as independent films a few decades ago. Survival Horror is the same - the games in this genre have progressively become more and more disturbing, and if your game isn’t truly shocking it’s going to lose its street cred.

Survival Horror fans love violence, it is the bread and butter of the franchise but in the past few years it seems Resident Evil has been toned down. It is true that Capcom is trying to reach a bigger audience with this franchise, and the effects are clear. Resident Evil games now play like action shooters like Gears of War, and although both are violent they certainly don’t have the feel of Survival Horror.

2.)  Location, Location, Location

Part of the strength of the original Resident Evil game and why it was genuinely frightening, was simply because you were confined to a single space; in this case the Spencer Mansion.  The felling of being trapped is one of the oldest themes and most potent of the horror genre.  The idea that there just may be a chance you will never leave that mansion alive added a feeling of dread to the game play. With Resident Evil 5 you have large open and expansive environments that nullify that feeling of being trapped, and ultimately detract from the terror.

1.) Action on Steroids

If you look at any great Horror film - what makes it great is the helplessness you feel while watching it. Whether it is Jason, or Freddy, or a little girl that crawls out of your T.V. set, they all have something in common; they can’t be killed! It is this theme of helplessness that is the Horror genre’s foundation, and Survival Horror is exactly the same.

With the Resident Evil 4 reboot it is hard to feel helpless when you have Leon S. Kennedy A.K.A. killing machine behind a shotgun picking off crazed villagers like they are those cardboard ducks at a carnival. The same can be said about Resident Evil 5 when you look at Chris Redfield, an all around BA military guy, you don’t feel quite so scared playing this game in the dark. The Characters in the Resident Evil games don’t seem quite so vulnerable any more, and that is part of the reason the franchise just doesn’t quite have the scares it used to.

Don’t get me wrong I still love this franchise I just have to except the fact that it has changed, and in some ways for the better. There are still Survival Horror themes in this franchise but it just does not feel the same. What do you guys think?

If you are feeling nostalgic

Yesterday the box art for Batman Arkham Asylum was revealed, and it is looking pretty good. For everyone  who has been waiting for a legitimate game for our caped crusader, this one just might be it.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios Batman Arkham Asylum is set within the confines of the famed mental hospital from the Batman folklore. While transporting the Joker into the Asylum, Batman becomes trapped inside when Joker releases the patients and seals the doors. With the mental hospitals crazed criminal population running amuck Batman must stop the Jokers plan and face his worst enemies.

You will be using your combat skills as well as your forensic knowledge to defeat your enemies. It is said that Barbara Gordon (Bat girl) will be your guide via wireless connection. If the game play is half as good as the box art this should be a game that is well worthy of its title. Expect Batman to swing into action June  9 for Xbox360, PS3, and PC.

With Resident Evil 5’s release date only a few days away, the gaming world is going RE5 crazy! As I am sure you are eagerly awaiting Friday the 13th, we thought a quick recap on the games main characters would be nice. If you have never played Resident Evil you need to know there is a history with these characters and that they have extensive backgrounds (two in particular).

“There’s one thing I do know…I have a job to do, and I’m gonna see it through.”
Age:35
Rank: Zombie Vet

One of the early members of S.T.A.R.S. Chris Redfied was sent to investigate what is now called the Mansion Incident of Resident Evil 1. One of the few Survivors of the mansion, Chris has dedicated his life to stopping Umbrella Corp. and the man who betrayed him Albert Wesker. Since escaping the mansion Chris kept a low profile doing careful investigations of Umbrella  solo, until the Raccoon City Incident when Umbrella lost it’s federal funding and crumbled.

Afterward Chris came out of hiding to join the B.S.A.A. to combat international bio terrorism. Since the fall of Umbrella hundreds of their bio weapons have been unaccounted for. Filtering through international Terrorist Cells, and War Lords Umbrella’s bio weapons are tipping the scales of war. With the same dedication to wipe every trace of Umbrella from the earth Chris has dedicated himself to tracking down these weapons and destroying them. Dispatched to West Africa to combat a major bio threat, Chris meets his partner and guide Sheva Alomar. Sent there on Intel that Umbrella weapons are present in the area, and that an old enemy is the cause…Albert Wesker.

“We’re partners, to the end!”
Age: 23
Rank: N00b

After the death of her parents, Sheva Alomar joined a West African anti Government gorilla group. After being rescued by a Government agency Sheva was sent to live in the United States. After a number of years and graduating from college Sheva was recruited into the B.S.A.A. to combat Bio Terrorism in their West African Division. With her skills in Guerrilla warfare, and her knowledge of the West African terrain she was the best suited for her position. Later she is ordered to aid a B.S.A.A. agent from the United States who is dispatched there to counter a bio terrorist threat, his name is Chris Redfied.

“Aw, You’ll find out soon enough…Everyone will…”
Age: 20 something
Rank: Villain N00b

Born into one of the elite families of Europe Excella Gionne is a direct descendant of one of the founders of Tricell. Sent to the finest schools and Universities in Europe, Excella quickly excelled as a young and gifted geneticist. With her superior intelligence, charm, and lust for power she quickly climbed the ranks of Tricell to become one of the major CEO’s. As the overseer of a private project in West Africa, Excella has personally traveled there to meet one of Tricell’s affiliates who is heading up a secret project…Albert Wesker. 

“The right to be God. That right… is now mine!”
Age: 48
Rank: PURE EVIL

The mystery of Umbrella corp, the zombie outbreaks, and even the origin of the T-Virus itself is knowledge Albert Wesker alone has. That is part of the reason why he is the greatest enemy of the free world (that and the fact he has super human abilities). The oldest and most bitter enemy of Chris Redfield, Wesker has been the single greatest emissary of the long deceased Umbrella corp.  Only working as a S.T.A.R.S. member as a front, he was one of the original scientist who engineered the T-Virus, only to be destroyed by his own creation Tyrant.

With the use of some variation of the Umbrella viruses Wesker was revived. Since then he has been secretly observing his enemies from inside Umbrella and carefully setting his pawns in place through every major event. Returning in Resident Evil 5 Wesker now has his plan in place and is ready to launch his global campaign…starting in Africa.

Brush up on your Resident Evil History

Ever since Resident Evil 5 was announced, Capcom has kept info on the game locked tighter than Fort Knox. Now that we only have 3 weeks left until the release on March 13th, it appears they have thrown caution to the wind. A new trailer was released by them last night with this warning “Lots of good story bits and spoiler stuff in this new trailer… It’s completely full of win!”

Spoiler? Yes, you did read the word spoiler in that sentence! What spoiler you ask? Could it be Chris, and Wesker are brothers? Does Wesker ever take off his sunglasses? Did the T-Virus originate from infected Chimpanzees? Although these are most definitely not true, the spoiler in this trailer is almost equally shocking!

Before your jittery fingers click that play button we warn you this spoiler is epic!

Watch this in HD

After much anticipation Japan’s desire was at long last quenched. When Street Fighter IV hit the shelves the Japanese hit the pavement! On the first day of the release of Capcom’s fighting classic 86,000 copies were sold!

Originally Capcom told a bit of a fib when they stated that Street Fighter IV was sold out in Japan, as we later discovered, this was not the case! A few gamers did some research after Capcom made the statement and we later discovered a number of individual retailers were sold out but all of Japan was not!

This news is really not all that much of a surprise. Saying Street Fighter is selling well in Japan is like saying frat boys like alcohol! Despite the fact the Street Fighter series is sacred over there,  it is the first game in the series to be in 3D and that most likely was an influence on the purchases.

Street Fighter IV is now available on US shores, check it out!