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!
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!
A return to F.E.A.R.
The second installment from Monolith’s hugely successful horror FPS title has at long last arrived. Returning to the city of Auburn where it all began. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin offers scarier atmospheres, more open environments, and a first person experience that is equally enjoyable as its previous title. From the darkest corners of the nether regions Alma has returned, and she has a bone to pick with Armachan!
Horror 101
F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin follows the story of Michael Becket, who is a new character to the series and a fresh perspective. A delta squad rookie, Becket is dispatched to the city of Auburn (on a mission to rescue Armachan’s President) just before it was annihilated by the cataclysmic explosion of the previous game. After the big boom is when the weirdness starts. Becket wakes to find that he is Alma’s newest interest as he begins to see her everywhere. As a sort of guide Alma leads Becket through a terrifying journey into the dark history of her past and ultimately to an ending so bizarre that I refuse to spoil it for you.
There is Nothing to Fear but…Alma
Continuing the same type of jarring game play from the previous game, you are constantly jumping between chills, and thrills. F.E.A.R. 2 capitalizes on the classic elements of horror, in which suspense draws you into a scene only to have it completely shattered by jarring action sequences. This is the bread and butter of the F.E.A.R. franchise and it is something they do well. The transitions from horror to action are a shocking way to propel the game play.
The Atmospheres are eerie, more creative, and much larger then in the previous game. Some levels are large, and that does put a bit of a strain on the game play as you become bored with staring at the same level. You will be exploring the devastated city of Auburn in which you will constantly come across Armachan operatives who have been dispatched there. Alma becomes your guide as well as your tormentor, as she constantly twists your mind with disturbing hallucinations. Unwillingly forging a psychic bond with Alma you develop the ability to slow down time. The ability is a much needed asset as the AI of F.E.A.R. 2 is advanced. Enemies will use environments, and team tactics to try and take you down. The bullet time will give you the advantage to dispatch enemies as needed.
The mech suits add a creative element to game play, and are extremely enjoyable to use. Self repairing and equipped with dual guns, and a rocket launcher they are basically gigantic killing machines. The mech suits are very effective in helping you to mow down enemies. You will be able to use them at various times, and surprisingly they work for a game totally unrelated to mech suits.
Multi-player is average keeping the simple modes; such as death match, and capture the flag. So do not expect much more than that from it. It isn’t a bad multi-player by any means, just basic. Campaign mode is another story! It is a rich experience with dynamic environments, and a near indiscernible plot line with more twist than a Shyamalan film.
Fear thy name is Alma
F.E.A.R. 2 continues the formula of its predecessor, and it is an effective one at that. Larger environments, more intelligent enemies, and a continuing theme of creepiness definitely makes this game worthy of your time. The muti-player could have been better and that is the reason this game falls short of a five star rating, but the campaign alone makes this game worth its price. We give F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin 4 out of 5 stars.
We had a good feeling about that leaked trailer on Friday and it looks like we were on to something. Capcom confirmed that the leaked trailer was legit and that Dead Rising 2 will be released on multiple platforms. Although we didn’t get a release date today from Capcom they have stated that the game is on the way and that it will be the best Zombie fun you’ve ever had (Hamster ball included)!
Here is what Capcom had to say about the plot “Dead Rising 2 is set several years after the infamous zombie invasion of Willamette. Unfortunately, the zombie virus was not contained at the conclusion of Dead Rising, spreading unchecked throughout the United States and Dead Rising 2 depicts a country where zombie outbreaks continue to strike.”
Capcom said that we can be expecting a lot more info on Dead Rising soon, but until then rest assured Dead Rising 2 is on the way and it will be released for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.
I can’t think of a better way to finish out the week then with a possible leaked trailer.
The Internet is buzzing today with what could quite possibly be the trailer for Dead Rising 2. A shaky cam style video of what looks like a leaked trailer popped up on YouTube today and it just may be legit. The trailer looks like a Las Vegas setting for the sequel just without all the gambling and fun (due to the Zombies).
Blue Castle is currently developing Dead Rising 2 and there is no release date yet, but if this trailer is legit we may be getting one soon.
Today after a great deal of whispers and murmuring Bionic Commando was confirmed by Capcom for release this year. Fans of the classic NES game can expect the next gen jump from this franchise in May 2009. Capcom also confirmed that Bionic Commando will be released for PS3, Xbox 360, and a PC version will follow shortly after.
The reason Capcom finally announced the release date was because of the rumors that were beginning to spread about it. They stated on their blog today “There’s been lots of rumors and speculation going around about when Bionic Commando is actually coming out.”
In case you don’t know Bionic Commando will follow the story of Nathan “Rad” Spencer who has been sentenced to execution for a false crime, but is spared do to the extraordinary circumstances of a terrorist attack. After an experimental weapon devastates an entire city, Rad is reinstated for the obvious advantage of his bionic arm and is dispatched by the feds to go break the terrorist stronghold that has taken control of the city.
Be ready to start swinging from buildings, tossing cars, and throwing terrorists around like rag dolls; because bionic commando will be here in May.
It has been awhile since it was mentioned but with our anticipation at its peek the Left 4 Dead DLC has finally been announced. The DLC titled “Survival Pack” will include a new multi-player mode titled “Survival,” and will also include 2 campaigns for versus mode. Wait a sec take a breath, don’t pass out from the shear joy yet! There is more! A Critics Choice Edition of Left 4 Dead will be hitting retail stores in the Spring as well and it will feature all the DLC that was previously released.
If you are a PC gamer you will also be getting a little nugget of joy from Valve as well, in the form of an SDK that will also be dropping in the spring (or as I call it Christmas pt. 2) and will be free of charge.
Go ahead and celebrate but we advise you to close the door to your office before you start doing cartwheels.
The title alone should make it clear that Splatterhouse is not a game that involves raising kittens. Originally a 2D side scrolling blood bath, Splatterhouse was the first franchise to be given the M rating in North America. Developed by bottleRocket Entertainment, and published by Namco Bandai; Splatterhouse (2009) will be the next gen jump for the franchise.
Described with terms such as “Bloody,” and “Hyper Violent” Splatterhouse follows the story of a college student named Rick Taylor, who must rescue his girlfriend Jennifer from the epicenter of paranormal weirdness West Mansion. Using his newly discovered Terror Mask (which gives him the ability to pound the snot out of anything that moves), Rick must carve a gory path through the mansion to rescue his girlfriend.
The combat system is advanced and extremely brutal, (while wearing the Terror mask) Rick will be able to attack his enemies with super strength and literally rip them apart! You can use almost anything as a weapon including the classic nail-riddled 2×4, and link together attacks to do combos.
If you love carnage then trust us this is your game! To say that Splatterhouse will be the goriest game in history is a little presumptuous, but it will undoubtedly be a serious contender for that title. You can expect Splatterhouse, for Xbox 360, and PS3 summer 2009!
Xbox owners rejoice, because for the week of January 26th the official Resident Evil 5 demo will be available live. The demo will be on Xbox live Monday January 26th, and will be available for one week. A Resident Evil 5 demo on PS3 should be on the way later, but we haven’t heard anything on it yet.
The Demo which was released in Japan last year a little before Turkey day, will now be coming to the US on Xbox live. It will feature two exclusive levels from the game, both of them you can play co-op with Chris Redfield, and Sheva Alomar.
The Shanty Town, and Assembly Place are said to be the two levels you will get to play in. You will also be encountering the menacing kinda zombie, kinda not enemies in this demo the Majini.
So Xbox owners enjoy yourselves, and try not to rub it in too much because I think a PS3 demo will be following soon after.
Below is a video of what you can expect from the demo.
This has been a stellar year for games. Standards have been set, records have been broken, and the game industry has continued to thrive in a sagging economy. Of all the great games we have had the pleasure of playing this year narrowing down a select few to comprise a “top ten list” was no simple task.
Please do not assume because we have not mentioned a game on this list that we do not consider it good, we just simply think that it didn’t have that extra something to be included on the list.
Before we even start I would like to say kudos to all the developers out there! You guys have given us some truly exceptional games this year, and we look forward to 2009!
Xbox owners rejoice, because for the week of January 26th the official Resident Evil 5 demo will be available live. The demo will be on Xbox live Monday January 26th, and will be available for one week. A 
