Censor gives MadWorld on Nintendo Wii an 18 rating

The British Board of Film Censors has granted classification to Nintendo Wii-exclusive MadWorld. The game received an 18 rating, but apart from looking a bit weird on shelves between the ranks of party games and shovelware, it didn’t have too much trouble getting passed the censors.

MadWorld stands out from other Wii titles thanks to its instantly recognisable graphics. The game relies on a very limited colour palette consisting of black and white, with liberal splashes of bright red blood.

The levels of violence in the game have caused controversy in the UK, following Mediawatch-UK’s appeal to the Daily Mail, which complained that the bloody title would “spoil the family fun image of the Wii”. That isn’t to say that MadWorld is any more violent than other ‘ultra-violent’ titles out there though, it just happens to be one that the mainstream media has latched on to. Since the Manhunt 2 brouhaha kicked off over a year ago, there hasn’t been much else to whinge about.

In fact, the game is fairly tongue-in-cheek. You tear through opponents on a Running Man-esque television show using chainsaws, knives and other assorted instruments of death. Mini games are going to play an important part too, including one called Man Darts, in which you smack people at a giant darts board using a baseball bat and appropriate Wii remote gestures. The gore itself is pretty cartoony.

Nintendo has also stood firmly by the game, despite the alleged risk to its console’s image. It has also made it clear previously, that the Wii is not just for children and families, but for all ages, including the violence loving, more traditional gamer demographics. And given the number of disgruntled Nintendo fans who feel missed out by the Wii’s heavy focus on ‘casual’ gamers, Ninty needs more titles like this to prove it still knows its core audience.

The Chase Nintendo DS video game

Yesterday, while working as a delivery boy, Felix had an unplanned collision with someone on the street. That someone was Felicity - the girl of his dreams. They arrange to meet at the end of the pier for a date the following day. Here starts the fantastic tale of love at first sight, desperation, expectations and overcoming all obstacles to win the heart of the one you love.

Your date is waiting for you at the end of the pier, but first you'll have to get there! You have to get to your date before it's too late and she thinks you've stood her up. Will she still be waiting for you? Will she be impressed with your efforts? That is up to you...

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here...

The different modes in the game are:

1. Normal: a free form romp into the level
2. Race: race a love guru into the level
3. Rescue: carry a helpless animal to the end of the level
4. Vertical: Use your stylus as a grappling hook and climb to the top of the level
5. Heart grab mode: Find the 5 hearts scattered through the level

Key elements:

1. Crush meter: you have got to impress your sweetheart by collecting, hearts, flowers, coins, performing tricks and bowling enemies.
2. Rush line: Charge it by collecting fruits and jumping through hoops
3. Power-Ups:
- Time freeze: Freezes your enemy for 6 seconds
Love rush: 8 seconds of invulnerability
Newton bomb: possibility to jump very high
Choice between male and female character
Drawing of rush lines with the stylus: Using the Nintendo DS Touch Screen players can draw their own platforms and make their way through abstract landscapes representing locations throughout the city.
Horizontal and vertical scrolling
Funky and catchy music
Best love advices for the target audiences
5 different types of gameplay: normal, race, rescue, vertical, heart grab mode
40 different levels in 8 different areas: city, subway, park, fairground, construction zone, forest, sewers and beach.

Platform : Nintendo DS
Genre : Puzzle
Publisher : Atari
Rating : 3+

BioShock 2 - Sea of Dreams Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 and PC

BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC
Release summer 2009

There's no denying that BioShock was one of the best games of 2007 with its gripping story and unique blend of game genres. While the sequel's story is a mystery, Sea of Dreams is one of the most anticipated games of 2009.

Set in an alternate history 1960, the game places the player in the role of a plane crash survivor named Jack, who must explore the underwater dystopian city of Rapture, and survive attacks by the mutated beings and mechanical drones that populate it. The game incorporates elements found in role-playing and survival horror games, and is described by the developers and Levine as a "spiritual successor" to their previous titles in the System Shock series.

The game received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and ranks as the twelfth best video game on Game Rankings based on reviews from critics. It was particularly well-reviewed in the mainstream press where its "morality-based" storyline, immersive environment and Ayn Rand-inspired dystopic back-story were all singled out for praise.

Japanese adult video game actress talks about games

Adult video actress often say they play video games, but few really play video games. Japanese AV lady Noa, star of MAX ORGASM, does. She's hardcore, yo.

The self-proclaimed hikikomori otaku blogs about playing games — games like Fable II. She name drops Peter Molyneux, reminisces about Fable I and talks about things how "the hardware has changed... the graphics are considerably better."

When Call of Duty: World at War wasn't yet released in Japan, she bought the English language version — and then blogged about how much fun she had with the multiplay and the co-op. Two weeks after the game's Western release, she already reached Level 50 in World at War multiplayer.

She also posts about beating Way of the Samurai 3 and various Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS games she owns. Her most recent entry is about her custom character in Saint's Row 2 and other Western games she's currently digging (Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead and Gears of War 2.)

"I think because more and more Western games are getting Japanese releases, it seems like we're in an age where the game world is shared," blogs the adult video actress.

Link to her blog in japanese...

Source: Kotaku and Noa site

Video games out soon Skate 2 - Commander in Chief - Sim Animals

Skate 2 (PS3, Xbox 360) Link to gamezplay post
Electronic Arts, Black Box - $59.99

The skate sim is back with an online component that is worthy of a top spot in online extreme-multiplayer gaming.


Let's face it, there were many questions about a true skateboard sim when this game was released last year. After years of bizarro-world grinds on telephone wires and such from Tony Hawk's skateboarding franchise, would people play a "regular" skate game with true virtual physics?

All the great controls are still there for Skate 2 and a couple of new moves are thrown in, but the kicker is the new Create-a-Spot feature.

Let's say you're free-skating around one of the many environments and find some place cool to do some tricks. A couple of button presses later, and online users can join you in your choice spot and do battle in an area that is completely customizable.

See some park benches and tables strewn around? Move them to make some sick obstacles for grinds, ollies, and kick flips.

Totally awesome, dude.

For those looking for some powder instead of asphalt and concrete, Stoked, the snowboarding sim, is out for the Xbox 360 this week as well.


Commander in Chief - Geo-Political Simulator (PC)
Atari - $29.99

I don't know too much about this game, but it sure is timely.

With President-elect Barack Obama set to officially take the reins (poor guy) next week, now you can experience just a bit of the weight he is about to take on by making economic, social and military decisions to lead your people to the light. I mean, come on, things are kind of dark right now.

Choose your cabinet, make treaties and public appearances, try to get bills passed into law.

This could be fun or you could get a virtual shoe thrown at you.


Sim Animals (Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS) Link to gamezplay post
Electronic Arts - $29.99

Yet another Sim game hits shelves next week (I am waiting for Sim Money; at least I can play like I have some), with this one aimed mostly toward the kids.

Obviously, players won't be managing a city full of animals or managing the social scene at the neighborhood kennel.

What they will be doing is playing a bit of Mom Nature in the wild.

The game goes like this: With a trusty hand tool, you manipulate elements of nature to keep forests and the like working as they should. You are not causing tornadoes and earthquakes as in other Sim games, but let's say you are looking over your lands and come across some chicks in a nest in a tree. Then you see some kind of predator (a fox maybe) looking to get up in the tree for some good feasting.

How about using the hand tool to remove a couple of branches? Then the chicks will grow and their species will flourish.

And so forth and so on, continuing the balancing act in order to keep everything running right.

They say it's not nice to fool with Mother Nature, but when Mother Nature is doing all the fooling, things can get interesting.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Left 4 Dead PC patch plus Xbox 360 patch only weeks away...

Though Left 4 Dead provided one of the best multiplayer experiences of 2008, it wasn't without its share of issues. Valve has taken care of a ton of them this morning with a new patch for the game currently being vaporized for absorption through Steam.

Sadly, the fixes aren't available for the 360 version of the game, though Valve says they'll arrive "in the coming weeks."

You'll find the full fix list after the break. You know, it's high praise for L4D that even its bugs sound cool. "Players can no longer grab ladders while flying through the air after a Tank punch." Is there anyone who could read that bug and not know they were in the presence of something radical?

Patch Notes:

General

* Fixed Survivors being able to climb surfaces marked for versus infected only.
* Fixed a class of SurvivorBot bugs dealing with rescuing downed players.
* Players can no longer grab ladders while flying through the air after a Tank punch.
* Shooting near a car with an alarm that has already fired the alarm will no longer make chirping noises.
* Improved loading time.
* Fixed mini-gun physics exploit.
* Fixed propane tanks (and other physics objects) causing players to fall through elevators.
* Fixed rare achievement bug issues.
* Fixed several map exploits.
* Fixed various match making issues.
* Fixed NAT traversal issues.

Versus Changes

* Added HUD elements to show status of other infected players.
* Changed color of infected player name in chat to red.
* Fixed exploit where players could spawn infected bots
* Fixed instance where a Survivor changing to the infected team would be attacked by infected bots.
* Normalized special infected melee damage.
* Made the following client commands cheat protected: "Kill" and "explode".
* Fixed exploit where infected players could run away and teleport back to gain health.
* Players can only change teams once per map.
* Players can't change teams while other players are still loading.
* Tank spawns at the same % through the map for both teams in versus mode.
* Made the Tank and Witch spawn directly on the escape route.
* Increased chance of getting the Tank or Witch.
* Fixed team swap issue.

Hunter

* Easier to pounce a Survivor who is meleeing.
* Increased Minimum damage a Hunter pounce does.

Smoker

* Fixed Smoker tongue tolerance.
* Smoker now has to be killed or the tongue destroyed for the tongue to break.
* Survivor's cannot bash someone off the tongue until the Survivor being pulled is paralyzed or hanging
* Tongue attacks that fail to paralyze or hang a Survivor will use the shorter ability delay timer.
* Fixed cases where the ability timer was not using the correct time.
* Fixed case where you could point at a Survivor but not register a tongue hit
* Fixed Smoker tongue not targeting and landing properly through PZ ghosts.
* Smoker tongue does damage every second while dragging paralyzed Survivors.

Tank

* Bashable objects now appear with a red glow.
* Tanks hitting a car with an alarm disables the alarm permanently.
* Tank frustration timer is only reset by hitting Survivors with rocks or fists.
* Reduced autoshotgun damage against Tanks.

Witch

* Witch spawns at the same % through the map for both teams.
* Avoids spawning within a certain % of the tank.
* Fixed an exploit where the Witch could be woken up and tricked into attacking Survivors.

PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii to stream YouTube - But NOT Xbox!

YouTube has announced plans that will see its content available on PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii home consoles.

The service will be provided through the YouTube TV site, currently in beta, which will customise the content and navigation tools to best suit TV screens.

"Have you ever wanted to just sit on your couch and watch YouTube on your TV?," read a post on YouTube's blog. "Well, now that's possible via YouTube for Television, initially available through the Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii game consoles."

"The TV Website offers a dynamic, lean-back, 10-foot television viewing experience through a streamlined interface that enables you to discover, watch and share YouTube videos on any TV screen with just a few quick clicks of your remote control."

"With enlarged text and simplified navigation, it makes watching YouTube on your TV as easy and intuitive as possible."

Visit and subscribe to my YouTube channel gameboyuk here...

Source: Games Industry

Burnout - Party Pack and Ultimate Box

During 2008 Criterion transformed Burnout through downloadable content.

They've already released Codename: Cagney and Bikes packs, loaded with amazing new gameplay and for the first time ever: motorcycles!

They've also just announced our awesome Party Pack.

These innovations are all available to existing Burnout Paradise players. (Codename: Cagney and Bikes are FREE right now! Party will be available to buy in Feb '09.)

But, if you haven't got Burnout Paradise or you're not an online-connected player, we wanted to give you the chance to join in the fun!



So, this is why they're releasing Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box - a new packaged game for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and for the first time ever - on the PC!

That's right, PC players will finally be able to experience a Burnout game, and we've been working hard to make sure it's something very special indeed.

The Ultimate Box will be available in Feb 2009 and will contain:

* The original Burnout Paradise
* Codename: Cagney
* Burnout Bikes
* Burnout Paradise Party
* Plus a mountain of new refinements

Gauntlet - Seven Sorrows video game

The legendary arcade classic Gauntlet is reborn with a new vision, story and gameplay in Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows. Seeking to undo the past, a powerful emperor is lost in his own dreams and nightmares. 
After being imprisoned by him for two centuries, four immortal heroes set out to undo their tormentor’s lifetime of regrets. In the process, they must deal with the consequences of their own actions and watch as the world shakes apart around them. Seven Sorrows is the fusion of fantasy fighting action with the strategy and fascination of user friendly RPG elements, challenging gamers in solo play, co-op and a thriving online community.
 
FEATURES

Addictive Co-op Play. The franchise that started the cooperative play craze is revitalized, and back with two through four player co-op play.

Deep, Robust Combat Style. The intuitive hack-and-slash fighting system is reinvented to be more dynamic and more destructive offering deeper choices for advanced players.

User-Friendly RPG Elements. Gamers have the ability to strategically level-up heroes with weapons, equipment and magic through the use of Weapon, Class and Iconic Skills.

Compelling Online Community. Taking cooperative gameplay to the online arena, featuring a system of trade and barter, a sense of camaraderie and community will come to life for the Gauntlet universe. The online RPG and collection elements provide gamers with exceptional replay value.

Epic and Majestic Story – Set within a word of turmoil, players have the ability to select from six tragic heroes, each with their own fantastic back-story, to embark on the journey of fulfilling their destiny in this dark, powerful saga.

Junction Skills. Featuring avant-garde “Junction Skills,” players can band together to use their skills and abilities to unleash a number of devastating attacks upon their unsuspecting enemies.

Amazing Graphics. A cutting edge rendering process brings the gorgeous character models, breath taking environments and animations to life.

Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC
Ship Date: Winter 2005
Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Midway San Diego

Sacred 2 - Fallen Angel - Fact sheet + New screenshots

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an Action RPG with a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world contains hundreds of dungeons, treacherous opponents and a variety of challenging quests. Intelligent enemies, steadily adapting in number and difficulty based on player progress, challenge in heroic single- and multiplayer battles.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel provides numerous unique items that can be gathered in this mystical world. A deep reward system further enables advancements of character, individual attributes and character-specific fighting styles, each designed to keep players returning to the world of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to discover what is around the next bend. Drop-in styled cooperative multiplayer gameplay ensures players will enjoy the game alone or seamlessly with friends at any time. Five unique multiplayer modes round out the experience and offer a refreshing, first-class gaming experience in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel.







Key features

• A huge, seamless and dynamic world that allows for free-form exploration
  
• Two campaigns: play as the “Light” or “Shadow” side, complete with distinct skills, rewards and story-elements tailored to the chosen path
  
• Six exceptional, playable characters, each with a distinct look, capabilities and in-game motivation
  
• Modifiable combat arts: change and upgrade your alter ego’s combat skills as you make choices throughout the game
  
• Fight effectively from the back of a number of mounts under your control
  
• Deities offer unique combat disciplines to players
  
• The ultimate multiplayer experience – seamless transition between single- and multiplayer gaming modes via the Internet or Xbox Live
  
• Captivating online modes of play challenge gamers in cooperative and PvP play
  
• Extraordinary, cutting-edge graphics utilize the latest technologies