Reviews: (according to gameinformer mag)

Legend: Title - Console(s) - Score

• Assassin's Creed II - PS3/360 - 9.5
  
• The Saboteur - PS3/360 - 8
  
• Band Hero - PS3/360 - 7.75
  
• Guitar Hero: Van Halen - PS3/360 - 7.5
  
• God of War Collection - PS3 - 9.5
  
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex Edition - Wii - 6.5
  
• Tony Hawk: Ride - PS3/360/Wii - 5.75
  
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii - Wii - 9.25
  
• Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - Wii - 8
  
• Need for Speed: Nitro - Wii - 6.5
  
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers - Wii - 5.5
  
• Silent Hill: Shattered Memories - Wii - 6.25
  
• Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage - Wii - 6
  
• Your Shape Featuring Jenny McCarthy - Wii - 7
  
• King's Bounty: Armored Princess - PC - 8.75
  
• League of Legends - PC - 7.75
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks - DS - 8
  
• Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines - PSP - 6.5
  
• Atelier Anne: Alchemists of Sera Island - DS - 5
  
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier - PSP - 7.75
  
• LittleBigPlanet PSP - PSP - 8.5
  

tags: #game reviews, source: gameinformermag

Guitar Hero: Van Halen was just released in North America, but it’s proving a disappointment among reviewers. Where have all the good times gone?

Metacritic’s average for the game is currently at 65 for the PS3 after seven reviews, while it’s at 64 on the Xbox 360 after six reviews – proving it’s not the best of both worlds.

Game Informer gave the game a 75 on both platforms and it’s currently the highest score for the game on the Xbox 360 on Metacritic. But even they said that “Van Halen deserves better”.

GamingTrend meanwhile rated the game at 78, the highest-scoring review for the PS3 version, and said of it:

“Limited coverage of Van Halen’s long history as a band, little involvement from the band members themselves, and a strange assortment of accompanying tracks all conspire to limit the appeal of this title.”

Finally, IGN gave the Xbox 360 version a 4.9 and claimed that ”no effort was put into making it good. It’s a step backwards for the franchise and a totally unnecessary release.”

Oh dear. The dream is over. Is this the beginning of the end for Guitar Hero? You’ve had fair warning.

I’m hot for teacher.

Is this becoming too obvious now?

tags: #news, source: kokugamer.com

January 2010 Calendar (Featured in GameInformer)

• Jan 01 - MAGfest kicks off the New Year at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, VA.
  
  
  
• Jan 05 - New releases: Bayonetta (PS3 / 360), Darksiders (PS3 / 360), Divinity II: Ego Draconis (360 / PC), Duke Nukem: Critical Mass (PSP / DS), Jambo! Safari Animal Rescue (DS), Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (Wii / PS2), Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces (Wii).
  
  
  
• Jan 06 - Marvel Comics opens 2010 with Bloody Event.
  
  
  
• Jan 08 - Daybreakers hits theatres.
  
  
  
• Jan 12 - New releases: Army of Two: The 40th Day (PS3 / 360), Dance Dance Revolution (PS3 / 360), Dark Void (PS3 / 360 / PC), Lunar: Silver Star Harmony (PSP), Playmobil Knights (DS), Sands of Destruction (DS), The Simpsons: Season 20 (Blu-ray / DVD), Vancouver 2010 (PS3 / 360), Zooloretto (Wii).
  
  
  
• Jan 16 - World of Warcraft's fifth series of action figures hits shelves today. This collection consists of only three figures: a scourge ghoul, an alliance hero, and a sexy night elf hunter.
  
  
  
• Jan 17 - Check out 24's eighth season today.
  
  
  
• Jan 19 - New releases: Walk it Out (Wii), pushes the player to walk to the beat of 120 music tracks. Compatible with both Konami's Dance Dance Revolution mat, and the Wii Balance Board.
  
  
  
• Jan 22 - Legion hits theatres today.
  
  
  
• Jan 26 - New releases: Braid (PC), Legend of Kay (DS), MAG (PS3), Mass Effect 2 (360 / PC), No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle (Wii), Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate Alliance All-Stars (Wii).
  
  
  
• Jan 28 - Street Fighter Cammy 10-inch figure hits stores today, starting at $179.98
  
  

tags: #etc, source: gameinformermag

Reviews: (according to gameinformer mag)

Legend: Title - Console(s) - Score

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - PS3/360 - 9.75
  
• Borderlands - PS3/360 - 9.25
  
• Left 4 Dead 2 - 360/PC - 9.5
  
• DJ Hero - PS3/360/Wii/PS2 - 9
  
• Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony - 360 - 9.25
  
• Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - PS3/360 - 7
  
• Dragon Age: Origins - PS3/360 - 8
  
• Tekken 6 - PS3/360 - 8.75
  
• LEGO ROck Band - PS3/360/Wii - 8
  
• LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues - PS3/360/Wii/PC - 6.5
  
• Tornado Outbreak - PS3/360/Wii - 6.75
  
• Demon's Souls - PS3 - 9
  
• Rachet and Clank: A Crack in Time - PS3 - 9.25
  
• Risen - PC - 8.5
  
• Rabbids Go Home - Wii - 7.5
  
• Wii Fit Plus - Wii - 8
  
• Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter - Wii - 5.75
  
• Half-Minute Hero - PSP - 8
  
• Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron - PSP - 6.75
  

tags: #game reviews, source: gameinformermag

"We argued. We agreed. We dismissed Ben's ideas outright. Creating a list like this wasn't easy, but we felt the 200th issue of Game Informer was the perfect time to highlight the best games of all time. Taking into account quality, cultural relevance, and industry impact, the staff voted with their hearts and minds to create our definitive list chronicling the best of the best. Have fun debating the results!"

( The Top 200 Games of All Time - Part 2 )

tags: #etc, source: gameinformermag

"We argued. We agreed. We dismissed Ben's ideas outright. Creating a list like this wasn't easy, but we felt the 200th issue of Game Informer was the perfect time to highlight the best games of all time. Taking into account quality, cultural relevance, and industry impact, the staff voted with their hearts and minds to create our definitive list chronicling the best of the best. Have fun debating the results!"

( The Top 200 Games of All Time - Part 1 )

note: part 2 coming tomorrow !

tags: #etc, source: gameinformermag

Transform your Sims’ homes into sleek, edgy lofts with The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff. With a host of new items for the most lived-in rooms in your Sims’ homes, including slick gadgets for your high-tech home office, a next-gen gaming system for the killer game room, modern furniture for the most contemporary living room, and more, your Sims can now give their homes an ultra-modern makeover! After you modernize their homes, turn your attention to their wardrobes and give them an overhaul with sophisticated, cutting-edge fashions. Whether it’s your Sims themselves or their homes that needs a new look, The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff lets you catapult your Sims into a more modern, loft-inspired lifestyle!

Expanded Info:
* Add high-end furnishings to your Sims bedroom, entertainment room, office and patio.

* Transform your Sims’ homes into cutting-edge spaces with contemporary sofas, sleek coffee tables, and eclectic art.

* Give your Sims coveted electronics including high-tech, ultra-slim TVs, video game systems, stereos, and more.

* Upgrade your Sims’ wardrobes with fashion-forward apparel, tailored suits, and sophisticated outerwear.

* Plus Bonus Anniversary Items! This special 10th Anniversary pack also includes three well-loved items from The Sims and The Sims 2 games: the heart-shaped vibrating bed, the electric guitar, and the aquarium.

Pre-order it!
@ Gamestop.com - $19.99 (Pre-order ships 2/2/2010)

tags: #game info, pc, source: gamestop.com

The Sims 3 World Adventures is the first expansion pack for the strategic life simulation computer game The Sims 3. It was announced on The Sims 3 website in August 2009, and had a North American release on November 18, 2009. Some people were able to obtain it the day prior to the release.

The expansion pack focuses on travelling to various areas in a manner similar to previous expansions The Sims: Vacation and The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Sims are able to travel to simplified versions of France, China and Egypt. At these locations, sims are able to participate in adventures to earn rewards and benefits. Sims are also able to level up in three new skills; Photography, Martial Arts and Nectar Making. In addition the game provides new objects, socials, wishes and opportunities.

Early reception of the game has been positive with the game earning a Metacritic rating of 85.

( Read More... )

tags: #game info, pc, source: wikipedia.org

We head to the Land of the Rising Sun to play the latest and greatest upcoming titles at Tokyo Game Show 2009.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie for Nintendo DS

It feels like ages since we first announced that Dragon Quest VI was coming to the Nintendo DS system, but we finally got our hands on the Japanese version of the game. The turn-based formula remains the same as in previous iterations, but this time you travel between two different worlds.


Ninokuni: The Another World for Nintendo DS

Just as Level-5 is known for making excellant games (Professor Layton series), Studio Ghibli is known for making excellant films (Ponyo, Spirited Away). These two impressive studios have come together for Ninokuni: The Another World, a turn-based RPG with some of the most beautiful cut-scenes ever put onto a DS card. We have no idea if the game is headed to this side of the Pacific, but we're keeping all of our fingers crossed.

( Games, let us show you them )

tags: #game info, #news, nintendo, source: nintendopowermag

Epic Mickey (also known as Super Secret™ Warren Spector Game Project or Junction Point Studios Project #2) is an upcoming Mickey Mouse video game designed by Warren Spector and developed by Junction Point Studios for the Wii console, using Emergnet Game Technology's Gamebryo Engine.

Epic Mickey is part of an effort by The Walt Disney Company to re-brand the Mickey Mouse character by moving away from his current squeaky clean image and reintroducing less savory aspects of his personality. Spector has been collaborating with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Pixar in conjunction with the project.

The November edition of Game Informer confirmed Epic Mickey's existence. The game was officially announced on October 28, 2009 in London.

The game was originally in development for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Development on the Wii started in 2008, when the idea of addressing a Wii port of the game was raised; Specter replied that a straight Wii port would not be viable, remarking that many of the "design ideas just won't work on the Wii, we need to give the Wii its dues". Graham Hopper of Disney Interactive then suggested dropping the development of the aforementioned platforms completely, and instead releasing it solely on the Wii.

Concept art for the game by Fred Gambino and Gary Glover depicts a "surrealistically bizarre" look at Disney characters and locations in a steampunk environment. Featured in the concept art are post-apocalyptic renditions of Goofy, Epcot's Spaceship Earth, Disney's Hollywood Studios' "Earful Tower" and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Cinderella Castle.

Mickey will be receiving a character redesign in this game, which will attempt to give him a "retro" look and the game uses an animation engine to replicate the stretchy athleticism of the classic cartoons.

( read more! )

tags: #game info, #news, nintendo wii, source: wikipedia.org