Archive for November, 2009

2010 will be one of the biggest years for video games. Just the first quarter is shapingup to be a bit like the Christmas line up. Full of blockbusters and a wide range of genres. With just the fisrt quarter if 2010 loaded with such awesome games what will the rest of next year bring?

Capcoms Dark Void

Angelina is back and looking to continue to show that action star power. Next summer is starting to look very promising. She plays a spy that doesn’t seem to know she’s a spy. But of course that becomes something entirely different when she starts shooting and killing people with such classy style.  With this film and the Prince of Persia summer 2010 is already looking better than 2009. Salt releases July 23, 2010.

I know the holiday season is just getting started. And everyone is looking for that great game to play. But the New Year is only eight weeks away. And by the looks of things the beginning of 2010 will have us overwhelmed with new titles. With Christmas and New Years everyone will ni doubt be paying off credit card bills. But gamers won’t get a rest. Darksiders and Bayonetta will both drop on January 5th. If you can only buy one game, get Darksiders. Why?! Well the proof is in the pudding. Observe………..No Special Editions and no game spam hype. Just game for game. Look for 15-20 hours on a normal run through the game. And completionists such as my self will get near 30 hours from Darksiders.

With all these games coming out it can become difficult to decide just what to buy. And with the addition of the “EXTRA EDITION” it is nigh impossible to buy all the games you desire. Well here’s another game to add to the list. Just like God of War 3, it hits in 2010 And it is a must buy. The collectors edition will cost you $79.99 and will be available on February 23, 2010.

For the full description, straight from Ubi, read on. It’s all them from here on out.

CUSTOM USB DRIVE – This credit card–sized 3rd Echelon USB drive can stealthily fit in your wallet, is compatible with Xbox 360, and is loaded to the max with exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else, including:
• Full-length ‘Making of Splinter Cell Conviction’ video
• Wallpaper
• Concept art
• Renders
• Screenshots
• Storyboards
• And more…

“FIFTH FREEDOM: THE ART OF SPLINTER CELL” BOOK
• Relive the best of Splinter Cell from past to present. This comprehensive hard-bound art book by Prima(TM) includes detailed art from the original Splinter Cell, Pandora Tomorrow, Chaos Theory, Double Agent, and Conviction, as well as in-depth commentary and notes from the developers.

TWO EXCLUSIVE IN-GAME CONTENT ITEMS
• Gain first access to the MP5-SD3, a lethal close-quarters submachine gun with an integrated suppressor.
• Customize your multiplayer character with an exclusive 3rd Echelon outfit.

COLLECTIBLE DECALS – Available only in the Collector’s Edition are two unique Xbox 360 decal stickers.
• 3rd Echelon Logo Decal
• Iconic Bullet Hole Decal

“DIGGING IN THE ASHES” COMIC BOOK
• Watch the sequence of events preceding Splinter Cell Conviction unfold before your eyes in this one of a kind digital Splinter Cell comic book.

STEELBOOK DVD CASE
• Premium embossed metallic steel case packaging with iconic imagery.

As I said I’ve been in and out of comics and recently I haven’t been getting to the shop as regularly as I’d like.  So, aside from the major storylines (i.e. Dark Reign), I really have little idea what’s going on.  I also admitted to being a clone saga mark.  Well, as fate would have it, just a few weeks ago a “new” clone saga mini-series began.  It’s the first of a six issue storyline in which original CS writers Tom DeFalco and Howard Mackie attempt to retell the story of Peter Parker’s clone, Ben Reilly, as they initially intended it to play out.  Sounds like a no-brainer for my first review.

Now, I’m not going to review each individual issue because frankly I don’t have the time needed to justly do so.  I will review the mini-series as a whole upon its completion.  I will say this about the first issue though, it was good to see my boy Ben back.  The writing wasn’t fantastic and there was nothing markedly different as compared to the original continuity.  There were some cheesy moments (very reminiscent of the 90′s writing that I admittedly loved as a kid).  The art was kind of disappointing as I was really looking forward to Todd Nauck’s work (that’s the dude who drew Obama).  It just didn’t seem as refined as I’d imagined it would be, especially in light of the beautiful cover by Pasqual Ferry.  Oh, and I don’t care what anyone says… the Scarlet Spider’s costume is sweeeet!

The other series I’m reading is Ultimate Avengers, the next chapter for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe.  Ultimates, the book’s predecessor, was one of the titles that really got me back into comics after my hiatus.  I completely bought into the cinematic feel that Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch created.  As the book went on, there were disappointments but you could always count on the fanboy moments and stellar art (even if it took months to produce it).  With Vol. 3 we saw Jeph Loeb and Joe Madurieria take over on writing and art respectively (I’m a huge fan of both).  The excitement for this quickly abaded for me though with the strange incestuous angle introduced between Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.   That, combined with the need to save up for my wedding, was enough for me to drop the book.  It always left me with a bitter taste as I really wanted to love that book.

So now Millar is back, this time with Carlos Pacheco (yes!) on pencil duties, and so am I.  Again, I’ll wait until this whole first story arc plays out before I review, but the first issue contained many elements that drew me into the Ultimates originally.  Of course it contained a few head scratchers, but it is after all the Ultimate universe and not regular continuity.  Needless to say, I’m stoked for this.

Finally, because of my wish to review Ultimate Avengers sincerely I have just completed reading Ultimatum, the “earth-shattering, universe-altering” ultimate crossover that takes place just before Ultimate Avengers.  It seems that there are very few kind words to be said by fans about this story.  I don’t hink I will be so harsh.  But I’ve got some things to say.  My review of that will be up soon, I promise. Thanks for reading.

I must truly say. This looks magnificent. No video game turned film has put this much effort behind it ever. I guess we have Disney and Jerry Bruchiemer for that. And I believe Ironman now has some competition this summer. There is so much to this movie. Even though it is called The Sands of Time, is looks to have elements from the entire Price of Persia Trilogy. And it’s just enough to make you want more.