In 2007, publishing company Activision released a game developed by Traveller's Tales, called Transformers : The Game. The game was based on the impending film, and like most movie license games it was rushed, shallow, and over far too fast. So, this time around Activision has taken an alternative approach and passed the project over to developing studio Luxoflux, makers of True Crime: Streets Of L.A. and the racing game Vigilante 8. So, what adjustments will they be making to ensure that this new Transformers will not make the same mistakes as the last?
Luxoflux seems to be taking this game very seriously. Firstly, the initial movement and combat system has been all but totally overhauled. The idea is that transformations will be extremely flexible, permitting you to perform them straight away after running up and flipping off a building, or merely after pulling off a shot with a big sniper rifle in order to quickly escape out of view. if all goes well, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen should be a particularly complex game. Perhaps one of the sole disadvantages of this is the somewhat demanding learning curve when it comes to the controls.
In any case, the complex and fast-paced nature of the gameplay brings a real twist to the multi player. The game will include at least 3 modes, the one's we know about being Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and One Shall Stand, that has the players on each team protecting their own leader and trying to get rid of the one on the opposing team, the Autobots' being Optimus Prime and the Decepticons' being Megatron, naturally.
As for the singleplayer, the campaign will follow the linear storyline from the film. Depending on how quick you complete a mission, you can be awarded points which are used to gain upgrades for your characters, such as armour augmentations and quicker weapon cooldowns.
Still, the web multi player will doubtless be the main draw, and will definitely have folk coming back for a long while after the game ships, so look out for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen this June!
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Thursday, 18 June 2009
PSP Movie Downloads- Make the Most of that Multimedia!
What would you say was the most impressive thing about the Sony Playstation Portable? It isn't the sexy design. It isn't the depth of its game library. It isn't even the fantastic WiFi connectivity that is unheard of for a gaming hand-held. The smartest thing about the Sony PSP is its multimedia functions. Truly, Sony's first entry in the portable gaming market is a multimedia beast, capable of broadcasting PSP audio, displaying PSP photographs, and playing UMD movies.
Of all these kinds of media files, UMD movies are the most fun. Of course, that 4.3 inches of widescreen goodness will not realize its full potential if one does not utilize the movie-playing capabilities. UMD movies make the Playstation Portable a handheld theater which will entertain you wherever you go, whatever time of the day it may be.
Now, here's the thing. The Sony PSP can't play each and every video file out there. PSP movies must be in the MPEG-4 format, the same type of video file the iPhone can play. The Sony PSP can't play popular video formats like .avi, .mpeg or .wmv.
What you can do to ensure that the video files on your PC can be transported and played on your Sony PSP is to convert these video files into PSP movies. There are a variety of universal video file converters out there. A few of them you have to pay for, others you can procure for free.
Once converted to MP4 format, you can then transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit. MP4 versions of PSP movies, presuming the films last less than two hours, would be 200 to 350 megabytes in size. Make sure that your memory card has sufficient room for the PSP movies you want to bring with you.
To transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit, you will need a USB wire that will connect your PSP to your computer. Alternatively, you can also use a memory card reader and insert the memory card specifically formatted for your Sony PSP to an empty slot. Once both terminals are synched, look for the MP_ROOT folder on the memory card. If none exists, make one. Inside the MP_ROOT folder, there should be a folder named 101MNV01. If none exists, make one. This is the folder destination for your PSP movies in MP4 format.
Once uploaded, you can disconnect your Sony PSP from the Computer and turn it on. On the dashboard, go to VIDEOS then MEMORY CARD then select among the PSP movies you have uploaded the video you need to play.
Easy, right?
PSP movies make the Sony PSP a real multimedia machine. This video playback ability is an example of the best features of the Sony PSP, and it distinguishes the portable console from its more limited competition.
Of all these kinds of media files, UMD movies are the most fun. Of course, that 4.3 inches of widescreen goodness will not realize its full potential if one does not utilize the movie-playing capabilities. UMD movies make the Playstation Portable a handheld theater which will entertain you wherever you go, whatever time of the day it may be.
Now, here's the thing. The Sony PSP can't play each and every video file out there. PSP movies must be in the MPEG-4 format, the same type of video file the iPhone can play. The Sony PSP can't play popular video formats like .avi, .mpeg or .wmv.
What you can do to ensure that the video files on your PC can be transported and played on your Sony PSP is to convert these video files into PSP movies. There are a variety of universal video file converters out there. A few of them you have to pay for, others you can procure for free.
Once converted to MP4 format, you can then transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit. MP4 versions of PSP movies, presuming the films last less than two hours, would be 200 to 350 megabytes in size. Make sure that your memory card has sufficient room for the PSP movies you want to bring with you.
To transfer your PSP movies to your PSP unit, you will need a USB wire that will connect your PSP to your computer. Alternatively, you can also use a memory card reader and insert the memory card specifically formatted for your Sony PSP to an empty slot. Once both terminals are synched, look for the MP_ROOT folder on the memory card. If none exists, make one. Inside the MP_ROOT folder, there should be a folder named 101MNV01. If none exists, make one. This is the folder destination for your PSP movies in MP4 format.
Once uploaded, you can disconnect your Sony PSP from the Computer and turn it on. On the dashboard, go to VIDEOS then MEMORY CARD then select among the PSP movies you have uploaded the video you need to play.
Easy, right?
PSP movies make the Sony PSP a real multimedia machine. This video playback ability is an example of the best features of the Sony PSP, and it distinguishes the portable console from its more limited competition.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Spyborgs!
Things have just about been kept under wraps concerning Capcom's Wii game Spyborgs. When development started, the idea was to present a very kid-friendly cartoon-style action game with emphasis on minigames, like on-rails shooting segments and such. However, around halfway through development, Capcom decided on an entirely new focus for the game, resulting in something of an overhaul. Now Spyborgs is a trendy motionbased adventure, and maybe the better for it.
So, precisely what is the game about, you could ask? Well...Spyborgs? Again, it's all under wraps, but as you will have caught, "Spyborg" is a combination of "Spy" and "Cyborg", meaning the main characters are doubtless some sort of cyborg that work for a secret organization. Thus it would be ideal to assume the game will feature a few neat twists and some awesome action.
Recently, Capcom showcased their progress in a hands-on demo. Originally, the idea is that there would be a five-character roster. Now, it has been reduced to a distinct three, which is probably a smarter choice to concentrate on characterisation. The first is an agile she-ninja by the name of Clandestine, the second is a big tank of a gorilla-looking robot named Bouncer, and the 3rd is Stinger, who is best suited for ranged combat. The game is also set to feature co-op play, allowing both home players and online combatants to combine their skills. The gameplay itself itself mostly involves motions, and pulling off well-timed combos and special abilities.
The visuals have seen major changes since the game's overhaul. While the original graphical style could well have been compared to that of the kids-geared platformer Sly Cooper, it's now more equivalent of Ratchet & Clank. While cartoony in a way, it is also incredibly detailed and textured, and very cool. While the characters look like complicated androids they also have a large amount of personality. Bouncer is very visually appealing for a tank-like personality in a brawling game.
Capcom hasn't precisely precisely set a release date, but the idea is to get it out before the end of the year. From what we have seen, Spyborgs is a difficult and intense co-op fighting game that is meant to appeal to more than just the casual crowd the Wii is often renowned for.
So, precisely what is the game about, you could ask? Well...Spyborgs? Again, it's all under wraps, but as you will have caught, "Spyborg" is a combination of "Spy" and "Cyborg", meaning the main characters are doubtless some sort of cyborg that work for a secret organization. Thus it would be ideal to assume the game will feature a few neat twists and some awesome action.
Recently, Capcom showcased their progress in a hands-on demo. Originally, the idea is that there would be a five-character roster. Now, it has been reduced to a distinct three, which is probably a smarter choice to concentrate on characterisation. The first is an agile she-ninja by the name of Clandestine, the second is a big tank of a gorilla-looking robot named Bouncer, and the 3rd is Stinger, who is best suited for ranged combat. The game is also set to feature co-op play, allowing both home players and online combatants to combine their skills. The gameplay itself itself mostly involves motions, and pulling off well-timed combos and special abilities.
The visuals have seen major changes since the game's overhaul. While the original graphical style could well have been compared to that of the kids-geared platformer Sly Cooper, it's now more equivalent of Ratchet & Clank. While cartoony in a way, it is also incredibly detailed and textured, and very cool. While the characters look like complicated androids they also have a large amount of personality. Bouncer is very visually appealing for a tank-like personality in a brawling game.
Capcom hasn't precisely precisely set a release date, but the idea is to get it out before the end of the year. From what we have seen, Spyborgs is a difficult and intense co-op fighting game that is meant to appeal to more than just the casual crowd the Wii is often renowned for.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Rock Band comes to PSP!
The third installment of Rock Band is here, but this time it is not out on consoles ; it was constructed from the ground up for the Playstation Portable. In truth, even Rock Band vets might have trouble figuring out Unplugged, because, quite frankly, it's gameplay shares more likenesses with Harmonix's PS2 games Frequency and Amplitude than with Rock Band. This is clearly showcased in the form of some fascinating gameplay additions that most fans of rhythm games would not expect.
For those that haven't played Frequency, it was a rhythm game released in 2001, long before Guitar Hero or Rock Band. In it, players hit notes as they roll down the screen by pressing the shoulder buttons ( L1, L2, R1, and R2 ; that or you may use the face buttons). Unplugged is especially reminiscent of Amplitude considering that it controls the same way. Since the PSP version of Rock Band may not be rocking like it's console opposite numbers, the notes are turned on using the face buttons : Triangle, Square, X, and Circle.
The familiar Rock Band fail meter on the right let's the player know which instruments are doing well and which one's are failing. By using the shoulder buttons you can switch instruments at will, between guitar, bass, drums, and mimicking vocals. While the gameplay is very much like Amplitude, it features everything Rock Band has been renowned for during the past, such as band customization and World Tour mode.
The game will ship with roughly forty songs, and will also have downloadable content, starting with about ten available songs at the time of release, which is slated for June/July 09. Any veteran of Rock Band should definitely give it a look, and any grizzly veterans remebering Frequency and Amplitude will get their first shot at the same style of gameplay in about six years.
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For those that haven't played Frequency, it was a rhythm game released in 2001, long before Guitar Hero or Rock Band. In it, players hit notes as they roll down the screen by pressing the shoulder buttons ( L1, L2, R1, and R2 ; that or you may use the face buttons). Unplugged is especially reminiscent of Amplitude considering that it controls the same way. Since the PSP version of Rock Band may not be rocking like it's console opposite numbers, the notes are turned on using the face buttons : Triangle, Square, X, and Circle.
The familiar Rock Band fail meter on the right let's the player know which instruments are doing well and which one's are failing. By using the shoulder buttons you can switch instruments at will, between guitar, bass, drums, and mimicking vocals. While the gameplay is very much like Amplitude, it features everything Rock Band has been renowned for during the past, such as band customization and World Tour mode.
The game will ship with roughly forty songs, and will also have downloadable content, starting with about ten available songs at the time of release, which is slated for June/July 09. Any veteran of Rock Band should definitely give it a look, and any grizzly veterans remebering Frequency and Amplitude will get their first shot at the same style of gameplay in about six years.
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Wolfenstein!
Wolfenstein is a videogame series that has been around longer than most. In reality, it first debuted in the 80s as one of the first stealth-action games ever made. Since that time it has gone through some major re-imaginings, from the intensely bloody shoot-em-up Wolfenstein 3D to Return To Castle Wolfenstein, in which multi-player was a pretty major element. Fortunate for us gamers, the new Wolfenstein to be released on the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 will draw from elements of all 3 games, as well as other sources.
The story of the game centres around the fictional city of Isenstadt, where the Nazi's are attempting to unleash the power of an artifact called Black Sun. As American soldier B.J. Blazkowicz, it's your job to stop them at any cost. But to do this, you're going to be forced to use Black Sun yourself before they can. By harnessing it's power you can dive into an alternate reality and use the hybrid layout and circumstances to outflank enemies and reach new areas. This dimension is called The Veil. Veil pools are dotted here and there and you can recharge your energy by standing in them for a period. As you progress you can unlock new capabilities which may be employed in the Veil, like the power called Mire, which permits you to slow time. This is great for escaping heavy fire or dodging out of the trail of an incoming missile. But hey, Wolfenstein isn't all puzzles and strategy, it's a first-person shooter, and it's upto you how much emphasis you place on stealth or all out action.
Wolfenstein features a huge collection of weaponry, all of which can be upgraded with money ; adding on components such as scopes, bayonets, and grenade launchers. It's obvious the creators wanted the player to have alot of choice in how he played the game, not only in provisions the weaponry but also in that there are sometimes multiple paths or options to take in each level. This may be highly gratifying when the player can decide whether he is going to elude Fascist fire by various differing routes or ploys. Plus, it makes a significant contribution to replay worth, guaranteeing players will come back to try new tactics and alternate routes.
No concrete word on a release date yet, but we're hoping to see Wolfenstein on general release before the end of the year.
The story of the game centres around the fictional city of Isenstadt, where the Nazi's are attempting to unleash the power of an artifact called Black Sun. As American soldier B.J. Blazkowicz, it's your job to stop them at any cost. But to do this, you're going to be forced to use Black Sun yourself before they can. By harnessing it's power you can dive into an alternate reality and use the hybrid layout and circumstances to outflank enemies and reach new areas. This dimension is called The Veil. Veil pools are dotted here and there and you can recharge your energy by standing in them for a period. As you progress you can unlock new capabilities which may be employed in the Veil, like the power called Mire, which permits you to slow time. This is great for escaping heavy fire or dodging out of the trail of an incoming missile. But hey, Wolfenstein isn't all puzzles and strategy, it's a first-person shooter, and it's upto you how much emphasis you place on stealth or all out action.
Wolfenstein features a huge collection of weaponry, all of which can be upgraded with money ; adding on components such as scopes, bayonets, and grenade launchers. It's obvious the creators wanted the player to have alot of choice in how he played the game, not only in provisions the weaponry but also in that there are sometimes multiple paths or options to take in each level. This may be highly gratifying when the player can decide whether he is going to elude Fascist fire by various differing routes or ploys. Plus, it makes a significant contribution to replay worth, guaranteeing players will come back to try new tactics and alternate routes.
No concrete word on a release date yet, but we're hoping to see Wolfenstein on general release before the end of the year.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
God of War III
The next gen debut for the massively popular God of War franchise has been one of the most anticipated games of recent history. The PS2 installments of the franchise pushed the console to its limits in terms of graphics and gameplay, but resulted in games that have become a byword for action/adventure excellence. Early screens and teasers for God of War III reveal everything gamers have been hoping for, Kratos and his world are looking gorgeous and gameplay has been taken beyond the humble confines of the PS2.
When it comes gameplay, God Of War III first of all has what appears to be very well constructed and well paced action, on a level that not many games these days achieve. As Kratos, scaling an uphill forest and taking on waves upon waves of enemies, spots an approaching cyclops, he leaps on top of it like a mount and battles it into submission. As the camera backs out, we are shown that this forest that is Kratos' battleground is actually the back of a titan, who himself is climbing Mount Olympus. This is the first of four elements that the developers explained in detail at the unveiling of the game.
Mounting differing enemies is an element of gameplay which has been pushed further in this title, with enemies ranging from the aforementioned hulking cyclops to savage winged harpies. Enemies can only be mounted for a certain time, as Kratos' preferred method of control is beating or stabbing, they'll only put up with it for so long. Mounting is used for a whole manner of gameplay reasons, such as using winged creaturs to reach high cliffs.
Expect Kratos' range of weaponry to be greatly increased, with an inventory which greatly expands upon what we've seen before. From his trademark hookblades to new weaponry including massive gauntlets fashioned into Lions Heads, Kratos is truly prepared to take on all challengers. Handy, considering that Kratos is set to face battles on a level far beyond anything seen on the PS2. Multiple enemies mean a greater emphasis on combos, grabs and skill.
So join us in the anticipation of what is certain to be a genre defining game. Everything we've seen so far indicates this title is going to break all the boundaries of gaming, and the world can hardly wait!
When it comes gameplay, God Of War III first of all has what appears to be very well constructed and well paced action, on a level that not many games these days achieve. As Kratos, scaling an uphill forest and taking on waves upon waves of enemies, spots an approaching cyclops, he leaps on top of it like a mount and battles it into submission. As the camera backs out, we are shown that this forest that is Kratos' battleground is actually the back of a titan, who himself is climbing Mount Olympus. This is the first of four elements that the developers explained in detail at the unveiling of the game.
Mounting differing enemies is an element of gameplay which has been pushed further in this title, with enemies ranging from the aforementioned hulking cyclops to savage winged harpies. Enemies can only be mounted for a certain time, as Kratos' preferred method of control is beating or stabbing, they'll only put up with it for so long. Mounting is used for a whole manner of gameplay reasons, such as using winged creaturs to reach high cliffs.
Expect Kratos' range of weaponry to be greatly increased, with an inventory which greatly expands upon what we've seen before. From his trademark hookblades to new weaponry including massive gauntlets fashioned into Lions Heads, Kratos is truly prepared to take on all challengers. Handy, considering that Kratos is set to face battles on a level far beyond anything seen on the PS2. Multiple enemies mean a greater emphasis on combos, grabs and skill.
So join us in the anticipation of what is certain to be a genre defining game. Everything we've seen so far indicates this title is going to break all the boundaries of gaming, and the world can hardly wait!
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