The PS3 general game topic.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

As much as I don't consider the online mode in games very important, it's the online multiplayer of GTA4 that's going to keep the game in my collection, maybe. I have absolutely no more interest in playing the single player mode anymore. How Niko gets out of this jam, or what idiot will call Niko during a mission doesn't even matter anymore. This will be the 2nd straight console GTA game that I did not want to finish. Vice City Stories, the port from PSP, is the first. It felt too same old same old to keep my interest. GTA4 isn't hard at all, but I'd much rather play a game that I enjoy, even a game I already beaten before, instead of forcing myself to try and finish a game I have no more interest in.

I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up trading the game anyway, towards what should be a much better overall title, Saint's Row 2.

I'm glad I wasn't relying on any DLC for the game.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/897/897913p1.html


New Warhawk Details
Jobe highlights upcoming update features.
by Jeff Haynes

August 11, 2008 - Warhawk fans are still logging a significant number of hours into the game, blasting their way through enemies and eagerly awaiting the impending update release of version 1.5, which will modify the gameplay significantly. In a new post on the PlayStation.Blog, Dylan Jobe, Game Director for Warhawk, detailed the various items included in the free update which is tentatively scheduled for August 27th. The first item that he brought up was the inclusion of customizable in-game music. According to Jobe, Warhawk will detect when players choose to use the XMB player and will "automatically disable the in-game Warhawk music."

The next facet he pointed out is the inclusion of the long awaited trophies within the game. 56 trophies will be included in the update, some of which will relate to booster packs, retroactive trophies based on server-side stats and other hidden accomplishments. Another key feature that the development team decided to include is a set of 4 training tutorials that can be played off-line for newcomers to the title. This allows players to get a chance to build up their skills before being thrown into the deep end with skilled veterans. The update will also feature 20 new paint schemes and 50 new insignias for aircraft and soldier models; these new schemes are taken from a European contest for the best designs, similar to the contest held in the U.S. for version 1.3.

Jobe also mentioned that clan leaders will now have the ability to retract clan invitations, particularly the ones that simply collect invites without responding to them. Lastly, "Rookie" servers will now be color coded Green (instead of the Sony-hosted servers that are coded blue). Yellow servers, he mentioned, will be games launched from Home (whenever it is released). He also mentioned bug fixes and showed off some images of the ceremonial blade trophies that were won in the GGL Tournament a while ago. Finally, Jobe hinted at the next booster pack for the game, which has been long rumored to contain jetpacks for increased maneuverability.


Last time I played, I noticed I was no longer in the VGR clan. :(

[Fivespot]

Sorry but the VGR clan is no more at least with me as the host. Feel free to start up a new one and send us invites.

I joined a different clan for a spell and inadvertently messed up the VGR one (can't be on two).

[PapaSmurf]

I still have the VGR Tag, but I guess I can make a new one because I don't think the game gave control to me. Also I won't be able to play this thursday guys as I'm w/o my PS3, I'm in a moving process atm. I'm going to have to delay my participation on Thursday events for at least a weak. We should get more of us by September anyways now that there's trophies to compete for.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

For anyone who wants Warhawk and have yet to get it:

At a couple of stores, I have seen the original Warhawk box (with bluetooth headset) in with the red-boxed headset-less Warhawks for $29.99. If you can still get a hold of one, you're basically paying $30 for a headset and getting a free game.

[Fivespot]

Today I saw one of the MGS4 headsets and it looked really sharp. I hear the headset that comes with Socom will be the best yet. It will include a docking bay for charging and has improved response/audio. I'll probably pony up for the upgraded model when the time comes since the one that came with Warhawk is OK.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Since I put so little time in Warhawk, I'm going to pass on SOCOM. If there was a single player mode, then I would consider it, but I don't think I'll get enough enjoyment out of another online-only game. Plus, there's about six games that I want that have seem to migrated to October (SOCOM's release month, I think), so the game has no chance of being picked up this year.

[slade]

Just downloaded and played through the Bionic Commando Rearmed demo. It's up on the Japanese PSN. Also available on Live Arcade today and the N.A PSN tomorrow.

Anyway, fun demo and I liked the humor. The NPC's kept trying to entice me into buying the full game. I suppose I could get it from the Japanese store since it's all in English anyway but I'd rather get it from the N.A store.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I thought about trying to get a Japanese PSN account to download demos from their PS store, but I don't think it will be worth the time. Unless there's some demos of western developed games on there that hasn't shown up over here yet, I don't think I'll find anything I want to try out.

[PapaSmurf]

Hey RBH how do you like Madden 09. I've been playing it on my cousin's 360 and the game is epic. I think it's a lot better than 08. I might just end up buying it.

[Fivespot]

It's way better than 08 especially the 08 PS3 version. This one runs at 60 frames (just like the 360 copy) and the graphics upgrade over last year is marvelous. Madden 09 looks fantastic in my opinion and we finally have a next gen Madden.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I agree with Five. 09 is definitely better than 08. I don't why the 360's 08 version, with the 60 fps, felt so arcadey, but the 60 fps of 09 doesn't feel like that.

The biggest things I like about Madden are; Cris Collinsworth and his backtracking to show me who I should have tossed the ball to instead of the int or incompletion that I had thrown, the graphics, and the IQ which can go up and down during the game. For some reason, the game thinks my passing skills are in the All-Madden range, while my overall defense is in the Pro range. I can understand the defense skill range, since I pick one player (usually MLB) and never switch to another player during games.

The only thing I need to figure out in Madden is which team I will use as my franchise team. I thought about Detroit or Carolina, but Carolina is still loaded with good players and Detroit is Detroit. I'll probably pick between Detroit and Atlanta. I can't use San Diego. Their defensive players are more suited for the 3-4 (I run a 4-3), plus there's too many high rated players on the team. I like getting teams with lower rated players and building them up, usually during the draft and occasionally free agency. I would pick the NY Giants, but instead of them having high rated players, they just have highly overrated players (I hope Drunk reads this).

[PapaSmurf]

After careful consideration and reading some reviews I've decided against purchasing 08. I mainly play football games by myself and for the franchise and dynasty modes. Reading the reviews tells me that those modes are near if not simple identical to the 08 versions. They say it's exactly the same. Having play 09 considerably, I really do enjoy the gameplay and graphics but it's not enought to warrant purchase of a 60$ game. If that was the case I would've bought 09. Also I've read the online leagues are severely broken and they don't even stand up to NCAA 09's version despite being from the same company. That's what I was really looking forward too, but I'll hold off to when these games are literally complete games with little to no bugs in the features.

I did like the fact that you can save highlights in Madden like you've been able to do in NCAA 09. That's pretty cool. The backtrack and cris collinsworth are really nice as well. I love how collinsworth just tears you apart after making a bad decision. It's almost funny.

I'd say the biggest reason however that I won't buy 09 is that I just don't see myself buying a product with Brett Favre on the cover.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

If I didn't get it with trade credit, I would have waited until a sale to pick up Madden.

This IQ is starting to frustrate me. I had no fun during my last game, Carolina vs Green Bay. I made one significant offensive play, had no rushing yards, yet the IQ still thinks I'm at the All-Madden level for both passing and rushing. Ha. Next game I play, probably franchise, I'm going to use the custom AI sliders and see how much of a difference it is.

I seriously doubt if I will ever put time into online leagues or online Dynasty (unless a friend gets a PS3 and wants to do a two person dynasty).

Would you buy Star Wars: TFU if Favre happened to show up on the cover? Come on, that's a bad excuse.

[PapaSmurf]

Would you buy Star Wars: TFU if Favre happened to show up on the cover? Come on, that's a bad excuse.

Thing is, I wouldn't buy it if he was on the cover...in fact I'd think George Lucas has gone over the deep end and I'd be through with Star Wars.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I guess I find that a little weird, that the person (or people) on the cover could dictate whether a game is bought or not. If they had a Raider on the cover, I would have still picked up Madden, even though I cannot that team.

[Cuddly Knife]

I think I read something the other day that said that you can get a copy of the game with something else on the cover. Probably send you a new slip cover or something.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

That's cool.

I think EA should have made different covers for Madden like they did with NCAA. A Giant, a Patriot, a Cowboy, a Bronco, a Jaguar, Redskin and Colt player should have been used for each version of the game.

-
In other news:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6196030.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;story;6

Burnout download revs up analysts
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot Posted Aug 15, 2008 11:11 am PT Industry prognosticators assess the likelihood that EA's announcement will cause brick-and-mortar retailers to crash and burn.

Between the monthly NPD sales data and Electronic Arts' signing of two high-profile developers to new distribution agreements, yesterday was chock-full of gaming news. While those bits grabbed the most headlines, another of yesterday's EA announcements could prove to affect the industry even more.

This morning, Pacific Crest Securities' Evan Wilson sent out a note to investors calling out the long-term implications of the news that Burnout Paradise will be sold as a downloadable game on the PlayStation Network beginning this fall. While digital distribution has been around for years and full-size retail games have been made downloadable in the past, Wilson thought the Burnout announcement carried particular weight.

First of all, Wilson pointed to Burnout Paradise as the "first significant third-party PS3 game coming to the PlayStation Network." He also noted that the game is big enough that it should catch the attention of gamers and that it's coming from an equally big publisher.

"Electronic Arts is one of the two largest and most influential video game publishers," Wilson wrote. "It is one of two publishers retailers can't afford not to support. Its support and leadership of digital downloads paves the way for many other games to come to PSN and many other publishers to come to PSN."

Wilson hasn't been bullish on Sony or Electronic Arts much in the past, but this announcement has considerably improved their standing in his view.

"If they can pull this whole thing off, this would be a game-changer for each company," Wilson said, adding, "Over the longer term, we believe GameStop's fundamental business model is at significant risk."

Other analysts acknowledged the potential impact of digital distribution. In a note to investors, Signal Hill's Todd Greenwald called the Burnout announcement "a warning sign for packaged goods retailers." He also pointed out the appeal of downloads for publishers, since they receive a higher margin from digital sales and it keeps the product out of used-game resellers' hands.

Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian was a little reluctant to ascribe too much importance to the downloadable Burnout news.

"Long-term this is risk to the traditional retail channel, but in the near term we think digital will still represent a smaller slice of the pie," Sebastian told GameSpot. "The hurdles are a lot higher for games than music, for example, due to the larger file sizes. Gamers need larger hard drives and greater patience in terms of download time. That said, we expect to hear about an increasing number of video games launched day and date digitally with the disk versions."

Wedbush Morgan Securities' Michael Pachter told GameSpot that Burnout's status as the first premium third-party game on a downloadable service was certainly significant.

"With that said, it is not a new release, so [the news has] virtually no impact on GameStop," Pachter said. "I would compare this to pay-per-view movies coming out six months after the theatrical release and would say that has very little impact on movie ticket sales."


Is this just another option for gamers to buy full version of retain games, or is it really the beginning of the end of games being on retail shelves?

As of now, I think it's just another option. PSN already has Warhawk and GT5 Prologue, and will have SOCOM in the Fall for downloading. As long as the same games are in the retail stores at the same time as the downloads are available, I really don't care. If, in the future (or next-gen), the retail version of games show up later on in stores or not at all, then I'll have a problem.

[ilnadmy]

What's this "Madden" thing. I hear it's a sport of some sort where people tie mattresses around themselves and run headlong into the other team. Sounds like some sort of frat initation ceremony to me. I'm just confused because it's not on the Olympics, so I have to wonder if it's even a sport. Doesn't seem as interesting as, oh, say, for instance, football. Oh sorry, I guess you guys call it soccer. It's that sport where people actually use their feet. You know, that's why it's called football.

:D

[PapaSmurf]

You would say that while you're outside the states...

[ilnadmy]

Haha you know it.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Football in the Olympics? Just think of the NFL All-Pro team that would play over there.

NCAA Football 09 > Madden NFL 09.

This is the best Madden in a while, but it still can't top NCAA, IMO.

[pclamb]

Ok, I don't mean to direspect but I cannot start a new thread and I am hoping someone in this Thread can assist me.
I bought the E-Vex Goggles for my son and cannot figure out how to connect to PS3 the ports in the back of the PS3 are all full and there are only USB's in the front.
The goggles to not come with USB adapters and in searching they say they don't exist?
If you can I also need to know how to hook up to Gameboy.
Thanks!
pclamb

[ilnadmy]

Football in the Olympics? Just think of the NFL All-Pro team that would play over there.

NCAA Football 09 > Madden NFL 09.

This is the best Madden in a while, but it still can't top NCAA, IMO.

That's actually the thing, in most team Olympic sports the countries aren't allowed to use their professional players; they can at most use one or two. That's why I was surprised when the US had their entire NBA all stars playing on their basketball team. Seems a little unfair to me when countries can't do the same with soccer for instance.

[PapaSmurf]

That's actually the thing, in most team Olympic sports the countries aren't allowed to use their professional players; they can at most use one or two. That's why I was surprised when the US had their entire NBA all stars playing on their basketball team. Seems a little unfair to me when countries can't do the same with soccer for instance.

If you do some research you'll see that basketball is the only olympic sport in which the USA at least uses pro athletes and the only reason for that is because before when we didn't use them, other countries were using their pro players and the U.S. didn't stand a chance. It isn't unfair if all the other countries are using their pro athletes for the sport. Also as I said I'm pretty sure basketball is the only sport where professionals are used, but that is by all countries. Every other sport is all ametuers which technically isn't true, because most olympic athletes that excell in their sport ala Micheal Phelps are banking on the fact that they'll make a living off endorsements. The best athletes in the traditional olympic sports like track and swimming to my knowledge will usually hold off going pro so they can go to olympics which is bigger for those sports. Olympic basketball isn't bigger than the NBA, just as olympic soccer isn't at big at the premier league in Europe.

[Cuddly Knife]

To add to what Papa said, look at all the pro(NBA) players playing in other countries. That's one of the reasons Team USA has had some trouble in the past, because a lot of the guys that they play against or with now go to play for their home team.

i was also watching some of the T&F last night(jamaica thrashed in running), and they were talking to a runner from the US(last name is Dix), and they mentioned how he had just signed some kind of professional contract after leaving FSU, or something like that. I don't know what that means, but there are lots of fairly mainstream sports that use their pro-level athletes. Tennis, uuuhhh, that's all I can think of.

[PapaSmurf]

Actually they were talking about how Walter Dix, the guy who ran the 100 for the U.S. and finished third, turned down the offers to go pro coming out of FSU so he could run in the Olympics.

[ilnadmy]

Actually they were talking about how Walter Dix, the guy who ran the 100 for the U.S. and finished third, turned down the offers to go pro coming out of FSU so he could run in the Olympics.

That's what I'm talking about, countries aren't allowed to use their professional athletes in the Olympics. I guess it's to give the smaller countries a chance at winning some medals. Which again makes me wonder how the US was able to use an all-pro team in the basketball games. Maybe it's so that China could use Yao Ming? But that wouldn't make sense since you can use one or two pros in the team sports I believe. In soccer I know that Brazil is using Ronaldinho, one of the world's best players, and I saw Sneijder the other day playing for the Netherlands. Other than that though, they're all amateur level.

Anyway China is whooping your guys' butts in the gold medal count. What's up with that? You should give Phelps his own state, he's won almost half your medals so far. But I guess most of the US's medals are going to come from track and field which hasn't hit its stride yet.

Still I'm enjoying watching the weird sports that you never see on TV. Like canoeing. Anyone catch this last week? Jesus Christ these f*ckers have some serious upper body strength. And Judo and Greco-Roman Wrestling are pretty fun to watch, especially the female fights. My god those women could get into a fight with 5 guys and win.

[T.Tashi]

If you do some research you'll see that basketball is the only olympic sport in which the USA at least uses pro athletes and the only reason for that is because before when we didn't use them, other countries were using their pro players and the U.S. didn't stand a chance. It isn't unfair if all the other countries are using their pro athletes for the sport. Also as I said I'm pretty sure basketball is the only sport where professionals are used, but that is by all countries. Every other sport is all ametuers which technically isn't true, because most olympic athletes that excell in their sport ala Micheal Phelps are banking on the fact that they'll make a living off endorsements. The best athletes in the traditional olympic sports like track and swimming to my knowledge will usually hold off going pro so they can go to olympics which is bigger for those sports. Olympic basketball isn't bigger than the NBA, just as olympic soccer isn't at big at the premier league in Europe.

That's true. The line btween amateur vs pro is really blurred. Many athletes calling themselves amateurs in reality are not. I think Olympics except pro athletes in most of their sports, though there are exceptions. Golf for instance. The difference between amateur and pro is substantial, endorsements or not. And of course if you're still in college, you're an amateur, period even though there's been loopholes on how they can indirectly receive endorsement money. But it varies by country too. I'm fairly certain olympic athletes in China, at least the high profile ones are paid.

[Cuddly Knife]

Actually they were talking about how Walter Dix, the guy who ran the 100 for the U.S. and finished third, turned down the offers to go pro coming out of FSU so he could run in the Olympics.
Yeah, that was it! Anyone see the 100? That Jamaican was brutally fast. He thrashed the WR, and could've gone faster, even.

So what does it mean to go pro in running? They have teams that compete seasonally? World-wide?

And Illest, the Judo females are the sh!t.

One sport that i don't understand that's in the Olympics is the horse riders doing their jumps. There is almost no human involvement, the horse determining whether it can properly make the jumps or not. Seems kind of pointless, when all other sports are dependent on an athletes own skill to succeed.

EDIT - oh crap, I didn't realize this was in PS3 Gen!

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Usami Bolt, I think that's the Jamaican sprinter's name. He still has the 200 to race as well. Think he can catch a football?

The weirdest sport I have seen was trampoline.

Best sport? Women's springboard diving, for all the wrong reasons. Guo (China), Wu (China), and Christina (USA), all hot.

[ilnadmy]

Usain Bolt. And DAMMIT I missed women's diving! That's my favorite sport at all the Olympics and I missed it! Crap. I find the Italian divers to be the hottest usually.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I missed most of the diving. I caught Guo and Wu's next to last and last dive, but I was unable to catch the rest of the pack, besides a one or two here and there.

You're right, it's Usain. I checked out his 200 meter run, and he still looks unbeatable, but there should be a couple of fast guys from the US who should at least make it less of a blowout. Maybe.

[Cuddly Knife]

Heavy Rain trailer damn. MGS4 ain't got nothing on this game. The lighting inside the house is bad-assed.

Here's a link.

And am I tripping, or is this from the same guys who did Indigo Prophecy? THat game was another killer game, with some most-excellent QTEs. Y'all know the qte-whore that i am.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38635.html

[Cuddly Knife]

And am I tripping, or is this from the same guys who did Indigo Prophecy?
Yes, it is. Quantic Dream is their name. I don't remember many people being too into Indigo Prophecy last gen, but since most PS3 owners have become all about the graphics(tlword), this game should sell by the millions based on that fact alone. I want it because IP was one of the very few true adventure games last gen9not to mention of of my faves, but I say that about most games I play), with there being even less this gen. Maybe we'll see a resurgence of the genre?

This is the true interactive movie. IP was a QTE fans dream, NPI.

Here's a preview:http://ps3.ign.com/articles/898/898580p1.html

[Fivespot]

Heavy Rain looks like a different experience and more compelling than most videogames I've played and I can gather that just from a couple screenshots. I've never played Indigo Prophecy but I'm thinking I should go back and try it at some point.

[Cuddly Knife]

Yes, you should, Fiveski.

And this thing is uglier than the 360 version. But it will be a necessity for PS3 owners to coordinate in games like LBP, when most PS3 owners don't own mics.
http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/206691-1.jpg

[Fivespot]

Jeez. Could Sony and MS copy each other any more than they already do? I doubt it.

[PapaSmurf]

Hey guys if you have a UK PSN account, you can download the Force Unleashed Demo like NOW...

[PapaSmurf]

Day one purchase the "Force Unleashed" will be...

The demo was sick and that was with limited abilities. Little things like taking out a window and the space suction happening until an automatic blast door secures the room. It makes good use of a QTE the one part there is. This game brings back the Jedi Knight: Outcast flavor except the controls are more fluid. Speaking of that, I think I'll play some Jedi Academy.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Force Unleashed demo is surprisingly good. I was definitely interested in the title, but I have never played a good game developed internally at Lucasarts. Well, this game is going to be a definite buy. This game feels like it will be better than the two Jedi Knight games. It would have been cool to be able to choose my own Apprentice, though.

Official Xbox Magazine gave the game a 7.5/10. Their biggest complaint has to do with the QTEs. According to them, most (If not all) the bosses have a QTE tied to it, and that's how they are finished off, instead of being able to manually slaughter them to the end.

I liked the first part of Indigo Prophecy, where you're in the bar trying to get the guy out before he gets caught, but afterwards, the game became a big bore for me.

[T.Tashi]

The Force Unleashed was surpisingly tight. I didn't care much for the light saber skills in the beginning, but the force skills are a lot of fun. It reminds me of Psi-Ops. Very similar gameplay, but the controls in Unleashed are very responsive.

The Last Guy is awesome if you haven't tried the demo. The wife saw me playing it and I can't get the controller back. It looked... kinda stupid in the demo, but damn it's a lot of fun.

[Gadfly2317]

The Last Guy demo has some really cool and original visuals; you're right, it does look like Google Earth as a game, and the way the hoards of people follow you looks like panic and mayhem in the streets viewed from high in the air. Will probably buy this; it would be nice if it were $4.99 though; some games are.

Also just bought and played through Ratchet and Clank: Booty Call (or something like that.) Hard to really rate this game; it looks and plays exactly like the full on Ps3 R&C, which is a great thing. I saw a couple reviews knocking the game for limited weapons and that its short.

Basically, its like the last game was a novel, and this is a short story. . . a few extra chapters telling an interesting tale. SPOILER:. . . ..at the end of R&C Clank disappears with the Zoni's. In this one you are trying to track down the Pirate Slag's head, so you can find some crystal that will allow you to communicate with/track down Clank.

If you take the game for what it is---a few extra chapters of game play with some good puzzles and some gorgeous locales to explore, AND if you really enjoy the R&C story line, this is worth the $15 (though it will probably go to $9 eventually, and that's more what it seemed worth to me.) If you divide the gameplay, its about 25% of the full adventure, and its 25% of the price of the full game.

I really like the R&C characters and universe, and it was a series I skipped on Ps2. I definitely want to go back and play some of the older games in the series, and that would have been a better use of my $15. It's just so easy to download games on PSN, and it was an impulse purchase. I think it was worth it, just to play a few more chapters in what was to me an excellent game.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/909/909023p1.html


Fracture Demo Shatters Its Way onto Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network September 18

The demo will show off the game's Terrain Deformation tech.
September 10, 2008 - LucasArts announced today that they will release the official demo of their upcoming action game Fracture on Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on Thursday, September 18. The demo will introduce players to the revolutionary gameplay behind Terrain Deformation, a key gameplay mechanic that allows for the dynamic creation of on-the-fly cover and geographic manipulation.

Developed in partnership with Chicago-based Day 1 Studios, Fracture takes place in the year 2161 in a United States plagued by disaster. Years of environmental neglect have split the nation in two and resulted in two conflicting ways of life. Survivors of the Atlantic Alliance have turned to cybernetics and technology, while the Pacifican States in the West have turned to stem cell research and genetic engineering for a better way of life. These two conflicting ideologies come to a head in a deadly civil war for not only the fate of the free world, but also the future of mankind itself.

In the demo, utilize the power of Terrain Deformation to create cover, solve puzzles and revolutionize battlefield tactics as you guide Atlantic Alliance soldier Jet Brody in his quest to quell the Pacifican uprising through an exciting single player campaign that begins in the now-dried-out San Francisco bay, and traverses the ravaged country.

When the game ships to retail you will also be able to test your mettle in over-the-top multiplayer modes where nonstop action meet Terrain Deformation for brutal 12-player battles in modes specifically built for Fracture and TD technology.

Fracture releases for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 7, 2008 in North America and on October 10, 2008 in Europe.


Another "hopefully" solid 3rd person shooter is on the way. Between this game, Mercs 2, Gears of War 2, and the hopefully solid Damnation, there's no reason for me to pay attention to any FPS coming out this year.

I'm glad they decided to have a demo of the game. That will be my deciding factor in whether I'll get the game or not.

[slade]

Downloaded both the Fracture demo and the Mercs 2 demo yesterday. Both games suck. Although, Fracture sucks a bit less then Mercs 2. I actually completed that demo as opposed to Mercs 2 which I couldn't stand for more then five minutes.

[PapaSmurf]

I thought Mercs 2 was pretty weak as well. It was like Battlefield, but only you're a one man army and the controls suck. I actually though Fracture wasn't half bad. The narrative looks interesting and the game itself was extremely playable. It might be worth a rent.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

With all the "buddy" games out this gen, the one man army was refreshing.

I'm just glad there are solid options for 3rd person shooter fans this year.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I forgot what thread(s) I said this in, but remember when I said wasn't going to get Socom or Resistance 2? Well, I got SOCOM and ended up having to pre-order Resistance 2. I use the words having to because my store is only getting in a small amount of games from now until the end of the year, and after taking care of the good stuff (Fallout 3, Gears 2, MC:LA), there wasn't anything left beside Resistance 2, Shaun White Snowboarding, LBP, Rockband 2, and one more game that wasn't interesting. As far as SOCOM, headset + 3rd person shooting + possibly the only SOCOM game for PS3 are the reasons for getting it. I wouldn't be shocked if I play a lot more of this than Warhawk, since there's no Warhawks to fly in SOCOM.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Mercs 2 now has trophies. Midnight Club has them on the disc as well.

[Cuddly Knife]

New Paradise DLC.

Burnout Paradise Legendary Cars Details
Upcoming DLC will deliver flying rides. Really.
by Ryan Clements

November 7, 2008 - Criterion Games Producer Jeremy Chubb and the official PlayStation Blog go hand-in-hand, it seems. Chubb made a post today announcing an exciting upcoming addition to the Burnout Paradise experience. According to the post, 2009 will see several "unbelievable new rides," starting with the Jansen 88 Special. Not only is this car particularly stylish but Criterion has made "a few interesting modifications."

Chubb notes that filling up your gauge and then hitting boost will cause flaming trails to stream out from behind your back wheels. Sounds intriguing. Perhaps even more exciting is that when you click in L3, the wheels will retract and the Jansen 88 Special will convert into hover mode and fly around at head height. That's right: flying cars are coming to Burnout, with an increasingly obvious tribute to Back to the Future.

The post ends with a note from Chubb, stating that three other rides will also be made available next year, including the Calvary Bootlegger, Manhattan Spirit and the GT Nighthawk. If these names sound intriguing to you, stay tuned.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/927/927997/burnout-paradise-20081107110139092-000.jpg

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I think it's time for Criterion to start working on a new game.

[Cuddly Knife]

Didn't they make Black? i'd like to see something like that, only in third. Give me something like Stranglehold-ish.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Yup. They made Black. That would have been a good 3rd person shooter. It was one of the few last gen FPS that could tolerate, outside of Halo 1, 2 and Red Faction II.

I was thinking of Criterion working on a Road Rash ever since the Bike update was available, but I'm starting to wonder who would be better for the job, them or the NFS devs?

I'm starting to get shooter-itis. I've been thinking about avoiding a lot of shooters in '09, unless it has something unique that sets them apart from stuff I already have.

[Gadfly2317]

Anyone seen or considered getting Sega's Valkyria Chronicles for Ps3? The IGN review (not just the 90 score) was pretty persuasive. I didn't realize there was a good strat-rpg with an a supposedly kick ass story on the Ps3 (Disgaea 3 is not a next-gen game, it looks worse than many Ps2 games.)

[Fivespot]

I watched the trailer in the recent Qore episode (Nov) and Valkyria Chronicles looks quite interesting. I think I may pick it up down the road probably after a price cut or two.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I thought I saw Chronicles on sale this week or last for $44.99 in the Circuit City flyer.

[PapaSmurf]

Anyone seen or considered getting Sega's Valkyria Chronicles for Ps3? The IGN review (not just the 90 score) was pretty persuasive. I didn't realize there was a good strat-rpg with an a supposedly kick ass story on the Ps3 (Disgaea 3 is not a next-gen game, it looks worse than many Ps2 games.)


I'm actually considering picking this one up. I tried the demo on PSN a few weeks back and it pretty much sold me. The only problem is, there is fierce competitions with other games I want to get this Holiday. One or two max is in my budget, and I have to decide between Shaun White Snowboarding, LBP, R2, COD:WaW, Fallout 3 (PC), Valkyra Chronicles, and if my budget doesn't improve, Killzone 2 in February. Lots of decisions to make.

[Gadfly2317]

There's a demo? Thanks for the heads up. Will have to check it out.

[Cuddly Knife]

Papa, you might want to rethink Shaun White Snowboarding. I know most of the people here don't use reviews as their way to decide whether to get a game or not, but when it's getting scores lower than 60%, the reviews have to be onto something. GR only shows two scores posted so far, but they are 60% and 40%

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/946531.asp

And even more Paradise newstuffs.

Sure, paradise is right there in the title for Criterion Games' latest installment in its crash derby-meets-street racer Burnout franchise, but few were expecting the gamemaker's utopian approach to downloadable content. Nearly 11 months on from the game's January launch on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and Criterion has released a series of free add-on packs for the game that have updated the title with everything from new gameplay challenges to motorcycles.

Moving into 2009, Criterion Games still isn't ready to have its high-octane racer drive off into the sunset. Two weeks ago, the Burnout pit crew revealed Burnout Paradise Party, an offline party-game mode for up to eight players that is due next year. However, unlike past updates, the Party pack will be for-purchase.

What will be free in 2009, however, is the Special Edition Burnout Collectibles toy cars pack, the first details of which Criterion offered today. The toy car pack will include nine vehicles in all, with Criterion today naming pint-size renditions of the Carson GT Concept P12, the Kreiger Racing WTR, the Hunter Takedown 4x4, and the Hunter Manhatten.

Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers will be able to fill the garages with the Burnout Collectibles in spring 2009. For more on Burnout Paradise proper, check out GameSpot's full review.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

SW Snowboarding is one of those games I'm considering, so I can close out trade credit and business with this one store. I read the reviews, and of course with Eurogamer being one of them, I started to laugh. I read in previews that the controls were kind of like skate, and it sounds like these reviews wanted the game to be more like SSX.

About the Paradise news, why does this give me the feeling that Criterion really has nothing else to do? Why not add offline racing modes to the Bikes, similar to what the cars already have? They were the best free update that I remember getting, but it's so bare bones. I get the feeling Criterion is doing nothing more than wasting development time these days.

[Cuddly Knife]

Well, if the other reviews didn't intimidate you, then I guess neither will the Gamespot review, who give it a 5/10.

http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=978645

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Nah, the Gamespot review didn't. I wouldn't have paid cash for the game, though, and I would have used the trade credit for something else if the store was reliable with new releases.

I haven't done any events yet, but it was pretty cool going down the hill and pulling off tricks.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Teamxbox gave SW Snowboarding a 7.8/10.


http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1623/Shaun-White-Snowboarding/p1/

I just can't go by reviews anymore. Games these guys absolutely love (GTA4, Fable 2), I think is either just good or pretty good (Gears 2 could fall into the "just good" category). Games they think suck, I think they are at least decent (Golden Axe, though I wouldn't give the game a 9/10 like Play Magazine).

[PapaSmurf]

Interesting read from the teamxbox review. As a huge boarder, I think I'm going to end up liking this regardless. I may have to give a rent though before I go all out.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I thought there would be a demo for SW Snowboarding before release. Seems like most of these devs don't care for having demos available. I don't know how hard it would be, but the demos that they show at these game shows would be great for PSN and Xbox Live, at least if they are close to the finished form.