Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

Rockstar Games are to release Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned exclusively on Xbox Live on February 17 2009, screenshots below.

The Rockstar North developed game is to be the first of two downloadable episodes announced for the 360. It will feature “all new” content but will make use of the Liberty City of GTA IV.

Rockstar says the game will include: “…a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV; new missions that offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and a diverse soundtrack with additional music - all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto.”

IMAGES: LocoRoco 2

Sony’s LocoRoco 2 is out tomorrow, Friday November 21, here’s some screenshots…

WIN: Tom Clancy’s EndWar

We have four copies of Tom Clancy’s EndWar to give away thanks to Ubisoft, two on both PS3 and Xbox 360.

*** ENTRY TO THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***

Question: What is the war strategy series EndWar’s designer, Michael De Plater, previously worked on?

Send your answer to: cian.ginty@gamestoaster.com with the subject line “Tom Clancy’s EndWar”, please also say if you’re interisted in a copy for PS3 or Xbox 360.

Developed by Ubisoft Shanghai, the publisher describes the game as “an all-new breed of strategy game. Designed from the ground up for consoles, it is a fusion of next-gen. technology, superior design and first-class production values behind which is veteran strategy games designer Michael De Plater who’s previous titles include the Total War series.”

“Set in 2020, with resources growing scarce every nation must look after themselves. Tom Clancy’s EndWar explores a full-scale land war between superpowers. While the narrative engrosses the player in a massive global conflict, with battles taking place in American and European heartlands”.

Ubisoft describes the key features as:

Cutting-edge Technology

• The first strategy game to be entirely playable with voice command (headset required)
• The “commander’s-eye view” offers a view of the action from the perspective of any unit under control
• Rock solid soldiers AI: they autonomously seek cover, engage enemies, and withdraw

Massive multiplayer, endless replay value

• The massively multiplayer “Risk-style” Theater of War campaign groups masses of players in live action
• Online battles allow up to 12 players in live action on the same map
• Unique units customization features (weapons, armour, gears) allow unlimited combinations in online and offline games

Your World in Flames

• 40 real-life recognizable battlefields including Washington DC, Paris and Moscow
• Fully destructible dynamic environments
• Hundreds of characters and vehicles on-screen in real-time, with a level of detail previously associated with first-person shooters

Competition rules: Staff, contributors, writers, reviewers, or employees of this website, its partners or of any companies and/or organizations that are involved with the competition, or their families, may not enter. We (this site, and any companies and/or organizations involved) reserve the right to cancel without notice any competitions if deemed necessary. Entrants must be residents of Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Entrants must give us a valid email address, winners will only be notified by email, and asked for a delivery address — the winners names and general location (ie County, or city) will be also published. Winners will have four working days to reply to our email, after such time a new winner will be selected. No cash alternative is offered for these prizes. In some competitions, we reserved the right to extend the duration of a competition and/or withholding prizes in the case of poor response or an inferior quality of entries, and multiple entries may be disregarded. The closing date will sometimes be on the page of which the competition is on; entries will only be accepted at our decision after such date. The Editors decision is final.

GameStop opens new shop in Limerick

GameStop opened a new store in Limerick on Friday, and it has plans to open four more shops “in the near future,” creating 25 new jobs.

The new Limerick shop on William Street is the third in the city, adding to current outlets at the Crescent and Parkway shopping centres.

Owned by the US retailer of the same name, GameStop now has 56 shops across Ireland and the UK, with the vast majority in the Republic and the North.

The company says it has a large stock of Wii Fit games, but it claims the “game is expected to be in short supply this Christmas so Wii fans should do their Christmas shopping early!”

GameStop are also operating what it calls “a new innovative ‘Play For Free’ scheme” where “Gamers who purchase any games console between now and Christmas, can return it if they don’t like it for any reason, and they will receive a full store credit in return.” Terms and conditions, of course, apply.

Exhibit to feature best of student work

The Digital Hub in Dublin is to exhibit a selection of student work including games, films, animations, and installations.

‘Best in Show’ launches in the Digital Exchange on November 20, and will feature work of students from NCAD, DIT, Limerick School of Art & Design, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, and the London College of Communications.

It will be open to the public from Friday November 21 to Thursday 27, excluding weekends. For more see thedigitalhubexhibit.com.

REVIEW: Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway

Developer: Gearbox Software | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher

Much like the war which its based upon, Hell’s Highway has been a long way coming. First mooted in 2006, a rash of set backs ensured that the third in the Brothers in Arms series lost much of it’s initial momentum. Now, after years of waiting Hell’s Highway finds it’s self on the PS3.

Like many realistic FPS, HH suffers from placing far too much emphasis on heavy handed melodrama and trying to force home just how much a tragedy WWII was. While games based on such a black note in human history should be treated with respect, HH spends far too much time utilising poorly voiced cut scenes and a script peppered with such inane topics of conversation that it’s hard not to wonder if this wasn’t written by 12 year old.

Throw in the usage of slow motion head shots that reward you for managing to place a bullet in an enemies head one does wonder why exactly did the developers spend so long creating a solemn and respectful tone only to go and glorify war in the game. That said, the low motion head shots are bloody great fun if highly inappropriate.

In the last few years we have been treated to a slew of above average war based FPS, so it’s not surprising to discover that HH doesn’t come anywhere near close to matching titles such as Call of Duty 4. Even when this is taken into account HH still stands up quite well due to it’s superior gameplay. Taking a traditional FPS and mixing it with tactical squad-based gameplay works surprisingly well and makes for a far more satisfying experience. Gamers will find themselves contemplating their next move rather than rushing in guns blazing. From the get go one aspect of the game really does shine, the AI of both your troops and enemy soldiers is exceptional. Your team mates will always take cover rather than getting mown down and will more often than not act on their own initiative rather than slavishly wait on commands from you. Knowing that you aren’t constantly needed to baby-sit makes for a truly challenging and entertaining game.

The game is a lot of fun but given the superiority of the first two entries and the numerous delays its likely that Hell’s Highway may be the last we see of the franchise, though the game does leave the door open for a sequel which hopefully deliver the franchises true potential. Far from a poor title, HH is simply mediocre and in this day and age mediocrity is no longer acceptable.

REVIEW: Far Cry 2

Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: Xbox 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher

Far Cry 2 is the new step for FPS gaming, tearing up the rule book as it goes it offers a deeply satisfying and thorough entertaining ride. The overall sense of freedom and sheer spectacle on offer from the non stop action marks Far Cary 2 as the definite next generation FPS thus far.

Right from the start the game tries to set it’s self apart from the original by setting the action in Africa rather than some tropical paradise. Playing as a mercenary you encounter some bad luck when you are ambushed by a group of soldiers working for a local gunrunner named the Jackal as well as contacting Malaria. From here your mission is quite simple, find and kill the Jackal while making waste of his organisation.

Much like GTA4, Far Cry 2 offers an open ended world and allows you to complete your missions and objectives in any order you wish. There is no linear way in way goals must be completed and given that you can pretty much go anywhere. You can steal vehicles and drive off into the hills shooting guards and wildlife to you hearts content. The game is so full jam packed with freedom that no matter how often you replay the game you will never play the same adventure twice.

When you finally decide to go about completing your task you can decided just how exactly you wish to do so. You can use stealth, slice your enemy from left to right with a machete or go for the preferred route and recreate the ending of the last Rambo. Waltz into a enemy compound with a missile launcher and lay waste to hordes of enemy soldiers with blatant disregard for all living entities, it does bring a smile to ones face.

The combat is fantastic and coming up with new ways to dispatch enemies is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening. From causing multi-vechicle car crashes then tossing a few grenades in just for the hell of it to mowing down groups of guards with a jeep, it’s unbelievably fun. The sheer joy one can gain from the sadistic dispatching of enemies may be slightly worrying.

In addition to the substantial single player the game boasts a 16 player multiplayer which includes all the usual modes such as Capture the Flag as well as a new mode Uprising. In this you and your team must guard someone as they attempt to capture checkpoints. While far from the next great step in multiplayer gaming it remains a hell of a lot of fun.

Far Cry 2 is at risk of being just a blip on the radar in the upcoming Christmas race but if there is a agaming God then justice will prevail and Far Cry 2 will reign triumphant. It’s sheer size, aweinspiring visuals and ability to do as you please makes he game worth every cent.

IMAGES: Mirror’s Edge

Being hyped as a “action-adventure experience unlike any other” by publisher EA, the Dice developed game Mirror’s Edge is out in Ireland in on Friday November 14…

IMAGES: Gears of War 2

Here’s some recent screenshots from Gears of War 2 which is out this Friday, November 7…

IMAGES: Quantum of Solace

To link in with the new James Bond film released last week, Activision have released Quantum of Solace the game. Below are multi-format screenshots for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

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