VIDEO: Aliens vs. Predator – Marine Reveal

With each new piece of news, image and video this game just gets more and more interesting looking. It has to be said that the trend for lazy cash in titles is slowly beginning to become the exception to the rule. In recent years we have seen a slew of above average and even some down right fantastic licensed titles. This trend looks to continue with Aliens Vs Predator.

Aliens vs Predator is an entirely new title for PC and high-definition consoles from acclaimed British developer Rebellion, the team behind the 1999 original PC gaming classic.

Bringing the most intense war between two of science-fiction’s most popular characters FPS fans, AvP delivers three outstanding single player campaigns and provides untold hours of unique 3-way multiplayer gaming.

Experience distinctly new and thrilling first person gameplay as you survive, hunt and prey in the deadly jungles and swamps surrounding the damned colony of Freya’s Prospect.

- As the Marine, you’ll experience a claustrophobic and terrifying experience where light is your friend, but there’s never enough. However, the United States Marine Corps are humanity’s last line of defence, and as such they are armed to the teeth with the very latest in high explosive and automatic weaponry.

- As the Predator, you will stalk from the shadows and from above, passing athletically through the treetops to ambush your victims. Although equipped with an array of powerful, exotic weapons and tracking equipment, honour ultimately dictates that you must get in close and take your trophies face to face.

- As the most deadly species in the universe, the Alien offers you the chance to play as the very stuff of nightmares – the monster in the dark swarming forward with countless others, jaws like a steel trap and claws like blades.

- Play all sides off against each other in a series of unique 3-way online modes and go tooth-to-claw-to-pulse rifle in the reinvention of one of multiplayer gaming’s defining moments.

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Developer: EA | Publisher: EA | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher So far the Harry Potter games have been the gaming equivalent of a lucky dip. You could never be sure if you were getting a complete dud or a thoroughly entertaining and playable title.

Good news then for all the Potter fans out there, The Half Blood Prince is a cut above many of the previous entries in the franchise. While it’s far from the best entry in the franchise and the flight controls are lacking the game does impress.

For those out there not read up on the books the story finds Harry and his rag tag colleagues in their 6Th year at Hogwarts. Lord Voldermort and his evil army of Death Eaters are awaiting the perfect opportunity to stop Potter who is preparing to take on the Dark Lord. Harry discovers a number of special spells written in a book of potions intended for the Half blood Prince who may be a student in his class.

Once more Hogwarts and it’s surroundings are wide open to explore.You can traverse the area to your hearts content, perhaps a game of Quidditch in the Burrow or a trip to Hagrid’s cottage or you can even take a quick joint over to the greenhouse where you will be taking Herbology classes.

The mission structure is done in such a way that you can choose between taking on missions which advance the story or you can join one of the numerous clubs and indulge in the related activities. There are some real treats in store for Potter fans, many of the smaller jobs such as helping Luna Goodlove light fireworks or even help boost Ron’s confidence for upcoming Quidditch matches.

Much like the recent Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, this title contains a number of duels. This can either be done through the Gryffindor Dueling Club or against the various bullies and minions of Voldermort prowling around the school. While the control system for the duels is well implemented but they can’t help compensate for the fact that the duels just aren’t fun.

The biggest problem with the game is that a lot of the side activities grow old p[retty quickly. Making potions are fun the first few times but like the duels they soon grow old. So mundane are some of the tasks that at one stage you find yourself mixing punch at a school party. While the potion making is somewhat entertaining and a party of the game, mixing punch is something which we could do without.

The one area where the game succeeds above all else is in the recreation of the Hogwarts year. Gamers will feel as if they are actually in Harry’s shoes as they walk the halls of Hogwarts. The way the seasons change and events unfold make you feel as if you are in the book and when all things are considered this is exactly what fans want.

All in all The Half Blood Prince is a game for fans. It recreates the books in esquitate detail. For non fans the game is perfect fodder for a rainy weekend. Certain elements such as how events unfold are are perfect while others such as the dueling are sadly lacking.  Like the film, the game is a mixed bag though fans will certainly lap it up.

REVIEW: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Developer: Techland| Publisher: Ubi Soft| Format: 360

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher From the beaches of Normandy to the edge of space to 1960s Miami the FPS genre has something for every gamer. The one genre which has generally been neglected is also one of this reviewers favourite, the Old West. Alongside Red Dead Revolver and Gun the only other western title was Call of Juarez, all three titles were fantastic and all three left us wanting more. Thankfully with the release of Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood we need want no more.

The game sees the return of Reverend Ray McCall though given that this is a prequel Ray has yet to acquire a higher calling. The game begins with the McCall brothers Ray and Thomas guns locked upon one another all over a woman. We jump back to the Civil war and find a completely different picture with the brothers as close as can be and putting family before all else. The opening level act as a handy tutorial allowing you to take turns playing as both brothers. Most levels allow you to choose which brother to play as allowing for a somewhat different gaming experience depending on your choice. Ray runs in two pistols blazing behind a stick of dynamite, while Thomas is skilled with a bow and knives allowing for a more stealth based game.

The brothers along with William their ordained and pacifist brother soon find themselves in Mexico searching for the fabled treasure from the Coronado expedition. It is here
where they meet the woman who will eventually tear them apart.

One of the biggest complaints regarding the first game was that the gunfights just weren’t exciting enough, they were at times quite dull to be honest. This has be addressed in Bound in Blood and the various tasks to be completed make for a far more rewarding gaming experience. Objectives range from the simplicity of scouting out an area to breaking gun runners out of jail to shooting from a stagecoach as you attempt to leave town. The AI has also been overhauled with your brother now offering decent backup. The enemy AI is also far more refined. They are quick to retreat when all hope is lost before finding cover and once more returning fire. There are the few who still assume that explosive barrels offer cover but this simply adds to the fun.

It can’t be a western without a showdown in the dusty streets and as expected dueling makes a welcomed return. You circle around your enemy keeping your trigger finger close to your weapon. Once you hear the bell it’s a quick flip of the right trigger to unholster as you quickly aim and then fire. It’s done so well that while you may curse the inevitability of duels you still find yourself enjoying the hell out of it.

Multiplayer is where the game really comes alive. Most of the modes on offer we’ve seen before, death-match, etc. The addition of objective based modes known as Wild West Legends is a welcome addition. This features a host of infamous west scenarios including the now legendary manhunt for Billy the Kid. There are a number of different class types available in this mode, from gunslinger to miner offering up a whole lot of replay value.

While the game is top class it does have one or two problems. The relative short play time is a big problem. You can easily clock the game in 7 hours first time around and the in-game load times can be quite long. The short run time is more than made up for in the variety of multiplayer on offer but you can’t just feel a little cheated, though this may be more to do with the fantastic story and needing to know more than anything else.
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood looks fantastic. At times the characters do look a little plastic on the 360 but given the level of detail in the game you rarely notice. Effects such as smoke and water look great and the environments are all beautiful to look at. Throw in the fantastic voice acting and you have for yourself one of the best looking and sounding titles around.

Bound in Blood is that rare thing, a FPS which doesn’t simply use greay hallways and the depths of space. It’s an exciting, original and fun old west adventure. There’s more than enough here to warrant a buy for both seasoned FPS fans and newbies alike.

VIDEO: The King of Fighters XII

As you may have guessed from the title The King of Fighters XII is the  latest in the ongoing King of Fighters franchise. Rather than bore you with opinion here instead is a  link to Gamestoaster’s review of King of Fighters: The Orochi Saga aswell as the press release for King of Fighters 12.

Here’s the press release for your reading pleasure:

Newly Hand-Drawn in High Resolution,The Fight is on in July 2009 on PLAYSTATION^®3 System and Xbox 360^® Video Game and Entertainment System from Microsoft

Glendale, CA – March 3, 2009 – Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames and SNK Playmore announced today that The King of Fighters XII is releasing worldwide in July 2009 on Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

The legendary 3-on-3 fighting game series that united rival brawlers from SNK Playmore’s classic arcade franchises celebrates its 15th Anniversary in style with the release of The King of Fighters XII. For the first time in its history, this epic martial arts showdown has undergone a complete graphical overhaul. The antiquated character sprites used over the past 14 years have been dropped in favor of all-new, high-resolution fighters fluidly animating across painstakingly detailed, 100% hand-drawn backgrounds.

“Our development slogan for KOFXII is “KOF Re-Birth” and we’ve aimed to create an entirely new King of Fighters game. To make this a truly unique fighting game, we’ve revolutionized the graphics by creating state of the art visuals – and made no compromises in that process whatsoever,” said Masaaki Kukino, SNK Playmore.

“I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to commemorate The King of Fighter’s 15-Year Anniversary than with a gorgeously animated, high-definition installment that updates the KOF legacy for a new generation.” said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “While other fighting games have abandoned the time-consuming process of creating beautiful 2D art, KOFXII fully embraces the refined aesthetic beauty that only human hands can produce.”

For a sneak peek at The King of Fighters XII, check out The King of Fighters ’98: Ultimate Match– for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system packed with footage and content of The King of Fighters XII in every game – in stores today!

Stay tuned to Ignition Entertainment for more information, including screenshots, trailers, and loads of details on new game play features!

ABOUT SNK PLAYMORE:
Headquartered in Osaka, Japan , SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION (SNK) develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software in Japan , North America, Europe and Asia . Founded in 1978, SNK is one of the largest privately held interactive entertainment content providers in the world.
Known for such franchises as THE KING OF FIGHTERS, METAL SLUG, and SAMURAI SHODOWN SNK continues to be an industry leader by focusing on their rich arcade history. More information on SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION can be found at www.snkplaymore.co.jp SNK PLAYMORE USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION.

REVIEW: Ghostbusters

Developer: Terminal Reality| Publisher: SCEE | Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher Let’s be honest, when any film tie in is announced gamers around the world emit the same sad sigh. We all read the same tired press release announcing h ow so and so are proud to have acquired the rights to such a prestigious title only to discover a few months later that the end result is a putrid little game which appears to have been given all of 3 weeks worth of development. There is the odd exception to the rule, Wanted Weapons of Fate was an enjoyable shooter only suffering from the fact that it could be clocked in under 5 hours and the recent Wolverine game was enjoyable fun.there are a few truly fantastic games based on films and they all share one common trait. They all act as sequels or prequels. Perhaps the most famous of these being The Thing and Escape From Butcher Bat, we can finally add another title to this list. Ghostbusters is a bona fide classic.

Hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since Ghostbusters first burst onto cinema screens. In the proceeding years not only has the film been fondly remembered by each new generation but it has also became a timeless classic, something that few comedies ever accomplish.

The game reunites pretty much all the original cast, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver being the only no shows. With a script written by Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis and the cast returning hopes were high that the game would be a nice homage to the film. Unexpectedly the game has gone beyond that and is can be classified as a direct sequel to the 2 films. Several years after the first film the Ghostbusters are recruiting and you take on the role of the “Rookie”. The game gets into full swing when in the middle of a proton pack tutorial the containment chamber housing everyone’s favourite gluttonous green slob Slimer and other nasties is accidentally opened.

The team must return to Slimer’s favoured haunting ground the Sedgwick Hotel where within minutes of arriving you find yourself against the iconic Staypuft Man. The story involves an ancient evil threatening the end of our world once more, to say any more would be a disservice as a large part of the joy of the game is watching as the story unfolds and familiar faces and places are used.

Now this reviewer know that everyone out there is eagerly awaiting one aspect of the game over all else. The weapons, yes for those of a certain age vivid memories remain of running around in their Ghostbusters boiler suit while waving a cheap piece of plastic with some foam jutting out. The game doesn’t disappoint and strapping an unregistered nuclear particle accelerator and hearing it power on is a joy. The entire game revolves around your proton pack. The game offers up four different packs each with it’s own unique power. Powers on offer include utilising slime to move objects, Boson Darts which are explosions of pure energy as well as the age old and treasured energy streams from the films.

The games only real negative aspect and perhaps the most frustrating aspect of any game ever is the simple fact that if you get knocked down by an enemy the only way you can get back up is if a team mate helps you. Now if the entire team is knocked down you have to suffer through a long loading screen, and believe me you’ll suffer this fate an awful lot. It’s a small complaint in a game offering so much.

Multi-player is fantastic, not only is it value for money but it’s amazingly fun. The six modes on offer are Containment, Destruction and Thief (their variation on capture-the-flag). Protection and Slime Dunk are the modes which will have you returning time and time again.

Ghostbusters is quite simply put a gaming classic and one which shows that licensed games can do so much that simply trade off an established name. While the game does have it’s negative aspects, they really take nothing form the game. This sort of sheer unashamed fun doesn’t some along too often so when it does we should appreciate just how good it is.

WIN: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Ubisoft have released Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (2009) on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Thanks to the publisher, we have one copy on Xbox 360 and another on PS3 to give away. To enter, email win@gamestoaster.com answering the question:

Bound in Blood sees the return of which character?

The winner will be selected in next Friday. Please include the answer, your name and address, and what format you want the game on.

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.

Left 4 Dead 2 Hands On

Left 4 Dead 2 was one of the most exciting and anticipated titles at last months E3 but the almost instantaneous backlash from gamers has received more coverage than the game. When released last year Valve were promising to support the title with additional download content such as weapons, new infected and campaigns much like they do with their Half Life and Team Fortress games. This additional material never materialised and the announcement of a sequel to be released less than a year after sent gamers into a rage.

Yesterday Gamestoaster took a trip to London to see just how Left 4 Dead 2 holds up and to see if the outrage was justified. Upon arriving in London we set about playing through the New Orleans level on both Xbox and PC.

First up it’s important to note that in terms of gameplay Left 4 Dead 2 is pretty much exactly the same as the first game. There are some subtle change that the gamers hardened fans will notice but overall it seems that the game remains pretty much the same as it ever was. Being honest this isn’t necessarily as a bad thing, why fix something that isn’t broken.

In the game you play in a team of 4 survivors battling their way through a world in which the undead far outnumber the living. The level available to play was called The Parish. Beginning with a film poster inspired load screen with the obligatory tag line “This time it all goes South”. An obvious refrence to the games setting. The first thing we noticed regarding the game was just how much the character Nick resembled John Cusack though perhaps that was all in our mind.

The most noticeable addition to the game is the inclusion of melee weapons. The level we played offered up axes and frying pans. As you would expect these weapons re meant for up close and personal use and God damn are they fun to use. Watch as your axe makes contact with an infected ones face and it disappears in a torrent of blood.

The game now also features some additions to your arsenal. Weapon upgrades are available at certain points in the game and make a nice change of pace. The incendiary upgrade which sets fire to any infected you shoot. Each upgrade is limited so it best to save them for cutting down large groups of the infected. The new monster featured was refered to as a Charger. He runs at you before picking you up and slamming slamming you to the ground till your teammates rescue you.

When playing the game you are once more offered the ability to play the game one of two ways. The most effective way is to play as part of the team, watching each others back. This makes taking care of the infected a far easier prospect. The other option is to run off on your own all guns blazing which will usually end in your untimely death.

The difficulty has certainly been amped up. Playing through the New Orleans level we found the initial part to be quite a breeze. The second part of the level however was a completely different animal. In it you encounter what Valve refer to as the gauntlet run which features a never ending horde attack you as you valiantly try to cross the bridge to the extraction point.

While this sudden jump in difficultly is unexpected and certainly frustrating it does offer a far more rewarding experience. When we asked Valve about the difficulty out demonstration games were set to they refused to give an answer and said that we “would find out in November”.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the game was that at times there only appeared to be a dozen of so infected on screen at once. When questioned on this Valve informed us that the game will feature “dozens of the infected onscreen at once”.

As it stands Left 4 Dead 2 is really looking like one of this years most entertaining titles. Playing through the level repeatedly yesterday on both Xbox and PC against other journalists in a LAN was a real joy. While those calling for gamers to boycott the game have a point we believe that the finished game will offer a far more satisfying experience than the original and the addition of the melee weapons will certainly add an addition layer of fun.

The game is set for release in November on both PC and Xbox 360 and we should hopefully be bringing you more on the game before then.