11.07.07
Game Preview-Star Wars:The Force…..UNLEASHED!!!
The second game I’m most looking forward to in 2008 (1000 points to who can tell the #1), Star Wars:The Force Unleashed looks to one of 2008’s crown jewels. Being headed by LucasArts, fantastic developers behind Star Wars Battlefront, and just pretty every Star Wars game, it looks to be in good hands. It’s also being helped out by Hasbro, Lego, and Dark Horse! Of course, the others will be mainly helping with the Comic and toys. LucasArts is definitely sharing the love and shooting the game for numerous platforms, including the PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, DS, and Wii. The game is basically a in-the-middle-quel with the story revolving around Darth Vader’s secret apprentice sent to take out the remaining Jedi after Order 66 in Episode 3 and before the events of Episode 4. Some have even said he was hired by Vader to take down the Emperor. But we’ll just have to wait and see. The game uses a super cool new game whosamawhatey called Digital Molecular Matter, where the environment really reacts like ti should. You set a Stormtrooper on fire, he’ll react as if he’s on fire. The environment just got cooler. You 360 fans can go with your fancy graphics, but is Wiiboys will be having way more fun with our motion-sensing. I’m hoping it will go lightsaber control with the Wii remote, and then force control with the nunchuk. Overall, this game looks super super sweet and will hopefully be hitting store shelves sometime in April.
God of War:Chains Of Olympus-The highly successful God of War series will be receiving a new installment next March with Chains of Olympus, a new storyline following Kratos on the PSP. Some might wonder if Kratos can transfer well to the PSP handheld, but with successes with Ratchet and Clank and Daxter, I think he’ll be just fine. And with plot twists, traps, stunts, puzzles, amultiple endings. Kratos will be kicking more butt when he tears into stores March 4, 2008. 
Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare-Probably the best game at E3 this past year was Call of Duty 4, andthat was mainly because they gave us some game footage that was amazing! It basically showed your player following a Scottish guy trogh the grass and through some buildings where they eventually came upon some other soldiers. The 360 demo was just recently given out, and the game is looking great for its November 5th Release. Basically, this game looks great and will probably blow a lot of people away when it lands in stores this November. 
 
 
 
 
Burnout Paradise- Another one of my favorite game series is the Burnout Series, which has me constantly wrecking other people and wrecking myself…..for fun. The new installment will send players into a free-roam environment where they can do as they wish for as long as they want. The city will be huge, taking about 15 minutes to drive from end to end, which is huge compared to 15 seconds in some games. There will even be a new feature including webcams where you can see the picture of the person you just pwned and the look on his frightened face. The car models look great, the crash mechanics will probably be as awesome as always, and I look forward to playing this when it comes out…..next year.
 
 
Skate-It looks like EA is going to try to take down the skating master himself, Tony Hawk, later this year. The new game will go back to the basics of skating, far from the never-ending jokes of the Tony Hawk games. What if this game does dethrone Mr. Hawk? Well, I say more power to them. The game iwll feature prominent skaters like Danny Way, PJ Lad, and Rob and Big. This game looks to create a bitter rivalry September 11, 2007.
 
 
Afrika-Well, one of the upcoming PS3 titles is Afrika, an African Safari game. There isn’t really that much we know about it, except that it has really pretty graphics. We don’t even really know a devloper or a publisher, or even a release date, possibly because the release dates on the PS3 are like the points on Whose Line is it Anyway, they don’t mean anything. Anyway, this game could be pretty good if they decide to extend it somewhere beyond just a safari game. Looking at Giraffes eat leaves isn’t really a game. If that’s all, just put it on DVD.  
 
 
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2-One of the games I’m anticipating most is Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, scheduled to hit our shores in November, but recentlyat Leipzig, a German game convention, they showed off some more stuff. They unveiled a couple of new minigames, including Burp, a chugging competition, an Indiana Jones-style game, and even a bike race where you throw water bottles, they all equal out to 50 minigames, instead of 60. They also have new costumes, including an Assassin’s Creed style-costume. Overall, this game looks to be a great one that I’ll be sure not to miss.
 
 
Halo Wars-No, this isn’t what I’m going to call my Halo 3 matches with Colt, but a new RTS from the makers of Empire Earth. However, instead of cotrolling little settlers and soldiers, you control Spartan warriors, hopefully with Plasma swords. Basically, this will be a great game for any Halo fan who just wants something more than mindless plasma sword pwnage. And for that few people with something wrong with them, this game will come out sometime in 2008. In fact, those few people should just be checked into the nearest mental clinic.
 
 
Rock Band-The highly anticipated (yet highly ripoffish of Guitar Hero) game Rock Band will be hitting stores this November, and they just released some new…….news. First off, the game will be hitting the PS2 along with the 360 and PS3 (just like Guitar Hero except Guitar is going to the Wii). It is also going to have have a few new songs like Paint it Black (Which was on Guitar Hero 3 from the get-go) . Overall this game looks pretty sweet although not as sweet as Guitar Hero when it comes out November 20 (After Guitar Hero 3).
Super Mario Galaxy-One of the biggest Nintendo games is set for release this November, and they have just released a new level available for play at a recent convention. The game showed you around a level where you had to shoot Mario…………from planet to planet. The controls have shown to be precise and fun, and traveling upside down on planets never comes across confusing. The game looks to be a stronger and stronger game for when it releases November 12th, 2007.
 
 
Resident Evil:Umbrella Chronicles-Resident Evil is making it’s first original adventure on the Wii, this time entitled Umbrella Chronicles. The game will follow the activities and eventfull downfall of the Umbrella Coorporation. You will use the Wii Zapper to shoot the zombies, and you can switch weapons with the D-Pad. The graphics may not look the best, but it looks to be a pretty good Wii game when it releases hopefully sometime this November.
 
 
Halo 3- You may not know this, but there’s a little game series out now called Halo, and just in case you don’t know, it’s newest installment comes out late in next month, September. The game is awesome. This time the Spartans are bringing in all kinds of new weapons and new possiblities for old ones. There’s the devastating Spartan Laser, the return of the rocket launcher, and possibly dual-wielding 
 
 
Mariokart Wii-Mariokart is driving back through Nintendo with it’s newest installment, Mariokart Wii, which will probably have a different name closer to launch. The game will come with a wheel, and word is that the B trigger wil be used for powersliding. Although I don’t know much about this game, I do know that it will porbably be one of Nintendo’s heaviest hitters next year.
 
 
BioShock-One of the coolest-looking games ever, BioShock is quickly approaching our Xbox 360s with it’s August 21 release date nearing. The game allows you to explore the underwater metropolis using insane power-ups. You will have several neat powers, from electricity to fire, all able to use with incredibly interactive environments. For example, you’re being attacked by a crazy doctor standng in a pool of water, you then electrocute the water he’s standing in and beat him down. This is actually one of the boss fights in the game. This amazing game will hit stores August 21.
 
 
The Elder Scrolls 4:Oblivion:Game of the Year Edition-The widely popular, critically acclaimed Oblivion is heading back to whereever this gme takes place for a second go round with this Game of the Year edition, although it pales in comparison to The Legend of Zelda which beat its butt in Game of the Year, it is a pretty good game. This gam will be sure to be bringing tons of fun gameplay with tons of more extras, sidquests, and more when it comes out in September.
Flatout:Ultimate Carnage-The Flatout series is sending it’s poor drivers throughthe windshields again with Ultimate Carnage, the new addition to the series coming to the 360. The game kinda reminds me of Burnout, with wrecks a plenty. There will be, of course, the awesome ragdoll physics that brought us to the series in the first place, and it looks to jus to bring us some great, mindless fun.The Reviews have been great, so be sure to pick this one up when it crashes into stores on September 4, 2007.
 
 
Brain Age 2:More Training in Minutes A Day-The actually fun educational DS game is heading back later this August with Brain Age 2, and this time it is sure to have tons of new Brain-training excitement. The game wil feature 10 new games, sudoku puzzles, and even some new multiplayer modes. There will be a ton of new, fun features, but I’m sure all DS owners should make sure they check this one out on August 20.
 
 
Metroid Prime 3:Corruption-Probably one of the most anticipated games for the Wii is the new addition to the Metroid series, Corruption. This time havoc is being caused all across the galaxy, and Dark Samus is to blame. Pretty soon a list of bounty hunters are called in, including Samus. He is later infected by Corruption, and has to fight off his dark side. This new FPS for the Wii is said to be “revolutionizing FPS controls”, and with their controls of using the Wiimote for camera, nunchuk for Samus’ grappling hook and more, this looks to be pretty exhilirating. This also looks to be one of the prettiest Wii games, with greta looking environments and ships, this is sure to be a winner when it comes out August 21.
 
 
John Woo’s Stranglehold-Probably one of the most awesome-looking games coming this year is Stranglehold, a third person shooter taking place in various locations like Chicago and Hong Kong. One of its coolest features is the diving feature, which when used near a cart or a handrail, allows your character to run up or down the rail or ride on the cart all while shooting up baddies. The game will have Pirates of the Carribean’s Chow-Yun Fat, so this one will be sure to be a winner when it comesoutAugust27.
 
 
Avatar The Last Airbender:The Burning Earth- The popular Nickelodeon show Avatar is getting another video game, this time titled “The Burning Earth”. It will follow the show’s storyline of the three main heroes who are trying to save their world from the firebenders. The game looks like it will be throwing several different enemies at you, and if Jang is to fall in 
battle, you will immediately switch to Kataria for a second player, although it isn’t known if their are reviving powers to bring old Jenga back to life. Theg mae shows off a very cool cel-shaded art style (think Sly Cooper), and it looks to be a real fan (Black Knight) pleaser, so make sure to check this one out on the 360, Wii, DS, and GBA when it comes out October 16, 2007. Oh yea, it’s also coming to the PS2. 
Super Smash Bros. Brawl- One of the major reasons I picked the Wii was the games, and this one was one of of those games. After waiting for 6 years, December 3rd, 2007 just seems too long to wait for this sure-to-be-great title. This time most of the boys are back in town, although some of 
the new characters from Melee aren’t confirmed, while most of the original characters are, but have no fear, Underdog is here!…….oh wait……..There are new characters, inc. Pit, Metaknight, Zero Suit Samus, Wario, and Solid Snake, the first ever non-Nintendo character in the series. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if they threw in a secret character like Sonic in the works with the 
new olympic game coming out soon. There will be all kinds of new environments and items, but there will also be Super Smash Attacks, which could be anything from being used in an item or in a Mortal 
Kombat style finishing move, but all I know is, it looks awesome. If you haven’t tryed out this series, I strongly recommend the first two, with the second on the gamecube. I’ll make sure I see this one on December 3rd.
Assassin’s Creed-One of the most hyped games at both last year’s and
this years E3 was Assassin’s Creed. Fortunately, we received a demo at this past year’s E3, and it showed it off like a model on the runway. You play as Altair, a trained Assassin doing various tasks in the year 1191 during the Crusades. The storyline looks like something out of a deep, deep movie, and the main character looks engaging. This game kinda reminds me of Splinter Cell with its deep gameplay. You’ll be manuevering you
r way through huge, interactive crowds, trying to get to your goalpoint, and, if need be, cause some distractions like, say, pushing a guard off a building to dstract the guards. There are several ways to get through a crowd, although most of the time you’ll probably be wanting to make the least noise and ruckus. Look forward to this ne when it comes out on the PS3, 360, and PC this November.
Dragon Blade:Wrath of Fire-I remember I previewed this game a couple of weeks ago, just basically as a first glimpse and I just got to look at some concept art, but now we have more, much more! In this game you’ll play as a hero on a quest to take down a king who has taken over your land, and along the way you will gain 6 different dragon powers-wings, one/two-arm swinging, and more including your basic fire sword. Swinging the Wiimote to swing your sword, and the with hte two-arm thing actually
using your respective hands to clap, or slam your enemies. The game has a very unique art style , kinda like older Asian. The boss battles have proven to be long and epic, something I am definitely looking forward to. This game really kinda reminds me of something like Heavenly Sword meets Lair. Overall, all Wiiowners should at least check out this game when it comes out later this year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guitar Hero 3:Legends of Rock-Rock on! Guitar Hero 3 will be hitting our favorite consoles (Wii) soon, and here’s the inside scoop! The game will feature, of course, 4 difficulties, ranging from e-say to the mind-numbing expert. The game will also have a battle mode which will allow players to attack their opponents my making the victim’s keys dissapear temporarily. The game will also have several cool titles, including Alice Cooper’s School’s Out, and Slow Ride by Foghat. There will also be a boss battle with the rocker Slash. Rock out!
Heavenly Sword-This spunky little game wowed us all back at E3 06, but has it made an improvement? Besides bveing shown on Heroes, this game has many other accomplishments, receiving several awards at E3 06. This game tells the story of a woman set to avenge her father with the help of a mighty sword used by the gods. The graphics are just plain stunning, and the Resident Evil 4-like cutscenes look interesting. Make sure you check out this puppy September 4th.
Super Mario Galaxy-Well it’s about time! Mario is making his first ever adventure on the Wii, and it sure does look promising. This time Mario will be going across different planets, each different in their own way. Mario will also have different powerups, like a bee costume that will allow him to fly temporarily. The game has been called quote “perfect” by one of IGN’s testers, and you can be sure this little guy will sell when it comes out on it’s confirmed date of November 12.
Viva Pinata:Party Animals-Those crazy pinatas survived little Johny’s birthday party and are coming back this holiday season with a spinoff Mario Party like party game. There will be over 40 minigames to satisy your awkward pinata needs. It will come out to the 360 this Fall.
Destroy All Humans:Big Willy Unleashed/Path of the Furon-Although I am really looking forward to this game, I am also really, really mad. Both of these games are “sequels” to Destroy All Humans 2, however, Big Willy Unleashed will be a version that comes before Path of the Furon (Destroy All Humans 3). You may think that this is good news, however the nuts down at Pandemic are treating the Wii like it’s inferior and giving it a dumbed down version that’s only coming it and the PS2 and PSP, while Path of the Furon will be for the 360 and PS3. This just make’s me really mad because I am a huge fan of the DAH series, and it
dissapoints me that the great minds at Pandemic are only sending the real thing to the “Big Boys”. Well Riddle me this! Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, and Brawl all 3 are better looking than some PS3 games! Riddle me that Pandemic! RIDDLE ME THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m sorry, I will settle with “Big Willy Unleashed”, but I won’t do it happily. Also I’m kinda getting the last laugh because B.W.U. comes out sometime in 2008 while P.O.T.F. comes out in Winter 2008. I may just boycott the series until the real thing comes out on the Wii. Earl out.   
 
 
 
 
 
 