Its interesting to know that Nintendo has finally given Wii gamers the chance to rotate the Wiimote with the new WiiMotion Plus peripheral add-on that debuted this last month at E3.

Now of course, one of the first things you would think you could do to utilize this new type of technology would be to allow gamers to utilize the Wiimote for activities such as a “lightsaber” type utility.

And with Lucasarts currently working on games in the Star Wars universe, you would think Nintendo would keep LucasArts in the mix?

Sadly, it simply isn’t true.  Check out more on this developing story after the jump

Source: kotaku.com

Alone In The Dark – A Rocky Reboot

By FalconiXL, 2G4G Blogger

In 2008, more than 16 years after the original Edward Carnby placed his first steps into the gaming world, Eden games & Atari have aimed to revive the legendary Alone in the Dark franchise, hopefully to give it the reboot the grandfather survival horror series has long been needing.

For many, the original Alone in the Dark PC game really brought with it a clever game of mystery, puzzles, and a unique crime story slash action adventure that has many gamers fondly remembering the private detective Carnby in his early 3D gaming splendor.

Sadly, while AitD initial outing was a hit, this rocky reboot of the franchise from Eden really has a lot of good things that were thought up during the initial development phase that just didn’t get implemented well during the final release.

For every cool thing AitD has going for it: high production values, great characters and environments, and an interesting potential weapons experimental setting … it seems the developers forgot to really fine tune the game and instead of having a rock solid summer game offering, AitD leaves you feeling like you just barely survived a huge cliché B-movie flick – without the lasting humor or plausible working quirks to let all the negatives slide.

While this version of Edward Carnby is more standard fair for the typical action hero of today, Carnby’s awkward gameplay controls make the character hard to appreciate. And for a guy who is suffering from amnesia, Carnby doesn’t seem to have the same humbleness that the ’92 detective had.

And while the game wants you to feel spooked, a lot of AitD’s main problem involves this type of frustration with the game’s controls and its awkward camera.

Simply put, its really hard to maneuver Carnby past the game’s 3D ledges and obstacles. And whomever thought using the right analog stick to swing weapons really should have allowed the gamer another way option, because it simply takes away from the games experience.

For me, I wish the dev team had put more time into testing the game and fixing these opposable bugs, as the game concepts and its storyline should all be a winning formula.

In fact, sadly, Alone in the Dark is the type of game that is screaming for a remake to be fully appreciated, but unfortunately, this current Xbox 360 is just too unbalanced at this, its actual release.

While playing the game, I do have to say that I did love the DVD type settings. I think this type of offering is interesting, as for gamers such as my self who are full-time workers as well as active participants in raising and guiding my family household, the ability to ‘skip’ chapters to see what was in-store for the character past my stuck point is a feature I think should be implemented in more games.

But of course, this does lay an air of gamer ethics to be questioned – am I cheating my way through the storyline? For many gamers, having the ability to skip chapters or levels, is simply robbing them of their entertainment value.

Yet for myself, with time being a critical thing for my lifestyle, I think this type of gaming addition can work, but only if you allow a certain percentage of the level to be revealed and passed. Similar to Lego Star Wars and other games where going back to the level to unlock certain weapons, characters or skills helps in replay value, I think gamers who use this type of DVD skip feature should have to work to get the true in-depth storyline and or equipment.

Plus, another thing AitD does have going for it is its interesting way it handles its weapon system.  I really dig the fact that you can use a lighter with sprays - overall pretty inventive.

All in all, AitD is a game that has potential, and its reboot shows promise for the franchise to make a sequel to this comeback a plausible contender for enjoyment. With the PS3 version heading to stores this Fall, Eden does have the opportunity to rebuke this offering and get the job done in the PS3 game, but sadly for the 360 owner, unless a DLC unlocks some better game controls and or camera setups, the 360 version seems like its half way there.

Now, I still have to say I’m hoping that Alone in the Dark doesn’t end here because the game has its moments aside its flaws. I enjoyed the graphics and the games storyline, its car chase scenes, and is overall atmosphere.

Despite it’s inherit flaws, Alone in the Dark does have an interesting enough story to keep you checking out its chapters, and for any sleeper survival horror fans, Alone in the Dark is still one to go and check out, if anything, to experience the games graphical and unique game mechanics, and fun storyline.

PROS

The game has a crazy  epic storyline and weapon mechanics that despite its flaws, can still be a fun game to run with

CONS

The final execution in this 360 game leaves much to be desired - almost cries for a DLC do-over

OVERALL SCORE: 3 out of 5 stars

With the release of Soul Calibur IV today, I got a cool chance to experience the game hands-on at a release party last night in SF and for what is worth, the game does not dissapoint.
Soul Calibur IV looks to have everything that has made the series a blast in its last 3 incarnations.  Funny thing is, having my last battles really focused back when Soul Calibur II was in it didn’t take long for me to realize my Lizardman skills were pretty rusty.

While button mashing fighting can and always works against any newbie fighter, real fighting gamers won’t even break a sweat at my pointless hack low, slash high, grab and move sideway movements, so it didn’t take long for me to see my character get bashed completely.

Yet truth was even as I was out classed in many battles, the best news about the Soul Calibur series is that if you put the time in, the game can be mastered to the point that timing, with good combos, can get you back on your feet and competing in no time.

What’s interesting to point out is that in Soul Calibur IV adds again the addition of characters outside the Soul Calibur series to pump new blood into the franchise - this time including Yoda, Vader, and the new Apprentice from the Star Wars saga.

Question is, does it make the game lackluster as an add on gimmick or do they make a real impact?

Well, In my short time with the game last night, it does seem to me that the Star Wars characters over time, may not be the most playable characters.  Also, one thing to note, that all the characters were available last night, most likely unlocked through what will eventually be a DLC micro-transaction or, perhaps might lead into a story unlock.

For my first time experience with SCIV, most of my time was with an encounter with the Jedi Master himself - Yoda.  In my experience, the Yoda character could come off as a hard sell for the hard core fighting fans.  As a smaller stature character, Yoda doesn’t give the opponent an equal playing ground in the mere fact that all of the usual “upper” fighting attacks will miss.  Sort of reminds me the old Gon unlockable dinosaur that was in Tekken 3.  And while Yoda for the most part has an offset of mainly only low attacks, a few moves allow Yoda to have a double jump in mid-air.

Besides Yoda, my time was cut short between losses to better players, but for the most part, SCIV looks to have the qualities of a strong game.  Beautiful graphics, strong SC gameplay, and what more could a fighting gamer want?

Releasing today for the PS3 and Xbox 360, we’ll have to reserve our full blown review until we get our own copy, but it should be said that SCIV should satisfy many fighting fans.

Been wondering when Mama’s next game would appear? Never fret, as Majesco has announced the return of the series, this time entitled Cooking Mama World Kitchen, and now in 3-D.

With Majesco promosing new gameplay mechanics and plans to integrate “additional rhythm and motion that makes cooking easier and more enjoyable.” it makes me wonder if Dishwashing Champion wasn’t a fluke parody video, but a real game itself.

Seems the only thing we can count on is that this casual games fun and definitely Japanese style gameplay will keep us hungry for more.

Looks like Xbox gamers will have something to rejoice about later this Fall, as Harmonix and MTV just recently revealed (during an IGN interview.)that Rock band 2 will hit the 360 first this September ‘08, out-pacing the PS3 and Wii versions, who won’t see Rock Band until at least a month or two after the Xbox 360 gets its first dibs.

Now if you’re worried about all your downloaded songs, don’t fret, Rock Band 2 is noted to be fully Backwards compatibility and any previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.

And your drum set, microphone, guitar, and all of those songs you have purchased will carry right over into Rock Band 2, so there too, tackles any worries about moving on from the original Rock Band to the newer version.  Although, who knows, you might want to upgrade to the newer equipment as it will feature “quieter, more realistic, and more reliable instruments” says Lead Designer Dan Teasdale.

Plus this time RB2 will feature complete master recordings, and now the previously missing online battles that was taken out of the last version will make their official debut connecting Rock Band gamers both locally and globally.  The sequel will feature a new set list that is rumored to might incorporate a highly sought after listing of the Beatles, if Harmonix bid for the Fab Four’s songs outwins Activision’s offer.

Why Renting Makes A Difference

With this summer’s gas prices constantly rising (and the economy in general suffering) more and more Americans are choosing to stay closer to home rather than travel for their summer vacation, which can leave a lot of people without a doubt scratching their heads when it comes to trying to keep the kids and family entertained.

Knowing this, perhaps our game rentals service might be just what the doctor orders for your situation in life? With the Wii still at its standard price of $249.99 MSRP (US), and the Xbox 360’s basic Arcade system costing $279.99 MSRP (US) we believe that for many families who just want to check out these systems, or have them for parties, finding out that they can offset the initial investment cost by choosing to check out our weekly rentals might be the way to go.

While some hardcore budgeters might wonder why someone would even want to entertain game rentals during hard times, lets not forget that economist have often mentioned, low cost entertainment such as movies, and in our case - game rentals - can help provide an huge sense of comfort during hard times.

And by renting with 2Gamers 4Gamers, when you factor in that the average cost of our rentals is only 10% of the actual cost of purchase - that can be a significant cost saver for the casual consumer just wanting to check out these systems.

So if you’re tired of keeping up with the fast-paced lifestyle of Silicon Valley, and are looking for a way to save a few bucks but still have fun, we believe our rentals are a winning solution. Great gaming, great fun, and low marginal costs.

If you’re a music rhythm game fanatic, your probably invested in one or two camps - Rock Band or Guitar Hero - franchises for your gaming dollars.

Publishers Activision and MTV Games are now both vying for the same highly respected and sought after band, the timeless classic songs from none other than the Beatles.  Aiming to gain access the band’s hugely popular catalog for use in their own games, according to the Financial Times reports.

Unmentioned was whether the Beatles would be marketed by either company as a seperate game disc, ala Activision’s Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, or whether the band’s songs would be marketed via downloadable content.

MTV Games mentioned to Financial Times that it was “talking to virtually every major rock artist all the time about ways we might get them involved in Rock Band.”

The Xbox 360 will soon receive short scripted TV shows from established Hollywood producers.

With a variety of genres that appeal primarily to men aged 14 to 34, running under 10 minutes and including comedy, horror, and the like, will the Xbox 360 On-Demand TV service be a hit with consumers?

Exclusively to subscribers of Xbox Live, Microsoft will soon have short 10-min TV shows from esteemed Hollywood producers, providing content for  the Xbox 360.  The idea is to make the 360 a destination media machine, and is the one area everyone from Netflix, and Apple, to Sony and Microsoft, dream of owning… and that is the family’s home television entertainment.
Leading the Xbox production company is veteran Hollywood producer Peter Safran.  Safran plans to seek out top directors, screenwriters and actors for the Xbox 360 television project.

Expect to see the first shows show up sometime this Fall 2008.

Have you been eager to see whats new with Resistance: Fall of Man 2? Word on the net has it that GameTrailers TV on Spike will be featuring new footage for the single and multiplayer segments of the game. The show airs at 1:00AM PST on Friday nights on SpikeTV. (formerly Game Head) Check out the press release below:

SPIKE TV’S “GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY” TO EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERE FIRST SINGLE AND MULTI-PLAYER GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE OFINSOMNIAC GAMES’ RESISTANCE 2™ Read the rest of this entry »

Seems the Wii is not only keeping its casual momentum, but is now a platform for tired franchises too! In the latest news article from Famitsu, Tenchu 4 is referenced to come out as an exclusive for the Wii in Japan on October 23rd.

Plus, the last developers From Software, won’t be on-board this time around, as the Tenchu’s original developers, Acquire, will be returning to hopefully revive this franchise and give it the rebirth it needs.  Hopefully, they won’t overkill the Wii’s motion controls by either making it overly complex or dumbed down.

With both Monster Hunter 3 and Fatal Frame now Wii exclusives, who knows what else will jump to the Wii this generation?

Source: kotaku.com