Skyrim Gameplay

By Mark

Bethesda have shown off Skyrim in action and everything they told us seems to be true. The new engine looks great as does the in game sequences shown we get a look at a range of things from fighting dragons to new finishing moves in melee combat.

You can also see more creatures, environments and magic gameplay all the while listening to that epic orchestral song from the teaser reveal.



Hell, even the third person walking animation looks good this time around. So who's stoked now?

Need for Speed: Shift 2 Developer Diary

By Mark

The first developer diary for Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed has hit the web and it mixes up some real racing footage and in game scenes.

The diary also features American La Mans driver Tommy Milner were he speaks about how the developers are trying to recreate the real racing feeling that so many other games ary trying to obtain these days. Aside from that expect the usual as you also hear what the talent behind the game is aiming to achieve.

Dark Souls Roughly 1.5 Times Larger Than Demon's Souls

By Mark

Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of Dark Souls has been giving us more information about the upcoming spiritual successor to Demon's Souls. Speaking with 1up he notes in particular that the game will be significantly bigger:

"For simplicity of explanation, as compared to Demon's Souls, the map will be approximately 1.5 times the size. It may feel even bigger to the players."

He then goes into further details about this as he refers to Dark Souls' seamless open world experience stating:

"To clearly pose a sense of achievement to the players, we will most likely maintain the 'one map plus boss

It doesn't end there though with regard to what events and bosses will be found out in the open as Miyazaki explains there will be secret locations and areas that are not crucial to game completion but instead are there to encourage exploration from the player. To make their own adventures so to speak.

Source - 1up

Free DLC for Test Drive 2 in the Form of an Apology

By Jonny

Eden games have announced that the first piece of premium DLC for Test Drive Unlimited 2 will soon be availabe  for an absolute bargain of a price *whispers* its free.

Apparently this is there way of saying sorry for the many problems that have plauged the game since its release a couple of weeks back. Players of the game, across all platforms have been reporting  issues with corrupted save files, freezing loading screens and broken multiplayer features so as an apology to their fans who have stuck with them while they where hard at work on a patch, they will be releasing the 'Exploration Pack' DLC as a way of saying thank you.

The Exploration DLC will add new wrecks to discover as well as the Lancia Stratos version Rallye and 1969 Dodge Charger. Eden also announced that a patch has already been applied to the PC version and the console version is awaiting approval. Full list of fixes can be found below.

• • Logging into the game has been improved
  • Once into the game the online network experience is now much more stable in all areas
  • Save games no longer corrupt
  • Existing corrupted save games will be repaired in many cases
  • Friends lists are now populated
  • Invites now work correctly
  • Clubs have been brought back online
  • Exploits to gain money have been fixed
  • Casino access has been improved
  • Players will no longer lose money because of the Casino bug

Even though the game should not have released with so many issues in the first place, its still nice to see the developers give a little something back to the gamer.

First Battlefield 3 Footage!

By Mark

For all of you out there chomping at the bit to see some of DICE's return to the main Battlefield series then look no further, the first gameplay footage has been released.



So what do you think?

Gears of War 3 Dated 20th September Release

As suspected earlier at least one of the announcements to come from EPIC today was the release date for Gears of War 3 and the release date is now 20th September 2011 and that's worldwide.

After a couple of delays and push backs it's hard to see the date changing again so it's safe to say this is set in stone from now until release. As for beta information, maybe we'll have some soon.

Total War: Shogun 2 Demo Now Available

The latest installment to the Total War franchise will be Total War: Shogun 2 developed by Creative Assembly and it is now ready for you to try out and play around with.

The demo is available via Steam and SEGA say of the experience:

"You will experience a small taste of Total War's battles and campaign game play in this demo, as you play through the Chosokabe tutorial campaign that introduces you to the feudal Japanese world of Total War: Shogun 2.

"Fight different types of land warfare with the tutorial battle stages and finally master the historic battle of Sekigahara, keeping in mind that all of this is just a small taste of the full Total War: Shogun 2 experience."

So there you have it, get downloading folks.

Gears of War 3 News Later Today

By Mark

Gears of War producer Rod Fergusson tweeted last night that a big Gears 3 announcement was inbound today, odds are that it'll be some kind of solid release date. The tweet read:

"A big Gears 3 announcement hits tomorrow!"

Maybe we'll get some sort of information about the beta too who knows, once the news is out it'll be here so check back later.

Risen 2: Dark Waters Announced

By Jonny

Earlier this week Deep Silver and Piranha Bytes announced that they are working on a sequel for the fantasy RPG Risen, which will be a true sequel and is planned for release on both consoles and PC.

Risen 2: Dark Waters is set to take place three years after the destruction caused by the titans in the first game.  The second game is set to feature much more of an expansive landscape covering many islands, instead of just one locale like in the first game and is also stated to feature a morality system where your characters every action changes the game world and how the NPCs react to you..... Now where have i heard that before?

No word on a release date yet but it is known it will be available on PC and Xbox 360 like the previous game but will also see its first outing on the PS3.

Bulletstorm Launch Is Here!

By Mark

For those of you based in North America you'll have most likely noticed Bulletstorm launched for you today, and for those of us in the UK and Europe we'll have it on friday. So with a game's launch usually comes a launch trailer and here it is!

Watching through the fairly short trailer gives you a look at what to expect once again and displays rather a lot of 'holy crap' moments. It's easy to see why early review scores have been so favourable, any of you US folk picked it up already?

Steel Diver Trailer

By Mark

During a recent Nintendo 3DS conference Nintendo's US chief Reggie Fils-Aime described upcoming title Steel Diver as a sleeper hit.

The game was originally shown off at E3 2010 as part of a tech demo and was then planned for launch on the regular DS. Since that time however the title has been readied for the 3DS instead, looking to take advantage of the gyro sensing technology to make it feel like you're actually controlling the submarine.

Here's the trailer, be sure to let us know what you think.

New Mass Effect 2 DLC Inbound

By Jonny

It seems that Bioware are still backing  Mass Effect 2 with another piece of DLC entitled Arrival. Bioware have yet to confirm the DLC but a recent patch for the playstation 3 version of the game revealed three brand new trophies under the subheading of Arrival, which is subsequently located right next to the other already released DLC.
The three new Trophies/Achievements are as follows:

• Ultimate Sacrifice
  Complete the Arrival DLC.
• Last Stand
  Complete all 5 waves in the battle for Object Roh.
• Covert Action
  Rescue Dr. Amanda Kenson without attracting hostile attention.

So i'd say this pretty much confirms it but make sure to keep checking back for an update from Bioware themselves.

PC Bulletstorm Demo Coming After Launch

By Mark

For the PC fans of you out there that want to try their hand at 'killing with skill' on Bulletstorm before buying it will get the chance to do so, but after the release date it seems.

Mark Rein, EPIC boss, tweeted the following:

"Bulletstorm PC demo is in the works! Won't make it in time for ship date but should be available shortly after."

So there you have it folks a demo is on the way, Bulletstorm launches this tuesday in the US and on friday in the UK. Anyone excited?

Source - Twitter

Dead Island Movie 'would have to be high quality'

By Mark

It seems that since the amazing revival of Dead Island via the CGI trailer last week a lot of rumours have been flying round that indicate a film adaptation of the game could be in the works.

Deep Silver, now the publisher behind the title, has shed some light on said rumours via their official Facebook page and have said that:

"Lots of rumors have been about regarding a Dead Island movie, and we wanted to let you guys know that we haven't signed on with anyone - yet! ;) And rest assured, a high-quality movie is the #1 thing we're concerned about for a film adaptation."

While the fact that the game is even alive is still news it's no surprise that talk of a movie is afoot, although given the time it's still a ways off that's for sure.