-Dave

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Guitar Hero continues to re-define the music and gaming experience this Fall with the release of Guitar Hero 5. Featuring the best variety and biggest rock stars of today combined with classic rock anthems, Guitar Hero 5 is the latest installment of the world’s most popular music game. For the first time ever, players can customize the make-up of their band by rocking with any combination of instruments in-game: whether it be two guitars and two drums, or three guitars and a microphone, any combination is possible, allowing players to experience music their own way. Brand new, innovative, easy-to-use gameplay modes like Party Play and RockFest put fun, competition and control at center stage as fans tailor the Guitar Hero experience to match their personal style and interests. For extended hours of entertainment, downloadable content from Guitar Hero® World Tour will be compatible with the game and will automatically be updated to include all of the upgrades and enhancements of Guitar Hero 5.*

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including; Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut.

“Guitar Hero is the music platform for today because it celebrates the social nature of music and brings fans closer to the music and artists they love while allowing them to share and discover music with their friends, family and online communities,” said Dan Rosensweig, president and chief executive officer of Guitar Hero.

Among the first-time-ever features of Guitar Hero 5 are: Party Play, where players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly; RockFest, a comprehensive competitive experience available featuring five new head-to-head modes playable online or in your living room; and the ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on.

Guitar Hero 5 refines the player experience, enhances the art style and redesigns core features such as GHMusic StudioSM, making it the most accessible, fun-to-play and authentic experience for seasoned music gamers as well as first-time players. New innovations such as Band Moments, where bands are rewarded for hitting special note streams together and song challenges where gamers are tasked to play through a song a specific way, add a new competitive layer of excitement and accomplishment to the music rhythm genre.

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Bioshock 2 takes us back to the undersea city of Rapture ten years after the end of the first game. You play as a Big Daddy in search of his Little Sister, but not just any Big Daddy. You are the first ever created somehow brought back to life. As the original person to assume the role of the gigantic protector of the Little Sisters, progressing though the 8 massive levels of the game you come to realize that not only is there so much more to who you are, but that the main antagonist, Sofia Lamb, is also not what she seems. Lamb has been kidnapping young girls for years to supplement the aging Little Sister population. You’re ties to her and the Little Sister that you have come in search of becomes apparent as you play through the game.

2K Games spent the last few years expanding on the already spectacular city under the ocean. While none of Bioshock 2 takes place in the locations of the original Bioshock, the developers have done a great job carrying over the feel of the first game. The art deco environments look spectacular even through the entire city is in disarray. Whether you are walking around the slums of Pauper Drop or the supposed glamour of Fontaine Futuristics, you can’t help but wonder how Rapture would have looked in its glory days.

Not only were there new locations created for the sequel, but new enemies as well. All four of the Splicers are back as well as the Big Daddies. They have amped up a bit more on ADAM over the ten years making the Splicers a bit more formidable especially the Spider Splicers. Three new and very powerful enemies make their debut: Brute Splicers, Alpha Series, and Big Sisters. Brute Splicers are tanks with massive physical strength, the Alpha Series are the new Big Daddies without Little Sisters to worry about, and the Big Sisters are very powerful and fast opponents, which will attack without mercy.

The gameplay for Bioshock 2 is pretty much the same as the first game: instructions are given to you over the radio by allies for you to follow and separate exploration of the levels. Many of the missions given to you by your ally, Sinclair, have you disabling transmitters, defeating enemies, or simply finding ways to bypass obstacles. You will also hear from the little sister who is all grown up, Eleanor, on some objectives.

Taking over the role of a Big Daddy also gives you the abilities that gave many players so much trouble while fighting against the Big Daddies in the first Bioshock. You start with a drill and quickly earn the rivet gun. By the end of the game, you will also have a rocket launcher, machine gun, spear gun, and shotgun to choose from for fighting off the Splicers. The Power to the People stations makes a return appearance from the first Bioshock to enable up to 14 upgrades to your weapons. Each weapon can be upgraded up to three times. However, this time there are not enough stations to upgrade every weapon so you have to be wise about how you use the upgrades.

Researching and hacking are back as well. Instead of a one-shot film camera, you get a video camera to capture the bad guys in action to increase your damage against them and earn tonics. Hacking ammo, vending and health machines will ensure that you do not blow through the money you find too fast. Thankfully, the hacking mini game has changed. All you have to do is press a button when a moving needle passes over a green or blue section on a bar. Land on the white and you’ll get a shock losing some health; land on the red and an alarm will go off alerting security drones.

This wouldn’t be a Bioshock game without Plasmids. Those fantastic powers with names like Telekinesis, Incinerate, Winter Blast, Electro Bolt, Scout, and Decoy are back and as powerful as ever. Using Winter Blast to freeze and enemy before bashing his head in or Incinerate to fry off some health will help you fight your way through the game. While you don’t have to have every of the 11 Plasmid in order to advance through the levels, make sure Telekinesis, Incinerate, Winter Blast and Electro Bolt are in your inventory. They help immensely.

You can purchase and upgrade Plasmids with ADAM at the Gatherer Garden machines. ADAM can be obtained by either saving or harvesting the Little Sisters you encounter. However, there is a new twist: since you are Big Daddy, you can adopt the Little Sisters after you defeat the other Big Daddy protecting them. This way they can harvest ADAM from the dead for you. After they are finished, you’ll have the choice of saving the Little Sister or harvesting them. Be aware that whatever your choice is after you take care of the Little Sisters in each level you will have to face a Big Sister. Make sure you stuck up on ammo before she arrives.

Moral choices play a larger role this time around then they did in the last game. How you treat the Little Sisters and the “bosses” will influence how much ADAM you get and the ending. Remember that your decisions will influence Eleanor as well. She becomes instrumental at the end of the game.

The major difference between Bioshock 2 and Bioshock is the inclusion of multiplayer. There are 10 levels taken from the first Bioshock like Arcadia and the Medical Pavilion in which you can play Survival of the Fittest (deathmatch), Capture the Sister (capture the flag), ADAM Grab 9kill of the hill), and a few other play modes. The entire multiplayer experience is set in a time period before the fall of Rapture. You are a Splicer who tests the Plasmids and weapons you’ll earn as you level up on other Splicers and Big Daddies.

While you are originally a Splicer, you can find a suit that will turn you into a Big Daddy in most of the matches. You can also hack machines for ammo and eve as well as booby-trap them against other players. One of the more innovative aspects of the multiplayer is researching opponents that have been killed. After researching them, you gain a damage increase against them. This could mean the difference during a head-to-head fight.

I liked my return trip to Rapture. Being a Big Daddy was fun. The story was solid, but not as memorable as the first Bioshock. The environment, while gorgeous, wasn’t as shocking as the first time, but that may be because I was ready for it. Those who have not player Bioshock will probably get more from Bioshock 2, but overall I think it was a solid and fun, if not slightly predictable, sequel.

ESRB Rating: Mature          Avg. playtime: Story -10 hours          One-time playthrough Gamerscore: 760

Replay value: Story –Moderate; Multiplayer -High          Multiplayer: Yes

-Tim Fischer
Managing Editor
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The story in the game is very simple; aliens are trying to take over your planet and you’re fighting back. As you go from level to level, you will encounter very different types of aliens that become hard to defeat and come in greater numbers. The boss battles get progressively harder, too. The story mode is the full story mode, including the Plutonium Pak, from the original computer game. XBLA didn’t jip us on the good story which was a big plus.

As for the online play, Duke Nukem 3D can get really intense. One of the biggest drawbacks of the online play is that you cannot pick what level or how many people you want to play. However, other platforms had more online game options like capture the flag and tag. For what Duke Nukem 3D has in the way of online play for the 360, it’s still pretty good if you can find enough people to play with online. This game also has and option for system link and online Co-OP

Overall, this is a very good XBLA game. Story mode is very good, but the online play could have been done better.

Genre: First-Person Shooter    Developer(s): 3D Realms (Apogee Software)    Publisher: Take-Two   Microsoft Points: 800

-Jesse Large

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The story mode in this game focuses on both the Casino Royale and the Quantum of Solace movies, which can get a little tricky to follow as the story jumps around a bit. They also added some extra gunfights and actions sequences not seen in the movies. You will fight from Italy to Miami  in this game while encountering a wide variety of levels. You even get to chase the bomb-maker though a city in Madagascar. One of the most unique aspects of the gameplay that I enjoyed about this title was during some of the video sequences you are able to control Bond as he fights some of the bosses. Your control is very limited, but as least you have some.

As for the online multiplayer, it’s the same as COD4.  Quantum of Solace supports 12 players online. Some of the different online matches that can be played are Bond Versus, Team Conflict, Golden Gun, and Conflict just to name a few. Several map paks are out for the game, which really bring a wide variety to the online playing field. Being how this is a 2008 game, there are still a lot of people playing this online.

There are many things that could have been done differently, but all in all, it’s an okay game. If you’re not looking for a great story then this would be a good online shooter to pass the time until the game you’re looking to buy comes out.

Developer: Treyarch  Publisher: Activision   ESRB: Teen   Genre: First Person Shooter

-Jesse Large

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The Bible’s Book of Revelations tells the story of the end of the modern world brought forth by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse with the breaking of seven seals, which then leads to a holy war between Heaven and Hell. Sounds like the making of a great video game.

Vigil Games has taken this prophecy and given it a twist: What if all but the last seal were broken and one of the Four Horsemen was blamed for the resulting war? Welcome to Darksiders. Human population 0.

You play as the character War, one of the Four Horsemen, who enforces the edicts of the Charred Counsel, a neutral body that pretty much sets the rules between Heaven and Hell. When the apocalypse occurs on Earth, angles and demons are fighting in the streets before War arrives without being summoned. This leads to the annihilation of the human race at the hands of one called the Destroyer.

After War returns to the Counsel he is blamed for the destruction and stripped of most of his power. He is then sent back to Earth a century later to avenge the premature war and the destruction of civilization. The Watcher, a sprite bonded to War by the Counsel, is sent with him to ensure that he follows the order. He also acts as a guide when you do not know exactly what to do next.

As you progress through the story you come to realize that things are not as they seem. Finding out who the Destroyer is and how to stop him is not necessarily as straight forward as you think. This is Heaven and Hell we are talking about. Things can not be taken at face value.

Darksiders is an action/adventure game (with some puzzle thrown in for good measure) in the same vein as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (exploration of different connect lands) and Devil May Cry (combo moves and purchasable upgrades). You progress though the levels earning back your strength and power by finding chests which contain items, defeating boss characters and using Volgrim, a vendor of items that can be purchased with the souls of defeated enemies and by selling 27 artifacts that are scattered throughout the world.

War can acquire powers through Volgrim. These four wrath abilities can be upgraded through Volgrim for a price. Blade geyser (ring of swords), immolation (fire) and affliction (poison) are all great for crowd control. The Forth wrath ability, stoneskin, increases durability and offensive damage.

Being that War is a being of rage and vengeance, he does come equipped with the means to smite his enemies. Chaoseater is War’s sword and only weapon at the start, but you can buy a scythe from Volgrim and find the Tremor Gauntlet while playing. All three weapons’ power can be increased up to four levels simple by using them to strike enemies. There are also enhancements that can be assigned to each weapon giving War abilities such as increased damage, more souls per kill, increased armor, and other talents.

Also be on the lookout for equipment that you will need to progress though the levels. There are a total of six pieces of gear that you will need to find. Two, the crossblade and Mercy, are weapons. The other four, the Abyssal Chain, Voidwalker, Earthcaller, and the Mask of Shadows, either help you to progress through levels or see objects that were hidden before. With every new piece of equipment you find you are going to want to go back to previous levels to see how the new ability helps you find chests.

Overall the game is what I would consider average. The story which is compelling at first, turns into the predictable “It’s all for the greater good” scenario, but if what you are looking for is a solid action game to occupy you for about 15 hours give Darksiders a shot.

ESRB Rating: Mature       Avg. playtime: 15-20 hours       One-time playthrough Gamerscore: 810       Replay value: Low       Multiplayer: No

-Tim Fischer

Managing Editor

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Game Continues to Set Retail Sell-Through Records

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan 13, 2010 – Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to set sell-through records crossing the $1 billion mark in retail sales worldwide since its launch in November, according to internal Activision estimates.

In its first five days alone, the game sold an estimated $550 million worldwide, outpacing five-day worldwide theatrical box office gross figures for such films as Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Night, according to internal Activision estimates and boxofficemojo.com.

“Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 has exceeded our expectations and shattered theatrical box office and video game records,” said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “There are only a handful of entertainment properties that have ever reached the $1 billion mark, which illustrates the power of the Call of Duty franchise and mass appeal of this game.”

Modern Warfare 2 is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language. For additional information about the game, visit www.modernwarfare2.com.

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As the player, you will have to choose which side you are on. Whichever side you choose will change how Act 2 is played out. While the game officially has 51 levels, you will only play 39 after making your choose of sides. An additional playthrough on the opposite side will be required to play the other levels.

Just like the original Marvel Ultimate Alliance, you earn experience points to level up your heroes by defeating enemies. All player-controlled powers are maxed out by level 60, but the support abilities will take a bit longer since they require collection of orbs to update. Instead of being able to choose which powers you like to use as you did in the first game you are given four powers that can only be upgraded and not switched out.

Although the four-man fighting style is primarily the same as it was in the first Ultimate Alliance, Vicarious Visions incorporated powerful combination attacks for each character to perform with one another which they have dubbed fusions. There are three types of fusion: clearing takes out an ever growing area from a central location, guided gives you control of the heroes as they run around the room doing damage, and targeted which focuses on only one enemy, but is by far the most powerful. There are almost 300 fusion attacks that can be used with any combination of characters. Using fusions will make the many boss battles easier.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 has 21 playable characters that can be unlocked throughout the game, but you should also be on the lookout for collectable audio files, power-ups, and character unlocks. With the collection of 5 of each character unlocks (Asgardian Runes, M’kraan Crystal, and Gamma Regulator) you will gain three additional and very powerful characters. HINT HINT

Multiplayer can played over Xbox Live or on the same system through the same three acts as the single player mode. However, remember that teamwork is the key. Fusions can not be performed with a desired character if that character is being controlled by another player unless both players press the button to trigger it.

The trivia game and simulation rooms from the first game make an appearance. But instead of each character having their own simulation there are only 12 types like protect, destroy, survival, etc.

One playthrough on legendary takes about 15 hours since you will have to play the game at least twice to get all the collectables and levels. Expect a gamerscore of approximately 670 for both playthroughs. Overall, I have you give high marks to Vicarious Visions for creating an enjoyable game.

Tim Fischer
Managing Editor
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Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis wrote an original script for the game which takes place two years after Ghostbusters 2. The Museum of Natural History in New York is about to open a section on Gozer, the big baddie from the original movie. But of course, it does not go as planned. Someone or something causes a spectral explosion which releases ghosts into New York City. Thankfully, the Ghostbusters, now government approved, are on-hand to take care of the mess throughout the 7 stages. The story pulls heavily from the first movie plot and, to be honest, I think it would have made a better sequel than the second movie.

Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson reprise their roles as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddmore respectively. You’ll also hear the voices of some of the other original movie cast which help to immerse you into the story.

But every good story needs to have the gameplay to back it up. And Terminal Reality really hit the nail on the head. Even with a few questionable functions (press B to run?) the gameplay was more or less intuitive. It’s not easy to hit a target, but that’s part of the fun. Most of the environment can be destroyed and will be because capturing the ghosts takes patience and timing. This is not a run and gun game. You have to wear down your enemy before throwing the trap out.

The game starts you with the proton thrower. But you earn three other weapons during the course gameplay. A shock blaster, slime blower and meson collider make up the progressively more powerful weapons. Each one has a second function which you will find handy and all weapons can be upgraded with the money you earn from capturing ghosts.

You also get to use the trusty PKE meter to find and scan ghosts and objects in the environment. But, except for the few achievements that coincide with it, the PKE meter is useful only when the story tells you to use it.

Multiplayer is where you really get the feeling of being a Ghostbuster. You get to hunt ghosts in either four campaign modes or seven job modes. Basically, all you are really doing is hunting down and capturing ghosts even in the survival mode. But with the new ghost types and communicating with up to three other players about tactics you truly get the feeling of what it would be like to hunt the living impaired.

I had a lot of fun with Ghostbusters the Video Game. The campaign is very short with a less than 8 hour completion time, but the multiplayer more than makes up for that. One playthrough on the experienced difficulty garnered 730 in gamerscore. Give this game a shot even if you are not a fan. At the very least, you’ll rack up a lot of gamerscore and get a good laugh from a fantastic story.

-Tim Fischer

Managing Editor

Gamertag: porkroll1711

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The campaign starts with your ODST squad preparing to jump into New Mombasa before the slipstream rupture that occurs in the first half of Halo 2. While falling to the city, your team is diverted from the main objective and scattered. The Rookie is the first person you control in the darkened city. Throughout the 10 levels you will jump back and forth between him and the other members of you squad as the story relays what happened to them after the slipstream event. Each squad members’ tale takes place at a different time of day in the game with the Rookie having to find the clues to what happened to them all.

Keep in mind that whoever you are playing at the time is human; you are not a Spartan. Your melee is not as powerful and you can not duel wield like the Master Chief. Run and gun is not for ODST. Stealth is a huge factor in this game. Sometimes it is best to let the patrols stroll on by.

While the other squad members’ levels take place during the daytime, the Rookie is mostly at night. This is when the Visr becomes handy. Instead of an onscreen map like the other Halo games, this time you have a night vision type visor that relays information in colored outlines. Red for Covenant forces, green for allies and yellow for stations you can interact with.

Your weapons do not vary much from the other Halo titles except for the suppressed SMG and the hand gun. Halo 2 and 3 weakened the hand gun so much it was usually tossed by most players as soon as possible. Now the gun is your go to weapon. It’s accurate and powerful. Keep it handy and you will destroy the Grunts and Jackals.

As you progress through the game you have to discover why the Covenant is still in New Mombasa. There are stations that will glow bright yellow when you have your Visr on. These stations will give to one of 30 audio downloads that tell the story of a young girl named Sadie who is trying to find her father during the attack. Without giving away too much of the plot Sadie discovers the other reason the Covenant attacked Earth. Do your best to find the audio downloads. It really does make the story that much better.

The multiplayer mode Firefight is kind of like Gears of War 2 Horde mode. Four waves per round of Covenant attack up to four players. What makes ODST different is that the skulls from Halo 3 become active as each wave is defeated. Even on easy Firefight can become very difficult in the later rounds.

One playthrough on normal net me 535 gamerscore and took almost 8 hours to complete. It’s not a long campaign, but testing yourself in legendary and in the Firefight mode will guarantee you play this Halo 3: ODST for a long time.

Tim Fischer

Managing Editor

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