Aliens: Colonial Marines Collectors Edition Revealed
Looking at the image you will notice that it appears there will be 3 exclusive in-game multiplayer weapons, a new game mode, a dossier and a resin display model to bog at. Aliens: Colonial Marines is due this spring.
The picture of the Collector’s Edition was pulled from the Internet but that’s what ‘save picture as’ and print screen buttons are for. It’s due for Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Nintendo 3DS and the WiiU
CES 2012 Gaming Report from the Sony Keynote
While we don’t come to CES necessarily expecting big news in the gaming world, it’s hard not to look to the big reveals of previous years such as the NES and the original Xbox. You can’t help but hope for something big each time the annual CES press conferences come round.
Not to mention that this is Microsofts last year at CES so maybe the stakes are slightly higher this time since they may want to go out on a bang!
Here at Push-Start, we’re focused on the gaming side of CES 2012, so don’t come expecting to find out the latest on 3D Tv’s and HD Camcorders, instead come to read the content that matters to you, the gamer. You’ll find two articles, one for the Sony Keynote, and one for the Microsoft Keynote. Below, you’ll find the Sony wrap up, head over here for the Microsoft one.
Sony Roundup
Many of Sony’s announcements this year CES were, as expected, technology and entertainment focused. New applications and services were at the forefront, especially in reference to the Playstation Vita. So, without further ado, here’s a roundup of what went down at the Keynote for gamers.
Music Unlimited will be arriving for Playstation Vita on Day One. Music Unlimited for the PS Vita will offer a service that combines a number of aspects from other popular music services such as iTunes (iCloud), Spotify and Last FM. Artist recommendations as well as music that is instantly accessible on all platforms will allow users of the PS Vita to access their music library wherever they go, another plus for the 3G version.
Netflix will also be heading to the Playstation Vita in the US (though we expect it to follow to other territories soon as Netflix has just launched in the UK), with Sony again aiming for a day one release. Details are scarce at the moment, though expect a similar service to that on the iPhone and Android Netflix App. It is unconfirmed whether this will require a WiFi connection, or if it will support 3G connections also, as the mobile app currently does.
The Playstation Certified programme was brought to the forefront again with discussion of the new Sony Tablets including the dual screen Sony Tablet P. The scheme brings playstation content to new Sony devices such as Playstation 1 classics. This was seen last year with the Sony Xperia Play device.And that brings Sony’s announcements to a close. Not a huge pull for gamers, but a few important announcements and precedents show that Sony are open for more ‘Apps’ and services for the PS Vita, especially when it comes to entertainment possibilities, it’s certainly looking like the handheld will have a strong feature set when it launches 22nd February.
Not to feel left out, the Playstation 3 will be getting a new Video Editing application called PlayMemories Studio. This tool will allow you to use your controller to edit together photos and video clips. Other features such as YouTube upload are expected, but have not been announced. Hopefully the application will feature an intuitive interface allowing everyone to get to grips with what generally is seen as a complicated process. This service will also be available on the PS Vita, as well as many other connected Sony devices such as their Android phones, Tablets, HD TV’s and even their Vaio Laptop line.
The Playstation Vita can be pre-ordered from a number of retailers, so be sure to get your order in to get yours when it’s released later next month.
Mad Catz® reveal The SOULCALIBUR™V Arcade FightStick Soul Edition
While I can’t say that I’m much of a fighter, both in real life and in the video game world, the idea of having the arcade experience at home has always interested me.
Those wonderful peripheral designers over at Mad Catz have just announced their new FightStick designed for use with SoulCalibur V and all other major fighting games.
Featuring an 8-Button Layout with Multi-Speed Turbo functionality, the FightStick also is produced using Premium-Quality components with a Genuine Namco Noir Layout! While I can’t speak for FightSticks myself, I’m sure this will interest fans who will want to start saving as the price is coming in at an RRP of $159.99 US/ £149.99 UK / €159.99 FR.
The entire feature set, as well as various images can be seen over at their official site, as well as options for ordering for either the Xbox 360 or PS3.
“We are pleased to be working with Namco Bandai Games and supporting the launch of SOULCALIBUR V with our portfolio of fighting game controllers.” said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. “As market leader in the FightStick sector, it is important we partner with the leading fighting game franchises and continue our long-term strategy of supporting the product category and community by delivering specialty products for the passionate consumer.”
SoulCalibur V launches for the Xbox 360 and PS3 January 31st (US) and February 3rd (Europe) 2012.
Netflix Arrives in the UK and Ireland
Today it was announced that the popular entertainment streaming service Netflix would be crossing the pond. Yup, if you’re living in the UK or Ireland and you’re willing to be separated from £5.99 a month you can access Netflix and its bountiful selection of films and TV programmes. If you’re not quite sure about the service and in need of a little persuasion then you’ll be happy to know that the first month is free for everyone across multiple platforms, all you need to do is head over Netflix.com. If you’re wondering what devices support Netflix then look no further than about an inch below this paragraph;
- Smart TVs
- Game Consoles (Wii, 360, PS3)
- Blu-ray Players
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Mobile Phones
“We are starting 2012 in the best possible way: by giving consumers in the UK and Ireland an amazing entertainment experience,” said Reed Hastings, co-founder and chief executive officer of Netflix. “Now, you can enjoy as many great films and TV programmes as you want, when you want, where you want, for one low monthly price with no contracts or commitments.”
At launch, Netflix is offering films and TV programmes from All3Media, the BBC, CBS, Channel 4’s 4oD, Disney UK & Ireland, ITV, Lionsgate UK, MGM, Miramax, Momentum Pictures, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Viacom International Media Networks, there will be more than enough to satisfy anyone that is thinking of adopting the service into their home.
Resident Evil Raccoon City Gets ‘Triple Impact’ Trailer
Capcom have just released a brand new Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City Triple Impact Trailer which shows off the brutal triple threat combat between the Umbrella Security Service, US Spec Ops and zombies and B.O.W’s.
Introducing the six members of the US Spec Ops team – Tweed, Dee-Ay, Harley, Willow, Shona and Party Girl. Sent into the ill-fated Raccoon City to determine the source of the mysterious T-virus outbreak the US Spec Ops team will use their elite skills and training to defeat the USS team and ensure the truth behind the outbreak is revealed.
Compete in single player campaign or team up with up to three friends and take on the role of a member of the crack USS squad and battle against all the opposing forces at play in Raccoon City. With the zombies and B.O.W’s adding chaos to the action and the return of favourite Resident Evil enemies all roads will lead to hell when Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City releases on March 23rd across Europe for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The PC version will follow shortly after console release.
Max Payne 3 Screens Celebrate the New Year with Sun and Explosions
2011 Game of the Year awards are still coming in, yet here in 2012 we’re gearing up for games that are no doubt going to be nominated for next year. One of these games is Max Payne 3, and if the three most recent screenshots are anything to go by, it’s looking to be a good chance indeed.
Each shows off a different aspect of what we can expect from the third entry in the seminal noir action game. The first shows of the controversial change in setting and character for Max, swapping the dark snow swept street of “Noir York City” for the sun bleached favelas of Brazil. Payne himself has also changed, from leather coat cop to bald headed badass.
Next up, we can catch a glimpse of the new cover system, another controversial feature some believe may detract from the previous entries bullet-time ballet.
Finally Rockstar and Max have seen in the new year like everyone else – with a visually pleasing explosion, although on a very different level to the usual fireworks.
Max Payne 3 is looking to be one of the first must-have games of a very interesting year and will be available for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 March 2012.
Screenshot leak reveales two new Street Fighter X Tekken characters
M.Bison and Ling Xiaoyu have been revealed to be joining the Street Fighter X Tekken cast. But it seems Capcom were planning to reveal them later rather then sooner as knowledge about the new characters came via a leaked screen shot rather then an official announcement from Capcom.
M.Bison has been a important part of the Street Fighter series history, from giving players joypad throwing fits in Street Fighter II and Street Fighter Alpha 3, to being a very competitive character in the Street Fighter tourney scene. Ling Xiaoyu has been a lovable (and deceptively powerful if tricky to use) character in the Tekken series, starting when she made her debut in Tekken 3 for the PlaySation (along with her Panda). So her inclusion isn’t a surprise either.
Personally, the more the merrier and I hope Capcom have some more surprises in store for us for Street Fighter X Tekken, even though the release date for the game (early 2012) is fast approaching.
Review – [Revisited] BioShock 2
With Bioshock Infinite due next year, I take a look back at the second title in the series.
Bioshock 2 features the same diverse art style, graphics and sound design of the original to create an amazing atmosphere as you roam the under water city of Rapture. With rich storytelling and enjoyable multiplayer, it’s a welcome return for one of the most interesting games of this generation.
Fans of the original will not be disappointed here. While the reigns of the series has been handed over to a multitude of other 2k game studios, the new team has clearly done their research into how Ken Levine with ‘Irrational games’ (System Shock, Freedom Force) created the original masterpiece, taking inspiration and also evolving the game into something that shows just how unique the world of Bioshock is.
Taking place in the underwater utopian turned dystopian world of Rapture, you traverse through many giant areas of the city attempting to rescue a girl, your ‘little sister’ as her Big Daddy. These terms may seem odd to those who are not aware of the universe this game occurs in, I shall fill you in; The world of Rapture was created by Andrew Ryan, fed up of the controlled communist world, he designed an underwater city where the brightest minds from science to literature could all live and work together productively. Soon, ‘Adam’ was discovered, a liquid of sorts, that could grant people superhuman abilities by literally rewriting their genetic code. ‘Plasmids’ were injections, hugely diverse in their applications. From cosmetics, to weapons that would allow you to throw fire or lighting from your fingertips, or even force your enemies to attack each other. Of course, addictions followed, and world took a dive into a broken society of deranged people known as ‘Splicers’. ‘Little sisters’ were created to harvest ‘Adam’ from corpses, and the ‘Big Daddy’s’ were designed as their protectors, depicted similarly to early 20th Century diving suits, huge hulking and menacing beings.
The story of the original was a rollercoaster, and the ending was especially impressive, however what made the original so amazing was the sense of discovery, this broken society under the sea, hidden from view. The sequel doesn’t quite have the same feeling of discovery as you have already ventured through the world once, however, since you are traversing through new areas, all unique and beautiful, this is not a big issue.
The story of this sequel took me a little longer to get involved with, but a number of sequences through the mid and end points of the game, featuring large set pieces and emotional moments brought it all together. In this world, Sophia Lamb is the new Andrew Ryan as it takes place many years after the original. She has the same dominant overtones, with a large influence on the environment. With all the little touches including the writing on the walls, pictures and audio diaries, these all come together to create an amazing sense of what this world once was, and how far it has fallen. Every area is filled with a huge amount of unique objects, almost as if the world hit pause when the downfall occurred, giving you the chance to pick up the pieces and see the world as how it once would have been.
Gameplay wise, this will feel very similar to the fans of the original, using the same engine and control scheme. What gives this game something new is the aspect that you play as a Big Daddy, granting you much more power and tools to use in combat. One of which is the duel wielding abilities, where you can have a plasmid in one hand and a weapon in the other, operating both independently, allowing you to approach combat in a huge variety of ways. The drill is also a welcome addition, allowing you to literally rip people apart as well as charge to stun. The main situations you encounter in the game are directly opposite to those in the original. This time as a big daddy you are tasked with defending ‘Little Sisters’ as they gather ADAM, in contrast to the original where you were tasked with killing the big daddy to get to the ‘Little Sister’. A new enemy, the ‘Big Sister’ gives you a little more challenge in an impromptu fast paced boss fight from time to time.
Each level is huge and intricate, meaning you will want to explore every nook and cranny of the great open level design as you go from area to area. Of course, the water is back, creating some impressive set pieces where the environment crumbles under the power of the flooding water. As well as being hugely visually impressive, it creates a very panicked mood, as well as the sense of isolation and being trapped in a number of occasions. The underwater walking areas are new to the series, as you now occupy a diving suit, and while they may be linear paths, they serve as a nice break from the action, allowing you to slowly plod through the underbelly of the city.
Upgrading your abilities makes a return. Using the ADAM that you collect you can upgrade your plasmids, or purchase gene tonics which act as boosts to your non-active abilities, ranging from making you better at hacking turrets and cameras, or giving you more stealthily abilities to sneak up on your enemies. The research camera this time does video; giving you the chance to improve your damage to certain enemies of even grant you with new gene tonics.
By far, the biggest contrast to the single player centric design of the original is the new multiplayer in the sequel. Developed by Digital Extremes, they took all of the mainstays from the solo game into the multiplayer arena to create something very enjoyably, complete with XP and leveling system as seen in most online shooters. Creating a unique setup and story for this mode helps settle itself in the universe, taking place before the solo games with you playing as test subjects for the plasmids. The controls here are a little more responsive, but the shooting feels slightly weaker and less powerful. The uniqueness of the Bioshock world shows itself with the plasmid use as well as the research camera, allowing you to get damage boosts over foes. While this will never reach the same levels of popularity of mainstream shooters such as Call of Duty, it does offer something a little different in the overcrowded genre.
It’s very hard to do the game justice in a written review, but you owe it to yourself to play both of the Bioshock games. The sequel brings many new additions to the table, and successfully tells another tale in the world of Rapture, and you’ll find yourself itching for more when its over, with it’s stunning design and atmosphere, as well as the sense of isolation and decay, you won’t find anything this year like it.
Devil May Cry HD Collection Release Date Confirmed
It seems like HD reboots and higher resolution collections are becoming a new trend within the gaming industry, here’s something else to add to the pile. A release date has finally been confirmed for the Devil May Cry HD Collection. Capcom’s latest release will hit the shelves April 3rd, 2012 in Europe and North America, adding to the already busy period. The HD Collect will include the first Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening Special Edition. The collection will also feature some bonus content and support for Trophies and Achievements, meaning it will be available on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
GOTY Winner Skyrim Ships 10 Million Worldide
It has surfaced that a staggering 10 million units of Bethesda Softworks’ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have been shipped across the globe for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, accumulating approximately $650 (£400) million in sales since its release on November 11. The PC version of Skyrim in North America outsold all other PC games by a factor of over three to one in the month of its release. Large retail orders across all platforms and record-breaking digital sales reflect the ongoing global demand by consumers excited to explore and experience this extraordinary fantasy epic.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has already adorned over 20 ‘Game of the Year’ awards from major outlets worldwide, including winning the top honor of Game of the Year at the 2011 Video Game Awards which are voted on by a panel of editors from the industry’s most respected magazines and websites. In addition, Skyrim has received ‘GOTY’ awards from numerous other game critics, which, to date include such respected media outlets as G4TV, Official Xbox Magazine and Machinima.com. Skyrim was named ‘Most -Played Game of 2011’ by Raptr, based on research data which confirms its highly popular gameplay experience.
“We are gratified that Skyrim continues to garner high review scores and accolades around the world,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “We are most grateful to our fans for their support and enthusiasm for the game, and their love of the hundreds of hours of gameplay it offers. We continue to strive to deliver the highest quality entertainment experience for everyone. 2012 will be another huge year for our fans, with the release of the Creation Kit, as well as exciting DLC which will add to the richness of this epic adventure.”
“Skyrim is the fastest selling title in Steam’s history” said Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development at Valve Corporation. “Bethesda’s commitment to and understanding of the PC as a gaming platform shows in the great review scores, spectacular launch, and continued high player numbers that the game has received. We are delighted that Bethesda chose to use Steamworks to support Skyrim both at retail and digitally.”
To date, Skyrim has received well over 200 perfect review scores worldwide, earning the highest praise from some of the industry’s most influential critics including: G4TV, GameSpy, Wired, Eurogamer, Destructoid, GamePro, Official Xbox Magazine, Joystiq, The Guardian, Famitsu and GamesRadar.
