Bodycount Gets A Release Date

Codemasters have today announced that their new game Bodycount will go on sale in North America on August 30th and EMEA Region on 2nd September.

Codemasters describe Bodycount as “delivering outrageous and stylish gunfights. Gamers battle class-based enemies who work together to chase the player down as they hunt the mysterious ‘Target’, a relentlessly evil enemy who manipulate world events under the cover of civil warzones. From the chaotic battlefields of Africa to the dangerous city streets of Asia and monolithic Target bases which the player must infiltrate, Bodycount’s gameplay comes alive as players shred their way through destructible cover and carve a unique wave of destruction through each level”

You can check out the action below

[youtube id="O1cwh6wrTq0" width="600" height="350"]

[Review] Shadows of the Damned – PS3 & Xbox 360

Anyone who has ever played a game by Suda 51 will universally know one thing; it’s going to be crazy. With titles like No More Heroes and Killer 7, it’s always expected that any game coming out of the woodwork will be as weird and surreal as the next. Well, the third-person demon-blasting Shadows of the Damned does not hold back any punches in maintaining such a trend. But is it worth the trip to Hell?

Players take on the role of Garcia Hotspur, a leather-clad, tattoo bearing, motorcycle riding, Mexican badass. You think that’s hardcore enough, you should hear what he does for a living… he hunts and slays demons. Following the suicide of his girlfriend, Paula, the Lord of the Underworld, Flemming, appears and offers Hotspur a deal; he must atone for all the demons he has slain over his lengthy career, in return for Paula’s life. Refusal would result in Paula’s soul being tormented for all eternity. After (foolishly) refusing Flemming’s offer; Hotspur enlists the help of Johnson, a shape shifting demon, and follows Flemming into Hell, and forcefully reclaim Paula’s soul back.

Despite its dark, violent and disturbing exterior; Shadows of the Damned is far from a frightening game. Think of it more of a black comedy horror, because although you walk through the City of the Damned, fighting for the soul of your true love; there is a lot of comical value to the game, which consists of amusing conversations between Hotspur and Johnson, obvious references to numerous films from the past, and a worrying amount of penis jokes.

If filmmaker Robert Rodriguez was ever given the chance to make a Video Game; it’s very likely that Shadows of the Damned would be the end result. With the badass Mexican Demon slayer, his mega-hot, but crazy (and dead) girlfriend, hordes of bloodthirsty “Hell Monkeys”, and crude humour, all within a universe that prides itself on 80’s-esque ultra-violence and jet-black comedy; It all formulates a wonderful homage to B-movies and cult classics that many of us have been brought up on.

There is even one chapter completely dedicated to Sam Raimi’s cult classic video nasty, Evil Dead, and even plays homage to its sequel, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn. You can see that Shadows of the Damned wears all of it’s cinematic inspiration on it’s sleeve, so it can be said that it is an acquired taste to understand the significance of the jokes and references made throughout the game. But for those who will notice the references that Shadows of the Damned makes will admire such moments as the game takes you deeper through such a unique portrayal of the demonic underworld.

Forget your typical fire and Brimstone; Hell, in regards to Shadows of the Damned, is a set number of locations which continue to change as you venture further to the Lord of the Underworlds castle for the finale. Starting off in a Victorian style town, then off to the dark woods, shadowy caves, neon soaked city streets; it all brings diversity to the games level design. However, despite where you are, all you seem to do is the same thing over and over again. You blast through hordes of demons, before looting through areas and solving quick and easy puzzles in order to move on to the next area, where you go on and pretty much do the same.

The majority of the gameplay focuses entirely on third-person gunplay, courtesy of Johnson, a demon that can shape shift into different items of interests, including; a torch to get through the dark, linear levels of the game, weapons, and a motorbike. Unfortunately for us though, the motorbike form of Johnson cannot be used in gameplay. There are three different weapons that Johnson can morph into for Hotspur to use; A Revolver, Machine Gun, and a Shotgun. These may seem like generic weapons of choice, but these particular weapons are supernatural versions of the realistic counterparts, and can be upgradeable with the use of Red Gems, which can be found hidden in the game, or can be purchased from a vicious looking, yet weirdly comical, Redneck sounding Demon, Christopher. Much more powerful versions of your current weapons are earned once you defeat the numerous bosses you encounter in the game. Gunplay can be satisfying, especially when you pop a gouls head like a grape, initiating a slow-motion depiction of brain chunks and eye balls flying in numerous directions. But its once you properly upgrade your arsenal that you feel like a worthy advesary against the demons. For instance, the Skullblaster Shotgun can be upgraded to fire a charged grenade, or the Teether Machine gun can be upgraded to fire projectiles at high speed, which homes in on targeted enemies. All these upgrades can really compliment how you fight larger hordes of Flemming’s demonic legion.

In regards to bosses; they are a sterling example in reflecting Shadows of the Damned’s aged gameplay. Although being an interesting array of demons, the objective always consists of aiming for the weak spot, something that is done way too often in such games. And what’s worse, they can take some hellish damage, with some bosses lasting around 15-20 minutes. When was the last time you enjoyed spending so much time fighting a boss?

Hotspur’s movements as a playable character can be quite clunky, and since a lot of the time your capping-asses in some very agile beasts, the aiming zooms in way too much, making you unaware of other threats around you. However some moves make up for this, including being able to doge enemies attacks fairly easily, and making full 180 degree spins to wipe out anyone who wants to get a cheap back shot.

Even with a game with so much to upgrade and unlockable weapons to make life much easier (as it ever could be, being the most wanted living mortal in Hell); the biggest flaw in Shadow of the Damned is that there is no New Game + mode. Meaning that any unlockable upgrades and weapons you earn cannot be taken over to a brand new game. This makes Shadows of the Damned lack any kind of incentive to replay the main campaign again.

Considering that the same Sound Director of the Silent Hill titles was part of the Shadows of the Damned crew, the sounds in the game are superb. The blasting of your “Boom-stick” (another Evil Dead reference there for you) echoing through the levels, the distant sounds of tortured souls and snarling demons really adds to the atmosphere. And this is even without mentioning the games soundtrack, which is just as good. To say the least, it’s pretty diverse. One minute you might be listening to heavy thrash metal, gothic opera, and the next you’re listening to eerie ambiance that enhances the atmosphere of the dark corners of Shadows of the Damned’s numerous levels. Whatever soundtrack creeps up, it complements the particular moment of the game it’s added to.

Overall:

It’s understandable if you were majorly hyped for a game that was made under collaboration between the guys behind No More Heroes and the Resident Evil franchise. But Shadows of the Damned is not an amazing game, but it is good. It’s very creative in regards to art direction, the chemistry as friends between Johnson and Hotspur is amusing and can deliver some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, combat can be satisfying (despite being uninspiring), and the game is completely self-aware of its parody of generic video game mechanics and 1970’s and 80’s horror films. However, the clunky movement, the occasional glitch in animations and no New Game + mode prevents Shadows of the Damned being a damningly epic game. Hotspur is no Dante, but he’s still worth your attention.

Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Collector’s Edition Announced With VIP Exclusives

Forza Motorsport 4 will be driving into stores on 14 October. Turn 10 announced that, starting today, fans who purchase the Limited Collector’s Edition for £59.99 ERP (available exclusively from GAME and Gamestation) will get the ultimate day-one experience with an additional 25 cars from exclusive car packs and bonus car offers. “Forza Motorsport 4” fans will also be the first in the world to get behind the wheel of the 2012 BMW M5, which was recently unveiled in “Forza Motorsport 4” at the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race in Germany.

Press release:

Be among the first to take the newly announced 2012 BMW M5 for a test drive before the production car comes out in 2012

The meticulously designed 2012 BMW M5 is the most powerful production sedan ever created by BMW’s M division and will be featured on the cover of the “Forza Motorsport 4” Limited Collector’s Edition. The 2012 BMW M5 will be available as part of the “BMW M5 Fan Pack,” available starting at launch to all “Forza Motorsport 4” owners who download it from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. With the BMW M5, fans will be able to experience Autovista mode, where “Top Gear’s” Jeremy Clarkson takes fans on a virtual tour of the world’s most sought-after cars. In addition, the M5 will be added to fans’ garages and a BMW theme will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

“At BMW we are thrilled to offer fans the first chance, whether it’s in game or on the road, to experience the brand new BMW M5 in ‘Forza Motorsport 4,’” said Mr. Ralf Hussmann, general manager BMW Sportmarketing & Cooperation. “‘Forza Motorsport’ players are some of the most loyal and passionate automotive fans in the world, so the choice to partner with Turn 10 Studios to feature our car in the game and on the cover of the Limited Collector’s Edition was an obvious win for BMW. We invite fans everywhere to celebrate the new M5 debut in ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ on 14 October”.

Test your design skills in the brand new “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge

The “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge is inspired by the world-renowned BMW Art Car programme which began in 1975 and has featured some of the greatest artists of our time, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney and Jeff Koons. Bringing together the worlds of art and motorsports, the “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge invites talented artists to paint original pieces on a digital version of the 2010 BMW M6 Coupe. Turn 10 Studios and BMW will select a winning design to bring to life digitally in the game, and complement four other designed cars from the BMW M stable. The other cars will be custom designed by BMW, Turn 10 and other talented artists and will all made available in the Limited Collector’s Edition. Those cars include:

·         2008 BMW M3 E92

·         2008 BMW Z4 M Coupe

·         1981 BMW M1

·         2012 BMW M5

Those interested in entering the design challenge and more information about “Forza Motorsport 4” can find more details at http://www.ForzaMotorsport.net.

Bundled together with a polished Steelbook™ DVD Case, the Limited Collector’s Edition content includes the following:

·         The VIP Car Pack

o   2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

o   2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge

o   2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

o   2010 Noble M600

o   2011 RUF Rt 12 R

·         The limited quantity “Launch Bonus” car pack available for fans who order early

o   1965 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

o   2011 Koenigsegg Agera

o   1997 Lexus SC300

o   2011 RUF RGT-8

o   2011 Tesla Roadster Sport

·         A 10-car add-on pack of American muscle cars (also available for purchase at launch on Xbox LIVE Marketplace)

·         Custom-designed BMW cars from the “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge

·         VIP Membership status within the Forza community, including special recognition in new community features, leaderboards, ForzaMotorsport.net and more

·         A book titled “Cars of Forza Motorsport 4 Presented by Top Gear,” written by the “Top Gear” team, is a stunning 96-page book that describes in-game cars from the Autovista™ experience and features imagery from game and the Top Gear photo library

·         A vinyl sticker set featuring the logos of “Forza Motorsport 4,” “Top Gear” and Turn 10

Fans are encouraged to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” today to ensure they can get their hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition and to receive the “Launch Bonus” car pack as supplies will be limited.

The standard edition of Forza Motorsport 4 will also be available for £49.99 ERP with the following in game car packs available exclusively when pre-ordering with selected retailers:

·         Subaru Impreza WRX STI, available exclusively when pre-ordering at GAME

·         MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, available exclusively when pre-ordering at Gamestation

·         Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, available exclusively when pre-ordering at Amazon.co.uk

·         Honda CR-Z EX, available exclusively when pre-ordering at HMV

·         BMW 1 Series M Coupe, available exclusively when pre-ordering at The Hut, Zavvi.com, Shopto.net and Play.com

[Review] Child of Eden– Xbox 360

Imagine yourself in a rave, glow sticks, fine drinks and great music. Now put that into a game and what do you get? Child of Eden… Just don’t expect the alcohol… Or glow sticks, unless you bring them yourselves.

The game is a very trancey experience, a lot of different colours that burst into a chain reaction with music and rhythm action.  You will find yourself gliding through different matrix’s that are basically different levels that consist of you taking out the “infected” with a “force push” or gun them down with your pink bullets of musical destruction. When you shoot it adds another beat to the music; every arm sweep, another explosion of colour and light also add to the musical elements.The game takes you down crazy paths and putting you into some difficult but interesting situations.

If your looking for a game with a deep storyline, you may need to look elsewhere as the story is just about saving Lumi who is a human intelligence struggling to be born inside the internet (that’s Eden), and you have to defeat the virus that threatens her. That’s all, by the way. The game focuses strongly on music, the game is filled with multiple different sound’s and experience’s in the colourful universe Lumi is trapped in.  I found myself just getting memorized by the different effects and beautiful visuals that were going on in the game.

There are five levels to battle through, and I know that may sound short but it they last sometime per level and there is a lot of replay value due to achievements, unlockables  and leader board scores.  Each level comes together with a nice flow attached with fun gameplay elements and a satisfying finish that makes you feel accomplished.

Now if you look at the game you may thing it’s more an “experience” than a “game”  which actually isn’t the case.  Child of Eden has many different gameplay elements that make it stand out compared to other rhythm games, including a mode that gives you  no-damage, giving you the opportunity you to play for pleasure rather than play to win. It doesn’t feel patronising, just extremely a satisfying experience.

For those that don’t have the Kinect fear not as you can use the Xbox 360 controller and play the game as well, just the whole experience feels a lot more whole with the use of the Kinect functions.

Overall

The game is very interesting and uses the Kinect functions very well. The music and visuals are so beautiful you may become distracted. The game doesn’t have to much depth to it however but is an enjoyable experience that is one to remember. You will find yourself trying to unlock the unlockables as you progress through the levels and achievements.  If you love music and colourful visuals then this is a must have.

Black Eyed Peas To Enter Gaming With Ubisoft

The Black Eyed Peas are to launch a video game with Ubisoft. The game known to be titled The Black Eyed Peas Experience. The title will be a dance simulation featuring the group’s music and likenesses, and was unveiled at a press conference ahead of the hip-hop act’s performance in Paris.

The unavailing of the title revealed that The Black Eyed Peas Experience will use a “revolutionary avatar” system, and will debut first on Xbox 360 and Wii, according to Ubisoft.

The Xbox 360 edition features Kinect functionality and supports up to four players, either four dancers or two dancers and two singers. Players will also have the opportunity to design their own outfits for their avatars.

It is unknown whether a PlayStation 3 edition with Move functionality will launch at a later date, but expect a similar title.

Confirmed tracks include ‘Let’s Get It Started’, ’Boom, Boom, Pow’ and ’Rock That Body’.

The group went on to say that DLC will be released to support the title post-release, and that a full tracklist will be unveiled soon.

A release date for The Black Eyed Peas Experience is yet to be announced.

Here is the debut trailer.

Rock Band 3 DLC for next Tuesday!

These are not my cup of tea but here the latest instalments for the Rock Band 3 DLC

3 Doors Down Pack
“Here Without You”
“When I’m Gone”
“When You’re Young”

Poison Pack
“Nothin’ but a Good Time”
“Talk Dirty To Me”
“Unskinny Bop”

Sonic Generations Details Confirmed

A group of hackers have leaked some vital information for Sonic fans, the hackers have attacked it’s source code and revealed a lot of spoilers... We recommend yous top reading now if you don’t want it to be spoiled.

A lot of the information may not reflect the final build of the game and are subject to change but at this current time the gmae will have the below features included.

Sonic Generations will include these stages  Green Hill, Chemical Plant, Sky Sanctuary, Speed Highway, City Escape, Seaside Hill, Crisis City, Rooftop Run, and Planet Wisp are noted to be in the game, with Casino Night Zone being available for DLC download

A fan of the music? Then Sonic’s memorbale tunes will be included within the package, which are:

Title Screen
a new mix of the menu from Sonic Heroes (probably the actual real game’s menu theme)
Green Hill Classic
Invincible Classic
Green Hill Modern
Green Hill Modern/Boosting
Invincible Modern
Level Clear
Drowning (Oh noo!)
1-Up

The information revealed that Sega refers to the two sonics as ‘Classic’ and ‘Generic’ .

Xbox 360 Could Get Free-To-Play Games

With Valve giving steam players Team Fortress 2 for free, what is next on Valve’s agenda?

Microsoft are  keen to exploit an area of gaming that has only been available to steam users and Facebook users.

Develop‘s sources at Microsoft  have said that there are  talkstaking place with developers with a view to creating free-to-play titles that would be funded with micro-transactions and premium content downloads using Microsoft points.

Skyrim Pre-order Map Bonuses

For those that pre-order Skyrim will receive a pre-order Map bonus. The Map will be a map of the fantasy world that Skyrim is within.

As Todd Howard said all the way back in a Morrowind blog post, “There’s something about having a physical object in your hands that feels like it’s part of this other world, that you are that person in the game, finding your way among the hills.”

With that in mind, today anyone who preorders Skyrim will automatically receive a premium quality world map with their copy as a no-extra-cost-to-you bonus.

To guarantee your copy of your premium quality world map, simply support Push-Start and  preorder  today.

Black Death Gets Short Reveal Trailer

Push-Start reported yesterday on a new announced title that is going to be known as Black Death. Today we received the first trailer for Black Death, which reveals not much. It’s 9 seconds long and is a quick cutting montage building up to the title logo.