News has been released that the upcoming map pack for Call of Duty 4 is going to be released for the Xbox 360 on the 3rd of April due to a timed exclusive deal with Microsoft. The PS3 will get the map packs 3 weeks later than the 360.

Gr1mmy

Labels: Call of Duty

I'm off to Portugal for a week so don't expect any posts from me. However, im sure Grimmy will tell you any important news in my absence.

Just for reference, here are all of the games I own or have owned for the PS3:

PES 08, Skate., Call of Duty 4, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Resistance: Fall of Man, The Orange Box, The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Army of Two, Burnout Paradise, Virtua Tennis 5, Motorstorm, Assassins Creed, Gran Turismo HD, Locoroco Cocoreccho, Super Stardust HD, Tekken DR, Kula World, Theme Hospital, Warhawk, PAIN, Go! Ski, Go! Skydiving.

(That equates to £410 of games; *faints*)

Matt

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Misc.

New details about GTA4's radio stations have been released. The stations' names and genres are as follows:

WKTT - Talk radio station
IF99 - Funk
Vladivostok FM - Eastern European music
K109 -Disco

Do not fear though, these four stations are of eighteen on the game.

Matt

Labels: Grand Theft Auto, Matthew Meadows

According to a Kotaku source, 'Playstation Home' and 'Rachet: Quest for Booty' are set for July releases. Also, a Resistance 2 trailer will be released on April 15th.

Matt

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Playstation Home, Rumor

EU Games
Sega Superstar Tennis
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2

North American Games
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds
Sega Superstars Tennis
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2

Asian Games
Armored Core: For Answer
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Army of Two

The only decent looking game in the EU seems to be Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, but the USA gamers might want to buy Condemned 2: Bloodshot or Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds.

Matt

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Releases

This is how it should be done. Cross-console development for the PS3 has traditionally been shoddy, however, this game sets a bench-mark for how these games are ported from console to console. Anyway, let's get down to business.

The first thing that strikes you in the game is the quality of the graphics. Cars look detailed compared to their real-life counterparts (car models/brands are not licensed), without taking themselves too seriously; a caricature of the original you might say. The streets look nice, with a moody tint on the textures, but nothing too special.

Gameplay is fun, with ultra-tight controls and fun drifting that makes the game easy to pick up and play. An interesting mechanic brought in involves there only being 6 finishing lines, with about 100 starting lines. The effect of this idea is that while the game's streets are that bit easier to get to know, some races start to become a tad repetitive towards the end of the game. The free-roaming element adds a lot to the game, but it feels like it lends a lot to Need for Speed 1+2 in terms of this.

Longevity wise, to complete the game up until the credits you will probably get 20 hours worth of play. To get the Elite/Criterion Elite will probably take another 30 and then if you add on all of the co-op (2-8 player) online challenges then you probably get another 30 hours.

The online system has a few innovative features to talk of. First things first, the online is VERY easy to go into. A simple click of the right d-pad 3 times will have you speeding around the same 1-player map, but with your friends (or strangers if you wish). Playstation Eye owners will be pleased to find out about 'Mugshots'. This feature allows the player to make a pose/get nude/swear after being taken down by another car and while this was a good idea, sometimes I'd rather not crash into flashers that will leave me mentally scarred.

As often in racing games (Gran Turismo withstanding) the soundtrack is mixed. Some brilliant songs from 'Guns n Roses' and 'The Pigeon Detectives' are overshadowed by songs like 'Girlfriend' from Avril Lavigne. Car noises are as good as you would expect and a 'Picture Paradise' mode lets you escape, even momentarily, from the hustle of the large world.

Overall, this game is technically sound. This well ported game provides a base for future editions of the series to excel over their predecessor, and while this game does not have any big 'set-pieces' as seen in most modern games, you could still do a lot worse than doshing out £40 for a trip to paradise.

9/10

(Footnote: DLC has been confirmed with new cars and a new island)

Matt

Labels: Burnout, Matthew Meadows, Review

http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=11&ch=4&sd=0

• Set in Chinatown
• Mix between close-quarters and long range
• Re-make of old map from CoD2
• The backdrop is a big-city that looks like Hong-Kong
• I counted at least 5 enterable buildings
• Possibility of houses that go 3 floors up
• Houses overlooking streets
• Will be SAS vs Russians
• One of 3 maps aimed to be released in Spring

Matt

Labels: Call of Duty, Matthew Meadows

Me and Matt finished Army of Two today and are rolling our pimped out miniguns, keep looking back for a review coming soon. Meanwhile keep gaming and wait for some big upcoming releases such as Haze, GTA IV and Metal Gear Solid 4.

Gr1mmy

Labels: Army of Two

Quite a few new games out today.

• Army of Two
• MX vs ATV: Untamed
• BlackSite
• Battle for the Pacific (The History Channel)
• Dynasty Warriors 6

Got Army of Two on pre-order so hopefully be getting it today or Saturday.

Gr1mmy

Labels: Releases