Okay, so sports and games have always had a bit of a love affair going on. For football there's FIFA and Pro Evo; for basketball there's NBA and for boxing fans there's Fight Night. There's even PGA tour, if you love golf so much you want to play it indoors, on your PS3. However, you just know things are getting silly when fans of parkour, or freerunning, get a little bit of gaming heaven. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Mirror's Edge.

Mirror's Edge comes from one of EA's many studios, and takes the player into a modern city where a group of freerunners are used to relay messages, unbeknown to the government. However, the danger doesn't stop at great heights or falling off a zipline; government agents attempt to track you down and shoot you, while you have to jump, run and fight your way out of the pickle you're in. It's all quite snazzy.

The demo was very promising. The controls were easy to master, with all upwards tricks being controlled by L1 and downwards moves by L2. Fighting was good, too, with the ability to counter-attack and disarm opponents. The guns resembled a Walther PPK in design and were satifsying to shoot, although lacked much graphical 'shapow'.

The full game will follow Faith, the main character, and her journey through the danger of being a parkour messenger. The game will feature a Time Trial mode, as does the demo, but the demo version of the mode can only be accessed with a pre-order keycode. Graphics are good, although a little cartoony and occassionally slightly pixelated in cutscenes.

Mirror's Edge is a surprisingly original take on the sports genre, and incorporation of combat for the more violent of players is sure to lure many shooter fans into buying the game. I know the one group of people they were aiming for, though, and I doubt they'll deny it.

Adrenaline junkies.

Linford

Labels: Demo Impressions, EA, Freerunning/Parkour

The demo for the upcoming Mirrors Edge is available for download on the EU PSN. The game is about a group of runners in the future, you play the main character Faith who is part of the runners who are used to transmit messages while evading government surveillance. The game gives the player a first person view of a free runner.

The full game is available for purchase on November 11th.

Grimmy

The London Games Festival 2008 got off to a great start in Trafalgar Square on the 24th, and looks set to get even better as the action continues. Here's all the latest from the festival.

October 24th was the date of the much loved Video Games Live show. The show took gamers at London's Royal Festival Hall through an orchestral voyage through some of the very best soundtracks and theme music ever to have graced the face of gaming.

October 25-26th saw the Movie Comic Media Expo take control of the Docklands Excel Centre. The event allowed fans to get to grips with the best from the comic-games genre, with favourites such as Streetfighter IV, Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. The event also played host to an attempt to break the record for the largest number of gaming cosplayers in one place.

October 31-Nov 1st sees EA fly headfirst into their proceedings in Trafalgar Square for their Be The One event. The event will play host to unveilings of anticipated titles such as Mirror's Edge, and also IGN's Transatlantic Challenge, which will pit gamers from the UK and from across the pond against each other. A whole bagful of bands will be taking the stage to rock out the festival during the course of the event.

Sounds like a pretty cool lineup. I'll keep you posted on the latest from the festival as more happens.

Linford

Labels: EA, LGF, Update

Star Wars: The Old Republic was first hinted at back in October 2007 as a Knights of the Old Republic MMORPG and rumours have been whispered about weather Sony will be developing LucasArts newest Star Wars MMO and if they would cock it up the same way they did with Star Wars: Galaxies.

On October 21^st, 2008 it was announced that The Old Republic (TOR) is to be developed by BioWare, the same company who made the Knights of the Old Republic the Star Wars legend it is today. The game is said to be set roughly 200 years after the second Knights game. At the moment only a minimal amount of details have been publically released but it is known that you will be able to play as a Jedi or Sith initiate but we hope you can be given a wider variety of classes to play from except Jedi vs. Sith.

BioWare has built itself a reputation of inputting exceptional storylines into their RPGs and the founders of BioWare - Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck- think that MMOs lack any real story, with any luck this means TOR will be the first MMO with a genuine storyline. At least, that’s what the developers tell us, so it must be true…right?

Up until now this is all the information that could be found but you can all sleep easily knowing we will keep you updated on any new news.

Lewis

Labels: KOTOR, MMORPG, Star Wars, TOR

If you’ve been on Bungie’s website recently, you’ll know about H3: Recon or at least seen the link. Bungie have admitted that this is the game that was pulled at the last minute at E3 this year but aren’t giving much else away. One bit of released information is a cryptic trailer showing the devastated New Mombasa from Halo 2 after the battle involving the Master Chief.

Recon has not been treated as a sequel to Halo 3 by Bungie, rather an expansion. The main protagonist is an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) soldier, “Madison” who is deployed in New Mombasa as the Covenant take over the city.

As the character has neither the durability nor power of the Master Chief, the player will have to be more tactical in their playing style than in previous Halo games and could possibly lead to a minor stealth system being put in use.

Obviously, Halo 3: Recon will be a Xbox 360 exclusive and is due for release in Autumn of 2009. The link to the trailer is here

Lewis

Labels: 360, Halo, Xbox

It's amazing the things you learn on forums. According to many sources - not all unheard of - the latest addition to the PlayStation family's functionality may be the addition of processor sharing. Sony are attempting to extend the PS3 and PSP relationship further than it's current affair in the coming months, the sources hint.

Processor sharing will allow PS3 games to be played via Remote Play on a PSP system; while the PS3 runs the game and handles the data on it's internal processors, the video and audio will be streamed via the internet to your PSP system. This also works the other way round, so soon you'll be playing your PSP faves on your HDTV.

Whether this is the truth or another wild rumour, we're yet to find out. If all goes well, however, you could be playing LittleBigPlanet on your PSP by the end of the year.

Linford

Labels: Handheld, Hardware, PS3, PSP

Our R2 beta competition is now over, and I am proud to announce Jason Hibbs as the winning designer. His GGTL header will be used on the site on the UK release date of Resistance 2.

Congratulations, Jason. I have sent you an email containing your beta key, and hope you enjoy the exclusive insight into the R2 beta.

Linford

Labels: Beta, Competition, Resistance 2

Like the title says my PS3 has broken down, I do not know what the problem is but it plays a game for about 30 minutes and then freezes for some unknown reason. If anyone knows any information about this problem please contact me at jamesg16@hotmail.co.uk.

Grimmy

Hey, seeing as I'm the new Wii editor I should really say hi. I have a No More Heroes review ready to post when I get back to my normal PC and am totally working on a Metroid Prime 3 & Super Smash Bros Brawl retrospective. So until next time, see ya!

Tom

Labels: Misc.

COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION VIA EMAIL.

Thought it was too late to get your hands on one of those rare-as-gold-dust Resistance 2 beta keys? You were wrong. We've got one beta key cluttering up the office here at GGTL, and we want to get rid of it. So, here's your opportunity.

The task: Create a GGTL header for the release of Resistance 2.

The conditions:

1. The header must be of the dimensions 700px by 250px.
2. The header must contain the GGTL logo or the text 'Gamer's Guide to Life' (logo preferable).
   
3. The header must contain the names of all the GGTL writers.
   
4. The header cannot contain content unsuitable for minors.

The other conditions:

1. You must be 18 years old or over.
2. You must own a PLAYSTATION®3 system.
3. You must have a valid North American PLAYSTATION®Network account.

So, if you think your design skills are up to it, get designing! Please send entries to linfordbutler@googlemail.com, along with your name, PSN ID and country of residence. Entries in English only please. Entries must be received by Monday, 27th October 2008 at 4:30pm GMT, although a winner may be drawn earlier.

Linford

Any entries which do not fulfill requirements will not be entered. Any entries received after the closing date will not be entered. The winner will be notified and their code provided via email or PSN. Any fraudulent entries will be followed up with the correct authorities. GGTL accepts no responisbility for any damage or difficulty due to the beta, code or competition.

Labels: Beta, Competition, Resistance 2

The open application process will close today at 11pm GMT (4 pm PDT). If you haven’t applied yet, head to http://beta.myresistance.net/apply.

Today is not your last chance! Much like with the LittleBigPlanet beta, USA Today will be distributing (hundreds of) codes on their site beginning next Tuesday.

The download servers will shut down on Wednesday, October 29 at midnight (5 pm PDT) You won’t be able to download the beta after this.

They'll be shutting down the beta servers on Thursday, October 30 at 6:59am GMT (11:59 pm PDT) After that, you’ll need a retail copy of R2 to continue playing.

Linford

Thanks to Bryan Intihar of Insomniac Games for the information. PDT times are GMT-7hrs. GGTL accepts no responsibility for incorrect dates or times. All GMT times are converted from the original PDT times in the original post.

Labels: Beta, Resistance 2, Writer's note

So I got a Resistance 2 beta key. If you want it, just email me: matthewmeadows@hotmail.co.uk.

Labels: Matthew, Matthew Meadows

Just thought that i'd let you know that I managed to hire a talented Wii reviewer. His name is Tom and i'm sure he'll provide the Wii content that the sites been looking for.

Labels: Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Misc.

There's many things people join in a mad rush for. Celebrities autographs, book signings, running away from a massacre. Or, in the case of the game industry, beta keys for upcoming, highly anticipated PS3 exclusives. Like, say... Resistance 2 for example.

Resistance 2 is the sequel to the bestselling PS3-launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. The game follows on where FoM left off, with Nathan Hale taking centre stage again as the main character. R2 is set in America during the 1950s, and focuses on the Chimeran invasion of the east and west coasts of the USA.

I downloaded the beta - which weighs in at 2.2GB - after I became one of 7,000 lucky European PS3 owners to grab a beta key from IGN's giveaway. The beta gives you an insight into the network features of the game, without giving away too much of the storyline.

The 'competitive' portion of the beta includes competitive maps from three different locations in the game. 60, 40 and 20-player maps from Orick, 40 and 20-player maps from Chicago, and a standalone 10-player map called Sub Docks. Two new modes, Skirmish and Core Control, are supported, as well as traditional Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch.

The co-operative part of the beta is entirely focused on the Orick level, and gives beta testers a glance at the new 8-player online co-op mode. This portion supports play-path randomisation, so each time you play is slightly different.

Competitive mode works well, and the squad based gameplay is fantastic. Not only does it enable you to play tactically with friends or strangers, but it also allows you to be given hostile targets to 'take out', as it were. I encountered problems attempting to matchmake games - the beta either responded with 'Network Error' or a similar sort of message. However, this is one thing which is sure to be non-existant in the full game.



Insomniac have evidently been working hard on the co-op side of things. Jumping into a game with a group of friends is easy, and with up to 8-player play and class-based weapon sets, it makes it simple to get a well-rounded team together. The beta, however, only includes three classes - soldier, medic and Spec Ops. Hopefully there will be more options available in the full release.

High-definition really is made worthwhile with this beauty. The beta runs at a solid 720p, 60fps on my HDTV, with almost no gittering or pixelation at all. The renders are spot on, too - there's no square edges to be seen, and the lighting effects look fantastic. There's a good colour range, and that makes for a viewing experience that's full of vibrancy, rather than boring. The one thing which did not look quite how I thought it would, however, is water - it seems to have some unseen foce pulling it about, and looks almost comical.

Gameplay is good, and there was hardly any lag when playing in a 60-player deathmatch. Shooting feels satisfying, although enemies seem to take huge amounts of damage before finally kicking the bucket. Whether this is part of the story - stronger Chimera for a new invasion - is yet to be found out.

The menu system is well implemented, and easy-to-use. I really like the way you can still navigate through main menus and friends lists without leaving the party you're in - it makes navigation much more time-efficient. However, the beta was filled with minor glitches; attempts to view a profile always resulted in a network error and the game could occassionaly freeze and entirely crash the PS3, forcing a hard reset. However, that really couldn't put me off in the slightest.

If the beta is anything to go by, Resistance2 is going to be absolutely fantastic, and will live up to the hype. I'm really glad I got an exclusive insight into the beta, although there's one little thing that's niggling at me.

I desperately want the full game.

Linford

Labels: Beta Impressions, Exclusive, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, R:Fom, Resistance 2

Earlier today, the rare beta keys for the anticipated PS3-exclusive, Resistance2, were issued to lucky applicants.

US users who subscribed to Qore and those who pre-ordered the Collector's Edition from the US were the first to access the beta, followed by those who applied on MyResistance.net and users who pre-ordered at Play.com. A later giveaway of 7,000 EU keys was staged by IGN this evening.

Despite the European beta's delay, the key handout went fantastically well, with all 7,000 IGN keys being snapped up within minutes.

If you didn't manage to get into the beta, stay tuned to GGTL as I'll be bringing you the latest from the beta including a Beta Impressions post. Those of you who did manage to get in, I look forward to giving you a good thrashing during the beta.

Linford

The aim of this weekly editorial is to keep you busy readers out there up-to-date in all happenings in the gaming world, without having to surf endless Kotaku and Destructoid articles.

PES 2009 released

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 was released in Europe this week, to the delight of its large fan base. New features include a “Become a Legend” mode, which allows the player to start a career with their 17 year old avatar; working their way up to becoming the best player in the world and a licensed, UEFA Champion’s League mode. Scratch the surface of the series’ many forums, however, and you will find mutterings about 2009 just being a PES 2008 “2.0”, without enough new features to warrant praise.

LittleBigPlanet delayed

Massively anticipated Sony create-em-up LittleBigPlanet has been delayed due to an in-game song containing verses from the Koran which Sony was worried some may take offence to. The game will be released in the US on the 27^th October, while the UK will have to wait until the 5^th November.

PSM3 get PES answers

Pro Evolution Soccer creator, Seabass, has conducted an interview with UK gaming magazine PSM3. In the interview he admits to never having thought of any other currency system in the Master League mode other than “points”. He also states that he regularly plays FIFA, to gain inspiration. If playing FIFA 09 makes Seabass realise that the series needs online functionality improvement, then I’m all for it.

Matt

Labels: Blitz, Delay, LittleBigPlanet, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, PES 09

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I really do. But I thought I'd tell you anyway.

Those awaiting the long-anticipated Resistance2 beta are going to be disappointed, as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that all beta keys will be delayed due to 'unforseen circumstances'. SCEE has ensured the gaming community that 'the situation will be rectified shortly' and 'we'll have further news for you over the next few days'.

Thanks, Sony. Seems like I'm back to R:FoM for now.

Linford

Thanks to IGN for the info.

The term 'games conference' has pretty much become another name for E3 - it's the one almost everyone automatically knows about. However, this week UK gamers will be getting a taste of the action as the London Games Festival kicks off in Trafalgar Square on Friday.

The festival will run from this Friday until early November, and I'll be here with all the latest from the capital.

Linford

Why is it that companies allow the public to beta test products that aren't fully ready yet? Is it because they enjoy the risk? Is it because they need the feedback? Or is it because they know they've created an absolute masterpeice and want to show it off?

In the case of the LittleBigPlanet beta, it must've been the last one. The first and second ones too, but mainly the last - because, and I'm not overstating here, LBP is a work of art in every single sense of the word.

If anyone is struggling to remember or does not know what LittleBigPlanet is, then shame on you. However, due to the fact that I need you to read this, I will attempt to explain. LittleBigPlanet is a platformer in which you are a small 'Sackboy', who has to make the perilous journey through a world that is made of all the dreams we've ever thought up. Cool, huh?

'Yeah, right', I hear you say, sarcastically rolling your eyes before going back to your hyper-realistic shooters. But wait, oh ye of little faith - and don't roll your eyes as I say - LittleBigPlanet is one of the best games you will ever see.

Gameplay-wise, LBP can't be faulted. Response-times are really quick, the controls are intuitive and easy to pick-up, and the platformey/arcadey vibes it has going are spot on - it really feels like a well-rounded game.

Graphically, LBP is really good - but not excellent. The best graphics have to be in the pod, with the giant Sixaxis controller, but in game there is a little pixelation and the renders are a tiny bit squared. It isn't enough to put you off, though, and the HD textures should make up for lost ground in other graphical departments.

Online is where LBP comes into it's own - and I will nick the 'recycling' slogan here - the possibilities are endless. The beta included just under four pages - and the pages are bloody big - of user-created levels, as well as the pre-developed levels on the campaign mode. Of the levels I played, the fashion was to go for downhill races, but some were absolutely original - MusterBuster's [of the EU PlayStation forums] pinball level was absolutely amazing.

If the beta test was anything to go by, LittleBigPlanet is going to be the biggest gaming event this side of the PlayStation4 - it really is absolutely breathtakingly fantastic.

Welcome, my friends, to the PlayStation revolution.

Linford

Labels: LBP, LittleBigPlanet

If you applied to get into the Resistance2 beta but haven't got your beta key yet, don't start throwing yourself off high buildings just yet. According to various sources, UK beta keys will be sent out sometime tomorrow.

It should cost you about 2.2GB of disk space, and give you a decent insight into the online features before release. If you don't get in, however, you'll either have to make do until November or do something illegal to get into the beta.

I suggest the first option.

Linford

PS. I've applied and hopefully should get a key. If I do, expect a beta impressions post in the next week or so.

• Graphics look a little better
• Ball seems to stick a little too much to the feet
• Editing improved, but still nothing like the depth found in PES6
• Imported songs from PS3 HDD have saved my ears from horrific J-Pop
• They still haven’t fixed it so you can make a custom master league team
• Master league still pretty much the same as last season
• Liverpool FC are licensed, all is well with the world
• Become a legend mode is pretty much the same as FIFA’s one; takes a while to get used to
• Hull are awful

Matt

Labels: First impressions, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, PES 09

Upcoming PS3 platformer, LittleBigPlanet has been delayed in a joint decision by SCEE and Media Molecule. The delay comes as it was found that 2 lines of a Somali based band's music, included in the game, contained lines of the Quran.

It was confirmed that the delay will involve the re-pressing of disks; but the game should still be out within the next 3 weeks - according to Media Molecule's website.

Matt

Labels: Delay, LittleBigPlanet, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Misc.

Well, it's up, but it seems to have put itself further down the page. So, to read either scroll down, or if you can't be bothered, click here.

Linford

Labels: PSN, SARPBC

Apologies about the poll - for a lot of people it doesn't seem to work. I'll take it down now.

Labels: Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Misc.

It's been hailed as the biggest thing to hit PlayStation since Sony's trademark Ratchet and Clank series, and has had the entire gaming community hanging on to every scrap of news since it was announced at the 2007 Game Developer's Conference. And now, on the 24th of this month, LittleBigPlanet can be yours to rule.

Media Molecule's latest outing combines community socialisation, platform gaming and creative options. And it these features, believe me, make LittleBigPlanet something truly special. Everything is programmed into the game using an advanced physics engine, so everything reacts exactly how you think it should - springs bounce, balls roll, and jumping off a high platform sends you plummeting.

Just like every other self respecting platformer, LittleBigPlanet has it's own unique hero character. Sackboy will be your little friend throughout playing LBP, and as such it's important to make him just how you want him. Using the range of ingenious tools, you can change Sakboy's colour, clothing or even teeth. It's entirely your choice!

The one really amazing thing about LittleBigPlanet, however, is the fact that everything you see in-game that was pre-programmed was made using the tools you have at your fingertips.

The gameplay and graphics both look solid and immersive, but I'll give a full run-over in the beta impressions post, which will come soon.

I can really see why there's been so much hype for LittleBigPlanet - it really is the most original gaming concept since Tetris, and the really innocent, family-orientated concept is one which will sell millions of copies.

If anyone else has an idea better than this one, I'll give them a medal.

Linford

If you were one of the unlucky ones who didn't manage to lay their hands on a LittleBigPlanet beta key, then it's your lucky day. I've managed to get access to the beta and full coverage and impressions will be coming between now and Monday. Keep checking back to the site for new LBP content!

Linford

EDIT (17/10/08): I know I said before Monday. And I know it's Friday. And I know that my timekeeping is absolutely awful, but let me explain. Work for my GCSEs is getting ridiculous, I'm knackered and I've got a bit of writer's block. But I won't let that stop me - expect a LittleBigPlanet Hype Train and Beta Impressions very, very soon.

Labels: LittleBigPlanet

Ok here's the deal, World of Warcraft is the biggest and best selling MMORPG in the market, it claims to have over 10 million subscribers world wide, the storyline has lasted 15 years over many games, novels and comics. The Burning Crusade sold 2.4 Million copies in its first day and with the 2nd expansion coming up for release in just over a month. I have set my self the challenge of levelling a whole new character just in time for Wrath of the Lich King. I will however be using the Recruit-A-Friend program to get to level 70.

Labels: PC, WotLK, WoW

Labels: Looking Back On, MotorStorm, PS3

Labels: 360, Fallout, Hype Train, PC, PS3

Lewis' internet is still broken so...like I guess that makes him unable to post. However, it should be back up soon.

Matt

EDIT: Oh yeah, as well, we still need a Wii Editor. Think you're good enough? Email me at matthewmeadows@hotmail.co.uk. Don't send any porn this time.

EDIT 2: Also, check out the new PES demo, i'll post some impressions when i've downloaded it.

Labels: Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Misc.

Take an enemy species, a new planet, lots of new weaponry, explosions and men that die like real men. Put it together, and what do you get? A mess. Or, as the case may be, Guerrilla Games upcoming offering exclusively for PS3, Killzone 2.

For those of you who don't know the Killzone series - you don't know what you've missed. The storyline focuses around conflict between human and sorta-alien forces (the Helghast). There's lots of fighting, killing and so forth. It's absolutely brilliant.

The latest in the series, Killzone2, is set to take the PS3 to new and unforseen heights - or at least the developers hope so. Set two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA (the good guys) decide to take the fight to the Helghan homeworld. Their aim is clear: to capture Emperor Visari, the Helghast leader, and end the violence. Sounds good, no?

Graphically, Killzone 2 looks amazing. The explosions look like real explosions, the textures look beautiful and the dynamic lighting effects seem to be spot on. If the video footage I've already seen is anything to go by, this is going to be one of the highlights of the gaming year.

The controls look good, but they aren't anything really new - simple FPS controls really. The controls seem solid enough, however, and when the pad is in my hand, I'm sure they'll be amazing.

Gameplay wise, there's still work to be done - but that isn't to say it's terrible. In fact, quite the opposite - the feeling of chaos that the developers were trying to achieve seems to have been pulled off fantastically, with the ethos 'shot or be shot' and a real feeling of being in a theatre of war.

Guerrilla Games certainly seem to be on the right track with the latest Killzone game. I only hope that the end result will be as amazing as they've promised.

Brace yourself, Call of Duty, there's a new dog in town.

Linford

Labels: Exclusive, Guerrilla, Helghast, Killzone 2, PS3